2012 Year Ending Current Event # 15
Due: Friday, December 21, 2012
The topic for this week's current event blog assignment will be one of reflection. You should select a topic that will pertain
to a thought provoking event/issue that will surely be written and
recorded in the history books for 2012. We've experienced and witnessed a
lot of historical events that helped shape 2012. What world event will
you choose to end the year on a historical note? Be sure to use a current and
reputable source (not Wikepedia) and find an article that interests you. Be sure to research to find information regarding varies topics and issues that left a mark or impression during 2012, which will be discussed for years to come. Your
post should adhere to the following format:
What You
Will Do:
Heading/ Be sure to include the following in your blog post:
-Your name/class period
-Title of article/author
-Source/date of article
-URL (copy and paste your article link in your response for me to review your article)
Paragraph #1:
-Summary of your selected article (minimum of 5-7 sentences that provide detail about who/what, when, where, and why your current event is significant)
Paragraph #2:
-Reflection/Opinion of article (minimum of 5-7 sentences)
-Give supporting facts and include any personal experiences associated with the article
-Relate the current event to what we've been studying in class (if applicable)
-pose questions/concerns about the event
Heading/ Be sure to include the following in your blog post:
-Your name/class period
-Title of article/author
-Source/date of article
-URL (copy and paste your article link in your response for me to review your article)
Paragraph #1:
-Summary of your selected article (minimum of 5-7 sentences that provide detail about who/what, when, where, and why your current event is significant)
Paragraph #2:
-Reflection/Opinion of article (minimum of 5-7 sentences)
-Give supporting facts and include any personal experiences associated with the article
-Relate the current event to what we've been studying in class (if applicable)
-pose questions/concerns about the event
** *Be sure to write specific, detailed, complete paragraph sentences, when writing your current event.***
HAPPY NEAR YEAR!!!
Ian Hufford
ReplyDeleteP.1
12-17-12
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/16/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
This article talks about that tragic Connecticut school shooting and the president address to the nation. On friday, a man shot his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School then killing 20 children under the age of 7, and 6 adults. This horrible incident not only brings up the issue of gun control, but also how we need to make our schools safer. The people of Connecticut are still searching for answers to why someone would do such a horrible act of mass murder of minors. Obama gave a speech saying how sorry he was that this happened and that the first responders and people who made sure that they got as many children out as they could, and the teachers who have their lives protecting the students will be hailed as heroes.
I think that this horrible act of randomly murdering little children under the age of 7 without purpose or cause is one of the worst things that you can do. They had their lives ahead of them and they were taken far too early. I do not know what the man’s reason for doing this was, but there is no excuse and no reason why this heinous crime should ever of been committed. This is why we need stronger gun control. The founding fathers said that we have the right to bear arms because this was something that was needed for protection. They could not have imagined that in the future they could fire hundreds of bullets in a minute and be used as a mass murder weapon. This incident is truly one of the worst things that someone could ever do.
McKenna Willoughby / Period 2
ReplyDeleteU.S. Women’s Gymnastics Wins Team Gold Medal At London Olympics / By: Chris Greenberg
Huff Post: Sports / 07/31/2012
www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/31/us-womens-gymnastics-gold-medal-team-final_n_1724404.html
In the 2012 London Olympics, the U.S. dominated in women’s gymnastics by winning the gold medal. Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Kyla Ross, and McKayla Maroney were the five skilled girls who made up the “Fabulous Five”. Their overall score was 183.596. Right behind them were Russia with an overall score of 178.530 and Romania with 176.414. The main opponent for the U.S. gymnastics team was Russia. Russian gymnasts are well known for their skill and gracefulness. But when two Russian gymnasts fell during their floor routines, all the U.S. needed to get gold were three solid performances. Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, and Aly Raisman each delivered impressive floor routines, winning the U.S. the gold medal. It was the first gold for the U.S. in gymnastics since the “Magnificent Seven” in 1996.
I really enjoyed reading this article because it had a lot of interesting information and it was a positive article. It was an important event during 2012 because it was in the 2012 London Olympics. It was also the first time that the U.S. has won a gold medal in gymnastics since 1996. I can relate well to this article because I used to do gymnastics when I was 5. It was a lot of fun, but I bet that it was even more fun when the “Fabulous Five” won their gold medal. I was so happy when I learned that they won the U.S. a gold. I wondered how the last three girls were able to perform so perfectly when they knew the gold medal was so close. Wouldn’t that be hard?
Jackson Cabell 7th Period
ReplyDeleteTitle: Student, 17, arrested in Jessica Ridgeway murder
Author: Mallory Simon
CNN 10/24/12
URL: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/24/arrest-made-in-jessica-ridgeway-murder/?npt=NP1
One week ago, a 17-year-old with the name of Austin Reed Sigg murdered a 10-year-old girl called Jessica Ridgeway. Austin was faced with preliminary charges including first-degree murder and kidnapping. Charges will be officially filed in a couple of days. Jessica was last seen by her mom when she left for school on October 5th. Her body was found last week at a park in Arvada, a Denver suburb in Colorado. Late Tuesday evening, the police were directed to a house where they arrested Austin. The suspect will have his first court appearance on Thursday at 8 a.m. This article is important to the study of world history because it shows how murder is taken to a place totally different than here in North Carolina, across the country.
I think that it was very sad to hear about the murder of Jessica. With the facts and the knowledge that I have, I believe that she definitely did not deserve to have such a thing happen to her. With past cases like this, I’ve heard that they usually happened because the suspect had had family problems at home that stirred up anger inside of them to do such a thing like hurting another human being. What I wonder is why Jessica was murdered? Did she do something bad? How is her family doing right now?
Another tragic thing has happened recently just like this situation. Even though my current event was not on this, I thought that the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in Connecticut was terrible. All of the victims and their family and friends will be in our nations thoughts and prayers, none of them deserved to die in such a way at this early of an age.
Paige Haskins
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
December 18, 2012
Title: Obama Re elected: What now?
Author: Michael Niman
URL: http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/12833-obama-was-re-elected-now-what
This article talks about the historic re election of our President Barack Obama. What happens next is the proposed questioned. Obama states that he is grateful for his re election and that this term he wants and needs to do a better job of listening and responding to the middle classes needs. He believes that American citizens chose the right candidate for this job and knows that he can lead us into a better future. The article continues to go on about Governor Romney and his plans for the future now that he has lost the election. He will not be running again for office. As a closing state, that author gives his views of the turn out.
This event is defiantly one to remember. This event will shape America for the next four years, and possibly even longer due to what President Obama does in the oval offices for those four years. I think that this is a major historical event, because not only is Obama the only African-American candidate to be elected, but he has been elected twice now. That's very significant and has truly shaped what 2012 has become.
Questions:
The article mentioned lots of numbers and different views of the election, but not much on the future for America. He states what President Obama should do, but nothing on what could happen if Governor Romney was elected. What would the future have looked like if Romney had won the race?
Mimi Kramer 5th period
ReplyDeleteNewtown Tragedy By Rick Green
Dec. 17/2012
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/newtown-sandy-hook-school-shooting/hc-newtown-sandy-hook-school-shooting-20121214,0,6861962.story
Last Friday, on December 14th a man burst into an elementary school in Newtown Connecticut at 8:30 a.m. The mans name was Adam Lanza, and he started his day by shooting his mother Nancy in the face at their home. He then drove to the elementary school and proceeded to kill 28 people including himself. This event caused an outbreak of emotion among our Nation, as 20 of those people were children aged five to seven. The 21 year old shot 6 women at the school including their principal and teachers. Many heroic stories emerged from the tragedy, of teachers giving their lives to save children. The country remains shaken by this event, and many are in disbelief.
I first heard on this shooting the day it occurred in 9th period when we had a moment of silence. Our principal announced what had happened and I was in disbelief. I came home and turned on the TV to discover more about the shooting and I was shocked. To hear that 28 people had been killed earlier that day, at an elementary school was horrifying. I just do not understand how someone could bring themselves to look a child in the face and kill them. But as I deepened my research I realized that the shooter had a personality disorder, and he had obvious mental health issues. I tried to keep in mind that his perception of things differs from mine, but I just couldn’t imagine where his mind was. The shooting if a huge tragedy in our nation and the victims and their families will never be forgotten.
Claire Lancaster
ReplyDelete1st period
Title: “Gunman’s Family at a Loss to Explain Connecticut Shooting”
Author: Holly Yan
Source: CNN
Date: Monday, December 17, 2012
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/16/justice/connecticut-shooting-suspect-profile/index.html?iref=allsearch
1) As you most likely already know, there was a horrible school shooting just last Friday, at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut, killing 26 people, with 20 of those people being children. The killers name was Adam Lanza, who was 20 years old, not even old enough to own a gun. Before coming to the school he shot his mother. After the shooting he took his own life. Since he took his own life, no one knows the motive he could have possibly had to kill those innocent children. Apparently he was a shy kid in middle and high school, someone that would never hurt anyone else. He also had some form of autism. According to some people he knew in high school, they thought he was a “genius” and “loved computers”. A friend ran into his mother several months ago and she told him that Lanza had become fond of going to gun ranges. His is motive? We can guess-but we will never know for sure.
2) When I heard about this last Friday, I was devastated. I just thought for the rest of the day “what kind of a sick person would do such a terrible thing?” I’m sure the rest of America was thinking the same. I just really feel sad for the families of the people who were killed. I also am sad for the killer’s family, because they have to deal with the grief of loosing the mother and taking responsible for all of the people he killed. I wish that the laws on buying guns were stricter than they are today. I don’t think anyone but those who fight in the wars should even own a gun of any sort. Especially automatic weapons. What else would that be used for, other than mass-murders anyway? This raises the question for me: “do you think that America will change our gun laws after something like this?” This to me is the time for America ‘s turning point. That is why I think this is the most significant and unfortunate thing that happened in 2012.
Anna Grace Kelley
ReplyDelete12/17/12
Period 7
Title: “As nation mourns, investigators try to figure out what led to tragedy in Newtown, Conn.”
Authors: Cristina Corbin, Jana Winter, Perry Chiaramonte, Mike Levine and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Date of Article: December 16th, 2012
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/16/at-least-26-dead-in-shooting-at-connecticut-school/
After a 20 year old man by the name of Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people on Friday, December 14th, police and others tried to figure out why he did what he did. He was a smart kid and very socially awkward, but it just doesn’t make sense. The victims of this awful event hadn’t even lived a decade or lost their baby teeth and their families have to live with this fact for the rest of their lives. While police try and figure out his motives, other information about Adam Lanza has been collected such as the gun used, and whom he shot. The first person he killed was his mother who he shot four times in the head. He then shot an entrance into the school and open fired at two classes full of kindergarteners and first graders. Once he heard responders coming, he took his own life and that was the end of it. Obama addressed it nationally on television and tried to comfort a shocked country but no one could take away from the severity of this event.
Once this event happened, I heard all about it, but after reading this article, it became clearer just how crazy this was. Simply put, a man went into a school and shot at many innocent children. Children who had done nothing to ever offend him and children who deserved a chance to live and experience the world. When reading this article, I felt tons of emotions but the two that were most prominent were anger and frustration. I kept asking myself, “Why would someone even think about doing this?” It also made me think about other things like safety. Is it even safe to go to public schools in America anymore? I researched this a little bit and found out that it is twelve times more likely for someone to be struck by lightning than to be killed in school. This and other statistics made me realize that while this is a VERY unfortunate event, this is not normal. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these children and I hope that people don’t become fearful of this.
Jacob Engel
ReplyDelete12/17/12
In school shootings, patterns and warning signs
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/17/opinion/newman-school-shooters/index.html?hpt=us_t5
This article talks about the patterns in school shootings, like in Sandy Hook. The killers are almost always smart young males. They are usually not accepted into the social groups, and end up as followers. Also, most of the shootings are in small towns, not where you would think. Also, they are never spontaneous. The author also says that people should be able to pick up that someone is about to go on a rampage. They usually talk about it or make very direct allusions to it. Students should be able to pick up on these hints and tell somebody.
I think that this person knows what she is talking about. I think that it is bad that kids don't report bullying and hints that someone is going to bring a gun into school and go on a rampage. The really sad thing is that it could be easily prevented, if students told people. I don't think that if you tell someone that another person is going to shoot 10 people, you will be perceived as a tattle-tale. These things could easily be prevented, but shootings are still going on.
