To much money for school

Why does school and text books cost so much money. I understand the government pays for a certain amount and the students pay the rest. This is still alot of money to pay. We need to do something about this mess.

John sabo
Pos 1041 #5
5:30-7:30 p.m.

FLDS kids must be returned

In this article, we learn that the Texas Supreme Court has ruled that all the children removed from the Yearning for Zion Ranch must be returned. It saddens me that the court has come to this decision. I don't think any good is going to come of this.

For those of you think that the return of these children is right, think about this: The article mentions that their "prophet," Warren Jeffs is in prison for "facilitating rape."

-Audrey Nichols, POS1041, Section 5

Rachel Ray is a Terrorist!!!!!

Dunkin' Donuts, pulled an ad that featured Rachel Ray, because she was accused of being a terrorist for the scarf she had on. This is just plain ridiculous. Nine out of Ten, Ray didn't pick out her clothes and who even thinks to compare her scarf to a keffiyeh, a traditional headdress worn by Arab men. Some people just take things too far!

Chantelle Burney, POS 1041, Section 5

No trust

I am wondering if people feel that Barack Obama is a danger to the United States? If his pasture is down grading our country and Obama is still attending his church is that what we want as a leader? I know for sure I would not want a president who listens to that from his pasture!!!

John sabo
Pos 1041 #5
mtw 5:30-7:30 P.m.

Online Pusher

This is ridiculous! Why isn't the government doing anything to stop the sell of prescription drugs online? This is a dangerous game that many are playing with their lives and livelihoods. Doctors are filling prescriptions over the Internet for patients they have never met. Sadly enough, this article highlights the death of a man that was ordering prescription drugs online. How many more people have been victims of online pushers? Although these doctors aren't just giving away the drugs, they are filling orders to dangerous requests that can ruin lives. Why can't the government do something to shut down these websites and stop these doctors?

Chantelle Burney, POS 1041, Section 5

Bush could become the "Teddy Roosevelt of the seas"

There was an interesting article from NPR about a conservation plan that would be the biggest in the history of the U.S. President Bush hopes to use the Antiquities Act of 1906 to carry out this plan. It would protect "territorial waters from fishing, oil exploration and other forms of commercial development." The list of possible sites started at 30 and they have narrowed it down to 5. I can't wait to see what site is chosen. Even though I haven't cared for Bush's policies in the last couple of years, I think this plan is just wonderful.

-Audrey Nichols, POS1041, Section 5

McCain and Hagee

I don't know if any of you have heard anything about Pastor John Hagee from Texas. He gave his support to McCain in the election. However, McCain (rightly) renounced the support. In this CNN article, Hagee says the split is "best."

I've listened to some of what this man has to say. (You can hear an interview Terry Gross had with him here.) I'm glad that McCain had the guts (and sense) to say no thank you to this man. He would have definitely hurt his campaign. In fact the day the day that I heard that this man was giving McCain his support I said there was no way in hell I would vote for him.

If you have the time, listen to the interview and tell me what you think of what Hagee is preaching. Personally, I find it appalling.

Class Webpage

Is anyone else having problems getting access to the class webpage?

-Audrey Nichols, POS1041, Section 5

RFK assassination reference unrelated to obama

In the article Sen. Hillary Clinton campaign accuses Obama's campaign of taking her words out of context. Sen. Clinton made a comment about the assassination of presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy which happened in 1968, correlating it with senator Barack Obama. I think that Senator Hillary Clinton's comments where very unprofessional. The comments has nothing to do with the campaign. As a presidential nominee i think you should govern what you say out of your mouth.

Myron Brooks POS 1041 section 5 (MTW 5:30-7:30 p.m.)

We're already in a recession

If you let Warren Buffet tell it, the United States is already in a recession. Buffet said we were already feeling the effects of a recession, in this article I found on AOL. I have noticed that when I go to the mall there are A LOT of sales going on trying to stimulate the economy, hoping that people will buy more, but there are A LOT less people in the mall. Prices are rising for everything, from gas to milk. Not to mention, the near impossibility of finding a decent paying job in order to survive. Do you agree with Buffet?

Chantelle Burney
POS 1041, Section 5, 5:30 p.m.

Does Clinton want Obama dead?

Probably not, but I found this article interesting. Even thought Barack Obama has a 99.9% chance of being our Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton's perseverance is very impressive. She is being a great role model on how you should never give up even if it looks like you have already lost. Now, if somehow Obama turns up assassinated in June, we will know whom to blame.

Jessica Steffens
POS1041 58484 5:30-7:30 p.m.

How much support can Bush give to McCain?

