Westest

Have you heard of westest? Maybe, but maybe not. Alot of people don't know what it is, because they didn''t have to put up with it in school. Our last president George W. Bush came up with it in the "No Child Left Behind" program. Any student at my school will tell you that it sucks.

Westest is a test that every single student across America from 3rd to 11th grade has to take in order to pass. It may not seem that bad, but it takes 4 days to complete. It is supposed to cover the cirriculum that you learned during the duration of that school year, but usually it doesn't.  I especially don't enjoy it because it has to be so strictly given and set by all these rules and regulations.

The thing that agitates me most about the test is the fact that the questions are opinion based.  It drives me insane when they ask "What's the BEST choice?" because that means that all the answers are technically right and it makes it not fair.  And, I especially get upset when teachers piddle around and don't teach when they are supposed to be covering information that is on it. 

Gun Control

I think that people being able to use guns with a license is a good thing.  You are allowed to have protection, and it is important to feel safe.  I dont't think you should shoot someone randomly unless you have 100% reason and cause to do it though.  You have rights as an American, but you also have common sense.

The Trayvon Martin case is a good example of the stand your ground law.  On one hand, there is a hooded man that looks suspicious and dangerous.  But, he is really just a 17 year old teenage boy who's unarmed and totally harmless. It's sad when you think about it... George Zimmerman just decided it would be okay to shoot him and see what happened.. And now he's paying for it.

Taxes

I think the rich should be taxed and give the small businesses a break. It's called the Buffett rule because of Jimmy Buffett saying that they should tax him more than his secretary.  The rich have alot of money to begin with, and it shouldn't be so bad to pay a little extra money and help the poor... It just sounds like charity to me, and the rick folks need to get better reputations and help us out. 

I also think the matter might have something to do with Obama's tricks on us to get himself re-elected.  I guess Obama is pretty clever, because I'm fine with the rich tax (but I won't vote for him, mostly because I'm only 15, but also because I don't believe he's doing the country any good.) So, the Buffett rule sounds like a good one, and it will help get the country out of debt.

Gas Prices

Gas prices have been on the rise, and they might not go down for a while.  I don't drive yet, but I'll get my learners permit soon.  I think Obama shouldn't raise gas prices because it could cost him his presidency.  I also think that drilling should be allowed wherever as long as the person who owns the property says it's okay.

Since I don't drive, I don't pay for gas.  And, I don't have a car or insurance.  I guess I shouldn't be talking because I'm just a teenager, but I go with my mom to the gas station, and it's over $60 to fill up the car.  She has a small car, and she just buys the unleaded kind of oil, but it's still high money to pay.  I remember when it used to only be about $40 or so.  In the end, I think we just need a president who knows how to rule a country and keep the economy under control.

mascots and native americans

There have been some arguments going on about schools and teams using Native Americans as their mascots; some think it's an honor, but others think it's an insult and a stereotypical remark towards the tribe and culture.  Alot of schools have had to change their names and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on new uniforms, posters, clothing, etc. 

I really think that this argument isn't really that big of a deal and it shouldn't matter what your mascot is.  It isn't a stereo type... it's just a mascot! I just don't understand why this is such a big deal all of a sudden.  It's just another way to spend money and complain about a stupid thing.  some of these schools have had the mascots for over 80 years... now they have to drop what they're doing and worry about this?! it's just dumb.

Facebook

Even though I don't have one, I'm supposed to write about facebook anyways.  I find it to be a very stupid, yet very clever invention by Mark Zuckerburg.  From what I understand, there are alot of rumors, gossip, and trash stuff that isn't true on there, and when something interesting happens to someone, everyone finds out because someone will post it. 
I really don't like facebook because I don't think that people's lives are interesting enough to read about every freaking second of their day.  In addition, I think that facebook has alot of drama, and it's a place where you don't want to put personal stuff because someone can find it with the click of a button.  You can't keep secrets, and your personal life can get shattered.  I think the only thing it's good for is keeping in touch with peole you don't see often, and for communicating important events to someone whom you can't talk to any other way.  Other than that, it's just a stupid way to spend time, and in some ways, it could be causing obesity. 

Dad shoots laptop #2

On the Today show, we watched an interview that Matt Lauer gave to the father that shot his daughter's laptop about a month prior to.  It changed my views on the situation, because at first I thought it was a good idea and he was just doing what a parent should do.  On the other hand, I realized that he really did something a little childish, and he overreacted a little bit too much. 

