Summary:
1. New movie coming out called "Zero Dark Thirty" about the hunting of Osama Bin Laden
2. Very debatable movie; some love it, some hate it
3. Graphic content, grusomeness and basis of movie is what makes this a great movie, or terrible one
Opinion:
The day was May 2nd, 2011. This day will never be forgotten in the eyes of Americans and around the world. This was the day the infamous and hated Osama Bin Laden was killed, the mastermind behind the attacks of 9/11 and the most hated man around the world some would say.
I still remember that tragic day in September, 2001. It was my first day of kindergarten and my mom had just dropped me off and said that as soon as she got back in the car, their was screaming and crying coming from the radio. This was the news reporters attempting to do their jobs while the world as they know it is crashing and burning down behind them. Why? Osama Bin Laden.
Some 9 1/2 years later, the day everyone in America had been waiting for for almost a decade came, the day that they got justice and Osama Bin Laden was killed. How did I find out about this one? Well, this one was much more recent, so I remember it a lot better. I was watching the Phillies-Braves game on TV when all of sudden the crowd was cheering and yelling and full of joy. And this was not the normal, fan cheering because there was a game going on, this was something more than that something far more important than that. This was a sense of pride and patriotism kind of cheer. They (the cameramen) zoomed away from the field and into the stands and was telling the national TV audience that they were just finding out that Osama Bin Laden had been killed a his home in Pakistan by the CIA.
You're probably wondering I am reiterating all of this tragic information to you. Yes, there is a point to me telling you this. We all know these tragic and remorseful times in the US and around the world have touched everyone one of us, so what does America do? In typical American fashion, they put this story up on the big screen, hoping to make a profit on one of the most hated men of all time. From the guts, to the glory, to the sadness, this movie is going to have it all and I am certainly going to see it.
This is more of a tactic to get some attention back and to show the public how all of the events went down from the people in the CIA and the Government of the USA, which is something truly American.
Nick Bell
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
NHL, NHLPA TO RESUME TALKS IN PRIVATE LOCATION
Summary:
1. NHL, NHLPA are going to meet today at an undisclosed location
2. Donald Fehr (NHLPA ED) claims that the two sides have agreed on many of the main issues
3. It is day 87 of the NHL Lockout
Opinion:
Ok, I think that we can all agree that this lack of hockey has gone on for long enough. It has been 87 days since the lockout deadline passed and I (along with millions of hockey fans) are tired of hearing the latest from the boardroom about who's ego is bigger and who will come out on top and finally get back on the ice.
I have to admit, I have no idea who's to blame here for this lockout. At first, my thoughts were that Gary Bettman has cause 2 lockouts in the last 7 years, so he should be gone, and we would be able to get hockey going again, but then some more recent reports have shown that Fehr and the NHLPA are the ones that are dragging the lockout on. But the good news is that the negotiations are going in the right direction and that the sides are "close" on a deal that would get the players back on the ice and the winter less depressing sooner rather than later. Fehr has stated that the sides have agreed on all of the main issues of the new CBA, there just needs to be some fine-tuning and then we will have our beloved hockey again.
I think that I can speak for all of the hockey fans worldwide when I say, please I don't care what it takes, lets get a deal done and get back to watching and playing the game we all love.
Nick Bell
1. NHL, NHLPA are going to meet today at an undisclosed location
2. Donald Fehr (NHLPA ED) claims that the two sides have agreed on many of the main issues
3. It is day 87 of the NHL Lockout
Opinion:
Ok, I think that we can all agree that this lack of hockey has gone on for long enough. It has been 87 days since the lockout deadline passed and I (along with millions of hockey fans) are tired of hearing the latest from the boardroom about who's ego is bigger and who will come out on top and finally get back on the ice.
I have to admit, I have no idea who's to blame here for this lockout. At first, my thoughts were that Gary Bettman has cause 2 lockouts in the last 7 years, so he should be gone, and we would be able to get hockey going again, but then some more recent reports have shown that Fehr and the NHLPA are the ones that are dragging the lockout on. But the good news is that the negotiations are going in the right direction and that the sides are "close" on a deal that would get the players back on the ice and the winter less depressing sooner rather than later. Fehr has stated that the sides have agreed on all of the main issues of the new CBA, there just needs to be some fine-tuning and then we will have our beloved hockey again.
I think that I can speak for all of the hockey fans worldwide when I say, please I don't care what it takes, lets get a deal done and get back to watching and playing the game we all love.
Nick Bell
Monday, December 10, 2012
A Family, for a Few Days a Year
Summary:
1. Guatemalan boy (age 6) living in orphanage named Geovany
2. Only parents he has known live in Reno, Nev. and only visit twice a year
3. Carr's have no idea when-or if they are going to take Geovany home
Opinion:
This is a tragic story about a boy who was unfortunately orphaned by his biological parents in order to give him a better life (perhaps), but the way a little Guatemalan boy's life has gone, that is not the worst part about the whole ordeal, not at all.
