The Blurb

EU Turns Back Immigrants

African immigrants are trying to travel to Europe for a better life, but many don't make it. These desperate immigrants go through so much. For one thing, traveling is so hard. First the immigrants must save up a years salary worth just to ride on the boat. This boat cost 200 dollars. This seems a good price for us, but this is there salary for a year. Ours is 42,000 dollars! Big difference. Also it is not a good deal even for us, the boats are squished, tiny and filled with about 80 people standing on fuels for the 40 horse powered motor.  These immigrants must do this for 8-10 days. You think this is bad; well almost all the ships do not even make it to Europe. The ships either sink out in the ocean because of a storm, make it to Europe to have the EU turn them back or have a happy life in the new country. The third option rarely ever happens. These immigrants still come knowing about all these dangers. Why do you think they still come?

 A Small boat full of Immigrants

         Do you think the EU should keep turning the immigrants around; after all they have come through? I think that the EU should have a spot in Europe for the immigrants to stay. If people hear about this in Africa then more will come. When the space is full, it’s full. No more room should be provided. I think this is fair because, if Europe just lets immigrants in and they can go were ever they want the EU will have to pay for their food. Also there would be fewer jobs open for the people of Europe. Even worse the Africans have no money so they can’t buy food. If you put the immigrants in one spot with every thing they need you can solve most of those problems and have them grow their own food.

Questions to consider:

Do you think it is right to send the immigrants back after all they came through?

What is your idea of helping the EU?

Should immigrants just stop coming to Europe?

        

 Signed

Sam

How YOU Can Go Green

Contrary to popular belief, going green isn't hard, and isn't expensive.  In fact, going green can save lots of money on electricity and heating bills.  It can also help relieve a guilty conscience.

Tips on shopping:

• Buy in bulk.  Not only will you save money, you will pollute less when you throw the packaging away.
• Look for the recycling symbol on product's packaging.  That means that either it is recyclable, or made of recycled materials.
• Some stores offer recycling programs for plastic bags, and this is a great way to help the environment.  In fact, NC is pushing for plastic bags to be illegal, at least in their coastal region.

Tips on saving energy at home:

• Configure your laptop and desktop to the most energy efficient mode.
• Use a cold rinse cycle on your washer.
• Turn the TV off when you aren't using it.
• Unplug charging devices when they aren't in use.  These devices, even when not in use, use minimal amounts of power 24/7.
• Instead of watching TV, playing video games, or chatting online, go outside or pick up a good book.  The best way to save electricity is not to use it at all.
• Open up the blinds, and turn off the lights.  Not only will this save electricity, it will brighten your room with a softer, more natural light.
• Set a delay timer on your wireless modem.  Not only will this save electricity, it protects your computer at night.

• Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to turn your computer off every chance you get.  Turning your computer off still drains about 2.8 watts, and sleep mode on a Mac drains just 4 watts.  This is hardly any energy saving, and wears down your hard drive because of the high speeds at start-up.  Therefore, it is better to just make sure your computer goes into sleep mode.

Tips for helping the environment at home:

• Recycle all that you can.  It may sound obvious, but it is surprising how much people still throw away.
• Save scrap paper.  Any old one-sided printed paper makes great scrap paper on the back.
• Plant a garden.  Plants rid the air of green house gasses, and if you have a houseplant, it acts as an air purifier.  Gardens can either look great, or give you fresh produce, which saves you money when you go to the grocery store.
• Keep your neighborhood clean, and free of trash.

Other Tips:

• Be creative.  There are tons of good ways to help the environment.  A google search on "helping the environment" returns almost 77 million hits.
• Spread the word.  Encourage your neighbors, friends, and coworkers to help to.  If one person can do this much, how much can 100, 1,000, or even more do?  If every viewer that has ever been to the blurb were able to turn 1 60 watt light bulb off for 2 hours a day, over the courseof 1 year, Blurbers would save a combined nearly 300,000 dollars based on the national average.  In Hawaii, the state with the highest electricity rate per kilowatt hour, Blurbers would save a total of nearly $700,000, just by turning off a light bulb for 2 hours a day.  As you can see, there is strength in numbers.

Signed,

The Blurb's Senior Assistant Editor In Chief

So what do you think?  Share your stories of helping the environment, and your ideas by commenting here at The Blurb.

Obama's Energy and Environment Plans

Obama campaigned aggressively last year on the Environmental and Energy crises, and these have typically been strongholds for democrats.  A Gallup poll illustrating this is below:

I have also created a Voicethread on Obama's environment plans.  Please comment.

