Pakistan School Massacre: Malala's Response

Malala just 17, commented on the attack that has taken place in Pakistan. Malala, recipient of the noble peace prize and an inspiration to all, spoke against the terror that occurred.

Here’s what she said:

I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold-blooded act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us.
Innocent children in their school have no place in horror such as this. I condemn these atrocious and cowardly acts and stand united with the government and armed forces of Pakistan whose efforts so far to address this horrific event are commendable.
I, along with millions of others around the world, mourn these children, my brothers and sisters - but we will never be defeated.

With the words of inspiration, hopefully, healing will begin soon for the families and friends of these victims.

Cheney standing behind the CIA

Cheney standing behind the CIA

Former Vice president Dick Chaney calling the report  "deeply flawed" and "a terrible piece of work." He has no regrets of the tactics used. He believed they helped find Osama bin Laden. "I think what needed to be done was done," Cheney said. "I think we were perfectly justified in doing it. And I'd do it again in a minute."
It's is horrifying to see someone that was vice president during that time supported it.

CIA Under Investigation

CIA Investigation into torture cover-up.

CIA has been accused of paying off interrogators of terror suspects. Psychologists were paid $81 million to enhance interrogation methods. Inhuman torture methods were used on suspects even after there was no more information to be gathered. Some methods include waterboarding (which is illegal). This is absolutely appalling. I understand that information needs to be gathered however torture is not the answer. One man was waterboarded 183 times! A detainee died of hypothermia in 2002. They did not gather any information into finding Osama bin Laden. This is horrifying. I hope those accused will be punished.

To read more check out: http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/09/politics/top-takeaways-cia-torture-report/index.html

The Real Beauty

The Real Beauty

What a difference a commercial can make...

 

 

With one month left in 2014, I'd like to make note of something I have been noticing more and more on T.V ads. Some companies, live Dove, have been focusing their ads on the natural beauty of women. Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty talks reminds women they are beautiful. They have been doing research into women's self-esteem and the statistics are surprising.
 

Only 4% of women consider themselves beautiful.

72% of girls feel pressured to be beautiful.

 

Media was never an advocate of natural beauty its inspiring to see Dove trying to make a difference.

P&G Always is another company running an ad about girls' self-esteem called "Like a girl." The ad shows teenage girls acting out phrases "hit like a girl" "fight like a girl" and so on. The teenage girls of course act wimpy and weak. Then they ask the same questions to 10 year old girls. They act like they would in any situations. The first  time I was it, it popped up on YouTube and I was just going to skip it, I started watching it. I couldn't stop, I would of acted just like the teenage girls did.   

I love that some companies are trying to promote better body images for women and teenagers. With all the publicity of size 0 models and makeup ads everywhere, it is what women need to be seeing.
 

Check out the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkTh_r66lDA 

 

To learn more about Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty got to: http://www.dove.us/Our-Mission/Girls-Self-Esteem/Our-Research/default.aspx 

Ferguson

Ferguson

3 months coming to an end...

 

 

The grand jury decided against indictment of Ferguson police office, Darren Wilson, involved in the death of Michael Brown. August 9th Brown was shot by Darren Wilson.

Violent protest broke out in Ferguson and all over the country. Vandalism, looting, and arson destroyed the livelihoods of many living in Ferguson. Why are they destroying their hometown? The family needs healing and peace to deal with their loss, because Michael isn't coming back. At the end of all of this discussion that it was about race, or that he didn't surrender. Nobody knows what really happened other than Michael Brown died. A boy lost his life, and a family lost their son. 

A Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich for the Pope

Pope coming to Philadelphia

 

 “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive”

 

September 2015, the World Meetings of Families will be held in Philadelphia and the Pope said he will be making an appearance. It will be the first time Pope Francis has visited the U.S. I'm very excited. I hope I will be able to go. Fingers-Crossed! To learn more or book a hotel check out: http://www.worldmeeting2015.org 

Nolan Burch

Nolan Burch

 “wonderful young man full of life, full of mischievous and fun.” -Father Betti 

 

 

Arrangements have been made for Nolan Burch's funeral. Nolan died from an over consumption of alcohol after a fraternity initiation. He was a graduate from Canisius high school, enrolled in West Virginia University. He was only 18.

 

I know people from Canisius, and my cousin works at Delta Sonic, the same one that Nolan worked at in Williamsville. I don't know if any of them knew Nolan, but it still hits a little to close to home. 

I don't understand why people would wan to be a part of a fraternity or sorority that acts that way. A week before, 19 Kappa Sigma members were arrested for alcohol-related charges. Kappa Sigma is no longer recognized as a fraternity at WVU. 

It's hard to hear stories like this, because it has happened before. Alcohol is a joke to people. People aren't responsible with it. He was only 18; he could not have bought it himself. So sombody else gave it to him, breaking a law. Drinking to the point where you don't remember the night before is disgusting. Why is it apart of some fraternity pledges? 

A young man lost his life because he felt like he needed to join a fraternity. The fraternity didn't care what happened to him. I'm sure it was all for laughs and never meant for anyone to get hurt.

Source: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/west-virginia-university-student-nolan-burch-dies-injuries-school-n248286 

Conversing with a fungi

Conversations between plant



 

No plants can't speak to us. However they can communicate between other plant with the use of fungi. Fungi creates a system like the Internet to communicate. Not only do they communicate, they also help each other survive. Or steal nutrients from each other.
 