Geovany, 6, actually has/ had two loving parents that adopted him as one of their own from Reno, Nev. Amy and Rob Carr are the adopted parents of this innocent, poor little boy. This sounds like it has a happy ending right? Well, not exactly. The Carr's have not more than toyed with the idea of actually bringing Geovany home so that he can move on to his new family. Geovany remains in a Guatemalan orphanage that has raised for as long as his childish brain can remember. Why put a six year old through all of this stress and pain when he could have been brought home by other parents that were ready to make the financial, emotional, and psychological challenge of bringing in a child as one of their own? This is just cruel to do and even though their intentions might be right, the way that this boy's life has been affected over the last few years is something that they either don't notice, or simply don't care about, which is obviously not good if you are considering bringing a child home.
If it were up to me, I would either bring this boy home to Reno, Nev. to start his new life or put him back up for adoption. Better that than having to go through the emotions and stress of wondering where is future is going to be.
Nick Bell
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Hypothermia and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Cases Soar in City After Hurricane
Summary:
1. Number of cold-exposure cases in NY area tripled in weeks after Sandy than any recent weeks.
2. Most of NY's power has been restored, still few thousand living in cold.
3. Department warned heath care providers that living in unheated homes can "cause illness and death".
4. This shows how unprepared and shocking NY area was hit by Sandy.
Opinion:
I'm sure that we have all heard about Hurricane Sandy, but the magnitude of the hurricane cannot be accurately acknowledged up in The Great White North because we had no sever impacts like the Eastern US did. More specifically, in this particular storm, the NY area was schocked and unprepared for this massive storm and many were found dead or ill. Even up to this day, there are still many thousands that are living in the cold and could suffer from hypothermia, and even the people that are back in their homes have a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
To put this into perspective, one astonishing fact about this storm is that the amount of cold-exposure cases TRIPLED, not doubled, but tripled than any other weeks in decades. Imagine all of a sudden you go from a nice warm apartment to cold, wet and stormy conditions that could kill you or sicken you with hypothermia. But that's not even the only main concern here, the amount of carbon monoxide poisoning has gone up significantly as well because of this storm. The amount of carbon monoxide poisonings were 10x as high than they were expecting during the week of the storm and 6x as high the following week.
As you can see, this may have not affected us in the friendly confines of Aurora, ON, but in New York, they were hit, and were hit hard.
Nick Bell
1. Number of cold-exposure cases in NY area tripled in weeks after Sandy than any recent weeks.
2. Most of NY's power has been restored, still few thousand living in cold.
3. Department warned heath care providers that living in unheated homes can "cause illness and death".
4. This shows how unprepared and shocking NY area was hit by Sandy.
Opinion:
I'm sure that we have all heard about Hurricane Sandy, but the magnitude of the hurricane cannot be accurately acknowledged up in The Great White North because we had no sever impacts like the Eastern US did. More specifically, in this particular storm, the NY area was schocked and unprepared for this massive storm and many were found dead or ill. Even up to this day, there are still many thousands that are living in the cold and could suffer from hypothermia, and even the people that are back in their homes have a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
To put this into perspective, one astonishing fact about this storm is that the amount of cold-exposure cases TRIPLED, not doubled, but tripled than any other weeks in decades. Imagine all of a sudden you go from a nice warm apartment to cold, wet and stormy conditions that could kill you or sicken you with hypothermia. But that's not even the only main concern here, the amount of carbon monoxide poisoning has gone up significantly as well because of this storm. The amount of carbon monoxide poisonings were 10x as high than they were expecting during the week of the storm and 6x as high the following week.
As you can see, this may have not affected us in the friendly confines of Aurora, ON, but in New York, they were hit, and were hit hard.
Nick Bell
Monday, November 26, 2012
Outrage in China after five runaway boys die in a dumpster after lighting fire for warmth
Summary:
1. 5 runaway boys seeking shelter and warmth in China lit a dumpster on fire, died from carbon monoxide poisoning
2. Boys were all brothers or cousins ages 9-13.
3. Surname: Tao
4. Sons of threes brothers; two of whom are migrant workers away from home.
5. Most of them grew up unsupervised; were taken care of blind grandmother.
6. Been missing for more than a week
Opinion:
It was a sad story to hear. 5 runaway boys seeking simply for life's essentials were found dead trying to light a dumpster on fire for warmth died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Now, there are those who say, why would they leave their homes in the first place? They died because of their irresponsibility to resolve problems at home and move on. That is a perfectly legitimate argument, but I have to side with the fact that they did not just leave their homes for no reason, most likely the left for something that was out of their control or something that wasn't going to stop, and that's not their fault. I am not blaming anyone here, because we as the public don't know all of the detail as to why these boys that were all related ran away in the first place, but we cannot let the parents of these children off the hook completely here, because in the end, 5 boys (innocent or not) died looking for necessities for survival.
