Weblog #5 Abdullah

Name: Abdullah Mohammed
Class: EAP1
Instructor: Tom Leverett
Title of article: Qnexa Anti-Obesity drug a Poor Substitute for Diet, Exercise.
Author: Marilisa Kinney Sachteleban
Publication: Yahoo! news
Date of article: Feb, 26, 2012

Short Summary:

      According to the article, Qnexa, the anti-obesity drug, has some risks. However, the food and drug administration (FDA) says that being fat is a bigger problem than these issues that this drug causes. This drug is a not a real cure or treatment for obesity; it's only a placebo.


Issues:
- What do you think about obesity in America?
- Do you think this drug will be better than exercise and diet?
- Do you think obesity should be conciderd as a chronic disease?
- What about American's lifestyle? And how does it affect obesity?

Your Openion:

      I think obesity is maybe one of the biggest issues in America. About this new drug, I don't really think that it could really be a substitute for exercising, there is no substitute for exercising. Obesity is definitely a chronic disease, some people just can't get rid of it, even with diet and exercising; sometimes the only cure is liposuction.  

Fahad Al khathran Weblog#5

Name: Fahad Al khathran
Author: Chris Butterworth JR
Title of article: Arsenal's Robin Van Persie puts contract talks on hold.
Publication: Goal.com
Date: Feb 26, 2012

- Short summary:

The Dutch striker Van Persie decided to not talk about his contract until the end of the season. Perise has only one year left on his contract. Arsenal will try to keep Van Perise, and make a new contract . Barcelona, Milan, Real Madrid and Juventus are chasing Persie.

-Issues that you can find:

1- Do you think Persie will stay with Arsenal?
2- He is at the age of 28 and he still didn't accomplish anything, don't you think he should leave?
3- If he leaves, where do you think he should go?

Your opinion: 


Van Persie is one of the best strikers in the world. He has to leave because he hasn't accomplish anything with Arsenal. I hope A.C.Milan can buy him, but I think he will go to Barcelona.

Survey

EAP1 Newstalk Survey

Thanks for helping us with our survey!

In our class, we discuss events in the news. Feel free to make any comments about these questions that you want.

1.     Do you watch the Super Bowl for the commercials?

___ Yes                       ___ No

2.     If you don’t like football or the two teams that are playing in the Super Bowl, would you still enjoy the commercials?

___ Yes                       ___ No

3.     Do you think the gift of flowers is a valuable idea for Valentine’s Day?

___ Yes                       ___ No

4.     Do you feel that the US government is trying its best to stop gas prices from going up?

___ Yes                       ___ No

5.     Do you have a smartphone?

___ Yes                       ___ No

6.     What do you like or dislike about it?

7.     Do you think Facebook is convenient?

___ Yes                       ___ No

8.     Do you think Facebook is good for human relationships?

___ Yes                       ___ No

9.     Do you feel it should be illegal to smoke in a car with children in it?

___ Yes                       ___ No

10.  Do you think it’s ok to have your parents live in a nursing home?  Check all that apply.

___ Yes, if they want to be there

___ Yes, if you can’t take care of them yourself

___ Yes, if you can afford it

___ No, it’s never ok

___ No, you should quit your job if you have to, in order to take care of them

___ No, it’s usually too expensive

11.  Do you feel that Americans have enough opportunity to learn about other countries and cultures?

12.  What is your opinion about international students’ communication?

13.  Do you feel the state should recognize and allow gay marriage?

___ Yes                       ___ No

14.  Why or why not?

Weblog # 5 # Dhayfullah

Name: Dhayfullah

Class: EAP1
Instructor: Tom Leverett
Title of article: Foxconn lifts wages at China factories

Author: Daved Barboza
Publication: Smh.com.au

Date of article: 2/20/12

Short summary:
Foxconn, which is one of the biggest manufacturers of products for some companies like Dell and Apple in China, and has more than one million laborers, announced that it would increase its workers' salaries and reduce overtime hours at the same time. Those workers were treated badly in the past.

