STOP RIGHT HERE . . .

SUMMER STUDENTS: PLEASE DON'T ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS BELOW THIS. THANKS! --john

War Against Terrorism

The War Against Terrorism How has the war affected our nation? Do you think that after September 11, where some three thousand were killed, that we should have retaliated the way we did with war? Are we making a change over seas? Why do you think so or why not? Here is a link to aid in your comments on the war: http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/WarOnTerror.asp

Elizabeth Moore (9:00)

Illegal Immigration

Should illegal immigrants be allowed in America?

If you don't have an opinion, then check out these web sites: http://ezinearticles.com/?Should-Illegal-Immigrants-be-Allowed?&id=189646 http://www.immigrationdebate.com/

Steve Gratkins (9:00)

All Things Considered, Do You Think Video Games Are Good Or Bad?

All Things Considered, Do You Think Video Games Are Good Or Bad?

Some things to think about:
-Do some games help younger children with brain function and hand-eye coordination?
-What is the effect of video games on teenagers? Do they become more lazy, more violent?
-Can video games aid older adults in keeping both mind and body active?
What other considerations come into play when deciding whether video games do more harm or good in our society?
How many hours a day or week do you spend playing video games on average?

Jeff Olivinton (1:00)

Teen pregnancy--is it a problem in the U.S. ?

Each year approximately 750,000 women between the ages of 15 and 19 become pregnant. In several states, more than half of these pregnancies end in abortion. The United States has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies when compared to other countries of similar status. Teenagers who have babies are less likely to finish high school. Given these statistics, do you think teenage pregnancy is a serious problem in the United States? Please explain your views.

Thank you!

Twila Douglas (1:00)

Do you think being a professional athlete would be the most ideal job? What are some advantages and disadvantages of playing a pro sport? Would the fame be worth some of the shame?

John Perkins (9:00)

Do you think it's right . . .

Do you think it's right for parents to get their children into child beauty pageants? How about steering them in the direction of acting, singing, or dancing at a young age? Would you do either of these to your children if the chance came up? What are the advantages and disadvantages of influencing your children this way? How might the child be affected? Do you see this kind of influence as being overly pushy or controlling? Is this any different from steering your kids into sports at an early age?

Thanks for your comments--

Stephanie Costa (12:00)

Violent Crimes in School

Over the past few decades, more and more instances of violence in schools are showing up in the media. Is there any way to prevent this violence from happening? What are some logical ways to stop the violence? What is provoking the people into doing these acts? Should security in all schools be increased because of it? Should schools increase awareness about this topic to students?

Thanks for your comments!

Jason Brown (12:00)

Global warming: is it real?

Do you think Global Warming is a real issue? How is global warming affecting us today? Do you think the Earth will look different and feel different in 30 years? Some people think scientists are creating theories and throwing out numbers irresponsibily. Others believe these theories are real. If you do think global warming is real, do you think we are trying hard enough to fight it? Any comments you have on this subject would be appreciated.

Here are some sites to have a look at:

http://ecobridge.org/content/g_evd.htm

http://prisonplanet.com/articles/march2007/090307warminghoax.htm

http://fightglobalwarming.com/

Thanks for your time--

Apifany Hurst (9:00)

How big is too big?

Over half the United States adult population is at least slightly overweight, and many are significantly overweight or obsese, as you can easily see by looking around.

How do you feel about overweight people? Do you think the world today is being overcrowded by overweight people? Do you think we treat people who are overweight different from other people? If so, how and why? Are people who are overweight discriminated against in our culture? Or is the opposite happening--as a greater percentage of people are overweight, is being overweight or obese becoming more accepted?

What are the causes of the increasing number of overweight and obese people in our society? What can be done about this problem? Please explain how you feel about the situation. Do you have a problem with overweight people? Explain.

Thanks for your help!

Greg Owens (1:00)

Ready for an African Amercian to Run the Country?

In what way do you think an African American President would change America or the World for that Matter? Do you believe that it is unwise for an African American to be president considering the risks and the history of rascism in America? Why do you think that America hasn’t had an African American President yet?

