I have decided to narrow my details of smoking to the symptoms. I want to focus on the details of pain caused by these self- enduced dieseases. eveything from the nasty infections to deaths. I am still a little nervouse though because i no it will be a cha;lenge to bring all new info to the table. I thought you would be here today too Bud I was counting on some feedback so I will post another entry today giving you a few more details of my subject and maybe you can give some suggestions.

So as I have thought about how to come about a solution for people using paintball guns in the wrong way.  I can not really come up with any ideas except for my own opinion.  It seems that the only way people can help or even start to prevent this problem is to be more aware of the paintball gun, its capabilities and the injuries it can cause.  As I have looked around trying to find a solution I have found that it is just on the rise and people are debating weither it should be dealt with on legal terms or should be dealt with as a society.  

 

In this article I read I found out a lot about paintball guns and their ablities that I would have never imagined.   Like a fact I found hard to imagine is the paintballs actually can shoot up to 200-300 feet per second.  If you go threw and read this article I am sure you will find interesting and outstanding facts.

 

So like I said in my own opinion I would start by putting more information in the media about paintball guns in general. 

So as I have read some more articles I have come to realize that this has been a problem for a while but now it is on the rise.  "While aggravated assaults increased from 128 last year to 156—with 111 reported in 2004—most of the incidents accounting for this year’s rise were paintball attacks on pedestrians and motorists in which no injuries were recorded beyond bruises and welts." It is crazy in my eyes how people are getting hurt by these so called toys on a daily basis!  Like thie article I have linked you to in the beginning, is based on statistics that were posted in Dec. of 2006.  Do you think it is a matter of putting a law on these guns or a matter of kids and parents being more aware of the dangers?  

Now, many people have the question of, "how can we stop the crime?"  But in my eyes I do not think it will ever be put to a stop but the rates could  very possible be reduced.  In my opinion I think the only way to reduce this rate is to make the community more aware of the dangers behind these toys.

In this article I found some information that might be well worth reading when thinking of purchasing a paintball gun, weither you are a parent or a teen buying one.  There are some facts that could lead you to not buy one unless you are involved in the sport. Like this quote got my to say ..."wow"... "Most paintball guns shoot a 68 caliber paint pellet. The pellet is a thin plastic shell filled with a water soluble paint. Guns shoot the pellets at a speed of 200 to 300 feet per second. Since the paint pellets are fairly light (only weighing a few grams each), they have little momentum while in flight, and thus are not lethal like the heavy lead projectiles fired from conventional firearms."  As you will find out there is more power behind these toys then we could ever imagine!

 

  Did you know that cigeretes have over 4,000 chemicals, many of these are know to be harmful and cause cancers. Here are some things that they have in them bet you didn't see these coming.

  Formaldehyde, this is what is used to preserve dead bodies. Acetone, this is what takes off your nailpolish girls.Carbon Monoxide, this comes out of the exaust pipe of your car.  Hydrogen Cyanide, poison in the gas chambers.Arsenic, yup thats right rat poison, and Nicotine the most addictive substance there is according to quit- smoking stop.

  These chemicals are things we use in everyday life, but in  a very different way. I think by educating people of these truths we can help other quit too. I also think we should educate children on every aspect of smoking because after all it is the most addictive habit there is.

 I think there was some common sence to what David DiGiovanni has to say in his artical. He has a semi-realistic view on second hand smoking, with some inconciderate ideas to make me wonder, " do i need to sacrifice my health for your smoking habit?".

 The current law is you must be 30 feet away from the non- smoking building to light up, but he thinks this is wrong. His opinion is the law should be 50 feet away due to the health hazards of second hand smoke. He goes on to say how easily second hand smoke can be prevented, and that especially in the out doors you can find refuge away from the smothering smoke by distancing yourself. I say, "why should I?". I am the one who is making the choice for my health so if smoke is coming my way i will move, but I dont think I should be the one who has to. Another person chooses to smoke knowingly deadly chemicals and I am the one who is in the wrong by being within there smoke cloud.