(As you can see, Bam Bam has learned a few tricks from back when Melvin The Chicken Hunter and I were frequent posters, and taught them to me)

Remember to comment here on The Blurb!

Signed,

The Blurb's Senior Assistant Editor In Chief

Green Energy

One aspect of being green is replacing our fossil fuel energy sources with renewable ones.  Our new president, Barack Obama, has promised to do this soon (click here for a shorter version).  I also wrote a letter to President Obama expressing concerns about this.  Here is one quote:

"You, of all people undoubtedly know that green energy can create millions of jobs, and reduce government spending in the long term, but I am concerned that you support "clean" coal technology.

There is no good reason to support "clean" coal technology over any renewable sources.  "Clean" coal is still dirtier than renewable sources, less efficient, can be implemented in the same amount of time, can be implemented for a similar amount of money, and most importantly will run out someday.  We know that if "clean" coal is used, we will be right back to where we are today in fifty years, just down however many billions of dollars required to build coal plants.

However, if renewable sources are used and created, we will have access to energy that never runs out, hence "renewable."  Also, many renewable sources don't pollute at all, except for building the wind turbines, solar arrays, or tide generators.  Renewable sources will create the same number of jobs that "clean" coal will create, but jobs will not disappear when the coal runs out.  This will also gain us favor with European countries that have implemented carbon caps."

I also recently recieved a comment from Mike H, asking about nuclear energy, another renewable source, but not as good as wind, tide, and solar.  Nuclear energy is a great source of energy, but when the uranium rods run out, they leave behind toxic nuclear waste.  Wind, tide, and solar energy leave behind nothing, will create new jobs indefinitely, and help America to rise above the economic crisis.

All opposition to renewable energy is due to the fact that it is totaly new, and will take a while to build.  This is true, but we must keep in mind that it will take an equally long time (about 10 years) to create oil drills in Alaska.  According to a Gallup poll, 77% of Americans surveyed thought that America should increase energy production from alternative sources.  Another Gallup poll says that 24% more Americans say we should concentrate on protecting the environment than increasing energy sources, a big concern with drilling in Alaska.

It is clear that we need renewable sources of energy, not just to stop global warming, but also to maintain America's energy independence so we don't rely on other countries for fuel.

Signed,

The Blurb's Senior Assistant Editor in Chief

What do you think?  Should America expand its alternate energy sources?  Post your thoughts and comments here on The Blurb!

Are Kids Vermin?

In the UK, a commercial will be coming out on November 24, stating kids are like animals. In their commercial they are saying people think kids are horrible and are a nuisance. They took a survey and 54% of the adults say kids are starting to act like animals in the UK.

They asked if people agreed or disagreed with the statements. Only 49% disagreed and others said that kids who get into trouble needed professional help. 43% said that something needed to be done to protect adults from the kids.

There were only 2021 people that were part of the survey. Half of the adults said that kids are getting to be a danger to others.  YouGov was responsible for the interviews in this project. Everything in the commercial was based on the survey and that tells the attitude of the people towards kids.

The commercial shows "vermin" or kids being hunted by adults. It seems very frightening to watch. Some quotes about kids from the people in the survey were "ruthless","cruel", and "they wonder in packs". The people may be trying to tell us over the years kids have been getting more and more misbehaved.  There may be many reasons for people saying so.  For example, parents and adults have been working more and have not been having the time to spend with their kids. So there must be a negative point of view from the people of the survey in UK.

What about the rest of the world?

Are the majority of adults convinced that kids are becoming worse over time? 

Leave us a comment to share your thinking and join us again soon on The Blurb!

Signed,

Sailormoon 14

(Image Credit:  Hunter De Rat by hsdevries, licesened Creative Commons:  Attribution) 

Voodoo Doll Madness

On October 22, 2008 President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, sued the company K&B for putting his face on a voodoo doll without his permission.  There was a voodoo doll of his opponent in the election as well, but she wasn't mad about it.  In fact, she thinks that Sarkozy doesn't have a sense of humor at all.

 Is his opponent for president from last year offending him by saying "I have a sense of humor"?  What do you think Sarkozy should do? Is he doing something wrong by suing the company?  Or is he doing the right thing by defending his own image?

There are always two sides to a story. Even if you you think they're doing the wrong thing. Kind of like an election.

The first side to every story is a good side. I think Sarkozy is doing the right thing by defending himself against humiliation. Also, he is doing the right thing because he should have control over his own image.  If you had your image put on a doll without permission how would you feel?

The other side of the story is the wrong side. I think Sarkozy is doing the wrong thing because it is just the company getting more money. Also, he should let it slide and not care. Then he won't end up loosing cases in court. Finally, if you keep fighting back they're just going to keep on coming back stronger.

