Newslog #11

Audacity of 'austerity,' 2010 Word of the Year
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101220/ap_on_re_us/us_word_of_the_year
'Austerity" is defined in the New Oxford American Dictionary as, "difficult economic conditions created by government measures to reduce a budget deficit, esp. by reducing public expenditure." This easily relates to 2010, in which many countries, like Greece and the United States, each went through a financial crisis. Unemployment increased worldwide and economies suffered. John Morse, president and publisher of a Springfield, Massachusetts dictionary, said that 'austerity' hit over 250,000 searches on its online website this year, making the word extremely popular. Another reason for this word's popularity is because Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster's editor-at-large, said that the top ten words this year were all related to a news story.


I am not surprised that 'austerity' was the top word of 2010. Although I had never heard of the word before coming across this article, its definition is very appropriate to describe the various economic crises that have occurred around the world this year.

Newslog #10

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Americans Divided on That, Too
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/12/18/merry-christmas-or-happy-holidays-americans-divided-on-that-to/


Should stores greet their customers by saying "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays?" A poll this year shows how divided Americans are on which phrase is appropriate. Forty-nine percent of those polled said that stores should say "Merry Christmas," while forty-four percent of people said that "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" is appropriate. A Dallas church has developed an online "Grinch List" of stores that don't greet their customers with "Merry Christmas." Also, a poll by the Public Religion Research Institute, along with the Religion News Service, made the realization that this debate also splits up Democrats and Republicans; sixty-four percent of Republicans think "Merry Christmas" should be said in stores whereas fifty-eight percent of Democrats believe "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" should be said. Lastly, PRRI/RNS reported that more Americans would watch movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" than go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

In my opinion, those who think that "Merry Christmas" should be said in stores are ignorant. These people are still convinced that America still runs by the church-and-state method. They think that Christmas is the only holiday celebrated during December by Americans, when in reality, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also celebrated. "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" should be said to customers because that pertains to people of all religions or those who don't observe any religious holidays.

Newslog #9

TV Watching is Bad for Babies' Brains
http://health.yahoo.net/articles/parenting/tv-watching-bad-babies-brains

Studies have shown that babies who watch television are more likely to have delayed cognitive development and language. Statistics show that babies who watched an hour of television per day had developmental scores 1/3 lower at 14 months than babies who barely watched television. Many think this is because parents and babies who watch television waste time that can be spent on talking, playing, and interacting, that are needed for development. Even educational shows, like Sesame Street, were found to have no redeeming factors. Scientists at New York University School of Medicine-Bellevue Hospital Center found that parents whose children watch non-educational television shows don't spend as much time reading or teaching them.

Although watching television doesn't always have much of a positive impact, I don't believe that children should stop watching it completely. Even after the study, I firmly believe that educational shows are beneficial for children. Even if lessons are not on paper, that doesn't mean that they don't help with development.

Newslog #8

Airline Hiring Back 'Overweight' Flight Attendants

http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/12/02/airline-hiring-back-overweight-flight-attendants/

Last year, Air India fired ten women flight attendants due to their weight. They are currently running low on crew members, so the airline offered nine out of the ten women their jobs back. The women would have to meet the airline's stiff requirements that will be based on the person's height and weight if they wanted their jobs back. Air India says that by this time, the crew members have been given plenty of time to lose weight. Under these terms, three women agreed to come back to the airline.

On a side note, in August, Turkish Airlines told twenty-eight of their flight attendants that they have six months to lose weight or else they would be replaced. Thirteen women and five men decided to leave under these conditions.

Air India and Turkish Airlines had no right to fire some of their crew members based on appearance. If overweight people are allowed on planes as passengers, then there is no reason why overweight people cannot be crew members. All that should matter in this case is whether or not a crew member is doing their job properly.

