Online Education of the Future

I believe that on-line education is a viable option for college students. Not every person who seeks to continue their education is a traditional student straight out of high school still living with their parents and maybe working a part time job with no children. Some people who we call non-traditional students may also want to continue their education. The on-line learning option allows anyone the opportunity to continue their education. It is flexible, convenient, and still allows you to connect with your classmates and instructors. I believe the demand for this option will only continue to grow in the future, therefore stirring all colleges and universities to eventually offer on-line learning as a viable option. The traditional classroom setting will evolve to on-line learning. You will see less and less students in the classroom and more students behind their laptops at home, starbucks, the library or where ever they choose to study. Although the on-line option is viable and an attractive option for some, not all students will choose this option and the need for traditional classroom setting will always exist. On-line learning does require some discipline and motivation. Some people learn better in a classroom setting and need that type of an environment to learn, others need the flexibility and convenience of on-line classes. I personally enjoy on-line classes. This is my first one that I have taken and I have been very pleased with the interaction that has taken place between classmates and instructors via Internet.

Should the government control fast food restaurants?

Absolutely yes! If parents aren't going to control the cheeseburger and french fries problem with obesity in their children, then the government needs to take a stand and be an advocate for the children. There is a tremendous problem with pediatric obesity in the United States and the fast food industry has some responsibility for it. However, they are not being very responsible. McDonald's has a limited nutritious selection with milk, oranges, and some salads as well as Wendy's with there salad selection. But for the most part the majority of the menu and the section that is highlighted most in a combo fashion are the burgers and fries. If a regular size wasn't large enough, you are asked if you want to super size your order. Do they ask you to super size your salad? I don't think that's an option. I do believe that the government can help with the problem of obesity in our society and I support it 100%.

Thanksgiving Celebration

Thanksgiving is celebrated in my family several times during the holiday week. My family is spread out all over the country and we take turns bouncing around to everyones homes for a wonderful meal and family reunion/gathering of thanks. We usually start out the weekend before thanksgiving traveling and later in the week we return home to our immediate families in the our home town. Thanksgiving meals are usually the typical thanksgiving turkey and honey baked ham and ALL the fixins. This actually takes up a 10 foot buffet table. The desert table is a site of its own, with every pie you could possibly imagine (pecan, chocolate, lemon, chess, pumpkin). Then there is always the kiddy deserts like cookies, brownies, or fudge. At the dinner table we always say grace and then go around the table telling what each of us is thankful for. After dinner is when the fun begins. We may begin a game of card, a board game, or watch a movie. Usually all three are going on at the same time with everyone in there respected groups of choice. We finally wrap the evening up with drawing name for Christmas gifts. Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year. I hope everyone had a great one!

2109 Family

What I think a family unit will look like in 100 years.
Although we hear that history repeats itself, I think the family unit will not. Families in 2109 will be much smaller than they are today or have been in the past. One hundred years ago, you had very large families with many children. In the future I see 1 to 2 children at best. Also the closeness that a family has had in the past will be forgotten. I think that we will be in a world more techological than today. I believe communication within the family will be in computerized in some shape or form and not face to face. I do not think there will be time enought for putting families first and sharing quality time together. I fear that family as we know it is endangered. I can only hope that history will repeat itself and that I am wrong about what the family will look like in 2109. I do hope that as the world evolves, we can protect what is sacred, the family unit.

Various Communities and Their Characteristics

When you think of a community, you usually think about the area you live in. That is one definition of a community. However, there are many other forms of communities that can be categorized as social groups. Social groups (communities) usually share a common interest that bonds them together. Some examples of different social groups (communities) are related to age, religious or church groups, academic groups, political groups, and even recreational groups. An example of the an age related community would be elderly communities, nursing homes or assisted living housing. These groups usually have similar interests that bind them together such as bingo, domino's, card games or just sitting around talking about their grandchildren. The church group or community has a strong bond through God. This group usually supports one another and lifts each other up in spirit and faith. An example of different academic groups or communities would be those majoring in the same field, for instance nursing students share a common bond in studying nursing and helping others. Political groups or communities would be an example of democrats and republicans. Each group shares a common bond of supporting different areas in politics. Recreational groups or communities could be your YMCA community or your Titan's fans. Each group is bonded together by a common interest. YMCA members share the interest in health and wellness, where as the titan community love and support their team. These are just a few examples of different types of communities and their particular interests that bond them together. How many communities do you belong to?

