The G8: Who, or how many, should have power?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/3777557.stm
The G8 is a small, informal group of leaders from the 8 "most powerful" countries: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, US, Russia, and Canada. Although originally thought to bring world peace and help other smaller nations, the Great 8 have instead exploited them and become even more powerful. They act on their best interests and recently, protesters have come out on the streets against the G8. However, many people prefer power given to an elite group of leaders instead of many countries having some power. The group has existed since 1975 but only recently have people started to act against the G8 as they have become more aware of its power and exclusiveness.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Monday Matters #12
Is Marriage Still Relevant?
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361650/jewish/Why-Get-Married.htm
From a Jewish organization website, the article's author, Aron Moss, acknowledges that in today's society marriage seems very irrelevant. Moss spends most of the column conceding to the opposition, who do not believe that marriage is necessary. The question posed (Why get married?) is given by answers that all fail: to have kids, to live together, to make a solid commitment, to make a relationship official. All these can be done without marriage so what is the "point" anyway? Moss gives the answer: "a wedding achieves something that simply cannot be done otherwise- God is introduced into the relationship." While this is a likely answer for many religious couples, what about the non-religious ones?
Legally, getting married entitles each person in the relationship to certain rights, whereas couples who are not married do not legally have any rights to anything concerning the other person, so this is one possibility.
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/361650/jewish/Why-Get-Married.htm
From a Jewish organization website, the article's author, Aron Moss, acknowledges that in today's society marriage seems very irrelevant. Moss spends most of the column conceding to the opposition, who do not believe that marriage is necessary. The question posed (Why get married?) is given by answers that all fail: to have kids, to live together, to make a solid commitment, to make a relationship official. All these can be done without marriage so what is the "point" anyway? Moss gives the answer: "a wedding achieves something that simply cannot be done otherwise- God is introduced into the relationship." While this is a likely answer for many religious couples, what about the non-religious ones?
Legally, getting married entitles each person in the relationship to certain rights, whereas couples who are not married do not legally have any rights to anything concerning the other person, so this is one possibility.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Monday Matters #11
Marking Period 4 Start - Beginning Research
Topic: Is Marriage Still Relevant?
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/12/14/barely-half-of-u-s-adults-are-married-a-record-low/
According to research done by the Pew Research Center, barely half of all adults in the US are married, which is a record low for the country, dropping by almost 20% since 1960. The divorce rate since the 1970's has "leveled off," so it can be concluded that young people are choosing not to get married or are pushing it off until later. About 60% of adults who have never been married say that want to get married, and the others are either not sure or they do not want to ever marry.
Research has proven that marriage is declining, which brings up the relevance of marriage. Further research could consist of looking at divorce rates, the alternatives to marriage, the reasons for delaying marriage, and what it means for the future generations (are rates going to continue to decline? will marriage become obsolete?).
Topic: Is Marriage Still Relevant?
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/12/14/barely-half-of-u-s-adults-are-married-a-record-low/
According to research done by the Pew Research Center, barely half of all adults in the US are married, which is a record low for the country, dropping by almost 20% since 1960. The divorce rate since the 1970's has "leveled off," so it can be concluded that young people are choosing not to get married or are pushing it off until later. About 60% of adults who have never been married say that want to get married, and the others are either not sure or they do not want to ever marry.
Research has proven that marriage is declining, which brings up the relevance of marriage. Further research could consist of looking at divorce rates, the alternatives to marriage, the reasons for delaying marriage, and what it means for the future generations (are rates going to continue to decline? will marriage become obsolete?).
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Monday Matters #10
Gail Collins' View on Society
Through her focus on the Presidential candidates for the upcoming election, Collins provides criticism and different positions based on the events that transpire throughout the race. She uses sarcasm to humorously depict the candidates as well as other targets, like Iowa, as she said in her "Feel Free to Ignore Iowa" column, "It has many things to recommend, including the Iowa State Fair, which, in my opinion, really sets the planetary pace when it comes to butter sculptures." In this way, she shows that people in society should take jokes lightly and that no one is really free from criticism and stereotypes.
She does make fun of the candidates quite often, and other former runners as well like Christine O'Donnell who "praised Romney for having 'been consistent since he changed his mind.' I so miss Christine O’Donnell." She knows that people who are watching the race like to poke fun at the occasional "stupidity" and mistakes of the candidates like the Herman Cain-Libya embarrassment. However, this could be seriously worrying at times when arguably some of the most talented, intelligent men and women are in the running to be the leader of our nation. Collins provides her opinions and the public's opinions on what goes on throughout the debates, caucuses, and humiliations, holding up a mirror to society and the ones laughing at the ones on the podium at the same time.
