Thursday, September 29, 2016

Current Events #1.4

1.What was the % of decrease in violent crime in the city of Austin AND what was the % of increase in violent crime in surrounding cities, according to the FBI?The crime decrease in Austin was 6%. The crime increase in surrouding cities was 7%.

2. How much does it cost on average in the United States for one year of child care for one kid, according to New America?On average, it costs the United States $9589 for one year of child care for one kid.


3. What are 2 tips to avoid being a victim of a crime at ACL this year?Two tips to aviod being a victim of a crime at ACL are to lock your car and take your keys with you and to safley obey all traffic rules.


4. What is wrong with JJ Watt?JJ Watt has an injured back and has to sit out for at least eight weeks of the season.


5. What are the two best suggestions, in your opinion, in the story "How to dress for the fest?"
In my opinion, the best suggestions to dress for the fest are wearing a comfortable and flowy two piece outfit, bring a small backpack, and almost no makeup. Wearing some makeup to make your eyes pop is a good idea, just aviod using powders.

6. Long response

The bill Obama tried to pass allowed families of 9/11 victims to "sue Saudi Arabia for any role in the plot." This was the first bill Obama tried to pass that was vetoed. After the bill was vetoed, Obama warned that the law "could be devestating to the Department of Defense and its service members, and there is no doubt that the consequences could be equally significant for our foreign affairs and intelligence communities." Senator Chuck Schumer supported the law because "it would allow the victims of 9/11 to pursue som esmall measure of justice, finally giving them a legal avenue to pursue foregin sponsors of the terrorist attack that took from them the lives of their loved ones." I agree that the override of the bill was a good idea. I think that citizens of the United States trying to sue another country would be unreasonable and it would negativley provoke foreign countires. I think there would definitley be repercussions for suing and/or winning a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia. It could begin something very big, dangerous, and disruptive. Especially with the new eection coming up, it would probably be best for the well being of the United States that we keep our foregin affairs civil and in control.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

My Top Stories Of The Century


Women win the right to vote. 1920.

Women winning the right to vote was the 19h ammendment of the constitution. The ammendment was passed in 1919, but wasn't ratified until 3/4 of the states agreed to it in August of 1920. This was a huge victory after years and years of fighting for womens suffrage.


This was one of the most interesting articles of the century because it was an incredibly large step in the right direction for politics. Women and men fought for many years to accomplish women's suffrage. This is a great big success because they finally accomplished equality in the voting field.







Deadly AIDS disease identified. 1981.


A group of homosexual men were all identified with the same rare infection in 1981. Many cases of this same unknown disease were seen around the country in previously healthy gay men. Many of the people with the deficiency died.



This was one of the most interesting articles of the century because AIDS is such a huge disease in current times still. If doctors and scientests still hadn't identified it, who knows how many people would be unknwingly suffering from it. Identifiying the deficiency was also good for the social aspect of the human race because people realized it wasn't a homosexual disease. 




Scientists clone sheep in Great Britain. 1997.

This was one of the most interesting articles of the century because it's a crazy big accomplishmet in the science field! Even today it's still shocking and amazing how scientests accomplished cloning a living animal. It is a gateway to many more opprotunities in science. 

In 1997, scientists discovered how to clone living beings. their first success was the cloning of an adult sheep in Great Britain. The scientists took a single cell from the sheep's udder and made it into a lamb.

Inverted Pyramid


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Additional Student Of The Month Interviews

Source: Summer's principal

1. Will the award be presented in some special way? If so, how?

Yes. We will hold a small 5 minute recognition ceremony in her first period class. SUmmer will recieve a shiny little trophy, and a dozen donuts!

2. How is Summer involved with the school?

Summer is a very involved student. She is in a number of highly ranked and involved clubs, as well as on Varsity Tennis.

3. How did you pick Summer to win?

Aside from being an all around positive girl, she is incredibly talented in sports and her academic performance. Summer put all her effort into whatever she is doing, and the staff believes she is a good role model for the other students.

4. What are the pros and cons of winning?

The pros are probably gettin recognized and free food is always a plus! I don't see any cons to winning this award. 

5. Why do you think giving out this award is a good idea?

I think this award is a good idea to give out because it gives the students a goal, and rewards those who are responsible, smart, and involved.


Source: Summer's dad

1. What was your initial reaction to finding out Summer won?

I was very happy for her. I immediately called to make a reservation at her avorite restaurant.

