Global Warming Controversy

The Global Warming Controversy is a dispute about nature and consequences of global warming. The biggest issue is whether or not humans have anything to do with this increase in global temperature, or if this is something the Earth regularly goes through. What are your views on global warming? Why is global warming a problem? What can we do about global warming? Is it really a problem, or are we just in between ice ages? Earth has always warmed and cooled, so why do scientists think that humans are causing global warming? 

Please visit these sites to get different views on the controversy if  you are unfamiliar with the subject. Thank you.

http://mysite.verizon.net/mhieb/WVFossils/ice_ages.html
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science/global-warming-faq.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming_controversy

Chris Bohnhoff (Noon Class)

Global Poverty

Did you know?

In America: According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 1.2 million children are homeless on any given night. Supporting this figure are estimates from the U.S. Department of Education that report almost 400,000 homeless children were served by the nation's public schools last year. Since more than half of all homeless children are under the age of 6 and not yet in school, a minimum of 800,000 children can be presumed to be homeless.
In other countries: Sub-Saharan Africa is home to some 45 million orphaned children. That’s more than the total number of all children under the age of 18 living in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden combined. Nearly a third of these children have lost their parents to AIDS. AIDS is particularly brutal to children because it often wipes out the entire family network. Since the extended family is typically the only safety net these children have, AIDS orphans are critically vulnerable. Without family members to care for them, these children will almost always end up on the streets – where they face terrible odds for survival. They will eat other peoples garbage, drink water that is dirty and full of disease, and have no safe place to sleep.
Do you think Americans are concerned enough about the problem of poverty?
Are they more concerned with one over the other, and should they be?
Is the government trying to hide poverty that exists in the United States?
Do you feel that the homeless in America are to blame for their condition because at one point in time they had opportunity, whereas in ‘undeveloped’ countries they “were born into their condition” ?
Are those living in poverty in ‘undeveloped’ countries more important to feed than Americans living in poverty?
Since America is the wealthiest country in the world, do you think Americans and non-profit organizations are doing their part in helping this situation? Should they do more or less?
With so many children around the world living in poverty and the holiday shopping season fast approaching, how can we as wealthy Americans be less selfish during this time and do something for these children who would be thankful to just have a meal? How can we learn to be generous? How can we use our abundance for the betterment of others?

Hannah Dodd (9:00)

Euthanasia

How do you feel about mercy killing, otherwise known as Euthanasia? Doctors use this method to kill humans and animals that are otherwise dead to the world, or defective. Do you feel that this form of killing is ethical, or right in any way? In what cases would you approve in using the Euthanasia methods, if any?

Thanks--

Cameron Brown (7:00)

truth about immigration

Is immigration hurting our country, helping it, or having no effect on it at all. How does it make us as a country who represents freedom and democracy look, if we turn our back on the poor and poverty stricken who come here for a chance at a better life for them and their family? Does the phrase on the statue of liberty not say we are a country who welcomes the tired, hungry, and poor? Would you as an American raise your children in a home with only brick walls, no ceiling, no clean water, as bug and roach infested as a place can be, fully equipped with earth floors and no ceiling, because it's what you are born in to, or would you take the first chance you had to get your family somewhere safer and better where they may have opportunities they deserve as humans?

Brett Hall 12:00 pm

Is Abortion Murder?

Abortion has been a highly argumentive subject for many years. While some feel it is acceptable, others argue that it's murder to an innocent life. When is abortion acceptable and when is it not? Or is it acceptible at all?

Thank you for your honest opinion!

-Jill Reinhart (12:00)

Should the legal drinking age be lowered?

Do you think the legal alcohol consumption age of 21 is right or should it be lowered to 18 or 19? Why? Do you think the penalty for drinking underage is too harsh or is it too lenient? Have you ever drank illegaly underage? Why did you do it or why haven't you done it? If so do you really think people that are 18 or 19 can't handle the resposibily of drinking responsibly? Why?

Jimmy Gourdier (noon class)

Death: The Unknown Fear?

How often do you think of dying? After death are you going to heaven or hell? Do you believe in reincarnation? Will being a good person while alive assure you a ticket into heaven after death? Do you believe in HELL? Are there roaming Spirits that refuse to die or don't know they are DEAD? Should there be a fear of death?

Theresa Newman (noon)

Health Care

Do you think America's health care system is as effective as it could be?

--Does it cater to the needs of all?

--How does it compare with the health care systems of other modernized nations?
•Canada?
•Various nations in Europe?
•Various nations in Asia?
•Australia?

--In general, are the majority of American hospitals adequately staffed? (Concerning not only quantity, but also quality)

--In general, are the majority of American hospitals adequately equipped?

--Do you see insurance companies as anything less than "ideal"?

Tristan Cogswell (Noon)

Sexual Assault Crimes and Punishments

Sexual Predators who are put in prison for rape get out after only serving half of their sentence because they are “well-behaved” prisoners and end up repeating the same crime. Should rapists and pedophiles get harsher prison sentences when convicted? If so what type of punishments should they receive? Should the punishment be different if the victim is 20 years or older compared to a baby? Or should the punishment be the same because all rape is wrong no matter the age or sex of the victim? Should a sexual assault attempt result in the same punishment has a conviction in sexual assault?