Avery Acierno
ReplyDelete12/17/12
Period 5
Article: “Police: 20 children among 26 victims of Connecticut school shooting”
By Susan Candiotti and Sarah Aarthun, CNN.com
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?iref=allsearch
On Friday, December 14 of 2012, there was a tragic elementary school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. 20 children were killed, as well as 6 adults (including the principle, psychologist, and the shooter) during the shooting. The shooter was identified to be Adam Lanza (20 years old), who had once attended the school. It is reported that the shooter entered the school around the time it was starting, and began the shooting rampage around 9:40am. He was wearing black fatigues and a military vest. The gun belonged to his mother, who was found dead at her home. The school was evacuated as soon as possible, but by then 26 people had lost their lives. People were in shock at this horrific act. People nationwide expressed feelings of grief, including the president. It was the second deadliest school shooting in US History. It is significant because this event really draws attention to the dangers kids could possibly face.
I was very saddened to hear about this tragic massacre of innocent students. This is a really terrible event that just makes you wonder why? I think that nationwide we must take steps to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Kids should never be put in this type of violent life or death situation. Schools should ramp up security to keep violence outside of schools. I don’t have any personal experiences like this, which I am fortunate not too. Something like this is a situation nobody should ever face, especially little kids. This is like one of the massacres we have read about in class, except it seems much more real and sad. Why would someone do something like this? This event will have a lasting impact of grief in the US for a while.
Gabi Brenman
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/17/politics/gun-control-lawmakers/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
The shooting in Connecticut on Friday started to make people think more carefully about restricting gun use and the protection of schools throughout our country. This was definitely not the first gun shooting in 2012 and something needs to be done about these acts of mass violence. Several polls have been taken, and they show that Americans want to do something about the issue of gun violence. Lawmakers, the president, and congress all wish to come up with a solution to America’s gun violence problem. They hope to create a law which will keep the USA safe.
This article was talking about a very depressing issue, but it made feel that there is hope. I believe the USA needs much stricter gun laws and that schools throughout America need better security. I hope that people can come together to create a law that can do this for America. Our elected officials need to do something soon; hopefully they can come up with something firm that will help the USA. The sooner a solution is proposed, the stronger effect it will have.
Current event #15
ReplyDeleteRodney DeLoach
Period 2
School Resumes For Students Haunted By Newtown tragedy
Cnn.com
December 18, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
The students are not expected to return to school anytime soon, there are police officers and counslers in the school. The authorities are trying to figure out what caused such a violent rampage, but some evidence leads up to autism or aspergers syndrome. If the survivors do go back to school it is thought that they would attend a different school. This violent act has had a paranoia effect on the students who survived and their parents if they do go back to school it will not be anytime soon. 2 six year olds are said to be buried sometime this week.
I don’t believe such a thing like this would ever happen to those who never really began school. But such an act has opened my eyes to the dangers of the real world and what a future those survivors have awaiting them. I can finally realize how lucky I am to make this far in life and in education. If those haven’t realized that life is short I recommend this article to them. The people who are afraid to go back to school I don’t blame them I just hope this tragedy doesn’t break them for the rest of their lives.
Francisco Coch
ReplyDelete7
The New York Times, Dec. 17, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/nyregion/amid-the-whiz-of-bullets-seeking-comfort-in-song.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0
This article was a summary of the recent shootings that occurred in Newtown, Conneticut last week. It was a collection of quotes and first hand accounts from eyewitnesses and their families living in the community. The gunman, Adam Lanza, raided the Sandy Hook elementary school and shot and killed the principal, the school therapist, along with twenty kids and four other teachers on the 14th. He then proceeded to kill himself afterwards.
I think that the article was well written and very informative, and did well in providing multiple perspectives on the event. This event reminds me of the Columbine massacre in Colorado, and isn’t the first major shooting this year. For me, this posed many questions relating to our nation’s government and laws regarding the possession and restriction of arms. Barack Obama has yet to pass any laws or new restrictions, and will likely be very pressured to after this event. I wonder how Mitt Romney would have reacted if he wasd president, as he is a supporter of the second amendment, stating the right to bear arms.
Isabelle Alzona
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
School Resumes for Newtown Students, as New Details Surface in Investigation
Holly Han, Greg Botelho, Susan Candiotti
CNN Tuesday, December 18, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
The children that survived the Newtown Elementary school shooting are getting prepared to return to school. They aren’t going to go back to the same building, but what used to be Chalk Hill Middle School . The traumatized children are said to return to school in January. More details have been dragged up about the shooter, Adam Lanza. Lanza is said to have had a mild case of Asperger’s but that the illness is not to be blamed. Also, Lanza didn’t just wake up and feel like shooting Newtown Elementary School . He had been planning it, and when the police entered his home they found his computer and hard drives smashed. This tragic incident will live on in memory long after we are gone. It will be a day of remembrance and mourning. The day America lost 20 children and 6 faculty members trying to save those children.
This was one of the most horrific incidents that have happened in years past. No one deserves to die at so young of an age. Some of those children were excited to finally be in school. That was their first year, and they’ll never have a second. The man who killed those children should have been stopped and could have been stopped had there been more security. This is something one man did. Imagine if there were two. What if your daughter or son was killed? It’s something no parent should have to do, out live your child. You send your kid to school one day and say “I’ll see you soon” and the next time you do, their dead. My heart goes out to those families, because everyone thinks “It won’t be me.”
Paige Jones
ReplyDelete12/18/12
Period 2
Article: “Police: 20 Children Among 26 Victims of Connecticut School Shooting”
By Susan Candiotti and Sarah Aarthun, CNN.com
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?iref=allsearch
On Friday, December 14 of 2012, there was a tragic elementary school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. 20 children were killed, as well as 6 adults (including the principle, psychologist, and the shooter) during the shooting. The shooter was identified to be Adam Lanza (20 years old), who had once attended the school. It is reported that the shooter entered the school around the time it was starting, and began the shooting rampage around 9:40am. He was wearing black fatigues and a military vest. The gun belonged to his mother, who was found dead at her home. The school was evacuated as soon as possible, but by then 26 people had lost their lives. People were in shock at this horrific act. People nationwide expressed feelings of grief, including the president. I know some people wore green and white in honor of the school that was attacked (I guess green and white are the school color) It was the second deadliest school shooting in US History, next to VT.
I was very sad and scared to hear about this. It was on the news most of Friday and through out the weekend and I'm pretty sure there was a moment of silence at school for the school that was attacked. As I said before, some people wore the school colors to honor the school. I feel so bad for everyone that had to be around the attack. I can't imagine anything like that happening, and I can't imagine how scared all of the kids were at the school, along with the teachers.
Abby Kameny 5th period
ReplyDelete"School resumes for Newtown students as new details surface in investigation" by Holly Yan and Susan Candiotti
CNN 12/18/2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
On Friday, December 14, a man named Adam Lanza went to Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed twenty-six people. Twenty of the victims were children. Before going to the elementary school, Lanza shot his mother, and after committing the horrible crime he killed himself. So many brave teachers protected their students by hiding them in bathrooms or closets; even if that risked their own lives. Although the surviving children mostly had minor injuries, they may suffer from anxiety issues or PTSD. The child victims were around six or seven years of age and had recently started a new year at elementary school. The families of these children and teachers have been affected greatly and our country will continue to grieve over this terrible event every year. Sandy Hook Elementary School officials have decided to let the students back in school in early January 2013 and there will be frequent checkups with the children to ensure they are mentally stable. However, the students will not be returning to the Sandy Hook school building. They will be going to a new school located conveniently eight miles away.
It is just horrible that so many innocent children and teachers were killed last Friday. What I find even worse is that our country is getting used to the fact shootings are happening more and more often- I did without even realizing it. The first time I heard of this event was from Mr. Waters in 6th period. It sounds horrible, but I automatically thought, “Oh no, just another school shooting.” Obviously I knew it was a terrible thing, but I was unaware of the severity of the situation. In seventh period, there was an announcement on the intercom giving us a moment of silence to the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. I heard this and thought, “Twenty-six victims??”. I knew that this was a major shooting that happened. Of course, all shootings are horrible, but I believe Americans are getting a wake-up call from this event. This is probably the worst school shooting since Columbine, which is famous now. I can only imagine how much people will be talking about this event years from now. I hope that we will have a moment of silence every year on December 14 to remember all of the brave people that lost their lives that day.
Anna Castellano
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
Obama makes history, again
By Moni Basu
CNN.com
11/7/12
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/obama-identity/index.html
This article is about President Obama being re-elected. It was written the day after Election Day. This current event is significant because it will go down in history as the first time a black president has been re-elected. If Obama had lost the re-election then he would have just gone down in history as the first black president and that’s about it. After winning this election he now has a chance to go down in history for something other than his color.
This was an interesting article because it made me look at the re-election in a different perspective. Now I realize how important this election could really be in history. I think this will be an event that will go down in history as something that was important in 2012. You read a lot about presidents in history books and the fact that Obama was the first black president to be re-elected makes this even more significant. I wonder what issues President Obama will work to tackle his second term to be successful. I wonder if he will be viewed as a president who implemented successful changes in his eight years as president.
Nathan Guskiewicz
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
Families hold funerals as school resumes for some Newton students
Susan Candiotti
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
1. Attendance was taken at schools across this devastated town on Tuesday as most students returned to the classroom for the first time since the deadly Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, although many funerals were also happening on this day. Sandy Hook students are not returning to school until January. People are reconsidering gun laws all over the nation, because they don’t want this to ever happen again.
2. I think that it is good that some schools are opening back up. It will help, because it will make the kids have something else on their mind. This way they are not thinking about this event all the time. I think that it is also smart for Sandy Hook Elementary not to open until January. Parents are probably still trying to explain to their children what happened.
Shreyas Pyati
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
Obituary of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19571272
1. This article is an obituary to Christopher Stevens, who was killed on September 11 this year in Libya. He was the first ambassador since 1988 to be killed in office. He was once a Peace Corps volunteer before he became an ambassador. He was said to have a very good personality-he would listen to people (According to an interview).
2. I was shocked to hear that the Ambassador was killed. Usually they are treated as neutral and are not normally targeted. I was also very surprised that he was the first ambassador in 24 years to be killed in office. I would have expected this to be a much less common event since they are ambassadors after all.
Jesse Chen
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
Families hold funerals as school resumes for some Newton students
Susan Candiotti
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
1.On Tuesday December 18 attendance was taken at schools in Newton as many children are returning to school for the first time since the appalling Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting, despite many of the children's and adult's funerals being on that day. Though students attending Sandy Hook Elementary school will not resume school until January.
2.I think that this event was a travesty and completely confusing as to why a person would want to kill elementary school students. This event would also most likely be very traumatic for the students who had survived the shooting, and may not be able to recover and have a normal childhood.
Veronica Kim
ReplyDelete1st period
12/18/2012
"William and Catherine expecting royal child", CNN Wire Staff, 12/3/2012 http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/03/world/europe/uk-royal-pregnancy/index.html
So although this might not be the most historical event to ever occur on planet Earth, I was looking through some lists of "Historical Events that Happened in 2012", and, I swear to God, it was literally: " -- people killed in -- during -- by suicide bomber," and possibly a few "London Olympics begin! Yay!"s stuck in the middle. Now, I don't know about you, but with all of the things that have happened recently - the Sandy Hook shooting, for one - I prefer something happier, and fluffier, and lighter. So I decided to write about Kate Middleton's pregnancy! (Also, because... come on. You gotta love Kate Middleton).
People probably know already, as it's been plastered all over magazines since there was even an inkling of "OMG Kate might be pregnant OMGOMG", but yeah, Kate and William are expecting their first child, and what an attractive child that little boy/girl is going to be. With phenomenally good fashion sense. Because, have you seen Kate Middleton out and about in her amazing clothes? Jealous much? But since this child may one day be heir to the British throne, it's actually quite a big deal.
Honestly, I'm happy. I kind of love Kate Middleton, and I loved her wedding dress, and she's going to be a great mother (and yes, I know this sounds stalker-ish, whatever, but it's a girl thing). And it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside because I know that the royal couple is obviously very happy, and it makes me happy when people are happy. As you can see, thanks to my overuse of the word "happy". But this was pretty much the most pointless topic I could write my current event on (and it looks even deeper next to all of these tragic articles on Sandy Hook! Woohoo!) so I guess I'm going to just stop talking now.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/world/asia/pakistan-polio-suspended/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
ReplyDeletedavid collazo
period 7
This current event is called “Pakistan polio campaign suspended
after attacks on health workers” after a fatal attack that killed
seven workers and now stopped this campaign that vaccinated
children and protected them from getting polio. They said that
the people that were killed among thousands who were selflessly
across Pakistan to eradicate polio. For right now they stopped
giving vaccines and children are at high risk of getting polio. I
think it was wrong to kill these men because they didn’t do
anything and now that they just released this new vaccine they
stopped this campaign. If I were them I would help these children
and think that if they do this they will help these kids from
getting polio.
