Final blog of the year

I will blog this time on a different book. The other day at half price books I bought a collection of short stories by Kurt Vonnegut. I have so far read about half of them and I have two favorites. The first one is about a couple that pretends to be extremely wealthy and interested in buying large estates and than spend their vacation taking in the luxuries of them. The other one is about when the USA sent the first man into space he found that it was occupied by ghosts. I found both stories to be very enjoyable and thought provoking. They both aged very well.

Outside reading blog #4

Well it is time for the exciting finish. As expected the final showdown took place at the White House. But it went down different than I expected. I thought that she would never even get to the President but she did. What Happened is that he came in and stopped her from killing the President and killer her and everyone lived happily ever after. In the end I really enjoyed this book. Ludlum is a great writer it is to bad that he is dead. It is a easy read and it is very engaging and hard to put down. I would recomend this book as well as The Bourne Trilogy, Matlock Paper and The Materese Circle.

Blog 4

There has been a huge twist in the novel. Hawthorne's lover is actually the international terrorist that is going to kill the president. This adds a whole new dimension to the novel. It will help fuel Hawthorn because of rage. A thing that I find very annoying in the novel is how Robert Ludlum can just kill anybody he wants to. In the last chapter he has just killed off five prominent people in Washington and I don't think that that is very realistic. The novel now is coming to it's exciting conclusion. It should be very interesting.

BLog 3

For this blog I am going to talk about the setting. The novel opens up in the Caribbean. Robert Ludlum works hard to express the beauty of the region. he spends a lot of time talking about the nature involved weather it being about the ocean or the palm trees. He also builds in little stories about the region the shows the he knows what he is talking about and it also keeps you engaged. He also draws on the Italian herritage which he frequently uses is many of his books like the materese Circle for example.

Outside reading BLOG N#MBER 2

The book has gotten very, very interesting. we have just learned of the plot by the Palestinian terrorist to assassinate the president of the United States of America. This sadly though is very cliche and unimaginative to kill the president. As Ludlum does well is he does a great job creating troubled but lovable characters(I.E. Jason Bourne). Now there will be a big race between the aasin and the main character to see who will be able to exicute their plan first. And of course the hero will win. this is my perdiction for the rest of the book.

Scorpio illusion

For the outside reading this quarter i am reading the Scorpio Illusion by Robert Ludlum. The main character in the book is Captain Tyrell(Ty for short) Hawthorn who is a former agent in the central intelligence agency. Captain Hawthorn is a very complex character. They are trying to draw him back into the military but he is very reluctant to do so because his wife was murdered because he was a spy. He is very withdrawn from society and is a very nervous twitchy man. But as in all Ludlum novels( the author if the Bourne trilogy) his characters are like action heroes.

State mourns three slain Oakland police officers

I read the article "State mourns three slain Oakland police officers". I found it on the Los Angles times website. Here is a link. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oakland-police-shooting22-2009mar22,0,7435617.story

This article was about the police shooting this weekend in Oakland California. The incident left three police officers dead. One is critical wounded at the moment. The shooter was Lovelle Mixon a parole who violated his patrol and had an arrest warrant for him. I think that this is very sad because it is always bad when cops get killed. I hope that the reason for this gets explained more because it is not very clear at the moment.

LaGanga, Maria. "State mourns three slain Oakland police officers." LA Times. 22 March 2009. Los Angles Times. 22 Mar 2009 .

Los Angeles priest celebrates 90th birthday by giving away $15,000 to Skid Row homeless

I read the article Los Angeles priest celebrates 90th birthday by giving away $15,000 to Skid Row homeless. I found it on the Star Tribune website. Here is a link. http://www.startribune.com/nation/41402692.html?elr=KArks:DCiUMEaPc:UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

This is about a Catholic Priest, Father Maurice Chase, who on is 90th birthday which was on St. Patricks day gave out 15,000 dollers to the homeless people on the street. He obviously had a great love for all the people there today. Also every Sunday he gives money to people there also. People said their are very greatful for this man. This man has done a great thing for the people their because above all things he made them feel loved which is a great thing.

Hoag, CHRISTINA. "Los Angeles priest celebrates 90th birthday by giving away $15,000 to Skid Row homeless." Star Tribune. 17 March 2009. Star Tribune. 17 Mar 2009 .