I think that some parts of the fight he had made sense.  He saved his daughter's hard drive, so it wasn't an entire waste of a laptop and money on software.  And, I think that the fact that he stooped down her level and got his point across to her was pretty well thought.  I also think the matter should've been resolved in the home, and not be put on the internet.  I think he could've punished her the same way/method and still survive without all the hate mail and publicity.

The U. S. at a glance... Legalizing pot

I'm going to talk about legalizing pot.  For reference, I am using volume 12, issue 556, March 9th, 2012 edition of The Week. Page 5.  So, in Denver, Colorado, this November, people are going to be voting on whether or not recreational use of pot should be legal.  I think it should be legal, because it grows naturally, and the government shouldn't be allowed to band something the the man upstairs created. 

I'm not the only one who thinks this is okay, because 49% of Colorado voters agree with me on the matter.  It's medically legal, so why can't people be allowed to have possession of 1 ounce or less? That seems fair, because I'm pretty sure everyone knows that it's being used, and the fact that it's illegal doesn't stop people.  It just throws people in jail.  Comment on your opinion of the matter.

How they see us: 'Linsanity' spreads to the Far East

I'm going to be talking about Jeremy Lin.  I'm using volume 12, issue 555, March 2nd, 2012 edition of The Week. page 16.  People over in Taiwan and China are trying to claim his as their own, saying that he is Chinese- American, so he is their property. Others are thinking he's just having good luck, and they don't know what all the fuss is about.

Personally, I don't watch the NBA, so things like this don't really concern me.  I honestly could care less about the matter.  But, I guess it's pretty cool that we have a white guy doing some good in basketball.  Normally everybody's always talking about the black guys cause they always win.  So, this is my opinion about the matter. 

The Mayan Apocalypse

Today I will be talking about the Mayan Apocalypse.  For reference, I am using volume 12, issue 552, February 10th, 2012 edition of The Week.  page 11.  Alot of folks are starting to believe that the world is going to end on December 21st, 2012.  why is this? because of a calendar created practically 4000 years ago by the Mayan civilization. 

People are crazy in America.  wait... It's not just America, it's the entire world that thinks this is true! I saw a show called Doomsday Preppers, and it was crazy how they jar and can all that food and store it for something that probably won't come for a long time.  I sort of think that people are using this date as a cut off, because they want to achieve a goal before they "dying" and it makes them feel important if they actually believe this stuff. 

Basically, they calendar is based on 13 baktuns, which are each about 394 years long.  At the end of the 13th baktun, the cylcle terminates.  Some believe that a new cycle will start- others believe the magnetic field of earth will reverse and kill the human race.  What do you think about all the hubbaballoo? comment opinions.

Digital Age

The past 2 days in class, we watched a movie about technology and the digital age.  The most interesting thing I learned was the fact that the military is no longer what it used to be.  Instead of being up in an airplane, the men are sitting in computers pushing a button, which explodes a bomb and kills hundreds of people a thousand miles away from them.  It's such a cruel way to put things, because pushing a button doesn't give you the grief that being in a plane dropping the bomb from a mile in the air does. 

I find the digital age very disturbing.  I feel that high technology should only be used for medical purposes and other government aspects.  in additon, I really feel that all of this high techie stuff is causing obesity.  and, in 20 years, every house will have a programmed computer in it, so when you're sitting on the couch watching a movie, you're computer maid named bertha will bring you a sandwich.... sound delightful? well, maybe to an extent we can have these types of luxuries, but I think all these new things just have the word "LAZY" written all over them. the thought of running a mile causes people to sweat just thinking about it.  comment how you feel about the situation.

dad shoots laptop

today in class, we watched a video about a dad that found a post from his daughter on facebook.  it had nasty language and it was very desrespectful to her parents.  she complained about having to do simple chores and helping around the house.  in addition, her dad spent approximately $130 on laptop software, and he ended up shooting the laptop with his 45mm pistol to show her how disapointed he was in her. 

now, I'm not on facebook, because my daddy won't let me, but I'm sure he would do the same if he saw something like that.  Plus, even if I was on facebook, I would never vent my feelings to the public in such a manner.  and, I think that what he did was okay, because it is a parent's job to keep their children in line until they turn 18.  if I had kids, I would definitely crack down and do that.  I think what he did was fair and shows that he is a parent who cares. 

