Connecticut girl barred from school amid Ebola fears; family sues

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The family of a third-grader, Ikeoluwa, in Connecticut filed a lawsuit against Milford Public School because they have banned their daughter from school for 21 days due to Ebola fears. Her family has just returned from a trip in Lagos, Nigeria for a family wedding, and she was banned from school “based on fears.” Rumors and panic started in Meadowside Elementary School in Milford, and Ikeoluwa was said to have “suffered severe emotional distress” from the decision to ban her. Stephen Opayemi, her father, was told that if he tried to bring his daughter to school, police would be there to remove her.  Ikeoluwa has not been diagnosed with Ebola, and she has not shown any of the symptoms. Do you think that it is right to ban Ikeoluwa? Is it right to make this decision based on fear, not medical information? 

Lava Flows up 2,000 degrees may destroy dozens of homes to Hawaiians

October 28,2014 people are waking up to the smell of burning to find out that its the lava slowly burning away at their homes. This lava flow is measured up to be at least 2,000 degrees and increasing.This lava is coming from molten rock from the Kilauea Volcano which is about 350 yards from the nearest house.The hawaiians in the 350 yard range of the Volcano have already been warned since the first sighting on tuesday. Till now people are still in their homes waiting and preparing to abandon their homes. WHat should the government do in the future for those who would be homeless? Leave them in the streets or what?

US disease expert argues against Ebola quarantine

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Scientists and politicians are disagreeing over whether or not to enact a 21 day quarantine - the incubation period for Ebola - on medical workers coming back to the United States from West Africa.  Dr. Anthony Fauci argues that this requirement would dissuade health care workers from providing their assistance in West Africa.  New Jersey governor Chris Christie responds to Dr. Fauci by saying that it will "'become a national policy sooner rather than later.'"  Dr. Fauci counters Christie's point by stating that other countries will be turned away from helping people in Africa, and the epidemic will continue to "roar."  Christie disagrees with Dr. Fauci on the matter.  Kaci Hickox, the first forcibly quarantined nurse in New Jersey states that she doesn't feel that she's been treated with "compassion and humanity."  US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, agrees with Hickox and says that the US health care workers should be treated like heroes for the work they're doing.  Do you agree with Dr. Fauci, or with Chris Christie?  Should the returning medical workers be quarantined, and if they are, how do you think people will react?  Like Dr. Fauci predicts, or like Christie predicts?  What should the US do to prevent the spread of Ebola?

Iran executes woman who killed her alleged rapist

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A woman named Reyhaneh Jabbari in 2007 was sentenced to death for killing a man named Morteza Abdolali Sarbandi. This man allegedly raped her and the only reason Jabbari killed him was in self defense. However, she was still convicted of murder and the fact of her actions being self defense were ignored. She was held in solitary confinement for two months without access to a lawyer or her family. During those two months she was tortured as well. She had been waiting on death row for five years and her original execution date of September 30th was postponed due to public outcry against the execution. The United Nations and the The U.S. State Department had concerns about the trial saying that it was unfair and unjust. Although, Despite international pressure to spare her life she was hung. Iran has executed about 170 people this year and last year it executed the most people than any other country has. A connection in history that can be made to this event could be when the southerners hung black people who broke laws or went against white authority. They never got a fair trial and a lot of the time didn't even get their day in court. What do you think, Do you believe that Jabbari's sentence was unfair? Why do you think Jabbari was given such an unjust sentence? How do you feel about Iran executing so many people? What actions could the U.S. or other International organizations have taken to prevent this execution or countless others like this?

Golden Gate Bridge considers charging bicyclists, pedestrians

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The Golden Gate Bridge is known as one of the major landmark of San Francisco. What if someone told you that you have to pay walk or bike across the bridge? Would you do it? If the toll on the Golden Gate Bridge is approved, it would aim for July 2017 to start charges. I personally think they should not put a toll on the bride. Why should people who bike be tolled for not polluting the air? If the toll were to be approved I believe there would be less people would be biking. Although I do believe people would be willing to pay to go on the bridge but for those that bike daily on the bridge it isn't fair to them. What do you think? Would you pay the toll each time you wanted to go on the bridge?  Do you think its fair that pedestrians should pay sidewalk tolls since cars pay the bridge toll? 

Turkey Allows Kurdish Fighters Into Syria

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Since the formation of The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant better known by ISIS, the country of Turkey has not let the Kurds to use its borders to get into Syria from its northern borders. The fact that the Turkish officials have made this significant step, really helps the outcome of this ongoing war against this terrorist group. Someone has to give some credit to Turkey for their thoughtful action taken in the right path. Now the Kurds can send supplies to the cities that still have war going on in them faster, and more effectively. This really could be a turning point against the ISIS. This reminds of WWII where Persia (Iran) was used by the Allies to get supplies to the USSR southern borders against their war with the Nazi Germany. What do you think? Could Turkey's reaction endanger its territory by the ISIS? Or could it actually change the results of the war between the Kurds and the ISIS?

