Healthcare scare in Arizona

This article discusses possible issues for healthcare in Arizona, due to funding shortages at Arizona State University. Over the past several years, the nursing program at ASU has doubled its student body and faculty size, becoming one of the nation's top schools in the number of nurses that graduate from the program. However, due to economic difficulties at this time, the budget was cut, reducing the number of nursing acceptances.

Due to the budget cut, the author argues that the effectiveness of the healthcare system in Arizona could decline dramatically. The author relates himself to the common person, mentioning the success of the nursing program, and the help it has given Arizona's healthcare system. The author also comments on all the negative aspects of reducing the university program. The language he uses convinces the reader that funding should be provided to the university to keep Arizona's healthcare system safe. This is an issue that Arizona residents need to be familiar with because it can dramatically affect their healthcare.

Australian Gives Advice to Californians

In this article, an Australian offers advice on how to better conserve water, targeting a California audience, which is currently facing a serious drought. The author explains that after facing a ten year drought, last year Australian officials took a large step into preventing further drought and eventually bringing the water supply level to 40% of its original content, as opposed to the 16% it faced at the time. Authorities started what was called the Target140 campaign, which called to bring the daily water consumption of one person from 80 gallons to 37 gallons (140 liters). The program was very successful, bringing the daily water consumption from 80 to 32 gallons in just two weeks. They accomplished this by using a cheap advertisement campaign which got individuals to think about conserving water. Such advertisements heard on the radio and on commercials brought up such ideas as turning the water off while brushing your teeth, taking four minute showers, and only washing full loads of laundry, among other ideas.

The author was very convincing in this opinion editorial by using several statistics which showed how successful the Target140 was and the positive affect a similar campaign could have in the state of California. It is very important that California get out of the current drought that it faces as California is a major supplier of produce. Prices for such produce will continue to rise if this drought continues. Hopefully this particular opinion editorial and others like it will be heard by local California residents as well as political figures. Californian’s need to know of the growing problem that is at hand and how they personally can make a difference.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-whyte4-2009jan04,0,7996717.story

Deadly Conversation

I read an article arguing that the law made in Washington to ban cell phone use while driving should not be a secondary offense but a primary one. The writer argues that because the law was not given the importance it needed many people are unaware of the law or do not fear the consequences. Cell phone use by drivers has been found to be as dangerous as driving drunk. According to the writer, “it’s the sustained and involved nature of phone conversations that raises the risk level. In short, the brain is elsewhere, which slows reaction times.” The writer is trying to target someone of the newspaper’s audience such as a local lawmaker or congressman who would be able to upgrade cell phone use while driving from a secondary to a primary offence. The writer of this article is successful in pointing out how perilous the distraction of cell phone use may be. I have seen personally the delayed reactions people experience while using their cellular phones when driving, and if making cell phone use while driving a primary offence will save the life of just one person then it is of great importance to me.

Putting a Band-Aid on Cancer

http://loseaneye.blogspot.com/2009/01/putting-band-aid-on-cancer.html

This article was written as an editorial for the Houston Chronicle. This blogger, Cory Crow, uses this avenue to voice his opinions about the process of disaster relief, specifically in reference to Hurricane Ike, which recently decimated much of the Galveston area (the coastal region of east Texas). His editorial was in rebuttal to an article written by Mike Snyder of the Chronicle.

I was particularly drawn to this editorial for a few reasons. 1. As a resident of the Houston area, these are things and issues that are going on around my hometown. 2. I have family that live in the Galveston area, and while they are not having to rebuild their lives, they have friends who are. Basically, I am a member of the target audience: people who are/know people who were affected by hurricanes (specifically Hurricane Ike). Therefore, I am more emotionally invested in this issue than some other might be and will be more likely to take a stand for/against the issue and voice my opinion. This article was important to me for those same reasons. Everyone wants to be able to help their loved ones be able to rebuilt and restart after any big disaster, and this editorial offers one view on what the best possible way to achieve that it. Therefore, when formulated our own plans and thoughts as an audience, this editorial could be a useful resource and support to us.

Another reason that I was drawn to this article was the title: Putting a Band-Aid on Cancer. This article was about refugees and hurricane victims in Galveston and so I was intrigued as to why the title involved cancer. I came to find out that the author of this editorial was making a comparison. He said that the current view of how to best handle relief efforts was not going to work, and that it was like try to put a band-aid on a cancer patient; ineffective and off-track. So, even the title of this editorial made me stop and think about the ideas being presented, which is something that I really liked and appreciated.

