After Durban, What Next?

Reading updates about the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, felt discouraging to me, with the United States seemingly out-of-touch with the reality of global warming. But I experienced a nagging sense of familiarity as US legislators at home and negotiators abroad ignored scientific truths, communicated through hyperbole, and used obstructionist delay tactics.

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Dreaming of a 'Green' Christams

When we think 'Green' Christmas were not talking about this guy!

“Give the eco gift that keeps giving to the whole planet. Wind power and offset plans help everyone on your gift list go green.”

How does it work?

Shop the store and make your holiday 'Wish List.'

Other tips for having a 'Green Christmas.'

A Year Without Santa?

The U.N. annual climate summit in Durban, South Africa, has drawn scientists and world leaders to discuss the impact of Global Warming on the future of our planet.

What are the effects of Global Warming? Could it ruin Christmas? What about the Polar Bears?

In September 2009, documentary filmmaker Peter Gilbert joined more than 40 observers - including musicians Laurie Anderson, Jarvis Cocker, Robyn Hitchcock, Ryuichi Sakamoto and writer Suzan-Lori Parks - on an ice-breaking ship for a nine-day voyage off the coast of Greenland with artist-led climate change project, Cape Farewell. Their goal was to see, experience and contemplate the effects of climate change first-hand - and to begin a creative conversation with the rest of the world about one of the most important and pressing issues facing the future of humanity.

Watch the movie: Burning Ice

Learning Questions

1. What is the purpose of this trip to the Arctic?
2. Describe one specific landscape they come across along their journey?
3. What demographic is going to suffer the most from climate change, according to Lemn Sissay?
4. How have some artists begun to incorporate the experiences from this trip into their work?
5. How do the filmmakers incorporate the musicians performances into the film? What does this add to the documentary?
6. What did you find most interesting about this film? Why do you think the filmmaker decided to make this film?

To Spray or Not to Spray

Late last week, university police at UC Davis tore down the tents of campus protesters, arresting 8 students in the process. Students were upset about increased tuition rates. At one point, to clear a path, the police pepper-sprayed a line of seated, quiet protesters.

What is your reaction to the video? How would you describe this scene?

What amendment to the Constitution protects our right to 'peacefully assemble?'

Was this protest peaceful? How was this protest different from the students at Penn State?

What laws were the UC Davis students breaking? Was the force used by the officers suitable given the situation?

Watch this clip of the Lt. Pike warning the students right before the incident. Does this change your opinion of what happened?

In the interests of fairness, put yourself in their shoes, and think about how you would have handled the situation. What action would have been more appropriate? How would you have handled the situation differently?

The video of the pepper-spraying has outraged the world and Lieutenant John Pike, the pepper-sprayer, is being vilified on the Internet, as are the rest of the police involved here.

Whats the big deal? Pepper spray is just a 'food product' right?

Is pepper spray 'America's new car horn?'

Perhaps we should be relieved that the weapon used in this case was pepper spray, not bullets, as in the Kent State massacre of 1970, in which the Ohio National Guard killed four unarmed students.


Read more: http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-11-21/news/30424391_1_pepper-spray-protesters-university-police#ixzz1f7hEnPrh

Gun Control and the 2nd Amendment

“Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope,” describes Congress Woman Gabrielle Giffords’ efforts over the past 10 months to relearn how to walk and talk, and her painful discovery that six people were killed in the Jan. 8 attack outside a Tucson grocery store. The book is written from the perspective of her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly. But Giffords herself delivers the last chapter – a single page of short sentences and phrases called “Gabby’s Voice” in which she says her goal is to get back to Congress.

“I will get stronger. I will return,” she wrote.

Some argue that her story should be a lesson supporting stricter gun control in America.

Others argue the importance of keeping guns in preserving our freedom.

Are militia groups still relevant today?

What do you think?

Election 2011

CLICK HERE FOR ACTUAL ELECTION RESULTS

COMPARE TO KIDS VOTING RESULTS

Mix It Up

The Mixed Economy Unit 3 Notes



What type of economy was described in ''i Pencil?'

I Pencil

Here is your high-resolution teachable moment of the week: anti-capitalist, anti-corporate extremists of "Occupy Wall Street" mourning Apple Inc. founder Steve Jobs without a trace of irony.

Inherent in the American success story of the iMac/iPhone/iPad is a powerful lesson about the fundamentals of capitalism. The “occupiers” chant “people over profit.” They call for “caring” over “corporations.”

But the pursuit of profits empowers people beyond the bounds of imagination.

Read more....

Watch I Pencil.

