Friday, December 11, 2009

Current Event Discussion


Today, we are going to discuss current events through the History Book. Sometimes the in-class discussion becomes a discussion between just a few students. Now, though, everybody has a chance to offer their opinion on the issues being discussed. (and you don't even have to raise your hand!) When an issue is brought up by either myself or a classmate, think about it, form an opinion. A big part of developing as a student and a life-long learner is the ability to think and form your own opinions, then sharing them with others and listening to others' opinions and responding. Don't just say "I don't care about that." That may be true of certain topics, BUT, pretend you do care about it--what do you think?
This disucssion will be carried on in much the same way as our earlier discussion on the biggest challenge facing American Post-revolution. When the issue/topic is posted, think about it and form your own opionion and post it with a comment. We will all be discussing the same issue. Once that issue is done, we will all move onto the next issue on my signal. That way, we aren't discussing 5 things at once and getting confused. As was the case last time, when responding to someone, start your comment off with that student's name so they know you are talking to them. This is not the time to goof off and just try to be funny. Take it seriously. How you handle yourself and conduct yourself in an activity such as this says a lot about the person you are. Think about it.
Good Luck and let the discussion Begin....

First Topic: Mr. Klumper
Second Topic: Mr. Klumper
Third Topic: Mr. Klumper
Fourth Topic and beyond: Students

140 comments:

Mr. Klumper said...

In the state of Indiana, paddling students is still allowed in public schools. The paddle is basically a short canoe oar, typically with holes drilled in the paddle part of to allow the teacher to swing it faster. so, the question is, what do you think about paddling in schools? For it? Against it? Why or why not?

Desiree said...

There are other ways to punish kids, there is no reason to physicly abuse them like this.

Ryan R. said...

abuse is illigal right so why would beating a kid with a stick in school be ok?

Taylor M. said...

I think that this is wrong and it should not be done. It is abuse so it is against the law.

Courtney H said...

I think that it is bad and no one should do this at school or in general

Jena D :) said...

I am definantly against this. Not only in schools, but i don't think like parents should do it to their children either. Even though people still do it, I think they should not be allowed to and it is wrong.

Jena D :) said...

I am definantly against this. Not only in schools, but i don't think like parents should do it to their children either. Even though people still do it, I think they should not be allowed to and it is wrong.

JR B said...

What kind of teache makes a modified paddle to beet kids. thats just kreepy

Mr. Klumper said...

Do you, the student, think it would stop some misbehaving amongst 8th grade students if the threat of being paddled with a canoe oar was awaiting you?

Hannah M said...

Against i wouldnt want to be hit.. it is retarted and it would hurt really bad.. being abused is school is not right. It is harassment and not a good thing.. if i had kids i would not let them go to school and be hurt. I would be scared to go to school if i was going to be hit

Unknown said...

That's HORRIBLE! you shouldn't be able to disipline students by wacking them with a paddle! that's so uncivilized. If they're allowed to hit people like that, then who's to stop them from abusing it? Who's to say that the teacher's are actually bad peoples that get real angry and don't let the kids stand up for themselves, and just wack them?
To me this is just wrong, teachers should NOT be able to hit students.

Anonymous said...

against it that bad they band along time ago. thats child abuse and they are hurting the kids they should not do that they should get fire and get a fine.

Autumn said...

I'm against the idea of paddling kids in school. If you paddle them and physically abuse them, they'll fear people when they get older and it could lower their chance of getting a good job.

Jessi E said...

I personally am against it..
because that would technicaly be abuse. I know if i was a parent and my kids went to a school in Indiana I wouldln't want my kids getting paddled because of doing something wrong, i'd rather have them get a detention.

Erik J. said...

Heck no!!!!!!
my dad used to get paddled, and he complained on how stupid it was... i think it is also! its rude and in-just, so no more paddlez of the people

Ryan R. said...

physical violence is a way to solve only a couple issues like war it should not be encouraged at school

JR B said...

No we would just do it again and laugh at the person getting spanked

Kourtney M. said...

