Women Win in Primary Elections

Today is one of the busiest election days ever, twelve states, including Virginia, are holding primaries. In many of these primaries there are women running, and many of these women are putting up major fights and are looking like taking it all the way. Blanche Lincoln is one of the women to make it all the way as she beat the Lt. Governor Steve Halter in the primaries for Arkansas state senate. Other women like the former eBay chief Meg Whitman have been making leeway as well. Whitman has been able to use her own money to fuel her expensive campaign, which is now against Attorney General Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr.

Senior Reflection #3

I have recently found out that I got into the theme housing that I applied for at Virginia Tech. The housing is called the WELL and it should be quite awesome. I believe it is situated it the West AJ which is very close to Lane Stadium and across from the tennis courts. I haven't really looked for a roommate, so it should be interesting to see how the whole random roommate works out. My orientation is July 14-15 and I cannot wait o choose classes and start to take part of the college atmosphere. Although there is a slight problem that my mom brought up recently and that was whether the major I have declared now (Human, Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise) is less fitting than a Biology major to prepare for the MCAT's. I am going to talk to an advisor to see about that, but its still very exciting.

Tensions rise between South Korea and North Korea over torpedo attack on warship

South Korea has begun preparing troops as they blame the torpedoing of their Cheonan warship on the North Koreans. This is a big deal as 29,00 US soldiers are situated and as Hilary Clinton stated that The United States will stand behind South Korea for is to happen. The Cheonan warship that was struck had many South Korean Sailors on board and 46 of those sailors perished when the boat was struck by the torpedo. There are other pictures which show the Koreans pulling their warship out of the water with this huge crane ma bobber and its crazy cause the ship was demolished into two pieces. It will be interesting to see what comes of this event.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/05/18/GA2010051804308.html?hpid=artslot

Senior Reflection #2

So far the end of my senior year has been great and teachers have toned the work level down a bit to make things a little relaxing and I appreciate it. However there are some classes where there doesn't seem to be an off button for. It is not that I believe everything should stop after the big tests that have taken place it is just that I disagree completely with giving busy work to students that have already gotten into college. Our Ap Government sets the example to how things should be after the Ap tests have taken place. Things have slowed down a bit, we got to watch a movie without a worksheet, and got to go outside the other day. This is not without intertwining some educational activities as well as a quiz here or there, but that we can handle. On the other hand some students (including me) are part of some classes where the teacher (even after taking their Ap Test) decides to make students read three more books in the last 2 weeks, gives us worksheets, and classes are full of discussion without a break. There are even tardy quizzes that are handed out, that if your late to class you get a zero on the quiz, and i have the class 2 period. So thank you teachers that understand that things can now slow down a little and not forcing too much upon us students.

Michael Ballack to miss World Cup

The Captain of Germany's World Cup squad, Michael Ballack was injured in Chelsea's final game against Portsmouth. When Ballack went into a tackle hard with Kevin-Prince Boateng he came out of the tackle with a hurt ankle. With an assesment of his ankle, it is said that Ballack will probably not be fit to play with the strong German squad. Ballack has been known to be the leader of that team and plays a key role in having a strong presence on the field. Without him the team will need to have other plays pick up the leadership and step it up. With plenty of strong teams in the 2010 World Cup, Micahel Ballack's injury will take a toll on the team.

Senior Reflection numero 1

This past weekend i was able to go to my sisters graduation ceremony, and it was totally awesome. After Governor McDonnell spoke (which was really well done) a student spoke and mentioned how there class has cleared a path for the upcoming Hokies of 2014 and I got super siked. I've been happy to know that i am going to my first choice college, but seeing students who go there and the excitement that they have gave me a whole new level of exhilaration. At VT I will be studying HNFE (Human, Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise) and after I get through core classes I will finally be able to focus on studying material that I truly have a passion for. I plan on going to Graduate school and getting my doctorate in something in the medical field. I'm stoked to see where life goes from here and VT will be a great start.

Rep. Artur Davis seeks to become Alabama's first African American governor

1. Representative Davis has been seen as very promising for the new generation of black politicians. As a four term lawmaker Davis' bold step towards being Governor of Alabama is completely plausible. However as of recently Davis has been taking some heat. When he first disagreed with Obama's health care bill while it was in the House, there was much of a discussion. But, there has been quite a murmur now that Davis again did not vote for Obama health Care Bill. Davis who has been a supporter of Obama now tore away from him on Obama's biggest part of his agenda. We wonder what will come of Davis now that it is vague of where his allegiance lies.

2. Davis sounds like a pretty cool guy to me, however I do understand that there is a bit of a humbug about him disagreeing with the Health Care Bill. Not necessarily because everyone should agree with it but mostly because it makes it difficult to understand where exactly he stands when it comes to being a supporter of Obama.

3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/24/AR2010032401757.html

The first female ruler of Otuam, Ghana, Peggielene Bartels has had to deal with a legacy of corruption and no shortage of sexism

1. Peggielene Bartels is Ghana's first female king but immediately once she started ruling she noticed some oddities. The elders that have major influence over the villages could not explain where the money from the people was going. She had reason to believe that the main point for why the elders had anointed her as King was because they believed she would be weak and far away. Bartels or Nana Amuah Afenyi VI as her reigning name knew better and immediately started investigating. Bartel faces lots of adversity as a female king and she saw it right from the start.

2. I think it is awesome that Bartel is doing this for herself and her people. To be able to show the elders, which she is now looking to replace, that as a women she still has the same capabilities as anyone and that she will make positive change for the people of Ghana. Bartel also as secretary has lots of power and can easily reach the president.