The Write Stuff: A day in the life of a pencil.

Inside Job

Inside Job 2011 Best Part from Wall St. InsideJob on Vimeo.

Inside Job, the critically acclaimed movie by Academy Award nominated filmmaker, Charles Ferguson, is the definitive film about the economic crisis of 2008 and the role of Wall Street in modern society. It is a substantive and entertaining film that is ideal for educational purposes. I have shown it to my class, and I encourage you to watch it at home. The film is sweeping and non-partisan in its critique, and covers both the historical roots of the crisis and the central flaws of global financial regulation.

Study Guide

Zombie Jamboree!

NEW YORK (AP) — Protesters speaking out against corporate greed and other issues showed no signs of giving up their campaign Monday, with organizers urging participants to dress as "corporate zombies" and rally against police brutality.

The arrests of 700 people on Brooklyn Bridge over the weekend fueled the anger of the protesters camping in a Manhattan park and sparked support elsewhere in the country as the campaign entered its third week.

Occupy Wall Street started with fewer than a dozen college students spending days and nights in Zuccotti Park, a plaza near the city's financial center. But a day after Saturday's mass arrests, hundreds of protesters were resolute and like-minded groups in other cities had joined in.

Group spokesman Patrick Bruner urged protesters to dress up as zombies and eat Monopoly money to let financial workers "see us reflecting the metaphor of their actions."

The protests are not isolated to New York and have spread to cities nationwide including LA, Chicago, and even Cincinnati!


The nation hasn't seen a Zombie Jamboree like this since Harry Belafonte in 1969.

Read more.

Room for Debate

Read the Discussion.

Bean Counter

The phrase "bean counter" has only been in the public vocabulary since the 1970s, although it sounds as if it should be of a much older origin. It is possible that the description was inspired by overzealous kitchen inventory takers who insisted on counting every bean in a bag or every potato in a sack. The act of counting every bean to the exclusion of more important duties would be viewed by many as the ultimate act of micromanagement.

What do the 'Bean Counters' in this video literally tell us about our Capitalist Society? Why does this matter? Is it fair?

Where in the World?

No wonder it took us almost a decade to track down Osama Bin Laden when most Americans can't even find Pakistan on a map.

Test your map IQ.

Need a hint?

Of course we all know where Bin Laden is now.

Final Voyage

While we were all asleep the Space Shuttle Endeavour completed its final voyage returning to earth and landing safely at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, STS-134, delivered supplies and new technology to the International Space Station and brings us one step closer to the end of the Shuttle Program.

Whats next for NASA?

Think you can pilot the Shuttle to a safe landing?

Mothers Day vs. Fathers Day

What did you do for your Mother on Sunday?
Do you do more for your Mom than for your Dad on Fathers day?

According to the National Retail Federation, the average person will spend $94.32 on Dads for Father's Day this year. The average person will spend $126.90 on Moms for Mother's Day. Why?

Who do you think has it harder: Men or Women?
How are the stereotypes of men and women different?

Discuss this question with your group and then make a 'T' chart showing your responses.

How do Women's rights differ in Afghanistan?
How are these rules 'Draconian?'
What rights do women have under the Taliban?
Do you understand now why Aisha ran away?
Have women in the United States always had equal rights? Do they now?

Where in the World?

Despite one of the biggest manhunts in history, Osama Bin Laden remains as elusive as ever. Rooted in the facts around Bin Laden's disappearance and the continuing threat of Al Qaeda, The Conspiracy Files looks at the claims that the video messages of Bin Laden are being faked and that he is really dead.

If you were Osama Bin Ladin where would you hide? Why?

Click here for the latest theory.

A Royal Obsession, Do Americans Care?

The U.S. media have made sure Americans don’t miss out on a single detail about the upcoming wedding of Britain’s Prince William to Kate Middleton. But what do Americans in Washington really think of the royal wedding mania?

Click here to find out.

10 Ways You Can Get Into the Spirit of the Royal Wedding.

Watch the Royal Wedding Live on YouTube.

Trump Nation

Are you one of the many frustrated Americans sick and tired of hearing the same old mundane political campaign promises? Empty promises echo across the nation every four years; stringing us along as we wait for something good to finally happen. Well it is finally here, and it is real.

It is DONALD J. TRUMP.

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Donald Trump?

If the 2012 election were held today who would you vote for?

Is Donald Trump the President we deserve?

Gary Busey endorses Donald Trump for President.

Celebrity Apprentice

The ladies of ASAP are up one and ready to go two for two with the next installment of Celebrity Apprentice. The challenge is to write a children’s book based on one of the team members and perform it for an audience of 4 and 5 year olds.

