Sunday, April 27, 2014

AP Language and Current Events Blog for Week of April 28

For this week's current events blog, make sure to follow the directions, EXACTLY.  Failure to do so will result in no credit for your blog.

1. Find a current event that interests you (because of its content or importance to the world scene).
2. Post a link to the current event on this blog.
3. Along with your link, post at least five question that pertain to your current event.  They can be questions about the news story itself, or they can be questions about another subject that pertains to the news story.

36 comments:

  1. http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/28/us/clippers-sterling-scandal/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

    1. Why do you think a disease like racism is in a place like the NBA?

    2. Why is it ironic for racism to be in the NBA?

    3. Based on the video of the recorded phone call, is Sterling right about who gives what to whom?

    4. In your opinion who gives and takes things away, why or why not?

    5. What kind of punishment should come to Sterling for this crime?

    6. What do you think is the root of racism? Why?

    7. What does it mean to be on a team? (is anyone excluded from it)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Arielle Gray

    http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/28/showbiz/music/beyonce-jay-z-tour/

    1. What is a "power couple"?
    2. What is the significance of the "power couple" wearing masks?
    3. Why is "Drunk in Love" so controversial?
    4. Does "Drunk in Love", in fact, make light of domestic abuse?
    5. According to some of the comments on the article itself, many believe that either Beyonce and Jay-Z are role models or they are not. What do you think and why?
    6. Could you see yourself attending these ultimately popular concerts? If so, how would you get out alive amongst the crowd of obsessed fans? Devise a specific escape plan in which you get out alive and unscathed...b/c I need tips.

    ReplyDelete
  3. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2013/12/12/sports/evolutions-in-show-jumping.html
    -Why are "off-the-track" horses not as "money-making" as specially-bred jumping horses?
    -What happened to Eric Lamaze's horse Hickstead?
    -What promoted the change from fixed, solid jumps to airy, movable jumps?
    -What was the most expensive show jumping horse ever purchased/sold?
    -Who is the top ranked show jumper (horse and rider)?
    Bethany Lovell

    ReplyDelete
  4. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/alabama-swimmer-john-servati-remembered-fondly-by-those-whose-lives-he-touched-191048507.html
    1) Why is it so tragic he died the way he did?
    2) What kind of a light is he cast in in this news article? Is he seen as a hero or a victim?
    3) Where is this swimmer from?
    4) Why does he stay in Alabama?
    5) Did his girlfriend make it out alive?

    ReplyDelete
  5. http://www.abc3340.com/story/25374091/officials-1-dead-1-injured-during-storms-in-tuscaloosa


    1- Do you think it was okay or the writer to include general facts about the storm in the middle of the article? What effect did this have on the article?

    2-Do you think this article did a good job of telling about Servati's death and honoring him?

    3- What could the writer have done to make the article better live up to its title?

    4- What would have been a better title for this article?

    5- What sport was Servati involved in?



    - Kayla Wilkins

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mark Chapman

    http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/30/us/oklahoma-botched-execution/index.html?hpt=hp_inthenews

    1. What three drugs are used in the execution process? (Video)

    2. How many states currently have the death penalty implemented?

    3. What is the name of the inmate, whose execution went wrong recently, that started all of this controversy?

    4. How long did he live after being administered the first drug?

    5. In your opinion, is the death penalty a sufficient way of administering justice to evil men, or is it too harsh of a sentence for most of the people given it? Use examples from this article in your argument.

    ReplyDelete
  7. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/04/30/wyoming-gov-accuses-administration-war-on-coal/?intcmp=latestnews

    1) What are the harmful effects of burning coal?
    2) With knowledge of the harm that coal can cause to the environment and atmosphere, should coal production and usage be reduced?
    3) Does the EPA and the Obama Administration have the right to do this to the coal industry, do the environmental benefits outweigh the possible loss of jobs?
    4) Research one alternative energy to coal.
    5) Discuss the pros and cons of this alternative energy source on the environment.

    Chandler Roberts

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nisha Singh
    1.Was Sterling wrong for stating his opinions behind closed doors?
    2. Why or Why not? If so how far should he be "punished" ?
    3.What does "two-party consent" mean?
    4. Was it "morally" wrong to leak the tape?
    5. In your opinion was his first right amendment violated ?

    http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/30/us/nba-sterling-legality/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

    ReplyDelete
  9. http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/30/jameis-winston-suspended-from-fsu-baseball-after-crab-stealing-incident/
    1. Do you think Winston "forgot" to pay for the food or he stole it?
    2. Do you think Winston's punishment is too lenient? If so, what do you think his punishment should be instead?
    3. Do you think they gave him less punishment because he is a highly known baseball player?
    4. Do you think his fans will seen him differently? Do you think this changes his role model appearance?
    5. Do you think he should be able to be apart of the team again after he completes his community service?