So what do you think? Is Sarkozy doing the right thing or is he doing the wrong thing by suing this company over a doll. Leave us comments and share your thinking-and join us next time on The Blurb!

Signed,

The Flying Sock Monkey

 

Cell Phones in School

You know what? I was sitting in homeroom yesterday and I heard my principal say something very commonly said in schools:

"The staff and I have issued a new rule, all cell phone usage is prohibited until the last period bell at the end of the day. And then no using them until you get on the bus. That's all the announcements for today. Lets work hard, be positive, and learn together. Have a wonderful Tuesday!"

I was so mad when I heard this! If I hadn't known that I would've gotten in trouble, then I Would have started a protest (maybe not)! In my opinion cell phones should be allowed in schools.

The critical question is should students be allowed to use their cell phones at school or not?

Here is what we think:

Gabcast! Blurb Postings #11

So, should students be allowed? Leave us a comment and share your thinking.

Signed,
The Blooper

Just how likely is the “Dream Ticket"

Senator Barack Obama has finally got the democratic nomination for president of the USA, and some people are in shock (a.k.a. Hillary Clinton). She hadn’t backed out of the race until now. On Saturday she gathered her campign staff to withdraw the race.

However, we all know she is very comfortable with the idea of being Senator Obama’s running mate. Many people are calling this the “dream ticket”, but what I found out is just how likely that will be. In the article “Clinton Unlikely As No.2” The Wall Street Journal said “Close advisors to Senator Obama are signaling that a Obama-Clinton ticket is highly unlikely.”

Do you think having Hillary Clinton as his running mate would give him more or less votes? I heard on NPR that Clinton supporters are now turning to John McCain, and that could mean a lot less votes for Obama. If you don’t think Hillary should be his running mate who should? Leave us a comment and tell us how you feel.

Singed,

TMX Elmo

Wii Think Not

What does everybody think about the Wii?  It is awesome.  I am literally DYING for one.  But someone did die for one, and the Wii destroyed someone else's brand new plasma TV.  It was all caused by this amazing device?  That is very hard to believe, but it is true.  Someone did die trying to win one, lots of people did have their TV and FACE smashed because of the system.

What I am about to tell you is about a Mom trying to win a Wii for her kids in a contest at a radio station.  The contest was called Hold Your Wee For a Wii.  The mother saw the ad for the contest in a magazine.  She wanted to win the Wii for her kids so they would have a video game system, so she entered in the contest.  The goal was to drink a certain amount of water and be the last person to use the bathroom.  She drank tons of water but won the worst prize ever imaginable, death.  By drinking gallons and gallons of water, she suffered from water intoxication, which caused all of her body fluids that were not water to be smothered by hydrogen.  The mother felt dizzy and was feeling sick, so she was rushed to a hospital.  Unfortunately, she later died.  The DJ's that held the contest were fired, even though they claimed that there should have been nothing wrong and they didn't know that would happen.  She not only died, but she lost the contest to a different mother.  This is how someone died trying to win a Nintendo Wii.

What you also should remember is that someone had their $2000 plasma TV ruined by a Wii.  This is what happened.  There was this one guy who bought a Wii and played with it when he got home.  A few weeks later, when he was playing the Wii, he thrusted the remote forward as if throwing something in the game.  But, he lost his grip, and the remote slid out of his hand, into the Television screen, and shattered the screen to pieces.  Nintendo was not charged for that action because it was the guy who tossed the remote.  But you should notice that all Wii remotes now have bracelets on them so they stay on your wrist.

What do you think now?  Do you still want one or now reconsider your choices?  Please tell me in your comments.

-Whatchamacallit   

Make Way for the Hy-Wire!

What is happening in Darfur is bad because of genocide, but we also need to focus on global warming,  and one of the main contributors to global warming is pollution.                                             

What we can do to ease global warming?  The Hy-Wire is the answer! 

What the Hy-Wire is a car with no engine!  Inspired by air-craft cockpits, this GM car is a vehicle that does not need gasoline, does not have a complicated steering wheel, and best off all, it does not pollute the air, not one single bit!  Powered by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, the car only gives off harmless water vapor.

What do you do to steer it?  It's easier than it sounds.  There is a small color screen and two hand grips on each side like an aircraft cockpit.  To go forward or faster, grab and twist the grips to the right.  To turn it left or right, move the controls up or down.  And like I said, it is easier to control than it sounds.

What the bad news is that the earliest the car may come out is 2010. 

What you should do is to check out this youtube video of the prototype in action. 

Leave a comment and let me know what you think about this or other hydrogen cars.

             -Whatchamacallit