Apocalypse

A.So basically Six Flags is opening a new coast called the Apocalypse. It is a stand up coaster, full of loops. I thought it was interesting that this ride is coming out soon because of the recent bath salts incident. Needless to say I am a roller coaster fan and enjoy going to amusement parks. I'm interested to see if the ride will live up to the hype that has been place upon it.
B.I am interested in local news
It was well written
I enjoyed this article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/apocalypse-new-six-flags-roller-coaster-gets-a-test-ride-from-a-thrill-fanatic/2012/06/06/gJQAgkjnJV_story.html?hpid=z3

Russia

A.Looks like Putin is at it again, this time he is restricting the civil liberties written out in the Russian Constitution. He has chosen to do this in response to the waves of protesting he saw during this past year. Putin is afraid the opposition will pose a candidate who could pose a threat to his power. Putin basically controls both chambers of the the legislature and easily passed the legislation that increases the fine for protesting from 5,000 to 30,000 rubles. Opponents to the bill said it violated the right to assembly guaranteed in the Constitution.
B. I chose this article because I am interested in Russia and figured it was appropriate to finish my series of Putin blogs
It was well written
I enjoyed the article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/putins-government-moves-to-quash-public-dissent/2012/06/06/gJQA6l0ZJV_story.html?hpid=z3

A deadly blow to the Labor movement.

A.This article details how Scott Walker, the incumbent governor in Wisconsin, survived his recall election and still has his job. He was met by opposition in the form of union groups such as AFL-CIO who used grassroots techniques to raise funds and get the vote out. Walker won this election because he outspent his opponent 47 mil to 18 mil. This loss does make the union movement seem vulnerable, even though union household turnout increased from 26% in 2010 to 33% this year.
B. I chose this article because I think it is relevant to the presidential election this fall.
It was well written
I enjoyed the article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/wisconsin-gov-scott-walkers-victory-deals-blow-to-unions/2012/06/06/gJQAAIWVJV_story.html?hpid=z2

Natitude

A.This article describes how the Washington Nationals and the New York Mets, two teams battling for the divison lead, went to 12 innings before a winner was decided. The winner was the Nationals thanks to a walk off single for Bryce Harper, the 19 year old phenom who has added excitement to an already talented team. Others are stepping for the Nationals as well however, Ian Desmond managed to gain 3 RBIs in the late innings to keep this game going for the Nats. Desmond along with the helps of the likes of Lombardozzi and LaRoche, have been key offensive players as of late. The Nationals remain in first place with this win.
B. I chose this article because I am a Nationals fan.
It was a well written article
I enjoyed the article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/nationals-vs-mets-bryce-harper-drives-in-winning-run-in-12th-inning/2012/06/05/gJQAVe5RHV_story.html

Senior Reflection #3

I figure my final reflection should be about the school that I have been attending for the past four years. I am going to miss Herndon High school, even though I am ready for school to end. Graduating will be fun, closing one chapter of my life and opening another. I have made many fond memories at this school with friends I will never forget. I will miss Baseball, it was tough losing our last game, it was sad to see it all end. I however am confident moving forward. I can remember like it was yesterday that I was a Sixth grader at Buzz Aldrin elementary. The times they are a changing.

Senior Reflection #2

I am very excited to be attending Virginia Tech next year. I am excited to be living away from home and having more freedom. I am eager to see my class schedule when I go to orientation in July. I'm hopeful that engineering will work out at Tech. A large portion of my class is going to Tech so it should be interesting.

Senior Reflection #1

This summer I will be life guarding full time, which consume a good portion of my time. I am going to the outer banks and San Antonio. It should be a fun summer before I go off to college.

Current Event #5

This article deals with the Chinese government attempting to resettle roughly 2.8 million people from their homes in the province of Shaanxi, where mud slides and other natural disasters have plagued these people living in the mountains. The government plans on using coercion to ensure that these poor peasants are moved to safer houses. The government however is only guaranteeing on funding part of the cost to build these new homes, relying on the families of these people to make up the difference. This is not the first time the PRC has attempted to resettle its people. As noted in the article, since 1949 when the communist party first assumed control, they have resettled roughly 70 million Chinese. Most of the time they have resorted to strong man tactics in order to get their way, and it looks like that will happen again, as plans to move these peasants have them leaving by the end of the decade.
http://www.economist.com/node/21551083