    Danielle Deese

    ReplyDelete
  10. http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/south-korea-ferry-disaster/south-korea-ferry-heartbreaking-video-shows-last-minutes-aboard-n94876

    1.) What possibly caused the ferry to begin to sink?
    2.) What happened to the captain and crew?
    3.) Who was on board the ferry?
    4.) Where were they headed?
    5.) What does this say about how different people react to things? (i.e. the captain and crew vs. the students who made/were a part of the video)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Katy Howard

    1. Why was the U.S. space shuttle taken out of service in 2011?
    2. Where is the International Space Program located?
    3. Why does the U.S. still rely on Russia if the private space industry has been a success?
    4. Will the U.S. be able to pay their bill of $457.9 million for Russian services?
    5. Will our relations with the Russians through the space program affect our overall relationship with them?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kacy Howard


    http://www.infoplease.com/news/2014/current-events/world_mar.html
    1.) Why does Putin have such a strong need to protect Russians from extremist ultranationalists?
    2.) Why are there loans going to Ukraine?
    3.) It says,"The sanctions involve revoking visas for travel to the U.S. for those who hold them and refusing visas for those seeking them," but why would they seek them in the first place?
    4.) Putin says he doesn't see an immediate reason to initiate a military conflict so why is he dispatching troops?
    5.) Is there conflict between the U.S. and russia?

    ReplyDelete
  13. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/boston-bombing-suspect-cant-use-betrayal-argument-n95091
    Who is Dzhokhar Tsarnaev?
    What are lawyers trying to use Tsarnaev’s new American Citizen status to do?
    How many crimes has Tsarnaev been charged for?
    Where did Tsarnaev live before living in the United States?
    How long before his attack was Tsarnaev granted U.S. citizenship?
    Sidhanth Chandra

    ReplyDelete
  14. http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/29/us/clippers-sterling-scandal/

    1. Who is Kevin Johnson?
    2. Do you think that these consequences for Sterling's comments are justified or too extreme? Explain.
    3. How many team owners does Adam Silver need to side with him in order to get the NBA Board of Governors to force a sale of the Clippers?
    4. What is a bigot?
    5. If you were Donald Sterling, would you want or be willing to sell your team? Why or why not?

    Kate Singley

    ReplyDelete
  15. Abby Ingle
    http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/features/ecigarettes-under-fire

    1. Have e-cigarettes been approved by the FDA?
    2. Do e- cigarettes contain tobacco?
    3. Is there scientific proof that e-cigarettes will not cause long term harm?
    4. According to the president of the InLife company, how many chemicals are in regular cigarettes?
    5. Do you think that e-cigarettes will help people smoke less or stop completely?



    ReplyDelete
  16. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/29/nba-la-clippers-donald-sterling-lifetime-ban-racist-comments
    1. If Sterling is racist why does he have more than half of his players black?
    2. Who should buy the L.A. Clippers to rebuild their reputation?
    3. Do you agree with banning Sterling for life from the NBA?
    4. How do the L.A. players feel about his racism?
    5. Did the L.A. Clippers know Sterling was racist during the time they played for him, if so why didn't they say anything?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Abriana Fornis

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/30/prisoner-sues-jay-z-beyonce-kanye_n_5241857.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

    1. Who is Richard Dupree?
    2. What has he accused several celebrities of doing?
    3. Which celebrities has he accused other than Beyoncé and Jay-Z?
    4. What agencies does he claim the celebrities use to "spy" on him?
    5. In your opinion, should prisoners who are currently serving time be allowed to file lawsuits such as this?

    ReplyDelete
  18. http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/05/01/teenager-takes-his-great-grandmother-to-prom/

    1. What inspired Austin to do this?

    2. Why was Deloris cautious at first about saying yes?

    3. What was so special about the song that Austin specially requested for his great grandmother?

    4. Does it take a certain type of person to take their great grandmother to prom? What personal qualities does it require?

