The Blurb

Kim Jong Crazy

I think North Korea's dictator is a hypocrite. I wish the North Korean's could have voted against Kim Jong IL instead of just getting stuck with him. One of the reasons I dislike Kim Jong IL is because treats his people unjustly.

Kim Jong IL found out about a man sitting on newspapers with his face on the front cover and sent him to jail but it was like a labor camp.The guy was sentenced to  jail for 12 years and is still there now.  

My opinion on this is that the man was treated unfairly and Kim Jong il is too prideful just like Deadulas in a myth called Wings. This is one of the reasons I dislike Kim Jong IL. I think Kim Jong IL should care more about his people and not be so self consumed that the people of North Korea suffer. I am so glad I do not live there or have to go though suffering.

  Questions to think about?

• Does Kim Jong Il  have the right to be doing this to his people?
• If you lived in North Korea would you try to do anything about the actions of Kim Jong IL? If you did what would you do?
• Do you think what Kim Jong IL is doing is wrong or right? Why?

Let's Try to HELP?

 

Signed, Kim Jong Il's Disliker,

Cassie Coleman

The Warlord's Return

You knew him, you loved him, and now he's back as the Blurb's Senior Assistant Editor in Chief (or am I the Blurb's Junior Editor in Chief?).  In my first independent post, I will write an open letter to newly elected President Barack Obama.

President Obama,

I write to you with concern for this nation and this nation's future.  My three primary concerns are the economy, which I'm sure you know about, the energy crisis, and the education system.

While I believe that you understand the economy and the way to fix it with stimulus packages, I am unsure about your reasoning for your stand on the energy crisis, which can provide a much more efficient way to fix the economy and the energy crisis in one fell swoop.  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.

On the second issue, the education system, my main concern is that it is designed so that the lowest performing can get the extra help they need, but the higher performing get principals that won't let them advance, teachers that are inadequately equipped to handle their higher needs, and general boredom.  The top students are doomed to boredom, because the school system doesn't cater to their needs.  One of my best friends has been turned off the science in middle school, because the "science" teachers hardly teach any science!  I have asked my teachers in the past higher level questions, such as how you can find the number of valence electrons for a transition element, and they have responded with "you'll learn that later, you don't need to know that now."  Is it a wonder that the US is falling behind other countries in science and other subjects?

The education system should be revamped to allow higher level students to thrive, and put the US back on top.

Signed,

The Blurb's Senior Assistant Editor in Chief

Post your thoughts about the state of the nation, and what Obama is doing right and wrong in his first 100 days here at The Blurb!

An Open Letter to the President of Sudan. . .

Dear Mr. Omar Hasan Ahmad al-Bashir,

I have recently heard of your rather, irresponsible and immature activities. Do you honestly think you are doing good things to Sudan? Is genocide the answer to solve your problems?

To me it doesn’t make sense to be bombing villages of the Black Africans. Also, working with the Janjaweed militia screams that your government is very weak. You are insecure because you are unwilling to allow other races to live in your country. Plus, your government is becoming more and more corrupt.

Or, is there no government? Are you becoming an evil dictator? In 100 years, do you want to be in the same Venn diagram as Adolf Hitler? Hitler led the biggest genocide in history. He is remembered for his horrifying death camps, and the millions he killed. Do you want to be remembered in the same way?

You are becoming like this because genocide is not at all a playful matter.

I pity you in this hapless attempt to change the population in Africa. I pity you because you are going to be eventually compared to Hitler. I pity you because your children, and your children’s children, who are going to be scarred with your name for the rest of their life.

Signed,

Flying Onion Boy

Image Retreived From:www.africamasterweb.com on February 18, 2008.

A Resolution on Genocide. . .

We've been working with Mr. Mayo's class to raise awareness on the genocide occurring in Darfur lately and have lots of good stuff starting to cook.  Perhaps most impressively, we found another class on our hallway that had just finished studying genocides. 

Turns out, they've written their own UN styled resolutions to the World.  We polished some of what they've done and have decided to post it here.  If you agree with our resolution, please consider signing it by leaving a comment that includes your first name and your location.  By signing our resolution, you are agreeing to abide by the terms that are included in it:

Resolution to the United Population of the World on Genocide Awareness

Sponsors:  The Students at Cyber Middle School

To the Population of the World,

Recognizing the terrible atrocity faced by the countries that have experienced genocide,

Acknowledging that 3,680,500 innocent civilians have been tortured in unspeakable ways in a short amount of time,

Stressing that genocide will continue if we don't act to solve it,

And determined to impede this malevolent menace, we:

1. Express our deep regret for the lives already lost;
2. Urge all communities to not be indifferent to all the victims of genocide crisis;
3. Call upon the UN Trust Fund to help get donations for the homeless victims of genocide so they can get resources;
4. Vow to give extra resources--including time and attention--to nations struggling with genocide;
5. Confirm that we are in favor of a peaceful solution to solve violent battles;
6. Demand that the UN put monitors in countries that have had conflicts in the past;
7. Appeal to the governments of affected nations to share information about their culture and beliefs;
8. Declare that from this day on, we shall not abandon our friends in need.
9. Promise to sit at the table of brotherhood and not discriminate our people because of racial, economic or religious reasons. 

So what do you think?  Is this a resolution you can support?  Is this an issue that you think should be more important to the rest of our world's population?  Can you promise to put aside your iPod for awhile and worry about something that is REALLY important?

If so, then sign our resolution.  More importantly, get your friends and neighbors to sign it.  Then, be sure to visit Mr. Mayo's blog on March 6 and 7 to leave a comment there too.  Let's show the world that we care about this. 

Image retrieved from http://www.preventgenocide.org/images/photos/FacesOfDarfur.jpg on February 16, 2008.

An Open Letter on Sudan. . .

An Open Letter to the World:

I would like to inform you about a recent event happening in Sudan.  In the province of Darfur, genocide is occurring.  So far, over 500,000 Black Africans have been killed and 2,500,000 displaced by an Arab militia called the Jangaweed. 

The government has sided with the Arabs and has been reported of bombing villages.  The African Union has sent in 7,000 soldiers to try and stop the violence, but it hasn't helped.  The UK and the USA are pushing the UN to step in, but Sudan isn't allowing the UN in their territory.

Mr. Mayo's 8th grade class is working to help raise awarness of the cause.  On March 6th and 7th, they hope to get over 1,000 comments on their blog.  Help us make this cause a world issue and stop it once and for all.

Signed,

Flying Onion Boy

Image retrieved from http://www.sciam.com/media/inline/3E0F9160-E7F2-99DF-358998AA3C1A910F_1.jpg on February 14, 2008.