Whosoever fault it was, this could have been prevented and to me, that is the most disheartening part of this whole story, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the these young men.
Nick Bell
1. 5 runaway boys seeking shelter and warmth in China lit a dumpster on fire, died from carbon monoxide poisoning
2. Boys were all brothers or cousins ages 9-13.
3. Surname: Tao
4. Sons of threes brothers; two of whom are migrant workers away from home.
5. Most of them grew up unsupervised; were taken care of blind grandmother.
6. Been missing for more than a week
Opinion:
It was a sad story to hear. 5 runaway boys seeking simply for life's essentials were found dead trying to light a dumpster on fire for warmth died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Now, there are those who say, why would they leave their homes in the first place? They died because of their irresponsibility to resolve problems at home and move on. That is a perfectly legitimate argument, but I have to side with the fact that they did not just leave their homes for no reason, most likely the left for something that was out of their control or something that wasn't going to stop, and that's not their fault. I am not blaming anyone here, because we as the public don't know all of the detail as to why these boys that were all related ran away in the first place, but we cannot let the parents of these children off the hook completely here, because in the end, 5 boys (innocent or not) died looking for necessities for survival.
Whosoever fault it was, this could have been prevented and to me, that is the most disheartening part of this whole story, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the these young men.
Nick Bell
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Hazards of Growing Up Painlessly
Summary:
1. Young girl in from Patterson, GA feels no pain
2. Started when she was born, did not cry to anything (broken ankles, diaper rashes)
3. was around 2 when a doctor finally diagnosed her with "Congenital insensitivity to pain"
4. Condition was so rare, doctors basically said "Good Luck!"
5. Went on many shows and appeared on many magazines in 2004 (GMA, People)
6. Still feels emotional pain, just not physical
7. Rare case that has its benefits and problems as well
Opinion:
The first moment of her life was not one filled with tears and disbelief, but more along the lines of no tears, no cares and no pain. Ashlyn Blocker has a rare case diagnosed 21 months after she was born with "Congenital insensitivity to pain". Medical to English translation: she doesn't feels any physical pain whatsoever.
Tara, Ashlyn's mom, said that she knew that something was wrong when Ashlyn had a terrible diaper rash and never cried once about that or the time she had pink eye at two years old, or how about the time when she broke her ankle and ran on it for two days before her parents noticed something was wrong. She has never had to endure physical pain in her life, which can help if you accidentally put your hands on a cars muffler, but it can also have its disadvantages as well.
Firstly, Ashlyn's parents had to take extra precaution to ensure that she would severely injure herself without her feeling anything. The wrapped her arms up to make sure she wouldn't bite her arms, had to have someone keep an eye on her every time she was on the playground at school. Secondly, she has never had to endure physical pain, so therefore, she cannot learn from what she can and can't do; something that concerned her parents when she was little and still concerns them today.
Of course, with such a rare case, all of the top American companies wanted to get their hands on this girl and her story. Shows like Good Morning America and magazines such as People were banging on the door to get some information straight from the source.
But through all of this, the now thirteen year old Ashlyn Blocker lives a normal early teenage girl life. Dancing on her bed to "Call Me Maybe", going to school and having friends that have a friend who can still feel emotional pain and suffering.
She is just like all of us, just without any scars (literally).
Nick Bell
1. Young girl in from Patterson, GA feels no pain
2. Started when she was born, did not cry to anything (broken ankles, diaper rashes)
3. was around 2 when a doctor finally diagnosed her with "Congenital insensitivity to pain"
4. Condition was so rare, doctors basically said "Good Luck!"
5. Went on many shows and appeared on many magazines in 2004 (GMA, People)
6. Still feels emotional pain, just not physical
7. Rare case that has its benefits and problems as well
Opinion:
The first moment of her life was not one filled with tears and disbelief, but more along the lines of no tears, no cares and no pain. Ashlyn Blocker has a rare case diagnosed 21 months after she was born with "Congenital insensitivity to pain". Medical to English translation: she doesn't feels any physical pain whatsoever.
Tara, Ashlyn's mom, said that she knew that something was wrong when Ashlyn had a terrible diaper rash and never cried once about that or the time she had pink eye at two years old, or how about the time when she broke her ankle and ran on it for two days before her parents noticed something was wrong. She has never had to endure physical pain in her life, which can help if you accidentally put your hands on a cars muffler, but it can also have its disadvantages as well.
Firstly, Ashlyn's parents had to take extra precaution to ensure that she would severely injure herself without her feeling anything. The wrapped her arms up to make sure she wouldn't bite her arms, had to have someone keep an eye on her every time she was on the playground at school. Secondly, she has never had to endure physical pain, so therefore, she cannot learn from what she can and can't do; something that concerned her parents when she was little and still concerns them today.
Of course, with such a rare case, all of the top American companies wanted to get their hands on this girl and her story. Shows like Good Morning America and magazines such as People were banging on the door to get some information straight from the source.
