My Current Readings #10

An article relevant to Minnesota, found on www.kare11.com titled Fire-safe Cigarettes Become Law in Minnesota," written by Jeffrey DeMars. Almost taken 20 years to pass a law which was finally passed and will come into play this Monday. The law requires any cigarette sold in the state to be fire safe, which means if it is left unattended it will go out by itself. Old stories being on this topic include a cigarette left in an apartment resulting in an apartment fire killing a man and leaving tons homeless. I think that this law is such a good one. So for any of those who are smoking will no longer be responsible for fires, because smoking is doing enough damage to oneself on it's own but being able to enlight in flames and put harm to more people is even more dangerous and should be stopped and now that it is the risk of fire hazards and unwanted sparks are much fewer. This may also reduce others using the abandoned cigarette and then getting addicted to it at that time. This law has been bond to be put into legislation and now that it is the world should follow this trend so many places can be safer.

My Current Readings #9

Article found on www.people.com written by Jesse Curti is titled "Akon Sounds Off on Michael Jackson and Barack Obama. Akon got the chance to meet Michael Jackson, he says that they clicked instantly. Akon considers himself as a huge fan of Michael Jackson's and says he knows a ton about him, as well as Michael Jackson saying that he is a fan of Akon's as well. Akon was surprised by how humble and smart Mr. Jackson was. Akon also got the pleasure to do some work with New Kids on the Block, which he says was an honor. He loved the guys. He was stunned by the drive this group had and how they had the ability to sell out an arena when they haven't put out a record in almost 20 years! Personally i think it is such a great thing for musicians to get the chance to collaborate and work with other musicians. It gives them a variety as well as a new friend thats interested in such similar things. Also i think that working with other musicians could easily blow up to be a huge hit and the two musicians together could put out something new that all their fans would be fond of because its the music they like and more than just one talented person making the song. 

My Current Readings #8

On the website Msnbc.com another appalling article is thrown at us, written by Betsy Taylor, The name of the article "Mom: Verdict is Repudiation of Cyberbullies." A young girl, 13 years old to be exact is the victim of cyberbulling. At age 13 she committed suicide due to a MySpace message from a fictitious boy "dumping her" and telling her "The world would be a better place without you." Charges have been pressed against the boy who messed with this young girl over MySpace. The mother of Megan (the 13 year old girl) is going to continue to speak live and offer help to everyone so parents and children, young and old are very aware of the cruel things happening through the internet and to innocent children. This scenario is one not to be forgotten. Megan deserved nothing close to what she encountered and now the boys will be punished. Hearing this absolutely tears my heart in two. To know that an internet site that is frequently being used to chat with friends is also being used to torture and terrorize anyone that falls for someone's fictional messages. This is unacceptable to say the very least. MySpace either needs to be completely redone and made with all privacy no restrictions or discontinued all together. We need the children of our world to be safe and not feel so violated and hated when they shouldn't have to. Keep our hearts, minds and ears open to this very topic and keep our world more safe.

My Current Readings #7

This bad news article was found on Msnbc.com written by Associated Press it named "More Rains Feared as Death Toll Rises in Brazil." Brazil is having very rough times right now enduring the weather. Already, at least 100 have died, 19 are missing and 78,000 fled flooding, mudslides. These people who have died are all due to storms, Mudslides being the biggest killer of all with floods killing the others. People all over Southern Brazil are being forced to shelter with whomever they can, including relatives, friends, whether its in churches, schools or other public buildings they're there. The earth, still being saturated with water can easily result in what again would be a tragedy. The forecast is saying more rain is a possibility, which can mean more mudslides. So many weather-related disasters are happening and have the extreme possibility of occurring too. If we look back to Hurricane Katrina, the sadness and hopelessness for that city, we have to turn these attitudes we hold around. Doing so will result in full pride to try and help all cities and places with these horrible disasters, we can help so we should. Extra thoughts for everybody out in Brazil right now and other disaster attack places.

My Current Readings #6

An interesting article found on Wcco.com, by Jason DeRusha titled "Good Question: Can Our Pets Catch Our Colds?" Have you ever thought about this? When you're not feeling up to par, how are your pets feeling? Karen Greene, home with the mother of all head colds (quoted) seems to believe that her part spaniel and part beagle Finnegan is experiencing a runny nose, sneezing, and being a little lethargic. Coincidentally, Greene and her dog sneezed at the same time during this week, which provoked her for answers. She found that viruses that affect humans stay with humans and ones that affect animals stay with animals. Overall it really is very rare for viruses to be spread from a human to an animal. As well as we do, animals also have times of year that they get sick, timing is everything. Personally i have never put two and two together. When i am sick and at home i do snuggle with my dogs but i never tend to think "what if i am getting my dogs sick?" Luckily to find that this assumption is false, neither myself or any of us have anything to worry about. So when your sick, be with your animals all you want, especially if they make you feel better!

