Some Chicago mothers mark day with tears for slain children

For a few women in Chicago, Mother's Day wasn't about flowers but a reminder of their loss. They filed one by one towarda newly unveiled sculpture at St. Sabina Church. They placed white cards emblazoned with names of their children on them at the foot of the sculpture. For some of the women, the realistic work of a faceless gunman killing a young girl was too much to bear. Instead of celebrating this holiday, the mothers were mourning the deaths of their children. The children were all victims of gun violence in Chicago. One of the mother's said that noone would be able to call her "mama" anymore. The artist of the sculpture said that he wanted to, "show the pain, to show that something unhuman is going on here." Last month in Chicago 7 people were killed and 18 wounded due to guns in a 12-hour period.



This is another sad case that i hate to hear about. Some how all this killing needs to stop because it's getting out of control and it's terrible. Maybe the gun laws need to change. Maybe guns should be banned all together because guns are suppose to be used for self defense only, not to kill people for random reasons. It seems like the opposite is happening, guns are only being used to kill for stupid and unlawful reasons. Someone who kills another should be put to death or at least life in prison. There are other ways to handle conflict, you should never ever been mad enough to kill someone. Something needs to change, there is way too much gun violence.

Seven dead as record flooding engulfs Tennessee

Seven people have been killed due to some of the worst flooding the mid-South has seen in decades. They have recieved up to 20 inches of rain in some parts of the states and more is expected to come Sunday evening. With all the rain it has washed out major roads, forced evacuations and promted dam failures. In just Nashville more than 600 people were rescued from the water they recieved this weekend. The mayor of Nashville said that all of the major creeks are at about flood level and that there is nowhere for the water to go. The mayor also said that more rain has fallen in the last 24 hours that has ever been recorded. Flooding with spread into Kentucky as well.

I actually had no idea of all this rain in Tennessee until i read this article. It's really unfortunate the amount they're getting there. Rain is nice but too much of it can be disasterous, even cause deaths which is very sad. Mother nature is a powerful force. It seems like where I live we always need rain and when we do finally get it, it's not enough to be worth it or it's too much. And thats what people in Tennessee are thinking, how they are getting too much rain. Hopefully the rain stops soon and that there arn't anymore deaths.

www.cnn.com/2010/US/weather/05/02/nashville.flooding

Jobs and Welfare: Issue #2 Boosting the minimum

Many voters have supported Democratic efforts in Congress to raise the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour. If the minimum wage was increased it would allow millions of full-time working Americans to rise above the poverty line, with the help of food stamps and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). President Bush signed an Iraq war funding bill in 2007. The bill included domestic spending provisions raising the wage and giving $4.8 billion in business tax breaks. Even with the law, there is still debate over minimum wage. Supporters say that that if a raise occurred it would help the economy and millions of American workers. Critics of raising the minimum wage say that it would be counterproductive. It effects only a small amount of the work force and almost half of the people getting the wage are teenagers, and they are not living in poverty. Critics insist that when laws of supply and demand determine wages, thats when the economy works best.

I am in complete agreement with raising the minimum wage. People who work full-time jobs should not be living in poverty. Millions of Americans would greatly benefit from this too. People need money to survive especially in America where the cost of living is pretty high. Getting just enough money to get by isn't enough and really isn't fair. Especially when you look at CEO's salaries. They should take some of their salaries and give it to people that can barely buy their family food. I think it will help out the economy too by putting more money into businesses and companies. Now that the minimum wage has increased and is at $7.25 many Americans are grateful and living better lives. President Bush agrees with me on this issue.

Issue #1: All things being unequal

Issue #3: Putting welfare to work

Man with knife attacks kindergarten in China

28 or more children are injured after a man attacked kindergarteners with a knife. It happened in East China on thursday morning. Most of the victims were 4 years old. Three children are in critical condition. According to the police, they arrested a 47 year old man who is the suspect. This incident happened in Taixing city in Jiangsu province.

