Education Reform: Should We Be Firing Teachers?

The Washington Post debates on whether or not firing teachers would be a good thing to do for the education reform. 


Category, By. "The Answer Sheet - Has Education Reform Jumped the Shark? A Teacher Says 'yes'" Blog Directory (washingtonpost.com). Web. 30 Sept. 2010. <http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/guest-bloggers/has-education-reform-jumped-th.html>.

Small classes aren't always better

Massachusetts school proves that small classes arent always better.
"The New York Times Log In." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. Web. 30 Sept. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/education/28school.html?_r=1&ref=education>

Documentary on America's Failing Public School System

"One of the saddest days of my life was when my mother told me ‘Superman’ did not exist,” the educational reformer Geoffrey Canadarecalls in the opening moments of “Waiting for ‘Superman,’ ” a powerful and alarming documentary about America’s failing public school system. “She thought I was crying because it’s like Santa Claus is not real. I was crying because no one was coming with enough power to save us.”
I think this is where I say: nuff said.


Holden, By Stephen. "Movie Review - 'Waiting for Superman' - Documentary on America’s Public School System - NYTimes.com." Movie Reviews, Showtimes and Trailers - Movies - New York Times - The New York Times. 23 Sept. 2010. Web. 29 Sept. 2010. <http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/movies/24waiting.html?ref=education>.

Mc Carthy is angered by torture scenes in TV show 24

Former torture victim, Mc Carthy "slams" 24 for "portraying torture as an acceptable weapon". 


Burrell, By Ian. "Former Hostage McCarthy Slams TV Torture Scenes - Media, News - The Independent." The Independent | News | UK and Worldwide News | Newspaper. Web. 29 Sept. 2010. <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/former-hostage-mccarthy-slams-tv-torture-scenes-450086.html>.

Torture Victim Recounts Life as a Hostage

Peter Moore was a British IT expert who was captured in Iraq as a hostage. He was tortured, beaten and forced to take off his clothes and very much necessary glasses. 
"Torture and Table Tennis: Iraq Hostage Peter Moore Recounts Life in Captivity | World News | Guardian.co.uk." Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk. Web. 29 Sept. 2010. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/12/peter-moore-recounts-iraq-captivity>.

Discussion Reflection

After the class discussion that we had about Senate bill 1070 and illegal immigration in general, I feel that my opinion against the senate bill is fueled by the arguments made in class. I believe that the illegals have the right to be here just like any of the rest of us. Many had made the argument that the illegals are only making it harder for us to take jobs and that they are not paying taxes while still being able to seek medical help with no problem, making it harder for legal citizens to get the necessary medical attention. While I don't agree with some of the techniques used in class to change people opinions about some issues, I do understand why people are worried about their family's safety and well being. What I don't think that people realize is that, while the immigrants are here illegally they are indeed people too. They bleed, they die, and they suffer. Should we let them suffer just because they came to America, the so called "land of opportunity", looking for a better life, illegally? I understand that people worry about their own family's but I also think that it's a little selfish that we only take our own families into consideration when making these arguments. We have to remember that while we create arguments that protect our families, we are hurting someone else's families in the process. We tend to think of illegal immigrants as people who have no connections, in our minds they have no face, and they are only criminals. In all honesty, most of the illegal immigrants who come, come for their families or with their families. They come for jobs, safety and freedom. We've heard of the treachery and danger that happens in other countries, yet we don't have the humanity to want to offer safety to people who so desperately need it.
And while you may be thinking that I am only making an argument to protect these people, I must say that these very same people also create opportunity and  pull their own weight by working the hard, tough, laborious jobs that most people don't want to do, and for less than what we ought to pay them. Even though they don't pay taxes, we have to remember that since they are paid "under the table", they are also paid very poorly, and often under minimum wage, thusly if we were to take taxes, they would have an even harder time living.
And so I ask, that we think of them as people, as our equals whilst arguing for them to leave, while we ask them to abandon the needs of their families, so that we in turn can take care of our own. I am most definitely against the disgustingly selfish law that would occur with Senate Bill 1070.

Illegal Aliens V.S. Predator

Co- creator of this video, amazing artist, and all around awesome guy, Alex Pardee had originally posted this up on his blog, eyesuckink.blogspot.com. He and the rest of Zero Friends had created this video as an argument against senate bill 1070. It's a bit silly but tells alot about the problems behind racial profiling. 


"YouTube - Aliens Vs. Predator." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. ZeroFriends, 5 July 2010. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPqlPxAB19k&feature=player_embedded>.

Is Brewer Getting a Boost From Immigration Law?

The Arizona law may have made Jan Brewer more popular as a political figure.


"Is Brewer Getting a Boost From Immigration Law?" SodaHead - Ask or Answer Questions, Discuss News, Express Opinions, or Create Polls. Web. 22 Sept. 2010. <http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/is-brewer-getting-a-boost-from-immigration-law/question-1237701/>.

So what happens to Mexico?

Mexico braces itself for a predicted influx of deportees. (It makes sense.)


Hawley, By Chris. "Mexico Braces for Effects of Arizona Immigration Law - USATODAY.com." News, Travel, Weather, Entertainment, Sports, Technology, U.S. & World - USATODAY.com. Web. 21 Sept. 2010. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-07-26-mexicoarizona26_ST_N.htm>.

Glenn Beck Defends Murderous Minutemen Of Arizona

Glenn Beck defends the murderous Minutemen of Arizona and criticizes one politician's view on the Minutemen.

