Air Transport

What sorts of things do you feel airlines should do in order to survive in challenging economic times?

What new security methods or procedures do you feel should be developed and implemented by airports and/or airlines to prevent terrorism and ensure air traveler safety?

Rebel Yells - Upfront Oct 25th

After reading the short article on the replacement of the University of Mississippi's mascot, do you think that the Rebel mascot should be replaced?  Do you think that our mascot might be offensive to some?  Do you think that Gladbrook-Reinbeck should consider a new mascot?  What are your feeling on this subject; not just this mascot, but even the change of mascot names such as the Indians or Warriors? 

Upfront October 4th - Armed and Underage

Read the cover story of the October 4th issue of Upfront on page 6.  Copy and paste the short quiz into your comment and then take the short quiz.  Then answer the questions that follow.

1.  As part of the fight against terrorism, the U.S. government is supporting the military of _____, which employs child soldiers.

a.  Democratic Republic of the Congo
b.  Uganda
c.  Somalia
d.  Colombia

2.  Which of the following statements about the use of children as combatants around the world is false?

a.  Hunger and poverty can drive parents to sell their children into military service.
b.  The use of child soldiers is a problem that dates back about 20 years.
c.  Children are seen as ideal soldiers because they are often easy to manipulate.
d.  Children are used as combatants by both rebel groups and in government militias.

3.  Which of the following is not mentioned in the article as a current conflict in which children are reportedly being used as soldiers.

a.  In Iraq, Al Qaeda sympathizers use children to test roadside bombs.
b.  In Colombia, rebels use children to fight, spy, and plant explosives.
c.  In the West Bank and Gaza, Palestinian children have been sent into Israel as suicide bombers.
d.  In Congo, Rebel groups use children as combatants in their fight over the country's gold, diamonds, and other natural resources.

4.  One nation's former leader, _______, is on trial by the International Criminal Court, accused of employing child soldiers.

a.  Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria
b.  Mohammed Suharto of Indonesia
c.  Omar al-Bashir of Sudan
d.  Charles Taylor of Liberia


What might be done to stop the use of child soldiers around the world?  Should the US stop funding governments that are known to use children as combatants?  At what age do you think that someone is ready to be a soldier? Explain.

Healthy Eating - FPS overview

After reading the overview provided by Mrs. Kiburis discuss the following:

• Why do you believe so many individuals today are finding it dufficult to successfully achieve healthy lifestyle?
• According to scientists and nutritionists, the continual consumption of fast food and convenience food items represents an "obesity time bomb".  What do you think they mean by this, and do you personally agree or disagree with their conclusion?
• In what specific ways do you feel ongoing sleep deprivation endangers healthy living?
• What impact (if any) do you believe fast foods, convenience foods, sleep deprivation, stress, lack of physical exercise, and related unhealthy entities and trends of today will have on the lives of individuals in the coming generations?

Upfront Sept. 20th -

Choose one of the following articles from the Sept. 20th issue of Upfront, read it and look at the corresponding political cartoon on page 23.  Then answer the following:

• Which article did you read and what was your general impressions/opinions of the article?
• Interpret your political cartoon- does it support your opinions?

"Rats with a Mission" - Upfront Sept.20th

Read the article on page 5 about a Dutch company that now trains rats to benefit humans and then answer the following questions:

• What is your reaction to this article?

• Come up with 3 more uses for these amazing creatures

The Great Immigration Debate

The following is a poem by Emma Lazarus.  It is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.  Read the poem after you have read the article "The Great Immigration Debate".  

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" 

This poem was written in 1883.  Think about how the poem reflects the views of immigration for most Americans during that time.  Do these sentiments ring true today?  

Which approach should the U.S. take:  deport illegal immigrants or create a path to legalization for them?