Through her focus on the Presidential candidates for the upcoming election, Collins provides criticism and different positions based on the events that transpire throughout the race. She uses sarcasm to humorously depict the candidates as well as other targets, like Iowa, as she said in her "Feel Free to Ignore Iowa" column, "It has many things to recommend, including the Iowa State Fair, which, in my opinion, really sets the planetary pace when it comes to butter sculptures." In this way, she shows that people in society should take jokes lightly and that no one is really free from criticism and stereotypes.
She does make fun of the candidates quite often, and other former runners as well like Christine O'Donnell who "praised Romney for having 'been consistent since he changed his mind.' I so miss Christine O’Donnell." She knows that people who are watching the race like to poke fun at the occasional "stupidity" and mistakes of the candidates like the Herman Cain-Libya embarrassment. However, this could be seriously worrying at times when arguably some of the most talented, intelligent men and women are in the running to be the leader of our nation. Collins provides her opinions and the public's opinions on what goes on throughout the debates, caucuses, and humiliations, holding up a mirror to society and the ones laughing at the ones on the podium at the same time.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Monday Matters #9
Mitt's Zest for Zings - Gail Collins, columnist
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/15/opinion/collins-mitts-zest-for-zings.html?ref=gailcollins
Collins evaluates why Mitt Romney would say that a President should not be "zany." She approaches this with humor to make fun of the fact that he used such an odd word to prove that he should be president: he would not be called "zany." She also notes that the Republicans in general have not been having a "difficult time with foreign affairs this season" with the Herman Cain-Libya embarrassment and Romney's choice of words for the Honduras leader being "tossed out." She ends with a hint towards her next column as the next "important" event for the Republicans is Iowa.
Monday Matters #8
Gail Collins' View on Iowa Caucuses
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/opinion/feel-free-to-ignore-iowa.html?ref=gailcollins
Collins makes her point on the irrelevance of the Iowa caucuses by starting the article with sarcasm, enthusiastically saying there are only "8,000 minutes to go!" She continues to satirize the state for its lack of modernity by saying the Iowa State Fair "really sets the planetary pace when it comes to butter sculptures." As the actual participants only reach about 100,000 people, Collins does not believe that Iowa is important at all in the long run of the Republican race. She also makes the point that the candidates are likely to change their appeals slightly for their audience, a primarily conservative group. She maintains the humor throughout the article, while presenting her point formally in some parts with evidence, as well.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/opinion/feel-free-to-ignore-iowa.html?ref=gailcollins
Collins makes her point on the irrelevance of the Iowa caucuses by starting the article with sarcasm, enthusiastically saying there are only "8,000 minutes to go!" She continues to satirize the state for its lack of modernity by saying the Iowa State Fair "really sets the planetary pace when it comes to butter sculptures." As the actual participants only reach about 100,000 people, Collins does not believe that Iowa is important at all in the long run of the Republican race. She also makes the point that the candidates are likely to change their appeals slightly for their audience, a primarily conservative group. She maintains the humor throughout the article, while presenting her point formally in some parts with evidence, as well.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday Matters #7
Columnist Gail Collins (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/opinion/ok-now-ron-paul.html?ref=gailcollins
Although Collins doubts Ron Paul will win the presidential election, she defends some of his characteristics and actions after mentioning his faults. Paul has many "pet peeves," or things he does not believe in, like the government issuing marriage licenses. This tends to lead to opposition from his own side as a Republican, which hurts him. He's also very honest, even if he is old-fashioned (in his economic policies especially), or at least attempts to stay true to his original stance in every matter. In all, he cannot be completely disliked, but he is not someone you would want for President.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/opinion/ok-now-ron-paul.html?ref=gailcollins
Although Collins doubts Ron Paul will win the presidential election, she defends some of his characteristics and actions after mentioning his faults. Paul has many "pet peeves," or things he does not believe in, like the government issuing marriage licenses. This tends to lead to opposition from his own side as a Republican, which hurts him. He's also very honest, even if he is old-fashioned (in his economic policies especially), or at least attempts to stay true to his original stance in every matter. In all, he cannot be completely disliked, but he is not someone you would want for President.
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