Marijuana Legalized?

Many people, mostly those of the older generation, are completely against legalizing marijuana for any reason, but why? It's known to be safer than Alcohol and Cigarettes, and doesn't pose any sort of danger or risk, but is still illegal in most of the U.S.A. The fact that it is labeled as a "drug" is enough to scare many people into outlawing it, but Alcohol and even Caffeine are some lesser known "drugs." Would making Marijuana legal be enough to pull America out of it's recession like many people say? Or would it truly cause more problems that it solves?

Would you be for or against legalizing Marijuana, and why?

Jan Johnson

To spank or not to spank a child?

Do you think that there should be some kind of disciplinary action in the school system like there was in the older days? Is it ok for children to come to class and be rude and violent towards the teacher? Do you think that the disciplinary actions that are in effect in today's school systems are resulting in positive feedback from a disobedient child? What are some effective ways to discipline a child without it being considered child abuse?

Makeisha Riley

Should There Be an Age Limit on Social Networks?

Did you know that 43% of online sexual solicitors were identified as being adolescents (under 18), 30% were adults between the ages of 18 and 21, and 9% were adults over the age of 21. That means that almost half of the sexual solicitors could be taken off the internet if there was a mandatory age limit for social networking. What do you think? Should there be a mandatory age limit on social networking web pages such as facebook, twitter, and myspace? Are you involved in social networking yourself? Would you like social networking pages more or less if there was an age limit involved? Social networking can often be important for real world issues, such as elections. In 2008, President Obama had almost 3 times as many followers as McCain on facebook and myspace. Do you think this played a role in the elections?

So what do you think? Would you be alright with having to verify your age to show that you are allowed on social networking web sites? Or would you rather have everyone, regardless of age, be allowed on these web sites?

Jake Bock

Should bully breeds be banned?

In the 1950s, bully breeds were America's dogs, but today "dangerous dog" laws and breed restrictions are in place in many states and counties.

What do you think is a dangerous dog? What kind of dogs do you think fall under the breed restrictions? Why do you think so?

The ASPCA's position is to oppose any state or local law to regulate or ban dogs based on breed. Do you agree or disagree with the ASPCA? Why or why not? The ASPCA favors effective enforcement of breed neutral laws that include, enhanced enforcement of dog license laws--making sure dogs are properly licensed in each county within a specified amount of time, enhanced enforcement of leash/dog-at-large laws, focus on the behaviors of owners and dogs--obedience training, muzzling, supervision and etc, laws that hold owners financially and criminally liable for failure to follow animal control laws and laws that prohibit chaining or tethering.

Do you think that imposing these laws would decrease the fear of the bully breed? Why or why not? Do you think if these laws were imposed in our state it would make bully breed owners more responsible? Why or why not? Do you think insurance companies should be allowed to deny homeowners insurance to people who own a dog from the bully breed category? Why or why not? You can find information on the ASPCA positions and policies at the following link;

http://www.aspca.org/about-us/policy-positions/

Policies on Dangerous Dogs

Thanks for your thoughts!

Amber

Motor cycle safety

Do you think that everyone who rides a motorcycle should have to go through a safety course and be limited to the size of motorcycle they ride until they are able to test into the size of motorcycle and classification they want to ride? Do you think the helmet law should be passed in Illinois?

Kevin Hall

Illinois Smoking Ban in Bars

Do you think the smoking ban in bars in the state of Illinois should be lifted? Why or why not? Do you feel this law violates or infringes on the rights of people one way or the other? Do you feel this law has helped or hurt the bar business?


Buddy Carpenter

The Earth is Our Responsibility

For over two hundred years now, especially since the industrial revolution, mankind has contributed to the pollution of the earth. This mass pollution has devastated our water ways and other natural resources. We are dependent upon oil, and we have a need for alternative energy sources, which will enable us to shift our uses of energy to cleaner more renewable sources of energy.

What do you feel can be done in order to clean up the earth, and do you feel that mankind and all nations have a responsibility to invest in cleaning up the earth? Do you think this should be a priority, and should the largest nations do more than smaller ones?

How do you think an effort to clean up the earth, and step up the use of alternative energy sources would affect the job market?

You may feel that we can just go on with the level of concern and effort to clean up the earth that we presently have. If so, speak on it.

Khattab

SUMMER STUDENTS--STOP HERE

DON'T ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS BELOW THIS. THEY ARE OLD ONES. THANKS!

JOHN

Tattoos & Piercings

What do you think about tattoos and piercings? Would you ever get a tattoo or a piercing? Why or why not? Which one do you prefer and why? Are there any benefits to getting tattoos?

Some people say decorating your body disobeys the word of God . . . any comments on that?

Do you judge people by their tattoos or piercings? If you don't like them, would you not date someone who has them?

Jenny (11:00)

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)