WEEK 8 BLOG

Controversy has arisen amidst the pending rescue attempt of the trapped miners in Chile.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101009/ap_on_re_us/lt_chile_mine_collapse_23

After being trapped underground for sixty-six days, naturally, everyone involved is eager to return to the surface and go home.  However, there has to be an orderly way to get them all to the surface safely.  Any time drilling takes place, there are risks and things could go wrong.

What criteria should be used in determining what order they will be lifted to the surface?  Should age matter?  Should whether or not they have families make a difference?  Should strength, mental stability, sickness come into play when determining who goes first and who goes last?  (PART I due by 10/14 ; PART II due by 10/17)

NEW RULES FOR ROUND 2 BLOGS

Don't forget that in order for your initial post (PART I) to be counted as "on time," it must be posted before Thursday!  Your responses (PART II) will still be due by Sunday.

WEEK 7 BLOG

President Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has stepped down and decided to run for mayor of Chicago.  However, there are experts who have said that he is not a legal resident of Chicago and should not be allowed to run...

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/10/rahm_emanuel_experts_say_not_a.html

Should he be allowed to run for mayor of Chicago?  Should limits be placed on who can run for office?  Should someone who is a legal resident, but works in Washington D.C. primarily be allowed to be on the ballot?  Does his experience in the White House make him more qualified for the office?  Would this make you more or less likely to vote for a person?  (PART I due 10/7 ; PART II due 10/10)

WEEK 6 BLOG

It was announced Monday that the Indianapolis Museum of Art will be firing more than fifty employees in an effort to overhaul security and save money...


http://www.indystar.com/article/20100928/LOCAL1804/9280332/IMA-fires-more-than-50-in-security-overhaul?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Entertainment


The plan is to replace the former employees with students and security guards from IUPUI at a lower wage. The plan is estimated to save the museum approximately $600,000.


Do you agree with this plan? Given today's economy, is it more important to save as much money for the business as possible to keep the doors open, or is it more important to make sure that as many people remain employed as possible? Does it make a difference that it is a public museum and not a private business? (Due by 10/3)

ROUND TWO INSTRUCTIONS

Don't forget that in addition to answering the questions with a post, you also need to respond to two other people's posts.  These should be made as seperate posts to make sure that you are getting proper credit.

WEEK 5 BLOG

It was announced that the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, will release the candidates that will be considered as their new mascot.  The former mascot, Colonel Reb, was dropped in 2003 "following much controversy about the image's racial insensitivity" (USA Today).

Ole Miss Ready for New Mascot  (MAKE SURE YOU WATCH THE VIDEO AT THE BOTTOM)

The school has operated without an official mascot ever since.  A student group petitioned to have the administration come up with a replacement.  They agreed and encouraged people to submit suggestions.  One student group hhas suggested replacing Colonel Reb with Admirable Ackbar, a character from the movie Return of the Jedi (the leader of the Rebel Alliance).

Was it the right decision for Ole Miss to "retire" their original mascot in the first place?  Should the administration have seriously considered Admiral Ackbar as a legitimate replacement?  What do you think would be a good mascot for the Ole Miss Rebels?  (due 9/26)

WEEK 4 BLOG

This is where you need to post your reaction / response to the Newsweek article "Inside al Qaeda."

(Due by 9/19)

WEEK 3 BLOG (9/6 - 9/12)

It has been announced that pastor Terry Jones of Gainesville, Florida is planning to hold a mass burning of the Quran...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2010-09-08-quran-burning-florida_N.htm

This is in response to what happens in many other countries of the world with items that symbolize America and Christianity.  However, the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, has warned that doing so will only endanger the lives of U.S. troops throughout the world.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/afghanistan/2010-09-06-nato-afghan-troops_N.htm

What are your thoughts on this idea?  Will it really have it's desired impact, or will it just do what General Petraeus says?  Is this the type of thing that should be protected by "freedom of speech?"  Does doing something like this prove a point or does it just "bring us down to their level?"  (due by 9/12)

WEEK 2 BLOG (8/30 - 9/5)

It has been revealed that Washington Nationals pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg has severely injured his elbow and will have to have Tommy John reconstructive surgery. 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5517518

Being only 22 years old and in his first season out of college, many believe that the Nationals rushed him to the majors too quickly, resulting in the injury which will take 12 to 18 months to recover from.  Some people believe that he was brought up because he was ready.  Others believe that he was brought up to boost the Nationals low revenue / ticket sales.

Regardless of whether he was ready or not, should he have been brought to the majors in his first professional season?  (due by 9/5)

WEEK 1 BLOG

Last week, the drunk driving charges against IMPD officer David Bisard were dropped after it was acknowledged that the technician who drew his blood following his deadly crash was not properly licensed.  As a result, that evidence was not admissable in court.  This has created a huge controversy concerning the true intentions of the investigating officers in this case and has lead to several demotions within IMPD.  Do you think that the reactions from both the public and IMPD were appropriate?  Do you think that the mistake with the evidence was honest or an attempted cover-up?  Should Prosecutor Brizzi have gone forward with the case anyway?  Does this give the public sufficient reason to mistrust the police in Indianapolis?

BLOG ASSIGNMENTS

This is the site where you will be visiting through Rounds 1 & 2 to complete the blog assignments.  Bookmark this site on your computer at home to make it easier to find.  Once your site is set up I will need to have that site address as well as your email address turned in to me.