Is Your T.V. Ready?

This article is about the switch that we all will be facing here in a couple of weeks, when the TV signals will no longer receive the analog signals.  The article that appeared in the New York Times, written by William Kennard and Michael Powell, is written primarly to the people that are in charge of this switch happening.  Kennard and Powell bring up the point that it is and will continue to be hard for those that are less fortunate to have a TV that has ditigal signals, be able to purchase a converter box.

     This is a very important issue due to the fact that there could be anywhere between 4 and 31 million people that on Febraury 17th will be left looking at a blank television screen.  The audienuce will need to take this issue under much consideration so that they will not have millions of people calling their offices complaining because they were not able to purchase a converter box, which can be hard to purchase.

     This topic interest me to some degree because I am not 100% positive that my tv will be able to recieve the ditigal signals and I do not want to be left looking at a black screen when I am trying to procrastinate doing my homework.

Click Here To Read Article    

Apple Does Away With Copyright Protection

This editorial is about the recent changes Apple has made to their online music store, The iTunes Store. It says that as of this week iTunes is selling music without copy protection. This is because Digital Rights Management, the software Apple uses to keep track of copyright protection hasn't been successful. The editorial goes on to say that this change might help spark the purchase of new music because shared music is typically a great "advertisement for music we will eventually purchase."
The audience of this Opinion Editorial are music lovers and the tech-savvy, or in general, anyone who purchases or listens to music. This issue is important to the audience because it is a major change to the way iTunes has previously sold their music files, and tries to convince readers that this change will ultimately benefit the music industry. One thing I learned from this editorial was that it is important to end your argument with a strong statement, not just merely a summary of what you have already said.

Should black, white colleges merge?

This article is about merging 2 historically black schools each with a different traditionally white school in Georgia. This would not only save money and help the economic crisis that we are in but also conquer some of the ongoing racism. Criticism has already arised and it is said to be a "bad idea." A similiar propasal to merge black and white colleges 25 years ago died quickly. The article further tells us to remove the last remaining vesitges of Jim Crow from the University System and to get rid of seperate but equal facilities.

This opinion editorial is aimed towards the residents of Georgia and towards the four universities that are considered for merging. This issues is important to the audience because it will help the economic crisis and finally rid Georgia of race-favored schools. Being from Georgia, the issue of racism is important to me. I have seen it continually occur and I think this article helps make others aware of the importance of merging the two schools. By spreading the word, it is more likely that change will happen.

Not Billy the Elephant!!!

In this op-ed we learn about Billy, the lone elephant in the LA zoo.  He has been in captivity for twenty years now.  The author uses quotations from a very qualified elephant expert who feels that the release is necessary and long over-due.  He goes on to say that elephants are just like humans as far as emotions go and he deserves to be free where he can interact with his own kind.  I think the author does a good job of convincing people that Billy needs to be free by using evidence from an expert.  He included quotes that would endear Billy to us by saying they are just like humans and we wouldn't be able to thrive in a captive environment.

CREATINE: What's the deal with that stuff? And do the benefits outweigh the risks?

In this article, the question is brought up about whether creatine (a performance enhancing supplement) is worth the risks and side effects or not. Overall, the article states that creatine is probably not as important for an athlete as his regular eating schedule and training routine are, and that the risks probably outweigh the benefits. It is important that this issue is being argued, especially with all of the hype lately about professional sports, such as baseball, and creatine. Americans generally views people who use this supplement as "cheaters", who haven't put in as much effort as the athletes who don't, and who also have an unfair edge over the competition. The issue of creatine is very important not only to professional athletes, but also to high school athletes. Many people interviewed in this article stated that they would not take creatine, because it wasn't the "right" way to train, and they felt morally it wasn't the best option for them.

I am currently taking a creatine supplement, which is why this topic is so interesting to me. I have been taking it off and on for about a year now, and I have seen nothing but improvements in my workout routine, strength, and building of muscle. I disagree strongly with any argument that creatine is for "cheaters", or is a fast and easy way to build muscle. Yes, it is true it does increase performance, but that does not mean I do not have to work hard for my gains. Anybody who has ever worked out will know that it takes more than a supplement to make improvements. Hard work, the right diet, and supplements are all important, I believe, for an athlete who is looking to improve his overall performance.