But through all of this, the now thirteen year old Ashlyn Blocker lives a normal early teenage girl life. Dancing on her bed to "Call Me Maybe", going to school and having friends that have a friend who can still feel emotional pain and suffering.
She is just like all of us, just without any scars (literally).
Nick Bell
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Boys Now Enter Puberty Younger, Study Suggests, but It’s Unclear Why
Summary:
1. Puberty in boys is occurring 6 months to 2 years before what the doctors benchmark was decades ago (11 1/2 years).
2. The same goes for females as research shows that breasts are starting to develop sooner than ever recorded before.
3. This is nor good or bad because there seems to be no benefits or consequences for this other than them growing up faster.
Opinion:
In America, recent studies have shown that males and females are entering puberty earlier than ever recorded before. The standard age for doctors' assumption is about 11 1/2 years old. With these new results, males are starting to develop up to 2 years before the standard age for puberty to start. Females are the same as well as doctors are seeing that females are starting to develop earlier as well. This is important because of the abnormality of this matter and it begs the question: How young will our children be when they start to develop?
Me going through puberty myself (turning 15 in December) I feel that if my children were 9 or 10 and starting to enter puberty, I would not have any thoughts about it because there is nothing that I can do, as this is just a natural part of early life (it's just happening earlier).
This is not an urgent issue or anything life threatening for these adolescents, but is this just an unexplained blip in the radar or is this the start of something big and life changing for children?
Nick Bell
1. Puberty in boys is occurring 6 months to 2 years before what the doctors benchmark was decades ago (11 1/2 years).
2. The same goes for females as research shows that breasts are starting to develop sooner than ever recorded before.
3. This is nor good or bad because there seems to be no benefits or consequences for this other than them growing up faster.
Opinion:
In America, recent studies have shown that males and females are entering puberty earlier than ever recorded before. The standard age for doctors' assumption is about 11 1/2 years old. With these new results, males are starting to develop up to 2 years before the standard age for puberty to start. Females are the same as well as doctors are seeing that females are starting to develop earlier as well. This is important because of the abnormality of this matter and it begs the question: How young will our children be when they start to develop?
Me going through puberty myself (turning 15 in December) I feel that if my children were 9 or 10 and starting to enter puberty, I would not have any thoughts about it because there is nothing that I can do, as this is just a natural part of early life (it's just happening earlier).
This is not an urgent issue or anything life threatening for these adolescents, but is this just an unexplained blip in the radar or is this the start of something big and life changing for children?
Nick Bell
At Technology High School, Goal Isn’t to Finish in 4 Years
Summary:
1. In New York, P-Tech is a school that uses technology to weave high school and college credits together for those who want to go into the technology industry.
2. Very expensive to run this (cant afford new desks from old school)
3. Chicago and NY are planning on making more schools like P-Tech
4. Should set up students for brighter future.
Opinion:
There is a new kind of school in New York. This new kind of school is called P-Tech. P-Tech is a 6 year program that interweaves high school and college programs and credits into a school built on technology. Students bring their laptops to school every day (like us at SAC) and learn everything from how a computer chip is made at IBM (who is a partner and supporter of this new education program) to learning how to dress properly in the technology industry to taking college level courses in Grade 10. This school is going to continue to expand and grow because:
Technology isn't going a way, it is constantly growing. With this new world of ever growing technology, getting involved in this industry would be a smart move because you know your job is secure. The goal is to have these graduates make an entry-level income of $40,000 US. This is great income for your first job graduating, but that amount will only go up as you work your way up the company.
IBM is a partner. This is huge because IBM is one of the worlds leading innovators of new technology and approves and supports this new type of education. They also have stated that they will give preference to graduates of P-Tech and the other new school opening in NY and Chicago in the coming years over anyone else because of the skills that you develop at these schools that you may not have at any other school.
Finally, the school has already expanded 6 times the amount of enrollments than the previous year (2011) with this new knowledge and predictions as to what this school can do for the technological future of America and the world, these schools aren't going away anytime soon.
By: Nick Bell
1. In New York, P-Tech is a school that uses technology to weave high school and college credits together for those who want to go into the technology industry.
2. Very expensive to run this (cant afford new desks from old school)
3. Chicago and NY are planning on making more schools like P-Tech
4. Should set up students for brighter future.
Opinion:
There is a new kind of school in New York. This new kind of school is called P-Tech. P-Tech is a 6 year program that interweaves high school and college programs and credits into a school built on technology. Students bring their laptops to school every day (like us at SAC) and learn everything from how a computer chip is made at IBM (who is a partner and supporter of this new education program) to learning how to dress properly in the technology industry to taking college level courses in Grade 10. This school is going to continue to expand and grow because:
Technology isn't going a way, it is constantly growing. With this new world of ever growing technology, getting involved in this industry would be a smart move because you know your job is secure. The goal is to have these graduates make an entry-level income of $40,000 US. This is great income for your first job graduating, but that amount will only go up as you work your way up the company.
