Not the Gas Prices, Again

Yet again oil prices are on the rise...which means fuel prices are going up as well. Because more money has to go to gasoline, less is being put towards consumer spending to stimulate the economy. Unrest in Middle East countries has halted oil production, leaving the U.S. with no choice but to raise the prices on the oil they do have. In addition to oil, a housing market that had a few sporadic increases is now headed back in a downward direction with people now owing more money towards their households then they are worth. One family was only able to afford sending one child to summer camp this year, because it was all they could afford in the midst of their shared money struggle with the majority of families in the United States.


To read more go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/business/economy/25econ.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&hp

In the Absence of Jobs

Following his cancer surgery in 2004 and liver transplant in 2009, Steve Jobs, an American visionary who has changed the face of music, mobile and phone industries, continues to face his deteriorating health. At age 56, Jobs had been the heart beat to an Apple, Inc. industry worth over $300 billion. Former and current executives have differing opinions about the future of Apple. One source said,"When Apple does something, the whole world innovates. Who's going to do that now? That's not going to continue. I don't care what anyone says. How could it? How can you replace Steve? The reality is, you can't" with feelings that ultimately the company won't become unsuccessful, but it will never be the same. There has been debate over Jobs' health as it applies to his right to privacy, but on the other hand the right for investor's to know about his health. The article noted that investors are waiting anxiously to see if Jobs will show up to Apple's annual developers conference this June.

To read more go to: http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/technology/la-fi-apple-future-20110223,0,3636782.story

Hello, My Name Is...James Franco

This Baltimore Sun article, gave a brief of the life and times of Oscar-nominated movie star James Franco. He is set to host the show alongside celebrity actress Anne Hathaway Sun. Feb 27. Franco is currently pursuing his PhD in literature at Yale University. The 32-year-old "is producing a large-scale comedic-drama with film and music for Yale undergrads as an extracurricular project." Franco has been up to several other projects; last fall "he published a collection of 11 short stories set in the '90s called "Palo Alto." He attended and graduated from Palo Alto High School in '96.

To read more go to: http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/hc-james-franco-file-0227-20110227,0,7677953.story

Population? No, More like Dropulation

In U.S. news, the populations of Birmingham, Ala. and St. Louis have suffered a noticeable decline. Census Bureau figures show that more recently more people are moving West than Midwest. However, another change was that, “There seems to be some black suburbanization going on in some of these counties,” said William H. Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution.Although these two cities are shrinking in population, their surrounding suburbs continue to grow, in the amount people and specifically minorities.

To read mo on this topic go to :http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/25/us/25census.html?ref=politics

Middle East Madness

According to the New York Times, "Hundreds of thousands of protesters turned out in cities across the Middle East on Friday to protest the unaccountability of their leaders"--a trend that has spread Libya, a country in northern Africa. Despite the actions of other Middle Eastern countries, protesters in Iraq are "demanding better government services after years of war and deprivation." Where some demonstrations have resulted in violence, others have occurred peacefully.

To read more go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/26/world/middleeast/26unrest.html?_r=3&hp

Hayden to Amanda

Celebrity actress Hayden Panettiere was asked to play the role of Amanda Knox, the study abroad study convicted of killing her roommate while in Italy, for a new Lifetime movie set to premiere this Monday.  Because the judicial aspect of this murder case is still ongoing, there was much debate whether or not the film should continue with its premiere, noted Knox's lawyer, Maria del Grosso. Criticized for her decision to pursue the part, Panettiere, and I quote says, "To a certain degree, guilty or innocent, I want to see her get out and be able to live the rest of her life. She's someone that I root for".


To read more go to: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-hayden-panettiere-20110221,0,2063944.story

Wintek Needs to Take Better Care

A Taiwanese-owned company called Wintek has been held legally responsible for allowing its employees to work in risky health and dangerous work conditions inside its factories. These Apple manufacturing overseas supplier companies in China have led employees to organize protest, hire lawyers and lobby politicians. Wintek has tried to satisfy its workers and keep them quiet by ensuring compensation for medical bills or sick leave.

To read more go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/23/technology/23apple.html?pagewanted=1&ref=technology&adxnnlx=1298426476-2oLYhePJaauDfzZxBsbiTg

The Goal Should Be to Negotiate

The House of Representatives in Congress, with a majority of Republicans, has proposed a $60 billion cut on federal spending. This would cut funding to such programs and organization as Planned Parenthood, the regulation of certain greenhouse gases and the health care bill put in place by Democrats. Republicans have made it obvious that they are unwilling to move or postpone the upcoming date set to officially cut spending, Democrats say this would result in a shutdown of the federal government.

To read more go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/us/politics/20congress.html?pagewanted=2

Facebook Doesn't Want Any Part In It

Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook, along with other spokepersons and presidents within the internet sites community do not want to change their policy requiring users to use their real identities. Human rights groups feel as though Facebook  needs to do more on behalf of its major influence on the actions people take regarding politics and government in their respective countries. Other popular internet sites such as Youtube and Twitter, both powered by Google, have been primary tools by their users as well to aid in the spread of protest awareness in other countries like Tunisia.