2. Will Summer winning this award affect how she's treated at home?

She will definitley be rewarded! Her mom and I are so so proud of her for standing out in such a positive way, considering high school is a drag for most children.

3. Why do you think Summer was chosen?

Summer is without a doubt one of the most involved, and extraordinary students at her school!

4. Why do you think giving out this award is a good idea?

I think this is a great idea because it acknowleges students' amazing accomplishments monthly.

5. Are you involved with the school?

Unfortunatley no, my work schedule doesn't leave me much room for PTA or anything, but Summer seems to be there enough for both of us!

Friday, September 16, 2016

Current Event #1.3

1. How much is the settlement for the death of Sandra Bland?
The settlement for the death of Sandra Bland has reached 1.9 million dollars.

2. What is the Austin City budget for 2017 and how much more will this approved budget cost each resident next year?

The Austin City budget for 2017 is 3.7 billion dollars. This will cost each resident 87 more dollars than usual annually. 

3. Name 3 ride sharing business available in Austin?

Three ride sharing business in austin are RideAustin, Fare, and Fasten.

4. What is the record of the Bowie varsity volleyball team?

The Bowie varsity volleyball team's record is 26-9

5. What is the purpose of a Skinner?


Skinners are very durable sock like articles of clothing that are comfortable and protect your foot doing almost any activity. 

6. Long Response

The small gap in Texas is so significant because Texas is typiaclly a very Republican state, and this poll show that the race is very close this year. I think the polls are correct, and the race really is that close because from what I know and have observed, people have a hard time favoring one candidate because they have strengths and very weak weaknessne. At this point in the race I would probably vote for Hillary because Trump's personality repulses me and his opinions on many controversial topics are very one-sided (and they are not my side.) I do believe my dad's political opinions reflect on mine because I hear his opinions so often, and they make sense to me beause I have a similar personality to my dad. My mom doesn't talk about politics very much because she really dislikes both of the main candidates. I think that voters need to take into consideration the long-term affects of our president's actions. This person is going to be in charge of major decisions in our country, so voters better agree with their candidates decision making ability. 

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Student Of The Month Interview

Possible sources:
Student of the month, his/her best friend, his/her parent, his/her favorite teacher, the principal

Questions:

1. How did you first recieve the news?
The principal asked me during class, "Summer, can I talk to you? I have a special honor for you." We are friends, me and the principal. I couldn't believe it, I started crying.

2. What was your initial reaction to finding out you won?
I thought, "Wow! I'm so special," but I was really very surprised because there was so much competition.

3. Did you aim to recieve this award?
Not really, it just came to me. I was trying to be a great student. I didn't try to win.

4. If so, how did you work for it?
-emitted question

5. Who was the first person you told about winning once you found out?
I told my mom. I texted her, "You have the greatest kid in the world, I just won student of the month!" She was thrilled.

6. What plans do you have for after high school?
I want to apply to lots of colleges and have a stable and educated future.

7. Will this award be presented to you in some special way?
Yes

8. If so, how?
A small ceremony in class, not a huge thing. I'm excited! I just want to hold the award in my hands.

9. In what ways are you involved with the school?
I volunteer to help clean the school every weekend. I am in French Club, Chess Club, Key Club, and the Red Cross Club. I'm also on the tennis team. I never have extra time for anything.

10. Do you have any extracurriculars outside of school?
Yes

11. If so, what are they?
I'm on a dance team called "Magenta Planets." We are a hip hop group that meets three times a week.

12. What is your favorite class and why?
Math because you get to solve problems.

13. Who is your favorite teacher and why?

Mr. Key because he motivates me every day to be a better student.

14. What is your favorite thing about our school?

I love the big, welcoming community, and there's so much to do.

15. Do you think recieving this award will affect how you are treated?

Yes

16. If so, how?

People will want to know more about me. I'll probably be popular for a hot minute and get all that attention before it goes back to normal.

17. Why do you feel you were chosen to accept this award?

I try my best every day, get really involved, and I'm a positive person to have on campus.

18. Do you think giving out this award every month is a good idea?

Yes, it'll motivate kids to do better, and give them something to strive for.

19. What are the benefits of recieving this award?

You get an award to show people, so they know you're a big deal.

20. Are there any cons to recieiving this award?

I can't be student of the month again!

Interviewing Basics

School Uniforms

Sources:
School counselor, upperclassmen students (boy and girl), a parent of a student.