Issues:

# Do you think Foxconn treated its laborers unfairly in the past?

# Why is Foxconn doing these recoveries right now?

# Do you think this increase will affect the production and the quality of the company?

# Do you think that the company did the right thing or it wasted its money?

My opinion:

I believe that workers should be treated fairly all over the world for many reasons. First, laborers are humans and they have rights to be treated well. Second, dealing with employees in a nice way would increase the production of the companies and the quality of production also would be better. In sum, I think laborers are the first support of any company.

Multitasking Hinders Youth Social Skills

News Talk
Article Report

Author: Mark Milian

Title of article: Study: Multitasking hinders youth social skills

Publication: CNN

Date of article: January 25th, 2012

Short summary:

Children spent most time on the apple video chat application. When children spend a lots
of time on gadget multitasking things, this will cause them to lack real communication with
people. However, in this article only talks about how girls who play with that stuff will lack social
communication. They did not say any things about boy's communication. Some professor say that
boy's communication development is more complicated than girls.

Issues :

How much time should children play the apple video chat application?

Do you agree that boy’s communication is more complicated than girls?

Should children stop playing the apple video chat application?

opinion:

I think that children spending a lots of time playing the apple video chat application is not a good thing. Children need more time to communicate with real humans. Children who spend time with real people can improve their social communication.

Sherry Zhang

NASA seeks orbital broom for space junk

Author: None
Title of article: NASA seeks orbital broom for space junk
Publication: New York Time
Date of article: Feb/19/2012
Summary:
     There is lots of space junk running with earth in outer space. They will cause two problems, than two junk will fall into the earth to hit humans ,and two junk will hit artificial satellites. On the other hand, big space junk will become small of junk if two piece run into each other. Therefore, there will be more and more fragments that fly in spaces if we do not clean it. There are several problems of different countries' artificial satellites that cannot be cleaned in other country; it will cause each country to have problems and battle each other.

Issues:
1. Should people have to clean the space junk as fast as they can?
2. How do you fell about each country's problem?
3. What do you think is the best way to clean it?

My opinion:
     Lots of space junk is running in outer space around the earth. It will become more dangerous if people want to travel in space. The artificial satellites will be destroy by large space junk; it will cause more and more junk and break useful artificial satellites, Therefore, I think every country should pay for a cleaner to the country who wants to produce the cleaning machine to clean the space junk.

Weblog# 5 Lara

Name: Lara

Class: EAP1-A

Title of article: Apple in China

Author: Adam Ozimek

Publication: Econmist.com

Date of article: 2/3/2012

summary: 

Apple company has many factories in China to produce Apple products. These factories are in bad condition which causes workers to have a very hard time in their jobs. They do not get their basic human rights and cannot complain. These companies do not care about their workers in overseas. The public should launch a campaign to pressure Apple to improve the conditions for their workers in China.

Issues:

1-  How can these workers get their rights?

2- Do you think if these workers work in the United States they will get the same treatment?

Opinion:

In my opinion, what is happening  in China is not fair. The workers should take enough time to rest. We should stop buying from these companies. This will cause a lot of loss for these companies. I cannot imagine how employees work in the difficult conditions when they are doing their job. These companies do not care about their workers overseas as much as those who work in the head office in the U.S. I think these companies look at their workers as robots, not as humans.

Weblog# 5 Fahad Alolayan

Author:
Eliza Barclay
Title:
Can A Diet Clean Out Toxins In The Body?
Publication:
National Public Radio
Date:
2 / 16 / 2012
Short summary:
Human bodies filter the toxins in alcohol, food, and medicines, so it's not storing them. According to the article, there are plenty of very real toxins in the invironment we could be exposed to. Unfortunately, there's no easy way to get them out. Because of that, a lot of people use diet programs to help their bodies to get them out.
Issues:
- Do you think that our bodies need diet programs to help them to get the toxins out?
- Have you done a diet program? Did you feel any differences?
My opinion:
In my opinion, our bodies get a lot of toxins every year. We can help our bodies to get them out in some ways. One of these ways is to make a diet program. For me, I think it's a helpful way. That's because we eat a lot of different kinds of food which may cause some toxins to get in our bodies. So, when we eat less, we might help our bodies to get them out.