--Melissa Renee Jones (12:00)

. . . check out this site if you want to:

http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/thisweek/2007/04/30_african-am_pres.asp

Should we wait and save ourselves?

Should we wait and save ourselves? Should we save ourselves until marriage? Should we wait till we meet the right person? What if the "right" person turns out to be the wrong person in the end? How can we be sure of their fidelity after we give them our ultimate gift? Is sex before marriage the wrong choice? And if we don't wait, what if they leave us afterwards? By waiting do we in fact save ourselves?

Thanks for your time!

Yiveni Cardoso (1:00)

Legal Drinking Age

Do you think that the legal drinking age should be reduced to age 18? Why or why not? Are people too immature to begin drinking at this age? If so, why do you think this? What are the advantages and disadvantages of lowering the drinking age?

Jessica Ebeling (1:00)

Kids with guns

Where do you place the blame for the recent increase in school shootings? Is it the fault of some sort of media, such as video games, music, or movies? Do you think the news media gives too much attention to the shootings, attracting other troubled people to try to "make a name for themselves," too? Do you think parents are sometimes too lenient or too absent from their children's lives? Or are the people committing these crimes just nuts to begin with?

I wish to know what you think.

Thanks!

Rob Joyce (1:00)

How do men and women significantly differ when it comes to relationships?

-Do they view sex differently?
-Do they have different values and goals when it comes to the relationship?
-How do they feel about their partners' friends who are of the opposite sex?

- What is the most important quality that they look for in a girlfriend/boyfriend?


Thanks!

Emily Stege (12:00)

Legalizing marijuana

Do you think marijuana should be legalized in the United States? Why or why not? If you think marijuana should not be legalized, what's your view on medicinal marijuana? Should marijuana at least be/remain legal for people with symptoms that can be alleviated by smoking it?

Thanks for your help--

George Rayyan (12:00)

Citizenship and health care rights for ALL children?

A problem caused by the onslaught of illegal immigrants into the United States is how to treat their children. Even those who feel that illegal immigrants should have no rights until they become legal citizens can't really blame the children for the choices of their parents, right?

This being the case, should ALL children born in the United States receive the same rights to health care as those children legally born here? Why or why not? Should all children born in the United States automatically be legal American citizens? Why or why not?

Thanks for your input!

Ben Goin (1:00)

What system works the worst?

What is Wrong with America?

Most of our national systems don't seem to work nearly as well as they could. The education system is failing; the welfare program is riddled with abuse; the justice and penal systems are seriously flawed in many ways; we have no working national health care system; social security is heading into trouble; our political system wastes millions and millions of dollars every election year and still results in weak presidents; our national debt has skyrocketed; more and more people are homeless, with more families than ever living on the street; we can't come up with an immigration policy that works; the rich get richer while the poor get poorer; violent crime is still rampant in all big cities.

Of all that appears to be wrong with our society, which system do you think is the worst, and why? How did we get this way? How can we get out? Can you name even one system that works as well as it ought to?

Thanks for your help!

Justin Peacock (1:00)

Is abortion ever okay?

What does the word "abortion" mean to you? When is an abortion okay, and when is it not? Do you think abortion should be legal or illegal? Do you think the government should be able to make decisions for pregnant women, or should they mind their own business?

Please give me any thoughts you have on the subject of abortion.

Thanks for your help!

Khayri Patterson (12:00)

Favorite movie?

I believe movies are the best type of entertainment in society. There are many different types of movies, ranging from expensive to cheap, short to long, funny to sad, and even silent to sound films. What are your three favorite movies of all-time and who is your favorite director? What made you enjoy these movies and if you have an all-time favorite why so? What do you like most about your favorite director?

Thanks for your comments.

Luke Marry (1:00)

President Bush -- a victim of the press?

Do you think that George Walker Bush is truly a terrible president, or is he overly vilified by the media? If the media is too hard on him, what caused this to happen?

thanks!