Questions:
1. What is the motivation for suddenly enforcing a school uniform?
2. Do you, personally, agree with this?
3. Would there be any days that uniforms are not required?
4. What benefits do you think will come out of this adjustment?
5. What disadvantages do you think will come with this adjustment?
6. How do you think the male population of the school will react to this change?
7. The girls?
8. Parents?
9. Teachers?
10. What types of changes is the chool board expecting to see in the classroom?
11. In the social aspects of the school?
12. What types of changes, if any, do you think will be seen in the classroom?
13. In the social aspects of the school?
14. How do you feel about the school introducing uniforms?
15. When will the school offically begin to inforce a uniform?
16. Do you know what the uniforms will look like?
17. If so, can you describe them?
18. Is this a permanent change?
19. How do you, personally, feel about adjustment?
20. How long do you think it will take for the student body to adjust to the change?

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Current Events #1.2

1. Why has AISD not started a medical-based magnet school yet?
 AISD has not started a medical based program yet because a bond has not been approved to start up the program. There should be a program started by 2018.

2. How was officer Amir Abdul-Khaliq killed, be specific. 
Officer Abdul-Khaliq was killed in a motorcycle accident while escorting a funeral. In the hospital after he had to be revived many times before they finally had to call his death.

3. Approximately how many people age 17-24 are out on the streets homeless on any given night in Austin?

On any given night, more than one hundred 17-24 year olds are left without a home and on the streets in Austin. 


4. What are two of the big changes in the Apple iPhone 7 compared to the previous model? 

Two big changes Apple made with the new model are removing the headphone jack and is water resistant. 


5. Which of the things to do on the long weekend would you like to attend? 

Out of the five things to do, I would definatley want to attend Sky Candy's "Agent Andromedia: The Orion Crusade." 

6. Long Response.
The advantages to having a tiny house are that it is better for the environment because of its water tank system and it can easily be solar powered and have composting. They also have a surprising amount of storage for their size. A disadvantage could be maintaining the water system and that it doesn't include room for a washer and dryer. 84 Lumber is the company that makes them, and they range from $6,884 to $59,884. I would love to live in a tiny house on vacation, but not permanently. I love living in trailers for a short period of time, but I feel like it would be more difficult to maintain good hygiene.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Ethics in Journalism

1. Publishing Drunk Drivers' Photos
Summary: Publisher of the local newspaper in Anderson County, Kentucky created a policy in December of 1997 that beginning in the new year, all people convicted of DUI's would have their photo and information published on the district court page. This was the only newspaper in Kentucky to have this policy, and it barely affected the rates of DUI's. The question, "should the newspaper purposely embarrass individuals in an attempt to achieve" the goal of reducing drunk driving arose.
My Opinion: I think that it was a good idea of the newspaper to include photos of people convicted with DUI's. It showed the public that they would be exposed for committing such crimes. I don't, however, think that all the information of the arrest should be included with the photo. They should leave out the certain details, like age, place of residence, and blood alcohol levels.

2. The Sting
Summary: A show on television has developed a tactic to exposes suspected pedophiles. They had people pretend to be 16 year olds in chat rooms with men older than them. Once they lured the man to the apartment where they were supposed to meet, they would pop up with cameras and microphones to record the men and their reactions. One of the men featured lost his well paying job because the television network claimed the men were "Internet predators" who wanted to "have sex with underage teens." The network thinks people should be tanking them for serving justice.
My Opinion: I believe this is a very good tactic for catching the perverts who use online chat rooms to get in touch with underage teens inappropriately. I don't think it is a good tactic for a television network to be using to expose them, that should be the police's job. It may seem like a good idea to some people to expose the pedophiles this way, but it is very unethical and could get very sticky legally.

3. Reigning on the Parade
Summary: A 56 year old reporter for the Morning Call newspaper in Pennsylvania and his 25 year old partner were the co-grand marshals in a gay pride parade. The two of them helped organize and put on the parade. However, one of the rules of being on the newspaper's staff was that none of the employees were allowed to take part in "public demonstrations in favor of or opposed to a cause."His employers were unaware of his part in the parade until two days prior to the event. They warned him that his participation would be a conflict of interest and that there would be consequences, but he went through with his parade. The questions arose as to what, if any, would the consequences be for his participation?
My Opinion: I think it is completely unfair that his employers would consider consequences such as unpaid suspension. I think that their policy of not being allowed to take part in events like this in the first place is too much. It makes sense that the newspaper needs unbiased writers, but it doesn't explain how deep they are willing to go with that.