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Independents in National Elections
2007-10-18 13:53:00
It is extremely difficult for an independent to run for a national office in America. Getting on a ballot or participating in a debate takes money, resources, and political clout unavailable to candidates that do not identify with the two major parties. Extensive state and national regulations are often insurmountable hurtles for would be candidates. Many think these regulations are essential to keep voters' options legitimate, while others contend that the rules narrow our political spectrum and limit voter choice.
More About: Elections , National , Independents , Epen , Dependent

The Science of Stress
2007-10-17 17:15:00
Stress is a large factor in both psychological and physical health. More than ever, doctors are emphasizing the importance and methods of managing stress. As awareness of the problem grows, research grants have been given to universities around the country to better understand the causes and long term effects of stress.
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Food in Schools
2007-10-16 16:28:00
The quality of food in school cafeterias has become a hot topic. Health concerns are fueling a movement to serve more nutritious food to public school students. While the debates are taking place at the municipal level, the trend is clearly national. Everyone agrees that nutritional diets are important, but with school budgets stretched, many contend that extra money needs to fund more teachers and newer facilities.
More About: Food , Schools

The Elders
2007-10-16 07:32:00
The Elders is an international action committee made up of retired statesmen and influential activists. The Elders consist of 12 members including Nelson Mandela and Jimmy Carter, and aim to solve humanitarian crises without the political limitations of national allegiance. Admirers applaud The Elders' initiative to take on unsurmountable global issues. Critics question whether an organization with such lofty goals can be effective without governmental resources and note that personal agendas could easily motivate the actions of the group.
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Engineering Our Planet
2007-10-14 17:25:00
While the international community focuses on emissions and alternative energy, another option has attracted attention. Some experts believe that with geo-engineering, humans can solve environmental challenges by physically modifying the planet. Corporations, engineers, and scientists have started to implement technical solutions, but many are dubious of the inherent risk in manipulating the natural environment.
More About: Engineering , Planet , Erin

Entrepreneurship in America
2007-10-12 12:49:00
Entrepreneurial spirit is at the core of America n ideals. The idea that the lone man struggling away in his basement might be the next Edison or that the franchise owner might be the next Carnegie sits deep in the American psyche. What is it about America that has made it so uniquely entrepreneurial, and what role does this spirit play in a country's economy and culture?
More About: Entrepreneurship , Rene

Solar Energy
2007-10-12 10:05:00
For decades the dream of solar power has been promised to homeowners and Environmentalists as a cheap and abundant power supply that can help save the planet. The technology and costs are finally improving, but solar power is still a rarity. Will this energy revolution arrive as expected, or are we still just one step away?
More About: Energy , Solar , Solar energy

The Politics of Genocide
2007-10-11 16:57:00
The Armenian genocide bill has created a domestic and international controversy. Most agree that acknowledgment is crucial, but our relationship with Turkey is particularly important for operations in the middle east-70% of our Iraq military supplies go through Turkish air space and bases. Turkey is vocal about the bill, recalling its US ambassador for "consultation." The politics of genocide do not just influence diplomacy, but have ignited a free speech outcry. For countries like France and Germany, where it is illegal to deny the holocaust, the speech laws have been passionately supported and adamantly denounced.
More About: Politics , Genocide , Cide , Politic

The Celebrity Obsession
2007-10-10 17:44:00
Celebrities have become more famous for stardom than their actual talents. Fans now prefer news of celebrity life to career developments. Jennifer Aniston's love troubles and Britney's custody battles are amongst the most read headlines in major publications. Celebrity gossip is one of society's most guilty pleasures, but what does this fascination say about our culture?
More About: Obsession

Marijuana, States' Rights, and Legalization
2007-10-09 17:59:00
Although our federalist system allows states to draft and enforce their own laws, the decriminalization of marijuana has started to test the autonomy of state legislators. Referendums in numerous states have legalized marijuana for medical use and demoted possession to a misdemeanor. Meanwhile the federal government continues to persecute users and growers, instigating a debate between the power of states' rights and the federal government.
More About: Rights , Marijuana , States