IBM is a partner. This is huge because IBM is one of the worlds leading innovators of new technology and approves and supports this new type of education. They also have stated that they will give preference to graduates of P-Tech and the other new school opening in NY and Chicago in the coming years over anyone else because of the skills that you develop at these schools that you may not have at any other school.
Finally, the school has already expanded 6 times the amount of enrollments than the previous year (2011) with this new knowledge and predictions as to what this school can do for the technological future of America and the world, these schools aren't going away anytime soon.
By: Nick Bell
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney focus on deadlocked Ohio
Summary:
1. Presidential campaigning moves to Ohio
2. Ohio is a HUGE swing state that could determine the outcome of the whole campaign
3. Obama and Romney are in a 2 man race for president
Opinion:
This campaign has come down to 2 men, 2 parties and 2 different views on how the USA should run. Barrack Obama (Democratic) and Mitt Romney (Republican) have different backgrounds on how they got into this heated race for the White House, but both are "competing" for the same goal, to be the president of the United States.
Obama has already been President for 2 and a half years, while Romney has burst onto the scene like a rookie cracking the big leagues for the first time (ala Mike Trout). This seems to happen every campaign, it always comes down to the current President and every campaign there is someone new that challenges for the White House. Sometimes this can work, and they overtake the current President for the job, but most of the time, it seems that if you are already in power, people like familiarity, so they tend to stick with one person as the head of their country as long as they can.
Me personally, I believe that Obama will stay in power for as long as he can. He has shown he great leadership abilities and relentlessness that I believe lacked before he cam into power. He has steadied this country financially in a big way, and although they might still be trillions of dollars in (ala George Bush), he has steadied this countries backbone and has become a great leader with some new found experience in office, which is a huge advantage as well.
Obama will win this campaign and Romney will need to try and try again to take down this Presidential beast.
1. Presidential campaigning moves to Ohio
2. Ohio is a HUGE swing state that could determine the outcome of the whole campaign
3. Obama and Romney are in a 2 man race for president
Opinion:
This campaign has come down to 2 men, 2 parties and 2 different views on how the USA should run. Barrack Obama (Democratic) and Mitt Romney (Republican) have different backgrounds on how they got into this heated race for the White House, but both are "competing" for the same goal, to be the president of the United States.
Obama has already been President for 2 and a half years, while Romney has burst onto the scene like a rookie cracking the big leagues for the first time (ala Mike Trout). This seems to happen every campaign, it always comes down to the current President and every campaign there is someone new that challenges for the White House. Sometimes this can work, and they overtake the current President for the job, but most of the time, it seems that if you are already in power, people like familiarity, so they tend to stick with one person as the head of their country as long as they can.
Me personally, I believe that Obama will stay in power for as long as he can. He has shown he great leadership abilities and relentlessness that I believe lacked before he cam into power. He has steadied this country financially in a big way, and although they might still be trillions of dollars in (ala George Bush), he has steadied this countries backbone and has become a great leader with some new found experience in office, which is a huge advantage as well.
Obama will win this campaign and Romney will need to try and try again to take down this Presidential beast.
Sandusky Gets 30 to 60 Years for Sexual Abuse
Summary:
1. Jerry Sandusky sentenced 30-60 years in prison for sexually abusing 10 boys at Penn State University.
2. This will put Sandusky in ail for life (currently 68).
3. Sentenced October 9th, 2012
4. Penn States reputation has forever been tarnished because of this and others not reporting this earlier.
Opinion:
Wow. This was shocking when this story first broke in 2011 and has been ever since. This is justice for the disgusting things that he has done and deserves a life in prison.
The fact that Penn State U coaches knew about this and said nothing will forever tarnish the reputation of this once prestigious university. Joe Paterno, the head coach of Penn States prestigious football program was fired and has since died at the age of 85. Sandusky meanwhile, the defensive coordinator for Paterno, has obviously been fired as well because of this instance (there was also another instance in 2001 when he was accused of raping a boy in the shower).
The problems that this man has is incomprehensible and does not need to harm any more boys, so putting this sexual fiend in prison for life is justice and people like this should suffer the same consequence as Sandusky.
I feel deeply for the victims of the Jerry Sandusky sexual assault trial, and pray that they come out of this tragic time stronger than ever. I also hope that Sandusky suffers in prison and pays for the sins that he has done.
Nick Bell
1. Jerry Sandusky sentenced 30-60 years in prison for sexually abusing 10 boys at Penn State University.
2. This will put Sandusky in ail for life (currently 68).
3. Sentenced October 9th, 2012
4. Penn States reputation has forever been tarnished because of this and others not reporting this earlier.
Opinion:
Wow. This was shocking when this story first broke in 2011 and has been ever since. This is justice for the disgusting things that he has done and deserves a life in prison.