Peace Corps suspends Madagascar program, evacuates volunteers due to political unrest

I read the article Peace Corps suspends Madagascar program, evacuates volunteers due to political unrest. I found this on the Star Tribune Website. Here is a link. http://www.startribune.com/nation/41324792.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBcy7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

In Madagascar the Peace Corps are pulling out their workers because of tensions in the region. The State department recently also issued a travel warning for people travailing to Madagascar. I guess that it is not like the movie at all, Ha, HA. This is important because it fuels tensions in other parts of the world. I hope they get this figured out and the area stabilizes.


"Peace Corps suspends Madagascar program, evacuates volunteers due to political unrest." Star Tribune. 16 March 2009. Star Tribune. 16 Mar 2009 .

North Korea allows stranded South Koreans workers across border amid tensions

I read the article North Korea allows stranded South Koreans workers across border amid tensions. I found this on the star tribune website. Here is a link.
http://www.startribune.com/world/40956867.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBcy7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

This article was about dispute the recent conflict between North and South Korea, North Korea allows The South Koreans in their country to go back to their country. I think that this could quickly trigger war and that could escalate into another world war because of the system of alliances that both countries have. I believe that war would destroy this country even firthur because they would probably institute the draft.

Lee, Jean. "North Korea allows stranded South Koreans workers across border amid tensions." Star Tribune. 10 March 2009. Star Tribune. 10 Mar 2009 .

TODAY celebrates St. Patrick's Day in Ireland

I read the article TODAY celebrates St. Patrick's Day in Ireland. I found it on NBC's website. Here is a link.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29602164/

This article was about how the Today show is going to be broadcasting from Dublin Ireland this St. Patrick's Day. For reasons I can't explain I find this to be pretty cool. They will be doing the show from their for two days. The Today show is widly viewed and I think this could potentionally draw alot of viewers. So I would you all to watch the today show on St. Partock's Day.

"TODAY celebrates St. Patrick's Day in Ireland." MSNBC. 09 March 2009. MSNBC. 10 Mar 2009 .

Culture clash: Kashmiri militant takes on Bollywood

I read the article Culture clash: Kashmiri militant takes on Bollywood. I found this on The Guardians web site. Here is a link.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/24/andrabi-kashmiri-bollywood-portrayal

This article is about a court battle between two women one a Muslim militant and one a bollywood star. The militant, Asiya Andrabi, is suing Bipasha Basu because she thinks she is being portraied baddly in her upcoming film. I think this is very interesting because she is right. You should have to sell your rights for them to use you in a film for sure.

Rahman, Maseeh. "Culture clash: Kashmiri militant takes on Bollywood." Guardian. 24 January 2009. Guardian. 1 Mar 2009 .

Vatican says Holocaust-denying bishop's apology not enough for entry as prelate into church

I read the article Vatican says Holocaust-denying bishop's apology not enough for entry as prelate into church. I found this article on the Star Tribune web site. Here is a link.
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/40417742.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DU2EPaL_V_9E7ODiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

The article talked about how one of the churches bishops who had just been reinstated back into the church made the comment the basically the holocaust did not happen. The bishop still stays true to his remark and may be charged for the crime by German authorities. I think that this is very sad because it is documented that this tragedy did in fact happen there are numerous acounts,astories documents and so one that prove this. What goes through my mind is WHAT ARE YOU THINKING. It is just one of many black marks on the Catholic church. It will be interesting to see what happens next.

"Vatican says Holocaust-denying bishop's apology not enough for entry as prelate into church." Star Tribune. 1 March 2009. Star Tribune. 1 Mar 2009 .

Is 1-mile bike path worth $9.2 million?

I read the article Is 1-mile bike path worth $9.2 million? I found it on the Star Tribune web site.
Here is a link. http://www.startribune.com/local/40034742.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr

I found this article to be very interesting because it is at the heart of the issues at this time of recession. There is a plan to put in an 9.2 million dollar bike path in Minneapolis. The main problem people have with thuis is that many people feel that they could make it for far less. Many people feel that at this time of recession the money could be better spent elsewhere like on bridges, roads and in our education system. Personally I agree. I feel that shure a bike path would be great but not at this time of hardship in our country. So I believe that it should not be made.

Louwagie , Pam . "Whistleblower: Is 1-mile bike path worth $9.2 million?." Star Tribune. February 21, 2009 . Star Tribune. 22 Feb 2009 .