Reality Shows

Honor codes

I do believe that Honor Codes hold students accountable for academic honesty. Its one thing to say something but quiet another to put it in writing. When students put a pledge in writing it helps them to stick to their written promise much better than just words. Somtimes people sayd things but dont really intend on keeping their word, but if you ask someone to put it in writing, that takes on a whole different meaning. It holds you accountable and makes you think twice and seriously about what you are pledging to do. I am supportive of the honor codes and hope that it continues in the future.

Wind Farms: Using natural elements for energy. What a concept!

I completely support the idea of the modern day Wind Farms. What took us so long to finally start using free resources to create energy? Not only energy, but CLEAN energy. This is safe for the environment and will help to fix the problem with our o-zone. Natural elements like sun, moon, water, and now wind are free at our disposal to use for energy sources. Yes they may cost more now but will cost less in the long run. This is not a quick fix to our problem, but it is the best fix. It is aiming in the right direction for our economy and our planet.

Meaningful Images

Two images that come to mind for me are pics of the World Trade Center and Ground Zero. Everyone in the entire world has some form of emotion when they see pictures of either of these images. Chills come over me everytime I see an old photograph of the twin towers. Sometimes you can catch a glimps of what used to be a highlight of the New York skyline in an older movie.

During their existance, held little meaning for most people; but their absence is now felt all over the world. Ground Zero is all that is left of our World Trade Center. These two images have meaning to everyone in the world in some shape, form, or fashion. What these images mean to different people, depends on their connection to these images. For me, the meaning of these two images represents bravery, honor, sacrifice, and also sadness, sorrow and humility. I feel that most Americans share similar meanings as me of these two images only a difference of degree.

Reporters in war

Reporter in war: Why and is it appropriate?
I served in the U.S. Army for 11 years. First of all, never believe the media. You are not getting accurate information. My opinion is that reporters need to stay in the studios and let the soldiers do there jobs without distractions. When a reporter is following a group of soldiers in a combat tour, they can create an unsafe environment by becoming a distraction. This is not a good idea and should not be allowed. However, reporters are not allowed everywhere, and this is why. My opinion as to why reporters are in the midst of war is for a story that sells. They want the best live report with the most action, and excitement in hopes to increase ratings or attract the most viewers. An example of this which was taken from 2003 archives of CNN.com by reporter Brent Sadler, "Shots ring out. OK, that's gunfire. We've just come under attack. Under attack. We're OK, we're OK. Under fire. That confirms our worst fears.
If you're with us, we've just gone through a checkpoint, we've come under automatic machine gun fire, and we've blown through the checkpoint. Our armed guard pulled his automatic machine gun and opened fire to get us through there. " (http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/04/13/otsc.irq.sadler/index.html)

Propaganda: The Good, the Bad,and the Ugly...

What is propaganda?
According to Wikipedia, "Propaganda is communication aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense, presents information primarily to influence an audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or uses loaded messages to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the attitude toward the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda" (http://en.wikipedia.org).

Is propaganda always bad, or does “good” propaganda exist?
Yes good propaganda does exist! But only when the intent is good. An example of good propaganda that has both good intent and outcome is a "bandwagon" approach to rallying supports to "join together for a good cause" like telethons to raise money to support pediatric cancer research at St. Judes Children's Hospital. Good propaganda can also be seen in advertisements, especially during election year, that demonstrate the importance of being a registered voter.

However, bad propaganda also exists and is unfortunately used more so than good propaganda, especially during an election year. During the debates you see examples of politician's "name calling" their opponents. You also see politicians using the "stroking" technique to the public by tell them what they want to here just to get there vote and once in office they do not live up to their promises.

Propaganda is a powerful persuasion tool that can be good or bad. If we take power into our own hands and make our own decisions after thoroughly researching and analysing the data being presented to us instead of allowing someone else to make our decisions for us, we can make a positive impact in our society.

Writing

Writing for me is a creative act of expression. I must be in a very quiet place, preferable a library or my office where there are no distractions and many resources at my disposal. Before I sit to write, I spend several minutes and sometimes hours brainstorming and tossing around different scenarios of the particular topic I am writing about. I make sure to have pen and paper handy to make notes of different points to touch on. This is the most challenging part of writing for me. Once I have my thoughts organized in a somewhat bullet notation, I can begin to elaborate on each point which usually flows very quickly....then voila, first draft is born.