Katherine Yang
ReplyDelete12/18/2012
5th Period
Title: Analysts: Egyptian Troubles at Home Hinder DIplomacy Abroad
Author: Elizabeth Arrott December 18, 2012 Voice of America News
http://www.voanews.com/content/analysts_say_egypts_troubles_at_home_hinder_diplomacy_abroad/1567549.html
The article describes how Egypt’s President, Mohamed Morsi’s promising start was and is eclipsed by the troubles within Egypt. Morsi is the first leader of Egypt to be democratically elected, and his efforts to establish foreign relations have been restrained by conflicts back home. He initially picked countries outside of Western and American control, China and Iran, to visit, however some Egyptians disprove of these actions, and have publicly protested against them.
First of all, I think that it is already admirable that Egypt is now under a democratic view, with an elected President. The efforts of Morsi, while not causing any great impact so far, have definitely changed some areas of Egypt’s relations. His visit to Iran is the first trip by an Egyptian head of state since the Islamic revolution in Iran, in 1979. Morsi has also made his own opinions clear by lashing out at the Shi-ite support of the Syrian government, as Egypt is mostly Sunni. He has also begun to meet and negotiate with U.S. leaders, including the president, Barak Obama. Obama evidently wants a strong alliance with an Sunni nation in the Middle East, and it looks as though, in the future, that nation will be Egypt.
Edward Zhuang
ReplyDelete5th Period
Chinese flock to elite U.S. schools
CNN Alexis Lai
December 18, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/25/world/asia/china-ivy-league-admission/index.html?hpt=wo_bn4
This was the event of 2012. This article talks about how many students from mainland China decide to finish their education here in America. Over 700,000 Chinese students apply for international enrollment, with the US being an extremely popular destination for education. This is because many families feel like the "gaokao" oriented education in China is extremely linear, where there is only one path. However, in Western education, students are granted more freedom of choice as to what they wish to do. Even though many people apply for universities and boarding schools, there is only so many people that they can take. One way to combat this problem would be to set up international schools to China.
I found this article interesting, as it really helped contrast two different education systems, each with their own benefits and cons. To me, it appears as students outside of America seem to put greater emphasis on their own education and learning. While many of us stress little about the importance of school, others from different countries are competing to get into our universities. In a way, I felt a small personal connection to this article; my father arrived in the US for better education, where he studied here for graduate school.
Another event that deserves mentioning would be the Newtown 2012 tragedy. It surprises me that one would do such a thing. I also feel a that pinge of depression, as we learn that the world is bigger that just Chapel Hill. Crazy things might happen in this planet. There will always be people like Lanza, outliers of the norm.
Connor Korfas 1st period
ReplyDeleteGrab Your Fistful Of Zuckerberg's IPO Dollars, By Robert W. Wood
2/29/2012
http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2012/02/29/grab-your-fistful-of-zuckerbergs-ipo-dollars/
Facebook was opened to the stock exchange in February 29, 2012. This is a huge event in our world’s history. Facebook has become so much a part of our lives. Today millions of people use facebook to connect with friends and share with each other. This event also acknowledges a social media tool having a huge impact on our economy. When this event was happening it was all you could hear about in the news. This website and event affected us on both a social as well as and economic level.
This event I feel like is a huge event in our history. It’s a huge milestone for social websites as well as our economy. From now on any social networking site will be compared to facebook. This event has definitely shaped our culture as well as our lives. Overall this is a huge event. I think everyone I know has a facebook and I don't think that's changing soon.
Francis Wemmenhove
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
“Obama: Proposals to address gun violence due by January”
By Josh Levs and Holly Yan
Cnn.com: 12/19/12
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/19/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=us_c2
Obama announced at a news conference on Wednesday that action needed to be taken to prevent gun violence. He said that no single law or set of laws can prevent gun violence, but that we should not keep using the complexity of the issue as an excuse to do nothing. Right now it is easier to get a gun than mental health care. Obama, therefore, also stated that we should at the very least make getting mental health care just as easy for people as getting a gun. Obama stated this in response to what happened in Newtown, Connecticut.
Even though many people have done their current event this week on the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, I still decided to do mine on this shooting. This is because I think this event is one of the most memorable, if not the most memorable, event of 2012. The shooting was the second largest to ever happen in the United States. Also, I do think this event will cause changes. In the article I chose to do my current event on Obama is talking about addressing the issue of gun violence. Obama is also talking about changes regarding guns that are going to occur, in the article. So, since this event, the shooting in Newtown, will cause major changes to occur and caused the death of many small children, I though that this was the most important or ‘memorable’ event of the year.
Albert Yam
ReplyDelete12/19/12
Period 2
"School resumes for Newtown students as new details surface in investigation" by Holly Yan and Susan Candiotti
CNN 12/18/2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
On Friday, December 14 of 2012, there was a tragic elementary school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. 20 children were killed, as well as 6 adults during the shooting. The shooter was identified to be Adam Lanza (20 years old), who had once attended the school. It is reported that the shooter entered the school around the time it was starting, and began the shooting rampage around 9:40am. He was wearing black fatigues and a military vest. The gun belonged to his mother, who was found dead at her home. The school was evacuated as soon as possible, but by then 26 people had lost their lives. People were in shock at this horrific act. People nationwide expressed feelings of grief, including President Obama.
I was very saddened to hear about this tragic massacre of innocent students. What is even worse is that they were small kids at an elementary school. This is a really terrible event that just makes you wonder why? I think that nationwide we must take steps to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. Kids should never be put in this type of violent life or death situation. Schools should ramp up security to keep violence outside of schools. I don’t have any personal experiences like this, which I am fortunate not too. Something like this is a situation nobody should ever face, especially little kids. This is like one of the massacres we have read about in class, except it seems much more real and sad. Why would someone do something like this? This event will have a lasting impact of grief in the US for a while.
Julia Perkins
ReplyDelete1st Period World History
Psy’s ‘Gangnam Style’ Is Our Viral Sensation Of The Year - by Gil Kaufman
www.mtv.com - Dec. 18, 2012
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1699080/psy-gangnam-style-viral-sensation-2012.jhtml
This article is all about the hit South Korean single this year called “Gangnam Style.” This single was released in July by until then mediocrely successful South Korean artist Psy. Gangnam Style seems to hold some appeal for everyone, with the right combination of a catchy beat, a quirky video and unique dance moves. Gangnam Style’s music video on Youtube has the most views of all videos in 2012, surpassing very popular videos like Justin Bieber’s “Baby.” Psy’s hit has launched him into international fame, and the profit from this one song is expected to be around eight million dollars.
I think that this event could cause several good things to happen in the world. Mainly, I think that it could be the beginnings of one big international culture, especially in this era of technology and instant communication all around the world. The way that this video spread so fast is a testament to how our world has changed since ten years ago. Everything nowadays is instant, and I think that this event of 2012 is a very good example of that. Honestly, for me it has been weird to have literally everyone I know all have heard of the same thing, from my grandparents to the 5 year olds I babysit. I think that this song and music video will be remembered for years to come in the future.
Louis Rabinowitz / 5th
ReplyDeleteMasculinity, mental illness and guns: A lethal equation? Michael Kimmel
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/19/living/men-guns-violence/index.html
The article I read showed a different view on the school shooting. It explored the fact that many of the recent mass shootings have been white boys, not your stereotypical shooter. Also the article pointed out that the amount of shootings that men do versus the number that woman do has a massive difference. The article also pointed out that the UK that has a much lower homicide rate than the US also has much stricter gun laws. This article also mourned for the victims.
I agree with most of the points brought up by this article. I also don’t see why people can’t see that less guns means less shootings. Also we need to provide help to the disabled so that their mental state cannot get out of hand. Most of all though I am just said for the victims of this horrific shooting. I wonder if life will ever again be normal for them?
Arthur Mouw/7th Period
ReplyDeleteFirst-Responders recount initial chaos of school massacre/Vivian Kuo
CNN/December 19th, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/us/connecticut-school-shooting-first-responders/index.html
This article, is about the experience witnessed by the first responders. About the terror, and the parents waiting for children that might never come. This article, really portrays the true terror about the Newton shooting. This story, broadcasts the emotions of the first responders, and how they had to witness horrors that the majority of America has never experienced. This article, is different from many articles, in the focus. Many articles focus on the horrors that children and family experienced, but they leave forgotten the first responders, who also experienced terrible things.
I think that this is a great article. It really shows all of the terrible things that are experienced in a school shooting. Its a terrible thing that these articles have to be written in America, but I think that articles like these will further motivate American citizens to figure out a way to stop these shootings. I think that the school shootings can be somewhat related to the Black Plague of the Middle Ages. It is a terror that everyone is afraid of, but no one knows how to stop it.
Shamim Zarei 2nd period
ReplyDeleteObama to town wracked by school shooting: 'These tragedies must end'
December 16th
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/16/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
"We cant tolerate this anymore" was the words Obama told to he people attending the Memorial Serive on Sunday. He said this 2 days after a man had shot 26 people in Sandy Hook Elementary school, 20 of them were kids no older then 7 years old. The shooter used assualt rifles to kill the people, and then took out a handgun and shot himself dead. On the Memorial Service Obama read all the names of he people that were shot.
The crisis that happened in Connecticut is very sad because all the kids were so young and it was near the holidays. Their parents had Christmas gifts ready for them, they were plannng their wishes for Santa, but now they will never get to experience these things. Why would someone shoot young beatiful kids? The shooter must have been a pyscho. I can never image what their parents are going through.
Casey Patterson
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
12/20/12
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
Dana Ford and Susan Candioti
On Friday, December 14 of 2012, there was a tragic elementary school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. 20 children were killed, as well as 6 adults during the shooting. The shooter was identified to be Adam Lanza (20 years old), who once attended Sandy Hook. Lanzo took his mothers gun killed her then went to the school.
It is just horrible that so many innocent children and teachers were killed last Friday. What I find even worse is that our country is getting used to the fact shootings are happening more and more often. I didnt realize that there has been atleast 2 school shootings the past few years. The first time I heard of this event was from Gym on Friday. I just cant believe that even someone who had mental illnesses like Lanzo, would shoot little kids. i believe that most school shootings could be prevented but, i dont feel the same about this one.
Sam Bauers
ReplyDeleteperiod 2
12/20/12
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/16/at-least-26-dead-in-shooting-at-connecticut-school/
On December 14th of this year a 20 year old man by the name of Adam Lanza shot his mother four times in the head then the next day whent to Sandy hook elementary where he shot and killed 26 people 20 of them being students. There are many things that are still unknown but police have found some answers. The boy had mental disorders and even though there were rumors that his mother worked at the school where the shooting occured it turned out she didnt. Also the way the shooter got into the school was that he shot one of the doors open then open fired on two classes.
Its been hard for me to read all of this because these really are innocent kids. These are kindergardners that had never done anything to this man. what he did is sick and there is no justifieng it. In most school shootings they occur because they are bullied or something but in this case this was just a random act of violence. It really is terrible especially for these familys that have just been ripped apart and now have to celebrate christmas with this great loss. Even the kids that were not hurt now have to go through life with this consant fear, how can you live remembering that and not even feel safe in school.
Kelly Zhang
ReplyDelete2nd Period
London Olympics wrap up, U.S. medal count of 104 tops all other countries
August 13, 2012
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57491809/london-olympics-wrap-up-u-s-medal-count-of-104-tops-all-other-countries/
Mark Phillips
The Olympics was hosted in London, England this year. The opening ceremony was a big blast, with the Queen jumping out of a helicopter. Many countries from all around the world participate in the Olympics and they always have a worldwide impact. The U.S. won 46 gold medals and won 104 in total. The closing ceremony was hosted on August 12, 2012; and many wondered how it would compare to the amazing opening ceremony. London proved itself and the closing ceremony was spectacular. There were many performances from Britain’s stars. The closing ceremony was closed with fireworks at the very end.