Music Industry
2007-10-08 16:46:00
The music industry is in dire straits. Even as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) continues to prosecute illegal downloaders and file sharers, revenues fall. Creating further turmoil, bands have started dealing directly with consumers. Radiohead is selling its new album at any price that fans are willing to pay and Prince gives his CD away for free. Can the music industry business to evolve around big labels, or will the industry giants adapt to the drastically changing environment?
More About: Music , Music I

Columbus Day
2007-10-07 17:49:00
When Columbus sailed across the ocean in 1492, the expedition was set upon by a great storm. As his ships lay floundering he consigned the beginnings of his diary to a sealed oak cask and tossed it into the sea, certain that it would be the only record left of his travels. The notes were never found, but when Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria made landfall in the Bahamas, the history of The Americas, Europe and the wider world were irrevocably changed. With that, they set in motion the end of many a mighty native culture and the beginning of a European dominance of the globe.
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The Belgian Congo
2007-10-06 08:33:00
After two decades of war and 3.8 million people dead the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains in dire striates. The UN estimates that at least 1,000 people die daily due to continued insatiability and though peace was declared in 2003 and a transitional government put in place fighting continues.
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Church & State
2007-10-06 07:48:00
Kennedy was the only Catholic President in US history. George W. Bush has quoted the bible in Congress. Romney's Mormonism is a hot topic in the 2008 election. The United State s government is constantly described as secular, but religion is an undeniably large part of American culture. To what extent do our belief systems, and the labels that characterize them, dictate the representatives that we elect? The overwhelming majority of US citizens describe themselves as religious, so if religion and politics are intimately related, why is that a bad thing?
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Torture Policy
2007-10-05 18:01:00
The US torture policy has returned to the foreground. A Justice Department memo recently surfaced that outlines the legality of various "stress positions." Administration officials stand by the statement that, "torture is abhorent" and characterize these practices as “coercive interrogation." Moral and legal debates have been rekindled, questioning the definition of torture and when, if ever, it is justified.
More About: Policy , Torture

Credit Cards
2007-10-03 17:58:00
In the last 20 years there has been a credit card revolution. A rejected application, on the basis of poor credit, has become a rare exception and savings in America is on a steady decline. Credit cards offer convenience and flexibility, but many suffer economic collapse when faced with exorbitant interest rates. Card companies are accused of baiting customers with inappropriate credit lines while many question a culture that encourages ostentatious consumption.
More About: Credit Cards , Cards

Google
2007-10-02 16:49:00
Google has accumulated power, influence, and reputation faster than any other technology company. As Google continues to acquire businesses and integrate features, it has been criticized for its privacy policies, censorship in China, and its monopoly-like acquisitions. Despite it, the Google ethos, "Don't be evil," still cements a powerful bond of trust between the company and many consumers.
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The Lottery
2007-10-01 16:57:00
Although gambling is illegal across most of the United States, 38 states benefit from government-run lotteries. Many argue that the lottery is hypocritical because it legalizes gambling to create enormous revenues for the government, and preys on the lower class. Advocates contend that participants freely choose to play the lottery and that the revenue generated helps to fund important public works such as schools and law enforcement.
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International Sanctions
2007-09-30 17:35:00
Policy makers have begun to review sanction policy in Africa, Iran, Cuba, and most recently Burma, questioning the inherent assumption that international sanctions motivate positive change. While the effects on sanctioned countries are highly visible, many governments are insulated from the imposed economic consequences of their decisions. Short of war, sanctions remain one of the strongest foreign policy options for encouraging change.
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Marketing Junk Food
2007-09-28 13:49:00
As consumers, we have obvious choices in food selection, but as a society, our public health is deteriorating. It is no secret that certain foods are detrimental to your health. Equally acknowledged is that junk food is heavily marketed, sometimes with a questionable conscience. To which side, sellers or buyers, does the accountability fall?
More About: Marketing , Food , Junk , Junk Food

The International Space Station
2007-09-28 11:49:00
Inhabited in late 2000, the International Space Station (ISS) is the first large scale example of multinational space collaboration. Since the initial media frenzy, the ISS has disappeared from the public spotlight. Despite the lack of attention, construction and experimentation continues. Many investigations are dedicated our physiological ability to live in space, which is vital if we are to continue our exploration of the universe.
More About: The International , International Space Station