The country where it's apparently a crime to be rescued from slavery

 (Click Here to Read)

In Mauritania, the country with the world's highest incidence of modern slavery, it is apparent that being saved from such slavery charges that person for committing a crime. Why would anyone be charged for being saved from slavery? Mauritania was the last country in the world to abolish the practice of slavery, and yet, in 2007 it was only then that they considered owning humans was a criminal act. That should mean that escaping slavery is non-punishable then, right? Since the law states that it is a criminal act to own any humans. But that was not the case for 15 year-old girl, Mbeirika Mint M'bareck, who had been freed from slavery, yet had been charged for having sex outside marriage  (which can be punishable by death through stoning). Although it was not of her consent to be submitted into rape and commit adultery, that charge is looked upon more than the fact that she had been enslaved for adultery had been a longer standing law than slavery is.With these charges, it shows the sad, slow progress Mauritania is making towards equality. This 15 year-old girl is just a reminder that slavery goes on even in today's time, and that it should finally be brought to justice once and for all so that slavery is eradicated in every part of the world. So, as another country who looks upon this, how does this relate back to slavery in America with African-Americans? And, also (looking at the current situation at hand),  what are some ways that slavery can truly be abolished in Mauritania? 

At least 70 ISIS bodies dropped off at Syrian hospital, opposition says

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/19/world/meast/isis-kobani/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Throughout the past couple of days 70 bodies from the ISIS terror group have been dropped off at Syrian hospitals. Many of the bodies were dead on arrival. Nobody knows exctly who dropped the bodies off at the hospital, but some think that it was other ISIS members. These bodies had been killed by many car bombs going off in Kobani. Kobani is a city on the border of Turkey. The ISIS rebels have been trying to take over the city for a couple of weeks now. It is very important that the rebel ISIS group does not take it over. This war has become very heated. Do you think this could escalate into another World War? Do you think the U.S. should have stepped in like they did?

Over 48 million Americans live in poverty

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When people hear "The United States of America" they think of a great opportunity for anyone who can get into America. That may have been the case many years ago but today this is not the case. Over 48 million of the people in America live in poverty. I think that this is too many people that live in poverty for us to feel comfortable so we now need to take action and help save some of these people. Is this something the United States needs to focus on even with all of these other complications coming up right now? Or should the government put this aside and tend to other issues that are happening right now? Is there even a way for people to help this cause enough to make a difference because so many people are going into poverty at such a high rate?

Child is Given 3-D Prosthetic Hand

Jeff Powell, a student at UNC-Chapel Hill has been making prosthetic hands out of 3-D printers. Each 3D printed hand costs roughly less than $20. The project began this summer and is continuing to help children in the need of a prosthetic hand. Holden Mora, the first child in Chapel Hill to receive this hand, was deformed due to a birth defect. "I'm perfect one handed" The 7 year states but is currently learning how to be perfect two handed with his new hand. By showing Jeff certain bugs the hand may have, Holden also helps Jeff in improving his innovation. Jeff is also trying to start a non profit organization dedicated to giving children a hand a Prosthetic Hand similar to Holden's. What do you think about future prosthetic body parts being created by 3D printers? Do you think it will be effective?

Hong Kong Democracy Advocate Beaten

A videotape of the beating, along with pictures of the bruised body, of protester Ken Tsang adds to tension between protesters and the chinese government. Ken Tsang says he was "brutally" assaulted by police. A spokesman for the Hong Kong Police has said protesters have been violent as well, tossing objects, kicking, and pushing officers. One officer has had his shoulder dislocated after being pushed by a protester. Mr. Tsang was "accused of unlawful assembly and of obstructing a police officer".  Throughout history there have been cases of police brutality. Was Tsang asking for this treatment? Is it ever okay for police to resort to violence? How far is too far?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/16/world/asia/video-of-apparent-beating-of-protester-in-hong-kong-stirs-anger.html?ref=world&_r=0

Against Rules, Dallas Worker With Ebola Boarded Plane

Ebola is a disease that began in 1976 and has been spreading through West Africa and is now in the U.S. The man, who had recently flown from Africa to Texas that was confirmed to be infected with Ebola is now dead because he did not receive proper care in time. But since then there has been two more Ebola infected people(nurses) in the U.S.  One of them had boarded a plane to Dallas before being diagnosed with the deadly disease. Now the C.D.C's job has been made much harder since it might have spread to other people in different parts of the U.S. She shouldn't have boarded the plane since she was one of the nurses that came in contact with the first Ebola patient. Is there risk of others being infected? Has there been cases of Ebola in other parts of the U.S? Is there a way to prevent it? Is there a treatment for EVD? What is your opinion?