Many people wondered how the closing ceremony could top the opening ceremony, but somehow London did it. I definitely agree that the closing ceremony was a blast. The Olympics affect many people worldwide. Many athletes participate in the Olympics and have their countries cheering them on. I love watching the Olympic games especially field hockey, swimming, and gymnastics. I watched the opening and closing ceremonies and marveled at how extravagant the ceremonies are. I bet they took a long time and lots of effort to organize. I wonder how much money it took to organize the London Olympics.
Max Weintraub
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
Some believe Friday is doomsday on the Mayan calendar; the Mayans don't
Ben Brumfield
CNN
12/20/2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/20/world/doomsday-coming/index.html?hpt=us_c2
This article starts out by describing the way the mayan calendar works. Then they began talking about mayans and how they don't belive the world will end tomorow. They then start giving the opinions of other people (non-mayans). They talk about scientific evidence and how the world won't end on december 21. They finish it by saying that as you are reading this on thursday the 20th it is the 21st in New Zealand and it is still on the map.
I chose this article bescause the "end of the world scare of 2012" will go down in history as being rediculous. I personally never belived the world would end on december 21st. I think this article does a good job of showing why that is. The people who are who have dedicated their life to preparing for the end of the world have done so in vain in my oppinion. The calendar, like it says in the article, says nothing about the world ending every time it rolls over. When I was in belize this thanksgiving I talked to a man selling stone mayan calendars. The man was mayan and spent the time to explain to me how the calendar works and that he doesn't belive the world will end anytime soon. This links to the " what was happening in 1050" that we are learning about in class because that was when the calendar was created.
George Mcburney
ReplyDelete5th period
www.cnn.com
Grievances to sandy hook elementary
The students are not expected to return to school anytime soon, there are police officers and counslers in the school. The authorities are trying to figure out what caused such a violent rampage, but some evidence leads up to autism or aspergers syndrome. If the survivors do go back to school it is thought that they would attend a different school. This violent act has had a paranoia effect on the students who survived and their parents if they do go back to school it will not be anytime soon. 2 six year olds are said to be buried sometime this week.
I do not think that such a terrible thing like this would ever happen to those who never really began school. But such an act has opened my eyes to the dangers of the real world and what a future those survivors have awaiting them. I can finally realize how lucky I am to make this far in life and in education. If those haven’t realized that life is short I recommend this article to them. The people who are afraid to go back to school I do not blame them I just hope this tragedy doesn’t break them for the rest of their lives.
Markale cordova
ReplyDelete5th period
www.cnn.com
Grievances to sandy hook elementary
On December 14th of this year a 20 year old man by the name of Adam Lanza shot his mother four times in the head then the next day whent to Sandy hook elementary where he shot and killed 26 people 20 of them being students. There are many things that are still unknown but police have found some answers. Sources say the boy has a mental disorder and that his mother doesn't work with the elementry (Sandy Hook).
this hurts me very much after reading, listening ,and wtaching this tregedy it hurts me soo much to end the year like this. I'm soo sorry for the victims out there. I really am...
Blake Johnson/ 2nd period
ReplyDeleteOscar Pistorius: Why South African Runner Is Best Story from 2012 Olympics/ Kevin Abblitt
Bleacher Report/ August 13, 2012
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1295549-oscar-pistorius-why-south-african-runner-is-best-story-from-2012-olympics
For my historical event of 2012 I picked Oscar Pistorius. Oscar Pistorius, from South Africa, was young boy who grew up without any limbs from the knee down. Fast-forward 20 years and Oscar Pistorius is competing in the 2012 Olympics at the age of 25. Using prosthetic legs the so called “blade runner” is broke down barriers for Paralympic athletes. In 2012 the three time Paralympic champion competed in the 400 meter at the Olympics.
I think Pistorius is an inspiration to everyone, especially those who have disabilities. He was such a great story to follow the through Olympics. Many people asked the question was it unfair advantage for his to run on prosthetic legs? I don’t think it really matters because if a person is good enough they should be able to compete in the Olympics no matter what their disabilities. Either way Oscar Pistorius’ story was one of the best of 2012.
Kaitlin Hill
ReplyDelete2nd Period
Police: 20 children among 26 victims of Connecticut school shooting
CNN
December 15, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
Last Friday at around 9:40 a.m. Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook elementary school and shot 20 students, most kindergarteners through 3rd grade. This tragedy shocked the small town of New Town Connecticut, where no one saw this happening. Police officers are investigating what happened for a seemingly normal 20 year old to go and kill 20 kids and 6 adults, including the principle of the school. President Obama gave a speech later that day expressing his sadness on the subject and his condolences to the victims and their families.
This story is a very sad one that has affected parents and children all across the country and we process this tragic event. When I heard I was shocked that someone could do such a horrible act. School shootings are always tragic but what stuck with me and most people is the age of the children who were killed in this shooting. They were kindergarteners and first graders! Who could possibly be sick enough to look into their innocent faces and pull the trigger? This man did not deserve to die, but to live a long life in prison where he had to pay for the crimes he committed. My heart goes out to everyone who lost a loved one in this shooting.
Blake Rasnake
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
Some believe Friday is doomsday on the Mayan calendar; the Mayans don't
Ben Brumfield
CNN
12/20/2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/20/world/doomsday-coming/index.html?hpt=us_c2
This article talks about how the mayan calendar works. The mayans did not really think that the world was going to end tomorrow. There is scientific evidence that it is not going to end tomorrow. Just because it is the end of the calendar does that mean that it is the end of the world. I mean come on people lets be real here. Also it talks about the difernt time zones and in some places it is already the 21st and they are not dead yet.
I chose this article because i wanted to know more about how the mayan calendar worked. Tomorrow is going to be a crazy day in world becuase everyone will be doing crazy stuff. I think that thinking the world is going to end is wrong. i dont think there is any chace for it to happen. Aslo i think that the people thinking it is going to end just heard it from someone and do really know what they are talking about.
David Cho
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
12/20/12
By: Barbara Demick 12/12/12
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-north-korea-kim-20121213,0,3496496.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fnews%2Fnationworld%2Fworld+%28L.A.+Times+-+World+News%29
North Korea leader's stock rises with rocket launch
North Korea fires its first long ranged rocket which resulted in their first successful satellite. Something that Kim Jong Un’s father never did. He takes all the glory for this one. Proud of what he’s done he proves the naysayers wrong.
I am proud that they finally fired a rocket. But some people and governments can take that as a threat and keep a close watch on North Korea. Because its their first long ranged rocket it could mean that they are making warheads and plan on landing them in countries or it could just mean that they are getting smarter and will be nicer to everyone. I think they should just focus on feeding everyone in the country.
Olivia Wander
ReplyDeletePeriod 2
Light Powered Bionic Eye Invented to Help Restore Sight
James Gallagher
Article link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18061174
When I plugged "Important World Events of 2012" into the search bar, the list was 85% death and 13% politics. All of these events are, of course, important, however, I am not sure how much more I can take. After Friday, I couldn't read or think about those kids anymore. I have a friend who is six years old, and when I picture what happened at that school, I think of kids like this little girl. I really needed something that wasn't depressing. So, the article I chose is about a bionic eye that researchers at Stanford have created. About Mid-May, scientists at the University of Stanford in California invented that uses a bionic eye that, combined with special glasses, allows a patient to see. This device is totally wireless. It works by stimulating nerves at the back of the eye. The way this device works is comparable to a solar panel. Early test results in the UK have shown two men from being completely blind to being able to perceive light and shapes.
This is a great discovery. The possibility for helping people is huge. This discovery will allow people that were handicapped to do things that normal people can do. This will allow people to read and see art and the faces of their family. Sight is an amazing thing, and to be able to give that back to someone is a truly great thing.
Carly LeMoine
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
Connecticut school shooting
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-newtown-classes-resume-20121218,0,6777920.story
In the Connecticut shooting twenty-six people died. In Newtown Connecticut, at Sandy Hooke elementary school a twenty-year old man with autism named Adam Lanza, broke into the school and started shooting at random. Lanza’s mother went to shooting ranges and had many guns. Police said that Lanza went into his house got some of his mothers guns, shot her four times and then drove to Sandy Hooke elementary and started shooting. No one knows what or if Lanza had any motives. Twenty students and six teachers were killed, some of the teachers died protecting their students. The shooting was the worst in U.S. history, and will always be remembered.
What happened was terrible and there is no excuse for what happened. Innocent people died for no cause. Guns should just be straight out banned unless you are part of the army, police department, or some other trained cause. There is no use for guns and the problem would be very decreased. People should feel safe going to their schools and should be able to get an education with out having to worry about if they’ll live or not. Even if schools made sure no one entered the school with and weapons it would be better, but someone has to do something.
Ari Horwitz / Period 7
ReplyDeleteCOlorado Movie Shooting Suspect Charged with Murder By Wire Staff
CNN News, Tuesday July 31 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/30/us/colorado-theater-shooting/index.html
The article I chose was about the Aurora, Colorado Movie Theater shooting on July 20th. That night James Holmes walked in to the midnight showing of “The Dark Night Rises” and opened fire on the crowd. 12 were killed and several others injured. Holmes has been attending trials and has been described as Dazed and out of it as the severity of his actions sinks in. James Holmes was giving the death penalty on 142 counts in all.
I chose this article because I thought it was a very significant event that took place in 2012. It is a terrible tragedy that took place on that night. Whenever I see the picture of James Holmes I feel hatred. I agree with his sentence but I do have mixed feelings about the death penalty I think he should be charged with life in jail. I was recently reminded of this tragic event after the terrible Elementary school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. I was reading over Anna Grace’s current event and read that it is 12 times more likely for some one to be struck by lightning than killed in school. In this past few years there has been several accounts of school killing and there has to be a way to stop it. Not only that but in Recreational places like Movie Theaters. How could someone be in the right mind to do actions like this? What can we do to prevent this? I think that any person that is suspected of having thoughts or plans to do something like this should be protected in a institution until the threat of them taking action in an event like this is gone.
Avery Scope-Crafts / P.1
ReplyDeleteNewtown School Shooting: Facts from Sandy Hook Elementary School Massacre/ the Associated Press
12-16-12 / Huff Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/16/newtown-school-shooting-facts_n_2313116.html
Summary:
A 20 year old man named Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother, 26 victims at an elementary school, and then himself. Police have said that if he had enough time he had the amount of ammunition that could’ve killed everyone in the building. Before going to the school, he shot his mother four times in the head. The 28 dead included his mom, him, 20 children, and 6 teachers. This was the biggest school shooting since the one at Virginia Tech.
Reflection:
This, in my opinion, has been the saddest event that has occurred in the whole year of 2012. Having 27 innocent victims, 20 children, dead, is unbelievably sad. In my neighborhood, there are many 5 and 6 year olds. The thought of them being shot is unbearable. I love having them living around me, and no one deserves to be shot, even less if you’ve been living for that short of a time period.
Claire Kern/pd 7
ReplyDeletePolice: 20 children among 26 victims of Connecticut school shooting
CNN
December 15, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
In the Connecticut shooting twenty-six people died. In Newtown Connecticut, at Sandy Hooke elementary school a twenty-year old man with autism named Adam Lanza, broke into the school and started shooting at random. Lanza’s mother went to shooting ranges and had many guns. Police said that Lanza went into his house got some of his mothers guns, shot her four times and then drove to Sandy Hooke elementary and started shooting. No one knows what or if Lanza had any motives. Twenty students and six teachers were killed, some of the teachers died protecting their students. The shooting was the worst in U.S. history, and will always be remembered.
Anyone shooting at a child or any person in general is just plain despicable to me. But like in the video, to me the worst part would have been watching the parents of 20 dead children break into tears. What I find worse is that our country is getting used to the fact shootings are happening more and more often. I didn’t realize that there have been at least 2 school shootings the past few years. It’s been hard for me to read all of this because these really are innocent kids. These are kindergartners that had never done anything to this man. It just plain sickening. I also think it is ridiculous that the mother had MANY guns in the home of an autistic man. I mean who would keep guns in a house with someone who can’t really control what they do! Its not right and deeply saddens me to hear about this event.
Name: Sydney VanOrd
ReplyDeletePeriod: 2
Title: Will the world end in 2012, like the Mayan calendar?
Author: Igor Chivotski
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/maya-world-end.html
As we all the know, there is a theory that on December 21, 2012 the world will end due to planetary alignment and the heating of the earths crust. This article is basically saying this is not true. That the world will not end on this day, and that the planets won't even align.