This story shocks me. Why in the world would anyone go to a kindergarten class and stab over two dozen 4 year olds? It makes absolutely no sense to me, then again most crimes make no sense to me. It's just really sad that a person would do this. Harming poor, innocent, little children that can't defend themselves is just sick and cruel. Hopefully this man gets put in prison for life because an act like this is just unacceptable. He is obviously a crazy man and he deserves to have his rights taken from him. I don't know what I would do if i was the mother of one of those children that were stabbed. I probably wouldn't feel comfortable taking my child to school and that's just wrong. The parents and the children should feel safe at their school. Maybe schools need more security if incidents like this are happening.

http://www.cnn.com/

New York Yankees to visit Obama on World Series tour

Although President Obama is a diehard Chicago White Sox fan he will be hosting the New York Yankees in the White House. The Yankees including stars Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez will be in town to celebrate the World Series win they had last year. Visiting the White House is just one of several events regarding the team's victory. Players will first take the World Series trophy to a local medical center where they will visit with wounded soldiers. Recently Obama wore a White Sox cap while throwing the first pitch at the Washington Nationals. Obama thought it was terrible that most soldiers preferred the Cubs over the White Sox. After the Yankees visit the White House they will meet with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Also, they will join the U.S. Senate and wounded soldiers for lunch.

I think this is really cool. Not only are the Yankees being recognized for their accomplishment but they are reaching out to their community. Obama is getting really involved with his sports teams and athletes. I think it's good he does these kind of things. Then again, did he invite the Duke blue devils men's basketball team for winning the NCAA tournament this year? I don't know but he might be showing favoritism towards some teams and athletes and not others. On the other side, the Yankees will probably make the wounded soldiers day and year maybe for coming to visit them. It's great that professional athletes go out and get involved with their fans. It would be so much fun to be a professional athlete just look at all the things they get to do.

www.cnn.com//2010/US/04/26/yankees.white.house

At least 11 missing after blast on oil rig in Gulf

11 or more people were missing and seven were critically injured after an explosion occurred on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the Coast Guard Senior Chief, the explosioned happened at around 10 p.m. Tuesday on the rig called Deepwater Horizon. It's located about 52 miles southeast of Venice. The blaze was still going early Wednesday morining. The Senior Chief said there was 126 people on board of the rig when the explosion happened. 17 workers were transported by air for medical treatment. 94 workers were taken to shore with no serious injuries. The company of the oil rig said most workers are safe. They also commented saying that no reports of an oil spill have been connected to the explosion.

This is too bad. I really hope everyone that was injured is okay and going to be fine. Also I hope those people that haven't been accounted for are fine. I doin't think they mentioned or explained in the story how the explosion happened, maybe they're still investigating that. The big question is i think, was there an oil spill or not? If there was it could definantly create some problems. It is so bad for the water and since it's earth week it really makes me wonder what kind of chemicals go into the ocean and even our lakes. This was obviously an accident but other times people put bad things into the water on purpose. It breaks my heart knowing that people would harm out lakes and oceans. I think we all need to be alittle more conscious of what we do with our waste, including garbage and recycles. Anyways, maybe there is a better option rather than getting oil out from under the ocean. If so, we should push to do that instead.

Armed robbers raid Swiss casino

About 10 armed men with pistols and machine guns went into a casino in Switzerland and raided it. They made off into France with several hundred thousand Swiss francs very early Sunday morning. The men were dressed in black clothes and black ski masks. They split into two groups while robbing the Grad Casino Basel. One of the groups tried to break into the lower levels vault but couldn't get in. They did not rob the cashier of the money. The second group was armed and entered the upper level where the blackjack tables are and robbed the chashier. As they were leaving the casino they beat a women who was blocking their cars. There was no serious injuries that occured. Swiss authorities are working with French authorities to find the robbers. The casino is only 100 yards from the French border and the robbers were driving cars with French license plates.