I think this is not right who could do something so wrong as to get "the paddle"? I am so against it! big time!

Kourtney M. said...

I think this is not right who could do something so wrong as to get "the paddle"? I am so against it! big time!

Desiree said...

Mr. Klumper, your right it would stop some misbehaveing, but this should be up to the parents, they won't do bad things but will also be scared to death of school

JR B said...

ERIK, your dad got paddled?

cameron miller said...

i think that i should not be alowed because some teacher could abuse the right. plus i would rather be sent to the office then be padeled. i just have one question. would you want to be paddeled or be sent to the office.

Brionna S. said...

I think that it is NOT ok to do so, nowadays there is so much debate on wether it it a good way to punish children by there own parents. It would be impossible to have an entire state all agree to allow spanking. And an oar for goodness sakes that sounds horrendous and then they go ahead and make it harder by putting holes in it.

Taylor M. said...

No i dont really think that is would just because if someone was beaten with it then the parents would probably get all angree with the school district and it would end up stopping it.

Anonymous said...

that would suck if they did that here

Mr. Klumper said...

Okay, so the class is definately against paddling. Do you think the majority of teachers would abuse the paddle or not?

Morgan F. (: said...

I dissagree with that. why do i? well i do because i think it would give the impressing on parents that it is okay to hit their children which is abuse which is completely not right.

Jena D :) said...

um.. no actually i don't think it would stop them because then they would go home and tell their parents and they could possibly not want to come back to school

Alex P said...

i think its a bad thing because abuse is illegal and they shouldnt be doing it.

Autumn said...

Mr. Klumper, I think it would stop some misbehaving in 8th grade, but not all of it. Some students could start skipping school if they were to get paddled because they'd be afraid to enter school. They probably wouldn't report bullying to an adult because they'd be afraid of being paddled.

Brionna S. said...

the school could be sued for such a thing like abuse or having a weapon.

Anonymous said...

y dont the parents know about this they should make there kid go to a different school?

cameron miller said...

i thinck it wont stop some 8th grad studens be cause they realy dont care.

JR B said...

If i got paddled i would probly hit back. and then i would get in trouble for hitting the teacher when she or he was hiting me in the first place.

Morgan F. (: said...

Some of them. Like Mrs. C, I think she would abuse it alot. You on the other had no, I dont think you would.

Courtney H said...

I think it might change but just at school students will still go out and do what they normally after school

Unknown said...

HAHA!No, I'm just kidding.That's not funny. not funny at all. anyway, I agree with jr:

JR B said...
That is violent!

yes that is violent.................

Ryan R. said...

it had its place in the 1900 era thrght 1980 ish with private schools i think it should be a thing of the past. shouldn,t they be able to file for sexual harassment if they are getting paddeled on the rear

Colin E. said...

I think that this is a bad thing to do but it does have a really good purpose. if students behave because they are afraid of getting paddled then they will be a better student. But, i think that the schools can find other ways to scare the students to be good.

Hannah M said...

Mr. Klumper:

It would most likely stop the misbehavior but there are better ways to solve it besides being hit.

If i kid is being naughty at home there parents shouldnt just go and grad a paddle so if the parents dont touch them or hit them in that way neither should the teachers

Desiree said...

I would hope the teachers wouldn't abuse the right, but you can never be sure, there could be one messed up teacher that could really injure a student, I say we shouldn't give them the chance

Erik J. said...

i think the teachers would abuse it. they would use it for everything the peoople did wrong in class. (")(X.X)(")

Autumn said...

I don't think the majority of teachers in our school would abuse the idea of paddeling. A lot of the teachers are pretty leniant with misbehaving their students.

Anonymous said...

i dont think they woukd do that here

cameron miller said...

yes because they just dont ahve eny tolrence

Unknown said...

Trustworthiness
Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country

Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements

Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices

Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly

Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need

Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment

Taylor M. said...

I think they would not abuse it.,

Hannah M said...

THey might abuse it

Kourtney M. said...