I think that this article is right, that the world will not end in 2012 and that it won't end on that day. I think that it isn't true because there have been so many times in history when people said the world would end and it didn't so I really don't think the world will end.
Morgan Durant
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
Sandy Hook shooting
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9759404/Connecticut-school-shooting-America-to-mourn-Sandy-Hook-massacre.html
This article was about the shooting that took place at sandy hooke elementary and the aftermath it caused sutch as honor the victems obamas new gun plans and what cauesd the shooter to become a killer
i chose this artical because it made a very large emotional impact on America and it resulted in 46 deaths. i havent had any personal experences with voilence but this cauesd manny people to te amount of death this person created is inexcuesable and ragic. however we could possibly learn from this by figuring out what enverinmetl factors lead to this and learn how to prevent this type of crime from happenig
Hanna Siekierski
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
"Obama Makes History, Again"
Moni Basu
CNN 11/7/2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/obama-identity/index.html
On November 6, 2012, President Barack Obama was re-elected. This current event is significant not only because he was the first black to hold the position as president and then be re-elected, but also because it shows that his re-election wasn't based on his skin color. This shows that people actually believe what he says and that he can make a change. If President Obama were to have lost this past election, he still would have gone down in history as the first black president. However now he has the ability to remembered for something he did, rather than his skin color.
Usually when a president is elected, it's added to history books or just marked down as an event that happened. When Obama was first elected back in 2008, he made history as the first black president. When this happened, you could say that a lot of people thought it was only because he was black. However when his re-election occurred a little over a month ago, it proved that people actually believed that he could make a change. During his first term, a lot of things happened, and not all of them were that great, but people were willing to let them slide. But now in his second term, will Obama be able to bring about a positive change in the United States?
Jessi Szymczak 2nd period
ReplyDelete'Blade runner' makes unprecedented Olympic debut by CNN Wire Staff
CNN 8/4/12
http://articles.cnn.com/2012-08-04/worldsport/sport_pistorius-london-2012_1_olympic-ambition-oscar-pistorius-caster-semenya
In the 2012 London Olympics something remarkable happened. A South African named Oscar Pistorius a double-amputee ran in one of the track and field events. He finished second in the 400-meter qualifying heat. Oscar was born with a bone defect and lost his legs from the knee down at 11 months old. He was able to open the views of how the Olympics are pictured in our minds and will be known as for the rest of his life as the 'Blade Runner'.
I think that this is such a remarkable thing that happened. First I think that he was very brave to go out and practice to be in the Olympics due to the condition that he was born with. Secondly, I think that it is amazing that even with the the defect he was born with he pushed through it to get where he did.The London Olympics in 2012 will always be remembered for all of the great people who broke a lot of different records and set some new ones as well. However, even though Oscar Pistorius did not place or win in the final 400-meter event, he was always be remembered for the first double-amputee sprinter in the Olympics.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLily Elnaccash
ReplyDeleteWorld History 7
"Curiosity Rover Lands Safely on Mars" by Kenneth Chang
nytimes.com August 6, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/06/science/space/curiosity-rover-lands-safely-on-mars.html?_r=1&
This article describes Curiosity's landing on Mars earlier this year. The one-ton rover will spend about two years exploring and gathering information in the crater in which it landed and will continue to operate for as long as it has power. Getting it there took an incredible amount of effort, and even so, some people were worried that it would crash. There was also a possibility that interplanetary communication would take a long time to start up, and that nobody would know whether or not the crash occurred for some time. Despite the concerns, the landing was perfect.
I remember seeing the live updates all day long when the rover approached and landed on Mars. Nasa's achievement seems like it has opened up the solar system. We've gone to the moon, now to Mars... and where will we go in the future? What information will we discover on Mars?
I was surprised to read that Curiosity is the size of a car (I was thinking of it as small, about the size of Wall-E), but the article later explains that the rover is essentially a moving laboratory meant to examine rocks as it zigzags across Mars.
Sarah Taekman
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
Article: If Mayans are correct, are you prepared for the end of the world?
Author: Deborah Netburn Source: News and Observer, December 20th, 2012
http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/12/20/2556710/if-mayans-are-correct-are-you.html#storylink=misearch
2012 has gone by in a blur, with lots of historical events occurring. We have the Presidential election, the first rover on Mars, the London Olympics, and of course, the “prediction of the end of the world.” There has recently been much fuss over the Mayan calendar, which some people believe is saying that the Apocalypse is nigh. Most people are taking this as a joke, and providing reasonable answers as to why the end isn’t here. The others are stashing up on supplies for all kinds of apocalypses. This article is all about the essentials for being ready in case the Mayans were right, and I’m sure many people will take advice about what they need from this article.
Personally, I do not believe in the world ending tomorrow. There are many reasons why I don’t think it’s plausible. The Mayan calendar did not explicitly state, “The world is going to end.” It just stopped, and someone freaked out and twisted it into this huge deal. All the movies and theories on it don’t help the panicking occurring either. Also, any theories that people have would’ve been spotted by now, like planets smashing into Earth or huge tectonic plate shifts. It is actually the 21st of December in Australia and New Zealand right now, and I have yet to hear news of anything apocalyptic happening. This is important though, because people will make all sorts of rash and idiotic decisions that will result in lots of trouble, just because they think the world is ending. I’ll get through tomorrow by making Apocalypse jokes. You know what they say, live like there’s no tomorrow.
Danielle Reviere 5th
ReplyDeleteGun Violence Task force begins work amid mourning in Connecticut
By Michael Pearson
CNN 12/20/12
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/20/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
In this article the author talks a little about the Connecticut shooting, but he mostly talks about how it affected the US as a country. In the first paragraph the article talks about how Obama plans to make stricter restrictions on firearms. According to gun control advocates this and the other shooting in Aurora will make it easier for the restrictions to take effect. Near the beginning of the article they talk about all the sympathy that is going out to the families and everyone in those areas. Also they speak about how teenagers from a school in Minnesota that were also affected by a mass shooting that happened seven years ago.
Why are the government officials just now making these changes? There have been two major shootings in this year alone. Both of these could have been better controlled if they had made these changes earlier. What changes are they planning to make? How is this going to help?
Saane Chamberlin-Finau
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
12/20/12
By: Dave Jamieson
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/20/sandy-hook-shootings-unions_n_2341181.html?utm_hp_ref=politics#slide=1889502
This article is about the gun laws for people in the US. After the recent shooting in Newtown Conn., many teachers and other adults think that the gun laws need to be stronger. They need to prevent terrible vents like this from happening. Not just aiding the event, but preventing the event itself. A board of teachers is fighting for this to come true.
I think that what they are doing is good. Making the gun laws stronger. I think this will be an important event in the future because with what were doing now, it can prevent many things. It can stop many people from taking others lives just cause they can. To stop events like the Newtown shooting.
Cisem Karaca
ReplyDelete5th period
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
Date: December 15, 2012
Author: Susan Candiotti and Sarah Aarthun
This article discussed the tragic even that took place in Connecticut elementary school last week. Sandy Hook Elementary school faced a tough situation that left 26 people dean within minutes. Many of which were young children in kindergarten. This event is significant to 2012 history because it is the second largest school shooting after the columbine. Twenty students and six teachers were killed, some of the teachers died protecting their students. This will defiantly be remembered in our history and is a very tragic event for our country.
I think that anyone that shoots kids is not in their right mind!!!! I feel really bad for those in that community especially the kids having to face that horror in school. If I were them I would be terrified to go back to school especially if I couldn’t find my class mates the next day. There should be a stricter policy on guns! People should have background checks to make sure the right people are handling guns!!!!!!!! But actually their needs to be more security at places like school were we go to learn!! If there were a better security then things like this could be avoided!! MR.WATERS !! we need more security up in here how are we going to learn if there is a possibility of us getting shot!!! Even though the world is “ending” they still need to try hard to make our communities safer for everyone!! ESPECIALLY KINDERGARTNERSS!!!!!!!
Joyce Yao/ 2nd period
ReplyDeleteWashington: Gay Marriage Legalized/ Reuters
New York Times/ February 13 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/us/washington-gay-marriage-legalized.html
1st of all, Mr. Waters- is the current event's picture from the movie 2012? okaiii.
This article is about the legalization of gay marriage in Washington. The legislation was signed on February 13, by the governor of Washington, Christine Gregoire. This makes Washington the seventh state to legalize gay marriage, after New York, Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Washington DC. However, the people who opposed this legislation wanted to have a ballot vote to repeal the state law. It says in the article that: "the measure will take effect 90 days after the legislation session ends". I think that the growing number of gay-marriage legalized states is a huge step forward for America because we are moving away from the traditional characteristics that's expected. Gay marriage and even being gay is becoming less and less out of the ordinary, although maybe not less frowned upon. The people who do not approve of gay marriage and gays in general are often religious people because they follow certain rules, believing that only a man and woman should marry. However, this is a controversial topic so I'm going to stop talking about it!
I know a few gay couples and they are the same as any other couple other than being the same gender. It's not fair at all to have laws OPPOSING it. It's marriage, it's love, why does it matter what gender the couple is? I hope that the other states are catching on and realizing that gay couples should get their rights and the right to be together like other heterosexual couples. This article makes me really happy because it just proves that change can happen in what seems like a concrete situation and it gives me hope that America can move away from it's conservative and traditional beliefs. I don't think that same-sex marriage and even gay couples were allowed in the olden days. The times that we are talking about right now in World History seem very conservative. Who will be the next state to legalize gay marriage? What are the opposing people willing to do to repeal the legalization of gay marriage?
Lillian Menkens-Weiler/5th
ReplyDeletePresident Obama defeats Romney to win re-election
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20233064
One very exciting and historical event that occurred this year was President Obama’s re-election. Obama was running against Republican candidate Mitt Romney for the presidency, and Obama pulled ahead with 332 electoral votes, next to Romney’s 206. Obama gave an emotional victory speech in Chicago, Illinois, in which he discussed his plans for America over the next four years. Democrats also kept the majority in the Senate.
I was very relieved that Obama was re-elected. It was very exciting for Obama supporters, but I believe that it will be very beneficial in other ways. There were many things at stake in the election, such as Obamacare. The fact that Obama was re-elected is life changing for some people who are in need of such healthcare and support. I also think that this can be associated with what we are learning because we have been frequently discussing the social hierarchy in different societies, and different types of government.
One question I have is how Obama intends to go about fulfilling his goals. Unexpected things will present themselves over the years. Sandy Hook is one of them. I am specifically interested to see what Obama’s overall reaction to this tragic event will be. I know that he delivered an emotional speech when the event occurred, and I am interested to see how this will affect our country’s policies. Obama’s re-election is a very important and exciting piece of history.
Bobby Russell 5th period
ReplyDeleteOscar Pistorius: Why South African Runner Is Best Story from 2012 Olympics/ Kevin Abblitt
Bleacher Report/ August 13, 2012
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1295549-oscar-pistorius-why-south-african-runner-is-best-story-from-2012-olympics
For my historical event of 2012 I picked Oscar Pistorius. Oscar Pistorius, from South Africa, was young boy who grew up without any limbs from the knee down. Fast-forward 20 years and Oscar Pistorius is competing in the 2012 Olympics at the age of 25. Using prosthetic legs the so called “blade runner” is broke down barriers for Paralympic athletes. In 2012 the three time Paralympic champion competed in the 400 meter at the Olympics.
I think Pistorius is an inspiration to everyone, especially those who have disabilities. He was such a great story to follow the through Olympics. Many people asked the question was it unfair advantage for his to run on prosthetic legs? I don’t think it really matters because if a person is good enough they should be able to compete in the Olympics no matter what their disabilities. Either way Oscar Pistorius’ story was one of the best of 2012.
Hope Davison / 1st Period
ReplyDeleteSlain ambassador died 'trying to help build a better Libya’ / Michael Pearson
CNN / September 15, 2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/12/world/africa/libya-us-ambassador-killed-profile/index.html
This article is about the event that occurred in Benghazi, Libya in September of this year in which assailants began shooting at the U.S. Embassy, which killed many important figures, including the U.S. Ambassador for Libya; Chris Stevens. I chose this specific event because I think it’s important in history; it displays that no matter the title or rank of an official or the official building and place, there will always be people that hate you and/or the system so much as to take extensive measures to attempt to stop them from whatever they’re doing. It happens often, but rarely do the assailants prevail in stopping the person they disagree with; in this case, they did.
