Gay marriage on trial
The next round in California's long fight over same-sex unions takes place before the state Supreme Court. And controversial Prop. 8 is just the beginning of the argument.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Op-ed: One ride forward, two steps back
I don't have any kids, but this op-ed piece from the New York Times seemed to0 interesting to pass up. The article explores the possibility of forward-facing strollers as a factor in language development problems in children.
I liked how the article mentions some evidence that backs up this claim, but does not say that children who ride in forward-facing strollers will absolutely have slower language development. The article merely suggests that rear-facing strollers encourage parents to interact with their children more, which can help a child's linguistic development.
I also liked how the article provided possible solutions to the perceived problem, such as parents talking to their children regularly and stroller companies coming up with affordable strollers that take child development into account.
I think the best part of this op-ed is that it included numbers and data, and still managed to keep my interest. I know I sound like a twelve-year-old, but I tend to stop reading an article if it has too many numbers.
I liked how the article mentions some evidence that backs up this claim, but does not say that children who ride in forward-facing strollers will absolutely have slower language development. The article merely suggests that rear-facing strollers encourage parents to interact with their children more, which can help a child's linguistic development.
I also liked how the article provided possible solutions to the perceived problem, such as parents talking to their children regularly and stroller companies coming up with affordable strollers that take child development into account.
I think the best part of this op-ed is that it included numbers and data, and still managed to keep my interest. I know I sound like a twelve-year-old, but I tend to stop reading an article if it has too many numbers.
Op-ed: Cowherd: Looking at life through the prism of Facebook
This op-ed column, published on March 2 in the Austin American Statesman, was about a columnist who recently joined Facebook.
Kevin Cowherd, columnist for the Baltimore Sun, spoke of how the social networking site is a new way to waste time.
I liked how he made the column personal by talking about his experience on Facebook and that of his children. Some of the remarks he made were funny too. However, one thing that might have improved the column is statistical data. Maybe he could have included statistics regarding the age range of Facebook users, or the amount of people on Facebook in one hour. In all, it was a good slice of life column.
Just incase the above link doesn't work, the Web address is below.
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/03/02/0302cowherd_edit.html
Kevin Cowherd, columnist for the Baltimore Sun, spoke of how the social networking site is a new way to waste time.
I liked how he made the column personal by talking about his experience on Facebook and that of his children. Some of the remarks he made were funny too. However, one thing that might have improved the column is statistical data. Maybe he could have included statistics regarding the age range of Facebook users, or the amount of people on Facebook in one hour. In all, it was a good slice of life column.
Just incase the above link doesn't work, the Web address is below.
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/03/02/0302cowherd_edit.html
Op-Ed: Big Mother is watching
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-klein2-2009mar02,0,2898685.story
This op-ed by Karin Klein from the Los Angeles Times is over the issue of a kid's privacy. Usually you hear that kids should have no privacy, but Klein gives an opposite opinion. She states that although she enjoys having the option of checking up on her kids, even checking up on what they're spending their lunch money on, she would rather have them have their childish worries and learn from their own mistakes.
I thought this was very well written. She developed her opinion very well and made you see another side of the privacy argument from a parent's viewpoint.
This op-ed by Karin Klein from the Los Angeles Times is over the issue of a kid's privacy. Usually you hear that kids should have no privacy, but Klein gives an opposite opinion. She states that although she enjoys having the option of checking up on her kids, even checking up on what they're spending their lunch money on, she would rather have them have their childish worries and learn from their own mistakes.
I thought this was very well written. She developed her opinion very well and made you see another side of the privacy argument from a parent's viewpoint.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Op-Ed: Yellow Is the New Green
Yellow Is the New Green
By ROSE GEORGE
Published: February 27, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/opinion/27george.html?_r=1
Being "green" is like being cool now, and we didn't start that trend. The idea of conservation and using our resources to their maximum potential has been around for a long time, but I agree that we all could do better, just not something as taboo as separating our urine from our bowel movements. This op-ed was done really well. I found it to be well-researched and easy to read. It has four good sources, and it focuses on a topic of the public's general interest. I thought it was a tad lengthy. It was, however, really good about localizing something from China and applying the same ideas to our lives here in the U.S.
Education could be key to a successful marriage
How to achieve 'happily ever after'
By: Ashley Sanchez, regular contributor to the Austin American-Statesman
Published: Feb. 27, 2009
As the rate of divorce climbs and the rate of marriage declines, Rep. Warren Chisum of the Texas Legislature is proposing education for couples who have minor children and file for divorce based on the grounds of insupportability. Those couples would have to submit with the divorce petition proof that at least one of them had completed a crisis marriage education course. There are certain requirements and waivers that are included in the bill, but overall Chisum is hoping that the education course could help out some couples who just need a little perspective. This would be a victory for adults and children alike.
I think this op-ed piece is very well-written and detailed. Ashley Sanchez clearly explains the different parts of the bill and why it is being proposed. In addition, I thought the piece was on a particularly interesting topic, one that needs to be addressed. Sanchez's thoughts on the bill seem to be quite valid, like when she mentions Chisum's bill appears to have no downsides. At worst, it eats up 10 hours of someone's time, which is nothing at the risk of saving their marriage.
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/02/27/0227sanchez_edit.html
By: Ashley Sanchez, regular contributor to the Austin American-Statesman
Published: Feb. 27, 2009
As the rate of divorce climbs and the rate of marriage declines, Rep. Warren Chisum of the Texas Legislature is proposing education for couples who have minor children and file for divorce based on the grounds of insupportability. Those couples would have to submit with the divorce petition proof that at least one of them had completed a crisis marriage education course. There are certain requirements and waivers that are included in the bill, but overall Chisum is hoping that the education course could help out some couples who just need a little perspective. This would be a victory for adults and children alike.
I think this op-ed piece is very well-written and detailed. Ashley Sanchez clearly explains the different parts of the bill and why it is being proposed. In addition, I thought the piece was on a particularly interesting topic, one that needs to be addressed. Sanchez's thoughts on the bill seem to be quite valid, like when she mentions Chisum's bill appears to have no downsides. At worst, it eats up 10 hours of someone's time, which is nothing at the risk of saving their marriage.
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/02/27/0227sanchez_edit.html
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Statesman Editorial: Sickening state of U.S. food supply
I chose an editorial from the Austin American Statesman that was printed on Feb. 11, 2009. The headline for the editorial is, "Sickening State of U.S. Food Supply." The piece uses facts about the peanut processing plant that was recently shut down in Texas to comment on the state of food safety in the U.S. The editorial also reports on a proposed legislation that would create an independent administration to oversee food safety in America.
I like this editorial because of how it employs the information within it. The writer delivered a very strong message by letting the alarming facts speak for themselves. Except for the last couple of paragraphs, the editorial is full of factual content. It is the manner in which these facts are presented that reveals the writer's strong sentiments on the subject. The writer backs up every bold comment with informative statements.
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/02/11/0211peanuts_edit.html
I like this editorial because of how it employs the information within it. The writer delivered a very strong message by letting the alarming facts speak for themselves. Except for the last couple of paragraphs, the editorial is full of factual content. It is the manner in which these facts are presented that reveals the writer's strong sentiments on the subject. The writer backs up every bold comment with informative statements.
http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/02/11/0211peanuts_edit.html
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