No Mr. Klumper i think that just having a paddle in school should be a law. And yeah i would prob. cry if i knew that there was a paddle waiting for me.

I think they would abuse it.

Brionna S. said...

most teachers would probably use it as a thing where they would use it as a last option. but then they would probably not misbehave

Mr. Klumper said...

Next Topic: School Uniforms. For it against it?

Hannah M said...

they would prob use it as a threat

Ryan R. said...

very much against it

Taylor M. said...

against it. many people it use there cloths to show personality so i think that this is just terrible. just a guideline for cloths is good.

Courtney H said...

aginstit because students express there self threw their style of cloths

Erik J. said...

*.* NO WAYYYYY!!!!!!!1ONE
I WOULD HATE TO HAVE THE UNIFORMS LIKE I HAD DOWN IN TEXAS!!!!! THOSE WERE THE WORST DAYS OF MY ENTIRE LIFE AS I KNOW IT.

Unknown said...

Against it. Why should I be forced to do something i don't want to do? like wearing a school uniform. That's not very good at all.

Desiree said...

I think it would be easier for the school to know who is part of the school and no one would have to tell a student to change clotheing because it is inopropriate. I'm For It.

Jena D :) said...

against it because then everyone would look the same. And mostly for girls they love clothes and if we had to wear the same thing everyday that would be just terrible. Most school uniforms would be extremely ugly and we need a way of expressing our personality and style

cameron miller said...

against it, if you put students in uniforms you would be taking away some of the freedome we have. school uniformes should only be in privet schools.

WhyYesIAmLily said...

AGAINST IT.
Clothing is a freedom of expression, & if they told me to to wear a uniform, I would be mad.

& yaya, all this about approprite clothing, people financial status & stuff, weve heard it all before.

Against.

Anonymous said...

against it i would hate to wear that every day. they suck

Brionna S. said...

i am for them because there wouldnt be as much social bullying or separation between social classes, kids would also be safer because an outsider or stranger would be spotted quickly. However i wouldn't like to put myself in that position.

Hannah M said...

BOTH..

against cause people could not show there personality through clothes.

for.
cause the kids who dont have all the new clothes wouldnt be teased cause everyone is wearign the same thing. and no one would be hurt casue of being put down cause they may not have the money

Ryan R. said...

Isn't right to express them selves to others simular to free speach ins't it

Colin E. said...

I think that schools should give the students the choice of what they can and can not wear to school.

Morgan F. (: said...

AGINST!! I am aginst it because clothes is a way a student expresses them self with out saying anything. They say you are what you wear so i think students should beable to choose what they put on in the morning. School is already distroying out imagination and creativity making us wear ulgy clothes is just adding on to it. Do they like never want us to have fun when we get older?

Unknown said...

I am against school uniforms. I think it would be a hassle and parents and students would get very mad.

Estoy contra uniformes escolares. Pienso que sería un jaleo y los padres y los estudiantes conseguirían muy loco.

Je suis contre les uniformes d'école. Je pense que le ce serait une peine et un parents et un étudiants obtiendraient très fou.

Alex P said...

im totally against it why would schools even have uniforms?....they should just tell the students you cant wear this and that instead of having uniforms.

Kourtney M. said...

I'm kinda in the middle. im for it because then people can laught at u for wat u wear because u would all wear the same thing. i am also against it because uniforms dont let u express ur self people always say individuality is key.

Desiree said...

let's get off the topic of expression, if you like colors draw a picture, if you are sad tell someone, no one really cares how you express yourself with your clothing.

Jessi E said...

I am against it all the wayy!
I think that kids should be able to wear what they want, we should not have to be forced to wear the same outfit everyday.

We should be able to express ourselves by wearing the clothing that reflects our personality.

Autumn said...

I'm not for or against school uniforms. I wouldn't really be bothered by them. When I was still living in the state I was born in, Ohio, I had to wear a uniform in elementary school. It didn't really bug anyone, or they just didn't express their opinion on it.

If I had to choose, though, I'd say I was against it. People should be able to choose what they wear, but it'd have to be decent and not suggestive.