David concradicts himself in the  end of the article saying the non-smokers need to lighten up, and get out the way. When he said earlier that the laws  should be more strict. He says himself its a health hazard, but we should just stand there and take it!?

Its just wrong in my books, and others feel the same way too thats why we have a public smoking ban.

 

Well I was reading a news article that lead me to believe that paintball and bb guns being used in the wrong way is not just happening in my home town.  This article was talking about how it is  problem in another state.  I think that this problem is spreading more and more everyday! 

"They ask us, is it safe, is there any way to get hurt, what we tell them is, if you can't trust your kid, don't get them a gun," says Scott Potter.In this article it talks about not buying your child/teen a gun like this if you do not trust them... however I think most parents trust there child/ teen so I do not think this is the matter we should address!!!!  I think that most of the incidents that have caused injuries were done by those children/teens that are "trusted"! 

You never know what your child could be planning, wanting to experience, or the influence they are getting.  So you could prepare for the worst and plan for the best... When I say prepare for the worst, I mean to warn your child/teen of the dangers behind the "toy" and the cosequences if they use it in the wrong way.   "Potter does not sell air guns to anyone under 18 and teaches responsibility to both parents and kids about owning the guns but in the end, if used properly he says they are a whole lot of fun."  This quote goes to show that he is planning ahead and does not judge each person he sells one to, he simply warns evveryone ahead of time.

Still as I continue to look around I come across more and more problems with these toys not being used in the right manner....  On this website I searched there was a girl who said “If you drive around with your gun in your car gassed up with paint in the hopper, seek professional help. I am not joking. You are a psychotic if you shoot at anyone that has not consented to playing paintball.”  

 

Which in my opinion I do not htink they need professional help the need restrictions by their parents.  Or need to be warned of the power behind them and how serious the case is if you use them in the wrong way.  You should read what else this lady had to say on this web site.  Also on this site it gives you information about how a paintball gun should really be used.

Well as I have been reseaching paintball gun and bb gun use I have come across a few questions myself.....

• Who would sale a teen a weapon?
• How should teens know the difference between out having fun and being serious?
• Why would you hold it against someone when they do not know the difference between the fun behind the gun and the danger behind the gun?

I thought to myself about these questions to help me get started onmy topic.  As I have researched I have more information about paintball guns being a issue.  It seems that they were made to be used bythe right people, at the right time, and in the right way.  A lot of what I have read is on the debate weither there should be restrictions around the guns.  In my opinon I think there should be restrictions because from my observations I see that many people are using them in the wrong way and getting held accountable for it.

In a recent incident there was a detective who mentioned that he hopes teens open their eyes on these kinds of situations and learn that they are not just toys.  More information on the website or situation were this detective was talking about, can be gathered from my teacher. 

When you begin your next speech (remember, it's due on Thursday!), I want you to get us started with a hook that will draw us into your topic in an interesting and an engaging way. Here are three types of hooks that you can use to get started:

1. Statistics. A compelling or interesting statistics about your topic is a great way to get us thinking about your issue and the impact that it has on society. For example, on the first day of class, when I was discussing your concerns about speaking to groups, I informed you that people are more scared of public speaking than they are of being dead. That, to me, is a pretty compelling statistic. This website puts it this way:

Fact: the most common phobia that Americans have is glossophobia (that is the fear of public speaking, not the fear of lip gloss). Seventy-five percent of all Americans report having a fear of public speaking, beating out fear of spiders, fear of the dark, and even fear of death. We highly doubt that people, if given the choice, would choose death over public speaking, but nonetheless, talking in front of a large group of people will turn most people's legs into jelly. We hate jelly.

Now, some have had some pretty choice things to say about statistics, and we all know that you can use a clever turn of the numbers to say just about anything that you want to say -- so be careful with the statistical information that you use -- make sure you trust the source and that your audience will trust your source, too.