The fact that Penn State U coaches knew about this and said nothing will forever tarnish the reputation of this once prestigious university. Joe Paterno, the head coach of Penn States prestigious football program was fired and has since died at the age of 85. Sandusky meanwhile, the defensive coordinator for Paterno, has obviously been fired as well because of this instance (there was also another instance in 2001 when he was accused of raping a boy in the shower).
The problems that this man has is incomprehensible and does not need to harm any more boys, so putting this sexual fiend in prison for life is justice and people like this should suffer the same consequence as Sandusky.
I feel deeply for the victims of the Jerry Sandusky sexual assault trial, and pray that they come out of this tragic time stronger than ever. I also hope that Sandusky suffers in prison and pays for the sins that he has done.
Nick Bell
Monday, September 24, 2012
Before I Die chalkboard wall has Torontonians filling in the blanks
September 24th, 2012
Summary:
1. Chalkboard in Toronto for people to fill in the blanks about what they want to do "Before I Die, I want To..."
2. Many different answers:
Before I die I want to . . .
Summary:
1. Chalkboard in Toronto for people to fill in the blanks about what they want to do "Before I Die, I want To..."
2. Many different answers:
Before I die I want to . . .
Feed a baby cow some veal
Buy a cute puppy
Have a swinger party
Take off the mask cause nobody cared before
Go to space
Make life count
Crush capitalism
Be a car repair ninja
Opinion:
There are many thins that I want to do before I die. Find love, play baseball, start a family. But thats just me. All around the world, people are writing about in just a few words that they would like to do before they die.
This is something that I feel is great for any city. Now that it has spread to Toronto, it can only get bigger and better. Its amazing how something so small and seems so unimportant can lift up millions by seeing what they and others want to do with their lives.
There were many different entries on the huge wall at Queen and Dundas Sts., but there were a few that I saw that really stood out to me. People wanted to "Go to Space" and Crush Capitalism", but there was one in particular that I feel should be everyone's ultimate goal in life. One very wise person wrote the simple word "live".
"Live". That's what we should all do, follow your passions, whatever that my be, and live to the fullest extent. Live your life, however you want to.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Samsung pokes fun at people waiting in line for iPhone 5
September 20th, 2012
Summary:
1. Samsung and Apple continue their rivalry with new ad
2. Samsung points out many flaws about the iPhone 5
3. Tells advantages to using the Samsung GS3
4. Pokes fun at Apple users that wait in line every year for the new iPhone
5. This rivalry will only get bigger...
Opinion:
Here we are again. Samsung and Apple are at it again. Their never ending rivalry continues with a witty, clever, and derogatory ad towards Apple users that wait in line for hours and sometimes even days for the new iPhone.
Now, there are somethings that I feel could be behind this ad, and no, I don't think that this was purely for advertising their new smartphone because there was no need to spend money on another ad for the worlds best and most popular smartphone on the planet. I feel that this was more of a comeback and shot at Apple and its users after Apple sued Samsung for $2B and won for crossing their design and looks patents (you can find my blog on this topic in 1st Blog section).
The smartphone race has quickly dropeed Blackberry way behind and has become at two-headed race between Samsung and Apple. I dont see this smartphone rivaly going away anytime soon, so this should cause for more drama (yes there is SOME drama in even smartphones) and more money being thrown around in lawsuits, ads against the other corporation and more.
This technology war seems to have gone beyond simply branding each others products, this seems to be getting more heated and more personal of doing whatever it takes to win this race.
Summary:
1. Samsung and Apple continue their rivalry with new ad
2. Samsung points out many flaws about the iPhone 5
3. Tells advantages to using the Samsung GS3
4. Pokes fun at Apple users that wait in line every year for the new iPhone
5. This rivalry will only get bigger...
Opinion:
Here we are again. Samsung and Apple are at it again. Their never ending rivalry continues with a witty, clever, and derogatory ad towards Apple users that wait in line for hours and sometimes even days for the new iPhone.
Now, there are somethings that I feel could be behind this ad, and no, I don't think that this was purely for advertising their new smartphone because there was no need to spend money on another ad for the worlds best and most popular smartphone on the planet. I feel that this was more of a comeback and shot at Apple and its users after Apple sued Samsung for $2B and won for crossing their design and looks patents (you can find my blog on this topic in 1st Blog section).
The smartphone race has quickly dropeed Blackberry way behind and has become at two-headed race between Samsung and Apple. I dont see this smartphone rivaly going away anytime soon, so this should cause for more drama (yes there is SOME drama in even smartphones) and more money being thrown around in lawsuits, ads against the other corporation and more.