Harry Coleman (9:00)

Hydrogen cars--a good idea?

With the high cost and the eventual shortage of fuel to run the cars we have today, is hydrogen cars the way to go in the future? What would be the advantages or disadvantages of hydrogen cars compared to other alternatives, such as hybrids or electric cars? How would we fuel up a hydrogen car and not have to worry about the car exploding in hot weather or in crashes?

Please take a minute to read some of the article at this link before you answer: http://www.hydrogencarsnow.com/blog2/

thanks for your comments--

Mike Handal (9:00)

Is the U.S. too focused on materialism?

Materialism

Do you think that America is too materialistic? Do you believe that money can buy happiness? Do you think that people judge others on what materialistic possessions they have? Do you shop to make yourself happy? Do you think Americans are happier because they possess more than people in other countries do? If materialism doesn't lead to happiness, why are people so materialistic?

thanks--

Bryan Skaggs (9:00)

Abortion--is it murder?

Should abortion be illegal or legal? If legal, what is the latest the mother could have the abortion? Six months? Three months? If illegal, why do you think it should be illegal? Is abortion murder or not? Should the mother be scrutinized if she does have an abortion? What if she has three of them? Should there be a limit on how many abortions a woman is allowed to have?

Thanks for your comments.

Jeremy Camfield (1:00)

A new kind of court?

When people with emotional or mental disabilities are accused of committing a crime, should they be tried for the crime outside of the usual court system? Should a special court system be established for such people?

When people with emotional or mental disabilities are accused of committing a crime, should they be tried for the crime outside of the usual court system? Should a special court be established for such people? If so, how do you see this court differing from the criminal court we have now? Do you think people with extreme cases of mental or emotional disability should even be tried at all? How about milder cases? What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of having a separate court designed for people who are determined to be mentally or emotionally disturbed?

Thanks for your comments!

kaleen bittner (9:00)

Amnesty for illegal immigrants?

Do you know how many illegal immigrants are currently living in the United States? Many of these people are working and contributing to United States culture, but they are not allowed citizenship and do not have the rights that the American citizens they live among enjoy. Many of them are also unable to pay taxes due to their illegal status. Do you think our country should grant amnesty to illegal immigrants who currently live here so that these people don't feel like criminals and can begin to do their share by paying taxes? What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of amnesty for illegal immigrants?

Thanks for your comments--

Cesar Munoz (9:00)

Would you date outside your race?

How do you feel about Interracial Dating? In your opinion, are white women taking all the "good" black men from black women? Or is that just a myth? To you, what is considered a "good" black man? And if you are in an interracial relationship, who made the first gesture to talk to the other sex first? Are white women bolder than black women when it comes to the opposite sex and race? If you have any other comments on the pros and cons of interracial dating, I would like to see them.

Thanks for your help!

Katie Connolly (1:00)

Raising your children

If you could teach your children one thing throughout their lives what would it be?

 If you had to pick only one  lesson for your children/future children to learn what do you think it would be, and how would you go about teaching it to them? 

What is most important to you when it comes to raising a child? 

What do you wish your parents had done differently throughout your childhood? 

thanks!!! :) 

Abby Pennington (12:00) 

Too much violence?

What are your views about violence in the media? Do you think it affects young people in our society? Do you think violence in the news is a good or a bad thing? Please explain. Do you think there is too much violence on TV, in movies, and video games? What would you change about violence in the media? Since violence apparently sells, is there any way to cut down on media violence without changing censorship laws? Would you support tougher censorship laws, or do you think such laws violate our rights?

Many studies have shown a likely connection between media violence and increased violent behavior in viewers. Please read some of this article for more information before you respond (reading just the first few paragraphs is probably enough):

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0377/is_n111/ai_14152768

Thank you!

Allison Hayes (1:00)

Does Religion Stop At Eighteen OR Is It Lifelong?

