Equal Opportunities for Special Needs Students

All students deserve an opportunity to get a good education. In most of today’s public schools special needs students are separated from the general student body. The point of this is to give them a more individualized learning plan and more one-on-one help, but some people think that separating them from the general student body is just going to make it harder on them in the real world. Do you think that they should be separated or more incorporated into classes with other students? What are some ways for them to be socialized with the other students while still getting the education and help that they need?

Allison P (11:00)

Big Bang or Creationism?

Ever since the first human came to be on planet earth, we have been asking questions and trying to find answers to everything. One question still remains unanswered: how did we come into existence? Was there a big explosion or “Big Bang” that started it all, or were we created by a higher power. If we were created, did He just create us or did He create the entire universe, too?
Is there any concrete proof to support either idea? Or will this question continue to go on unanswered?

Alex Kocher (11:00)

Standard Achievement Tests

In the United States, beginning in third grade, students are required by law to take standardized tests. Tests such as Illinois Standard Achievement Tests and the ACT ask multiple-choice questions where only one answer is correct. Is this form of evaluation testing memorization and good test taking skills or actual knowledge that the student has gained from the school? Are teachers being forced to teach only what the state says is important?

Students who speak other languages such as Spanish are also forced to take the standardized tests in English. Students coming from households where English is not the spoken language do not begin learning English until third grade, the same year they must start taking the ISAT or some other test. Schools are funded based on how well their students perform, but if the students in the school do not read English well enough to be able to read the questions, how can they possibly be successful at taking the tests? Since the students cannot even read the test questions, why should they even attempt to answer the questions? Should the tests be offered in other languages? Is there another way that student progress could be monitored other than taking standard achievement tests? Do you think these tests really measure academic achievement? What comments do you have about standardized testing in general?

Morgan R. (11:00)

Long-Distance Relationship

How long can you be faithful to someone until you get to see him/her again?

Would you rather have a long distance relationship or a relationship where you see/spend time with that person every day?

Do you believe your love will last during a long-distance relationship?

What do you think are the biggest obstacles to overcome for an established couple entering a long-distance relationship?

Should a new couple ever try a long-distance relationship?

Thanks for your help!

Samantha E. (11:00)

Should Welfare Recipients Get Drug Tested?

Should people who receive government welfare be drug tested? Do you think people who receive government aid should be spending money on necessities rather than drugs? or is it their choice what they spend their money on? but is it their money? Is it the taxpayer's money? Is it constitutional to drug test them? Do you think this is a big issue in today's government spending? Do you think the amount of people on welfare would decline if drug testing was implemented?

-Brett Scott (11:00)

How much do we help?

Does it benefit the United States to continue to take the lead in international affairs? In your opinion, why does the U.S. often take the initiative when we perceive or learn of a problem another country is having? Eldridge (11:00)

Healthy lunches?

Should schools get rid of unhealthy food and start serving healthier foods to their students? Would students get better grades if they were to have healthier lunches?

Here are some recent findings:

Most students who eat school lunch tend to weigh more than those who bring lunch from home.

Schools don’t give a wide variety of fruits or vegetables to students.

Schools put greasy food out where the students can see it but they hide the fruits and vegetables so the students are more likely to grab the bad food.<

It’s the same as eating breakfast, if you eat breakfast before school you tend to be more awake and be able to pay more attention. If you eat something healthy or something somewhat nutritious then you have a better chance of being more awake after lunch and will be able to listen in class.

So, what do you think--are unhealthy lunches in schools a problem that needs to be addressed? What was your experience with school lunches?

Hillary Moore (11:00)

Animal Testing--right or wrong?

There has been great controversy on whether animals should be used for cosmetic and scientific research and testing. Some people say yes because they say there is no other way to test these products to see if it is safe for human use; others say no because the animals have rights and that scientists need to find an alternative ways to conduct their experiments. So who's right? Should animals be used for testing? Or should scientists work harder on finding other alternatives? Please explain your reasons for your views.

~Lauren (11:00)

Drink legally at 18?

