Blog 6 November 30th

I read an article on cnn.com called Arms ships owners strike deal with pirates. It's about how Ukraine struck a deal with pirates to get their ships back in the hands of their own country. These ships were headed towards Kenya who paid for artillery shells and grenade launchers. The pirates originally asked for $35 million but compromised for $20 million. Africa has paid a total of $150 million for pirate related crimes off the coast of the Gulf of Aden. I think it is incredible weird that even now in the 21st century we are dealing with pirates. I thought that they were extinct and that they were no longer around in this day in age. Multiple U.S. ships were sent there so that the weapons didn't end up in the hands of terrorists. Other countries other than the U.S. have also helped to provide protection for Africa and it's residents.

Blog 5 November 23rd

I read an article in the People magazine called Maureen McCormick MY LIFE STORY. This article was about Maureen McCormick more widely recognized as Marcia Brady. It shared the struggles that she's had growing up and even in her life presently. Being a childhood star is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. It forces you to grow up faster than you're ready for and it is a very scary experience. While Maureen was on the Brady Bunch her parents left her because they became mentally insane. After returning to high school for her senior year nothing in her life would ever be the same. She started abusing prescription drugs and it eventually led her to Cocaine. This was one of her hardest addictions to break but she eventually did with the introduction of religion into her life. She now has trouble staying in shape but her 19 year old daughter and husband are there for her to guide her and provide the love and support she neds to get better. 

Weekly Reading, November 18th, 2008

This week I read an article on CNN.com called Boy, 8, charged with murder says he came home, found men dead. Its all about an 8 year old boy, whose name is not specified, who is found guilty to killing his father and a man who rented their apartment. In a recorded questioning session the boy admits to killing his father, "After I shot him once he was still moving, I think I shot him again." He says that he shot his father Vincent Romero and the renter Tim Romans with a .22-caliber handgun. After his confession he started bawling and couldn't continue for further questioning. In the first 12 minutes of the interview, the boy exclaims that when he returned home from school after going for a walk he got there and both of the men were dead. He then ran to a neighbors house where they called 911. Although he later admits that he murdered them although police don't know the cause of this. Charges have not yet been pressed especially since defense attorneys bash the police for not giving the boy a lawyer for his questioning session. 

Weekly Reading, November 16th, 2008

I read an article on Startribune.com called Mr Prisident! You must get off the Blackberry! It's all about how Obama is attached to his Blackberry and when he enters the White House this may not be possible. There is a law called the Presidential Records Act that makes it legal for anyone in public to be able to view the presidents emails. With it being the 21st century, it is only going to be harder and harder for presidents because of all the technology they've grown accustomed to. Although Obama wants to keep his blackberry and have a laptop, computer professionals said that it will be hacked into no matter how much they try to prevent that from happening. Many people are upset with the fact that he is trying to impose this and they've stated that they would rather have McCain because if he was the new president there would be no issue of technology.

Weekly Reading, November 11th, 2008

Today I read an article on Startribune.com titled Woodbury woman winning the war at her life. It was all about a woman named Kathy Miller who at the young age of 34 was diagnosed with breast cancer causing her to undergo a double mastectomy and lymph node removal. Kathy has three kids aged 8-months, 2 years old and 4 years old who is also autistic. Kathy was determined through all her surgeries and treatments to stay alive so her children wouldn't have to lose a mother. With her having cancer, her children also have health problem's of their own making their household a busy and hectic place to be. She has been named the "Beautiful Warrior" award from Ford Motor Co. and Reader's Digest, which is an award given to 3 cancer survivors and she will get her picture posted in the newspaper. I think that with everything she's had to overcome she greatly deserves this award.

Weekly Reading, November 9th, 2008

This weekend I read an article in the people magazine called Thirteen is Enough. Its about a family who had five children of their own and decided to add eight brothers and sisters to their already big family. Kathy and Dave Bain heard about this them and decided instead of adopting one to keep them together and adopt them all. These kids were severally abused, both sexually and verbally. With 15 people in one house, things needed for everyday become extremely costly. For example, in one week the Bain's go through 8 boxes of cinnamon toast crunch cereal, 10 gallons of milk, and 42 loads of laundry. Even when they go to McDonalds and order off the dollar menu they end up spending $40. I think the Bain's did an extremely good deed by letting these children into their house and they ended up saving their lives. 

Weekly Reading, November 4nd, 2008

This week I picked up a People magazine and opened to a random article. The article I opened to is titled "Fattened Up For Football." This article is all about how high school students eat enormous amounts of food to become big and be chosen for the football team. The suddenly popular "trend to be big" is taking over the minds of football players around the nation. Last year a survey was conducted with 3600 high school linemen and 45% were found to be overweight for their age group. Even though being big may be an advantage while these players actually play football, when they stop it becomes even more of a health risk. They no longer are motivated to workout and they continue eating food in massive quantities that make them even larger than before. This is what I learned from this article. 

Weekly Reading, November 2nd, 2008

I read an article on cnn.com called Even early risers see long lines for weekend voting. Throughout the US, some states had polling places open early so that people could vote early to make the lines less crowded on election day. In Plantation, Florida, hundreds stood in line waiting to place their vote. Voters came as early as 45 minutes early just to stand in line to vote for presidential candidates. 31 out of the 50 states allowed early voting and by friday almost 23 million people had voted early. The early voting is especially helpful for people who can't afford to miss a half days work on tuesday to vote. The early voting will allow for more people to be able to vote and for more people to voice their choice of a candidate for office. I think that its a good idea to do this because it allows for more people to vote and it makes it more fair for everyone in the country.