Running for President

a great link!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! check me out!!!!!!!!
I choose Mitt Romney for president because he graduated from Harvard Law and Harvard Business School.  In addition his wife's name was Ann.  She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and recently fought a battle with breast cancer. Also, Romney saved the state of Michigan in 2002 from economic disaster. 
He also helped saved the olympics.  They were to begin shortly after September 11th, 2001, but the country was so scared and shook up about it that they asked Mitt to take over.  He plans to lower taxes. "He is calling for a fundamental change in Washington’s view of how economic growth and prosperity are achieved, how jobs are created, and how government can support these endeavors." (quote from link)
so........ VOTE FOR MITT ROMNEY!!!!!!!


 

another link that hates our preseident!!!!!

DO NOT VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s absolutely amazing to watch the crowds at Barack Obama’s Rallies.
Looking at the people in the crowds screaming their support for Barack, waving banners, passing out and others standing there looking teary eyed makes us shake our heads at the utter ignorance of so many people.
These people are so dumbstruck over Barack’s ability to hypnotize crowds with his eloquent words that they don’t even realize that he isn’t saying anything of substance. Nor do these people realize what Obama is really about. If people looked very deep into Obamas background and realized how close he is to being elected, they would be very, very scared.
Tell all your family and friends, especially those in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island,  about the danger that Barack Obama poses. Convince them not to vote for him in the March Elections! Our lives may very well be at stake if Obama wins!

A Death in Tehran: is it moral to kill Iran's scientists?

This post is talking about the scientists that have recently been killed in Tehran. For reference, I am using volume 12, issue 550, January 27,2012 issue of a magazine called "The Week", page 4.
This article is about a man named Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, a nuclear scientist, that was bombed earlier this week. It is suspected that his death was done by Israel's Mossad, with some U.S. help, of course.
Are we becoming hyppocrits? I think so.  Which country has the most nuclear weapons? the U. S., of course.  It's weird how we like bombing people, but we think that no one should bomb us.
It's crazy.  I think we all just need to get along and stop arguing about who took someone else's juicebox.

2011 celebrities

I'm going to write a short post about some of the most iconic people that we lost in 2011.  For reference, I am using volume 11, issue 547-548, Dec. 30, 2011- Jan. 6, 2012 issue of a magazine called The Week, page 47. 
For example, we lost Elizabeth Taylor, Amy Whinehouse, Betty Ford, and Steve Jobs.  Amy Whinehouse was only 27, and it was disapointing to see such a talented person die.  On the other hand, some iconic people died naturally, like Betty Ford (93) and Elizabeth Taylor (79). It was upsetting to see them go, but I guess it's just a fact of life.

missing you

Hey babe!!! I miss you so much!!! I can't stand to go another day without you!!! I've decided that I'm coming to Spain to be with you.  It's killing me to be stuck in boring old America without you here.  I can't stand another day.  I packed my passport and my watch is on central European time. 

I miss the smell of your cologne.  All I have is the memory. I was going to ask you what it was, but I didn't want to bother.  I figured I would just come smell for myself!!! haha.  Anyways, when I get there, we are going to have so much fun.  You have to take me on the subway, the train, the boats, or something other than a car.  Since you've been there for 4 months (sad face) you better have some good food recommendations.  I will be starving!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Anywho, I hope you read this, because I gave you my blog URL a week ago.  Hopefully you haven't been to busy and you had time to sit down and check it.  I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When/if you read this, I want you to call me, and if I don't answer, then I'm on the plane to see you! I have the hotel information, and I'm getting a cab straight there.  Can't wait!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
ANNE <3

My Bucket List!!!
Number 1. Win 1 million dollars on a game show :)

Number 2. Go to the moon

Number 3. Be on Broadway

Number 4. Be a supermodel

Number 5. Live in another country for at least 5 years

Number 6. Be a rockstar for at least a week

Number 7. Get a purse dog

Number 8. Get married

Number 9. have children!!!

Number 10. retire and live on a big boat

scheduling

There is an argument going on about which is better: block scheduling, which is 4 90-minute classes in one day, or normal scheduling, which is 7-8 shorter, usually 45 minute, classes. I choose the side with the block scheduling. I enjoy this idea much better because if a student has a class they do not enjoy, they only have to put up with it for half the time of other classes. I also feel that when you have a block class, students pay more attention and feel more comfortable because they have double the time to work on assignments. Eventually, the time in normal scheduling and block scheduling for a class is equal, but I enjoy a much quicker take on educational things, and I don't enjoy sitting in a classroom for a year doing nothing. Semesters should've been made for something besides telling us we have to sit in a classroom for another 5 months