Blog Writing Prompt (5)

Drunk Driving:

• Surprising facts or statistics: California was the first state to have drunk driving laws, and New York shortly followed, in 1910.

• The extent of the problem: 

• Important people or institutions involved:

• Key schools of thought:

• Common misconceptions:

• Observations you've made:

• Important trends:

• Major controversies:

Blog Writing Prompts (Pt. 2, 3, 4a & 4b)

Potential Research Topics/ What Ticks Me Off 
For & Against Arguments & Critical Thinking Questions

1. Cyber Bullying:

Cyber bullying ticks me off because some people can't stand up for themselves over a screen. People who bully in person usually have a conflict that they just want to solve. But when you confront some one over the internet or phone, they can't hear your tone and it usually makes the situation worse. Solving conflicts should just be done face to face over a conversation.

For: People can stand up to people over a screen instead of in person where they can be harmed.
Against: People will never learn to stand up for what they believe in properly, and they will take advantage of the screen being the messenger.

Critical Thinking & Analysis

1. What steps can schools take to reduce cyber bullying? A- They can block social media websites in schools so they don't promote this from happening.
2. Should lawmakers enact more regulations to punish cyberbullies? Why or why not? A- Yes because whether teenagers consider it real bullying or not, it is still harmful to others.
3. Why do you think students engage in cyber bullying? A- Because it's easier to bully some one online than it is to do in person.
4. How should schools and parents help students who are victims of cyber bullies? A- Parents should be supervising what their kids are doing online, and teachers should ask if there are any incidents online that the school should know about. 

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2. Poverty:

Poverty ticks me off because most of the time, the 3rd world nations that are experiencing this poverty, can't get themselves out of it. Some nations use sweat shops to try and raise the nations GDP and unemployment rate, but this is unfair to the people working in them.

For: There is only room for improvement.
Against: The countries that are living in these third world countries, have a hard time moving out of the extreme poverty state that they are in, and moving forward.

Critical Thinking & Analysis

1. What government programs are currently in place to reduce poverty? A- Institutions and businesses promise to give benefits that don't support poverty.
2. Explain why, according to critics of increased government action, poverty in the U.S. is exaggerated. A- Government exaggerates poverty in the US to emphasize how bad it is.
3. List three things that, according to proponents of more government action, would reduce poverty.  A- Opening factories in the US (not over seas), companies paying better wages and offering better benefits, and raising awareness.

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3. Antisemitism:

Antisemitism ticks me off because it causes a lot of racist issues between races, nationalities and belief systems. These judgements are irrelevant and cause many global issues just because people want to make their opinion of others known.

For: We have the freedom of speech and people can say/think what they want.
Against: People take advantage of that power and use it to intentionally hurt others.

Critical Thinking & Analysis

1. Why is racism so rife in the world? A- Because of history that has happened in the past.
2. How should racial discrimination be addressed? A- Because it causes many issues of injustice. 
3. Has the United States done enough to address the historical injustices to African Americans, Native Americans and other groups? If not, what needs to be done? A- America ITSELF can not be in charge of issues of injustice, but it's in the hands of the Americans. Depending on how the American government raises awareness and affects the society, this will contribute to stopping this issue, and America will heal morally. 

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4. Drunk Driving:

Drunk driving ticks me off because it is horrible. It can not only kill the people who are driving drunk, but innocent bystanders who caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.This is unfair to both parties because it is something that can be so easily solved. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!

For: This can spread awareness to other people thinking about drinking and driving and knock some sense into them.
Against: It shouldn't take other peoples mistakes for you to realize what's right and wrong.

Critical Thinking & Analysis

1. Should states adopt stricter penalties for drivers who refuse to take a BAC test? Why or why not? A- Yes because they are not just putting themselves in harm, but other innocent bystanders as well.
2. Should laws be enacted that require ignition-interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders? Why or why not? A- Yes because this is something that can be prevented so why would you not want to take precausions and be safe rather than sorry. This is even more imortant for first-time offenders because they need to know this is a serious problem and will not be tolerated.
3. Do you think DUI checkpoints should be used more often and in more places? Explain. A- Yes. I do not think this is necessary all the time, but there should definitely be more check points on holidays because the cops should know people will be intoxicated and operating vechicals.
4. Describe other measures you think could be implemented to reduce drunk driving. A- I think car doors or steering wheels should have pulse monitors that can detect when you are intoxicated. This can prevent drunk driving from happening, before you even start the car.

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5. Drug Abuse:

Drug abuse ticks me off because people could die from it. If people abuse drugs that are being given out legally, there should be a better way to control how much people can get at one time... so they can't overdose. Sometimes people who abuse drugs are not the people the drugs are prescribed to, but they are sold it because the people it belongs to needs the money more than the medicine.

For: People can make money by selling things that they aren't making use of.
Against: It is illegal, unsafe, and can get both parties ( the seller and the buyer ) in trouble.

Essential Questions

1. Should recreational drugs be legalized? A- No because this can cause unneccesary addiction.

2. Should the international community end the war on drugs? A- Yes because it isn't necessary. There are more important global issues to worry about than incarserating people because of drugs. 

3. Should marijuana be legalized? A- If it's for medical use it should be because it can help them.

4. Should the U.S. legalize medical marijuana use in all states? A- Yes because this can help victims of illness experience less pain.

5. Should the U.S. end its war on drugs by decriminalizing and regulating drugs? A- Yes, but only to a certain extent. If you have an excessive amount then it shouldn't be aloud. If you have proof of a medical condition and you're in need of it, it should be allowed.

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4A:

1. What have we been studying in class this year? A- Southern Gothic Literature, economics & domain names.

2. Which subjects appeal to me? A- When we learned about Edgar Allan Poe and his background.

3. What are people writing about? A- Flawed character and broken setting.

4. What's most interesting to me? A- The sociological meaning behind southern gothic.

5. Can I find information about that? A- Yes.

4B: 
After reviewing all of these topics, I think that Drunk Driving is the topic I am going to talk about. This topic is most significant to me because this problem has cause the most deaths by car in history, and seems to keep getting worse. Something as simple as a text or phone call for someone to pick you up can save your life, and other lives around you as well.