Do you think the legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 years of age? Do you think kids of 18 can handle themselves? Should they be able to attend bars? Should DUI be more strict? Will the liver at 18 years old be mature and able to handle the alcohol? If you are allowed to buy tobacco and can legally have sex and can vote in elections and can get drafted to help protect our country, should you also be able to drink legally at age 18?

Landon Weitekamp (11:00)

Pay college athletes?

Should NCAA players be paid to play? Should it be for all sports in NCAA? If no, for what sports should athletes be paid, and why?
Will there be a limit to how much a player can make? Can division II and III schools pay their players too?
Do the players deserve money? If so, why? Will players still take advantage of the system if they don’t get paid? Do you think a scholarship is enough for players already? Where will the money come from? Will teams still be fair, or will the teams with more money dominate?

There have already been many cases of college athletes taking bribes and cheating for eligibility; is it time we made the change to pay our athletes in college to avoid these problems or will the problems get worse?

Jake Rone (11:00)

War on Terror

Do you find the war on terror in the Middle East to be necessary? After the many years that have passed since 9/11 do you think that we are causing more harm to these people? Why do you feel we have stayed and sent so many soldiers over to complete this task? Do you feel that our country is wasting young lives and wasting money by being involved in their affairs?

Darci (11:00)

Marijuana--Legalize it, or not ?

Marijuana--Should it be legalized? Most people have their own opinions to everything, of course, but is marijuana as bad as some say it is? Why is marijuana illegal in some states, but about 10 other states have passed state for it to be legal? Some say marijuana is helpful for some medical conditions and to reduce stress, among other benefits . . . what's your opinion? Would legalizing marijuana be harmful or helpful to our society? Would it stop drug wars? Could marijuana be a cure for some conditions? What are the disadvantages of legalization?

Shannon Adams (11:00)

unadopted orphans . . .

What if you didn't have a family? Where would you be? Who would you love? Who would you laugh and cry with? Can you imagine being an unwanted orphan who was never adopted by a family but just passed from one foster family to the next? ? Some people can relate to this, but others can't imagine a life without a family, no matter how dysfunctional the family might be. Some people pay attention to how many orphans there are in the world, but I feel that when the number is in the millions, it's way too many.

Do you have any experience with orphans?

If you were an unadopted orphan, how would you go about finding happiness? If you never found a family, could you accept other children in the same situation as your friends and family? That is, could you create a nontraditional family of your own made up of people who had similar circumstances to your own but were not blood relatives? What does it mean to be a "family" anyway, in your opinion?

Chylisa Holmes (11:00)

Oil Depletion

Why are oil prices on a constant rise? Do you think the high cost of gas today reflects a shortage of fossil fuel resources at a global level? If so, what are some influences causing oil depletion? Where should we start looking for other resources besides oil? Should the United States continue drilling in Alaska? How about in the gulf? What effect did the recent oil spill have on oil depletion? What can people do to better conserve oil in America?

Josh Witt (11:00)

Success

How do you define success? What does it take for you to accomplish it? Who do you feel are successful? Who helps you reach your success in life? When you hear someone say "he's a very successful man," what do you picture, or what does that make you think of? When you hear someone say, "she's a very successful woman," what do you picture, or what does that make you think of?

Thanks for your help!

Tavaruss (11:00)

Felons and the Job Market

Do you think it is discriminatory against felons to not give them a job if their criminal background has nothing to do with the job they are applying for? For instance, a felon is applying to work as a cook in the dietary department of a nursing home, and they have many years experience in food service and are well qualified for the position, but are turned down for the job because of their record. However, their criminal background has nothing to do with abuse, whether it be sexual abuse, battery, assault, or even elderly abuse, should they still be denied employment?

Prisons are overcrowded with many people who once they get released to begin with, they end up getting sent back to prison because they can't obtain employment, are pretty much shunned by society, and then have to turn to selling drugs or prostitution just to get by to make their bills. Sure, they did their crime and they have done their time, so why do they have to continue to be punished by society and employers even after they have paid their debt to society? Do you think it is discriminatory to these people who are well qualified, but get turned down because of mistakes they have made? Shouldn't it depend on what the convictions are on whether they can work in a certain field or not?