Current Event #4

The situation in Northern Nigeria looks to be digressing as the militant Islamist group Boko Haram continues to terrorize the streets of Kano. The city has placed a 6 pm curfew, which has hurt business and other key industries. The main target of the groups attacks have been the police and the Nigerian state. Many of the inhabitants of the city support Boko Haram because in them they see a group fighting against the inequality that the Nigerian state has overseen for the best ten years. Also, the northern part of Nigeria is predominately Muslim, and poor. The Nigerian state has labeled Boko Haram as a foreign entity which seeks to undermine peace and prosperity, when in reality, this group draws all of its support locally. However, there has been linking of this group to Al Queda. It is likely that violence will increase, along with other restrictions of freedom in the city of Kano due to the groups insurgency.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/world/africa/in-northern-nigeria-boko-haram-stirs-fear-and-sympathy.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=world

Current Event #3

The elections in Russia look to be heating up as protesters attempted to form a human chain along the 15 km "Garden Ring" road in Moscow. They failed to completely set up the ring but their presence was still felt delaying traffic in some parts of the road. State news outlet RIA Novosti quoted police as saying that 11,000 people showed up, opposed to the protesters figures of 40,000. The true number of people there was probably between these two figures. Putin seems to be losing support as he tries to suppress dissidence within the country through his state controlled media. I believe that the more he tries to suppress the opposition the more support he will lose, and the more likely he will lose the upcoming presidential election. Russia isn't know for having a great track record with freedom, and Putin is only making it worse. Hopefully the new "civil society" will prevail and Putin will give up his power like a true man.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/26/world/europe/russia-protest/

Boiling Point in Iran

Tensions between Israel and Iran have been growing since last year, and it is evident that things will only get worse. The article discusses the time frame of when an aerial attack from Isreal against Iran's nuclear facilities would be. It also discusses the involvement of America in a military conflict between the two, citing the amphibious landing drills that have been started by the U.S. military. The decision to fight Iran will not be Pinetta's or Obam's decision but the Israeli's. If a war was to break out, the region would become chaotic with countries such as Syria coming to the aid of Iran and countries like America and the Saudis coming to the defense of Israel. I have a feeling that Israel won't wait much longer sitting idle while Iran develops a weapon. An airstrike could occur late this spring in my opinion.
http://www.economist.com/node/21547297

China current event #1

When the Olympics were held in China during the summer of 2008 many environmental groups were emphasizing the high levels of pollution that China has. The images of the air that summer did nothing to reverse this assertion. PM 2.5 refers the smallest particles in the atmosphere which can get deep into your lungs. A report done from by Yale's Angel Hsu using American satellites shows that almost all of China's provinces of ratings of 10 micro-grams per m3, considered unhealthy. The pollution in China is a result of their growth economically. With many jobs comes many pollutants. It will be interesting to see if China takes any measures to make sure its air quality improves. I doubt this will happen because China is focused on surpassing economically  America. If no reforms are implemented, you may find some unhappy Chinese complaining along with enviormentalists, now that's an odd group. 

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2012/02/pollution-china

Cartoon of the Week:

1. Steve Greenberg
2. The key objects in this cartoon are the missile that has "Death to Israel" and an Iranian flag posted on it, President Ahmadinejad proclaiming that the nuclear program is only for domestic use, and three wind turbines.
3. This cartoonist uses ridicule.
4. This cartoon deals with the growing threat of Iran in the middle east.
5. The message of the cartoon is that the Iranians can't be trusted.
6. The point-of-view of this cartoonist is probably center-right, considering that the right wants to openly attack Iran.

Question of the Week: Personal Post

This year so far has been interesting to say the least. I think you did a good job teaching us the U.S Gov material, no complaints. There have been plenty of memories, such as all of your war stories. It feels weird posting this since I never thought senior year would almost be halfway done, but I am definitely excited to graduate in June. I still am wondering where I will go to school, so until then I still have much to worry about.

Question of the Week: GOP Nomination

At this point in the race I believe that Mitt Romney will be the eventual nominee. There are many reasons, the first being that he has the most money out of all the candidates and is well organized, allowing him to compete in later states up until the end (Virginia ballot case in point). Another reason why I think Romney will be the nominee is that Republican voters deep down know that Romney has the best chance to beat Obama in November, the most important issue concerning the Republican party as of now. The last reason being that Romney has the widest range of appeal to voters, being able to gain votes from Neoconservatives in foreign policy and gaining moderate votes in areas such as abortion and healthcare.

Cartoon of the Week

1. Drawn by Dave Granlund
2. The key objects in the cartoon are the robot which represents Super PACs, the joystick controlled by some anonymous donors, and the unlimited cash bag that the robot is holding.
3. This cartoon uses ridicule
4. This cartoon deals with campaign finance and elections.
5. The message of the cartoon is that it is unfair that money can destroy another opponent's campaign from a Super PAC funded by anonymous donors.
6. This cartoonist seems moderate.