Weblog#5 Sean

Title of article: Ecstatic Taiwanese claim Knicks' Lin as their own

Author: Associated Press             

Publication: Fox News

Date of article: 2/16/2012

Short summary:

     Some Taiwanese are embracing emerging Knicks' Lin as one of Taiwanese, because his parents were Taiwanese before they immigrated to America. Even some Chinese people think Lin is one of them. They treat Lin as the young Michael Jordan with Taiwanese blood, and they think he is a proud of Taiwanese. Even though Lin never says he is a Taiwanese.

Issues:

     Lin became a hot issue in America and Asia, is it because of his skills or his race?

     Should Lin feel proud of his success and race?

     Should Taiwan's government recruit Lin to play for Taiwan's national team?

     How shameful will Taiwanese feel, if Lin doesn't think he is a Taiwanese?

Opinion:

     I feel very embarrassed when I see my friends in Taiwan post some news about Lin, especially they are crazy about him , because they feel Lin is a Taiwanese. I don't think Lin will consider himself a Taiwanese, and his success has had nothing to do with Taiwan. He is a totally American. He was born and raised in the U.S, everything about him is American. We should feel happy to see a young Asia basketball player have in the NBA because his skills and effort, not because of where he comes from or his race.

FDA warns of toothbrushes that mess up your face

News Talk

Article Report                Name:  Obied Al-Aqlobi

Author: Diane Mapes

Title of article: FDA warns of toothbrushes that mess up your face

Publication: VITALS on mncbc.com

Date of article: 2- 17-12

Short summary:

         According to the article, FDA warns from using toothbrushes. It says that using battery-powered toothbrushes could cause choking to the children. Also, it may lead to broken teeth. In addition, it has caused problems, including cut lips and burns from the batteries.

Issues that you can find:

-       Why do electronic toothbrushes cause all of these problems?

-       Can we improve them to be healthy?

-       How can we reduce the risk of using electronic toothbrushes?

Your opinion:

        In my opinion, using toothbrushes is very dangerous because they are very fast and strong. So, if some factories come out with healthy toothbrushes, it will be beneficial and helpful. However, using manual toothbrushes is healthier and it will be in the safe side.

Weblog #4 Abdullah

- Name: Abdullah Mohammed
- Author: Jose De Cordoba
- Title of article: Mexico Prison Riot Leaves 44 Dead.
- Publication: The Wall Street Journal
- Date of article: Feb 19, 2012



- Short Summary:
        According to the article, a big fight in one of the deadliest prisons in Mexico caused 44 dead inmates. The fight was between two drug gangs. The reason for that fight is that there were prisoners in another prison who were fighting which caused this huge fight in Mexico City.



- Issues that you can find:
- What do you think about the fights that are happening in prisons?
- What do you think about the other inmates in the prison? were they involved?
- What about the prisoners' relatives who were crying on the prisoners?
- Do you know anyone whi has been in prison?
- Do you think drug gangs have become more powerful than the government in Mexico?



- Your opinion:
      I think that prison fights are the most dangerous fights in the world; when you get involved in one of these fights, you either die or get serious injuries. And I think that any other prisoners will get involved, even if he has nothing to do with the fight. I want these prisoners to think about their families outside the prison, think about how much they love you, and how much they miss you. Drug gangs are very powerful, and I guess that this fact is not only in Mexico, I think that this happens in the whole world.

 

Fahad Al khathran web blog#4

-Name: Fahad Al khathran 
-Author: Kris Voakes.
-Title of article: Zlatan Ibrahimovic:- AC Milan is missing an extra quality, and Juventus has a big advantage by only playing once a week.
-Publication: Goal.com
-Date of article: Feb 19, 2012

-Short summary: The absentee Zlatan said that Milan this season is different than last season. Zlatan thinks that AC Milan lost a lot of points this season by playing badly. Also, he thinks that injuries made the team different. He ranks AC Milan's coach among the best coaches he has ever played under. 

- Issues that you can find:

1- What kinds of qualities do you think AC Milan is missing ?
2- Why is AC Milan different than last season ?
3- What are some things AC Milan can do to be a better team ?
4- Why do you think Zlatan said Milan is missing some qualities ?

- Your opinion:


I think Zlatan is right. AC Milan this year is different in the league than last season. However, they are doing very well in Europe. I hope AC Milan will be better later when they get all the players back from injuries.