In a news article, George W. Bush is going to begin fundraising and making appearances in support of John McCain. I question how effective this is going to be. Bush's standing among politicians and the people has been dwindling for awhile now, and Congress has made that abundantly clear when his threat to veto an Iraq war spending bill was ignored.
While there may be a few people left in this country that are still in favor of Bush, I believe that McCain may just lose because of his support. Hopefully, we, as a whole, can look past Bush and focus on the issues that the presidential candidates bring forth.

Amanda Case
POS 1041 MTW 5:30p - 7:30p

Do we really have the right?

In the United States, there are so many different beliefs and ideals. For the most part, people respect others views. So why is the government involved in the polygamist case out in Texas? I realize that this is a controversial issue, but honestly, I believe we do not have the right to interfere with another's beliefs and views in life. Today, Texas' Child Protective Services plan to appeal the court's ruling that the officials had no right to take the children away from their families. LINK I hope that the appeal is struck down.
We may not understand or accept the polygamy beliefs, but that is no reason to take action against these people. What have they done to hurt others?

I feel the need to clarify myself and the last two statements I made. I did not portray what I was trying to say accurately.
I definitely feel there was a necessity for Texas officials to go in and "rescue" the children that have been subjected to molestation, but I definitely feel as if the media has as always made a huge production of defaming the way those people lived. Because they go through life differently - they are ostracized.

Amanda Case
POS 1041 MTW 5:30p - 7:30p

Portland elects an openly gay mayor!

On May 20th, Portland, Oregon, elected Sam Adams as its mayor. He won by an astounding 58% of the vote, against 12 competitors. While his campaign did not focus on the fact that he is gay, I feel it is a wonderful victory for the gay and lesbian community and the equality that we are always searching for.

In a quote from this article:
"I'm running not to be a gay mayor, but a great mayor," Adams said after delivering his victory speech. "But I'm very cognizant, very aware that I'm the first openly gay mayor of a major American city. That's a real honor."

Amanda Case
POS 1041 MTW 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Car that runs on compressed air!

Zero Pollution Motors is introducing a car whose engine runs on compressed air. They say they have met all safety features and it can reach up to and over 90mpg. How neat is that? I do not believe it is yet on the market but they are working on it. This would help a lot of people spending tons of money on gas, obviously, and benefit the environment, from what I know. If people can save 50 dollars a week from gas, that would help out a lot of people. I'm sure it won't save our economy but it could help a little. I am just curious what the cons are. If this was picture perfect, they would be working faster to get it out to the people. It would only cost $15,000 and from this video, they say that eventually they could make a generator to compress its own air to run the car, so you would never need to fill it up with compressed air. So hopefully, it will only be a few more years we will have to deal with this gas problem.

Jessica Steffens
POS1041 58484 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Study Session

There is going to be another study session this Thursday (May 22nd). It's going to be held at the Starbucks in the Publix shopping center on Ocala from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Again, those who are serious about getting some study time in are welcome to attend.

Please leave a comment if you intend to attend.

-Audrey Nichols, POS1041, Section 5, MTW 5:30-7:30 p.m. class

Changing the design of the American dollar

In this article, the court says that American paper money discriminates against blind people, which may lead to the Treasury Department redesigning our dollar bills, changing their size or adding new marks to it. That is why Stevie Wonder asked to be paid in one dollar bills so he could count the money itself (so I have heard). The United States argues that blind people have adapted by using credit cards or having a clerk to help them, but what if that clerk is dishonest? I believe this is a good idea to change the paper money but how could they replace the old money? Would the completely replace all of our money or would they weed it out like they do with the new designed money currently coming out? I don't see why they wouldn't do this. Its a great idea and it will be interesting on how the money will look. What is your opinion on changing our paper money?
Jessica Steffens
POS1041 58484 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Obama has the Election in the Bag

Everyone knows that Obama and Hiliary are the front runners leading the best Political Election ever. I think that it is safe to say that Obama is going to be the Democratic Party's nomination for President. For about three weeks now people have been wondering if Hiliary is going to drop out of the race. Today Obama has been picked to win Oregon and if so I think it would be a wise decision for Hiliary to drop out and to become his Vice President. Although her win in Kentucky would be a big deal I see the situation as two brilliant minds working together are a lot better that one dim mind creating problems.

Alicia Guidry POS 1041-Section 5-MTW 5:30-7:30

Former Klan member endorses Obama

Obama has gotten another endorsement! This time from Senator Robert C. Byrd, and it might come as a surprise to many because Senator Byrd is a former member of the Ku Klux Klan. This makes me wonder if people really can change! To go from hating someone because of their race, to supporting someone of a race you once hated. What do you think, can people really change?


