The biggest news story out of the Iraq war this week involved the killing and capture of several Americans. The lastest headline I've seen is Iraqis Admit Ambush Roles as U.S. Searches for 3 G.I.’s. Meanwhile in Washington D.C., Congress is still having a hard time passing anything that will significantly alter our course in Iraq. Senate Rejects Iraq Troop Withdrawal Finally, what kind of war crimes may have been committed by U.S. Marines in the Iraqi town of Haditha, and was there a criminal cover-up? The trial started this week, and however it turns out, it is incidents like this that stir up anti-American feelings in many parts of the world. Lawyers on Haditha Panel Peer Into Fog of War
One of our new WA State laws made national headlines: Texting While Driving. Listen to this story from National Public Radio and tell me what you think.
Among those that follow politics closely, there is a lot of talk about how the internet will impact the 2008 Presidential race. I think it is a really positive development, and the impact is discussed in a great article in the Christian Science Monitor: Web 2.0 meets Campaign 2008 . If you are interested in seeing one of the first big commercials to hit the web, check out this one from Democrat Bill Richardson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjOuL5qwNIc&mode=user&search=
I think he uses humor pretty effectively.
Well, this never makes a history teacher happy, but do tests like this really tell us what students know, and to what extent do we want the federal government involved in testing students? It is an important question of the roles of federal and state governments. Students Gain Only Marginally on Test of U.S. History
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6 comments:
this is on texting while driving.
i definitly think that this is something that needs to be banned because well, you really cant pay attention while your texting. though, there are a number of other things that people do while there driving that seem just as distracting. the real question is, if we crack down on one distracting offense, do we need to start cracking down on everything people do that is distracting?
this is on texting while driving. i have a definite bias, as a religious texter, but i think that its unfair to ban texting when there are so many other things that are distracting. i think its also going to be really hard to actually prove that someone was texting while driving. usually when i text and i drive my phone is in my lap, but that could be anything.. a news paper, for example. i don't know i think i am bitter because my first ticket will most likely be for texting while driving.
Alex Hunter says 5-17-07
Commenting on the "Students gain only Marginally on test of US History". This article was brand new information to me, but now that i have read it i believe it has a lot of truth to it. It seems like teachers now have to teach specifically to state-wide or nation wide tests which are usually in subjects like math or reading. Of course, the teachers want their students to be well prepared so they will pass these tests so of course they will spend more time teaching to the subjects on which they will be tested on, cutting down the time spent on subjects such as social studies. Why the students knowledge of Social issues did slightly go up I am not sure of, but of course it is sad that a students knowledge and interets will be limited to a state wide standard and not their own.
commenting on Texting while driving:
I think it is good that washington and five other states have made a law against texting while driving.while driving every driver has the responsibility of driving safely. This means that they have to be able to pay attention and watch out for pedestrians and other road hazourds. If they are busy texting they might not see something quick enough and their reflexes will be slowed. meaning that they may not be able to stop their vehicle quick enough to prevent any kind of accident. i dont even know if cell phones should be leagal to talk on while driving but i definatly agree with the new law to make texting while driving illegal.
Commenting in U.S history testing:
It is a shame that as students get older they know less about their own country and politics. History is important to know about and should be better emphasized in schools. Especially in high school seeing as these students will become americas future voters. without any knowlege of what is going on in past and present history they will aimlessly vote if they vote at all. every citizen has the right to vote and each voter needs to be reminded of the signifigance of their one vote. Students need to be informed and schools need to work harder to make sure this happens.
current event #9
i am commenting on the texting while driving. when you are driving on the road there are a million different things that can distract you, and texting is not a legit reason to give somebody a ticket. i do not understand how people are going to detirmine whether or not you are texting. there is really no way to tell, and i do not think that police are going to just take your phone from you and look and see who and what and when you were sending a text message. i think they are wasting their time with this law, there are much more illegal driving habbits that people take part in, such as drinking and drivining, or even driving under the influence of drugs. i love text messaging, and i know it seems like only teenagers are going to be against this law, but i think much more people will be against it, once they realize how ridiculous it actually is.
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