Weblog # 4 # Dhayfullah

Name: Dhayfullah

Class: EAP1
Instructor: Tom Leverett
Title of article: Pinterest: Facebook for Women?

Author: Clayton Moris
Publication: Foxnews

Date of article: 02/13/12

Short summary:
Facebook created a special social network web site for women called Pinterest. Women can have their own magazine and lifestyle on Pinterest. This social network grows very fast and attracts millions of women all over the world. They can also share many things with friends and families through Pinterest.

Issues:
# Do you think that creating such a social network especially for women is a good idea?
# What are the advantages and disadvantages of creating and then using Pinterest?
# Do you think that creating similar social network especially for men could be a good idea? Why?

# What do think of some curious men who would love to hack into this women's social web site?

My Opinion:
I think that Pinterest is a good idea because women sometimes need to have some privacy far from men. I believe that women's interests are usually different from men's, so Pinterest makes it easy for women to find out what they need in a very nice way. But it probably brings up the question of hacking. Won't men hack into it?

Thank you,

Are Cigarette Companies Right This Times?

Author
Bobgreene

Title of article
Are cigarette companies right this times?

Publication
CNN

February 12, 2012

 Summary

The American government wants to put some gruesome, graphic warning illustrations on the cigarette package. The government thinks putting those pictures on the package can reduce people’s smoking. People may get away, when they see that kind of this thing. They think tramples upon the first amendment.

Issues
Do you agree that the governments putting some gruesome, graphic warning illustrations will reduce people’s smoking?

Do you have family or friends who are smoking?

If you family or friends are smoking, then how can you help them?

 pinion

Most people know that smoking is bad for their heath. However, some people are still smoking. They do not care about their heath at all. After I read this news, I totally agree with the government decision. I cannot say that the gruesome graphic warning illustrations will reduce people’s smoking. But I believe that this method ma help a little bit smoking.

Sherry Zhang

Cameras in the Courtroom: "People pay attention to why they are there, not us."

Author 

Chuck Berman

Title of article

Cameras in the Courtroom: "People pay attention to why they are there, not us."

Publication

Chicago Tribune

Date of article

February 10, 2012

Short summary (2-5 sentences, NO COPYING)

            This article shows the recent decision of allowing two cameras and two video cameras in 23 circuit courts in the state of Illinois to photograph the cases. For more than 30 years, this decision has been applied successfully in Wisconsin state. The reporter attended the court there, and he found that the presence of camera in the court didn’t have any effect on people and attorneys. The photographers are looking forward to success of such a decision in Carbondale’s state because it’s more exciting to cover a trial. By applying such decision, the photographers will not need to swarm around the families or defendants to get photos and this will reduce stress on the families.

Issues that you can find

1-      What is your opinion about this decision?

2-      Do you prefer the trials to be announced?

3-      Are the courts in your country provided with cameras?

4-      Do you agree with the reporter that the presence of camera in the court doesn’t affect the court?

5-       Do you think it will be useful to make the people know how the government works?

6-    Do you think in the announced court the trial will turn into a circus?

7-     What is your opinion about some restrictions on allowing cameras in some cases?

Your opinion (2-5 sentences)

            I think that this decision has a lot of advantages such as organizing the court, making the public people connect with the government is working, and helping the photographers to cover the trial with uniform without needs to stay out and swarm the people when they leave the courtroom. I prefer to put some restrictions on allowing cameras in cases that are related with family relations or children.

Obama friendly but firm with Xi Jinping on white House visit

Author :              Chris McGreal
Title of article :  Obama friendly but firm with Xi Jinping on white House visit
Publication:        www.guardian.com
Date of article:   Feb/14/2012
Summary:
     Barack Obama met with Xi Jinping and talked about the economic problem between US and China. China will be a country that has major powers in the world economy, and Xi is expected to become the Chinese leader next year. Therefore, Obama wanted to make a good relationship with Xi because China probably can make the world economy become better with US. According to this News, because China has lots of copyright and human right problems. Obama wanted Xi to improve these problems. Moreover,Obama also hopes China can focus on trade and exchange rate with US.

Issues:
1. Do you think US should make a good relationship with China?
2. How do you feel about copyright and human right problems in China?
3. Do you think the US will get the benefits from China?

