Friday, May 14, 2010

PLN 29

Supporting the military is not only important, but part of the freedom we share as American’s. However, it is clear that our involvement in the Middle East has become a no win situation. Most would agree that we need to continue the fight against terrorism. This is especially true in light of the recent failed car bomb in New York. However, the years of cultural, religious and geographic friction cannot be solved with US military intervention. We should find better ways to combat terrorism and bring home the troops that are stationed in the Middle East. This will save additional soldiers from dying an unnecessary death and save our country billions required to fight this war.

PLN 28

The oil spill of the coast of Louisiana is nearing a crisis. Current estimates are over 4,000,000 gallons of oil has spilled into the ocean with no end in sight. If an earthquake were to occur in this area, worst case scenarios of 810,000 gallons of oil would spill each day. Additional impacts by hurricanes could create additional damage miles inland from the gulf coast. This crisis may be the event that inspires many Americans to change their dependence on oil and look for alternative fuels. The oil spill affects people and animals in so many ways; it impacts people’s livelihoods crippling the fishing and tourism industries, it destroys animal and marine life killing fish and organisms critical to the ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico as well as impacting the ecosystem above the ocean surface. Although BP, the owner of the oil well is trying to implement ways to stop the leak and clean up the oil, it will take decades for the entire oil spill to be cleaned and the area returned to its previously clean state.

PLN 27

Sadly, earning a degree in education is one of the worst paying college degrees. The average starting salary for a teacher is $36,200 with a mid-career average salary of only $54,100. This is a sad commentary on the state of the education. The demands placed on teachers can be immense. With falling budgets and higher demands for good test scores, the pressure put on teachers continues to increase. Colorado is now considering a revision to teacher tenures based in part on test scores. This is unfair and will cause many people considering a career in teaching to choose other fields to pursue. These are some of the reasons the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics believes employment opportunities for primary, secondary, and special education teachers are expected to grow by 14 percent in the coming decade. Teachers deserve better as they truly make a difference in the world each day.