The Obama Gap

This opinion editorial is about the failure of Obama's economic plan. He has yet to start his presidential career, but still many fear that his economic plan does not have the strength to benefit the country.

The audience for this article are people that are in fear of an economic depression. People own stocks or small businesses could be effected.

This issue is very important because millions in the US are effected by this economic turmoil. Many have differing opinions, so it is good to see what people are thinking.

Issues that effect me the most are ones that affect my life as a student. Food shortages are inflation are all issues that are important to me. I learned that opinion editorials are arguments that people have and they state a bold opinion. I know that when i post my first opinion editorial that it must be bold and not weak so that people will be able to argue against or for my own opinion.

Oil drilling in Arches

Ok guys, I still don't really know all the details of this issue, but I'd really like to know what you all know/think about it. Back in 2002, the Bush Administration gave permission to start drilling for oil as close as 4 miles away from our beloved Delicate Arch in Moab. I don't know about you but that doesn't really seem like very rational at all! Let me know what you think.
Stevie

Bad Sportsmenship

In this opinion editorial which was posted in the Daily Universe, titled Grow Up, the author is writing about the bad sportsmanship that was displayed by some Cougar fans during and after the loss to Wake Forest. After reading the article I was able to relate to the author due to the fact that, in my past, I have experienced the demand of performance by fans who, few if any, actually know how or what it takes to sustain an undefeated record, home or away. I realize it is really easy to criticize the performance of a team when the person who is doing the criticizing has not been through the rigorous practices or been under the pressure of high expectations. But it is unfair to the players of the sport to have fans who do not truly appreciate how lucky they are to even have a team who are ranked in the top 10 in the nation. If anything the fans should do everything they can to support their team after a great loss like the one experienced by BYU last week. That is the time for true fans of the team and sport to show their loyalty and devotion.

We can thwart a silent killer

This article talks about 5 deaths that have occured in Colorado in the recent past due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The author points out that, on average, 9 people die in Colorado each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. This is a relatively small number, but as the writer points out, these are easily preventable deaths. There is a carbon monoxide detector, very similar to a fire detector in its function but more helpful because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless.

Colorado State Rep. Lois Court supports a potential bill that would require installing these detectors in new homes, in homes being sold, and into apartments when new tenants moves in. I agree with this idea; it isn't worth the risk to not install a detector. I am actually worried about this personally because one of the deaths was a Denver graduate student living in an apartment close to campus. If this can happen in Colorado, this can happen right here at BYU.

As the author points out, it is not reasonable to expect people to bring these detectors with them when they travel, so I think the carbon monoxide detectors should be required in hotels and motels as well. When deaths could be prevented this easily, who could argue otherwise?

A Flawed System

The college football season officially ended yesterday, with Florida being crowned the BCS "champion". You might be thinking that because Florida won the championship game that they are the undisputed champions of NCAA football. You my friend, are very, very wrong. In a recent article on ESPN.com, Rick Reilly looked into this very subject and argued why the BCS system is broken and how the University of Utah is the real champion of college football. Reilly does an excellent job of stating his opinion in a humorous way that paints the BCS system as a joke and mockery to college football. One of the best comments in the article is when Reilly compared winning the BCS Championship Game to being crowned the "Best Amish Electrician". Follow the link for your enjoyment.

This article is probably targeted at upset college football fans who are tired of the BCS screwing up the season. Additionally, this article is undoubtedly written to the BCS committee, who has the power to change the current system and set the college football world at ease. Countless fans are infuriated by the current system and if this article persuades more to join the crowd, the BCS committee will have to deal with complaining and questioning galore for the next year. If enough people can be convinced that a new system is imperative and they can demonstrate their disdain in an orderly fashion, the committee might have no choice but to satisfy their conditions.

I understand that there are many people who couldn't care less about this topic and that is totally fair. However, I grew up on college football in Columbus, Ohio and this topic really does mean something to me. The BCS has been under fire for some now with regards to their magic formula of ranking teams and countless fans are fed up with the whole thing. I don't think it is too much to ask to get a new system that will please the masses. If college football wants to keep its loyal fans, then it had better do something that gives us a reason to keep watching games on Saturday afternoons this upcoming fall.