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SPRING 2007 STUDENTS:

DON'T ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS BELOW THIS.

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JOHN

Your views on dog fighting

What is your opinion on dog fighting? Is there any place for it in our society? What if the dogs are natural fighters who want to fight—is it okay to let them fight since that’s their basic instinctive need or tendency? Are you opposed to dog fighting as a sport in which people make money? What do you think of pit bulls? Do you see them as fighting machines, or do you think they make pets and companions? Do you know anything about dog fighting and the degree to which it occurs? Do you think you should know more about dog fighting before judging against it? Is dog fighting all that different from boxing? If so, how so?

I know this subject might be offensive to some people, but I believe many people have preconcieved (and mistaken) ideas about dog fighting. Please consider the nature of these dogs, such as pit bulls, which were bred by man as a crossbreed and which by nature are often aggressive and dominant.

Thanks for your input.

Marvin

Emily's Question about psychological disorders in children

Is it beneficial or useful to diagnose young children with psychological disorders such as ADHD, bipolar, and anxiety? Are such diagnoses often "easy outs" for other problems, such as child neglect, child abuse, or some other form of poor parenting? Are many of these children simply acting their age? Does diagnosis cause some children to act the way they are diagnosed from being labeled? Can personality be accurately measured when it is not yet fully developed in a child? Can medicating children foster dependency on mood altering drugs as adults? Your thoughts on any or all of these questions would be appreciated.

Thanks, Emily Chittick

Marita's question on weed

Should smoking marijuana be legalized? For medication? For recreational use? Should people be allowed to grow it themselves, if they don't sell it for profit? What are the pros and cons of legalizing weed?

Mothers Who Kill

What should be done about underage girls who deliver and kill their babies? Should they be charged as adults? Should they be institutionalized? Should there be a mandatory pregnancy test done as part of school physicals? If a parent suspects pregnancy, should they be allowed to force their child into pregnancy testing?

Thank you-- Pam Whisman

FABION'S QUESTION ON RELIGION

Do you think sometimes religion, or religious leaders such as priests and pastors, go too far? I mean does God really care what T-shirt a person wears in church? Do you think some church people are on power trips? Or do you think they really do know what is and is not offensive to God? Do you think you need to go to church to be in good graces withGod or to be a good Christian? Any comments on any of this would be appreciated!

Interracial Relationships

What do you think of interracial dating or marriage? Do you think there would be any negative consequences of marriage between two people of different races? What do you see as possible positive consequences? Would you ever date someone outside your race? Why or why not?

Thanks!
Ashlee Meredith

Immigration Situation

Are you aware of the current immigration laws in the United States? If so, do you support these laws? What is your opinion on immigrants coming to the United States? In your view, what are the advantages and disadvantages of declaring an amnesty for all illegal imigrants currently living in the United States? If you were President Bush, howwould you treat this issue? Is it a major issue of importance to our country? Or is it a minor issue that many people worry too much about?

Thanks for your comments!

Sam Mtunga

Materialstic vs. Simplicity

Why are most Americans so greedy? Have we lost sight in what life is really supposed to be about? Or is being greedy and money-oriented okay if that's what makes you happy?

Are we too obsessed with money? Do you think money equals happiness? Why or why not?

Have Americans become too complicated? Why aren't the simple things enough anymore?

Why have we became so materialistic? Is it the entertainment industry's fault?

Thanks! Caitlin Parker

Does Single Parenting Affect Future Crime Rates?

Does the absence of the father in the home combined with the laws against spanking your children result in higher crime rates? With single mothers usually raising the kids and working probably at least 1or maybe 2 jobs to support the family, with her out of the home and the kids under minimal supervision, what repercussions do you see? Does a single mother need to enforce discipline in a way a couple might not have to do or else run the risk of raising a deviant child? Do you think many single mothers tend to be too easy on their chidlren, not supplying them with the discipline they need?

http://www.sptimes.com/News/121700/TampaBay/Under_12__Under_Arres.shtml
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/iptc.htm

Thank you for your help!

Barb

Same-Sex Relationships

Is being in a same-sex relationship okay? If people discover (or decide) that they are gay, should they keep that information private, or should they let their family know? What if the person is 40 or 50 and has children and a marriage of 25 years? What if the person is 60 plus years old and married 40 plus years, does that change your opinion? Should the person accept his or her sexuality and try to be true to himself (or herself) or should he deny the truth of his feelings and try to keep his family intact? What is your opinion and why do you have this opinion?