Nick Hanke Eng 101 noon time

Tasers-Should They Be Allowed?

Should police officers be allowed to use tasers? Why do you think the use of tasers is so controversial? Should civilians be able to use tasers? Why or why not? Do you believe that people need a license in order to use them? What form of taser should be allowed? Why do you think they have different types of tasers?

Liz Doty (12:53pm)

Chief Illiniwek; Icon or Mockery?

Why should the chief be completely banned from association with the University of Illinois? Why would the tribe that totally annialated the tribe that the chief was from be the ones to protest against him? Are we respecting the chief or making a mockery of him? How can these protestors be able to make us forget the chief? Why are we not allowed to purchase chief appearal or celebrate him in parades? How can people speak out to bring the chief back? Is there hope that the chief will one day return and input spirt into our hearts?

Christopher L. Cole (12:00)

Michael Vick's Punishment

Does Michael Vick's punishment seem fair for his crimes? Should the sentence be longer or shorter? Considering his celebrity, should he be given preferential treatment, or be charged as a regular criminal? If you were the judge/jury, how would you have handled the case? What if you were Vick's lawyer--how would you have handled it? If anyone has any input, please don't hesitate to put your two cents in. Thanks.

Jarett Crump (12:00 class)

Check out this link for more info or google michael vick dog fighting..

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2884063

Domestic abuse: more common than you think.

Do you think that domestic violence is a common occurrence? Do you think that you would ever find yourself in an abusive relationship? Are you the kind of person who had always said you would never be in an abusive relationship, and then found yourself in one with no way out? What would you tell your friend if she were in an abusive relationship? Do you think that abuse is a learned behavior from your youth? Is there a lot of abuse in your family?

Kassi Royalty(12:00)

Body Image

Do people place too much emphasis on the way they look?
Are society's expectations too high?
Are the stars of today a good representation of what we should model ourselves after?
Do you feel the media is to blame-showing advertisements or commercials of thin models and built celebrities?
Should there be more supportive websites to encourage healthy body image?
Are there too many commercials and advertisments on weight loss programs and workout pills?
Who placed the so called requirements of what size is the perfect body image?
What do you think is the ideal body image? Why?
Why do people feel so self conscious about their bodies?
Are men not considered masculine if they are not built and are women not feminine if they are not thin?

Zach Burnett (12:00)

Materialism

Do you believe that money can't buy happiness? Do you think that America is too materialistic? Do you think that people judge others on what materialistic possessions they have? Do you shop to make yourself happy? What do you think about poorer countries? Do you think that they are happier? Why do you think that poor kids in Africa are happy? Would you rather be poor or rich? What if you had to choose to be rich and miserable or poor and happy? Why?

Dani (12 o'clock)

Sports Back Then vs Sports Today

Sports Today vs Sports Back Then. Are sports today exciting as they were back in the 90's? If not, which ones? Did the athletes care about the game more back then? I personally think athletes back then played for the game, not endorsement deals and money. Sure everybody wants money, but the athletes today just seem like they only care about that, and themselves. Some sports today just aren't as fun t0 watch anymore. Why though? Is it because they all want fame? Advertising? Think about some of the athletes in the 90's, tons of them were and still are recognized as the greatest athletes of our time. Michael Jordan, John Elway, Barry Sanders, Deon Sanders, Jerry Rice, Karl Malone, Reggie Miller, Shawn Kemp, Wayne Gretzky, John Daley, and so much more. What do you think? Were sports back then more exciting than sports today?

Trevor Kohlrus (12:00)

Under God?

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled that the pledge's reference to one nation "under God" violates school children's right to be "free from a coercive requirement to affirm God."

Should "under god" be taken out of the pledge of Allegience?

why or why not?

Should students be allowed to sit while the pledge is being said in class?

Please explain why you feel this way. For more information, see this site:
http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfc_pledge.html

Lindsay Brooks (noon)

Discrimination?

Is discrimination a problem in our society? Why or why not?
Have you ever discriminated against someone for how they look?
Why do you think people make these judgments?
Do you think anyone discriminates or labels you? What do they say about you?
How do you decide on how to label someone?
Do you tend to label for more positive or negative reasons?
What makes a label positive or negative?
How do you think these people would feel if they knew what you labeled them?
How many of these labels do you think are just/true?

Rachel Edwards (Noon Class)

same sex partnership

should people of the same sex be allowed to get married?

Should they be allowed to adopt children?

What are your views in general about same sex partnership?

Do you think it is ok? Why or why not.

April Higgens Eng 101-9am

Tattoos -- Agree or Disagree?

Are you aware that 36% of 18 to 25 year olds have tattoos and 40% of 26 to 40 years olds have some as well. Today tattoos are common although some still disagree with them. What are your thoughts on tattoos? Do you have any tattoos? Why did you get a tattoo? Or have you ever considered getting one? What changed your mind? Do you think there is a certain sterotype if you place the tattoo on a certain part of the body i.e tramp stamp? If you disgree with tattoos, why? Do you judge individuals with tattoos?

Thanks, Kristin Knowles (9:00)