Hero or Accomplice? 14 year-old charged on total of 44 counts.

Many people were curious as to what happened to the bus driver driving the bus that day, well Lucille Boddy, did speak out in an exclusive interview on WAPT news. The bus driver reported that she had pulled over the bus on a separate occasion to tell the kids to stop picking at her. She also feels that the teen should not be tried as an adult and that she should just seek medical attention. I do disagree with the statement of the teen being unaware of what she was doing. Although it is obvious to all that she acted out of fear, in the video she repeatedly said that she doesn't mind going to jail. She expects to be punished, she knew what she was doing was wrong. The bus driver still drives buses in the area. She was never suspended nor fired. I am sure she will testify at the trial, but to my knowledge nothing else has been done to the bus driver.

What Is Really More Important?

Saving the planet is not based on buying the more expensive products that claim to be eco-friendly. The little things we do on a daily basis all add up to a bigger problem. A fact from the Environmental Protection Agency found that around eightty percent of American's "garbage" is recyclable. This is simply not acceptable. I recycle at my home. I understand what it takes to keep up recycling. It does not take much time or aggravation to do so. There are places to recycle in just about every city. Even if you do not want to take your own recycling, in some cities they provide a curbside recycling which is similar to that of picking up garbage. You simply leave a binon your curb along side your garbage and it is picked up straight from your home. For more information on how to make this possible and check your cities' availability, click on this link http://www.therecyclingcenter.info/recyclefromhome.html. Another wayto get rid of unecessary waste in your trash is to sort it for what can naturally decompose. A easy way to take care of your decomposable trash is a compost. Making a compost is very simple and easy to maintain, steps to making a compost are easy to follow. Everyone is capable of making their own compost.By taking these few little steps our world could be better off and face it. you know you would feel better knowing you are doing a good thing for the environment.

Response to Robot Love: Are we too Dependent?

In response to my first blog post, Robot Love: Are We too Dependent? I want to point out the affect of our technology dependence on future generations. When you look back, its hard to remember exactly what we did before Facebook, Google, Mapquest, or Internet period. It's hard to remember the times where you had to actually had to call some one to communicate with them, or go to the library when you had an unanswered question, or even stop and read a map when you got lost. If our generation is slowly moving away from doing these things, you can only imagine what our future generation will be doing. The underlying concern is, what will happen if all of our modern day and possibly future technological conviences were to disappear? Would our future generation suffer from not knowing how to complete everyday tasks that are made simple because of technology? While it's difficult to imagine all of our technological advances 'disappearing', it is certainly a possibility. With computers taking over everything to everday tasks to jobs, would our future generation be at loss because of our dependence on technology?

Death or Life

The death penalty is one method of punishment that sentences the criminal to death for certain extreme offenses. Some countries see the death penalty as wrong, and have abolished it in their country. In the United States, the death penalty is not abolished, but there are many arguments as to if it should still be used. In 2008, only 37 states in the U.S. still used the death penalty. The 13 states in which abolished the death penalty are of the following: Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Nebraska and New York has claimed that one method of execution violated their states' constitution. A criminal can be sentenced to death row by one main crime, murder. In Georgia, "murder, kidnapping with a ransom when the victim dies, aircraft hijacking, and treason" are all crimes punishable by the death penalty. Other states include more and less crimes, but the basis is murder. Call me old fashioned, but if you are able to take the life of another and it was not forced, the death penalty is just. Americans who disbelieve in the death penalty claim that is should be abolished because "people make mistakes, and killing someone is wrong, and two wrongs do not make a right." On the other hand, in which I strongly agree, killing with the intentions of killing, is not a mistake. "They deserve to die, and not sentencing to death will only give that person another chance to commit the same crime." Sarah Palin, a U.S. Politician and former Alaskan Governor quotes "We have a right to know that someone who rapes and murders a child or kills an innocent person in a drive-by shooting will never be able to do that again." Along with agreeing with Palin, I also agree with George W. Bush, Former U.S. President, that "the death penalty is not about revenge, but about saving other people's lives." The death penalty should not abolished. The punishment of it will keep some criminals in line and delete criminals who choose to still offend this law.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

In current news, the White House and Congress are actively examining the remaining issues of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). Recently, the United States Department of Defense to immediately stop the enforcement of the policy. The Justice Department is only allowed 60 days to appeal this action, but they have not yet made the decision towards if they are going to. As noted, the final decision does not effect President Obama. In regards to the Democrats and Republicans, the entire Republican caucus filibustered (talking out a bill) a defense bill that included the measure to repeal this controversial policy. The ultimate decision of this policy will result in thousands of men and women being booted from the service because of their sexual orientation. Last month, a ruling took place by the U.S. District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips interpreting that the DADT policy was not only unconstitutional, but it would take a direct effect on the military. In Yahoo News, this worldwide injunction by the federal judge has caused numerous to protest and attempt to persuade the Justice Department not to appeal the decision already made. Also, many believe that the decision made has been the perfect one towards the right step because apparently Congress has been taking too long for them. According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network mentioned to gay troops that they should not have exploited their sexuality just yet. Eventually, they have come to the realization that the Justice Department may appeal the ban on the policy. Barring this appeal, previous service members may possibly be getting their job back because they resigned from their position before. The decision made by the Justice Department has notified most that banning opening gay troops from the service is a violation of the first amendment. As of now, a major concern involves the recruiting process being directly interrupted because of sexual orientation. Until the hopeful appeal of the policy, Gay Rights Activists and service members will be on the edge of their seats in regards to their careers.

KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL!!

In response to my first blog, I agree with the both of you. It is ridiculous Tamara, and laws would be extremely helpful, Owen. Therefore, there is a law that was taken into effect on July 1st to ban texting while driving. This law was enforced to decrease the hazard of accidents and deaths. According to CBS, 30 states, including the District of Columbia partake in this law and banned texting while driving . Although, according to CBS again, the ban is not being very effective. To be honest with you Owen, no I don't think there is a way that police officers could actually enforce this law. I think that everyone should obey the law and not text while driving out of spite just because there is a law banning this. Many are putting their lives at stake when not obeying this law. According to an article on texting while driving, 5,870 people died in car crashes in 2008 due to texting while driving, compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Also, according to the same article, adults outnumbered teenagers in texting while driving, 47 percent adults and 34 percent teenagers. This article shows the many statistics of texting while driving. There are many alternatives and ways to avoid the deaths and accidents that occur, only if people will use them. What is one way you think that can help decrease the rates of deaths due to texting while driving?