News post #18

Article: Foreign Languages Fade in Class — Except Chinese

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/education/21chinese.html?hp

Summary: According to a government- financed survey, thousands of public schools have stopped teaching foreign languages in the last decade. Juxtaposing this fact, American schools are in a rush to start teaching chinese in their schools. While some schools are paying for the classes without help, some are receiving funds from China. The chinese government is sending teachers from their country to teach chinese in american public schools while paying part of their salaries. The reason that schools are getting rid of their language programs (except for Chinese) is because it's very expensive to get a Spanish teacher compared to a chinese teacher.

Opinion: In conclusion, it's unfortunate that languages like Spanish and French are not going to be taught in schools. It's imperative that american students become exposed to all languages not just the "cheapest" ones. On the other hand, the chinese language is very important because of how many jobs will soon be outsourced to China. Let's hope that schools raise enough funds to teach their students a variety of languages. In a certain case, schools could take a poll and see which languages are most popular and eliminate the least popular ones.

News post #17

Article: Democrats Fight to Hold Crucial Seat: Kennedy’s

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/us/politics/14massachusetts.html?hp

Summary: The race for the late Ted Kennedy's seat in the Senate is becoming tighter and tighter in Massachusetts. Martha Coakley, the Democrat candidate who previously a shoo-in for the spot, is having trouble staying ahead of Republican candidate Scott Brown. Polls are showing that the race that was originally thought to be predictable is becoming more and more interesting. The crucial 60th vote in the Senate house could have huge impacts on the health care bill if a Republican wins. Democrats were shocked to see how close the race was when the numbers were released because Coakley had clearly more money, recognition, and support. Former president is coming to aid Coakley in her campaign this Friday in hopes of putting her back on top. The elections are to be held this coming Wednesday.

Conclusion: In my opinion, it's ironic that Coakley thought she could win easily and now her conceitedness is coming back to get her. Since this election is especially crucial to the whether or not the health care bill will be passed, hopefully everyone in Massachusetts will go out and vote. Coakley should take into account that fact that she may not win and step up her game. If Scott Brown wins, the Democrats' seat in Senate will be gone and will have huge impacts on the health reform bill.

News post #16

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/city-says-911-trials-will-cost-200-million-per-year/?hp

Article:

City Says 9/11 Trials Will Cost $200 Million a Year

Summary: The office of Mayor Bloomberg has released how much the trials of the 9/11 terrorist suspects will cost. $200 million will be spent each year for these upcoming trials. They will be the most expensive security operation for a city in recent times.

The mayor outlined the costs and sent a 2 page letter to the directors of the Federal Office of Management Budget. Most of the money will go to security-funding. The rest will be sent to equipment related expenses. Bloomberg said these costs were realististic and neccesary for the protection of New York City.

Conclusion: In my opinion, the trials shouldn't be held in New York because we can never be sure what the terrorists could be planning next. For the safety of New York and its people the trials should be held somewhere else. The funds for security are outrageous and if it was held somewhere else, a majority of the money would be saved.