Nice job on your blogs! I like the sense of community with your ideal university. I think teachers could do more to promote peer relationships in class.

Blog #12 - 5.04.09 Monday

Extra Credit Blog

1. The judges and lawyers seem to be debating whether school officials should balance the need for keeping his young charges safe from drugs while respecting the constitutional protections even middle school students should receive. They are debating if they should strip search the students, which violates the fourth amendment of unreasonable searches and seizures or otherwise, not. The officials seem to believe that the safety of the children and students is more important than some violation to the constitution.
2. The strict criteria would be "reasonable evidence and proof" to strip search the student. The criteria would start with a number of questions concerning the "hidden drug" that the student is holding on to. If the questions are too much for the child, the student will budge and tell the truth. Questions would also be placed upon the student's friends and peers. If none of the students or peers budge, the question session ends. If the question session passes, the next step would be checking his or her belongings and the student's locker. If nothing is found there and there is still evidence and reasonable proof that the student has it on him or her. Then, the next step would be the strip search.
3. My suggestion would be that the strip search would continue on and when the student hits age 18, a legal age, the student can object or continue through with the strip search. Under that age, the student is still an immature child capable of lying and hiding illegal belongings in danger. Therefore, I believe that the strip search is necessary for all students under 18.

Blog #11 - 4.20.09 Monday

My ideal university is an exciting, a large, a respectful, and a diverse school. I would love to take one or two classes a semester with only a half an hour of class a day. No classes on Friday and no classes beginning before 11.00 am would also be an ideal. It would be ideal that gen eds. aren't necessary, but students may only take classes that are necessary for his or her purpose and major. For example, I am switching to become a communication major. I wish to focus and concentrate solely on communication classes. For my communication's class, it would be ideal to have three classes a week, half an hour long, and a decent number of diverse students attending the class. In that class, I picture a outgoing, respectful, and friendly professor who understands the needs and wants of the students. I also vision the class all getting along and all on time because there is more than enough parking spots in the university. Finally, I imagine all of our classmates being close enough to grab lunch right after the class ends. That would be my ideal day of class in communications.

Blog #10 - 4.06.09 Monday

1. I actually like the concept of symbolizing your religion on the t-shirts. It expresses who one is as an individual and it should be freely said since the US is a free country. I personally see the images as parody, but not in a harmful way. I see it as a way to capture people's attention and show them who that certain individual is wearing that t-shirt. My spiritual influence is high. I attend my Christian Presbyterian church every sunday and am active in it. Therefore, I believe that my beliefs would definitely give off a different perspective than a non-Christian. I respect other religions and their way of showing their identity as well.
2. "We could say that the previous examples are typical of a culture that ignores God" says Paul Mitchell as he refers to the slang, parody on the t-shirts. I, however, have to disagree with Paul Mitchell. I, for one, identify myself as a christian and do not find any offense to the t-shirts with the parody. I actually quite find them entertaining and amusing. They bring identity to the christian and attention to the religion.
3. It would not be the same without the picture or symbol and just the words descripted on the t-shirt. The parody and understanding of the whole concept would not be known. Reactions would be confusion and perplexity rather than amusement and entertainment.
4. I interpret the messages in a prideful respect to Jesus. The black and white shirt shows more prideful respect depicting Jesus as He is whole and big in the t-shirt. The other colorful t-shirt is more comical with Jesus dressed to convey the message.

3.23.09 - Monday Blog

Survival of the Fittest
The design of the cover will be in all the strong, vibrant, dark colors: dark red, black, gray, royal blue, forest green, and bits of white in it. All the colors will clash together and took like a big ball of colorful mess which will represent the problems of the world sung about and the hurt the people of these problems are going through. Inside this “colorful mess” will have tints of white, which will represent the hope in these problems of the world.

Racism - Some people argue that it is just words. Others point out that these words can lead to some very dire and serious consequences. These lyrics of the song will point out the words that hurt people all around the world and these people’s insights and feelings expressed.

Energy – The world is sustaining on so much energy, technology, and electricity. Something needs to be done about the over usage of energy. The song lyrics will be based on statistics and consequences expressed due to the overuse of energy and how we need to preserve and save it.

Economy – There is a financial crisis and it needs to be said. This will be expressed through this song. The extent of this problem has been so severe that some of the world’s largest financial institutions have collapsed and it will key point that problem and blame name game on the factors and contributors of this problem.

Environmental - It will address the climate change and global warming. The song will have lyrics based on statistics from years ago weather climate to recent times. It will also address the extinction of mammals taking place according to the climate change.

Poverty – The song is mainly about children and poverty. Around 27-28 percent of all children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or stunted. It will address the number of children in the world speaking out (2.2 billion) and the number of them in poverty (1 billion every second child). The chorus will have children singing for help and hunger.

Chorus (Children singing):
Hunger, starvation, skin and bone
My little pitiful life is shown
How do I survive this
How can I just taste this
That tasty, fresh, warm piece of bread
I don’t know but something needs to be said

Blog #5 - 2.23.09 Monday

1. I was kind of surprised and kind of blase to the video. I knew the consequences of the use of steroids, but I didn't know it was that severe. I learned since I was young that steroids have harmful effects and in the long run will definitely not be beneficial even if it helps the athlete's stamina and performance for that certain game. Weak arguments could result in the discussion of whether it is considered one things, like cheating, healthiness, and etc. I don't believe that steroids could be used responsibly. For most athletes, once starting on steroids it becomes an addiction because he or she sees his or her progress and performance arising and improving. The consequences are too risky and harmful that steroids should just not be used at all.

2. As I was saying to the response for question one, I believe steroids should just not be used at all. It causes harm, negative consequences in the long run, and negative side effects. Athletes don't need it, they want it. They should be content with the performance they give to their best ability because it is straight from their hard work and intensive training. Using steroids is like cheating for me. It just boosts up the athlete's performance and stamina resulting in better abilities, but it is not out of the athlete's own training and stamina, it is used out of drugs--steroids. There should not be any different standards for professional athletes and high school athletes. It should just not be used for all athletes in general. As one can see, I am not pro-steroids and my reactions to steroid use and steroid testing are negative.

Counterargument to Georgetown Party Restrictions Response

The restrictions made to students of Georgetown University needs to be set and made. Those who come in conflict or violate the rules and regulations should be charged with fair consequences and punishment. The students not only disrupts the campus with students who are actually studying peacefully, but also disrupts neighbors. This riot has become too chaotic and out of control. It needs to be stopped. Solberg, the 2nd district commander said that "15 to 20 officers will be assigned to the residential neighborhoods near campus". Cops, guards, and other officials need to place heavy security around the campus and especially at the "hot spots" for students to limit themselves and be prepared for the consequences. The officers and officials have "tried a variety of different tactics, as has Georgetown University, to be sure they can have a good time and not disrupt the community, but nothing has worked. . . . It's gone on too long now" (Solberg, 3).