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Round 4 Blog Groups

GROUP 1

Mason Boling  /  Clayton Bontrager  /  Andrew Byrne  /  Taylor Calhoun

GROUP 2

Jessica Deak  /  Gavin Fandrei  /  Joe Fogleman  /  Molly Gerth

GROUP 3

Shaun Heinzelman  /  Megan Hume  /  Brendan Massing  /  Connor Mathias

GROUP 4

 
Margaret McClernon  /  Chris McCrickard  /  Laura McIntosh  /  Michaelan Morgan

GROUP 5

Joey Mulinaro  /  Jake Norris  /  Johnny Nowak  /  Brian Propes

GROUP 6

Mitchel Rearick  /  Mackenzie Reckley  /  Brennan Wade

NEW BLOG ASSIGNMENT CRITERIA

It is now time for Round 4, and we will be changing up the format of the Blog Assignment.


Each week, you will need to start by choosing your topic and writing your post.  This will be due by Wednesday of each week (checked Wednesday evening).


Next, you will need to navigate to this site.  Today, I will post groups.  You will need to go to the site of two of your other group members and post a comment about their blog.  These will be due by Sunday of each week (checked Sunday evening).


You should be able to access each other's sites through the list of "followers" on the right hand side of this page.  Click on their blog name and become a "follower" of their site.  This will allow you access to their site, and allow you to follow it from your "dashboard."  If you are unable to access their site for some reason, I must be notified immediately!  Telling me that you were unable to access their site after the assignment is checked will simply be treated as a late assignment!

WEEK 8 BLOG

Over the weekend, a massive earthquake hit the South American nation of Chile.  It measured 8.8, and is among the largest ever recorded.  The damage is massive and the death toll is currently hovering around 700.  The president has already pledged the support of the United States should it be needed to the Chilean president.

Chile earthquake: more than 700 dead, 2 million displaced (Salt Lake Tribune)

While this is a noble gesture, the question that must be asked is this... Given the current economic problems in our own nation and the fact that we have done so much to assist in Haiti, can the United States afford to do the same in Chile right now?  Should the president be able to just tell other world leaders that we will provide them with money without first presenting the idea to the American tax-payers?  (PART I due 3/4 ; PART II due 3/7)

WEEK 7 BLOG

The big story from the past week was Tiger Woods' apology to the golf world for his behavior...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs8nseNP4s0

In the wake of that story, another has developed.  It seems that Mr. and Mrs. Woods have sent a letter of apology to Premier Academy, the pre-school that their two-year-old daughter attends.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100223/ap_on_sp_go_ne/glf_woods__apology

It seems that since the story broke, there has been an increased presence of paparazzi at the school hoping to get photos of the Woods family and attempting to get reactions from the other parents.

First, does this apology to the golfing world really mean anything?  Was it even necessary?  Should his personal transgressions make any difference in the way that the public feels about him as a golfer, and will there be any backlash when / if he does return to the game?  What do you thin the reaction will be?

Secondly, what should be done in the case of the paparazzi at the day care?  Does the public's right / want to know about the personal life of celebrities be allowed to infringe upon the parents / children of others attending Premier Academy?  (PART I due 2/25; PART II due 2/28)

WEEK 6 BLOG

Ealier this week, Senator Evan Bayh (D - Ind.) announced that he would be retiring from Congress.  The main reasons that he gave for retiring was that he did not love working in the Congress due to the amount of partisanship that took place.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100215/ap_on_el_se/us_senate_bayh_retires

This announcement means major things for many different groups who will be both hurting from the announcement and looking to benefit from it...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/senate/the-bayh-decision-winners-and.html?wprss=thefix

Some even believe that this may result in Senator Bayh challenging President Obama in the next primary elections...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/15/evan-bayh-for-president-s_n_463202.html

Furthermore, it potentially shines a light on a bigger issue aas more and more people in Congress (who seem to be "moderates) decide to "call it quits" rather than running for re-election...

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2010/02/17/general-us-goodbye-moderates_7361913.html

What does this say about the state of the U.S. Congress?  Will this serve as a "wake-up call" for senators and representatives, or will it be a temporary headline followed by "business as usual?"  If a congressman is willing to make statements such as these and give up a seat that he was almost sure to win again, should we as citizens worry about what is going on in Washington?  If Senator Bayh does decide to run for president, do you think he has a chance to beat out President Obama for the Democratic nomination?  (PART I due 2/18; PART II due 2/21)

PHASE II of the Blog Assignments

THIS BEGINS THIS WEEK (WEEK 5)

During PHASE II, which starts with Week 5, there are two parts to the Blog Assignments.

