Two-Column Web Journal

URL #1: http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/04/15/georgia.legislature/index.html?iref=allsearch

Facts/ Arguments from the source:

*Blame immigrants for overcrowding schools and draining taxpayers' dollars
*Toughest anti-immigration legislation in the nation

Personal Response:

I wonder how valid anti-immigrants' arguments are. It seems everything is based on hear-say, and nothing is actually proven either way.

Citation

Valdes, Gustavo. "Georgia Governor to Sign Law Targeting Illegal Immigration - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. Cable News Network, 21 Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. .

URL #2: http://www.npr.org/2011/04/20/135574803/arizonas-strict-immigration-law-one-year-later

Facts/ Arguments from the Source:

*A year after SB1070 was signed, supporters call it a success, opponents say it's a disaster
*An estimated 100,000 to 200,000 (so specific) illegals have left due to the "unwelcoming atmosphere for illegal immigrants"
*Arizona still divided over 1070 issue

Personal Response:

These "facts" that Pearce present as measures indicative of "progress" seem insubstantial. Although I was pleased to read that he focused only on border security and not persecuting illegals in schools or hospitals, I think he has a very strange way in thinking when he proclaims that he will do whatever is personally necessary to stop this "invasion".

Citation

Robbins, Ted. "A Year Later, Arizona Still Split Over Immigration : NPR." NPR : National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. 21 Apr. 2011. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. .

URL #3: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/21/education/21winerip.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

Facts/Arguments from Source:

*Isabel Castillo, an illegal immigrant who arrived in America at age 6, graduated from college magna cum laude in three and a half years with a degree in social work and a 4.0 GPA after working as a waitress from 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM seven days a week for a year to save up for college.
*"I tell them I'm a human being living like anyone else, not a criminal."

Personal Response:

This story makes the failure of the Dream Act especially poignant because it puts a pretty face on the image of illegal immigrants looking to better themselves. It proves that not everyone would abuse it, and in this case, America DOES need more people like Isabel- relentlessly determined, very hard-working, and incredibly intelligent and resourceful.

Citation

Winerip, Michael. "Dream Act Advocate Turns Failure Into Hope." New York TImes. Web.

Greenwood Forest Park zip wire death inquiry begins

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13184845

An investigation has begun into the death of an 11-year-old boy who fell from a zip wire ride at a theme park.

"BBC News - Greenwood Forest Park Zip Wire Death Inquiry Begins." BBC - Homepage. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. .

Wikileaks: Many at Guantanamo 'not dangerous'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13184845

Files obtained by the website Wikileaks have revealed that the US believed many of those held at Guantanamo Bay were innocent or only low-level operatives. The files, published in US and European newspapers, are assessments of all 780 people ever held at the facility. They show that about 220 were classed as dangerous terrorists, but 150 were innocent Afghans and Pakistanis.

"BBC News - Wikileaks: Many at Guantanamo 'not Dangerous'" BBC - Homepage. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. .

Anti-nuclear protests in Germany and France

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13188507

Thousands of people in France and Germany have staged protests calling for an end to nuclear power. Marches were held on several river bridges between France and Germany over the Rhine while there were further protests at German nuclear plants.

"BBC News - Anti-nuclear Protests in Germany and France." BBC - Homepage. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. .

Japan: Huge troop search for quake and tsunami bodies

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13186164

The retreating tsunami water took many bodies out to sea and left many buried under mud and rubble. Japan has deployed nearly 25,000 troops to search for the bodies of those missing since the earthquake and tsunami that devastated north-eastern areas more than six weeks ago.

"BBC News - Japan: Huge Troop Search for Quake and Tsunami Bodies." BBC - Homepage. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. .

Afghanistan: Hundreds escape from Kandahar prison

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13184920

More than 470 inmates at a prison in southern Afghanistan have escaped through a tunnel hundreds of meters long and dug from outside the jail.

Officials in the city of Kandahar said many of those who escaped from Sarposa jail were Taliban insurgents.