3.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2010/03/05/AR2010030503115_2.html?hpid=artslot&sub=AR&sid=ST2010030903477

Biden Israel visit clouded by settlement issue

1. Although America has been known for their nice relationship with the Israeli Government. When Vice President Joe Biden travelled to Israel there was quite a disagreement when it came to a Settlement issue. The Israeli Prime Minister was starting the settlement of 1,600 new homes for Jews in the Eastern side of Israel which also happens to be an area that the Palestinians consider to be Holy Ground. Biden believed that there is no need to make a reason for the Palestinians to become more angry.

2. I agree with Vice president Joe Biden in believing it is a bad idea to settle the Houses in this area. Whether or not they agree with The Palestinians on whether that area is Holy Ground or not; there is a level or respect that should be regarded as not to stomp on anyones toes. Especially when the relationship between the two is already at a boiling point.

3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/09/AR2010030900497.html?hpid=artslot

42,000 year old Wooly mammoth carcass from Siberia

1. Lyuba is a baby mammoth that has been preserved in the permafrost for thousands upon thousands of years. Found by reindeer herders the mammoth has been perfectly preserved. Scientists have been able to confirm their theories on mammoth diet and other properties because its insides and tissue have all been untouched.

2. I think this is pretty sweet. I always love discoveries and it'd be awesome if scientists could learn more from this one.

3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR

2010030803850.html?hpid=artslot

Gates tours broken, abandoned market that has come to symbolize progress in Afghanistan

1. This editorial is about how the Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited the town of Zad in Afghanistan. What the Secretary had heard is that the town had been a completely changed environment that had once been overridden by insurgents. Once he arrived there he saw a barren village with empty streets and shops, and plenty of Marines on the roofs. The village that had been controlled by insurgents and surrounded with as many as 5,000 land mines. With only 70 of the 1,500 shops open and about 1,000 of the previous 20,000 villagers present at the village, the village is becoming once again alive. Although the process is slow (because of the still existing land mines), it is a huge step for the Americans and the Afghans to see a village become "safe" once again. Especially since this specific village had been unsafe for 4 years.

2. I believe it is very cool to see a village in Afghanistan become secure and to finally see something positive come from that area. I just wish that it was an easier process that wouldn't be so slow and expensive, it's not that I don't agree with the military , simply that it is frustrating.

3. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/09/AR2010030900097.html?hpid%3Dartslot

Lost

The major super awesome T.V. show Lost is going to start back up sometime early February. The amount of excitement that can be contained in one person is right now doubled in my body simply because the new season is fast approaching. I do not want to give anything away about the story (in case there are any new born Lost fans) but I shall say that since the last season there has been purpose given to the plot of the great television series. With the story of Jacob the "leader" of the "others" brought to light there is no telling what amazing twists will come next.
It is true that the show can be incredibly confusing, but that is only if the person has not watched the previous seasons.
The character building is so vast that its as if the viewers are close relatives to each survivor of the Oceanic Flight. Items that have meaning in the characters past always pop up and can only be noticed by the viewer with the keen eye. One repentant includes the alcoholic beverage McCutcheon which Charles Whitmore once told Desmond that he would never be worth a cup of (if what I said made no sense). The show is marvelously woven together and it will be great to see how they put everything together in the last season.
If you don't watch Lost...wow.

Mass Rain on Obama!!!!!!!!!!

Who drew the cartoon? -Daryl Cagle

Where/When was it published? - MSNBC.com 1/20/10

What Issue does it deal wit? -The cartoon is referring to the outcome of the voting for the Massachusetts senator and the fact that the chosen one was a republican

What is the Cartoons message? What the cartoon is trying to say is that the outcome of this nomination puts a major roadblock in Obama's chances in passing the health care bill. The Republican Senator Scott Brown makes the difference to allow the republicans to filibuster the health care bill and other bills. This means that this might be the end for Obama to have any real effect in congress.

Do I agree or disagree? I definitely agree that this situation will most likely pose major problems for Obama. The only way that I see him getting a chance at passing the health care bill is to delay Senator Brown's "joining" to the Senate long enough that the bill can be passed without the threat of filibuster. The only thing is that afterwards the Republicans would be very very unhappy.

Obama's Administration; The Predictions

Obama's administration has been working hard to follow through on the problems that Obama promised in his running. They will continue to work hard this upcoming year. As larger companies struggle to survive in this tough economic times, Obama administration will work to continue to support them and keep American products flowing.

The Administration did make some decisions that were different than what Obama had promised, referring to the increase of troops in Afghanistan. This choice has turned many heads and brought questions to Obama's trustworthiness. If he breaks his promise of stopping the influx of troops, can we hold him accountable for any of his other promises?

Although this is one situation it is still a big one. I predict that the Obama Administration will make change and that they believe they have the people in mind when it comes to their choices. I just hope that they plan to provide the people with what they have promised and not produce any lies.

SECURITY BEEF UP

By: Nate Beeler

Date: 1/9/2010

In: The Washington Examiner

Meaning: It is poking fun at the recent mishaps in American security. Including the situation in which the Salahi couple walked right into the White House claiming they we a part of the party. It's showing how Obama needs to step up the security.

Agree: It really isn't that funny of a matter. Americans security has been tested a bunch. With the most recent airplane scare, it will be expected that Obama makes some changes to step up security. It should not be as easy as putting a bomb near your crotch to smuggle in a bomb.