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.