Life Expectancy Gap Getting Bigger between Rich and Poor

If you're not inclined to get into the presidential campaign fray in the post below, here's another chance for you to work on your class participation grade for the 4th nine weeks. First, read the New York Times article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/us/23health.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Then consider the following questions:

Is it the responsibility of the government to try to close the life expectancy gap between rich and poor? Why or why not?

What might be some results if this gap continues to widen?

Should Hillary Clinton drop Out?

That question should incite a passionate debate among bloggers to start off the 4th nine week grading period with a bang!

Here's the article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7321119.stm

When commenting, please tell us whether or not Senator Clinton should drop out of the Democratic presidential nomination contest or if she should stay in it, especially since it appears she's about to win a big state, Pennsylvania. Then tell us why you're right.

Remember to be civil and respectful of each other's opinions!

Is China's Business Our Business?

Following up on the extra credit presentation of Katarina Napfel in AP World History today, I'm posting an article on how an American film crew was detained in a hotel so crew members could not film a clash between Chinese police and Tibetan monks:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/17/tibet.american/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Questions to discuss:

Should the United States get involved in the internal affairs of the Chinese over the conflict with Tibet over their independence? Why or why not? Should we simply mind our own business and focus on our own problems, or is it our moral obligation as the leader of the free world to intervene when people are fighting for freedom?

Even if you're not in AP World History, feel free to comment! Government students, this fits right in with our study of foreign policy.

President Bush Vetoes Waterboarding Ban

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/washington/09policy.html?_r=1&ex=1362718800&en=9e9816fe337b5e0b&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

Questions to discuss:

Do you think the United States should be using waterboarding as an interrogation technique? Why or why not?

The NY Times article indicates that George Bush has consistently demonstrated his belief in the strong use of executive power by the President. Do you think the Bush presidency has gone too far in using the power of the Presidency in areas that aren't appropriate? Or is it desirable for a president to use whatever power is available to him or her to act decisively and forcefully in difficult times?

"Militancy will go away with jobs"

That's the quote from one of Pakistan's newest Members of Parliament, 25 year old Kamran Khan. Do you agree with him that lack of economic opportunity drives violent militancy, in Pakistan and in other parts of the world? Why or why not? What about in our own country? Is this a pattern in World History? Read the article at the link below:

http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/05/733456.aspx

See what you think.

President Bush Endorses John McCain

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/05/mccain.bush/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Question to discuss:

Will President Bush's endorsement help or hurt John McCain's bid to become the next President? Why?

The President as Chief Communicator

I've been saying it for months, and now the Washington Post agrees with me! My contention has been that, politics aside, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan are practically the same guy when it comes to their ability to communicate effectively with the American public.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/28/AR2008022802559.html?referrer=emailarticlepg

Question to ponder:

Do you agree with the premise of the article that a President's ability to persuade the American public through his or her speeches and other communications can make or break that person as President? Why or why not?