Brionna S. said...

it is a good point though, that kids express themselves through clothes

Mr. Klumper said...

Obviously, there are two sides: if we had school uniforms, wouldn't we look very professional and academic? wouldn't it relieve the stress some students face with not having anything "cool" to wear, or not having anything to wear period? If all kids dressed exactly the same, it wouldn't matter if a kid was rich or poor, because we would all appear equal, which is what it should be. sometimes, clothing, unfortunately, makes divison between a student body because of the fact of unequality. All kids are equal.

Hannah M said...

and people wouldnt get in trouble cause of not haviing approite clothing

JR B said...

Against it is stupid there would be know indivuduality ( I hope i spelt it right)

Jena D :) said...

That is a good point, but i still wouldnt like it at all, it would be terrible.

Taylor M. said...

Desiree I think that how you express yourself through clothing. I like to dress up in my own style. it would really make me mad if someone took that away from me. i would probably hate school. and that means no sweatpants

Brionna S. said...

even though none of us would like to wear them we should all agree that they have many positive affects

Morgan F. (: said...

actually. I talked to someone that has school uniforms and she said that the only place she will get her uniform stuff is hollister and A&F so it tencniqually would not save to much money.

Desiree said...

I think it would be a good thing, because seriously if someone talks about anothers clothes it's usualy something bad, it would put people in their places.

Hannah M said...

i guess i would like not having uniforms and stuff but i mean it would be a big deal if we did cause you can make your uniform your own, by doing stuff to it.. make it fun

kevin p. said...

i think that we should ware whatever we want to do because a t-shirt or pants exspress what we are.

WhyYesIAmLily said...

I can't stand talking about this, because it bugs me. Were a public school, we don't need uniforms.

Mr. Klumper, People, one way or another, are going to find a way to seperate into cliques. It's Middle school. & believe it or not, cloths arnt that important to most people. It takes a shallow person (really, realllllyyyy shallow) to care what someone does or dosen't wear.

Jena D :) said...

That is true morgan. Those are the only places i have seen school uniforms.

Courtney H said...

We all dont want to wear them but i mean there are good things if we did get them

Kourtney M. said...

I agree with Mr. Klumper because it shouldnt matter wat u wear but if u tease people on what they wear then well we should just get uniforms because then what would u have to tease them about?

Taylor M. said...

yeah and as middle schoolers know that. we know we are all equal but some people want to be different at the same time. like me.

Brionna S. said...

you have to realize not all schools are the ugly plaid skirts and a matching blazer, they can be just dress pants and a polo

Unknown said...

Comon now, WHO HONESTLY CARES HOW OTHER PEOPLE LOOK? I don't care, I'm pretty sure that other people don't care either. How could it possibly be stressful knowing how you look? you shouldn't care! it's not like you can get hurt with what other people know about how you dress. Oh, it's so horrible that people think i dress bad, but people don't care! We should just get over this whole uniform thing cause uniforms just make everyone the same, ruining futures of individuality.

Wesley H said...

i think we shouldnt have school uniforms even if it makes us look academic that what doing good on tests are for to show everyone were smart

Desiree said...

Don't tell me that kids don't get in trouble with wearing inopropriate things because I've seen it happen many times

Erik J. said...

accademics!!! they r the last thing we need to be worring about!!! plus uniforms dont raise a piece a pie!!!

Ryan R. said...

look at people they dress like the people they are with for the most part. some people take pride in the fact they were something i think noone in brandon has worn before

Morgan F. (: said...

Can we please just not have school uniforms..?

Alex P said...

actually i really wouldnt care cause i have to wear something like a uniform to church every sunday with a tie, dress pants, and a dress shirt so i really wouldnt care.

Autumn said...

I agree with Lily. Public schools are free, and any student attends them; if they don't want to wear a uniform, you shouldn't force someone to wear a uniform.

