This past Saturday, Egyptians turned out in record numbers to vote on amendments to their constitution, now that they have rid themselves of Murbarak. The Week in Rap linked to a news article that said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Egypt last week to let Egyptians know that the U.S. supported the revolution, and promised millions of U.S. dollars to help Egypt's democratic reforms get off the ground.
Promising millions of dollars to Egypt when people in our own country still suffer from unemployment, and when the federal, state, and local government agencies don't even have enough money to cover their own budgets may not make sense to the average person. It just goes to show how complex our political and economic structures are. Balancing our own personal needs against the needs of the global community demands a disciplined study of all issues that play into the mix. Before offering an opinion, we all need to make sure we stay informed about the complex issues at hand.
Dr. Sontag
The Week in Rap
Radioactive air
We don't know how bad
U.S. pledges millions of $ to help Egypt
19K teacher layoffs in CA so far
U.S. CIA contractor freed from Pakistani jail
Nate Dogg, hip-hop artist, dies
It is very sad to hear Nate Dogg died Tuesday March 15, 2011. I think it is horrible that Nate Dogg died because he will always be remembered by the people who knew him and liked his music. It is even worse reading the article about him because of the stokes he had, he ended up becoming paralyzed and unable to speak. I personally think it is a great thing for Nate Dogg, that he knew Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and several people from his time and today. This will be very sad for Nate Doggg's friends and family for having him gone at such a young age.
ReplyDeleteKRISTEN M.
PERIOD 6
I think that it is very sad that Japan's air has been polluted with radioactive chemicals. I think this because they are probably very worried that they will get sick from the water, food, and the air.
ReplyDeleteBy Eric Katzung and Daniel Simon
I think that it's a bad thing that the radioactive plume is going to hit the US. I find it somewhat sad that it has even come to this - the power plant should be built to be able to withstand these sorts of damages. Thankfully, the radiation levels are low and will not cause major health concerns. Because of this, I think many people will panic and do stupid things.
ReplyDeleteTristan Seifert
Period 3
I think that the U.S. giving millions of dollars to get Egypt running again was a very good diplomatic move, because the new government of Egypt will be grateful to the U.S. and possibly become our allies. We often think of a million dollars as a lot of money, but to the government it is small potatoes. I believe that it was a very smart move by our government to promise to give Egypt millions of dollars.
ReplyDeleteBy Evan Lohn and Eric Yang
period 3
I think that it is really awesome that Egypt is making a constitution because if they can do that it is a big step to helping them with their new government.
ReplyDelete- Grant M.
period 3
I think it is terrible how so many disasters happened in Japan, because if all the disasters including the earthquake, tsunami, and the radiation didn't come at the same time and didn't happen at the same country, the effect would have been much smaller and people that lives in Japan wouldn't have so many things to worry about at same time. I also thought it was terrible that there was radiation in Japan, because the other disasters like the earthquake and tsunami is something you could see and have at least have a bit of prediction from the scientists. But the radiation, they know that the radiation is in the air somewhere, but they can't actually see it, which makes it scarier.
ReplyDeleteEllie Lim
Period.3
I think that the death of Nate Dogg was very tragic. But, in some ways it can be okay so he doesn't have to suffer from being paralyzed and not being able to sing or rap anymore. He will always be missed allot by millions of people, but they will be happy he in a better place.
ReplyDeleteBy Brooklyn Roessel
Pd.3
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI think that since the Pakistan government let the C.I.A. contractor out, their will be a lot of protests and might be the final straw before a rebellion, because many countries are rebelling and the Pakistani are getting really mad.
Austin S.
Per 3
March 25, 2011 11:11 AM
I think that what happened in Japan was horrible. I feel terrible for them especially for the people not in Japan but have relatives there. As for the rescuers we know that you are doing the best you can but hurry up before the death roll increases.