My Current Readings #5

An article from Wcco.com by an unknown author is titled "Good Question: Does the '5-Second Rule' Work?" It is thoroughly discussed in this article that the '5-second rule' does not work. Turns out this dainty rule is an urban legend. Researchers found that once food or any kind of substance, including salmonella, food shreds etc. were dropped and kept on the ground, any ground- that the bacteria survived for a good 28 days. This is just one thing proven that once you drop a piece of your food on the ground it is definitely already been introduced to another food (bacteria) on the ground that you would then put into your mouth if following the '5-second rule.' Another researcher tested this 5 second theory by dropping slices of bologna and bread on the ground for five seconds gathered somewhere between 150 and 8,000 bacteria. And after a minute the slices collected about ten times more than that from the first few seconds. This is repulsive and now clear to us how much more dirty our floors are than we anticipate. Just because our foods are being introduced to bacteria once they hit the floor it doesn't necessarily mean its harmful bacteria because everyday our bodies are fighting off bacteria and usually winning. A rule to follow - "When in doubt, throw it out."

My Current Readings #4

This article found on Wcco.com, written by the associated press is called "FDA Sets Safe Level For Infant Formula Contaminant." Children are getting ill and/or dying because of some baby formula. The formula including these two products - Melamine and Cyanuric acid, is bound to make a baby ill or face death. The problem that's being had with these baby formula's is that it is not unhealthy to have one of the products in the formula, but to have both of these products mixed together going into one baby's system is dangerous. China shows a high rate of illness and death for babies and that is being led back to the formulas they're feeding their babies. To me this seems like a new problem we are facing and one that has to be solved as soon as possible. Previously baby formula's seemed very straight forward and healthy, now all of a sudden we are running into mixing problems and illness for our young ones. This is dangerous and unnecessary. We need to stick to the original formula. Cut and dry, no "ifs, ands or buts." This is a huge case that could start to flourish all the baby formulas. This needs to be fixed now. Make sure to stick to American baby formula's, especially right now.

My Current Readings #3

Kare11.com has so much to offer. The good news and the bad. Good news for today is that a missing Pequot Lakes woman was found safely. Melissa Headlee, 36 year old had been missing for more than a week. The last place that she was seen was on November Seventh, she was leaving work. Melissa was found by a police officer and taken to North Memorial Medical Center where she is now. The police were lucky enough to track her cash card usage, from many different states to find her, and be aware that she is still alive. Good news for Melissa and her family today! I want to write a letter to Melissa.      Dear Melissa, the day that you were noted as missing, what was your main focus? How am i going to get home? When will i be home? What are my family and friends thinking? To me it seems like there would be countless questions going through your mind. Where were you for this time? Did you choose to leave without telling anyone? Did you feel that was a strong and logical way to fix something? I want to know what made you leave, or if you didn't have a chose, and you were taken. All that i have to say now is that i am so happy you were found and found safely. I'm sure many aching hearts are so pleased with this news. From, Kelly. 

My Current Readings #2

My reading today was found on kare11.com and the name of this article is "Police say Fridley star football player shot by friend." Written by Renee Tessman. An 18 year old, Emmanuel Bartuoh was a football star, being asked by division one schools to play. It was a Friday night, before 7:30 that he was shot. He was at his cousins house watching high school football when his friend showed up with a gun. This friend directed the gun at the little kids and Emmanuel told him to put it down, his friend pulled the trigger and shot Emmanuel in the chest. This friend stayed at the scene and admitted to his shooting, he was crying, saying he wasn't aware there was a bullet in his gun. Emmanuel's sister couldn't believe her eyes. She's so torn up about this she doesn't know right from left. The friend is in the Anoka County Jail and is to be charged with second degree manslaughter. I have extra thoughts for this family this week, suffering a dear loved one's death for no real reason. If I were a part of Emmanuel's family I would question this "Friend" of his until he couldn't handle it anymore. If he didn't know there was a bullet in it, why would he be pointing the gun in the first place? Just to be scary? This accident brings so many questions and emotions. Best wishes for Emmanuel Bartuoh's family.

Q2- My Current Readings #1

This is an article called "Frantic volunteers rush Haiti School ruins," by David Mattingly. A regular Friday, celebrating the school's birthday. In Petionville, Haiti. There were around 700 people on school grounds on this day. Around 10:00 AM the school collapsed. An estimated number of 250 people were inside when this disaster occurred. Teachers and their 20 some students bodies have been found inside a classroom. Although several children were pulled out alive on Saturday. Praying parents and relatives have stayed by the rescue efforts side. Cameras are being put into crooks and nannies of the collapsed school in search for any life. To me, this screams nightmares. The fact that a place children of all ages attend daily aren't being updated or checked on their strength and structure is frightening. In my opinion schools need to be regularly updated and checked for structure strength and/or improvement. School needs to be safe and secure. We can't have schools falling apart anywhere. This accident has made me completely aware that most schools have been around for large amounts of time and they do need to be checked. This includes schools everywhere.