Current Events Activity 1.3

  Damaris Benitez

period-6

9/25/2015

1.  Pope Francis made a speech recently about "open-wounds" in the world, which includes things like hatred, greed, poverty, and pollution. As the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, he directed his speech towards Congress. I feel like this story illustrates the importance of this story, not only by putting it on the front page with a picture and bold letters, but by really emphasizing what he said. They used quotes and the story seemed very informational, which as a reader always makes me feel, that what I am reading is actually true. I feel like this, was historic not only because the House Speaker invited him, but because the Catholic Church is getting really involved with Congress. Being a Christian, I am very surprised that the Catholics have made it to the top with their beliefs.

2.   The broad difference of opinion that exists in the situation with the San Antonio high football players harming the ref, it that if the cause for the incident is because of racial slurs. However, harming the ref was not the correct route to take for "revenge", the students were sent back to an alternative school for 75 days, and will not be able to come back to school about a month after football season concludes. In my personal opinion, I do not think that they will come back at all because if they were still playing football, they probably wanted a scholarship for football, and after this incident I don't think they will get one. They might find school, just useless. On the side of the coaches, they more likely will come back, because that is how they sustain their families. Motheral was not happy, however he was frustrated that the football players, didn't even care to show up to, Thursday's 3 and half hour hearing. 

3.   The cause of the protest in front of Mapelwood Elementary, was because the district was shifting teachers around to prevent over-crowding in schools. The parents were pretty upset because they thought that it was a bit to early to start moving teachers, when the students are barely getting used to the school. It affected the fourth grade, because taking away a teacher and throwing a new one without having at least a month and a half with the new teacher, makes the students have to re-adapt with the new teaching ways. However, one protest did work at the Bryker Woods Elementary, when a teacher was going to move to Highland Park to relive over-crowding, the parents and students protested and she was allowed to stay. 

4.   Democratic state senators have asked for an attorney's opinion on the new law for firearms to be allowed on school property, which will take affect on Jan. 1. They were also wondering if the law will also banish the law of school districts not allowing any firearms on parking lots, sidewalks, and any other school property. Whitmire, stated that he does not think that the law will be an issue, towards the districts law, however the attorney has 180 days to respond to his question. However, it would not really matter because he will find out himself when the law is in affect, since within the 180 days Jan. 1 will come. 

5.   I choose the story about the man who drove a car, and injured lots of people at the SXSW incident, last march, while he was intoxicated. He was put in trial and proven not guilty, because he had never had any criminal record that could have led to the incident. Therefore, court said it was an unpredictable event. I agree with the court, and accidents sometimes do happen. I choose this story because it happened in Austin, and obviously I connect with it.

EXTENDED RESPONSE: 

    Obituaries, to me are very depressing to read. However, elements that you should always have while writing obituaries, is that you should have some background information and important achievements in their life. They should have a bit of a timeline type of plan. Some could include the impact they had on others life. Most important they should have their birth date and death date. I think that lots of new writers get obituaries as their first assignments because they include lots of skill. It puts their skills to the test and shows if they actually put effort into their work. By making sure that their work is honest and well thought out. If I wrote and obituary, i feel like i would feel uncomfortable about writing about someone I do not know, and because death creeps me out.