Chantelle Burney, POS 1041 Section 5, 5:30-7:30

Weak? or Recession?

Gas prices are steadily on the rise, food prices are also on a rise, and people are losing there jobs left and right but according to The New York-based Conference Board their data reflects an economy that is weak but not one that is in a recession. Don't get me wrong I don't think we're in a recession but we're definitely not far from one. Is it just me or does it seem like economist are afraid of the word recession? They go as far as saying there has been a 0.1 percent increase in the last month to try to get people to think the economy is improving, in actuality that's a pretty low growth rate, I just wish everyone would face the truth and get ready for a recession.


Tyree Turner
POS 1041 5:30pm-7:30pm

Obama Says Back Off

Not only is Bush taking cheap shots at Obama, the Tennessee GOP, is now going after his wife, Michelle. In this article I seen on AOL, Obama is telling the GOP that they can talk about him but to leave his wife out of it. The Tennessee GOP basically was targeting Mrs. Obama because of the comment she made a few months ago saying "she was finally proud of her country." Although, I feel she was taken out of context when she said it and she should have chosen a better choice of words, I also feel it is wrong for them to target his wife. That really was a low blow, what do you think?


Chantelle Burney, POS 1041 Section 5, 5:30 p.m.

Bush, McCain and Obama taking cheap shots at eachother

Basically when I read this article in CNN today it reminded me of the bickekering we did in highschool about eachother. Bush made a roundabout comment that "someone" feels that we can now sit down and reason with terrorist and they'll realize that they were in the wrong for past events. Obama took it as a cheap shot and fired one right back about being closeminded about reasonable situations. Then McCain joined in by adding in his own two cents into the conversation. I do believe that there are more important issues for these GROWN MEN to debate. Issues such as what is truly going to happen with the gas crisis, what is going to happen to the environment, etc...

Alicia Guidry -POS1041- section 5 -(MTW 5:30 - 7:30)

You can tell Bush makes money from oil

In this online video interview by Politico, they ask George Bush what his administration can do to help with the prices of oil and food. In his answer Bush says, “The best thing we can do is to increase supply and drill for oil and gas in environmentally friendly ways at home and build a new refinery.” He also later says in order to make a great change, “consumers have to change their habits or there has to be an increase in supply.” All Bush seems to care about is that his family business will continue when he isn't President any more. Why doesn't he bring up the fact that we can investigate other sources to replace oil that is more environmentally friendly? I'm just glad Bush only has a few months to go and there shouldn't be too much more he can ruin... right?

Jessica Steffens
POS 1041 58484 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Gay marriage allowed in California... for now

"The California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage Thursday in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the nation's biggest state to tie the knot." But some religious and conservative people are trying to put another ban on the November ballot and if passed, it will undo the court's decision. I believe that people of the same-sex should be able to get married if they want to. The United States is suppose to be the country of the free. Who are we to judge other's decisions and tell others what is right or wrong? People of the same-sex getting married doesn't hurt anyone so why put a ban on it? There are many different religious beliefs out there and we do not know who is right or who is wrong and we may or may not find out until the day we die. Other people believe that gay couples should not raise children either. Some children are raised in families who are worse off. Families where children are beaten, molested, and are taught to hate others based on their beliefs and race. If anything, gay couples can teach their children to have an open mind about others and respect other's beliefs. What are your thoughts on gay marriage and gay couples raising children?

Jessica Steffens
POS 1041 58484 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Human Trafficking

Yesterday morning my NPR news ticker led me to an article from the New Yorker that discusses the topic of human trafficking; sexual slavery in particular. It has really affected me in a way that no other news article ever has. I feel outrage that people can do this to other human beings. And I'm not sure why more people aren't as upset as I am; why there isn't more being done to put an end to this. The US government has enacted policy to help combat this atrocity. For instance, the US will put sanctions on countries that aren't doing ANYTHING to crack down on human trafficking. And of course there are always US charitable organizations that try to help the women and children that have been exploited. But some of them pull funding because of abortion. They pull their funding because sometimes when a woman who has been sexually exploited ends up with an unwanted pregnancy (let alone raise a child that will be a constant reminder of the evil that was done to her) she wants to have an abortion. I feel as if that in itself is just as cruel and heartless.

Now that I am aware of this, I know that I need to learn more about it. Educate myself, so to speak. I need to know what exactly is being done to combat this. (What policies have been enacted? Who voted for them and who didn't? What organizations are dedicated to this cause? What organizations pull funding due to abortion?) And I feel that I need to know how I can personally help put an end to this. As long as we live in world where slavery still exists, we don't have the right to call ourselves civilized.