ReplyDelete-Alicia A. and Aly M. period 3
I feel very bad for the people in Japan=(. I am hoping for only good news from now on. I think that the earthquake was a huge thing that happened to the world its self, because i heard that the 9.0 quake made that earth spin faster then usual. All in all i am really shook by what happened in Japan.
ReplyDeleteI think that the radioactive plume from a damaged nuclear reactor getting blown via wind to other parts of the world (including U.S. soon) could definitely be bad. I think this because we know radiation to cause diseases such as cancer, which we currently don't have a reliable cure for. Luckily, the report states that the radiation levels will fade as it travels, however no actual current radiation levels have been announced (in this article). Also, the wind patterns could change and hence change where the radiation will be blown.
ReplyDeleteIsabela P-F
Period 3
I think it is a terrible thing that thousands of teachers are losing their jobs- even just elementary schools because thats where you start an education. It is important that we have teachers because having an education is one of the most important things to have in our lives. If we can't get into a college, then we cant get good jobs that pay lots of money.
ReplyDeleteKarissa M.
Per 3
I think that the radioactive chemicals being let out into the air from Japan's power plant, is a very bad thing for the Japanese people and our Earth. I think this because the people of Japan have already been in a terrible 9.0 earthquake and don't deserve to worry about anything else. Also, the radioactivity could badly pollute the Earth.
ReplyDelete*Hannah S., Period 3*
I am glad that were giving Egypt money because they need it. Even though you can't just say here you go Egypt here is all our money from the U.S.. We can't interfear with THERE government (even though there making a new government. ).
ReplyDelete:) Lauren Sweet Per.3 :)
I thought that it was very unfortionate that japan's air got polluted with radiation because they also just had a tsunami and an earthquake so I still feel very bad that this happened with everything else that is going on :(
ReplyDeleteSeena R. (pd3)
I think its bad and sad that Japan is having radioactive problems. I think this is bad because, my mom reads the news every day, and there was an article that said that there is enough radiation to kill someone. It even showed the owner of the plant break down weeping. It MUST be bad! I think its sad because people are at the radioactive plant, risking their lives, to fix the problem. That takes guts!
ReplyDeleteClaire A Per.3
I'm sure we are all very sorry for Nate Dogg's death on Tuesday March 15, 2011. Leaving behind six children and many solo albums and collaboration records. It's horrible that he suffered 2 strokes, recovering from one but not from the other. He will always be remember as a founder of west coast hip hop and a beloved brother to snoop dogg and his family.
ReplyDeleteCHLOE RAYNAUD(:
pd. 3
I think that the earthquake/tsunami that happened at Japan is a terrible thing because many people died and many are still unfound. Also It's sad to know that my family lives near the area and that few of my friends live at the area that got hit. I also feel sad for the people who live there because they are left homeless with no food or water. All in all I think that the disaster that happened at Japan is sad and terrible and I hope that Japan will recover soon.
ReplyDeleteAylin Yalcin
Period 3
I think that its really sad that all of these bad things are happening in Japan. Many people died and many homes were totally destroyed because of the earthquake and tsunami. REST IN PEACE! :(
ReplyDeleteKENDRA SHAPIRO!!!! :)
Per. 3
I think it is bad that the tsunamis hit Japan. I think this because many innocent people are dead because of this.
ReplyDeleteMarcos Aguilar Per 3
I think that it was really terrible how Japan had an tsunami,earthquake,and a radiation leak. The tsunami killed a lot of people.Because of the radiation leak their water isn't safe for children to drink. It was very sad that all this happened.
ReplyDeleteRomina shirazi Period.3
I think that it is terrible that California might have to lay off that many teachers but at the same in the past the government shouldn't have spent all that money in the past and now teachers that have been doing a good job and working for several years might get laid of and become unemployed. Very sad story.
ReplyDeleteHawa Conteh, per.3
I think that they should put the people in the USA before go and spend their money on other people. There are people who live here that need assistance, once the poverty level drops in the USA, then they have my approval to go and help the rest of the world; but until then they need to get their priorities sorted out.
