Op-Ed Contributor - Grand Theft Nautical - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Contributor - Grand Theft Nautical - NYTimes.com

Should the United States and other countries work with a sometime-ally of Al Queda to stop pirates from stealing fuel tankers in the Indian Ocean?

Atheists take aim at Christmas - CNN.com

Atheists take aim at Christmas - CNN.com

It's that time of year again, when Atheists and Christians go to battle over Christmas displays on public property. What do you think of this controversy? What is proper or appropriate to have in public, government-owned spaces?

NASA delays Mars rover launch to 2011 - Los Angeles Times

NASA delays Mars rover launch to 2011 - Los Angeles Times


Should we be trying to explore other planets? Why or why not? Are there better uses for the billions of dollars it costs?

Findings - Health Halo Can Hide the Calories - NYTimes.com

Findings - Health Halo Can Hide the Calories - NYTimes.com

Do labels like "low-fat" or "no-fat" etc, skew your thinking of what's healthy and what's not? Do you buy products based on "healthy" labels?

The Evidence Gap - British Balance Gain Against the Cost of the Latest Drugs - NYTimes.com

The Evidence Gap - British Balance Gain Against the Cost of the Latest Drugs - NYTimes.com

Longer article on British government health care policy--do you agree with the policies of the British government?

11/24-12/1 Post #5

Final Post for the week. Look at the political cartoon and tell us what you would put in the blank at the top.

Verdict in MySpace Suicide Case - NYTimes.com

Verdict in MySpace Suicide Case - NYTimes.com

What is your opinion on:

1. bullying people on-line?
2. this case and it's result?

Bargain hunters hit stores at crack of dawn on Black Friday - Nov. 28, 2008

Bargain hunters hit stores at crack of dawn on Black Friday - Nov. 28, 2008

How many of you are going shopping this morning? What are you shopping for? Are you and your parents looking to spend more, less or the same amount as last year?

11/24-12/1 Post #2

Commandos move to free hostages in Mumbai hotels - Boston.com


Post your reactions to the situation in Mumbai

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Student arrested for \'passing gas\' at Fla. school - Boston.com

Student arrested for 'passing gas' at Fla. school - Boston.com

No commenting necessary...enjoy the story!

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11/24-12/1 Post #1

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803EED91F3EF931A15752C1A9639C8B63&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Opinion article on the first Thanksgiving

1. What is the author's main point?
2. Do you agree? Why or why not?
   

11/17-11/24 Post #5

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2008/11/twilight-cou-20.html

1. For those of you who read these books, what about them makes them so popular?
2. If you haven't read these books, do you know someone who has? Do you want to read them?
3. Assuming you read books, how do you choose the books you read?
   

11/17-11/24 Post #4

In 2d crack at China market, Dunkin' Donuts alters recipe - The Boston Globe

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1. What is your opinion on American culture being exported to other countries?
2. What foreign foods do you enjoy eating?
   

11/17-11/24 Post #3

Softer skills for ed reform - The Boston Globe

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The state is considering adding more graduation requirements for high school students, discuss what you think should be required to graduate high school.

11/17-11/24 Post #2

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/opinion/19romney.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

The auto industry in the United States is in serious financial trouble. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, whose father ran an auto company in the 50s and 60s, offers his advice to Detroit.

Comment on Gov. Romney's ideas and suggest some of your own

Give single-sex schools a try - The Boston Globe

Give single-sex schools a try - The Boston Globe

What are the pros and cons of attending a single-sex school? Try to list 3-5 of each and then discuss each other's ideas.

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Welcome Back!

Welcome back to our class blog, here are the new guidelines:

1. All commenting is for extra credit. 5 articles per week, 2 points per article.
   
2. You must post as "anonymous" and put your name at the end of the post. If you forget, post again, letting me know which comment was yours.
3. I will print out on Monday mornings, giving one week to comment on all five articles.
4. The first new article is below on Single-Sex schools.
   