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/16/us/ebola-outbreak-texas.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=LedeSum&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=1

Vicar: Dire Times For Iraq's Christians

The situation for Christians in Iraq has never been worse.  It is bad enough that they are being forced out of their homes, but they are also being tortured, killed, threatened, humiliated, and terrorists are now bombing sacred ground (churches).  Today, all of the churches in Iraq have been abandoned and more than half of the christian population has been cleared out either because of murder or because they have fled to other countries.  Though this is an article from a couple years back, many Christians are still being hunted down and prosecuted for their beliefs.  This sounds a lot like a genocide to me.  Have we not learned from our mistakes from the past.  Have we not learned from past genocides such as the Holocaust in the 1940's, the genocide in Armenia in 1915 (also a christian target), or even the Rwandan genocide in the 1990's? When will accept others no matter of where they come from or what they believe in?  What is your opinion? http://www.cbsnews.com/news/vicar-dire-times-for-iraqs-christians/3/

Terminally Ill Brittany Maynard Thanks Those Supporting Her 'Death with Dignity'

http://www.people.com/article/brittany-maynard-death-with-dignity-update

It is a sad idea to think about, but everyone dies. For some people death is a way to remember the amazing life that they lived, but for some death is a burden and is anticipated to end pain and suffering. For people like Brittany Maynard death is a burden, most 29 year old women are thinking about marriage and the life ahead of them, not wanting to die. Mrs.Maynard is diagnosed with stage 4 gliobastoma which is a rare type of cancer that causes tumors in the brain. This is known as a terminal illness, which makes her eligible of the option of physician assisted suicide, which is where the patient chooses death and end their own life with the help of a doctor.  Physician assisted suicide has been a nationwide debate for very long and is only legal in a few states, and stirs up many mixed feelings from people.This article makes you really think about living everyday to the fullest and not taking anything for advantage, because it can be gone any second. What do you guys think?

Art Shell Reflects on Becoming NFL's 1st Black Head Coach in Modern Era

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Shell becoming the first black coach since Fritz Pollard in the 1920s was what started this progression of more diversity within the coaches (and assistant coaches) of the NFL. Since he became a head coach 25 years ago, the number of black coaches had been, for the most part, increasing. In 2006, 22% of coaches were black; in 2001, the NFL reached their highest percentage yet -- 25%. However, in 2014, there is now only 6%. What could have caused the percentage to drop so much in just 3 years? The percentage of black football players, on the other hand, is currently around 70%. Could it be similar to people having the mindset when slavery was legal in America that blacks are inferior in intellectual areas and, more recently, better suited to certain sports rather than being a coach because they are, as Dean Cromwell said, “closer to the primitive”? What do you think?

ISIS: Even Worse Than the Hype

The group known as ISIS doesn't need the little things such as computer hackers and such because it doesn't need them. They have plenty of small arms to help contribute to what it doesn't have. ISIS strikes fear into the heart's of people, but at least the US doesn't have to deal with a wide-spread hack attack. Just about 4,700 civilians dead and 6,500 wounded from June 1st to August 31st, all of which included human rights abuse of all kinds and were Iraqi and Syrian. However something that is a bit different is that the bullet shells used for this all of this, 20% of those were made in US factories. Another shocking fact is that 42% of the total arms ISIS is using came from the US between 2009 and 2013. This piece can be related back to the Holocaust and how the Germans abused the human rights of just about everyone who was supposed to be "eliminated", mainly the Jews of course. They took away everything that had and tried to turn them into people they weren't, and if they didn't obey, they were killed on the spot indefinitely.

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Boston Herald apologizes for Obama cartoon after backlash

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/01/politics/boston-herald-cartoon/index.html?iref=allsearch

The Boston Herald newspaper has released a cartoon that has caused much controversy. It was created to describe the nature and casualty of the recent White House intrusion. In the cartoon, the intruder, a white man, offers Obama watermelon flavored toothpaste. There is a popular stereotype that black people enjoy watermelon, so there is a question as to whether the comic was either racist or simply ignorant. I believe that the cartoonist, as well as all the editors - except for one - were being racially insensitive, if not completely racist. It has been said that the cartoonist and Boston Herald intended no inference of racism, and are deeply apologetic. It seems inexcusable to me that something so sensitive as this could slide by and be claimed as a non-offensive mistake while we are in a time of healing from the terrible time of racism that has always existed in history. Do you think that the newspaper and cartoonist were truly unaware of the racist implications that the cartoon has? Or do you think they are now just apologizing as a way to let the stigma of Obama's skin color not be taken offensively?

Ebola Is Diagnosed in Texas, First Case Found in the U.S.

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Ebola is a disease that has been spreading through West Africa since its first outbreak in 1976. A man, who had flown from Liberia to Texas last week, was recently confirmed to be infected with Ebola. As the first person in the U.S. diagnosed with this virus, he is currently isolated in the hospital and receiving treatment. For the most part we have been taught about the widespread transfer of diseases from country to country, a significant historical example would be from the Columbian Exchange (the diseases that were spread from the Europeans to the Native Americans). As for now, I feel as though the health officials are doing a fair job of keeping the disease from spreading, but it's hard to say. After all, it only takes one person to start the epidemic here. 

What do you guys think? Should we be worried about the infection spreading? Is the government doing enough to prevent it?