ReplyDelete- Olivia Kramer
I think that it is terrible what happened to Japan. I think this is because the tsunami killed a lot of people and everybody homes are gone. The radiation is very terrible too. This is a terrible time for Japan.
ReplyDeleteBecause it affected not only Japan, the earthquake, tsunami, and radiation in Japan make up on of the biggest disasters the world has seen in a long time. Not only had the earthquake and tsunami in Japan caused many citizens to lose their homes, but the tsunami reached many islands across the Pacific Ocean. The radiation in the air is also affecting many countries all around the world. The people of Russia, geographically close to Japan, are worried they are in danger because of the radiation the most. Everything that happened in Japan is also easily throwing people into chaos and causing them to panic and believe rumors about earthquakes and other disasters people have been predicting. It will be hard for our planet, and especially for Japan, to completely recover after everything that had happened. However, I hope that everything will be better in the end.
ReplyDeleteI think its bad that there is a radioactive air because that could come over to California and then we could get some kind of disease or radioactive poising, but it is good that scientists think it will be little harm to us.
ReplyDeleteConnor H.™ Per. 3
I think it's terrible that the air in Japan is radioactive, and even worse that it is spreading. If you see all this stuff that's been going on lately (the haiti earthquake, the japan earthquakes and tsunamis, the radioactive air, etc), it's surprising to me that we haven't all blown up and died yet.
ReplyDeleteChrissy C.
period 4
I think that the United States should not have given Egypt millions of dollars because we are broke!! If we don't have any money then why are we giving away millions of dollars to other countries and getting involved in more war?!?!?! It makes no sense at all but i guess it not our choice :P
ReplyDeleteMegan B 4th period :)
We Think it is very sad that the famous rapper died because he was a very good musician, and his music was amazing. We hope that will still remember him cause he had great songs. We loved his lyrics and we hope he has a happy afterlife. WORD!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHendrik.E
Alex.M
per 4
I really dont think that the US should be giving other countries our money to help them.....talk about Economy problems! We have to many money problems here already and we need that money and we are wasting it on helping other people, not that that is a bad thing but we need to take care of our own problems first and then we can donate and help other countries. I think that the government is mature enough to understand that we need to take care of our problems first and not just go and give over a million dollars to other people. TAKE CARE OF OUR PROBLEMS FIRST PEOPLE/GOVERNMENT/PRESIDENT!!! You know better than that!
ReplyDeleteLisa Bartholomew
period4
learn how to run a country correctly people!!
I think it is terrible how the air is polluted in Japan. Just imagine doing anything and being worried you will become ill. It is bad enough already that the people in Japan had to go through a tsunami and earth quake. The japanese should have constructed their building better because the last thing anyone wants to worry about is nuclear exposure. The other countries of the world should not have to worry about Japan's LACK of constructing techniques with also having problems of their own. The nuclear exposure not at all good to help global warming since this is just our trash throwing it into our home. The Japanese should worry about their construction when they are building such dangerous areas and think about their people.
ReplyDeleteJessica K.
per:4
We think it's terrible that the nuclear power plant blew up, because that was its main power source. We also think it's extremely bad that the radioactive cloud or plume reached all the way to California. It's really bad for our lungs to breath in contaminated air.
ReplyDelete~Becca P and Brenda T Period 4
I think that it's very sad that another famous person died. But everyone has their time to die. Then again that was very predictable because in Natedog's whole life he had many stokes. So when he gets these strokes he has to take medication and so with all of the medication that will give him the strokes. R.I.P. Natedog
ReplyDeleteJiachen Zhao™ period 4
I think that it is terrible that Nate Dogg, a hip hop icon, died on Tuesday, March 15th 2011 because there won't be any more music from him. I also think that this is terrible because to see another artist die just reminds me of all the other terrible deaths of todays top artists. Although I've never heard any of his songs, he will be remembered.