Obviously a person who is convicted of robbery or some sort of theft shouldn't be able to work in a bank, but shouldn't that person be able to work as a food service employee in a nursing home, or maybe be a factory worker who works in quality control? The job market these days is bad enough for people who have clean records, but shouldn't felons have the same chances to better their lives and become a better person and be able to pay their bills and not have to turn to committing crimes again just to eke their way through life, constantly looking over their shoulder for fear of going back to prison because they are turned away from so many employers?

Melinda (11:00)

Concealed Carry in Illinois

Should Illinois pass a law that allows trained and registered citizens in the state to carry a concealed firearm? Would carrying a concealed firearm prevent crimes? If so, what type of regulations and permitting processes should be put into place to control who carries and who does not?

Every state in the United States except for Wisconsin and Illinois have some type of concealed carry law in place. Most of the states require a class, a certain level of accuracy, age limits, background checks, and fingerprinting. Statistics say that once concealed carry laws were put into effect, violent crime rates have gone down substantially.

Clayton B. (11:00)

NBA Draft Regulations

Why do you think the NBA draft regulations were changed so that high school athletes must participate in at least one year of college before entering the professional draft?

Since 2005, the NBA has changed the minimum age for players from 18 to 19. Athletes like Sebastian Telfair and Lebron James (shown in photo) have both made successful careers in the league after being drafted straight from high school. Being so young and energetic, they have created an intensity in the league that might have been absent without them.

By today's rules, players like Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose must commit themselves to a single year of college before entering the draft. Do you think forcing these players to wait to profit from their talents benefits them in the long run? Why is going to college such a big deal, when these men are gifted with a skill that they intend to make a shot at a career with? When you stop to think about it, both these players (Telfair & James) have shoe contracts with brands like Nike and Adidas. They are young and in the public eye already, so is delaying them on their road to stardom a mistake? The implementing of these new (2005) rules is making it harder for talented athletes who are in the same position to make a career with their talents.

So, what do you think--is the rule forcing basketball players to play at least one year of college a fair rule? Is the rule beneficial and fair for everyone--the players, the universities, and the NBA? Or is the rule not beneficial and not fair to players?

Tyler Ribbe (11:00)

Death Penality

Illinois abolished the death penalty March 9, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn signed the bill and said doing so was "the most difficult decision" that he had ever made as governor, but he felt "it was the right step forward for Illinois."

Quinn also commuted the sentence of all 15 inmates on death row, and now they will serve a life sentence instead of the death row punishment.

My question to you is how does this make you feel about the decision of the Illinois law makers and Governor Pat Quinn? Also, how do you feel about the death penalty in general? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a state having the death penalty?

Tyler Farmer (11:00)

Is abortion ever okay?

Is choosing to have an abortion ever the right thing to do morally? Is choosing to abort your baby ever morally okay? Or do you think abortion is always morally wrong?

What if conception of an embryo was caused by rape or incest? What if the mother cannot emotionally care for an infant? What if having the child puts other children in the home at a higher risk--less money for food to eat, clothes to wear, shelter, or medical attention? What if adoption can't guarantee a loving home? Is abortion an okay choice in any of these cases?


Peggy B. (1:00)

marijuana--should it be legal?

What do you think is the real reason our country will not legalize marijuana? Studies have shown that more people use marijuana than any other substance and that sellers make more profits from selling marijuana than from any other drug. Many people argue that marijuana is a plant that can help or even cure diseases and that marijuana is a relatively safe drug. Many studies suggest that smoking cigarettes is worse for you than smoking marijuana. So, what do you think--why hasn't marijuana been legalized by now? What are the advantages and disadvantages to legalizing marijuana?

Dea'Shanay (1:00)

Are You Thirsty?

The FDA has once again turned its eyes toward one of America's addictions--this time it's energy drinks. Though the ban has yet to be in effect, the process is in motion right now. The ban would target energy drinks that have more than 80 milligrams of caffeine, which is equivalent to a cup of coffee. Anything more than that and you must be over the age of 19 to purchase it. A popular drink called Four Lokos has been blamed for the cause of deaths in the state of Florida. Three states have banned the energy drink from its stores so far. One FDA official says," The concept is the same thing as for smoking. Why put foreign contents in your body?" Should energy drinks be banned? If not, should there be a certain age limit on them?