Homework isn't done? It's OK at Hazel Park

I read an article that directly relates to hope. It is called Homework isn't done? It's OK at Hazel Park. I found it at the star Tribune Web Site. Here is a link.
http://www.startribune.com/local/stpaul/39647447.html?elr=KArks:DCiUoaW_eEO7UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

I found this article very interesting because I feel that me personally it would benefit me a lot.
At a middle school in St. Paul they are trying an new system of teaching called standards Based Grading. so instead of handing out letter grades on assignments and tests the are graded on how wall they understand the material through tests. They are trying this to try to improve their test scores. Our Elementary Schools have been using this method for a couple of years. Quote from our director of teaching and learning, We just want to have an accurate indication of where students are in the learning process," said Jenni Norlin-Weaver director of teaching and learning for the district. "I'd love to get away from the idea of a report card. I'd love to think about a continuous process in which parents, students and teachers have a great sense of how the student is progressing." Me personally I am a Great test taker it is an aspect of school that i Excel at and I don't enjoy of put much effort into homework so the homework effects me negatively so this would be an improvement. It would be interesting to see if it would work in high school because college admissions are based a lot on GPA. It would mean admission would be based more on standardised tests.

Johns, Emily. "Homework isn't done? It's OK at Hazel Park." Star Tribune. February 16, 2009. Star Tribune. 17 Feb 2009 .

Some wonder if recent, highly controversial decisions by Pope Benedict are part of a disturbing pattern

I read the article on star Tribune website called Some wonder if recent, highly controversial decisions by Pope Benedict are part of a disturbing pattern. Here is a link.
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/39693942.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DU2EPaL_V_9E7ODiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr

The aritcle was about a current scandle in the Roman Catholic Church concernig the excommunitcation of several Austrian Bishops. One even said that the Holocaust did not happen. I think that this is very interesting because it puts the Church in a bad position. It remindes me of Dan Browns book Angels and Demons which had a similar theme to this article.

DONADIO , RACHEL. "Some wonder if recent, highly controversial decisions by Pope Benedict are part of a disturbing pattern." Star Tribune. February 16, 2009 . Star Tribune. 17 Feb 2009 .

Gender Roles And Gender Bias Identified In Holding Back Women Scientists

I read the article "Gender Roles And Gender Bias Identified In Holding Back Women Scientists" at science daly.com. here is a link. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071119100310.htm#

This article was about a study by European Molecular Biology Organization found that women were having harder times becoming scientists. Because women are mothers many feel that they should stay haome and raise the family. In Nectar in a sieve women in India must stay haome and serve their husband and their families. they did not really have much personal freedom. But white women in India had much more rights hence the doctor they meet that was wearing trousers.

European Molecular Biology Organization. "Gender Roles And Gender Bias Identified In Holding Back Women Scientists#." ScienceDaily 19 November 2007. 11 February 2009 .

Former Iranian president to run against Ahmadinejad

I read the article called Former Iranian president to run against Ahmadinejad. I found this on Star Tribune web site. Here is a link http://www.startribune.com/world/39291677.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBcy7hUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU

It was about how the president of Iran is going to be challenged in an upcoming election. I found this very interesting because we are having forign affairs troubles with the current regime in Iran. this article says that the challenger is more moderate which would be better for the united states.

DARAGAHI, BORZOU . "Former Iranian president to run against Ahmadinejad." Star Tribune. 8 Febuary 2009. Star Tribune. 8 Feb 2009 .

A lost daughter, but a new life

I read an article on the Star Tribune web site, called A lost daughter, but a new life. Here is a link to the article. http://www.startribune.com/local/west/39265742.html?page=2&c=y



This article was about a young pregnant women who died in a car accident but they were able to operate and save the baby. I found this to be a moving and powerful story. In todays news their are rarly any good news that come out of the press. It is all negative news. I found this story refreshing because it was a positive story.

Estrada, Heron. "A lost daughter, but a new life." Star Tribune. 8 Febuary 2009. Star Tribune. 8 Feb 2009 .

No Reports of Damage From 4.5-Magnitude Seattle Earthquake

I read an article called "No Reports of Damage From 4.5-Magnitude Seattle Earthquake". I found it on Fox News.com here is a link to the article. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485619,00.html

On Friday there was a 4.5 magnitude earthquake near Seattle. So far they believe that know one was hurt. Many people called in to radio and TV stations ans said that the were shaking from 10 to 15 seconds. Some felt the earthquake 71 miles away. My parents were in a earthquake once in Las Vegas and they thought they were going to die.

"No Reports of Damage From 4.5-Magnitude Seattle Earthquake." Fox News. 30 January 2009. Fox. 8 Feb 2009 .