Newslog #7

Poll: 4 in 10 Say Marriage Becoming Obsolete

http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/poll-4-in-10-say-marriage-becoming-obsolete/19723552

A poll conducted by Time Magazine has shown that about 40% of Americans believe that marriage is becoming a thing of the past. This statistic does not necessarily mean that marriage will disappear; it can refer to different social changes. This new attitude has to do with the new views on gay marriage, unwed couples, and the definition of a family. People are starting to believe that people can create a "family" without having to get married, an idea that professor Andrew Cherlin from Johns Hopkins University states.

I don't think that marriage will ever vanish. However, new types of families are being introduced and gradually accepted. Families can be happy and successful without necessarily having two spouses.

Newslog #6

Boozy energy drink Four Loko - aka 'Blackout in a Can' - banned from N.J. college

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2010/10/19/2010-10-19_four_loko_an_alcoholic_energy_drink_is_banned_at_a_new_jersey_college.html

Four Loko is a energy drink that contains alcohol. The "blackout in a can" energy drink is consumed by mainly teenagers and young adults. One 23.5 ounce bottle is equivalent to about 4 beers, which makes it very easy to get drunk off of. Recently, Four Loko was found at the scene of one of New York City's most violent crimes in recent years; three gay Bronx men were beat. Also, twenty-three students who had Four Loko at Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey were rushed to a local hospital because of alcohol poisoning last week.

Drinks like Four Loko should not be sold to minors. Because there is alcohol in the drink, people wanting to buy it should be asked for ID. Another option is to ban Four Loko because it is more or less more dangerous than regular alcohol because it is mixed with an energy drink.

Newslog #5

Secretary Required to Wear Heals. Trips. Sues.

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/10/19/secretary-forced-to-wear-heels-trips-on-office-carpet-sues-for/?icid=main%7Cmain%7Cdl4%7Csec3_lnk2%7C179022

Denise Fitzhenry, a former secretary from Detroit, Michigan, filed a lawsuit against the law firm of  Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn. At this office, it was required for all secretaries to wear high heals. During one day of work, Fitzhenry tripped after her heal got caught in the carpet. In result, she hurt her back and needed surgery. She left work under the Family and Medical Leave Act, but when she came back, her employer refused to give her disability. Then she needed another surgery and when she came back to work, her new assignment furthered her injury. With one final leave, Fitzhenry returned to work, in which she found out that the firm had no open positions for her.

If I were in Fitzhenry's position, I would have sued the law firm, too. She was injured due to a work-related dress-code in the workplace. She did not hurt herself on purpose and is guaranteed disability because of the Family and Medical Leave Act. I believe that Fitzhenry deserves to win this case. In addition, the firm should be sued even more money because they had no job positions for Fitzhenry when she returned to work.

Newslog #4

Tea Party Candidate: Abolish All Public Schools

http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk-elections/article/tea-party-candidate-david-harmer-wants-to-abolish-public-schools/19674478?icid=main%7Cmain%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk3%7C177748

David Harmer is a member of the Tea Party and a Republican candidate from California's 11th District who is running as a Republic for the House of Representatives. He believes that all public schools in the United States should be closed and that the education system should return to the way it was in 1825. In that time period, almost all schools were private and not run by the government. However, the US Department of Commerce and the Census Bureau proved that throughout the past few decades, more people have been becoming literate. This is due to the increase of public education in the United States.

Closing all public schools is a one-way ticket for unequal opportunities. At the moment, children who do not have a lot of money are allowed to attend public school and receive the same type of education as those who have money. If private schools were the only schools available for students, then many poor families would have a difficult time because private school tuition costs just as much as a college tuition.

Newslog #3

The Facebook ‘I Like It On’ Meme: Does It Really Help Fight Cancer?

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/10/06/the-facebook-i-like-it-on-meme-does-it-really-help-fight-cancer/


There's a good chance that within the past few days, one of your Facebook friends has made their status "I like it on" followed by a location. Even though it sounds sexual, this statement actually has nothing to do with that. It is actually a Breast Cancer awareness status, in which the disease is being honored throughout the whole month of October. The 'it' in the status refers to where women leave their purses when they get home. The message is supposed to "unite" women, but it is causing a controversy. First, many people, especially men, do not know the meaning behind this status and automatically think of it as being sexual. Also, many argue that there has never been a sexual innuendo status for any other type disease, so why does Breast Cancer have to be the chosen one?

