According to a feed from Reuters, there are mixed opinions concerning President Obama's decision to release 30 million barrels of U.S. oil reserves. As gas prices continue to soar, the decision was made in hopes of relieving some of the economic strain that Americans face in their daily lives.
Some speculate that the move was purely political as President Obama hopes to garner support for the 2012 election. Others express little concern for the motivation behind what prompted the move. Personally, I couldn't care less why gas prices are going down. I am just glad that they are. Currently, I drive 65 miles round-trip to work each day and the cost of travel significantly impacts our household budget. Even if this move only lowers gas to $3/gallon, it will be a tremendous help to us.
Friday, June 24, 2011
A culture for learning
Celebrating academic success is one area that unfortunately is often overlooked in public education. Walk into any school in the state and you will undoubtedly see cases of trophies proudly on display to showcase athletic success. Granted, some schools do have academic awards displayed somewhere in their schools, but they generally are overshadowed by athletics. Also, you will never see 3,000 people show up to cheer on a quiz bowl team yet, it is standard practice for the football team.
One blog post from the U.S. Department of Education highlights 2011 graduates who received the Presidential Scholarship Award. This award is open to applicants throughout the United States and is one of the highest honors a student can receive. I believe that awards like this should be more publicly celebrated. Further, academic awards should become more numerous in order to inspire more students to pursue them. Students push themselves to unbelievable levels in order to earn top honors in sports, but few really drive themselves to reach the top levels of academia. This is most unfortunate due to the fact that most of them will never earn a dime from their athletic skills. Their brains however will be a necessary tool regardless of the field they pursue.
One blog post from the U.S. Department of Education highlights 2011 graduates who received the Presidential Scholarship Award. This award is open to applicants throughout the United States and is one of the highest honors a student can receive. I believe that awards like this should be more publicly celebrated. Further, academic awards should become more numerous in order to inspire more students to pursue them. Students push themselves to unbelievable levels in order to earn top honors in sports, but few really drive themselves to reach the top levels of academia. This is most unfortunate due to the fact that most of them will never earn a dime from their athletic skills. Their brains however will be a necessary tool regardless of the field they pursue.
Justice?
Long overdue, individuals in Rwanda are finally being held accountable for atrocities committed while they were in positions of leadership during the 1990's. Several individuals, including one female, were charged and sentenced at a court in Tanzania.
Their sentences range anywhere from 25 years to life in prison. Depending on your personal perspective on capital punishment, your view of these sentences may vary widely. I believe that these punishments are far too light considering the charges. Many of the accused were found guilty of genocide, ordered rape, mutilation, and amputation. I'm not exactly sure what a suitable punishment for these crimes would be, but 25 years in prison seems like a slap in the face. If I was a Rwandan resident I would be outraged that someone who tortured or raped my wife and children would ever see the light of day again. Life in prison seems like the minimum penalty that I could find acceptable.
Their sentences range anywhere from 25 years to life in prison. Depending on your personal perspective on capital punishment, your view of these sentences may vary widely. I believe that these punishments are far too light considering the charges. Many of the accused were found guilty of genocide, ordered rape, mutilation, and amputation. I'm not exactly sure what a suitable punishment for these crimes would be, but 25 years in prison seems like a slap in the face. If I was a Rwandan resident I would be outraged that someone who tortured or raped my wife and children would ever see the light of day again. Life in prison seems like the minimum penalty that I could find acceptable.
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