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.