ReplyDeleteLily Wu
per. 4
I think that death of Nate Dogg on Tuesday March 15, 2011 is very sad. I think this because he had to suffer a lot and died at a pretty young age for an adult. I know that a lot of people liked his music and are sad about his death. :(
ReplyDelete***Alice G.***
We think that the radioactive cloud is very unlikely to hit the US because the continents are so far away from each other. If it does hit only minor health issues will occur. We heard that the radioactive cloud is also affecting the water supply in Japan and effecting babies. But it depends on the wind pattern when and if it will hit us. We feel bad for what happened to the people in Japan and are constantly praying for their safety. <3
ReplyDeleteiSsY t. & ClArE m. :)
PeR. 4
I think that the radioactive plume thats going to hit the US is something minor, but we should be slightly careful. The only reason I would state that is because we are close to Southern California. A heavy gust of wind can easily alter the path of the plume to move upwards. There is only a "little health risk". But, the big picture is of the Japan 9.0 earthquake. This earthquake spawned many disasters. The main ones that people should be focused on the most is the tsunamis, the sick and injured in Japan, and the plume. Some people may panic due to the stress of airborne radioactive materials flying through the air, but consider the following. There are thousands of miles of water between Japan and the United States. This is enough distance to dilute the radioactive material which is why there is only a minor threat. Because of this, I wouldn't change my behavior and freak out when i breathe and act paranoid.
ReplyDeleteI think that giving Egypt loads of money was a bad idea. I must admit they need it but America is in much dept already and needs to layoff the big bucks. Plus, what if something happens to us back in the west? We don't have enough money to pay for a national disaster!!!!
ReplyDeleteMary M.
Per 4
We think it is terrible that so many teachers are getting laid off in California. This is bad because learning is important and with fewer teachers there must be bigger classes and with bigger classes not everyone can get the help they need. Also, this leaves several jobless teachers which is bad because there is not enough jobs in California as it is.
ReplyDelete*~Heather E and Christine B~*
Period 4
I think its horrible that there is a big radiation problem, and the radiation is hurting the water in Japan. Its really bad because the radiation is traveling over seas and hitting America, but not enough to hurt us.
ReplyDeleteNatasha K.
per.4
We think it's horrible feeling for many teachers because so far 19,000 teachers have been laid off. Many teachers are worried and wondering if there next! Since our economy, it's hard for our schools to pay for supplies, therefore their budget is very low. Hopefully no more teachers get lost.
ReplyDelete*MEGAN K.* HANNAH M.*
Period 4
I think that we are doing the right thing give money to Egypt because they really need it in order to have the first step toward a good goverment. But we can't go and give them all our money because we have to pay China because we owe them a lot of money. Imagine if we were in Egypt's position. Would we need the money to help our goverment if we were in in Egypt's position? Anyhow, we need to help Egypt because they are suffering from crime and violence. We are giving Egypt the "baby step" toward helping them have a good representative goverment.
ReplyDeleteMaziar M.
Period. 4
I think it's a big relief that the radioactive air from Japan isn't such a big threat to our health here in California. This is because it would be really bad for our community, like how it is affecting Japan's water supply.
ReplyDeleteHayoung K.
Period 4
I think what Hilary Clinton did was kind of foolish. She spoke for the whole U.S promising to give them 93 million dollars. But where would we get the money? Because I'm pretty sure she's not taking it out of HER pocket. She said the government would get the money and give it to them. But the government doesn't have that money. So I think to get the 93 million dollars that Hilary Clinton PROMISED to give them, they will start taking it from people. Argo taxes will probably be raised in order to get the money that America obviously DOESN'T have! And why would she promise to give them the money. I know it's to help them settle...but why PROMISE to give them the money? And not to be mean or anything but, last time I checked she wasn't the president and I don't think she really has the power to make that decision. And she said America would give it to them but the thing is, America doesn't HAVE any money. So where would we get it? I guess what I'm trying to say is... I just don't think it's fair to the rest of the United States that she would give it to them. But that's just my opinion.