"BBC News - Afghanistan: Hundreds Escape from Kandahar Prison." BBC - Homepage. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. .

My Lost EC Post!

I didn't think I had saved a copy, but I just found it! YAY! :D I hope you still accept this, Mr. Palo... technology hates me. D:

Obama believes that “America has played a unique role as an anchor of global security and as an advocate for human freedom”, claiming that “we are naturally reluctant to use force to solve the world’s many challenges”; despite this, he concludes that “when our interests and values are at stake, we have a responsibility to act”. He emphasizes this when discussing the tyranny that has ensued in Libya for over forty years, stating that “Muammar Qaddafi...has denied his people freedom, exploited their wealth, murdered opponents at home and abroad, and terrorized innocent people around the world – including Americans who were killed by Libyan agents”. Obama discusses how, upon Qaddafi's sudden attack on his own people, he took steps to evacuate the American embassy and any stray American citizens, froze Qadaffi's assests (which I think is bizarre), broadened sanctions, imposed an arms embargo, and told Qadaffi to step down because he had lost his legitimacy to lead. Personally, I don't believe it is one country's leader's place to tell another country's leader to step down. America clearly has some superiority complexes in that sense. However, because of Qaddafi's Stalin-like attempts to massacre his own civilian population, Obama's military action seems well justified. The coalition between the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates enforces Obama's idea that allowing such a civilian massacre would “stain the conscience of the world”, and it is reassuring to know that the United States is not the only country willing to step in order to defend “world peace”. Obama also brings up the point that America itself is divided; “just as there are those who have argued against intervention in Libya,” Obama says, “there are others who have suggested that we broaden our military mission beyond the task of protecting the Libyan people, and do whatever it takes to bring down Qaddafi and usher in a new government”. His main point, however, is that it is his job to protect America, which includes protecting others overseas. I myself feel torn; on the one hand, America has a habit of sticking it's nose where it does not belong; our need to police the world seems like an awkward personal space bubble infringement on a national level. However, I agree with Obama's sentiments concerning our duty to act in times of oppression and genocide, and thereby agree with his decision to employ but limit our military action in Libya.

-Brigitte Wilcox, P4

Obama, Barack. "President Obama’s Speech on Libya." Speech. President Obama’s Speech on Libya. Washington, D.C. 28 Mar. 2011. The White House. Web. 31 Mar. 2011. .

Three arrested over 1969 teen killing in Massachusetts

Police arrested three men in connection with the 1969 killing of a 15-year-old boy in the US state of Massachusetts, authorities have said.

The body of John Joseph McCabe was discovered in an empty lot in the town of Lowell more than four decades ago.

"BBC News - Three Arrested over 1969 Teen Killing in Massachusetts." BBC - Homepage. Web. 16 Apr. 2011. .

Syria's al-Assad: Emergency laws 'to end next week'

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says he expects a state of emergency to be lifted next week, after weeks of anti-government protests.

"BBC News - Syria's Al-Assad: Emergency Laws 'to End next Week'" BBC - Homepage. Web. 16 Apr. 2011. .

Space exploration remains priority for Russia, Medvedev

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13046190

Space exploration remains a priority for Russia, President Dmitry Medvedev has said, as the country marks the 50th anniversary of the first human space flight by cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

"BBC News - Space Exploration Remains Priority for Russia, Medvedev." BBC - Homepage. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. .

Dumbarton captain Gordon Lennon 'electrocuted in crash'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13040182

Dumbarton FC captain Gordon Lennon was electrocuted while enjoying an off-roading trip with friends, a fatal accident inquiry has heard.

"BBC News - Dumbarton Captain Gordon Lennon 'electrocuted in Crash'" BBC - Homepage. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. .

Islam debate in France sparks controversy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12969641

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's party, the UMP, has hosted a controversial debate on the practice of Islam in secular France.

"BBC News - Islam Debate in France Sparks Controversy." BBC - Homepage. Web. 05 Apr. 2011.