So, Mr. Trump makes the teams select Project Managers on the spot. The teams select – Meatloaf for Backbone (Men) and Lisa Rinna for ASAP (Women).

Lisa starts off saying she doesn’t want the position but feels pressure from the group. NeNe shares that they think Lisa is a weak link and they figure to get rid of her now instead of later so that’s why they want Lisa as Project Manager.

The guys figured that since Meatloaf is a comedian he would make the best Project Manager for this challenge. In addition, his charity is for children.

The guys get right to it and put Mark McGrath and John Rice on the writing of the book. Little John is the person of focus…using super hero as the star.

The ladies have a few more challenges in selecting a person on the team as the focus and a concept. There were quite a few moments of confusion and simply no strong leadership at the table.

Can you beat the celebrities? Divide into teams of 4, choose a project manager and create a children's book of your own. You will be rated on Originality, Age Appropriateness and Presentation. Succeed and your team will be rewarded. Fail and you might hear the dreaded words: 'YOU'RE FIRED!'

Can we learn any real lessons about the business world from the Apprentice?

Reality TV

In 1992, reality TV was a novelty. In 2000, it was a fad. In 2011, it's a way of life.

How many of these Reality TV stars can you name?
0-10 You're fired; 11-26 Right on Dawg; 27-47 You're a 'Reality Idol.'

Read more.

Compare this episode of 'Father Knows Best' to 'My Super Sweet 16.' Which show is 'reality?'

1)'How has TV changed as a result of ‘Reality’ shows?

2) What is the ‘mean-girl’ syndrome?

3) Are today’s TV viewers more ‘savvy’ than their parents?

4) Is Reality TV really real?

5) Do you ‘emulate’ or ‘condemn’ reality TV personalities? Why?
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1963739,00.html#ixzz0oamxkoHE

Brain Drain

What can Ohio do to stop the 'Brain Drain?!'

Central Ohio -- with 110,000 students on 11 college campuses -- is second only to Boston in students per capita, said Denny Griffith, president of the Columbus College of Art & Design and co-chairman of the initiative.

Those students, said Susan Merryman, vice president of marketing at the Columbus Chamber, represent "a skilled work force critical to the future of our community."

But a recent survey of students indicated that 51 percent of Ohioans plan to leave the state after graduation, and 79 percent of non-Ohioans plan to leave. The reasons: They feel their job prospects are better elsewhere, and that culture and leisure activities here aren't up to their desires.

Read more...

Where Will You Live?

Many of you are counting the days until you graduate from Talawanda and can move away from Oxford & Butler county. But where will you go? Big city or beach? Mountains or wide open spaces? What factors will influence your decision: weather, low taxes, good jobss, no crime?

Despite a marginal increase in Ohio's population over the last decade, the state saw one of the worst declines in its under-18 population nationwide, the Dayton Daily News reports.

That section of the state's population dropped by 157,588, or 5.5 percent, according to the 2010 Census, ranking third in the nation behind New York and Michigan. Driving the decline, officials say, is a flight to “where the jobs are” by parents. The loss of families with kids will leave the state will have a smaller work force and a shrinking tax base, the paper said.

So where are young people going? Take a look at the 2010 census map.

Who Let the Dogs Out?!

Huskies and Bulldogs. Bulldogs and Huskies. It's a dog-meet-dog championship game. The 3 seed Connecticut Huskies will take on the 8 seed Butler Bulldogs in what will be an incredibly competitive National Championship game.

For decades, fans have been entering contests as to who can predict the tournament most correctly. President Barack Obama has called the filling out of a tournament bracket a "national pastime" and the inexact science of prediction making 'bracketology.' Sports programming during the tournament is rife with commentators comparing the accuracy of their predictions.

So how did your bracket end up?

This years tournament was the first 'Final Four' to not have one of the top two seeds from any of the four regions while the number of teams has been ever increasing. Where will it end?

How has the game changed since 1891? Click here to find out.

Are you the next Dr. James Naismith? Create a NEW GAME of your own with at least 5 rules? What is the goal? How do you score? What are the penalties? Describe it.

Who knows... maybe 100 years from now your game will create its own March Madness!

Odyssey Dawn?!

Why is Libya air campaign called Operation Odyssey Dawn?

The name assigned to the air campaign might sound like the title of a rock album or a video game, and the moniker has no specific meaning and nothing to do with Libya, its people or the country's leader, Moammar Gadhafi, according to Eric Elliott, a spokesman for the U.S. Africa Command, or AFRICOM.