This technology war seems to have gone beyond simply branding each others products, this seems to be getting more heated and more personal of doing whatever it takes to win this race.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Human Muscle, Regrown on Animal Scaffolding
September 17th, 2012
Summary:
1. Sgt. Ron Strang had part of left thigh blown off in explosion in Afghanistan
2. Strang needed multiple surgeries that left him with a huge divot in his left leg where quad the muscle had been
3. Could not move leg forwards, only backwards
4. Could walk, but only awkwardly
5. Strang was very athletic, but with his new injury, he had to give up running... for the time being
6. Now, he runs on the treadmill with only slight limp, basically unnoticeable to strangers
7. How did this happen, I'm about to tell you...
Opinion:
2010, there was the Vancouver Olympic Games, the horrific 7.0 Hurricane that struck Haiti, Spain won the World Cup, and many other important events. Looking back on the year that was, it was an emotional and busy year, but for Sgt. Ron Strang of the US Marines, this year changed his life forever.
Strang was in Afganistan as part of the US Marines in the summer of 2010 when a bomb took off the left side of his quad muscle completely. After a series of surgeries, he was going to be ok, but thought that he may never walk normally, if ever, again.
Enter medical advances over the last 50 years and you have a man who is now walking with ease, is running the treadmill (also something that he couldn't do 2 years ago) and the limp is basically nonexistent. How did this happen, lets find out...
Strang has essentially fully recovered from his devastating injury from an unlikely source. He had muscle from another being out into his left quad to replace the muscle he lost. No, the muscle was not from family or not even from a human for that matter, but from a pig! A pig? Yes a pig. The process sounds like a long and grueling one for both the doctors and especially Strang, but it actually is not and that's the amazing thing.
Basically, the doctors replaced the lost muscle with a material called extra cellular matrix.This can be found in pigs, humans or any animal. It is the natural scaffolding that underlies all organs and tissues. It is produced by cells and for many years, scientists thought that its primary purpose was to hold them in the proper position.
Researchers now know, however, that the scaffolding also signals the body to grow and repair those tissues and organs. With this new knowledge, new body builders are using this material from pigs and other animals to engineer the growth and development of damaged tissues.
Sgt. Strang is one of the first cases in what will become an 80 patient trial to help repair and develop damaged tissues. This trial is financed by the Defense Departments Office of technology Transition, but will include civilians as well. Dr. Peter Rubin, who is a plastic surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, says that the results were "spurring" and that "we are seeing evidence of remodeling of tissues".
All in all, medical advances have not yet found the cure for cancer, or many other diseases, but with this, and other ever growing amounts of medical knowledge, we r not far off from saving and helping billions of lives, just like Sgt. Strang.
In the picture above, you can see
the "sheet" of extra cellular matrix
being placed and eventually
bonding with the existing tissue.
Currently, Sgt. Strang lived with his girlfriend Monica
Michna and is recovering well from the transplant.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
At Ground Zero, Readers Offer Plain-Spoken Tributes to Those Lost
September 12th, 2012
Summary:
1. 11th Anniversary of the Attacks
2. Bigger deal came last year, because of 10 year anniversary
3. Patriotism is not evident anymore throughout America
4. Site of where Twin Towers fell is still a very important landmark, even without many loved ones and 2 skyscrapers.
5. Outside of the WTC site in NY, there were not as many ceremonies to commemorate those lost.
6. Seems that America wants to forget; move on
7. Presidential campaigns came to a temporary halt
8. 4 total attacks, 3 successes by the Al Qaeda
9. The one miss, honoured by America for the men who crashed the plane that was heading for the White-house.
10. Obama believes America is stronger since the Attacks
September 11th, 2001. The most horrific, unexpected and patriotic day in American history. We all know what happened on this day, when Osama Bin Laden orchestrated a monster attack on the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and The White-house.
The events that occurred on this day will never be forgotten and this day will have and still does have an affect on everyone. For me, I am a die hard baseball fan; when these attacks occurred, I had just been dropped off for my first day of kindergarten. I don't remember much about the attacks, but I do remember chaos throughout my life for the next couple of weeks, not knowing what it was about was hard, but I knew that I would understand as I got older.
Now, back to baseball. The Amazin' Mets were scheduled to play a road game away from Shea Stadium, however, Major League Baseball made a change in schedule to make sure that the Mets were at home to show respect and to show patriotism. I went onto YouTube yesterday and MLB.com and to this day, the y still will not forget what happened 11 years ago, they want to embrace what happened and come together as a nation. An this doesn't just apply for baseball either. All throughout the USA (and Canada) people do not forget and will not forget the events that occurred on September 11th, 2001.
Every year, there are new documentaries, new survivors coming out with their stories, and I remember last year as clear as day. Throughout America, there were tears, feelings of remorse, sorrow, and pain, but there was a sense of relief and amazement that it has already been 10 years since those brutal attacks. But most of all, I remember that heroism and patriotism. What good that did come out of the attacks was that America helped one another come together to get through a difficult time.