Thanks for your input!
Dave Crain

Do We Owe American Indians Anything?

Do we owe American Indians anything for taking their land?

Do we owe them money?

Do we owe them land?

Do we owe them education?

Should they live in their traditional ways, or should they integrate into the rest of society?


Thanks! Stacie Carlson


If you aren't sure about the subject, here are a few links you can check out:

http://www.powersource.com/cherokee/history.html

http://ourgeorgiahistory.com/indians/cherokee/trail_of_tears.html

http://www.lastoftheindependents.com/sandcreek.htm

http://www.wicocomico-indian-nation.com/pages/genocide.html

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:6YdMBRZwFfYJ:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States+american+indian+history&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=33

http://www.mnh.si.edu/biodiversity/aislynn1.htm#introduction

http://www.thenativepress.com/alcatraz2.html

http://www.thenativepress.com/boardingschool.html

http://www.westwindworld.com/

http://www.thepeoplespaths.net/articles/princes.html

http://www.peaknet.net/~aardvark/thetrail.html

http://www.peaknet.net/~aardvark/index2.html

http://www.powersource.com/cocinc/history/trail.htm

http://www.peaknet.net/~aardvark/treaty.html

http://www.canku-luta.org/PineRidge/laramie_treaty.html

http://www.russellmeans.com/

James' question on poverty. Why does it exist?

Should there be poverty in the United States in 2006? Why does poverty exist in the U.S.? What should be done about this problem? Do you know how many people in this country live below the poverty line? If not, what would your guess be? Is poverty a problem that needs to be urgently addressed in this country? Why or why not?

Muslims and Christians

Why do Muslims and Christians have a conflict over religion? Are Christianity and Islam so different? I don't expect many people to know much about the Islamic religion or about Muslim people in general, but please share your views, even if they're based on limited knowledge. If you are a Christian, what are your views on Islam and on Muslims? If you know something about Islam, or if you know any Muslims, in your view, what is their opinion of Christianity. Why do you think people of these two faiths have had problems over the years?

If you have time, please read a little on Islam before you response. Here's a site that might be helpful.

http://www.islamworld.net/

Thank you for your help!

Catina Moore

Jan Baker wants to know, "Why are people gay?"

I recently read an article with the following quote: "Tellingly two founders of a ministry established to 'heal' homosexuals later described their program as 'ineffective ... not one person was healed'."

Before you answer this question, please give it some deep thought. Check out this article, if you can:

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/

Question: Why are some people gay? Do you believe that 80% of people (including heterosexuals) have had an attraction to their same gender at some point in their life? Do you believe being gay is a phase? Or do you believe people are born gay? What makes people gay? Is it genetics? Why do you think so? Or is it a choice? In a society that makes it very difficult to be gay, why do you think people would make that choice? Do you think people's upbringing and lifetime circumstances affect people and cause them to become gay?

Blake's question about stem cell research

Is all stem cell research wrong, or is some of it wrong? How far is too far? Will the benefit of the research outweigh the sacrifice in the end? Do you think stem cell research is like trying to "play God"? Do you know what cell stem research is exactly and why some people are for it and some against it? If you need more info about stem cell research before answering, have a look at these sites:

http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/res_stem.htm

Richauna's Questions About Teens Today

Why are teens so out of control (with drug use, alcohol abuse, violence) this day and age? How should parents gain control of their teens? When is it too late to intervene in a teen's life? Do you think teens being out of control is a problem in our society? In our community? What examples have you seen or heard of? In general, what do you think can or should be done to deal with out-of-control teens?If you think it's mainly a parental responsibility to monitor their teenagers and step into their lives as necessary, consider how difficult it is to do this for many parents (especially in single-parent households). Think of your own life as a teenager--isn't it easy for you to hide things from your parents? What could your parents do help you stay in control and not get into trouble that will haunt for you a lifetime?

Thanks for your input!

Edwidge's question on Homeless People

Estimates of the number of people without homes in the United States vary from 230,000 to 3 million, including between 50,000 and 500,000 children. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated in 1999 that "there are at least 600,000 homeless men, women, and children in the United States on any given night," adding that roughly one-third of this population is composed of families with children.