    5. What type of appeal does this story evoke?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Shelley curry
    http://www.cnn.com/video/standard.html?/video/us/2014/05/01/amanda-knox-chris-cuomo-new-day-interview.cnn&hpt=hp_c2&from_homepage=yes&video_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F
    1. Do you believe Amanda Knox killed Meredith?
    2.if you believe she did, why? If you believe she did not,why?
    3. When did this event occur?
    4. Why do you think this judge is going further into the investigation of the murder of Meredith kercher?
    5.who is Rudy Guede?

    ReplyDelete
  20. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2014-04/25/c_133290171.htm

    What is a 3D printer, and why are the ones in this article considered special?

    Do you think that these 3D printers could be implemented into our construction industry?

    How does the article say that the use of these printers to make houses is more environmentally friendly than traditional construction?

    Do you think that the claims that they could be used to create skyscrapers are true, and would you trust these machines to create such a building?

    What else could these massive 3D printers be used to construct?

    Caldwell Wagenheim

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sydney Moore

    http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/world/meast/mummies-get-virtually-naked-with-ct-scans/index.html?hpt=wo_t2

    1. Who is Tamut, and what were some of the things they discovered about her?
    2. What is The Eye of Horus?
    3. What is one health issue that most of the mummies had?
    4. What type of information can we gain from experiments such as these?
    5. Give 3 reasons why you think we should or should not participate in this kind of experimentation.


    ReplyDelete
  22. http://www.opposingviews.com/i/sports/ua-swimmer-john-servati-dies-saving-girlfriend-collapsing-wall

    1) I saw post from a friend who talked to Lauren (John's girlfriend) right after it happened and they said the flooding was a mix of the storms and a busted city water line. Are they trying to hide the city from blame by not mentioning it in the current event?

    2) Did John know the Lord? Was he saved?

    3) How did just flooding make the concrete wall collapse? Was more than flooding involved?

    4) What did his girlfriend say to reporters or did she speak to them at all?

    5) How could John hold up a concrete wall (does adrenaline help in this situation)? Are reports sure this is the full story?

    Brooke Gilbert

    ReplyDelete
  23. http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/29/us/clippers-sterling-scandal/
    1. Why did Donald sterling cheat on his wife who would do anything for him probably?
    2. Why didn't Adam silver do more to force him to sale?
    3. Why does Donald sterling claim he is not a racist but manged to get caught saying what he said?
    4. Can Adam silver push more harsh consequences into this?
    5. How would you (Donald sterling) feel if I married your daughter? Seriously

    ReplyDelete
  24. http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10857580/donald-sterling-los-angeles-clippers-owner-receives-life-ban-nba

    1. Who is Donald Sterling and why is he in the news?
    2. Who is Adam Silver?
    3. What was the NBA Commission's decision? Name all the parts and describe.
    4. Are most players and owners happy with the decision and why?
    5. What are some other things that Sterling has done to cause controversy?

    ReplyDelete
  25. http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/justice/minnesota-attack-thwarted/index.html?hpt=ju_c1

    1. Besides the ambition to follow out his plan as the students from Columbine HIgh School, was there anything else pressuring him?

    2. Why did he plan t kill his family?

    3. Where did he recieve the chemicals from?

    4. How did learn to make bombs?

    5. Is publishing stories such as Columbine positive or negative for society? Informing of the craziness in our world, at the same time informing of ideas.

    -Kamika Sneed

    ReplyDelete
  26. http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/world/africa/nigeria-abducted-girls/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
    1. Where did the kidnaping take place?
    2. How many girl were taken?
    3. What facility were they taken from and what time fo the day/night?
    4. What is the Government doing to find these girls?
    5. How may have been found/recovered?

    ReplyDelete
  27. Cole Martin

    http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/29/us/clippers-sterling-scandal/

    1. Who is Donald Sterling?
    2. What did he do to provoke such a harsh punishment?
    3. What is the extent of his ban?
    4. Do you believe the commissioner, Adam Silver gave him an appropriate punishment or do you believe he was too soft or too cruel?
    5. What is the irony behind Sterling's comments and the business he was in?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Caylin Kliner

    1. Usually bombers and serial killers that are young and get caught don't always admit to everything or tell the whole truth. Why do you think the 17 year old bomber is so comfortable admitting to everything right away & willing to tell the authorities his whole plan for the shooting?

    2. The bomber got caught because he was at a storage place looking suspicious and someone called the police. Markeson's statement ("This case is a classic.....has been prevented") talks about how if anything looks suspicious, it should be reported to the cops. Do you agree with this or is it not any of your buisness? If you would have seen this mysterious man walking around, would you have called the cops? Or let it go? Honestly explain.