Why do you think that once some teenagers turn eighteen or start college, they stop attending church regularly (assuming that particular person has been going to church since they were a kid)? Is it because their parents can’t force them to go anymore? Or did they even want to go in the first place? Could it be because of the friends that they hang out with? How can you tell who your true friends are? Is this you? Have you gone to church for many years and suddenly stopped? Is religion even a factor in your life? If so, at what age did religion start to affect your life? Also, if this is/was you, how do/would you get back into going to church or being “religious”?

Jeff Hinkley (1:00)

Digital money

How do you feel about getting rid of US currency and making everything digital from a card with a thumb print or number code?

Would it stop the drug trade?
How could you be robbed?
Would it help make life easier or harder?
Would this allow the government to have to much control?

$$$ Ryan Brown (1:00)

Children in Athletics

Do you believe that children who are involved in athletics are better off in the future? Many people believe that the lessons they learned through athletics help them work and interact with others, learn responsibility, and help them work harder. After covering sports for a local news station for about a year now, I've witnessed first hand the pressure and how crazy parents get about their children in athletics. Do you believe parents put too much pressure on their children to do well in sports? And maybe not enough pressure to excel in school?

Justin Stout
(1:00)

$$ Do athletes make too much? $$

Do professional athletes make too much money? The best players in the MLB make anywhere from $12 million to $28 million per year. Keep in mind that players also have endorsement deals that are not included in their salaries. If you think athletes are overpaid, what is a reasonable salary for professional athletes? Explain.

Bobby Wilsey
(1:00)

Teen Pregancy

What is your take on teen pregnancy? Do you feel that peer pressure is the key reason for teen pregnancy? Do you feel that getting pregnant is the new black? (As in it being the new thing to do) How young of an age would surprise you? Do you think it is ideal for a 12 year old or 13 year old to get pregnant? What age do you feel is okay to get pregnant at? Why?

Olamipo Agunloye (12:00)

Why walk away?

When a woman or a teenager gets pregnant, why would the father of the child walk away?

Becoming a parent is one of the most exciting times in an adult's life and you would think that the father of the child would want to be a part of that. I do not see how fathers can just walk away and not have any thought about it when that baby is a part of them too. But it seems to happen all the time. Why? Obviously, it takes two people to make a baby, and the woman can't walk away--what does it say about a man when he does?

Jennifer Woodward (12:00)

Electric cars--our vehicles of the future?

Do you think that electric powered cars should be more popular and are they practical? With gas prices at an all time high and pollution getting worse as time goes on, do you think that we should switch to electric cars? Do you think that in the long run that that you will save money by buying an electrical car? Other than the expense of the electrical cars what are some cons of having them?

Omar Al-Chaar (12:00)

Racism in Todays Schools and Society???

Even in today's society Racism is still an issue whether it's in schools, in the work place, on the streets, or in general.

1) What do you think about racism in today's schools?

2) Are minority children scrutinized for being differnt?

3) How do you feel about mixed relationships? As well as mixed children?

4) Are there inequalities in the work place through race or gender?

5) Do you feel that people look at you differently because of race or differences?

6) Is the Government to blame by dividing us into race, religion, class, and gender?

7) Are our racial opinions influenced by others' opinions and views? (such as your society of people, parents, or family views).

Thank you for your help!

Michelle Carr (12:00)

Laws against alcohol abuse

http://www.isp.state.il.us/traffic/drnkdriving.cfm -This link provides information on laws today against alocohol abuse.

Are the laws against underage drinking too harsh?

How do you feel about the Zero tolerance law?

Do you feel the same about the laws against drinking and driving?

The loss of driving privileges is greater if you refuse to take a sobriety test. Do you agree with this?

Kristen Duitsman (12:00)

To birth or not to birth? That is the question.

Most people would agree that abortion is not an ideal choice in any situation, but do you believe that abortion must remain legal so that in the most unfortunate pregnancies (caused by rape or incest or when the mother is too young or when the mother's own health or life is endangered by carrying the baby) a woman can choose not to have the baby? In your opinion, what is more important--the right of the woman to choose what to do with her own body, or the right of the unborn fetus or embryo?

