PLN 5

PLN 5
In the article Monument teen appeals over Jesus graduation speech what matters is constitutional rights. Erica Corder was denied her diploma after mentioning Jesus in her 30 second valedictorian speech. She was told that if she didn’t apologize she would not graduate. The school claims that because it was a “school sponsored speech” it was not okay for her to reference God. Erica claims that the first amendment gives her the freedom of speech. I think that it was wrong for the school to force her to apologize. America was based on freedom specifically freedom of religion therefore it would be right for people to express what they believe. She wasn’t making anyone else believe what she did, she didn’t even claim that that is what the school believed, she was simply saying what she believed. This incident reminds me of another I heard about happening in the science community of America. There are some very respected scientist that have been fired or considered uncredible after they mentioned the idea of intelligent design or evolution with a creator. They never claimed it to be the truth, what they believed or what they organization believed however they were fired as a result of it. This country calls themselves a free nation but Erica’s incident and ones like it make me wonder just how free America is and if our rights as human beings are really protected.

PLN 4

In the article “Mexican man sentenced in Denver for smuggling sea turtles” by the Denver Post what matters is animal rights. Martin Terrones was killing the endangered sea turtle to making them into leather products such as boots, wallets and belts. The animal rights activists where very upset saying it was cruel and inhumane. I am not a big believer in animal rights. I believe that God gave us animals to use as we need. However with that comes the responsibility to take care of the animals. They should be handled properly and not taken only for selfish pleasure. It is very practical to use cattle for milk, food, and leather. Martin was wrong here because it was simply to make a profit not a necessity also he wasn’t taking care of what God gave us, because he nearly killed them off completely. I will have to agree with the animal rights activists this time because this is an example of animal cruelty. They have a right to be upset in this case. What Martin Terrones did was wrong and both the animal rights activists and I would agree that it is good he and all his companions were found guilty and sentenced. I enjoy eating meat, but it is our responsibility to keep them safe, and therefore we shouldn’t kill animals unless it is for survival. Martin’s motives were wrong and therefore what he did was wrong not just according to the law but to me and the animal rights activists.

PLN 3

PLN 3
In the article Mountain Highways Snarled by bad weather by the Rocky Mountain News, it talks about winter coming!! They talk about the cold weather, slick roads, and snow. It is all so exciting with the season changing. With the snow and cold weather comes skiing and snowboarding, hot chocolate, fires, and snowmen. I remember the 10 foot tall snowmen I used to make with my dad when I was little – the taller the better! I’m going to try snowboarding again this winter. My brother started teaching me last winter but I need a lot more instruction and practice. To me the first snow of the season brings thoughts of how the Thanksgiving turkey smells cooking in the oven, the Christmas lights showing up all over the neighborhood, winter sports and catching snowflakes on my tongue. But the Rocky Mountain News had other things to report. The first winter weather of the season brought slippery roads, and car crashes, especially to the western side of the Continental Divide. West of the Eisenhower Tunnel an eighteen-wheeler truck crashed into the guard rail and blocked the road, tying up traffic for hours. Numerous fender benders caused weekend travelers a little inconvenience. Ski areas, however, were pleased to have some natural snow to help build a base for opening day which is coming soon. The Denver area was didn’t get snow today, but the article talks of a mixture of rain and snow tomorrow in Denver. If we do get snow the situation could very well end up the same on highways around here. Winter is coming and bringing with it all the fun and frusteration.

PLN 2: Did You Know?

Notes: Did you Know? Karl Fisch

• 34 babies born in 8 seconds


• living in exponential times


• if myspace were a country it would be the 8th largest in the world


• shift happens


• we are preparing kids for jobs that don't exist


• being successful in the 21st century means more than being literate

PLN 2: Did You Know?

In the Did you know? presentation by Karl Fisch, what matters is the insane rate that technology is growing at. The number of computers, cell phones and different websites being used each has shot up in the last fifty years. Not only that but the amount that people are using them is huge. Furthermore the abilities of all the different technologies have greatly increased. Karl Fisch tells us things like if MySpace were a country, it would have the eighth largest population in the world. That is a huge website. Because people have learned to use technology so much it has become a huge part of life. Technology is no longer just for pleasure but it connects the world, the web contains all the information anybody could ever need. It has become such a big part of life that even small children know how to use computers. But this brings up another question about what it will look like to be “literate” in the 21^st century. Kids who grow up in the 21^st century will need to know how to use all the technology available to them. Or there is no way that they will be able to succeed in the world later in life. Karl Fisch is showing people that technology is changing how people live, work and connect and everybody needs to jump on board with the change or they will be left behind.