Rocky V. (1:00)

Do you think women degrade themselves by being in music videos?

Music Videos . . . Do you think men are degrading women in their music videos, or are women degrading themselves? Do you think the issue of degrading women (or men) in music videos is not a big issue or problem? Why or why not? Are the women in these music videos influencing young women in today's society? If so, how?

Slim (1:00)

Community colleges or universities?

With universities regularly raising tuition, community colleges are becoming more and more popular as less expensive alternatives to major universities. Do you think community colleges like Parkland are going to become the "new" universities? Are universities like the University of Illinois, which just approved a tuition increase (for the second year in a row), pricing themselves out of reach of many students' budgets? Do you think potential employers will start to look at Associates degrees closer than they ever have before?

Jared (1:00)

Serious Relationships At A Young Age

Do you think it's healthy for teenagers to consider themselves in a serious relationship? At that age do you think either the boy or girl is ready for what serious relationships bring: babies, serious commitment, and marriage?

When you're in a serious relationship, do you think you tend to make choices considering what is best for the relationship instead of what's best for you? Should teens be doing that--putting the priorities of a relationship before the prioroties of what's best for them as individuals?

Do you think the biggest regrets people have are from their teenage years? Do you think teens sometimes waste a lot of time and energy on something that wasn't meant to last?

Stephanie Odom (1:00)

How can we tell what's right or wrong?

As you know, the world is widely different, made up of individuals with their own tastes and styles. Different regions of the world have different lifestyles and behaviors based on the beliefs and systems valued in their culture. People in one culture are often raised to have different values from those raised in other cultures. What we in our culture see as normal might be seen as stupid or inhumane by people in other cultures. Sometimes individuals within one culture even pick fights with individuals in other cultures to try to force them to see things as they see them. How can we call ourselves civilized human beings when we turn on each other and even kill each other over cultural disagreements? Why can't people get along with others despite their differences? Who is to say who is right or wrong when entire cultures are in conflict with other cultures? If no one is right and no one is wrong, why do people kill each other over their disagreements?

Daniel (1:00)

Alcohol vs. Smoking? Jail time for weed possession?

Alcohol vs. Marijuana

Why do you think that the government thinks it is okay to drink alcohol but it isn't okay to smoke marijuana?

Every year 85,000 people die from being intoxicated with alcohol, but there has not been one known cause of death due to marijuana, why is that?

Why is alcohol legal when it kills people every year, and impairs your abilities to where you can no longer function?

Do you think that things would be a lot different if marijuana was legalized?

In the year 2006 they arrested 829,625 people for marijuana. Do you think they should have to go to jail for just possessing marijuana when more serious crimes like rape and sexual assault should be taken more seriously?

-Nikki (1:00)

Abortion . . . who makes the decision?

WHO SHOULD MAKE THE DECISION TO HAVE AN ABORTION, JUST THE WOMAN OR BOTH PARENTS? WHO SHOULD PAY FOR IT?

IN WHAT CASES IS IT OKAY FOR A WOMAN TO DECIDE ON HER OWN TO HAVE AN ABORTION? IN WHAT CASES IS IT OKAY FOR THE WOMAN TO NOT EVEN INFORM THE FATHER OF HER DECISION TO HAVE AN ABORTION?

JaTaun (1:00)

SPRING 2011 STUDENTS: STOP HERE! EVERYTHING BELOW THIS IS OLD.

stop here! don't answer any questions below this!

--john 3/16/11

Teen Pregnancy

Why do many teens today think it's okay to have babies at a young age, such as 16 or 17? Is this a big problem in our society? How long do you think teenagers should wait to have kids?

For more information, please visit this site.

http://www.mainstreetmom.com/par_babes_have_babes.htm

Thanks.

Darrian Carter (noon)

Black Women . . .

Do you think black women are degraded and stereoptyped by negative statistics?
Examples:
Most black women are loud and ghetto.
Most black women need welfare.
Most black women drop out of school and have kids too early.