    3. Since the young man did not kill anyone, what kind of sentence do you think he should receive? Life in prison, Death Penalty, years in prison, months in prison, etc. ?

    4. The 17 year old killer could have gotten away with this easily if someone hadn't of spotted him as suspicious. Should the government be more in control and cautious about these types of situations? If so, how should they make security more extensive at school, work, in the city, etc.?

    5. Why do you think some people receive pleasure by killing other individuals? Do you think bullying and the way one is raised plays a big factor? Or do you think some people are born with an instinct to be violent?

    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/05/02/minnesota-teen-allegedly-plotted-to-bomb-schools-kill-his-family/

    Caylin Kliner

    ReplyDelete
  29. http://esciencenews.com/articles/2014/05/01/stem.cells.teeth.can.make.brain.cells

    1. Do you think research should be published for commercial purposes?
    2. True or False: treatment for stroke patients is available months after a stroke with this proposed treatment.
    3. Based on the reading, how would this benefit stroke patients?
    4. Which doctor (from the reading) found that these stem cells resembled brain cells?
    5. What must scientist do in order to cultivate these cells?

    Iyana Gray

    ReplyDelete
  30. http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/politics/capitol-hill-subway-driver/index.html?iref=allsearch
    1.What day did Daryl Chappelle retire?
    2.What was Daryl Chappelle's personality like?
    3. How old was Mr. Chappelle?
    4.How many times has Daryl Made the trip?
    5.Why was it great or a huge success that Daryl worked for so many years?
    - Shaquala Courtland #noshade

    ReplyDelete
  31. Janna Meeks
    http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/01/showbiz/michael-jackson-new-song/index.html?hpt=us_t5

    1. What year was the song created?
    2. Who was included in producing it?
    3. Which online music services were included in having it to download?
    4. What is his single called?
    5. How do you feel about Michael Jackson's song being put out there so long after it was produced and after he has died?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Jala Thomas:

    1. What made self portraits a pop cultural phenomenon?

    2. How did Sheila Guay think about taking self portraits while accepting your diploma?

    3. What school is setting up a hashtag theme as a theme of new media at their graduation festivities?

    4. What popular celebrity's selfie became the most retweeted selfie in history?

    5. In your opinion, how do you feel about high school and college graduates taking selfies while receiving their diplomas, and why?

    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/05/02/for-graduates-at-2-colleges-warning-on-selfies-administrators-cite-time/









    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/05/02/for-graduates-at-2-colleges-warning-on-selfies-administrators-cite-time/

    ReplyDelete
  33. http://article.wn.com/view/2014/05/02/How_the_EU_transformed_Poland/

    1. How did Poland's annual GDP increase from before the country entered the EU?
    2. Are Polish citizens happy that their country is in the EU? How do you know from the article? (Specific data in the text)
    3. What is the prevalent religion in Poland?
    4. What could happen to foreigners who walked the streets at night in Poland in the 1990s?
    5. How did the Polish vision of the world outside Poland change in the last 10 years?
    6. Do you think it's right for EU to invest so much money in Poland, in spite of the current economic crisis? In other words, is it a good investment in such difficult times?

    Silvia Brosolo

    ReplyDelete
  34. Jana Traywick
    http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/05/01/newly-arrived-virus-spread-by-mosquitoes-is-rapidly-gaining-foothold-across/
    1. Where was this illness first detected and when?
    2. How is this virus spread?
    3. How is the CDC helping the United States to prepare for the possible introduction of the virus?
    4. What is the only way to stop the virus?
    5. How does Dr. James Hospedales describe the virus?

    ReplyDelete
  35. obama orders policy review on executions

    http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/03/us/flawed-oklahoma-execution-deeply-troubling-obama-says.html

    1. Where was the botched execution?
    2. What is Obama's opinion on the death penalty?
    3. Who is Clayton Lockette?
    4. Who is Diann Rust-Tierney?
    5. What is your opinion on capital punishment?

    Jakeias McGee

    ReplyDelete
  36. Reece Johnson
    How much did the crab legs cost?
    What other incident was Jameis Winston accused of last December?
    What was his punishment?
    http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/30/us/florida-winston-shoplifting-allegation/index.html
    From what store did he steal the crab legs?
    What excuse did he give for not paying for them?

    ReplyDelete

If you are in one of my English classes, please make sure to type your name at the beginning of your comment so that you will receive credit for your thoughts.