Please, read the article.

Audrey Nichols, POS1041, Section 5 (MTW 5:30-7:30pm class)

Another endorsement for Obama

I just read this article online today that NARAL Pro-Choice America (an abortion advocacy organization) has made the controversial decision to back Senator Obama instead of Senator Hillary Clinton in the campaign for presidency. Some people, including myself, feel that this move is rather insulting to Hillary because she has supported their cause on more than one occasion. I agree with the article that NARAL should have stuck behind Hillary for the duration of the campaign. What do you think?

Laura Lewis
POS1041 58484 MTW 5:30-7:30p.m.

Date Changes

Because of the canceled class, note the following changes:

T May 13
The Political Ideologies quiz will be tonight
The Candidate Comparison Directions will be discussed tonight
The Constitution Knowledge Assignment will be due tonight

W May 14
Both the U.S. Constitution and Campaigns and Elections quizzes will be on Wednesday
Extra Credit Textbook Assignment 1 is also due Wednesday due

T May 20
Introduction Letter/Visit will be due

Class Canceled

Sorry about that. A friend passed away and I'm helping out his roommate tonight. You can turn in your assignment tomorrow night and I'm extending the time for the introduction to next Wednesday.

McCain's commitment to fight global warming

Even though I don't care for republicans, I am glad McCain has jumped on the bus to try to make some changes to better the environment. In this article, McCain says he wants to lower carbon emissions to the 1990 levels by year 2020. I feel our environment is among our top priorities that need some change. The only problem is, the United States isn't the only country committing to the carbon levels so doing our part won't save us from the massive amount of melting icecaps. Maybe I should invest in some land around here so my grandchildren could own some beach front property.

Jessica Steffens
POS1041 58484 MTW 5:30-7:30p.m.

Obama has outline for Fall election

Democratic nominee Barack Obama states that "he will run against Replublican nominee John Mccain in the Fall Election" .I think barack obama will touch upon the issues that he address in his campaign. I also think that Hilary should drop out of the race, because she doesn't stand a chance at this point. Hilary continuing to run is really hurting the democratic party. When it all boils down i think Obama should make Hilary vice president!

How can People Trust Obama???

To My Understanding Senator Obama has said "We Live in the best nation in the history of the world Please Join me in changing it!" Well I do not understand If this is the best nation in the world why would Obama want to change it? This makes no sense to me. The only other way to change this nation after being the best is being the worst!!!

John Sabo
Pos1041 58484 MTW 5:30-7:30.

"Conservatives Happier Than Liberals"

Did anyone else read this article from the blog's news feed? I felt that it was definitely a biased article. (Did anyone else feel that way?) In it, the author says that conservatives possess the ability to better rationalize inequalities in society. In return, conservatives are better able to live happier lives.

As a side note, it briefly mentioned the topic of "egalitarian women" and how they tend to be less happy than women in more traditional marriages. (It provided a link to another article that went into more detail about the subject. I found it to be an interesting read.)

-Audrey Nichols, POS 1041, Section 5 (MTW 5:30-7:30 pm class)

"Ron Paul's Legacy"

Ron Paul's book, The Revolution: A Manifesto, was officially released on April 30th. In it he discusses his views and beliefs concerning the government's move away from our Constitution as set out by the founding fathers. I've never been one to read a politician's book, but this one does intrigue me. As a person with libertarian views, I tend to agree with Ron Paul's stance on issues. (Mind you, I don't share ALL of his opinions.) I do intend to read this book when this semester is over and I have more time available to myself.

source: Ron Paul 2008 - Hope for America

-Audrey Nichols, POS1041, Section 5 (5:30-7:30 pm class)

Weekly Study Group

There is going to be a study session at Starbucks in the Publix shopping center (on the corner of Ocala and Tennessee St.) next Thursday May 15th at 7pm. The study session will start promptly and will last for about an hour. Any who are serious about getting some study time in are welcome to attend.

Please leave a comment by Wednesday May 14th to let me know if you are going to attend.

-Audrey Nichols, POS1041, Section 5 (5:30-7:30 pm class)

Steroid Scandal in Baseball

I think the house oversight committee needs to stop worrying about steroids in baseball, and focus more on things that really matter. America is currently experiencing a war, economic slump, and record unemployment rates things the house should be focusing on INSTEAD of baseball. I wonder how much money the house has wasted putting baseball on trial, but no matter the figure, I promise that money could have been used for much better reasons.

Scott Halperin