My opinion:
     US is a country that likes to be a World Police in the world. It causes some good events and bad problems. China is the next country that will influence the economy in the whole world. Because China has too many people, the life in China is worthless . Moreover, Chinese people do not have enough creativity in many ways, so they also copy ideas from others. Even though I do not like the World Police, US, I hope the US must have same power with China in the future; because China does not have equal human right, I worry if China becomes the next World Police.

Hazhar Amin- News Talk- #4 -Hamza Kashgari Reportedly Sent Back To Saudi Arabia To Face Possible Execution For Tweets

Author: Stuart Grudgings

Title of article:Hamza Kashgari Reportedly Sent Back To Saudi Arabia To Face Possible Execution For Tweets

Publications:The Huffington Post Tech

Date:Feb 12, 2012

Short Summary:

 Hamza Kashgari, a 23 years old, was deported by the Malaysia Government to his country Saudi Arabia. After he fled to Malaysia, The Saudi Arabia demanded him because of his tweets about the Prophet Muhammad.  Although his lawyer said that he could attained a court decision for canceling the deportation, the Malaysian authorities deported Kashgari to his country. Maybe Kashgari faces death as a penalty for his crime according to the Islam Sharia because what he did is blaspheme and apostate.  

Issues:

1- Is the apostate  crime? 

2- What happened to the human's right of free speech and belief?

3- Is that a culture or a religions principle that make  Saudi Arabia against the freedom of speech?

My Opinion:
What Hamza Kashgari did is not a crime, and we live in the twenty first century under the principles of human's rights declarations which accept our freedom of speech and beliefs. Only three comments lead a 23 years old young man to death? that is not fair. It is like the middle ages era. I think, it is not the first time, and it will not be the last time, Saudi Arabia violate human's rights principle and nobody is doing anything against him, because he is wealthy and feeding components with oil.  

Too many kids are breathing second smoke in cars

Author: Lindsey Tanner

Name : Jungwon Moon

Title of article : Too many kids are breathing second smoke in cars

Publication : TIME

Date of article : Feb. 08 .12

Short Summary :

The number of middle and school students who are exposed to smoke in the car is increasing. According to a report from government researchers, most students were exposed to second hand smoke are or two days. It has been reducing until at 2000, but students and our kids are facing risks.

Issues that you can fine

-          What do you think about secondhand smoke in cars?

-          If your children exposure secondhand smoke, What will you do?

-          What is yiur opinion about smoking in public, private places?

Your opinion

             It is rude behavior to smoke in the car which has kids in there, because children’s lungs are weak compare to adult’s lungs. And secondhand smoke is more dangerous than firsthand smoke.

weblog #4

Name: Lara

Class: EAP1-A

Instructor: Tom Leverett

Title of article: Helping your parents stay out of the nursing home.

Author: Cynthia Boyd, Minnpost

Publication: The Los Angeles Times

Date of article: 2/8/2012

summary: 

There are many steps that make your parents home safer. It should be approved by an occupational therapist.  Also, provide for your parents home an emergency response system, care about their food, and do not leave them alone. Try to talk to them. You should provide them a phone with speakers to help them call you. Be careful about providing them specialize alarms, for sometimes they forget the pot on the stove for too long time.

Issues:

1- How should we take care of our  parents?

2- Do you agree with these people who send their parents to a nursing home?

3- What should we do with our parents if they get old?

Opinion:

Actually my parents have been with me all my life. I disagree with some people who take their parents to the home of elderly, because in my religion I learn that you should take care of your parents. Indeed, they take care of you when you were a child until  you grow up. All we know older require attention they are in need of affection. So  if  you take care about your parents that what will happen with you if you get old.

Hazhar Amin- # 3- Saudi Arabia reneges on allowing women to participate in Olympics

Author: Katerina Nikolas
Title of Article: Saudi Arabia reneges on allowing women to participate in Olympics
Publication: Digital Journal Contribute
Date of Article: Feb 19, 2012

Short Summary:

Saudi Arabia broke the International Olympic Committe's Charter, when it refused to allow women to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games. Although, Saudi Arabia promised several times  that it would allow women participate in these Games, it still violating women's right to participate in these games. Human Rights Watch asked Saudi Arabia to lift this ban on women, There is a campaign asking for "No women no play", but the Saudi Arabia did not changed his decision. 