The article (found on the link below) is written by Nic Fleming. Title: Plants talk to each other using an Internet of fungus. His thesis statement was clear and supported it with evidence from trusted sources. It's interesting to read about this topic. Started by Albert Bernard Frank 200 years ago, still intriguing today. The article left me with questions. Do plants have feeling/emotions? What impact does it have in the scientific community? How does it affect everyday life? Even though it was a well written article, he could have explained things a little farther for those who don't study ecology. Overall, it was an interesting article.  

 

 

 

Article: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141111-plants-have-a-hidden-internet 

What winning means..

Under the influence

What winning means..

Part VI

Thom Tillis won the North Carolina Senate race. Both sides poured money into the race, making it the most expensive race this year. Mostly outside money on negative ads. Thom Tillis's election win was due to:

• Obama's disapproval rate discouraged Kay Hagan's reelection.
• Tillis’ task was to burnish his image as a moderate, business conservative while assuring anti-abortion, gun-rights and traditional marriage supporters that he also stood with them.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/11/04/4293806/us-senate-small-percentage-of.html#storylink=cpy

If I was able to vote in the election, Thom Tillis would have another vote added to his 1,413,269 votes.

Chart: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=thom+tillis
Thom Tillis information: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/11/04/4293806/us-senate-small-percentage-of.html

And the Winner is...

And the Winner is...

Under the influence

Part V

Based on who raised the most money Incumbent Kay Hagan should win the 2014 North Carolina Senate race. However, the race is still a toss up between Tom Tillis and herself. Hagan's approval rating has dropped down to a 33% approval rating and a 49% disproval rating.

 

I support Thom Tillis for North Carolina. He wants to cut down on business regulations, balance the budget, create jobs, increase teachers salaries. He believes in a traditional family and the rights of the unborn.

 

Approval Ratings: http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/ballot-2014/2014/03/03/poll-kay-hagan-struggles-in-north-carolina-senate-race

 

Thom Tillis stance on issues: http://thomtillis.com/meet-thom/

 

Running for Senator Costs Big Bucks!

Who's Spending the Most?

Under the Influence

Part IV

 

 

The North Carolina is the most expensive senate race of all time.

Previously, Massachusetts Senate 2012 ($82 million spent):  We called it way back in January 2012. Then Sen. Scott Brown and former Obama Administration official Elizabeth Warren combined to break the $80 million mark as money flooded into both campaigns from across the country. Interestingly for such an expensive race, it wasn't all that close; Warren won by more than seven points.

Do these people not have anything else to spend their money on? Charities to support? Actually helping their communities  would be a better idea than spending it on negative ads.





List: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/check-expensive-house-senate-races/story?id=26572215

Massachusetts senate race information:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/08/12/the-most-expensive-senate-races-ever-and-where-kentucky-might-fit-in/

 

 

Where's the Money Coming From?

Spending Money

Under the Influence

 

Part III

 

My first post showed a graph of top contributors to the candidates. This graph gives breakdown of money given to the candidate. Opensecrests.org projects 4 billion dollars will be spent on the mid-term elections.

 

Money is spent on administration, campaign expenses, fundraising, media, and research. 26 million dollars have been spent on ads that discredit the reputation of ONE candidate. 80% of negative ads are ran by outside groups.

I find it funny that the top three candidates are Republicans. Over 65 million has been spent to discredit the three candidates. Tom Tillis, even though criticized heavily, is still tied with the incumbent Kay Hagan.

He created his own campaign advertisement criticizing the negative ads:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkcUDPnYvFY&feature=player_embedded

 

The negative ad toward him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcItB06ZMP8&feature=player_embedded 

   



List: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/10/22/these-10-candidates-have-faced-163-million-in-negative-ads-and-thats-a-low-estimate/

Pie Chart: http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2014/10/election-to-cost-nearly-4-billion-crp-projects-topping-previous-midterms/
Videos: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/10/28/4271983/tillis-says-campaign-ads-too-negative.html 


Who's Making the Money?

Who's making the money?

Under The Influence

Part II 

 

Have you ever wondered how much Senators and Representatives make in their term?

The current salary for a senate member is $174,000 per year. So, $696,000 per term. Senate Leadership gets paid $193,400 per year. Speaker of the House makes $223,500 per year. The average salary of a teacher in New York is $43,839. The people teaching the next generation gets paid a third of an average senate member. Not to even mention the speaker and minority representatives.  

Who is the richest member of Congress?

The richest member is from California. He is a republican.

Rep. Darrell Issa:

The second richest is another Representative, Michael McCual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net worth is the total assets minus total outside liabilities of an individual or a company. The difference in their net worth is 239,710,000. That is a huge gap between number one and number two.

 

 

 

Senate salary figures gathered from: http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm

Teacher salary figures gathered from: http://www.nea.org/home/2012-2013-average-starting-teacher-salary.html

Graph and table information gathered from: http://media.cq.com/50Richest/ 

Under the influence

Money. Money. Money.

What influence does money have on the 2014 elections?

Part I

 

Important Terms:
Dark money is a term that refers to funds used to pay for an election campaign that are not disclosed to voters prior to voting. Funds can be spent on behalf of a candidate running in an election, or to influence voting on a ballot question. (1)
PAC, or Political Action Committee,- raises and spends money for their political candidate. Has a 5,000 dollar limit
Super PAC- doesn't have a limit on raising and spending money unlike regular PACs.
 

 

(2)





(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_money

(2) http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/on-the-right-donors-drive-action-of-outside-groups-in-2014-midterms/2014/10/12/54ed9e36-4e32-11e4-aa5e-7153e466a02d_story.html?hpid=z1