This Week

I will be printing out comments on Wednesday morning, Period 1 for the past 4 comments. Please be sure to have posted by then. We will then have a 5 article week running from Wednesday to the usual Tuesday morning.

10/17-10/21 Post 2

http://factcheck.org/

Go the above website and find one lie or half-truth that each candidate has spread and post it in your response.

10/17-10/21 Post 2

Explain the main idea behind this political cartoon. Who is Joe the Plumber?

10/17-10/21 Post 1

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/10/slain_beverly_s.html

Read and post your reactions to this blog entry from a Massachusetts native who was recently killed in Afghanistan.

10/17 through 10/21 Posting

Attention everyone, you will have between Friday afternoon and Tuesday night to post on four articles.

Tuesday Post

Because of the short week (and me going to the Red Sox tonight!) there will only be 4 articles for this week. I'll post two either tomorrow or Thursday and two over the weekend. Use the extra time to catch up on old articles.

Columbus Day

Happy Columbus Day, comment on old articles and enjoy the nice weather. New articles tomorrow.

10/6-10/13 Post 6

Above is a conservative political cartoon. Use the internet and find out more about the people Obama is shown associating with. Post your findings in your response. If you can't see the image well, click on it and a larger version will appear.

10/6-10/13 Post 5

On Tuesday we will be talking about Columbus Day and the history behind it. Read the article below, comment on it and then be prepared to talk about it in class.

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/catholicamerica/2008/10/christopher_columbus_saint_or.html

10/6-10/13 Post 4

Examine the political cartoon, why is George W. Bush being called a "socialist radical?"

10/6-10/13 Post 3

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hlS4QQ8TNna9R09CmdKG4M6KxRBw

The United States and India have reached an agreement allowing India to have nuclear weapons/technology from the US.

1. Should the United States be the sole authority when it comes to deciding who has nuclear power?
2. Why should India be allowed to have nuclear technology when North Korea, Iran, etc are not allowed to?
   

10/6-10/13 Post 2

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/nyregion/connecticut/05uniformct.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

1. Should Dighton-Rehoboth or any other public schools have a dress code?
2. What problems would it create/solve?
3. Lincoln School students, describe what it's like wearing a uniform to school. What is the uniform and what if any impact does it have on your school day?
   

10/6-10/13 Post 1

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/vp-debate-open-palin-biden/727421/

Watch the video of Saturday Night Live's coverage of last week's Vice Presidential debate and answer the following questions

1. What stereotypes of Joe Biden and Sarah Palin do the actors exxagerate?
2. Which actor is more effective in their role?
3. Do videos/skits like this influence your views on the candidates?
   

Saturday Post

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/us/05gitmo.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

1. Should we be trying the prisoners at Guantanmo Bay Prison?
2. If we shouldn't try them, what should we do with them? Is holding them indefinitely moral behavior?
   

Friday Post

1. Who is the cartoon referring to?
2. What point is the cartoonist trying to make?
3. Do you agree with the cartoonist's point of view?

Vice Presidential Debate Tonight

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/02/MN4V139MAR.DTL

Tonight's debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin is highly anticipated. Read the article about the debate and answer the following questions.

1. If you support one of the two candidates, explain why?
2. If you are undecided, what, if anything, would sway your vote?
3. Create one question to ask either of the candidates and post it.

This will be the only post for Wednesday/Thursday. Look for 2 articles tomorrow on the results of the debate.

Wednesday's Post

Wednesday's Posts will be put up tomorrow morning, between grading presentation and entering grades for mid-terms, I do not have time for it tonight.

Monday's Posts

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/29/opinion/29mon3.html?ex=1380427200&en=11b28a9b2d057472&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

On November 4th, at the same time voters are voting for a new president, voters in California will be voting on a state Constitutional amendment that would prevent people of the same-sex from marrying.

1. What is your opinion on the issue? Keep any negative opinions clean and respectful, you will be written up otherwise.
2. Does our government have the right to invade people's personal lives?
   