Issues:

1-Why did Saudi Arabia exclude of women and girls from exercise and sports? Is there any scientific research that discovered that women in Saudi Arabia must not practice exercise because they do not need it?
2- What should the women do in Saudi Arabia about their rights?
3- How can the International Community affect on Saudi Arabia Decision makers to change their mindes and let women practice their rights including sports?


My Opinion:
 Saudi Arabia has a long record of violating human's rights including women's rights. It is the Nomad culture and the Islamic vision about women's rights  that is dominant in Saudi Arabia, so it is not easy for the decision makers in Saudi Arabia to change their minds about women's right to participate in the international Olympic games.

Weblog#4 Fahad Alolayan

Auther:
Nancy Shute
Title of article:
Skip The Spoon: Babies May Eat Better When They Feed Themselves.
Publication:
National Public Radio
Date of article:
2 / 8 / 2012
Short summary:
As a traditional way, babies eat by using spoons. But babies might get more benefits if they feed themselves. A new study provides that the spoon-fed children are more likely to be obese. According to the article, eight of the 63 spoon-fed children in that study became obese, while non of the 63 self-feeding children were.
Issues I can find:
- Do you think that there are any bad effects on children from using spoons or forks instead of using their hands?
- Do you think that this study might apply to adults?
My opinion:
In my opinion, children should feed themselves by using their own hands. In fact, all people should do that, too. That's because people have a natural ability in their hands. That's what scientists call it, "Carbohydrates." Carbohydrates help people to digest the food they eat. In short, eating food by using our hands is healthier than eating by using some materials such as spoons, forks, etc.

Weblog#4 Sean

Title of article: Taiwan's online stores accept Union Pay

Author: Xin Hua           

Publication: China Daily.com

Date of article: 02/09, 2012

Short summary:

     China's biggest credit card company announced Taiwan's online shops can take their cards. It means the China Union Pay card owners are able to purchase from Taiwan by internet. The online payment services would enhance efficiency. The customers can order tickets and hotels to plan their traveling to Taiwan. It also improves Taiwan's economic situation.

Issues:

     How many benefits can the China Union Pay owners have?

     Should other Taiwanese stores accept the CUP card?

     How many consumers would like shopping online to gat Taiwanese products?

     Should Taiwan's economic system keep relying on China?

Opinion:

     Taiwan's government has relied on China too much. Actually, China's government tends to release their friendship, for they try to use an economic lever to push Taiwan to accept uniting. In fact, we have a sound economic system. It is not necessary to rely on China, even though they can provide the immense amount of consumption. Taiwan should find a new way to develop its economic direction in case China tries to force Taiwan to be merged in the future.

Exercise Increasingly Recommended By Doctors, CDC

Author 

Catharine Paddock PhD

Title of article

Exercise Increasingly Recommended By Doctors, CDC

Publication

MNT

Date of article

11 Feb 2012

Short summary (2-5 sentences, NO COPYING)

The article explains that from 2000 to 2010 there is increasing of the percentage of recommendations of doctors in the US to begin and continue exercise or physical activity between for different age groups, ethnic groups such as Hispanic adults and patients who have chronic health conditions such as diabetes or overweight. The research shows that the exercise and physical activity are related with heath benefits, and they reduce the risk of chronic heath conditions and dependence on medication. Because of the research’s result, the medical community cares to increase the exercise and physical activity.

Issues that you can find

1-      What is your opinion about this study?

2-      If your doctor advised you to begin some exercises, would you follow his advice?

3-       Do you have time to do exercises?

4-      According to the article’s result, are you interested in beginning the exercise?

5-      What are reasons people don’t exercise?

6-      How can we get someone we love to exercise?

Your opinion (2-5 sentences)

 I think that this study is very interesting. I believe that the exercise is very important for human’s health, because it increases the blood flow across the tissues of his body; it aids in the development of healthy tissue. For me, I am very busy in my job; therefore, I don’t have time to do any exercises. Therefore, I try to go to the market by walking or go to recreation center to do some exercises on holiday days.