And students will find a way to seperate into cliques. Grade average, hobbies, interests. Clothing isn't the only thing that individualizes students.

cameron miller said...

if we all dress the same no persanalety(do not know how to spell this word)

Desiree said...

and just because it's a uniform doesn't mean they will look like the ugly private school stuff

Brionna S. said...

even though it shouldnt matter people still judge and you can't defend that and say they dont

Hannah M said...

there are other ways to show your personality besides through clothes.
people are so caught up in what they wear and how they look it is stupid. people may not knwo you for who are really are. but by what you wear

Taylor M. said...

yeah but they mean taking away part of our independance

Mr. Klumper said...

Third Topic: Studies show that the lowest motivation level among k-12 students is in 8th grade. The question to you, as an 8th grader, is why do you think that is the case? What is it about 8th grade that some tend to have little or no motivation? What would motivate those unmotivated? What happens in middle school that tends to lead to no motivation and laziness in students?

JR B said...

We just don't care about much we just want to be lazy.

Brionna S. said...

some kids think that having a 4.0 doesn't pay back for their hard work and also many parents arent the type who check up on kids and allow them to do poorly.

Colin E. said...

I think it is that many people care way to much about what other people think of them and if they do something they will be made fun of.

Ryan R. said...

we are in the middle of our schooling and we are definetly getting realy bored with it

Desiree said...

I think it's just that it is more work in 8th grade than the other grades below it, students might get the feeling they just can't do it and give up.

Taylor M. said...

we start to grow up and think that we can make our decisions and i dont think that you can really change that it is just a part of life.

Jena D :) said...

They mostly just don't feel like doing their homework or anything and they can get really wrapped up in sports and other activities. And some people know that even if they don't do their stuff they are just going to pass the grade anyway. And when you get older most people are worried about college.

Unknown said...

I don't agree with this at all. How is it that the 8th graders don't have motivtion? I know what i'm saying isn't what you're asking, but it's what I think. How aren't we motivated? we've got high school around the bend, and need to be achieving as high an acedemics score we can get. How aren't we motivated?

Hannah M said...

because they stop caring about school. like we think it is all easy. and also that we are the beset and stuff.
we care about friends and think friends are the most important ever but i mean i would hat not to have my friends my frriends are everythinng.
also like we get stressed and so much DRAMA!!!!! teacher dont know the DRAMA part it is stressfull and i bet everyone or most can agreee

Kourtney M. said...

Well stuff that could motivat us is well maybe not so much homework, so we would have time to hang out with friends while were still young and we can get use to homework when we are older now we are suppost to be young and do what teenagers are suppost to do.

Brionna S. said...

maybe they aren't awarded for the hard work or after they have been they are told to make that b+ in math an a+ when they were already trying their hardest it might discourage them.

JR B said...

All we really care about is fancy cell phones and we just want to sleep all day and some people just don't have there priotities strait.
I'am a victim of that.

Morgan F. (: said...

Because at this age i think we just dont care. Like i dont care at this point about alot of things but i still try. Maybe its just other kids, but i do know some sutdents think they can just fly by with nothing to worry about when that is not true. One more reason is that in eighth grade they push you really hard to get to high school when my brother told me they lie in 8th grade about high being so hard he said its extremly easy so that is what i think.

Jena D :) said...

I think only some students dont have any motivation not all.

Mr. Klumper said...

I would agree with you Colin. It seems some view "being smart" or "working hard in school" as un-cool. That is unfortunate because working hard in school and doing your best is "totally cool"

WhyYesIAmLily said...

In all my years of middle school,8th Grade is my leats favorite.
I don't know why. People are sort of stuck in an in between phase,
Between Caring what other people think of you & wanting to be your own person. Also, there's alot of presure in 8th grade for grades, sports, home, friends. Sooner or later it all sort of builds up I suppose. Were all ready for High School, but were nervous.
& besides that, we like fighting.

WhyYesIAmLily said...

In all my years of middle school,8th Grade is my leats favorite.
I don't know why. People are sort of stuck in an in between phase,
Between Caring what other people think of you & wanting to be your own person. Also, there's alot of presure in 8th grade for grades, sports, home, friends. Sooner or later it all sort of builds up I suppose. Were all ready for High School, but were nervous.
& besides that, we like fighting.