Predicting Recession
2007-09-28 07:50:00
At the beginning of the year, the U.S. was enjoying stable GDP growth, low unemployment and modest inflation. Since then, the housing slowdown and rising mortgage defaults have changed the outlook. As the subprime crisis led into a general credit crunch, the Federal Reserve ultimately cut rates in order to avoid a recession. Economic forecasters still disagree on the likelihood of a recession. Not only do the techniques and variables differ between economists, but the accuracy to which a recession can even be predicted is dubious.
More About: Recession , Predict

Military Jurisdiction in Guantanamo Trials
2007-09-26 18:06:00
The status of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay has drawn considerable domestic and international controversy. Two days ago, a military appeals court ruled that the commissions can decide the "unlawful" status of enemy combatants, a power that has stalled many cases. With this latest development, the long-awaited tribunals can begin, and one can be sure that questions of legality will reemerge into public discourse.
More About: Military , Trials , Namo

International Internet Censorship
2007-09-26 16:57:00
As internet usage escalates in influential countries like Russia, China, Turkey, and Egypt, the governments have started to play a large role in the content that can be seen and created by its citizens. Internet users in these countries are facing increasingly stiff penalties for airing controversial views, and in countries with explicit free speech laws, the threat of defamation lawsuits has become a reality.
More About: International , Censorship

Peak Oil Theory
2007-09-25 18:18:00
The Peak Oil Theo ry posits that production follows a steep bell curve, and that once the world hits maximum output, available barrels a year will quickly plummet. If the theory is true, possible consequences range from minor to catastrophic, with extremists predicting a mass economic collapse. While the theory has gained traction, many economists reject the possible outcomes that it suggests, and some, the very principals on which the theory is founded.

Urban Sprawl
2007-09-23 16:01:00
Urban sprawl is the expansion of a city into urban lands, causing low density population around large cities. For decades, many have warned of its detrimental effects. Urban sprawl is linked to increased pollution and obesity, and has adverse effects on the environment. Non-interventionists argue that regulating this expansion is unnecessary and that low-density living is often preferable, and urban sprawl gives city workers a lifestyle alternative.
More About: Urban

Our Political Spectrum
2007-09-21 13:11:00
What are the policy differences between between Obama and Clinton? What about Romney and Giuliani? How radical is Ron Paul? In American politics we use the labels conservative, liberal, Republican, and Democrat and assume great differences. Compared to other democracies however, the political scope of our candidates is relatively narrow. Do Americans just agree on the range of political ideology or does our democratic system filter extremes?
More About: Political , Spectrum , Politic

Kosovo
2007-09-21 12:17:00
Nearly 10 years after the bombings and UN intervention, reconciliatory hopes between Serbia and Kosovo have faded. The Kosovars remain as dedicated to independence as the Serbs to retaining the Kosovarian territory. At The Hague, the Serbian war crime trials continue to send chilling reminders of a conflict largely forgotten. The Balkan dispute has also caused international tension. America and the EU support an independent Kosovo, while Russia sides with Serbia.

The Economics of Buying a Hybrid
2007-09-20 17:05:00
Hybrid cars are often considered the perfect match for the thrifty and environmentally conscience consumer. They save gas money, reduce pollutive emissions and ease demands on strained energy sources. While these benefits are almost certainly true, the cost-benefit equation is more complicated. Many would-be buyers find that the technology premium outweighs gas savings, and others point to environmental drawbacks like battery manufacturing.
More About: Economics , Buying , Hybrid

Colony Collapse Disorder
2007-09-20 07:34:00
In October 2006, honeybees around the world began vanishing in enormous numbers. Estimates from the American apiary industry reach as high as 90%. Although seemingly inconsequential, honeybees are responsible for pollinating almonds, apples and avocados, among many other agricultural staples. The cause of this phenomenon, called Colony Coll apse Diso rder (CCD) is still unknown, despite the efforts of biologists across the globe.
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