I know no harm is intended in this status, but I don't think that a sexual innuendo should symbolize Breast Cancer. This disease is life threatening and making innuendos is not helping the spread of awareness. This is partly due to the fact that many Facebook users do not even know that it is about Breast Cancer. Although a status regarding Breast Cancer awareness is an honorable thing to do, making it sound sexual defeats the purpose.

Newslog #2

           

http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2010/07/news-coverage-of-lindsay-lohan-and-us.html

Lindsay Lohan, who has constantly been in and out of jail for the past few years, recently failed a drug test. Her return to jail has been all over the news. However, many people are upset that her actions are making news in all newspapers and television shows and a group of Marines who died this week have not gotten any news coverage. A bold message regarding this issue has been circulating Facebook all week:

          "Linday Lohan, 24, is all over the news because she's a celebrity drug addict. While Justin Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matthew Weikert 29, Justus Bartett 27, Dave Santos 21, Chase Stanley 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew Johnson 21, Zachary Fisher 24, Brandon King 23, Christopher Goeke 23, and Sheldon Tate 27 are all Marines that gave their lives this week, no media mention. Honor THEM by reposting!"

I do not believe that Lindsay's irresponsibility is worth making headline news.  Her actions have not benefitted anyone, whereas the Marines' bravery and courage have. Lindsay's situation will not make any person sit down and think how fortunate they are. But if the Marines were making headline news, people would rethink how lucky they are to have 'strangers' risking their lives to save the country.

Newslog #1

How Comedy Shows Bring Families Together

http://www.populararticles.com/article204700.html

Although watching comedy shows on television is extremely popular among people of all ages, there might be some negative aspects. Many comedies are not suited for all ages, in which parents have to monitor what their children watch.  Young people might be exposed to drugs, alcohol, and sexual references by watching these shows and could be influenced into living these types of lifestyles. However, watching these shows can also have a positive influence on young people by teaching them about tolerance and "socially constructive behavior," as stated by author Hank Evans. Watching comedy shows with the whole family allows children to feel more comfortable in front of their parents. Also, parents know what their children are watching.

Watching comedy television shows with your family, in my opinion, creates a positive atmosphere. Jokes that everyone grasps from watching a show enlightens and relaxes the mood. Everyone becomes more comfortable knowing that they can enjoy a show with others.

10 Things That Make Me Smile

1. Yankee candles
2. Buying clothes on sale
3. Chocolate
4. Lying in bed with my laptop on my lap
5. Singing obnoxiously to a song
6. Getting a stunt up successfully in cheerleading
7. Having a good hair day
8. Spontaneous outings with my family
9. Knowing I can sleep late
10. The way glitter sparkles

Practice Blog

http://www.populararticles.com/article202518.html


Within the past five or ten years, the popularity of compact discs has decreased. With the rise of Napster in the early 2000's and iTunes today, music is now being obtained more digitally. This is environmentally friendly, since no packaging and shipping is needed. But musicians are actually losing green...a different kind of green, that is. It is now possible for consumers to buy a single song because of digital websites and programs. If a person does not like a certain song, they do not have to buy the full length album. Also, file sharing is a new way for music lovers to easily distribute their favorite tunes over the Internet illegally. These two situations are causing record sales to decline.


I am guilty of buying single songs on iTunes, rather than full-length albums. However, if the CD is by an artist I love, I will by it. But rather than the ones in the hard plastic case, I have started purchasing CDs in "digipacks," which the author of this article, Jaine Kaif, explains are "made of cardboard paper but [have] a foam/plastic tray." Once all record companies package their artists' CDs in digipacks, I believe people won't be as hesitant about buying CDs as they do now.