I know things like this are always going to happen, regardless of the country or person. However, when they actually do win, and when someone dies for no reason, it still shocks me. This article reflected the U.S. Ambassador who was shot’s career and personality. He seemed like a genuine man who wanted to protect Libyan citizens from their pressing dangers. After reading this article, it’s actually hard to understand why the rebels would do such a thing. He was extremely helpful to their country and did not do anything wrong to the people. I don’t have any personal experiences I can relate to this article; it seems far away from anything I would experience. It’s also not quite applicable to what we’ve been studying in class, but nonetheless, it’s a major event for this year that will go down in history so in the future, people can reflect on it and perhaps put the pieces together as to why it happened. But on the other end, there’s always going to be historical events that are impossible to put together, because it’s impossible to know what the causes are for such major destruction. It’s still strange to me though. What made them so filled with hate they’d attack the entire embassy and kill the ambassador when he’s done nothing but help them?
Harrison Young
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
December 18, 2012
Title: Obama Time’s `Person of the Year’
Author: Roger Runningen
URL: http://go.bloomberg.com/political-capital/2012-12-19/obama-times-person-of-the-year/
This about the historic re-election of President Barack Obama. Obama was named Time's Man of the the Year because he is a strong man. He is so powerful. He was the first african american president which added to the power that he has. He is able to get votes from all races. He went against what anyone thought and he is great for that.
This event is definitly one to remember. It will shape America for the next four years, and possibly even longer due to what President Obama does in the oval offices for those four years. I think that this is a major historical event because not only is Obama the only African-American candidate to be elected, but he has been elected twice now. That's very significant and has truly made 2012 a huge year in history.
I also think him being named "Man of th Year" is a right fit for Obama.
Questions:
Besides being elected twice, what else makes him man of the year?
Tommy Mozier/ 1st period
ReplyDeleteWith One Last Gold, Phelps Caps Career That Inspired a Generation/ Karen Crouse
The New York Times/ August 4, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/sports/olympics/as-most-decorated-olympian-michael-phelps-changed-swimming.html?pagewanted=all
This article talks about Michael Phelps and his historic swimming career. Michael won 18 gold medals, 22 overall, making him the most decorated Olympian of all time. He won the last in the 4x100 relay in which the US took gold. If Michael Phelps was a country, he would be 36th overall, better than more than half the field. It all started in Sydney where he won 2 gold and a bronze, at age 16. Then in Athens he collected 4 more gold’s, and 2 silvers. The biggest accomplishment came in Beijing when he set the record for most gold medals in a single games at 8, surpassing Mark Spitz’s 7. In London, he won 4 gold’s, and 1 silver to make him the mast decorated Olympian of all time.
I think that this will go don’t in history because it’s just simply amazing how good he is. The MDO in front of him, a Russian Gymnast, was talked about in all the Olympics hath I saw, so I think Phelps will be the same. Michael Phelps inspired me to start swimming in 2008. I said, I’m going to do that. Now, I don’t believe that anymore, but I’m not quitting swimming.
Current Event 15
ReplyDeleteShomya Mitra
Honors World History, 5th Period
Undisclosed Finding by Mars Rover Fuels Intrigue, by Kenneth Chang
Published November 27, 2012 on the New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/science/space/undisclosed-finding-by-mars-rover-fuels-intrigue.html?ref=science&_r=0
Earlier this year, a rover was launched by NASA to go to Mars. It was called Curiosity and it landed on November 5th. Its mission was to find evidence of life on Mars. Now, intrigue is building about Curiosity's discoveries. It started when John P. Grotzinger, in an interview on NPR, said “This data is going to be one for the history books. It’s looking really good.” This sparked questions of what has Curiosity found on Mars? The mission's results could be something revolutionary, but NASA officials are saying that they probably aren't so unexpected. According to Guy Webster, a spokesperson for NASA, the results will be "interesting" and not "earth shaking". But whatever it is, the news from Mars will be unexpected and intriguing.
I think this is one of the most significant events this year because is that if this finding is about life on Mars, Curiosity's discoveries will change how we think about going to the planet. This topic is very important in the space exploration field because Mars is the next place that humans will go. So, based on these reasons, I think this article is very significant because whether or not life can survive on Mars will dictate how we approach space exploration in the future, affecting the space field forever. In my personal experience, the space business has changed significantly. When I was younger the field was nearly completely managed by governments, but now private companies hold a large share of the market. I think if Curiosity's discoveries are important at all, the science community will be changed a lot.
Anna Zurliene/7th period
ReplyDeleteChristina Boyle/Osama bin Laden was killed by bullet to the brain before Navy SEALs arrived, book reveals
New York Daily News/Wednesday, August 29 2012
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/osama-bin-laden-killed-bullet-brain-navy-seals-arrived-book-reveals-article-1.1146861
Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was killed in a Navy SEALs raid in 2011. He had been killed in his bedroom in the Pakistan compound he was hiding in. As the SEALs were climbing up a stairway, they heard shots fired in Bin Laden’s room. When the SEALs got into his room, he was on the floor with his blood and brains spilling out and a woman was standing over him, crying. A couple of the men fired shots to his chest until he finally lay motionless. They described him as a coward as he wasn’t even prepared to fight back, he wasn’t even armed. One man said he was glad that they got the order to go ahead and kill him, even though he knew Barack Obama would take credit if they were successful.
This article showed me how little we Americans really knew what happened, and that we were very consumed with the fact that he was dead. We didn’t really take into consideration that there are still many members of Al Qaeda out there, and they could be plotting their revenge for killing their leader. This event went down in history and even made more people support Obama just because one person was dead. I feel like it might have been a better choice to take Osama into captivity first so that they could question him before they killed him. It also concerns me that our country was so politically happy about a terrorist dying who hasn’t done anything in 10 years rather than being happy about something that really benefits us like tax cuts or job opportunities. You don’t hear people talking about those things as much. Reading this article makes me think differently about Barack Obama because you would think he would give credit to those brave SEALs who actually went up against Americas most wanted.
Linda Martinez
ReplyDeletePeriod: 2nd
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/justice/connecticut-shooting-suspect-profile/index.html
A 20 year old man Lanza who was described as calm, smart and polite. Killed 26 people. One Friday morning he walked in to Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut and killed 20 young students and 6 adults. After he had finished he also killed himself. The police found three firearms on him. That same Friday he also killed him mother. He had no criminal recorded and people say he was calm and would never believe he would do something like this. The only documents shown was when he was 17 his mother and father were divorced but from there on they don’t know what could have happened for him to take the action of taking away the life’s of this inanest people. In my opinion I believe there were some medical issues with Lanza that lead for him to commit this massacre. It wasn’t fair for him to come inside a school and kill so many kids and adults that were inanest.
Jeffrey He
ReplyDeletePeriod 7
Obama Reelected
Barack Obama Reelection Signals Rise Of New America
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/barack-obama-reelection_n_2085819.html
This article talks about how Obama's victory signaled the irreversible triumph of a new, 21st-century America: multiracial, multi-ethnic, global in outlook and moving beyond centuries of racial, sexual, marital and religious tradition. It discusses the importance of the election and how Mitt Romney in some ways defeated himself, : "The GOP chose as its standard-bearer Mitt Romney, whose own Mormon Church until recent decades discriminated officially against blacks. His campaign made little serious effort to reach out to Hispanics voters, and Romney hurt himself by taking far-right positions on immigration during the GOP primaries. He made no effort whatsoever in the black community." This means that Obama reached out not only racially and ethnically, but in terms of lifestyle. He won without a doubt because of his nondiscriminatory strategies, reaching out to everyone.
I think that this will go down in history as a very important event to be remembered because it expressed the triumphant win over white GOP Mitt Romney. Obama clearly was victorious. I think this symbolizes America overcoming prejudices and other discriminatory messages against gays, blacks, and hispanics. Obama will be not only first black president, but also will serve 2 terms in office as the President of the United States of America
Gavin Rothwell
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
"Obama Makes History, Again"
Moni Basu
CNN 11/7/2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/obama-identity/index.html
On November 6, 2012, President Barack Obama was re-elected. This event is significant not only because he was the first black to hold the position as president and then be re-elected, but also because it shows that his re-election wasn't based on his skin color. If President Obama were to have lost this past election, he still would have gone down in history as the first black president. However now he has the ability to remembered for something he did, rather than his skin color.
Usually when a president is elected, it's added to history books or just marked down as an event that happened. When Obama was first elected back in 2008, he made history as the first black president. When this happened, you could say that a lot of people thought it was only because he was black. However when his re-election occurred a little over a month ago, it proved that people actually believed that he could make a change. During his first term, a lot of things happened, and many people still complained that we were in a depression. His re-election shows that America has realized one president won't be enough to get us out of this mess.
Annelise ter Horst
ReplyDelete7th
Sally Jenkins: Why I am not Mad at Lance Armstrong
The Washington Post
December 15th
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-12-15/sports/35846813_1_usada-report-tour-de-france-victories-lance-armstrong
In this article the author gives her reasoning behind her not having negative feelings toward Armstrong after his ‘incident’. Lance Armstrong was and is a beloved athlete, the world looked up to him for winning his multiple tour de frances, and people watched nervously as he struggled with cancer. But his triumphant victories over the bicycle and cancer seemed to melt away when he was caught guilty of doping. The author was a good friend of Armstrong, and while one might think that makes her biased, she gives good reasons why she can’t possibly come to hate him for the huge mistake that he did. Nor is she surprised, that in an intense, potentially fatal sport, great athlete would be pushed to do something to make them perform better in, whether it is or is not risking your health.
I have to say that I loved this article. After hearing ‘Lance Armstrong this’ and ‘Lance Armstrong that’, I do not care if it was biased one bit. It was more realistic than anything I have heard about this topic. I have always looked up to Lance Armstrong, coming from a biking family with yellow-braceleted wrists. I have read his books and seen him in biking in person, and while I have only seen him only once as a blur, he was a role model to almost everyone who have heard his story. It was actually in this world history class that I heard about it, and it is an understatement saying that I was stunned. The evil Lance ‘had a drug operation underground’ and ‘forced his teammates to join in and help him make money'. I could not believe that, and I was glad to see that this was not the real story. While doping for a time to get your performance up in a demanding sport is a terrible thing to do to your body and to your actions as a good human being, it is not like he was the only one. Cyclists doping goes back to the 1800’s and in the present, a handful of cyclists have and will dope. All I have to say is while my image of Lance Armstrong is put more into a human lighting, he is not a bad person.
Abby Thomas
ReplyDeleteNation Reels After Gunman Massacres 20 Children at School in Connecticut
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/15/nyregion/shooting-reported-at-connecticut-elementary-school.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
This article is about the tragedy that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School. At the school on a Friday in December a man entered the elementary school with a rifle and a handgun. He shot his way through the security system and immediately started shooting others in the school. The principal and the counselor went to investigate the gun shots and were shot down along with 26 others among them being children aged 5-10. All were killed except for one who was seriously injured.
I think that this is a very serious issue in our nation. Personally, in my opinion, only police should be allowed to have guns because it is a threat to our safety when others can obtain them as easily as they can at the moment. This is the second time this year that we have had a large massacre with mentally unstable people who have obtained guns. Earlier this year there was a large shooting at the midnight premiere of Batman and many were killed and injured. It is a very serious issue and something needs to be done.
Takoda Ren
ReplyDelete2nd period
Article: “Police: 20 children among 26 victims of Connecticut school shooting”
By Susan Candiotti and Sarah Aarthun, CNN.com
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?iref=allsearch
On December 14, 2012, an armed gunman in black overalls entered Connecticut elementary school and opened fire. 20 children were killed, as well as 6 adults (including the principle, psychologist, and the shooter) during the shooting. The shooter was Adam Lanza, a 20 year old. He entered the school at about nine forty. He eventually killed himself, he was found with a Glock, a sig Sauer, and a .223 Bushmaster. All three guns belonged to his mother, which he also killed for some unidentified reason. This was the second deadliest school homicide in history.
I am concerned for all the parents of the dead kids; they must be destroyed by their child’s death. It is confusing because the shooter had no criminal history and was a genius. I’m not sure if there was any reasoning behind killing 20 kids. If you are smart, you should keep on living because you are to have a good life. The article did mention he had a form of autism, which may have been part of the cause. This is very sad, not only did many young children die, many more where exposed to violence beyond their comprehension.
