Nicole+Lamastra

**11/1/10 - The Iraq War**
This article discussed the Iraq War and the "leak of secret information" that WikiLeaks just released. Supposedly, WikiLeaks released almost 400,000 classified military documents which showed that the U.S. was involved in the torturing and killing of citizens of Iraq. These documents cover the years from 2004-early 2009. They include reports of U.S. soldiers witnessing abuse and firing on Iraqis. There are also 15,000 unreported deaths featured in the reports, which bring the total Iraqi deaths to 100,000. Many people, including Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell, are suspicious and believe that this was "politically motivated." Th Washington Post agrees with that statement, calling the release "reckless" and states that WikiLeaks "has done tangible harm." They also say that this just confirms what was reported previously. In my opinion, this WikiLeaks release seems to be taking place at the wrong time. The Iraq War is just about over, and now all of a sudden there are reports coming out stating "secret information" about the war. This makes me feel like there is a hidden motive behind this and they are probably stretching the truth, whether it is for political reasons or something else. I agree with Victor Davis Hanson of the National Review Online, who says that the head of WikiLeaks "has arrogantly appointed himself judge and jury of U.S. troops, who performed admirably-if not perfectly-under incredibly difficult circumstances." This was an extremely tough time for the soldiers in Iraq, and I believe that the U.S. should be supporting the troops and congratulating their work, not speculating about their actions during the war.

**10/7/10 - Student Goes On Shooting Spree**
This shooting spree took place in Austin, Texas, where a "quiet math major with excellent grades pulled on a dark ski mask," and therefore began shooting at the University of Texas with an assault rifle. This student, Colton Tooley, was called brilliant and respectful by others. Most of the time you hear about these shootings that happen at schools, and those students are described exactly like Tooley was. Many of the quiet and shy students end up becoming this type of person because of pressure, bullying, or family problems. There always tends to be deeper emotional feelings that steer students into doing something drastic, like a school shooting. I also believe it is partially the family's fault for not keeping an eye on Tooley as well as they should have. It is their responsibility to raise their child and sense when something is wrong, and they failed at doing so.

9/24/10 - Teen Banned from U.S.
In this article, a U.K. teen (Luke Angel) was banned from the U.S. for life after writing an "abusive email" to President Obama. It shocks me knowing that while in America, U.S. citizens are talking bad about him freely and without discipline. Because this country is a democracy, we have Freedom of Speech, and we can literally say whatever we want to. Therefore, it just doesn't seem right when a 17 year old kid is all of a sudden banned from entering this country because of an email he wrote to the President. Of course there are no specific details about what the kid said, other than it was written after watching a documentary on 9/11, and also calling the president "a prick." If Angel had written about a possible terrorist attack on the U.S., then I would be able to understand how they wanted to make sure he never came here. In the article Angel states, "I don't really care." But if he was upset about not ever entering the country, in my opinion, I think there should be a trial.


 * P Well thught out and backed up with info**


 * C- Make sure you always back up the info with factual information**

**9/15/10 - New York City, Miracle Landing**
After reading about the suicidal man surviving from a 40 story fall while trying to end his life, I feel that this man should be happy about his second chance at life. I believe that the woman who's car was damaged is being extremely overdramatic. I think that she should be happy that the man survived and would continue to live his life. Also, the woman's car was only worth $14,000, which makes the woman's reaction even more dramatic and unnessecary. She should be grateful that this man got a second chance at life, instead of worrying about her Dodge Charger. Although that man was trying to kill himself (but failed), I think that he is still at fault for the damage to the car and should pay for the fees in order to fix it.