Do you think it's fair that just about every African American woman other than Oprah and Michelle Obama are grouped together and stereotyped negatively?

Do you think it's fair that a black woman can't run a company or become CEO unless the company is black owned? "A black woman has zero chance of rising up through the ranks to the top of a white company no matter how hard she works or intelligent she is."

Do you agree with this statement?

If you view this issue as a problem in our society, can you think of any way to solve it?

Thanks for your thoughts on this!

Martina Harvey (noon)

Stars or the real world

Is it right that every time we turn on the television six channels are reporting Lindsey Lohan going to jail but the soldiers who die overseas go unnoticed by the general population? Why is it that American society is so obsessed with what their favorite celebrity is doing instead of what's happening in the world? Do you see this as a problem?

Dylan Yeazel (noon)

Is steroids cheating?

When most people think of steroids they think it is down right discussing. They think people take steroids and they magically become sports god, a sports god that cheated. Well the thing is steroids doesn't make you connect with a baseball nor does it make you drain a three pointer. It does make you stronger and lets you have more endurance. But lets say you take a batter on steroids and place him against a pitcher on steroids now doesn't that even the playing field. Also say every professional athlete in every sport was on steroids, think of how barbaric sports would be, and how competitive people would be trying to break unbreakable records. Would it not make golf even interesting to watch, heck it may even make figure skating interesting, but lets not push it. If an athlete wants to help better there carrier, they take steroids to help them. By them doing that they know the effects it has on there body and the consequences they will have to deal with if they get caught on them. So should steroids be aloud in professional sports? Would it make sports more interesting?

Micah Pope (noon)

Media Consumption

Facebooking. Twittering. We all do it. But how much time are we spending on online chatting, txting, computer games, TV, and Xbox? Every waking minute--and now, even in school and at work.Today in America, kids and teens between the ages of 8 and 18 spend roughly seven and a half hours a day consuming media. Do we always turn to media as a way of spending our free time? Is this healthy? Are the parents to blame? Should they be doing more constructive things with their time? Many kids growing up have a decreased vocabulary and social skills as a result of over consumption of everyday media. What ever happened to reading and writing? How much time do you spend consuming the media, and how do you think it affects you?

Charlotte Brannon (8:00)

Long-distance loving?

Can a long distance relationship work?

What do you think are the potential drawbacks of having a long-distace relationship? Are there any positives about them--are they in some ways better than relationships where you see the person every day, or several times a week? Do you know of any long-distance relationships tha have worked? Have you ever been in one yourself?

Curtina (8:00)

Is It Fair????

So, you were brought to a different country when you were just a child; you learned the language, the culture, the way of being. You grow up feeling like you are from that country, respecting and following the laws like most other citizens should. You also have these god-given abilities in that you out-perform most people in athletics and in the class room.

When you get an offer for a scholarship, like any young person you take it with dreams of giving yourself a great life. At the climax of your excitement, the school calls you and tells you that because you are not born in the country you reside in, they are taking the scholarship from you.

Is it fair for them to take the scholarship from you? You work as hard as anyone else and out- perform most people, and you did not cheat. Why are they allowed to take the scholarship back?Because of politics? It was not your choice to be brought to this country, so is it fair that you must pay a penalty?

Aaron Vega (8:00)

Is fast food really worth it?

How many times a week do you eat fast food? These days, more children under the age of 10 can identify any fast food character before they can identify any historical figure. Most adults are setting their kids up for health issues by taking them to fast food restaurants a couple times a week. Children get addicted to the sugar, caffiene, fat, and salt used in the food products. The more fast food you eat, the more weight you will gain. So, are your children gaining weight because of the food you are feeding them? As the children grow older, they will still be addicted to the products used in the so called "food." They will also more than likely develop health problems like heart disease or obesity, both of which can lead to a death from heart attacks.

What are your views on this? Do you think most (some) people eat way too much fast food? How often do you yourself eat at McDonalds, Burger King, KFC or other fast-food chains? More than 3x a week? More than 5x a week? Never?

Finally, do you have any idea which fast-food chains are the least healthy and which the most most healthy?