Nikki Thai
ReplyDelete1st Period
“Francois Hollande Becomes France’s New President” - Hugh Schofield
BBC News - May 15, 2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18067852
In 2012 France receives their first socialist president in 17 years, Francois Hollande; with Jean-Marc Ayrault. He begun his five year term at the Elysee Palace in Paris. He planned to turned their government system into a new and modest system. Francois requested that his inauguration be kept on the down low, only inviting a few dozen or so of his own personal guest. Soon after his inauguration party, he got down to business and began working on his strategy to restore France’s economy.
Joy Stouffer
ReplyDelete7th period
ABC News
Sandy Hook Shooting: Moment of Silence for Victims
December 21, 2012
http://abcnews.go.com/US/sandy-hook-shooting-moment-silence-victims/story?id=18034034
This article is about the shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school. Twenty first graders and six adults were killed. The shooter was Adam Lanza, a troubled man. The shooting took place December 14th, 2012. This event is important because every American felt for the people murdered that day.
This article is very sad. The thought that someone would do something like this is horrifying. I feel remorse for everybody that was a victim of Adam Lanza. The kids killed were young, 6 to 7 years old. The families are all grieving and I feel terrible for them.
Rebecca Harless
ReplyDeletePeriod 5
“Church of England votes against allowing women bishops” by Lizzy Davies
The Guardian Tuesday 20, 2012
It might not seem as important as the other events of 2012, but I definitely think the vote against allowing women bishops in the Church of England will be important in the future and now. After twelve years of debating the issue, (that’s since 2000!), at the Church House in Westminster, it was finally decided by six, just six, votes of the lay member section that women bishops are not allowed. Only two-thirds in each of the three General Synod house section were needed for the vote, yet six votes, likely from the more conservative members, stopped women from becoming bishops, the highest they can go in the Church. With this decision, which was unwanted by 75% of the General Synod, many representatives feel that the Church will now be looked at as really old fashioned and not with today’s world, embarrassing even. This event is important because it shows the views, good and bad, of women religiously now, and maybe, looking back in the future, maybe there would now be women bishops.
I think that the article sufficiently explained the event, although I did not find the date of the vote passed. However, this article used words I don’t know, not necessarily a bad thing, and repeated some of its quotes and information. The first time I heard about this was watching the British worldwide news show in the morning (I forgot the name) and thinking, “Wow, this is really stupid. People make really stupid decisions sometimes.” Strangely, this event relates to the Church in the Middle Ages, with the Poor Clares and women friars not being allowed to travel like male friars. It shows that maybe the opinions in the article were right, that the Church of England is stuck in the past. Questions: Would you have voted yes, or no? Do you think the Church of England, in the future, will let women be bishops?
Current Event #15
ReplyDelete2012 Year End Wrap Up
Pd. 2
Keith Segars
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
While many world events shaped 2012, the most memorable will be the mass shootings of twenty children and seven adults in Newtown Connecticut. I think that other events such as the election, the Olympics, hurricane Sandy, and the financial crisis were important, but this event will be remembered for a long time. Not only is the event tragic and senseless, it brings back the debate over gun ownership, individual rights, and public safety. For some people, the killings highlight the need for tight gun control. These people point to European countries and China as models of societies where this type of event is less likely to occur because there are few or no guns in the hands of the citizens. Other people have an opposite view. They believe that more people should be armed and that schools should have armed guards that protect students from harm. As noted in the CNN article, a representative of the NRA says, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun”. The event has created a divide in the United States that may cause a deeper review of our laws and rights.
I think this is a very difficult issue. My father owns shotguns that he uses for sport competitions. I know how to use them and we have fun at shooting ranges. However, I also think that small guns, which can be concealed, are dangerous and should be controlled. I think it would be bad for schools to have armed guards but I also think additional steps are needed to protect students. Maybe technology will be part of the solution. In the future, students and teachers may use smart cards to get access to buildings. Buildings may also be built with systems that open and close off access as events require. No matter what happens, the shootings in Newtown will probably be the event that defines 2012.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteArticle: “Police: 20 Children Among 26 Victims of Connecticut School Shooting”
ReplyDeleteBy Susan Candiotti and Sarah Aarthun, CNN.com
URL: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?iref=allsearch
On Friday, December 14 of 2012, there was a tragic elementary school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. 20 children were killed, as well as 6 adults (including the principle, psychologist, and the shooter) during the shooting. The shooter was identified to be Adam Lanza (20 years old), who had once attended the school. It is reported that the shooter entered the school around the time it was starting, and began the shooting rampage around 9:40am. He was wearing black fatigues and a military vest. The gun belonged to his mother, who was found dead at her home. The school was evacuated as soon as possible, but by then 26 people had lost their lives. People were in shock at this horrific act. People nationwide expressed feelings of grief, including the president. I know some people wore green and white in honor of the school that was attacked (I guess green and white are the school color) It was the second deadliest school shooting in US History, next to VT.
I was very sad and scared to hear about this. It was on the news most of Friday and through out the weekend and I'm pretty sure there was a moment of silence at school for the school that was attacked. As I said before, some people wore the school colors to honor the school. I feel so bad for everyone that had to be around the attack. I can't imagine anything like that happening, and I can't imagine how scared all of the kids were at the school, along with the teachers.
Alexis Ramirez
ReplyDelete1st period
Classmate of Malala Yousafzai, the 15-year-old Pakistani girls’ education advocate shot by the Taliban, opens up on the shooting and her friendship with the activist
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012
CBS
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/classmate-15-year-old-girls-education-activist-shot-pakistan-opens-attack-article-1.1199107
1) A classmate of the Pakistani girl who was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman. On a Tuesday, while coming home from school in a van with other schoolchildren, Taliban assassins stopped the vehicle, climbed aboard and demanded that the children identify Malala. Terrified, the children identified her and the men fired, shooting Malala in the head and neck and also wounding two other girls. As of Monday night, she was in Great Britain receiving top medical care from an international team of doctors.
2)She is standing up for her self and for the girls that are rolled by the Taliban. She wants an education, she wants to learn but the lethal group the Taliban. One of the Taliban member even said that "if shes still survives then I will go after her". To me she is a brave leader, leading all the girls without education or being ruled by a group, because it takes a courage to stand up for something. Like I said it takes a lot of confidence, and courage. If I was being threatened by terrorist group and no education for girls, I would still be terrified.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57560577/gangnam-style-first-video-to-hit-1b-youtube-views/
ReplyDeleteThis article is about the sonorous Korean musical video called Gangnam Style. The suave singer of Gangnam Style,Psy, impresses audiences with his smooth moves that simulate the movements of one well-versed in dressage. He pretends as though he rides that finest of species, Equus ferus caballus ("horse" for short). This musical masterpiece is important to the world at large. Without Psy's joyful antics to distract us from events such as the Newtown shootings, the world would truly go Ensete ventricosums. This video is important because it is the first video on Youtube to hit 1 billion views, overtaking the previous Youtube view record-holder,Justin Bieber's "Baby". QED
Harish Prasad
ReplyDelete12-21-12
Period 5
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/national/connecticut-shooting-will-newtown-shootings-spur-gun-control-legislation
Connecticut shooting: Will Newtown shootings spur gun control legislations? That, I consider, is the biggest question that we are left with this year, after the second biggest school shooting occurred in Sandy Hook Elementary School, Connecticut, killing twenty little children and seven teachers and administrators. The shooter had a semiautomatic rifle and two hand guns, both obtained legally by his mother, who was his first victim. In addition he possibly had another weapon in his car. After so many shootings, one after another this year, this horrific massacre of innocent little kids seems to be the trigger to start a debate on the topic of gun control.
So far nobody seemed to have inclination to take on the National Rifle Association (NRA), which has a very powerful lobby in Washington. Both the presidential candidates Romney and President skirted answering the question when asked about the issue in the presidential debate. However, after this shooting, lawmakers, advocacy groups and gun experts have begun weighing in on policy changes that could reduce the chances of another such mass shooting. The expired ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, which was enforced in 1994, should be reintroduced. This is what some of the senators are trying to do, but this is easier said than done. But any proposal to curtail access to guns would be met with ferocious opposition from gun rights supporters. However, I believe the only way to stop these senseless killings is by preventing these weapons from getting into anybody’s hands, irrespective of whether the person has mental issues or not. The solution is not having armed guards at every school to keep the kids safe, as the NRA suggested today, in a public statement given by its president.
Sam Nielsen 1st Period
ReplyDeleteNorth Koreans Launch Rocket in Defiant Act Choe Sang-Hun
NY Times December 11 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/12/world/asia/north-korea-launches-rocket-defying-likely-sanctions.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
The article describes North Korea's recent, first successful rocket launch and the events following it. Through out the past few years North Korea has been attempting to make advances in many fields of technology, specifically in nuclear and ballistics. Surrounding countries in Asia, as well as the United States, have been attempting to prevent any more advances North Korea makes in these fields. This recent launch is a symbol of defiance for those outside of North Korea, but it is a uniting symbol for those within. The United States has had much to say about this, but it is believed that North Korea will not face any serious consequences.
I think that this has the potential to become something that would be written down in the history books depending on what happens in the next few years. Many believe that this display marks North Korea as an even more serious threat in the future than it was before. I am somewhat split on this matter because I think it could be serious for us, but there is a chance that it will not really mean anything. Sure, North Korea could advance from this and create advanced nuclear and missile technologies, but there are so many things that could go wrong to prevent North Korea from achieving this. Any serious economic, political, military, agriculture, etc. failures could have the potential to ruin North Korea's plans. So, this could be something to go down in the history books if it becomes something bigger, but there is a very high chance that North Korea will fail.
Ashley Yang
ReplyDelete2nd
12/15/12 CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/15/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
In Newtown, Connecticut, 20 kids and 6 adults were killed during a school shooting. These kids were only elementary schoolers. Each of the victims were shot more than once, with the gunman committing suicide. The shooter is said to be Adam Lanza, just a 20 year old. The gunman was found dead next to three guns, each of which were legal under the mother's name. Police and investigators are searching for answers as to why Adam Lanza would do such a thing. The families and friends of the dead are trying to cope with the deaths of their beloved kids. This was an event that went down in history and news that spread rapidly across the U.S.
I think this was a horrible thing that had happened. The victims were innocent elementary school children. I think the best way to take action is to both give the families of the dead explanations and maybe closure to what happened, and to do something about guns. This event was not something that should have happened and this was so terrible that it went down as the 2nd most deadly school shooting. I don't have any personal experiences tied into what happened, but it's scary thinking that a school shooting could happen anywhere even though most people don't think it will happen in their life.
Johnny Huang
ReplyDelete5th Period
12/21/12
Phew! Asteroid to miss Earth in 2040, NASA says
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/us/space-asteroid-threat/index.html?hpt=hp_c1
This article talks about an asteroid that was on course for hitting earth. The asteroid, 2011 AG5, was researched by astronomers and they found out that it had less than a one percecnt chance to hit the earth in February, 2040. Recently though, a group of astronomers called by NASA at the University of Hawaii have eliminated the chance, confirmed by scientists in California as well. The asteroid is 140 meters in diameter and will get as close as 890,000 kilometers from Earth. In a comparison, that is twice the length from the Earth to the Moon.
I think that we are very lucky although there was little to no chance of the asteroid hitting Earth. Given a one percent chance to die, added to already high risks of natural diseases and some accidents. This relates to what we have been discussing in class because we have been discussing the 2012 claim of the end of the world. The claim started from the discovery of ancient Mayan calenders and the end of the calender being a day in 2012. I think that the world will not end seeing that it is 11:17 PM right now and I am doing my current event, though I will give it 40 minutes before I completely debunk the myth.
2012 Year Ending
ReplyDeleteWenbo Wang
Period 2
UN agrees to extend Kyoto Protocol: Written by ABC/AFP
"UN Agrees to Extend Kyoto Protocol." - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). N.p., 9 Dec. 2012. Web. 21 Dec. 2012.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-09/un-agrees-to-extend-kyoto-protocol/4417024
1.Of the many historical events from 2012, not only did they make a strong impact on society in the past, but will also leave a lasting impression upon human aspects of life in the future. The Kyoto Protocol for example, is a program supported by the United Nations that was first signed in Japan on the eleventh of December, 1997. Put into motion in 2005, countries around the world hoped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2011. However, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference located in Qatar, Doha which started on November 2012 and ended on December 8 of this year, the Kyoto Protocol has been extended along with its effects, until 2020; in hope of reducing greenhouse gas emission even more. Agreed by two hundred nations, the protocol was established in order to combat against global warming. Extremely important for developed nations to ratify, due to their carbon emissions being greater, the need for an international agreement is required to reduce pollution. Being that the Kyoto Protocol is the beginning in the gradual process, agreements of rich countries supporting poorer countries that experienced losses due to the global warming has been discussed. Russia opposed this extension. Finance and compensation were challenging issues to discuss, along with other disagreements between emission quotas; for talks lasted into the next day before being agreed upon by thirty-seven nations. Members of environmental groups, such as Andy Atkins of Friends of the Earth, felt that the talks were subpar, for quick emission reduction suggestions were not agreed upon. This current event is significant, because global warming has been an issue for the past decades, and official international attempts to combat it are few and far between. With one of the only method of combating global warming on a larger scale, the Kyoto Protocol is very important for the environmental balance of nature.
