Pirates hijack three Thai fishing vessels

Add another unfortunate event into the Somali Pirate escapades. Seventy-seven members of Thai fishing vessels were captured and their ships stolen by pirates. As time has worn on, the brazen acts of these pirates continues seemingly unabated. The constant threat to human life, shipping and commerce lines is continually interrupted. The United States put on trial a captured "pirate" last year and hoped to use his capture and trial as a deterrent to others that followed in his footsteps. Point in fact is, this has not worked. The United States is certainly not the world police, especially with our military forces stretched thin in the Middle East, but a multinational effort must be made by all nations that face the actions of these pirates to put an end to their deeds once and for all. No longer should these men feel that they can take what they like, when they like, practically free from most reprisals by other nations simply because a viable force has not be installed into the region. The efforts shipping companies, their suppliers and ultimately the consumers are being forced to pay to defend against these pirates is not a beneficial relationship. The goods that are being delivered through this route are being used every minute of every day and the ships that carry them should be unimpeded as they deliver them. Past efforts have not been enough, a sporadic show of force hasn't been enough to end the pirates actions and more drastic measures should be employed to end in their total demise.

Link

Samuel Watkins

POS 2001

Tuesday 7PM

Supreme Court strikes down law banning dogfight videos

In a move sure to outrage animal rights groups, the United States Supreme Court struck down a Federal law that was enacted to prohibit the sale of videos highlighting dogfighting. The Justices concluded that the intent of the Statute was simply too broad. The scope of the Statute could include hunting videos where life and death are also on display; and that in its current state it would affect an audience far greater than what the original intentions of the Statue were. I agree with Justice Roberts. The spirit of the law is virtuous, to protect animals that have no say or voice, brought into a life of cruelty and death, however, the law since it was written over a decade ago, become too far reaching into accepted, "mainstream" videos that depict activities most would consider normal. Hopefully a new, specific law will be crafted so that the persecution of those who commit these heinous acts towards animals will not stop.

Link

Samuel Watkins

POS 2001

Tuesday 7PM

Ashes into Artwork?

There's a man who wants to take human ashes and turn them into artwork. He doesn't blend them in with the paint but brushes them onto the canvas. I think this is a pretty cool idea. What are you going to do with the ash remains of family members, put them in an urn and place them on the fireplace mantle? That to me is strange, I never understood why people lug around the remains of their relatives. However in a painting, people can admire it without knowing what it is.


Ashley Carey
POS 2001
Tuesday 7pm

$10 a Day

There's an unemployed man walking around the streets of Washington D.C. giving away $10 a day. A lesson he learned from his deceased mother, when you're going through tough times, that's when you need to give back the most. This man gives $10 a day to someone whom he feels needs it. Not necessarily someone who is homeless, but someone who may do great things with it, or maybe not. I think that this idea is amazing. A single man is changing the way we, or at least I, look at the world. I think he's trying to prove a point that even when you haven't got much, you can still give. It doesn't necessarily have to be money, it can be volunteering, or picking up some trash you see that everyone else walks around. It's really the little things that matter.


Ashley Carey
POS 2001
Tuesday 7pm

Dieting Leading to Health Risks?

In recent Italian studies of about 32,000 women and 15,000 men showed that a high carbohydrate diet lead to twice a risk of heart disease for women than men. These people are on diets, okay I understand that. However what I don't understand is cutting out some things and majorly increasing others. I feel like a good way to "diet" is exercise regularly and eat things in moderation. Obviously one can't binge on any one area of the food pyramid, it's just not going to end well. That's why the food pyramid is there, to show one how to get a well balanced diet, without concentrating too much on one area.


Ashley Carey
POS 2001
Tuesday 7pm

Sodium Cutbacks

It has recently come into question that there is too much sodium already put into the food that we consume by the manufacturers. The FDA hasn't agreed with or opposed to the cutback of sodium in the foods produced. I, myself, definitely prefer salty foods, I have never said that something was too salty. I feel like if the FDA regulates this then it will change the taste of the foods we purchase therefore causing us to add more salt to the product anyway. Most people don't use table salt as is, many think it isn't necessary because the food tastes fine just the way it is. How about we let the members of the FDA be the guinea pigs on this one while the rest of us continue as we are.