Macy Shupe (8:00)

Should Truckers have their own Lane?

We all hate that moment when we have to get past the long, scary semi that takes up all of its lane and sometimes more . . . well, what if us little cars and trucks had an extra lane to get past without having to get run off the road or worse?

I know that some interstates (near big cities) have lanes designated for cars and small trucks only, so why not expand on this idea and make most interstates much more safe for driving?

This idea might sound silly or unrealistic to some, mainly because we spend so much on the interstates already, but what if this extra lane saved lots of lives? What if we could reduce that 4% of truck-driving related accidents that lead to deaths just by adding another lane on all interstates?

I chose this question because I travel.. A LOT.. and it's scary when I'm trying to get past a semi and they start to come over in my lane. Or when it's pouring down rain in the dark, and it's really windy, and driving is already super dangerous--do we really need 18-wheelers blowing by us at 70 mph to make conditions even more hazardous?

Your thoughts on this? Thanks!

Alex Segobiano :)

HYPNOSIS

Have you ever been hypnotized? Do you believe in it? Do you think hypnosis can be a reputable form of therapy? Can it be used more throughout the world to help people get over their addictions to food, smoking ,and all the many fears people are faced with today?

Jessica Ervin (8:00)

Should you be judged by the clothes you wear?

Should you be judged by the clothes you wear? It happens daily. Say if you're going into a public place and you're wearing baggy clothes, people tend to look at you differently, don't they? Or you could be wearing all nice clothes, but you got a hat or something like that--people are still judging you, regardless, don't you think?

I don't understand why it goes on so much, but it does. Probably more than we even think. Who knows--even your closest friends could judge you, say, if you change your clothing style or something like that.

So, is this a problem? Should people be judged by how they dress? Isn't this a free society where people are at liberty to dress as they wish without being judged or discriminated against? If you think this is true, where do you draw the line? What if someone dressed in swastikas and other Nazi garb? Is that okay, or no? What if girls choose to dress in very short shorts and and low-cut shirts? Should they be judged for that? How about if someone insists on wearing the same clothes every day of the year without ever washing them? That okay, or should it be?

Thanks for your help.


Kevin Hays (noon)

Dealing with Your EX . . .

Why do some people still deal with their ex's? (calling them, having sex with them, spending time with them). In what way is an ex an ex if you are still sleeping with him/her? How do you keep an ex from affecting your current relationship?

How do you get over an ex? Do you try to stay friends with your ex? If so, what goes along with that friendship?

Tavaruss Townsend (Noon)

punishment or child abuse?

Some people think it's alright to hit their child any kind of way to discipline them. Others say that there are a lot of disciplinary actions that you can do to let a child know that what they did was wrong. After disciplining them, you can tell them why they were wrong and why you chose the disciplinary action that you did and tell them what will happen to them if they do it again.

So do you think that punishing children by spanking them is all right? Is it okay to use a belt? When does discipline cross the line and become child abuse? How do you plan to discipline your children?

Sierra (noon)

DUI

The term DUI makes me think of the end of the line. I would think that it is very hard to get around to your job and friends after getting a DUI. If you do get one, I know you cannot have a CDL license or a Foid card, which for me would be really horrible because I am a hunter (a Foid card is like your license for a gun), and I do want to be able to drive a semi and have a CDL.

So what I am asking is when you hear the term DUI, what does it make you think of? How inconvenient would it be for you to get a DUI? Why do you think people risk getting a DUI by driving drunk even when they know the penalties awaiting them if the are caught?

Are you aware what the penalties are exactly for getting a DUI?

Tyler Farmer (noon)

Is too much alcohol taken seriously enough?

