Current Event: Cocaine and Nature

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7413454.stm

The Columbian and British governments cooperated on trying to fight the war on drugs. The conclusion of their research was that Cocaine trades were ruining the rainforest. The Columbian Prime Minister said that: although drug use since 1988 has decreased as a whole, Cocaine use is the only drug that has been mroe frequently used.

I think that the two governments are completely missing the point. The point isnt to find out what drug is being more frequently used or why it is affecting the rainforest, but it is to try and figure out how economies that are using drugs as a crutch (like Columbia) can change without completely crippling the country. It's all about finding a creative solution, and this meeting completely missed the point.

VOOOOCAB 17

The cardiovascular system is a tortuous enigma.

A great example of situational comedy: Seinfeld.


In four-chambered hearts, the two auricles move synchronously


The school day seemed interminable; when would it end?


We had worked laboriously and with our best efforts because we knew we wanted to see the end product.


Their son was reticent and was relucatant to tell his parents anything.

According to Thoreau, Walden Pond had more tranquility to him than any other place.

She had noticed that there was a stalker in the proximity.

Technology and High in the Classroom

http://www.mercurynews.com/community/ci_9034769?nclick_check=1&forced=true

Matt Baxter, a writer for Mercury News - a newspaper in the Silicon Valley- complains in this article about the use and development of technology in the classroom. He reiterates that more money is being spent on keeping up the latest technology than actually just utilizing what we originally had. He made a great point about spending $30,000 dollars on new textbooks just because something was slightly changed.

I feel that he is pretty justified in what he is saying. It does make sense that we should be less obsessive about teaching elementary school kids how to type quickly or how we should be spending less time teaching them basic Microsoft office skills, but he is superseding the real issue. As a race, we fear being obsolete. The school system has went out of its way many times in the past century to keep up with the quickly growing field of technology.

What I really disagreed with in this article was a single sentance: "Meanwhile, sports, the arts and real school supplies suffer mightily." This is rediculous; sports and arts budgets can not be put in the same sentance. Sports has NOT suffered at all in the development of technology in the education world, but art has for other reasons. Instead of making an argument for increasing sports AND arts, just stick to the actual ones that are being hindered.

As a side note, Matt did touch on something that was nostalgic for me. I do remember that the best part of any science class was Bill Nye the Science Guy videos and the best part of math was playing on the computers. Technology may not be neccessary, but it sure did make learning fun.

Sounds - Journal

Students talking upstairs
Pop pop slam
Chatter around
Questions
Comments
Orders
Info
Attitude
Slam
Something braking
Doors opening
"Hello"
snap snap
pitter patter of a step
"Hey jew man"
Chatter

All of these are sounds of a kid in a working school.

What is Art? - Journal

Art is the visual expression of the mind.

Appreciating art, on the other hand, is the ability to translate it. Only the eyes of the beholder can define if something is insightful or beautiful.

Any expression of feeling and emotion is art, which includes: painting, graffiti, sculpting, writing or making music.

Art is a neccessary key to unlocking the door of sanity.

Art is invariably intertwined with culture and religion.

Gay Marriage: Legal

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-gaymarriage16-2008may16,0,6182317.story

In California, the state government overturned the ban on same sex marriages. Homosexual couples throughout the state were overjoyed by the ruling. Conversely, many of the conservative Californians hope for a re-ban on the union, and that there should be a vote to illegalize it.

I think this is a great step for changing the political focus of the state. Instead of focusing on stupid issues like why we should be preventing people from getting married, we can focus on the state debt and other localized problems. What shocks me is how adament people are with trying to actually re-ban the marriage. How does it affect them? Does it really matter how other people decide to choose their sexuality?

SAME- School Arts and Music Education

Mission Statement: “To perpetuate music and the arts into schools’ core curriculum.”

Click here for website

Vocab Week X

I can't explain my infatuation with medicine. It's incredible to see all the medical wonders of man.


An incantation seems to be a very popular thing at religious ceremonies, but it is not limited to such.


It seems that all of our futile efforts boil down to one thing: we are all aware of our own boundaries and attempts to supersede them end in failure.



Michael told me the good news; conversely there was a caveat.


My leg was in an awkward angle, and when someone landed on it, it shattered.



Though I was never amorous, she knew how I felt.



My mind was in a state of ecstasy when the chocolate hit my lips;good stuff.


The termination of the contract was done in acquiesce; both sides had agreed on all terms.