Ashley Carey
POS 2001
Tuesday 7pm

"Unschooling"

Unschooling, a new movement where children aren't in school, they are home doing whatever they please. The parents say, when they want to learn they will find the means to do so. Also the parents are taking the children out of public schools because they do not want them to be exposed to the bullying or the competitiveness. I think that a little of these things are healthy for a child to learn. Obviously I'm not okay with excessive amounts of either, however, it teaches a child to find something that they are good at or could maybe want to pursue in the future. These children that are "unschooled" aren't being prepared for the life outside of home, they live without rules, without structure, almost without parenting. I think that these children would be upset with their parents later on in life when they realize that they aren't prepared for college or the work world.


Ashley Carey
POS 2001
Tuesday 7pm

As the ash begins to settle

The volcanic eruption that took place in Iceland can be classified as not only a natural disaster but an economic crises. As the volcanic ash drifts through out the European sky, airlines are being shut down until conditions clear up. Millions of dollars have been lost in the past three days as flights are cancelled with no idea as to when they will be back on track. Impatient customers are getting restless as they are having to be put up in hotels provided by the air lines until further notice. I have experienced a similar set back, when the black-out of 2003 hit New York I was stuck on the runway with no idea as to what was happening. Waiting in suspense only makes the situation that much more miserable. But as the ash begins to settle a new issue arises; once the air planes are back in business, who will be attended to first? The travelers who have been stranded for nearly a week or the passengers who have arrived at the airport for their scheduled flights? Airlines are doing their best to accommodate all of their clients by arranging larger air crafts to take heavily populated routes, they are also scheduling more flights in order to get back on schedule. In some cases they are even calling for large carrier ships to travel over seas in order to transport passengers back home. How long will it take to straighten out this dilemma? It could be days, it could be weeks, but the economic aspect of it will take much longer to bounce back.

Rachel Hoolahan
POS2001 Tuesday 7:00 PM

PANTs HANG LOW, NOT IN NEW YORK THOUGH!!

New York senator pushing the "stop the sag" Campaign. Speculation is that the trend was started in prison which may in fact be true but the whole campaigning is a little bit absurd. I feel like this the trend has gotten a little out of hand especially when some folks practically are wearing shorts as knee braces, however as simple as this sounds its a hip hop culture that in my opinion could be revised a little, but never really taken away totally either. Is it not a constitutional right to wear what you want.

Zachary "ZIGG" Francis

POS 2001

Monday 11pm

Right to bare arms

There's no question as to the rise in agitation surrounding the political atmosphere. The article i read focused on the growing number of "fringe" groups that are arising out of the frustration of some Americans. There was a recent 2nd amendment rally in Washington. Citizens at this particular gathering believed that their right to bare arms would be taken away any time soon. There is a general sense of anger towards the Obama administration and the government in general. "We're in a war. The other side knows they are at war, because they started it," said Larry Pratt, president of the Gun Owners of America. "They are coming for our freedom, for our money, for our kids, for our property. They are coming for everything because they are a bunch of socialists."This particular fear over the 2nd amendment right made me think of what power actual states have which we discussed in class. I personally believe the right to bare arms should stay and i don't believe anything will be done to change that. I think people are just frustrated about legitimate concerns but their emotions are boiling over to create a climate of hate. Any group has the right to free speech and to gather in public. As long as people stay civil than i think we can look forward to enjoying many of the freedoms we have.

Pakistan Suicide Bomb Attack Kills 7

The terrorism acts in the middle east continue to claim many civilian lives. Suicide bombing is just one form of these attacks and it is effective at hurming mass groups of people. The bombers target was a police station where 7 people were fatally wounded and and injurying 26. Also recently, two suicide bombers, dressed in the fully clothed muslism outfit for women, bomb a camp for refugees killing 41 and injurying 60 more. I know I will never understand how anyone can want to blow themselves up in an attempt to kill other.

Thomas Milen
pos2001
7pm tues.

Rogue Kidney Brokers in The U.S. Sell Black Market Organs for Transplantation

In the US there is a price ceiling of zero on organs making the purcuse/sell of them illegal. However the demand for vital organs is extremely high which has created a blackmarket for human organs. Most common organ bought and sold is kidneys. The issues that is being incountered is that the weathly would buy organs from 3rd world countries. The smart people were having the transplant due in countries like India who dont care if you paid for the kidney or killed someone for it, which does happen. What is the resolution to this issue? Should we fear our organs are more valuable then our life?