This is just another unfortuante crime. I'm kindof surprised that they all got away. Wasn't there any security? Why didn't someone try and stop them? It is a casino, you would think they would have pretty good security guards. It also sounds like the robbers were able to just walk into the casino and try to open the vaults without any problems. It's lucky for the casino that they didn't get the vault open but still i wonder where the security guards were. I would hope that someone called the cops right away too but they must not have got there in time. The robbers definantly got away with a decent amount of money and hopefully they will be found and put in jail.

www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/03/28/switzerland.casino.robbery

Healthcare: Ensuring Quality Care for Medicare Patients

Almost all policymakers say that Medicare needs to be reformed. Since 2008, doctors who treat Medicare patients have recieved cuts of 5 to 10 percent in their reimbursements from the government. Bush's budget said that $70 billion in savings would occur on Medicare and Medicaid over the next five years. Medicare is set up where doctors get paid for their quantity of services and not their quality of service. Legislators approved a "pay-for-performance" plan that allows Medicare to pay doctors a 1.5 percent bonus if they provide information about the type and quality of their services. Legislators want Medicare to do this to reward good doctors and hospitals that proved the quality and reasonable costly treatment for the Medicare beneficaries. The pay-for-performance system has been a successful one as it has lessen deaths in participating hospitals. Critics say that officails do not have the accurate understanding or knowledge to set standards for medial care. Others argue that if there is guidelines then the government would be undermining doctors authority. Opponents also say that doctors should require "quality care" to their patients at all times.

I agree with the policymakers that Medicare must be reformed. There is no way people my age will be able to have the same benefits as old people do nowadays if Medicare costs and systems continue they way they are right now. Also, I believe that the pay-for-performance system is a good one. The system will promote quality care for everyone getting Medicare. It will reward the superior doctors for giving the best treatment by giving them 1.5 percent bonus. The system will encourage doctors who try to get away with not giving the best care and treatment to start doing so. This program is obviously working because the hospitals participating in this plan have had fewer deaths in heart attack patients than in previous years. This must mean that doctors are giving the best care possible to their patients. Hopefully in return it helps Medicare costs too. Sandra J. Tanenbaum agrees with me on this topic.

Issue #1 Comprehensive vs. Incremental Health Care Reform

Issue #3 Safe to Eat?

Wizards' Arenas to be sentenced on gun charges

Gilbert Arenas, the Washington Wizards point guard will be sentenced for violating the gun laws in the District of Columbia. Arenas has been suspended from the NBA for the rest of the season. He pleaded guilty to illegally bringing four guns into the Wizards lockerroom. It happened during an on going dispute between him and his teammate Jarvaris Crittenton. Prosecutors want three months in jail for the All-star. They said Arenas lied about his the incident he also asked Crittenton to cover up their confrontation. As a part of the plea deal, Arenas will not get more than six months in jail. The judge of this case now says that Arenas will not serve any jail time. He will be sentenced to two years of supervised probation and will have to serve 30 days in a halfway house. Also 400 hours of community service and $5,000 fine to fund for victims of violence.

I'm on the fence for whether I agree with the sentencing or not. He didn't get any jail time when maybe he should have. On the other hand, he didn't hurt anyone so i guess there wasn't much of a reason to put him in jail. I'm a huge NBA fan and I'm also a fan of Gilbert Arenas but I really don't like to see basketball players get publicity for this type of thing. I look up to players like Arenas and I know a lot of other fans do as well but he is definantly not sending a good message. I hope he is ashamed and that he learns his lesson. I also hope that other players and athletes in other sports will change their ways if they too are making bad decisions. Professional athletes are role models whether they want to be or not and they all should send good messages by doing the right things.

www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/26/gilbert.arenas.sentencing

Cold case: Mom, tot disappear during custody dispute

Mike Kibalo handed his 2 year old, Samantha, to an officer at the New Hyde Park Police Department in New York for a custody agreement. Kibalo hasn't seen Samantha since February 4, 2001. His wife, Ann Yermak was suppose to be at a divorce hearing the next day but she never showed and no one has seen her since. A psychiatrist has found that Yermak shows symptoms of Munchausen syndrome by proxy which is a condition where someone pretends they have a sickness or in this case pretends that her daughter has a sickness even though her child isn't sick. According to Kibalo, Yermak would take Samantha to the hospital when he dropped her off for visitations and would go to the police and say that he abused her. Dr. Bert Pepper said that he found out after evaluation that the daughter was perfectly healthy and the mother was taking her to doctors for a nonexistent illnesess. Kibalo was going to get custody and apparently Yermak dragged out the divorce.