3. Massachusetts has had legalized gay marriage for almost 5 years. Have you noticed any difference or has the ruling had any impact on your lives?
   

Monday's Posts

http://fish.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/george-bush-the-comeback-kid/


The article describes a scenario in which after George W. Bush leaves office, he will regain his once overwhelming popularity.

1. Do you agree?
   
2. What are the author's most convincing and least convincing points?
   

Key Quotes from Debate

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7639116.stm

This article is from the British national television network. It is a compilation of important quotes from the debate. Read through the quotes and pick one that sticks out to you for any reason. You might support it, be against it, spot an error in it, anything.

Debate Follow Up

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/27/us/politics/27debate.html?ex=1380254400&en=57ee350a2628266c&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

This article does not name a clear winner for the debate. Can you read through and pick out some phrases or sentences that shows this paper's preferred candidate?

Friday Articles

Friday's articles will be posted tomorrow morning after tonight's presidential debate. If you are looking for articles, tune into the debate tonight at 9 pm on most major channels.

Sarah Palin

http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/blog/2008/sep/24/sarahpalin.uselections2008

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-palin24-2008sep24,0,6915935.story

Read the two articles above, one is from Great Britain, one is from America. They are reporting on the same event. Then answer the questions below in your post.

1. Do you notice any difference between the British article and the American article?
2. What are the main ideas?
3. What is your opinion on Sarah Palin? What are her strengths and weaknesses as a candidate?
   

Debate delayed?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/us/politics/25mccain.html?ex=1379995200&en=a9aa51076406e1e3&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

• Do you agree with John McCain that the debate should be postponed due to the ongoing problems with the economy?
• If you were allowed to ask questions at the debate, what questions would you want answered?
  

Monday's Posts

Starting this week, I will be posting twice on Sunday/Monday, twice on Wednesday and twice on Friday. Using the same format as we went over last Friday (responsibility, well-thought out responses, interacting with each other, identifying yourself by name and period number) please comment on each post by the following Monday. Please see me if internet access is a major issue and we will make provisions for you.

If there are topics you want to see addressed, please send ideas and/or articles to cborden@drregional.org.

Thanks!

Mr. Borden

Political Cartoon

Without knowing the details behind this story, what is the message or main idea behind this political cartoon?

Roland Liu, 13, is young man on campus - The Boston Globe

Roland Liu, 13, is young man on campus - The Boston Globe

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• Can you imagine yourself in this situation?
• If you were able to, would you do the same?
  

Drive aims to boost voting by immigrants - The Boston Globe

Drive aims to boost voting by immigrants - The Boston Globe

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Walk-to-school movement afoot across Mass. - The Boston Globe

Walk-to-school movement afoot across Mass. - The Boston Globe

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Does anyone here walk to school or have you ever?

North Korea preparing to restart nuclear facility - Boston.com

North Korea preparing to restart nuclear facility - Boston.com

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Is there a difference between Saddam Hussein "having" weapons of mass destruction vs. North Korea?

Parents required to join students at game - The Boston Globe

Parents required to join students at game - The Boston Globe

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Why Obama\'s not leading by a landslide - The Boston Globe

Why Obama's not leading by a landslide - The Boston Globe

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Arctic Ocean Ice Retreats Less Than Last Year

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/science/earth/17ice.html?ex=1379390400&en=a4485017592a7594&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

McCain Seen as Less Likely to Bring Change

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/18/us/politics/18poll.html?ex=1379476800&en=fd005a7b9f95f05f&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Welcome!

Welcome to our World to 1800 Current Events blog. On this page, you will be reading current event and class-related articles and commenting on them. You will also have the opportunity to interact with your friends in my other classes.

Today I want you to chose three of the four articles I have chosen. Read them, then give your opinion on them. If someone else has already commented on them, then you may respond to their comments as well.

Please keep your language respectful and appropriate for school. You will face a loss of computer privileges if I have to speak to you about this issue.