ReplyDelete-Amanda Smallwood :)
Period 4
I think that is irresponsible for Hilary to commit money to Egypt because the U.S government is in debt as it is. I hope that Egypt will recover before we get my in debt.
ReplyDeleteBriana G
Per. 4
I think it's bad that there is a radio active cloud up in the air because it could affect our health. I think that someone should find a way to fix this.
ReplyDeleteAsher B. :D Alex B. :D
Period 6
i think that they should fire alot of teachers in california because theres alot of people who depend on those teachers and those people that are getting fire also depend on that job of techers for giving food to there family so if they fire people they should hire or give them another job
ReplyDeleteHumberto T. (period 6)
I think that the radioactive air is the most important information this week. I think this because I live in a place that could become slightly unhealthy and even if the chance is small i don't want to live in an unhealthy area
ReplyDeleteAndrew Laird Period 6
I think that, like many other people, that if a radioactive cloud even DOES hit the U.S., it won't be a huge disaster or anything. The people in Japan should be worried. The radioactivity there is 10,000 times what it should be. To sum up, I wouldn't be worried about any huge disaster resulting from the radioactive cloud that could come to the U.S.
ReplyDeleteNick W.(Per. 6)
I think the egyptians voting for their future is very good, but bad. It is bad because Egypt was promised millions of dollars, when in fact the egyptians are suffering and unemployed.
ReplyDeleteChance L.
Period 6
I think that its bad that so many teachers are getting laid off. Its bad for education and being smart is important
ReplyDelete0livia J
-period 6
I think a cloud of radiation hitting the U.S. is bad, but not terrible. I've read that isn't going to be enough to hurt anything here. The real people in trouble are Japan, and from the tsunamis and earthquakes too. I don't think there will be any huge problems here.
ReplyDeleteAlec L, Pd 6
I think that it was sad that the nuclear reactors are making the air bad for those who live in Japan. Many people can get harmed because of that. Since many Japanese people don't have houses anymore, it can harm them even more than the earthquake.
ReplyDeleteBrendan and Andy
Period 6-SUP XD
We think that the radioactive air is one of the most interesting things this week.We think that because we live in a place that could become unhealthy and even if there is a small chance we still don't want to live in an unhealthy environment.
ReplyDeleteMONICA AND TAYLOR PERIOD 6
although its great that the radioactive particles that are coming toward us is safe, i'm interested that people made such a big deal about it. I think this because they freaked out.i know they might think about something like... i don't know Chernoybl. but we should be worried about the people in Japan. We could have even more disaster if those reacters melt down. It might be like Hiroshima but a lil smaller. imagine all of the deaths that will add up. we all soak up a little radiation every day naturaly to. either way radioactive anything is scary. imagin a radioactive chucky doll or even a bannana! dang scary!
ReplyDeleteDevin.S
i think that the egyptians that are voting for there new way of living is good but promising millions of dollars and breaking it when in fact the people of egypt or suffering.
ReplyDeleteTristan Period 6
We think that its very sad that Nate Dogg died a few week ago. I know that alot of people loved his music and i also think it was sad because he died at a young age for an adult
ReplyDeleteSHANE S. & ASHLEY M.
I think the radioactive air is scary because its not good for us.
ReplyDelete-sam donnely period 6
Somebody should find a way to fix the radio active cloud up in the sky because i thing it is extremely bad for our health.
ReplyDeletejack v. anthony f.
