8/22

     Within the United States, we have numerous serious problems that should really be resolved. Some of these have existed for a long time, and others maybe developed more recently. I feel there is plenty that could be improved for the benefit of our country as a whole.
     Currently, the healthcare ideas that are being brought up are not the best. They are trying to provide ObamaCare to a lot of people, and it really isn't an efficient plan. If they want to offer a government assisted health care it should be modeled after somewhere like Canada, and it should remain optional because people should always have the right to choose their medical needs.
     Also, taxes are something that people often complain about. Should the rich have to pay more money than the lower-class, or is that unfair? I believe that it should be done on a percent scale because it wouldn't be fair to hold different classes to the same standard.
     In addition to that, our nation's debt is out of control. Someone needs to seriously be monitoring the amount of money spent by our country and what it is used on. There is too much funding for unnecessary things, and it is ridiculous that our government would put us in that situation.
     In conclusion, there are lots of things to think about and I know not everything can be resolved. However, I think as a whole our country could do better than the state we are in right now.

8/21

http://www.popsugar.com.au/fitness/Why-Celebrities-Doing-ASL-Ice-Bucket-Challenge-35517430

http://www.bing.com/news/search?q=ASL+Ice+Bucket+Challenge&qpvt=asl+ice+bucket+challenge&FORM=EWRE

1- I think the ASL ice bucket challenge is a good thing because a lot of money has been raised as well as awareness for what it is.
2- I feel that it has been very effective overall. I mean obviously some people who are pouring water over their heads have not donated, but the amount of wealthy people that have donated has made it worth it. It would definitely be better if everyone donated, not just the people who don't accept the challenge. However, if everyone had to donate it might not have become as popular as it did.

8/20

1) This article is about the U.S. cooperate taxes and whether they are too high or unfairly utilized. Heather Bresh, the CEO of Mylan pharmaceuticals and the daughter of WV Senator Joe Manchin, recently took advantage of an international loop hole called inversion. Inversion is a tactic in which a company will invest or purchase a smaller foreign company to take advantage of the lower foreign cooperate tax rate compared to the typical U.S. cooperate tax rate.


2) The main general purpose of taxes is to raise money or generate revenue.


3) I feel that people who make a lot more money should have to pay more taxes, because they can afford to. It wouldn't really be fair to make everyone pay the same amount considering what would literally make one person broke would not affect a wealthier person's finances at all. If they have that much money they should want to support the country to a certain extent, as long as they aren't wasting and taking advantage of the money they take/

8/19

1)  I feel that one mistake was saying that they would release the name of the officer involved in shooting on Tuesday, but then decide not to. You can't tell a group of people one thing to settle them down, and then change your mind. It made the situation worse. Also, the city of Ferguson asked them to protest only during the daytime. You have the right to protest peacefully, without any time restrictions. The protests were already violent, but telling the ones that were being peaceful that they couldn't protest when they wanted just went against the rights of the people.

2)  Excessive force is when you use unnecessary violence or force just so things are easier. I do believe excessive force was used in the Brown shooting. I don't see where you would need to shoot someone six times, unless you wanted to make sure they were dead. The excessive force was probably just to avoid survival so that he could not testify.

3)  I think would bring in upper authorities and stop letting the Ferguson police handle the protests. There is obviously some major tension there. I would let the Ferguson police focus on things that they usually would. Also, I would just continue the investigation of the Brown shooting. I would also make a public announcement about how these violent protests are stopping young children from getting an education, because that is causing more of a problem.

Dear Courtney (self),

     Within my high school year I hope to accomplish many goals that I have set forth for myself. For example, I would like to do well in my classes and graduate high school with a good GPA that allows me to go to a college of my choice. I need to apply for scholarships and stay involved in school and the extracurricular activities that we have here. As of now, I plan on being accepted into West Virginia University to study psychology, and in order to do that I should try my very best in the psychology class I am in this year. It is an opportunity to learn a lot and also prepare myself for what I could potentially spend my life doing. I want to learn as much as I can, so that the passion I have built up for psychology and helping others will grow tremendously.
     Next year, I see myself in a dorm at WVU finally being able to fulfill my dreams of studying what I love. I cannot wait to be there, as well as move on to the next chapter of my life. There are so many experiences I have yet to have and people that I will soon meet. I am quite excited for that. I am ready for any and all opportunities that college has to offer to me.
    Lastly, I hope my expectations between now and then don't change. I want to continue striving for greatness as I do now.
                                                            Sincerely,
                                                                    Courtney Nuzum