"You have operational names like Desert Storm or Iraqi Freedom that convey a message" and are chosen by the White House or senior Pentagon officials, Mr. Elliott said in an interview. "Others, like Operation African Lion [an exercise in Morocco in 2009], are symbolic of the location. Odyssey Dawn is neither of those."

What does this name mean to you? What is the origin of the Odyssey? If you were to re-name the operation what would you call it and why?

1,000 Cranes for Japan

Find out more about the Disaster in Japan and then learn how to make your own Origami Crane step by step.

UPDATE: Now you can mail your paper cranes to Students Rebuild to trigger $2 for each crane. The goal? 100,000 cranes received will raise $200,000 to support Architecture for Humanity’s plan to support the rebuilding efforts of Japanese architects. Click here for more details.

Japan Syndrome?

A nuclear meltdown is an informal term for a severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating. A core melt accident occurs when the heat generated by a nuclear reactor exceeds the heat removed by the cooling systems. A meltdown is considered a serious event because of the potential, however remote, of radioactive material being released into the environment.

The worst nuclear disastors in history were the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

How do these disasters compare to whats happening in Japan right now?

Free to Choose

Ohio can neither tax nor cut its way to prosperity and must restructure government to improve the economy, Gov. John Kasich said in his first State of the State address, a speech interrupted by protesters.

"Let's stop talking, and let's start doing," Kasich, a Republican elected last year, told a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday. "Let's start pushing, because if we push and we work together, we're going to save the state. I have no doubt."

Kasich spoke in the House chamber amid audible chants from protesters outside who oppose a bill to curtail union rights for government workers. When Kasich cited the measure as an example of how the state must change its approach, protesters in the balcony interrupted with boos.

Dr. Milton Friedman’s classic series on economics and freedom first came out in 1980, but continues to influence people today. In it he discussed free trade, school choice, labor unions, regulations and just about everything else and ends each video with a debate. There’s no better place to start for learning about economics.

Would Dr. Milton Freedman agree with the Governor? What would this new government be like? Why has Ohio lost 600,000 jobs in the last 10 years? Where have those jobs gone? What is the role of Government in our economy? Should all government be privatized and controlled by a 'Free Market?' Are there certain government services that can't be privatized? How is this video still relevant 30 years after it was made?

Check out the top 10 Economics Documentaries.

The American Dream

The Get By

What is your idea of the American Dream?

When Mr. Kelly was your age it was to be a Professional Skateboarder. Funny how dreams can change.

Most of these guys didn't get into skating for the money. What is their 'Dream?'

Why did New York draw them? How has New York drawn millions of immigrants historically?

How important was education to these skaters? To the American Dream?

What risks do these guys face? What is the likelihood of becoming the next Tony Hawk?

Economic Disparity

Penny Wars

Penny Debate: Should the United States keep the penny or get rid of it?

The U.S. Cent, or penny coin, has almost no purchasing power today. The cost of making the pennies (1.26 cents each) is higher than face value, and the melt value of pennies ranges from more than 2.4 cents for the pre-1982 copper pennies, to nearly a full cent for the zinc pennies. However, the penny is a very sentimental coin to most Americans, and many people fear that eliminating the penny would raise prices because things would need to be rounded to the nickel.

Love them or Hate them pennies don't seem to be going away any time soon.

Read this article and then make a 'T' chart showing the pros & cons of the 1 cent coin.

Walk Like an Egyptian

Protests in Egypt continue to escalate but how much do we as Americans really know about this African nation?

Click here to take the quiz.

Learn more about Egyptian History and make predictions on Egypt's future.

Get the 'Egypt Fact Sheet.'

Use the Inverted Pyramid to summarize the story.

Future News

What were the Top News Stories of 2010?

What will the Headlines be 10, 20, or 50 years from now?

Brave New World

A recent spate of mass animal deaths around the world has sparked a rash of conspiracy theories and doomsday predictions with many people taking to the internet to have their say, news.com.au reported Thursday.

From the U.S. to New Zealand, from Britain to Brazil, bizarre cases of birds, fish and crabs turning up dead en masse have been reported in the past two weeks and no one seems to know why.

Is this global warming, a government conspiracy, or could it be these animals have just become Overpopulated?

Environmentalists have long been concerned about the resources threatened by rapidly growing human populations, focusing on phenomenon such as deforestation, desertification, air pollution and global warming. But the worst-case scenario for people experiencing overpopulation, according to Lawrence Smith, president of the Population Institute, is a lack of fresh, clean water.

"If the water goes, the species goes," he said.

What are the consequences of overpopulation?

What are the solutions?