What is your opinion on the homelessness issue? Should people support homeless people? How do you know if a person is really homeless or not?Do you give money to homeless people? Why or why not? What can be done about the problem of so many people in this country, including families and children, having no where to live?

The passage at the top is from the site below. Please read more about homelessness before you respond, if you have the time.http://www.answers.com/topic/homelessness

Driving While on a Cell Phone

Should talking on a cell phone while driving be banned? Even though some places are banning talking on a cell phone, they allow using hands-free devices. Does just the fact that they are still talking interfere with the person's driving? Should there be some sort of punishment for people who
have accidents and kill people because of talking on a cell phone? Do you personally talk on your cell phone while driving? Do you think this interferes in any way with your degree of attention to your driving? If you think that cell phone use while driving should be illegal, is there any other kind of potential driving distraction that you think should also be illegal? Is it illegal to use headphones while driving? Do you think most people are more dangerous driving after having a few beers or while talking in a long talk on a cell phone? Any other input on this subject?

Jeremy Lamb

The success of Iraq

Should we begin to withdraw troops out of Iraq? Was the war in Iraq justified? Is the War in Iraq asuccess? What do you think would be the consequences of pulling out ofIraq right away, just bringing nearly everyone home within a month or so? Is that too fast? What would be the advantage of staying another 6 months? Of withdrawing more slowly and gradually? How many people have died since our occupation of Iraq? Is that too many considering the progresss that has been made? Or do you think the loss of life so far has been worth the end that's being pursued? Do you think it's possible for the United States to achieve their objectives in Iraq? How long will it take? Will the new Secretary of Defense do a better job than Donald Rumsfeld? With a Democratic majority in the house and Senate, will there be an immediate withdrawal? Any other thoughts on this issue?

Thanks for your comments. Dan

Sonja's Abuse Topic

Is spanking bad for kids? Does spanking border on being child abuse? If you're okay with spanking, at what point do you think some parents cross the line and take it too far? For instance, is it okay to hit your child with a belt or paddle? Is it okay to leave a mark? Why do you have these views? If you have kids, do you spank them? If you plan to have them, do you plan to spank them? What purpose do you think spanking serves that can't be achieved in another way? Thanks for your help!

Illinois Driving Age & Responsibilities (Debra Porter's questions)

According to Cyberdriveillinois.com,(http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/programs/gdl.html)on June 22, 2006a law was passed to increase the amount of practice time to obtain an IL DL. Teens are now required to have 50 hours of training behind the wheel, with that 50 including 10 hours of night driving.

My questions about this subject are (please read above link before responding, it will help you to create your answers):

1. Do you think it was fair to raise the amount of behind-the-wheel training needed to get an IL DL? Why or why not?

2. Even though the behind-the-wheel training has increased, the age to obtain a DL has not. Do you think that the age should go up? (for example, to age 18) Why or why not?

Some things to think about when answering these questions... maturity of teens, responsibility, school attendence (see under "effective july 1, 2007" on link mentioned above), and the different age-related restrictions for teens and adults (also on website link).

Ben's Question about serving your country

Do you think everyone should have to do some stint in the military--also called called "Call to Service"--where everyone does at least two years to serve the country they live in? What do you think are theadvantages and disadvantages of this idea? If such a program did get implemeted, would you want requirements on when people would have to serve their two years? Right after high school? After college? If you don't support the idea of mandatory military service, why don't you? Would you support some other kind of mandatory service toward the benefit of the country? Thanks! Ben

Stephanies abortion topic

Should abortion be illegal? Why do you feel this way? If you're against legalized abortion are there ANY conditons in which you think it's ok to have an abortion? If you're pro-choice and okay with some abortions, which abortions would you not support? What consequences do you forsee if the United States criminalizes abortions?

Bridgette's Picture on Relationships...

In your observations and experience, what is the ideal age difference in a dating relationship? Does this change as you get older? Why is it that the male is often the older one in a relationship? When is it unacceptable for an adult to date a minor? Why does our society seem to frown on relationships between people who are, say, 16 and 20? Don't people mature at different rates? If so, why does age play such a significant role in determining how "right" someone is for another?

Thanks for your input!!!

Bridgette