Kani's friend, Reika, who lives in Japan the time of the devastating earthquake say her family fears the radioactive air more than the aftershocks and the tsunami's happening around them. The radioactive air is very dangerous because it can spread quickly through the air which spreads to the people and that is very dangerous. It's also dangerous because it's also effecting Japan's water supply
ReplyDelete◊Makayla Martinez and Kani Pragastis Period 6◊
I think that radioactive air is the the radioactivie cloud even does hit the U.S. it shouldnt be a huge disaster! And that the huge disaster resulting from the radioactive cloud can come to the U.S.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin T. period 6
I think that the radiational air isn't really that important because, they had said if it hits the U.S it might do minor damage so im not really worried!!!!:):):)<3
ReplyDeleteBrittany W
P.6
I think it's really sad and messed up that the reactors are making the air in Japan. If the the radioactive plume actually hits America, it might make the air worse r it might not effect us that much. I feel way worse for the people in Japan because their air is already 10,000 times more radioactive than it should be, so the air is even worse now! It's terrible. It effecting us may be a slim chance, but I hope we don't have to ever live in such an unhealthy environment.
ReplyDeleteSamm Moore Period 6! :D
I think that the radiation that has been released from the nuclear reactors is bad for many reasons. First of all, we really don't know what the effects of radiation on human health may be, but we do know that they will not be very good. We have seen how radiation can be used to cure cancer in very small, careful doses, but studies ave also shown that radiation is a potential cause of cancer. Second of all, there are many radioactive particles from the nuclear power plants currently reaching the US and may be spreading all around the world. Radiation detectors set up all around the US have detected these particles that have been spread, most likely, through the air by winds across the Pacific Ocean. Officials at the nuclear plants have been pouring large volumes of water on the reactors to cool them down because their cooling systems were damaged in the Magnitude 9.0 Earthquake that struck Japan. They need to keep the fuel in the reactors cool because if they don't, the reactors will melt down and possibly explode, releasing thousands of times more radiation than what they already have. Since the reactors are so close to the ocean, it was convenient for the workers at the plant to use seawater to cool the reactors. But this is causing another issue: The salinity of the seawater is helping to corrode the reactors, which is melting down the fuel, which is not good and is releasing more radiation. Not only is the radiation being spread through the air, but the water they've been using to cool the reactors has been leaking out somehow. The contaminated water that they'd run through the reactors would then have been absorbed into the ground, and therefore reaching Japan's groundwater supply. This is another problem, because their water is being contaminated as well.
ReplyDeleteAs you can see, the problems at the nuclear power plants in Japan caused by the large earthquake are a big issue for everyone, because radiation is likely very harmful and can be spread easily without us knowing it. It's a new "Silent Killer."
i think it is very sad that people in japan are worrying about radiation. i hope that with our help the people there may have a brighter future.
ReplyDeleteEsmeralda N. Period 3.
I think it is terrible that there are 19K worth of teacher layoffs; I think that it isn’t because we don’t have enough money; it’s more because we spend a little too much money on other luxuries. Schools are just wasting their money on random luxuries, like the flip cam, for what we do at school; a regular digital cam would work perfectly. Plus in the computer lab, you know, regular computer 160GB hard disc, 1GB ram, 2-2.4GHz processor. It’s a regular computer. A netbook is the same thing, except the price, $300, and the Macs a about a 1000 bucks or something. Plus did you know that there is a magical thing called a Mac OS X install disc that they can use for regular PCs. I would use it if I had it, and I know the school has it. It’s a tragic thing that teachers are losing their jobs. I know that the US doesn’t have as much money as before, but wouldn’t it be nice if it CUT down the luxuries to save jobs. People are jobless just because everyone wants all the luxuries. All the gov and everything is in debt because of this. Because of this, even common people are in debt. This is a easily avoidable thing. Why do employees have to suffer just to get all those luxuries that employers WANT. Mainly, the gov is basically the source of all this. Less people can be on the road with this. Those unnecessary supplies are reducing jobs and reducing employment.
ReplyDelete-Shreyas K
Period 4
01/4/11
I think it is tragic that teachers are losing their jobs. I think this because kids won't get the help that they need. Also, it leaves many more people without jobs.
ReplyDeleteJosh F.
Per.6
4-1-11