Thomas Milen
pos2001
7pm tues.

Steelers: Ready to punish Roethlisberger now

Recently the case agaisnt Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been dropped. So it seems twice the judical system has ruled in his favor. However the NFL commissioner has decided that his repeated actions need to be punish. What will the extent of his punishment be?
What should be the punishment be for assulting a women in a public restroom? Its good to see that there is some disciplinary action taking place, but feel like maybe its not enough.

Thomas Milen
pos2001
7pm tues.

Cop Shoots Chicken

Cop Shoots Chicken...
In quick summary, a chicken escapes and the eight year veteran officer deems the bird a treat and puts it down. Parently the chicken isn't protected under any state game-commission laws. Thus there was no illegal act. Slight simpathy for the once owner of the chicken.

Thomas Milen
pos2001
tue. 7pm

Nuclear Policy

US Nuclear Policy
President Obama announed the vow that the US agrees not to use nuclear weapons against countries with out nuclear powers. In this vow it was stated that North Korea and Iran are excluded due to there non compliance with the United Nations. The Iranian government showed their anger with the claim that the US is threating them with nuclear weapons. However its quite clear we haven't decliared nuclearlier war on Iran. Even if we just went to war with them I'm confident the US wouldn't need to use nukes to be victorious.

Thomas Milen
pos2001
7pm Tues.

The flagship bill...

Hopefully most of you have seen that the Florida state legislation is working on a bill that would grant the University of Florida flagship status. This is not my attempt to hate on UF but should this bill pass all other state universities would be left in the dust. If UF gains flagship status they will receive preferential treatment when it comes to funding on a state and federal level. If the bill passes all other Florida universities will permanently be one, if not more, step behind UF. As TCC students most of us plan on attending universities at some point, if the legislation passes this bill UF will be placed on a pedestal and the other state universities will suffer.




Kerri Larson
POS2001-075366
Tuesday: 7-9:45 pm

The Magic Negro

Barack Obama The Magic Negro...does this express a certain level of disrespect we as a country have toward the office of the president. I can only imagine how other countries view us when we have no respect for each other and unfortunately Rush Limbaugh perpetuate that sentiment everyday on his show, but he is an American and it’s his right to degrade the highest office in this country...unless a Republican is holding office. Not really funny...painfully sad.


Stacey M. Francois
POS2001-075366
Tue 7:00-9:45

The First Amendment

Our First Amendment has given us freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition. Has the electing of a black president really exposed the hate and racism we have become accustomed to in this country? Understanding our First Amendment and the liberties it affords us all, when is enough, enough? Is it really a war between the democrats and the republicans? Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck are constantly fueling hatred and calling for a division between fellow Americans…the election results were a clear indication of a much needed change in this country. Do mere words have the power to become dangerous? Here’s a quote from Justice Holmes: “The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent.” When and who has the power to decide on what is dangerous and to what degree?

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/03/22/2010-03-22_three_angry_men_limbaugh_beck_gambling_come_out_firing_after_health_care_bill_pa.html


Stacey M. Francois
POS2001/075366
Tue 7:00-9:45

News Worthy!

Combing the newspapers, online news or even television is a war zone. Just trying to figure out what’s going on in my town, state or country is exhausting after going pass the garbage that is now considered news worthy. Today March 31st, let’s see…Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt sleeping in separate rooms, is Kourtney Kardashians’s post-baby body photo shopped, should Sandra Bullock divorce Jesse James and this is the shocker of them all…Ricky Martin has finally come out of the closet! Now I’m brain dead with headlines that will have absolutely no effect on my life, can someone please tell me what’s going on with Obama and this offshore drilling plan?


Stacey M. Francois
POS2001/075366
Tue 7:00-9:45

Jobs in this economy

The economy is still on shaky ground and these are the kind of unpredictable statements the public don’t need. Understanding the President’s administration and even the President wants to constantly reassure the citizens this is not the way to do it. Whatever happened to just plain honesty…the country was a mess when Obama inherited it and it will take more than a year to repair, can it really be repaired, or more. Who will actually get these 95,000 jobs every month and will it be visible to working class people?

http://www.bet.com/News/National_Obama_Says_95000_Jobs_to_Come_Each_Month?cid=idnb

Stacey M. Francois
POS2001/075366
Tue 7:00-9:45