This is a really weird case. I'm wondering if though, if this is the first time Kibalo has said anything about this. Wouldn't the court have done something after Yermak didn't show up for the hearing, or after Kibalo hadn't heard anything from the mother or daughter in months? It's been 9 years since the mother has been seen so it just seems odd to me that they are bringing this up now. I would like to know what the father did too, like if he went to court or the police in 2001 and told them that he hasn't seen his child or if he just brought it up now. Also I have never heard of Munchausen syndrome so i learned something new reading this article which is a good thing. Although I didn't quite understand how the article defined it so i looked it up and the definition was a little different. It sounds like the wife wasn't the most normal person, I just hope that Samantha is okay. I also hope that someone finds her soon and she gets to stay with either her father or someone that will be a good guardian.

www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/22/grace.coldcase.kibalo

Former Ohio doctor gets life for wife's cyanide poisoning death

A former doctor from Ohio poisoned his wife with cyanide five years ago. He was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday. The jury convicted Yazeed Essa of aggravated murder of his wife by using a cyanide-laced calcium pill. Essa will have a possibility for parole in 20 years. The judge, Deena Calabrese had some choice words for Essa. She said, "it is my great hope and the only that I can think of at this moment that they forget you...and that whatever legacy you had is wiped away." The trial lasted six weeks and had testimony from more than 60 witnesses. Essa's wifes mother also talked about how all her daughter wanted was a loving family and that Yazeed took that away from her. Rosemarie was 38 years old and a former nurse, she was driving to the movies when she felt ill. She then called a friend to say she was sick and that it might be from the supplement her husband gave her. She crashed and hit a car shortly after the conversation.

I agree with the judge, Yazeed should get life in prison. He got the sentence he deserved. I have no idea what motives a person to want to kill another person let alone their spouse. It's really sad that these things happen and i wish we didn't have crime of any kind. He must be a very cold hearted human being. The aticle also talked about him having many mistresses. I think that if you don't want to be with your spouse then get a divorce. Don't continue to have affairs with other women, that's just terrible. This guy deserves to be put behind bars for a very long time. Just think about his poor children, who lost their mother and now lost their father too. He probably wasn't a very loving father in the first place, unless he was good at being two faced. He is a very evil man and abused his powers.

www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/09/ohio.cyanide.death.sentencing

Fatal plane crash destroys house, shakes up Illinois neighborhood

The people of Belleville, Illinois are still a little shook up after an airplane crashed into a neighborhood home killing the two people in the plane and destroying the house it crashed into. A neighbor close to the house that was hit said, "I think everybody is still in shock." Accoording to the Federal Aviation Administration, the single-engine plane crashed at around 6:30p.m. on Sunday. Apparently no one on the ground was hurt. The site of the crash is adjacent to an airstrip, but the pilot was headed for the St. Louis Downtown Airport, which is about six miles away. The residents near by are use to hearing planes in the neightborhood because many people park their private planes in the plane garages. The sound they heard Sunday night was a little different than the usually plane overhead. They heard a screech then a big boom. Luckily the people who own the house that was crashed into were out to eat so they were not injured.