There was not as many ceremonies to honour those lost during the attacks and those who tried to help save lives. I found this appalling and unacceptable. You NEED to honour such a horrific day because guarantee everyone in North America has been affected by these attacks, and to those people, my prayers go out to you and your families
Everyone has tough times throughout their life, but 11 years ago, a whole nation collapsed, not just 2 towers and to this day, we feel for them. However, you cant "move on" or forget what happened because everyone will still think about and remember what happened, and to not honour those lost would show disrespect and selfishness. September 11th, 2001 is the worst day in American history, whether you want to remember or not.
They say time heals all wounds, but in this case, no amount of time will make the wounds of September 11th, 2001 heal.
Summary:
1. 11th Anniversary of the Attacks
2. Bigger deal came last year, because of 10 year anniversary
3. Patriotism is not evident anymore throughout America
4. Site of where Twin Towers fell is still a very important landmark, even without many loved ones and 2 skyscrapers.
5. Outside of the WTC site in NY, there were not as many ceremonies to commemorate those lost.
6. Seems that America wants to forget; move on
7. Presidential campaigns came to a temporary halt
8. 4 total attacks, 3 successes by the Al Qaeda
9. The one miss, honoured by America for the men who crashed the plane that was heading for the White-house.
10. Obama believes America is stronger since the Attacks
September 11th, 2001. The most horrific, unexpected and patriotic day in American history. We all know what happened on this day, when Osama Bin Laden orchestrated a monster attack on the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and The White-house.
The events that occurred on this day will never be forgotten and this day will have and still does have an affect on everyone. For me, I am a die hard baseball fan; when these attacks occurred, I had just been dropped off for my first day of kindergarten. I don't remember much about the attacks, but I do remember chaos throughout my life for the next couple of weeks, not knowing what it was about was hard, but I knew that I would understand as I got older.
Now, back to baseball. The Amazin' Mets were scheduled to play a road game away from Shea Stadium, however, Major League Baseball made a change in schedule to make sure that the Mets were at home to show respect and to show patriotism. I went onto YouTube yesterday and MLB.com and to this day, the y still will not forget what happened 11 years ago, they want to embrace what happened and come together as a nation. An this doesn't just apply for baseball either. All throughout the USA (and Canada) people do not forget and will not forget the events that occurred on September 11th, 2001.
Every year, there are new documentaries, new survivors coming out with their stories, and I remember last year as clear as day. Throughout America, there were tears, feelings of remorse, sorrow, and pain, but there was a sense of relief and amazement that it has already been 10 years since those brutal attacks. But most of all, I remember that heroism and patriotism. What good that did come out of the attacks was that America helped one another come together to get through a difficult time.
There was not as many ceremonies to honour those lost during the attacks and those who tried to help save lives. I found this appalling and unacceptable. You NEED to honour such a horrific day because guarantee everyone in North America has been affected by these attacks, and to those people, my prayers go out to you and your families
Everyone has tough times throughout their life, but 11 years ago, a whole nation collapsed, not just 2 towers and to this day, we feel for them. However, you cant "move on" or forget what happened because everyone will still think about and remember what happened, and to not honour those lost would show disrespect and selfishness. September 11th, 2001 is the worst day in American history, whether you want to remember or not.
They say time heals all wounds, but in this case, no amount of time will make the wounds of September 11th, 2001 heal.
Monday, September 10, 2012
"Apple-Samsung Case Shows Smartphone as Legal Magnet"
September 10th, 2012
1. Apple sues Samsung for over $1B for Patent Issues
2. Decision came in San Jose, California on August 24th
3. This is another example of how big cell phone patents are becoming and already are
4. Patent and protection of them will only become harder...
Opinion:
Apple and Samsung are the worlds two leading cell phone makers. To put it bluntly, Apple just received a lot of money from Samsung over how a cell phone locks and looks unlocked. Sounds silly right? Why would Apple be so harsh on something that SEEMS so irrelevant when they have enough money already? Because it is not. And I am about to tell you why...
As we all know, the cell phone has completely changed the lives of billions all over the planet over the past few decades. What you may not know is that the market for cell phones and tablets is he fastest growing market in business. Not only has the cell phone changed our lives, but it has changed the way corporations view patents and how their products and their features cannot even be remotely "copied" or "stolen". What makes this even more difficult for all technological corporations that have cell phones as part of their line of products is that there are in excess of 250,00 patents for any corporation to be allowed to patent their products with, and if any other companies violate even one of these patents that has been made by another corporation, they are eligible to be sued for amounts of money that some countries do not have!
In total, Samsung violated several (around six) of Apples patents involving software and mobile devices. With over 250,000 patents to be aware of, it is incredibly hard and sometimes impossible to ensure that you have not violated any of your competitors patents. Apple was awarded $1B in damages and did not violate any of Samsung's patents. Finally, all of Apples patents that they believed were violated were valid in the eyes of the jury in San Jose.
Whether you believe that the current patent system is working or not, be sure of one thing; technology is not cheap to the public, but companies are using this money for ammunition for war, not a war involving tanks and death, but a war involving one weapon, one goal, one money maker, the war of the patent.
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