Corps, Civil Defense. "Glenn Beck Defends Minutemen." MinutemanHQ. Web. 18 Sept. 2010. <http://minutemanhq.com/hq/article.php?sid=970>.

Lady Gaga Speaks Against Senate Bill 1070

Lady Gaga went on stage during her concert in Phoenix, Arizona and publicly stated her position on the new Arizona law. She told her audience to "Reject any person, any thing or any law that has ever made you feel like you don't belong," and that "Gaga called the concert a political statement in itself: "The nature of the 'Monster Ball' is to actively protest prejudice and injustice and that bulls**t that is put on our society," she said. "Because you're a superstar no matter who you are, or where you come from. And you were born that way."" She's so cool!!!


"Lady Gaga Speaks Out Against Arizona Immigration Law at Phoenix Concert | PopEater.com." Celebrities | Entertainment News | Celebrity Gossip | Celebrity Photos | PopEater.com. Web. 16 Sept. 2010. <http://www.popeater.com/2010/08/02/lady-gaga-monster-ball-phoenix-arizona-immigration-law-sb-1070/>.

Illegal Immigrants Are NOT Taking Our Jobs!!

Factcheck. org studies the controversy that sparked when Illegal immigrants where blamed for taking the jobs of the American citizens. After just a little research, we learn that they are NOT taking jobs, but affecting our economy positively.


"Does Immigration Cost Jobs?" FactCheck.org. Web. 16 Sept. 2010. <http://factcheck.org/2010/05/does-immigration-cost-jobs/>.

Judge Block Parts of Senate Bill 1070

A judge has blocked the most controversial parts of the Senate Bill 1070 and suspends the requirement that police check all suspecting illegal people. 


Kennedy, Helen. "Arizona Immigration Law SB 1070 Has Most Controversial Parts Blocked by Federal Judge." New York News, Traffic, Sports, Weather, Photos, Entertainment, and Gossip - NY Daily News. 28 July 2010. Web. 16 Sept. 2010. <http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/07/28/2010-07-28_arizona_immigration_law_sb_1070_has_most_controversial_parts_blocked_by_federal_.html>

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio expands his political wings

Sheriff Joe tries to spread the senate bill for Arizona to other states like, Kentucky and Kansas.


Powers, By Ashley. "Arizona's Sheriff Joe Arpaio Expands His Political Wings - Latimes.com." Los Angeles Times - California, National and World News - Latimes.com. Web. 15 Sept. 2010. <http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-arpaio-angle-20100912,0,5192384.story>.

A Guide to Senate Bill 1070

The LA Times answers some questions about the senate bill. They explain what the police will be doing during this policy.


Questions and Answers on SB 1070 -- a Guide to Arizona's New Immigration Law | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times." Los Angeles Times - California, National and World News - Latimes.com. Web. 13 Sept. 2010. <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/07/arizona-immigration-law.html>.

What Arizonians are Really Angry About

Arizonians explain that they feel no hatred towards illegal immigrants, just the crime that spills over from the borders of Mexico


Navarrate, By Ruben. "Drug Cartels: Bogeymen in Arizona Law - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. 9 Aug. 2010. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. <http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/08/09/navarrette.arizona.immigration/index.html?iref=allsearch>

Qur'an Burning CANCELLED

Pastor Terry Jones has cancelled his plans to have a Quran burning event in Gainsville, Florida. Apparently he cancelled it after he "struck a deal" with the leader of the Islamic Center, who agreed to move the location of the center. 


"Quran Burning CANCELED: Dove World Outreach's Terry Jones Drops Offending 'Stunt'"Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. 09 Sept. 2010. Web. 09 Sept. 2010. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/09/quran-burning-church-dove_n_711159.html>.

Immigration Crackdown Steps Into the Kitchen

Restaurants are put under the spotlight when searching for undocumented immigrants.

Kershaw, Sarah. "The New York Times Log In." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 07 Sept. 2010. Web. 09 Sept. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/dining/08crackdown.html?ref=us>.

U.S. Border Officer Smuggles Drugs

-A U.S. Border Officer (Alicia Garnica)  is charged with smuggling marijuana and migrants through the border. 


"U.S. Border Officer Gets 20 Years for Corruption, Smuggling Drugs | La Plaza | Los Angeles Times." Top of the Ticket | President Obama's Statement on Rosh Hashanah | Los Angeles Times. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2010/09/corruption-customs-agents-border.html>.

Mosque Discussion Reflection

From the beginning I was all for the building of the mosque in New York. Despite its being only a few blocks away from Ground Zero I felt that it was their right to build whatever they wanted to build, wherever they wanted. Stopping them from building the mosque would only be taking away their rights and would prove us to be complete hypocrites. We say that we believe in religious tolerance and the freedom of speech but, by forbidding the building we would only make ourselves look bad and we would set a bad example for other countries. Not only that but, so many people come to America because of the rights that we supposedly protect and because they were lead to believe that they could safely say what they wanted and believe in what they wanted because of the freedoms that they've heard we fight for, and by refusing these rights, we are letting our people down. Why should we judge someone because of the so called horrible things that we've only heard and because a couple of people decided to make them look bad? After the discussion we had in class, I felt that my opinion was only further strengthened. I still believed that we should build the mosque, and that if we don't, we will only show everyone how America can be filled with ignorant, judgemental hypocrites.