First of all, this is tragic and my sympathy goes out to the families affected by this crash. Second of all, I wish the article would have explained how the crash happened. They should have got some kind of information on how it went down. Hopefully they come out with another article with more details. Anyways, it seems to me that there has been tons of plane crashes lately. I don't know if its just me but i think there's been a more than normal amount of airplane incidents. From the Hudson crash to the time when the pilot bringing a plane to Minneapolis flew over the cities some 100 extra miles. It's kind of scary when you think about it, getting on a plane used to be nothing but ever since 9/11 and recent accidents, I'm a little more cautious and nervous when talking about getting on an airplane. There's a chance that something will go wrong and it's quite a risk.

www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/22/illinois.plane.crash

Issue #1 War Dollars

The Consitution makes the president the commander and chief of the U.S. armed forces. But the Constitution also allows Congress to approve federal spending. In the past, Congress has used the "power of the purse" for war efforts. Vietnam War was unpopular so Congress put a cap on troops and when Ronald Reagan wanted to help fund fighting in Nicaragua, Congress denied him. Because of the war in Iraq policymakers and others debate whether Congress should influence or restrict the military policy in Iraq. Many people who advocate that Congress used it power to change Iraq policy argue that the American people have clearly expressed frustration with the war. Critics argue that if the president doesn't change his policy than Congress has authority to do what the people want. Overall, American's say that the war is doing more harm than good. It is taking lives and wasting billions of dollars. Some advise Congress to deny any funding for war or tie any military funding to certain conditions. The president has sole power to deteremine how America goes about their wars. Executive branch supporters say Congress isn't as well equipped as the president's administration is when it comes to military policies that will create a victory. Critics also say that the president should veto any legislation constricting Iraq war policies because it may doom the war efforts and cause more terrorism.


In my opinion, we need to have a strong military and it's good that we are using our money for that. On the other hand I don't think we should be putting all this money into the war. We should stop funding the war but continue to fund our military so we are prepared for any threats. In this case a strong offense is the best defense. Congress should put some sort of limits on the funding and make some policies especially since it's what the people want. The majority of American's don't want to be at war so we should slowly pull out. Changes need to be done and if the president isn't willing to do it then Congress needs to step in and take control. Ed Hornick did an article for CNN that talks about American's being sick of the war and its effects.

Issue #2:
Spending what we can afford

Issue #3
Social Insecurity

Olympic snowboarder's 'street' style offends Japanese

Kazuhiro Kokubo is the talk of Japan. Not for his snowboarding ability but for the way he looks. The 21 year old Olympian caused a ruckus for the cabinetlevel government lawmakers to the citizens of Japan when he came to Vancouver for the winter games. He was wearing the appropriate attire but he added his own twist to it. Kukubo's outfit consisted of an untucked shirt, pants below his hips, and a loosened tie with an unbottoned shirt. He had a double nose piercing, dark sunglasses and dreadlocks. Tatsuo Kawabata, Japan's Minister of Education said that it was completely unacceptable the way Kokubo was dressed and that it should never happen again. Kokubo apologized for the uproar he caused in a news conference. Other sources say that Kukubo went to Vancouver to snowboard and that he is only embracing a lifestyle. Another source says that it was a national uniform for the Olympics and he should have worn it right. Kukubo failed to medal.

I understand why this is a controversal subject. The attire for the Olympics was supposed to be formal and Kukubo made it very informal. The snowboarder came to Canada to snowboard and some would say that it doesn't really matter how he wears his clothes but he is representing Japan in a bad way. I think when your in a national event and your required to wear the official attire, you should do what your country expects of you and not try to draw attention to yourself. It would be all right for him to wear what he wanted in private but not when he's seen in a national event. There are times when you have to look the part and do what other people in your country are doing especially since it was required. I don't mind that he had peircings or dreadlocks but the clothes is a uniform. If everyone put their own twist on their outfit then it would no longer be a uniform to bring the country together.

www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/02/18/japan.kukobu.olympics

Man has court date on charges of raping girl, 13, holding her captive

A man from Buffalo, New York is going to court Thursday to face charges that he raped a 13 year old runaway girl and that also held her prisoner in his home for six months. The man, Michael Abdallah, 26, has pleaded not guilty on all his charges which include, second degree rape, unlawful imprisonment and custodial interference. Thursday's hearing will determine if the case will go to a grand jury. Abdallah kept the girl behind door with dead bolt locks and was alleged to have sex with her more than 100 times. Information about how the girl escaped and where she is now isn't being released. Acording to one of Abdallah's neighbors the girl told him that she was older than 13 and she denied having sex with Abdallah. She also said that she didn't want to go to her mother. Police told newspaper that Abdullah was a drug dealer and "lured" the girl in. She was trapped physically and psychologically in his home.