Kelsey Williams (9:00)

Smoking and Cancer

Much of the population of the United States has taken up smoking; though a lot of these people know that smoking can lead to lung cancer, they continue to smoke.

What are your views on this?

What may be some reasons that you think people continue to smoke when they already know the consequences?

Rachel Rudder (12:00)

Evolution In Schools

Theories over where we came from draw some of the strongest responses; everyone thinks they're right, but no one can really prove it. Did we evolve from chimps, were we placed here by some omnipotent presence, or did the Flying Spaghetti Monster put us here with his noodly appendage in the hopes of seeing us turn into pirates? The validity of teaching Evolution in schools is still hotly debated, and while there are facts that back up Evolution, others will claim that other facts exist that would prove their claim to creation equally valid.

Was Darwin right or wrong? Is there a reason to teach Evolution in schools while leaving out the various forms of Creationism? Which one do you personally think is right?

Thank you!

Patrick Smith (12:00)

Parents who want their children back . . .

Many children today in the United States become wards of the state because of their parents' drug habits or financial situations. This happens much more often than many people realize.
I would like your views on these questions:

1. Should children be given back to their parents after they have been rehabilitated? How will the state know that the parents are ready to be responsible parents to their children?
2. Should restrictions be placed on biological parents ? That is, until the parents have somehow proven they are ready to be good parents, should their time with their children be restricted? Should their parenting behaviors be monitored somehow?

Thanks for your time--

hillary fears (9:00)

G U N S

What are the limits on gun control?
How can we keep guns off the streets?
Is using a gun for self defense reasonable?
Is using a gun to defend family inside a household alright?
Does keeping a gun inside of a house affect the suicide rate?
How can the violence among adolescents be controlled?

Tom Miller (9:00)

Is A Life or School More Important

Children in the US are expected to go to school all the way from kindergarten to the 12th grade. Many of these years of school are wasted on classes that the student will not need in their future life. After the completion of the 12 or 13 years the student will recieve a high school diploma, which is near worthless in comparsion to a college degree, in the emoployment realm. So are all these years of school really necessary for a someone to get a proper education?

1. Should children have to go to school 12 or 13 years of their lives?
2. Should all schooling prior to college be like college, such that each class lasts only a semester and not an entire year?
3. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of making some major changes in our education system?
Such Changes As: Shorter Classes, Stronger Teaching Staff, Separating Children Upon Their Learning Levels and Not Age
4. What are the primary problems you see with our schools today (grades K through 12)? What changes would you like to see made?

Eric Andrews (9:00)

Today's new generation of students is so much more violent then ever. Why do you think that is?

1. Could it be the enviroment they live in?

2. Maybe they have absent parents who dont pay any attention to them.

3. Maybe they have parents that pay attention, but spoil them with things to show a sign of love.

4. It could be due to gangs.

5. Maybe they're trying to fit in.

6. It might be because of the media and how they portray things

7. Video games and movies might be a strong influences.

Please give me your thoughts on this issue. Thank you.

Nicole Osby (9:00)

War Against Terrorism

The War Against Terrorism How has the war affected our nation? Do you think that after September 11, where some three thousand were killed, that we should have retaliated the way we did with war? Are we making a change over seas? Why do you think so or why not? Here is a link to aid in your comments on the war: http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/WarOnTerror.asp

Elizabeth Moore (9:00)

Do you believe that spanking your children is ok?

Do you believe that spanking your children is ok?

Do you call spanking child abuse?

What do you think is acceptable to discipline your children?

Do you think you'll spank your children/or have spanked your children?

How do you think it affects children emotionally?

Were you spanked as a child and How did that make you feel?

If you were spanked, do you think your parents disciplinary actions were helpful?

Thanks for your input--

Katelyn Watterson (9:00)

Illegal Immigration

Should illegal immigrants be allowed in America?

If you don't have an opinion, then check out these web sites: http://ezinearticles.com/?Should-Illegal-Immigrants-be-Allowed?&id=189646 http://www.immigrationdebate.com/

Steve Gratkins (9:00)

Euthanasia, legal or illegal?