To read more on this article go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/business/media/15facebook.html

Achievement Gap Initiative

Dr. Ferguson has been working since the late 1990s to find reasoning behind the obvious educational gap between black and white youth. Many people find it easy to listen to him because although he stands about 6'3" he is soft-spoken. He also does not get emotional when speaking to parents,students and/or teachers, but instead sticks to the facts based on his studies. He focus and test subjects are mainly from places that are classified as wealthy and racially mixed. The director of The Council of the Great City Schools said Ferguson "[helped them] understand the dynamics behind the achievement gap [more] than anyone else in the county".

To read more on this national issue go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/14/education/14winerip.html?pagewanted=1&ref=education

Victimized time after Time

It is unknown what caused the fire at the Windermere Court apartments on 48th and Walnut Jan. 10, but one thing is obvious--the tenants want to attain any belongs that may not have been destroyed. The city's commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections deemed the complex "eminently dangerous". An individual who commented on the story noted that by describing the building as eminent is different than imminent, meaning that the tenants entrance into the building could be fatal. Last Wednesday to Sunday the private security company guarding the apartments did not have people at the site and a hole cut into the gate was found in which tenants made their way in.

To read more on this story go to: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110215_City_won_t_let_victims_of_blaze_get_belongings.html?cmpid=41144277

GPS or Common Sense

This LA Times articles, starts by mentioning a new Guinness World record set by a man who put 2.9 million miles on a 1966 Volvo, but it goes in somewhat different "direction" after that fact-- The GPS. According to a several university studies, the voice that GPS's produce are the product of relationships between it and the owner. Many people grow so attached to their direction devices that their driving has become unsafe, with some drivers listening so closely that they end up in accidents or damaging their cars. In Germany a BMW model was recalled because it came with a navigation system accompanied by a female's voice--Germans refuse to take "orders" from a woman. Some men even related their GPSs to ex-wives and their bossy and annoying personalities.

Verizon iPhone Tops AT&T

The "experiment" that the author of this technology-based article performed confirmed that the Verizon iPhone will be worth every penny under its two-year $200 deal. David Pogue, held up iPhone from AT&T and Verizon while in San Francisco and New York, guess which was the first to drop the call? AT&T, the one who's slogan promises "more bars in more places". The physical make up of both phones are close to identical. Pogue did mention that even being the best network in America, Verizon's pricing and policies are terrible. However, Verizon customers' wishes have been granted--"an iconic, beautiful, fast, elegant iPhone"!

T read more on the specifics go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/technology/personaltech/03pogue.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=technology

42 Years of Love

After 40 years of marriage Ed and Marjorie Rendell have decided to part ways. The Inquirer article, included a snippet of the e-mail the Rendells sent out to friends. Stating that it would not be "awkward or uncomfortable" for the two to attend social gatherings together. After a love scandal broke the news regarding Mr. Rendell and Kristen Snow, who at the time was the head Commonwealth Media Services. He insisted that there was no love connection between himself and Ms. Snow, a recently divorced woman with young son. Sources close the Rendells claimed that although they plan to seperate, a new person in either of their lives would never match the closeness and history that Ed and Marjorie had.

To read more go to:  http://philly.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Andy, What Exactly Are You Doing?

The Philadelphia Eagles have chosen Juan Castillo, the team's offensive line coordinator , as the new defensive coach. Although he has not coached defense since being a high school coach in Texas, the reporter claims that Castillo is ready for his newly promoted position. I hope he does the Eagles well as long as he is in charge of the defense because the Birds struggled this past season with quarterback protection and "gave up 49 sacks, fourth most in the NFL". Moving from offensive to defensive will put him at an advantage having worked on the opposite side of the ball "and studying opposing blitzes".

To read more about the Eagles' Juan Castillo go to: http://philly.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Farewell, Mr. Sesame

The man who created "Sesame Street" passed away on Jan. 21, 2011 after being hospitalized at Westchester Medical Center for a neck injury. After the show's inception in 1969 he found countless ways to enter the minds, hearts and imaginations of children everywhere. The show went on the win 22 Emmy daytime awards; he also wrote the screenplay for the animated movie "Land Before Time" in which talking orphaned dinosaurs became friends and went journey filled with up and downs.

You will be missed Mr. Tony Geiss.~

To read more go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/arts/television/31geiss.html?_r=1&ref=television

Endangerment of Egypts Antiquities

In Cairo, Egypt citizens are busy protesting the dictatorship that President Mubarak has brought to their country, and harshly demanding that he step down immediately. However, there is an underlying issue regarding the protection and safety of the antiquities. Looters have been making their way into museums and unguarded warehouse where items are not displayed. They choose now of all times because military focus is on the protesters, not the safety of ancient artifacts despite their historical importance, symbolism and appreciation. "...not just for [them but belong] to the entire world" said Ali Said, a man standing guard in front of the Egyptian Museum in the heart of Tahrir Square.

To read more go to: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fg-egypt-museum-20110202,0,1622384.story

A Generational Split

Barbara Bush, daughter of former President George W. Bush, endorsed a Human Rights Campaign video supporting the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York. As a Yale undergraduate student she become close with gay people and was open to conversation about sexuality. In the video she says, New York is about fairness and equality. And everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love." The New York Times articles noted that this "generational split...is blind to party affiliation and family values". It also makes an example out of the daughters of John McCain and Dick Cheney, in addition to the wives of former presidents and a presidential nominee.

To read further go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/us/politics/01bush.html