2.After reading this article, I see the issue on global warming in a new light. Emissions are higher in more developed countries than in other countries, but the international effort to oppose global warming, despite what amount of emissions they release into the air, or the amount of damage a country has to cope due to global warming, is extremely significant. This is due to the individual perspectives and ideas upon the growing crisis. But because of the varying ideas and position in society, a significant resolution to combat global warming is hard to establish. The agreed matter was mainly focused on how rich nations would support the poorer nations economically against the effects of global warming. This, as explained by Andy, does not fix the major problem; that is, of reducing greenhouse emissions for rich nations to reduce global warming altogether. This article on the ways to tackle global warming relates to the topic of global warming that have been thought in the past years. By watching Al Gore’s The Inconvenient Truth, the public has just realized the growing danger of greenhouse gases on global warming, and its possible effects on society, and the world economically, agriculturally, and socially. This year, the studies of natural disasters that lead to the fall of many powerful civilizations forewarns the people of the future of what might happen, if greenhouse emissions are not dealt with immediately. What would allow for the nations, especially the rich, to agree upon cutting greenhouse gas emissions sufficiently enough for the wellbeing of the future?
Daniel Kleissler
ReplyDelete3rd Period
Author: Susan Candiotti
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html
Last Friday, tragedy struck Newtown Connecticut. Dressed in black fatigues Adam Lanza, a twenty year old, broke into a primary school and killed a total of twenty seven people. Adam Lanza, apparently mentally disturbed, started out his plot by murdering first his brother, then his mother, and then proceeded to massacre twenty innocent children.
While many people are killed daily, this will go down in History because it was a cold blooded execution of innocents. These victims were all between the ages of five and ten, they had their whole lives in front of them and Adam Lanza took that away. This crime struck fear into the heart of every caring human being, including our president (he himself being Time Magazines "Man of the Year". This day will go down in history.
Um Dan. You mean 2nd period... Right?
DeleteRachel Danner
ReplyDelete7th period
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/obama-re-elected
This article discusses how Obama was re elected as the president of the United States. It talks about the number of electoral votes he won by and about the general statistics surrounding the election. It also mentions how this will probably have an impact on our country and our world.
This is important because the two presidential candidates had two different visions for the future of our country. I firmly believe that if Mitt Romney had become the president we would be in a totally different place four years from now. Depending on what happens from now until then, this event may be viewed in different ways. But because of the importance of this role in the world, I do believe that it will make an impact.
Mary Louise Callaghan
ReplyDelete2nd period
Four More Years: Obama Wins Re-election
By Adam Sorensen
http://swampland.time.com/2012/11/07/four-more-years-obama-wins-re-election
This article states how our president from the last 4 years, Barack Obama has one his second term. Beating Governor Mitt Romney by quite a lot the night of November 6th 2012. The republicans knew it was over long before the final votes were counted, as crucial states like Virginia and Ohio were called democrat before 11 o'clock that night.
This article also talks about how Obama has much work ahead of him but people believe he can do it and build this country back up to where it used to be.
I think Obama being re-elected is an awesome thing. I know he hasn't done amazingly the past 4 years but I know he will do us good the next 4. I actually was pretty shocked that Obama ended up winning most of the big important states because Romney was honestly a very strong competitor. I hope Obama continues to do good for this country and we go far the next 4 years.
Robert Fernald
ReplyDelete1st
How Obama won re-election http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/11/07/turnout-and-organization-were-key-to-obama-victory/1688537/
Basically, This article talks about how Obama went past the odds and was re-elected even though his competitor had a good chance. It also talked about why Obama won and why Romney lost. Things like hurricane Sandy, the Ohio auto bailout and the fact that he took out Osama Bin Laden made Obama win. Romney lost because uneployment wen down, the vote from women and hispanics.
I think that Obama's election was the most important event of 2012 for a couple or reasons. First, nothing else that was more important happened. 2nd, Obama's election will really impact the citizens or the USA. Also, I don't see why everyone is saying that the school shooting was the most important event of the year. Sure, it was tragic and we should try to prevent things like it but it is not the most important event of the whole year. People are just writing about it because it was the most recent event.
Erica Johnson/Period 1
ReplyDeleteScattered E-voting issues as Barack Obama wins re-election/Grant Gross
Computerworld.com/Nov. 6th, 2012
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9233336/Scattered_e_voting_issues_as_Barack_Obama_wins_re_election?utm_campaign=Feed:%20computerworld/news/feed%20(Latest%20from%20Computerworld)&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner&source=rss_latest_content
1) This article is about Barack Obama getting re-elected as president for his second term. This article also has to do with the online votes and how Obama topped off the votes with 270 electoral votes, winning against opponent Mitt Romney. This article is definitely important and would be significant for future presidents and voting. It is important because first of all Obama was the first black president, and second of all he was re-elected which proves that many people approve of him.
2) I think this article is interesting, especially since it focuses on the outcome of the votes, rather than the race itself of the opponents. That way, the article focuses on the opinions of the voters and citizens. This article has to do with me because although I am too young to vote, I was interested in the outcome as well as the opinions of the voters. This sort of has to do with what we are learning, because we just learned about the creation of basic law (civil/common law), which includes how the citizens pick their presidents. My question is how would the opponent who lost (Romney) would react to the loss? Would they be depressed or happy for the other person?
Emily Chang
ReplyDeletepd. 1
Newtown, CT Selectman Will Rodgers & CEO of the United Way of Western Connecticut Kim Morgan raise $3M to date for Sandy Hook School Support Fund
http://earlystart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/24/newtown-ct-selectman-will-rodgers-ceo-of-the-united-way-of-western-connecticut-kim-morgan-raise-3m-to-date-for-sandy-hook-school-support-fund/?iref=allsearch
This article is about how Morgan and Rogers raise money in honor of the tragedy at Sandy Hook. They raised 3 million dollars for the cause. It is said that the donations have a wide range or figures and come from all over the world. It is very touching to see people reaching out to one another.
I think this shows how much we really care for each other. People who don't even live in this country are trying to help alleviate the pain and it is nice to know they care. Sandy Hook was a terrible tragedy and we should always remember those who perished. Seeing that so many people are willing to donate money gives hope that people may be able to pass a ban on weapons to prevent this in the future.
McKenzie Matherly
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
"School resumes for Newtown students as new details surface in investigation" by Holly Yan and Susan Candiotti
CNN 12/18/2012
http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
On Friday, December 14, Adam Lanza barged his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed twenty-six people. Twenty of the victims were school children, and 6 were adults.The shooter, Adam Lanza, was 20 years old. he had once attended the school. Adam, entered the school in the beginning of the day, and began the shooting roughly at 9:40am. He was wearing black fatigues and a military vest. The gun he used to take many peoples lives belonged to his mother, who he also killed.
I was saddened to learn about this tragic massacre of innocent children, and adults. What is even worse is that they were only small children at an elementary school.I think that nationwide we must take steps to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. And that schools and public places need to have more security to make sure nothing like this can happen again. Although this is a very saddening event i feel that improving gun laws wont do much good. People will always find a way to cause violence and grief.
Jonathan Phillips
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
Obama Reelected
Barack Obama Reelection Signals Rise Of New America
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/barack-obama-reelection_n_2085819.html
This article talks about how Obama got reelected president for a second term. This will bring change to America. He will do this by putting more social problems before economic such as gay marriage, etc. Also him being reelected makes him the only president who isn't white to be reelected. This also stops his opposing candidate Mitt Romney from eliminating "unnecessary" government funding for things like NPR and PBS.
This will probably go down in history because it shows the triumph of a minority over someone who is white. Also it shows the triumph of someone liberal over someone who appeals greatly to the hardcore conservatives. Romney appealed to that group by being white, conservative, and being a mormon. This could be seen as Americans overcoming their various prejudices such as sexual orientation and race. This shows the progression of Americans from the time when their was discrimination, to this modern time where we are all one.
Valeria Campos-Diaz, 1st Period
ReplyDeleteSandy Hook Shooting Newtown, Connecticut
http://schoolsofthought.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/03/sandy-hook-students-return-to-class-for-first-time-since-newtown-shooting/?iref=allsearch
On Friday Sandy Hook elementary school suffered a great loss and scare caused by a school shooting. Adam Lanza just 20 years old entered sandy hook that morning after killing his own mother with all intention to murder. 20 kids, all in elementary school were shot and killed. 6 six adults were also murdered. Each child was shot more than once. Reason for the shooting is not yet known but all law authorities are investing the cause of this tragic massacre.
What really caught the nations attention and tugged at everyone's heart was not just the fact that yet another school shooting happened but the ages of the victims was astonishing. Young children in elementary were murdered and lost their lives way to soon. I can't even begin to imagine how the families and parents of the victims feel and what their going through right now. The nation stand behind the families of the victims and awaits for justice to be served as it rightfully should to the ones responsible of this horrific tragedy.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSophie Heins
ReplyDelete1st
US Women's Gymnastics Wins Team Gold Medal At London Olympics
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/31/us-womens-gymnastics-gold-medal-team-final_n_1724404.html
During the 2012 London Olympics the women's gymnastic team won gold. At age 16 Gabby Douglas participated in all the events and got pretty high scores. The other 4 members of the team did not take part in all 4 events. The girls opted to be called the fierce five rather than the fab five. They were the first US team since the 1996 team to win the gold medal for the US.
I think that it's really cool that they opted to be the fierce five rather than the fab five. it shows that they care more about other teams having to watch out for them, than being seen as elitist or snobby. It was also incredible the tricks they pulled off during their events. So if they do get to go to the next olympics that would be really cool. If there could be more people like them out there that would be awesome.
Jeff Richardson/1st Period
ReplyDeleteNewtown Tragedy/Rick Green
December 17th, 1012
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/newtown-sandy-hook-school-shooting/hc-newtown-sandy-hook-school-shooting-20121214,0,6861962.story
Last year, on December 14th a man burst into an elementary school in Newtown Connecticut at 8:30 a.m. The mans name was Adam Lanza, and he started the day by shooting his mother Nancy in the face at their home. He then drove to the elementary school and proceeded to kill 28 people including himself. This event caused an outbreak of emotion among our Nation, as 20 of those people were children aged five to seven. The 21 year old shot 6 women at the school including their principal and teachers. Many heroic stories emerged from the tragedy, of teachers giving their lives to save children. The country remains shaken by this event, and many are in disbelief.
I first heard about the shooting the day it occurred in 9th period when we had a moment of silence. Our principal announced what had happened and I was in disbelief. I came home and turned on the TV to discover more about the shooting and I was shocked. To hear that 28 people had been killed earlier that day, at an elementary school was horrifying. I just do not understand how someone could bring themselves to look a child in the face and kill them. But as I deepened my research I realized that the shooter had a personality disorder, and he had obvious mental health issues. I tried to keep in mind that his perception of things differs from mine, but I just couldn’t imagine where his mind was. The shooting if a huge tragedy in our nation and the victims and their families will never be forgotten.
Alex Parks
ReplyDeletePeriod 1
How Obama won re-election http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/11/07/turnout-and-organization-were-key-to-obama-victory/1688537/
Basically, This article talks about how Obama went past the odds and was re-elected even though his competitor had a good chance. It also talked about why Obama won and why Romney lost. Things like hurricane Sandy, the Ohio auto bailout and the fact that he took out Osama Bin Laden made Obama win. Romney lost because uneployment wen down, the vote from women and hispanics.
I think that Obama's election was the most important event of 2012 for a couple or reasons. First, nothing else that was more important happened. 2nd, Obama's election will really impact the citizens or the USA. Also, I don't see why everyone is saying that the school shooting was the most important event of the year. Sure, it was tragic and we should try to prevent things like it but it is not the most important event of the whole year. People are just writing about it because it was the most recent event.