PART I is doing exactly what you've been doing - post an answer to the topic / question presented.  These will be due by Thursday of each week and will be worth 10 points.

PART II is responding to someone else's post.  You will need to respond to two different people, and this must be done in two seperate posts to make it easier to determine whether you have completed the assignment or not.  Each post is worth 5 points, and is due by Sunday of each week.

WEEK 5 BLOG (2/8 - 2/14)

The 2010 Winter Olympics begin next week and with another round of games comes another argument.  It seems to arise every four years, and never seems to be resolved.  Which olympics games is superior...Summer or Winter?

There are those out there who feel that the Winter games are better...

Why the Winter Olympics are better

And there are those that prefer the Summer games...

Why the Summer Olympics are better

So, which side are you on and why?  If you prefer the Summer, why are they superior?  If you like the Winter, what makes the snow and the ice so special?  (PART I due by 2/11 ; PART II due by 2/14)

WEEK 4 BLOG (2/1 - 2/7)

The big controversy this week seems to be the decisions being made by school systems across the area as to whether or not to hold classes the day after the Superbowl.  The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has announced that all schools will be closed...

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20101290355

Indianapolis Public Schools has announced that they will have a two-hour delay to try and avoid the transportation problems that they experienced after the Superbowl in 2007...

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100202/NEWS04/100202019/-1/ARCHIVE/IPS-2-hour-delay-after-Super-Bowl

Other school systems are still trying to decide what the proper decision is.  People in favor of the cancellations / delays state that this is an opportunity for families to spend quality time together, celebrating the team's / city's success and enjoying each other's company during a time when most of us seem too busy to do just that.  People who are against the cancellations / delays argue that teachers are already crunched for time as it is to try and get through all of the necessary information in their classes and that doing something like this simply sends the wrong message to children (i.e. that sports are more important than education).

What is the right / proper decision?  Is there really a right and wrong decision here?  Is completely closing schools on Monday a good use of resources, or is a two hour delay more appropriate?  (due 2/7)

WEEK 3 BLOG (1/25 - 1/31)

Last week, Governor Daniels gave his "State of the State" address. In it, he made reference to the fact that financially, Indiana is in much better off than any of our neighboring states, and better than the national average.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20101200317

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGGTiyTEriE

Despite this being the case, he has still called for budget cuts "across the board" to government agencies. This includes cutting funding to public schools by approximately 3.5%.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20101180370

If the state really is in a much better position than our neighbors, are these budget cuts really necessary? Should schools be forced to learn to live with less as these other government agencies will have to, or should they be exempt? (due 1/31)

WEEK 2 BLOG (1/18 - 1/24)

In response to this past week's devastating earthquake in Haiti, the international community has responded with a generous outpouring of support, funds, supplies, food, etc. However, so much has come into the country so quickly, that it has caused major problems in getting it to the areas and the people that need it...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100116/ts_afp/haitiquake_20100116192424

As a result of these continued problems, some frustrated Haitian citizens have resulted to looting and violence in an attempt to get the things that they need to survive. Local police and U.N. peacekeepers have resorted to the use of violence against these groups to try and maintain order...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/17/world/americas/17looting.html?hp

Given the current state of things in Haiti, should people be allowed to do what they feel they need to do in order to survive these extraordinary circumstances, or is the need to maintain order in a chaotic situation more important? Are the actions of the looters justified, or are the police doing the right thing by doing whatever necessary to keep the peace? Should people be allowed to scavenge for whatever they can get to benefit themselves, or should this be discouraged to be fair to everyone? (due 1/24)

WEEK 1 BLOG (1/11 - 1/17)

It was announced to day that, after years of speculation, former professional baseball player Mark McGwire has admitted to having used steroids during his career.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/01/11/mcgwire.steroids.ap/index.html?eref=sihp

Here is an interview with Mark McGwire about his steroid use...

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7148405&topic_id=7898602

Based on this admission, should his career be viewed as being tainted? Should his record for the most homeruns in a season be erased from the record books? Should he be allowed to return to baseball as a coach? (due 1/17)

Blog Assignment Examples

This is a link to the Blog page from the first semester. Go here to get an idea of what needs to be done for the blog assignments...

http://rhsgif09.blogspot.com/

Spring 2010

This is the Blog location for the Roncalli Global Issues Class for the Spring Semester of 2010.