Should physician assisted suicide continue to be illegal? Physician assisted suicide, also known as Euthanasia, is illegal in 49 out of 50 states. This is the procedure where the physician provides a lethal prescription to a terminally ill patient who intends to end their life. Passively, assisted suicide already takes place by patients refusing treatment, which ultimately results in their slow and untimely death.

- Could you be the one to prescribe a fatal dose of drugs?
- Is euthanasia an issue with which the government should even be concerned?
- Should physician assisted suicide be a personal choice based on values, beliefs and religion?

To find more information on this subject, read the following links:
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/euthanasia-voluntary/
http://euthanasia.com/


Please remember, I am asking whether this should be legal or illegal, not whether the issue is morally or ethically right.

Michael Endris (9:00)

Long Distance Relationships

Long distance relationships: Do they work out? Is it harder to trust the other person with them far away? What things does each person need to contribute in order to make things work? Have you ever been in a long distance relationship? What was the hardest thing about it? Is it harder when the distance is really far away (states away instead of cities away)?

Long distance with military people: Is it worth the wait? How do you know the person is faithful?

Thanks for your help! -Christina Dow (9:00)

Presidental Election

Who will be the next president?

Which is more important for this country--a first woman president, or a first African American president? Or do you think we need neither at this point?

Do you believe any of the candidates running for president is trustworthy?

Do we need a democrat or republican in office for the next term?

If you don't care about any of the questions or about the presidential election or politics in general, please try to explain why.

Kathy Allen (9:00)

Why homeschool?

What do you think of home-schooling?

Which do you think is better, home-schooling or public schools? Why do you think so?

Why do you think more parents today are choosing to home-school their children?

Do you think there's any stigma attached to kids who are home-schooled?

Would you home-school your own kids? Why or why not?


Melinda Griffith (9:00)

Can we improve hunting?

What is your opinion on hunting? Are some types of hunting better than others? Is trapping an ethical way of hunting? What animals need more hunting pressure than others? What do anti-hunters dislike about hunting? Are there ways of improving the practice of hunting? How can more people get interested in hunting? This is a good article on hunting and its impact to look at before answering these questions-----http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2007/11/hunters/poole-text.html

wes bierma (9:00)

What drives people to drink?

Is alcoholism mainly genetic or environmental? What do you think are the main causes of alcoholism? Do you think that there are people out there who blame their alcoholism on genetics to make themselves feel better and maybe a little less guilty that they are, in fact, alcoholics? Do you see alcoholism mainly as a disease or condition that happens to someone, and there's little they can do about it, or do you see it as something people bring on themselves through bad judgments?

Thanks for your help!

Lesley Suding (9:00)

All Things Considered, Do You Think Video Games Are Good Or Bad?

Some things to think about:

-Do some games help younger children with brain function and hand-eye coordination?

-What is the effect of video games on teenagers? Do they become more lazy, more violent?

-Can video games aid older adults in keeping both mind and body active?

What other considerations come into play when deciding whether video games do more harm or good in our society?

How many hours a day or week do you spend playing video games on average?

Jeff Ogden (9:00)

What's the biggest social problem in America today?

What's the biggest social problem in America today?

Please tell me . . .

Are you male or Female?
Do you attend church on a regular basis: Yes or No?

Please rank these five problems from 1 to 5 (1 being worst, 5 being the least of a problem):

Obesity
Drunk Driving
Unemployment
Abortion
Racism

If there is a social problem that you think is worse than any of these listed, please name it.

Are steps being taken to beat or deal with the problem you listed as number 1? If so, what are they? Can you think of another way of handling the problem that's not being tried yet?

Thanks!!

Travis Bedwell (12:00)

Kristine's blog on same-sex marriages

Should people of the same sex be allowed to get married? If they get married should they be allowed to adopt children? What are your views about same-sex rights? Do you think same-sex relationships are okay? Why or why not?

Thanks!

Kristine D'Urso (12:00)