To start with, i think this is one of the worst things you can do to person without killing them. Taking someone against their own will and holding them captive. Not only did he keep her imprisoned but he sexually abused her. Its a terrible crime and sin, and Abdullah should be locked up for a very long time, maybe even for life. It said in the article that Abdullah was trying to help the runaway girl but if he wanted to help her he would have taken her back to her home, even if she didn't want to. He obviouly wouldn't have kept this girl behind a dead-bolted door. Abdullah is charged with custodial intereference which means that he was trying to take the place of the girls parents. I would really like to see the girl and see what she has to say about this whole situation. I highly doubt she would have rather stayed at Abdullah's house rather than being home with her mother.

www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/10/new.york.rape.case

'Sweatlodge' guru charged in deaths

James Ray was arrested on Wednesday after the grand jury charged him with three counts of manslaughter. He is guilty of killing three participants at the Arizona sweatlodge last year. The Yavapai County Sheriff said that Ray was arrested at his attorney's office, Wednesday afternoon. He will be housed at the Camp Verde Detention Center and his bond has been set at $5 million. Ray has been charged for the deaths of James Shore, Kirby brown and Liz Neuman. Ray's attorney says that the charges were unjust he also said "this was a terrible accident--but it was an accident, not a criminal act." Ray's attorney tried to convince people that there was no way this accident could have been foreseen.

From this article, I don't know how they can blame James Ray for the deaths of these people. If the people weren't feeling well, they should have taken themselves out of the sweatlodge. I'm not exactly sure what happened in the sweatlodge becuase it doesn't explain in the article but it sounds like it was an ordinary set up with hot rocks and water to create steam. I haven't been in one before but i have been in a sauna and you certainly shouldn't be in one for two hours or even close to that amount of time. I think that was their biggest mistake, they stayed in the sweatlodge for too long. I'm wondering why it is Ray's fault. Apparently Ray is known for teaching people how to create wealth from all aspects of their life, he doesn't seem like the kind of person that would kill people but i guess you never know.

www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/03/arizona.sweat.lodge.charges

Hundreds Stranded by Machu Picchu mudslides

Hundreds of stranded tourists in Machu Picchu are being evacuated because of massive mudslides. The mudslides blocked the rail line and the bad weather has made it hard for any airlift flights to reach the city. The estimated number of people that have been affected is 10,000 people, 2,000 homes have been ruined and at least seven people have died. The train that goes from Machu Picchu has been cancelled since Saturday because of landslides, the roads in and out of Machu Picchu has been closed. One bridge has collapsed while another is underwater. 800 tourists are waiting to be evacuated in helicopters, half of these tourists are Americans. Peruvian authorites are hoping to get them out but there is more bad weather predicted for southern Peru which makes it very difficult for any type of evacuation. People living in Peru say that there hasn't been this much rain in more than 15 years.

This is a very unfortuate event happening to Peru. I feel bad for both the civilians of Machu Picchu and the tourists visiting there. Several homes have been destroyed because of the rainful and theres nothing the people can do about it. The poor tourists came to Peru probably to have a nice vacation and they end up having to be evacuated. It would be very scary to be there right now especially since the rain is suppose to continue. I just hope no more deaths come from this disaster. I also hope that all the tourists make it out safely and that there is no more damage done. Machu Picchu is known for it's Inca ruins but the land there is all mud and when it rains a lot the ground isn't able to soak it up and that is why there is landslides. Its amazing what mother nature can do and often scary but people have to have hope and do whatever they can to get through it.

www.cnn.com/topstories