WhyYesIAmLily said...

In all my years of middle school,8th Grade is my leats favorite.
I don't know why. People are sort of stuck in an in between phase,
Between Caring what other people think of you & wanting to be your own person. Also, there's alot of presure in 8th grade for grades, sports, home, friends. Sooner or later it all sort of builds up I suppose. Were all ready for High School, but were nervous.
& besides that, we like fighting.

kevin p. said...

i think that because some people are having there period and puberty. and that they are starting to make their own decisions and they are starting to be more mature

cameron miller said...

because no one realy cares about the whats going to happen in the fucher. they just think that every thing is going to be handed to them. i am the same way but i know that life is not going to be that way

Courtney H said...

i think that somewhat this is true but we can make the choise to not be lazy and most of it depends on what we did the day before we came to school such as most of us are tired and stayed up late to do are home work because we had some sort of practice the night be for and we didnt get enough sleep

Brionna S. said...

kids are also not motivated because they dont have good leaders to show them what they can really accomplish when they are motivated.

Jessi E said...

I think the reason is that we have so much more to do than homework at this age, like hanging out with friends and playing sports. We did the same things last year but i think this year we get a lot more homwork.

Jessi E said...

I think the reason is that we have so much more to do than homework at this age, like hanging out with friends and playing sports. We did the same things last year but i think this year we get a lot more homwork.

Jessi E said...

I think the reason is that we have so much more to do than homework at this age, like hanging out with friends and playing sports. We did the same things last year but i think this year we get a lot more homwork.

Jessi E said...

I think the reason is that we have so much more to do than homework at this age, like hanging out with friends and playing sports. We did the same things last year but i think this year we get a lot more homwork.

Jessi E said...

I think the reason is that we have so much more to do than homework at this age, like hanging out with friends and playing sports. We did the same things last year but i think this year we get a lot more homwork.

Wesley H said...

i think we have the lowest motivation beacause most people just kind of dont really care as much but once they reach high school they are worried about getting in college

Colin E. said...

bah da da da da... I'm Loving It! (or what ever it is!)

Autumn said...

8th grade probably does have the lowest motivation. I would know, because I am a poorly motivated 8th grader. Technology is advancing, and a lot more students are using computers, and cell phones.

I know that having assignments on the computer wouldn't motivate me; since I basically spend every minute I get on the computer.

Maybe if there was more humor in assignments, students would enjoy it more. If assignments were less, but still explaining important things, students would like it. Those books we have to carry back and forth is tiring, so lessening the use of textbooks would help motivate those unmotivated.

Unknown said...

JR, I, for one, don't care for a "Big fancy cell phone," cause who am I going to call? there's no reason to call people, when we can just leave a message on facebook. What other use is there for it

cameron miller said...

Two people were killed and three wounded Tuesday in a shooting at a Penske truck rental business in suburban Atlanta, authorities said.

The suspected gunman was a "disgruntled ex-employee," Cobb County police Sgt. Joe Hernandez told reporters. The man was a middle-aged white male, he said, estimating he was in his 50s. He had worked for Penske for several years, Hernandez said, but did not know when his employment ceased.

The man was armed with a handgun when he confronted one victim outside just before 2 p.m., then entered the first floor of the business and fired "several" shots, Hernandez said.

i think the man had isusse with the owner because he might have goten fired. but why would enyone whant to do some thing like that.

by cam miller

cameron miller said...

Ena Zizi was participating in a prayer group at the national cathedral in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when the structure came down on her during the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit the island on January 12.

In New York, meanwhile, her son, Maxim Janvier, had no way of knowing what befell her other than she was missing.

Miraculously, the 70-year-old Zizi survived seven days trapped under the rubble before she was rescued by international search crews this week. A person can, give or take, expect to survive 72 hours trapped without water or food. Zizi managed to hold on for twice as long, something that experts say speaks to the body's resilience in times of danger. It is possible for a healthy person to survive more than 10 days in some cases, experts say.