I was once a very heavy drinker and a heavy smoker. I have also used chewing tobacco regularly in the past, so I know the effects of both alcohol and nicotine and I am well aware of all of the risks associated with both of them. It annoys me that there are all of these smear campaigns for tobacco (especially cigarettes), yet alcohol is glorified in our culture. All of the ads for alcohol depict people having a good time at parties, or tailgating, hunting, or say that "he is the most interesting man in the world" and completely ignore the dangers of drinking. Sure, they say that one should drink responsibly, but there really aren't any disclaimers about the dangers of drinking, even if it is in moderation. My point is that tobacco users, for the most part, are only harming themselves, while drunkards put the everyone's lives at risk when they decide to drive, operate machinery, or show up to work drunk or hung over. I also believe that DUI laws and punishments should be harsher. Alcohol related accidents are a leading cause of death in America and around the world, yet it is glorified and treated as a social norm. I believe that alcohol should be taxed just as much as, if not more than, tobacco because it is just as dangerous. Do you agree or disagree? Please explain you reasoning.

Kevin Farnum (8:00)

Can we really go green as a country?

First, for info that might be helpful before answering my question, check this site:

http://home.wanadoo.nl/f.j.doorman/07Env.htm

Now my question . . .

Can America afford to go green? Americans are driven to buy new appliances, heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators that are energy efficient in an effort to save energy, gas, and natural resources. E-85 fuel-efficient vehicles, hybrid cars, and hybrid luxury SUVs are part of the new craze in buying efficient cars. As part of the stimulus package of 2010, citizens were offered tax breaks on buying new appliances that are energy efficient to reduce our dependency on foreign oil and energy suppliers. My question is: Is this a good idea for the economy? For our ecology? For both?

What do you see as the main benefits to going green? What will happen if many companies and individuals stubbornly refuse to get on board with the green movement? Do you think the world's governments need to play larger roles in establishing and enforcing regulations on factors that affect the environmment? For instance, in 2007 (the latest data available), the U.S. and China were responsible for 42% of all the world's greenhouse emissions. Third and fourth on the list are India and Russia, who emit only 5% each. Does this mean the U.S and Chinese governments must crack down harder on companies responsible for emissions harmful to the earth's environment?

Jesse Hill (8:00)

schools need to be concerned about their students

Everday teens are being bullied by their classmates at school and no one even tries to help them. They just stand there and watch them get beat up in the hall ways; they don't think to go to the principal or a teacher. Some students don't realize that bullying can hurt people, not only physically but emotionally too. Sometimes bullying can cause suicide if it gets too extreme. Bullies don't only hurt others in school but they also hurt them outside of school too.

Teachers and other school staff need to be more observant about the students.

Should schools be more concerned about their students being bullied? What do you think can be done about bullying in schools? Were you ever bullied, or were you ever a bully, in school? What do you think causes bullying in most cases?

Hillary Moore (noon)

biggest lesson learned?

If you die today, what will be the biggest lesson that you have learned? I often hear people--my mom, mainly--talk about the world ending in the year 2012. If that really does happen (and I know it probably won't!), on your dying day which lesson in your life would you call the most valuable, and why?

Another way to ask this question is, on your death bed, if you have one piece of advice to pass on to your children, what would it be?

Thanks!

Demario Jordan

Driving while distracted. (DWD)

With cell phones becoming more and more popular, driving is becoming more and more dangrous. 25% of all car accidents are caused by talking on the cell phone. A cell phone can be more dangrous than drunk driving. 4 out of every 5 accidents (80%) are attributed to distracted drivers. In contrast, drunk drivers account for roughly 1 out of 3 (33%) of all accidents nationally. Texting while driving is about 6 times more likely to result in an accident than driving while intoxicated.

Teens and cell phones.

Despite the risks, the majority of teen drivers ignore cell phone driving restrictions. Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver's reaction time as slow as that of a 70-year-old. 56% of teenagers admit to talking on their cell phones behind the wheel, while 13% admit to texting while driving. Each year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of cell phone usage. This result has been expected to grow as much as 4% every year.



Do you use cell phones while you are driving?

Do you think cell phones cause a risk in a car?



Scotty Johnson (noon)

Does music make you smarter?

Please check out this link before you answer:
http://aaapianosvc.com/MusicMakesOneSmarter.aspx

Are students who play a musical instrument smarter than the average student? Do you think that playing an instrument when you are young makes you more capable of doing well in school? Why or why not?

Thanks!

Melissa (noon)

STOP HERE!

FALL 2010 students. Don't answer any questions below Melissa's music question. All of these below this are old ones!

--JOHN