"I wasn't surprised. I knew she would live through that. She is a tough woman," Janvier said,


i thinck that this was a maricale for her son and mainly her.

cameron miller /curent event

cameron miller said...

Most schools have regulations on how students dress. The intent is to keep students safe and focused on academics. Teachers have enough on their plate to motivate learning without having to monitor which slogan is affecting who today.

Baggy pants and bandanas could be interpreted as gang dress. Dressing as a gang member intimidates other students and spreads fear instead of focusing on academics. Pants with large pockets are often restricted because a weapon or drugs could be carried in them. Certain colors are often banned if gang colors.

Coats and bookbags are often only permitted in lockers. Again, guns and drugs could be in coat pockets and bookbags.

i thinck that some of us need school uniforms and some of us dont. ithinck that because some of us just cant be trusted and yet otheres can. me personaly, is for it and agenstit it

cameron miller said...

When Ed Boston books a two-star hotel in Flint, Michigan, he expects a reliable property with minimal amenities -- not the dump he ends up in. He asks his online travel agency if he can change hotels, and it says "no." What now?

Q: I bought a hotel through Hotwire that I'd really rather not stay at. A few weeks ago, I requested a two-star property in Flint, Michigan. Hotwire gave me a nonrefundable, nonchangeable room at a Days Inn property.

A friend of mine in the area told me about how bad that hotel is. They had tried to stay there but had checked out within the hour because it was filthy and the staff was uncooperative.


i think that the sirves and the the hotal should be cleaner even if it is a two star hotal.

cameron miller said...

On November 15th, Harvard Professor Don Wiley left a gathering of friends and colleagues some time after 10:30 PM. The next morning, Memphis police found his rental car stopped on a bridge, with a full tank of gas and keys still in the ignition. There was no financial or family trouble. Indeed Wiley was supposed to meet his family at the Memphis airport to continue on to an Icelandic vacation. Neither was there any history of depression or mental illness.

In the report printed in the New York Times on November 27th, the FBI's Memphis office distanced itself from the case saying that the available facts did not add up to a suspicion of foul play. I guess at the FBI it's a perfectly everyday occurrence for a Harvard Professor to stop his rental car on a bridge in the middle of the night before he is supposed to leave for Iceland and just walk away into the Tennessee dark.

The NYT report of November 27th also downplayed Professor Wiley's expertise in virology, quoting Gregory Verdine, a professor of chemical biology at Harvard, said, "If bioterrorists were to abduct Don Wiley, they'd be very disappointed," because his research was in studying the component parts of viruses, and "that doesn't really help you make a more dangerous version of the virus."

But this statement is not consistent with the facts of Professor Wiley's full range of knowledge. Wiley has, in conjunction with another Harvard Professor, Dr. Jack Strominger, won several academic prizes for their work in immunology, including a Lasker prize. Don Wiley is a Harvard professor, but he is also a researcher at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the National Institute of Health. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is located in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and performs biological research, sometimes jointly funded by the Department of Defense and the NIH. Don Wiley's peers at Harvard include professors such as John Collier performing research on Anthrax.

So, contrary to the dismissive tone of the New York Times report, Professor Wiley would be of great value to anyone developing biological weapons. This makes the FBI's obvious disinterest in the case highly questionable, indeed reminiscent of the FBI's obvious disinterest in the numerous witnesses in Oklahoma City who had seen Tim McVeigh in the company of additional perpetrators not to mention the witnesses who had seen additional bombs.

Especially in light of the events of 9/11, the vanishing of a scientist with Professor Wiley's expertise in virology and immunology should have been expected to be an issue of critical national importance, yet the official tone of the government was that this is nothing to worry about. Move along citizen, nothing to see.

In the context of the Anthrax letters being sent through the mail, any disappearance of any microbiologist under questionable circumstances should have set off alarm bells across the nation. but it didn't. Professor Wiley was assumed to have committed suicide