2. A story or narrative about someone dealing with your issue. Often, one of the best ways that you can both connect with your audience while helping them to connect to your issue is to put a human face on what you're talking about. If you're discussing violence, maybe you want to tell the story of a victim of violence, or someone who is in jail for a mistake that they made. If you're talking about drugs, you might want to share a story about someone's experiences with the drug. A story is a great way to help us get to know your issue and how it affects people. Be careful, though, not to spend so much time on your story that you're not able to cover all of your material.

3. Quotations. starting with the words of others is fine -- so long as the words are relevant, intriguing, and properly cited. While often we look to famous people for quotes that are pithy and/or funny, you might discover the perfect quote or two in your research. If you go this route, make sure you tell us who said your quote and give us some context on the quote after you've said it.


These aren't the only three ways to begin a speech. You know your audience -- what will get us interested in what you have to say?

Here are some other recommendations for what you should do in the first five minutes of a speech. I like all of them -- but don't know if you'll be able to squeeze them into this next speech. Of course, it's never a bad idea to add them into your public speaking toolbox.

If you need a prompt for a blog post this week, go to your blog and write about the type of hook that you think you'll use for your next speech and tell us why you're going to use it.

 

This post was written originally in this space. 

 

The story of Helen Keller is the story of a normal child who, at the age of 18 months, was suddenly shut off from the world but, against overwhelming odds, waged a slow, hard but successful battle to re-enter that same world. The child grew into a highly intelligent and sensitive woman who wrote, spoke and labored incessantly for the betterment of others.

Helen was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama on June 27, 1880. However, her real life began one day in March of 1887, when she was almost seven years old. She was always to call that the most important day I can remember in my life. It was the day when Annie Sullivan, a 20-year-old graduate of the Perkins School for the Blind, came to be her teacher. They were inseparable until Annie’s death in 1936.

Even as a little girl Helen expressed a desire to go to college. In 1900, she entered Radcliffe College and graduated from there cum laude in 1904. She thus became the first deaf-blind person to graduate from college. Throughout these years, Annie Sullivan laboriously spelled books and lectures into her pupil's hand.

While still at Radcliffe, Helen Keller began the writing career, which was to continue for 50 years. In addition to The Story of My Life, she wrote 11 other books and numerous articles on blindness, deafness, social issues and women's rights.

Despite the broad range of her interests, Helen Keller never lost sight of the needs of others who were blind and deaf-blind. She was a personal friend of Dr. Peter J. Salmon, Executive Director of Helen Keller Services for the Blind (then known as the Industrial Home for the Blind) and lent her support to the establishment of what has become known as the Helen Keller National Center for the Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. She was a visitor to a number of facilities and programs operated by IHB.

In 1936, Helen Keller moved to Westport, Connecticut, where she lived until her death on June 1, 1968, at the age of 87. In his eulogy at her funeral, Senator Lister Hill said of her, "She will live on, one of the few, immortal names not born to die. Her spirit will endure as long as man can read and stories can be told of the woman who showed the world there are no boundaries to courage and faith."elen Keller is the story of a normal child who, at the age of 18 months, was suddenly shut off from the world but, against overwhelming odds, waged a slow, hard but successful battle to re-enter that same world. The child grew into a highly intelligent and sensitive woman who wrote, spoke and labored incessantly for the betterment of others.

Helen was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama on June 27, 1880. However, her real life began one day in March of 1887, when she was almost seven years old. She was always to call that the most important day I can remember in my life. It was the day when Annie Sullivan, a 20-year-old graduate of the Perkins School for the Blind, came to be her teacher. They were inseparable until Annie’s death in 1936.

Even as a little girl Helen expressed a desire to go to college. In 1900, she entered Radcliffe College and graduated from there cum laude in 1904. She thus became the first deaf-blind person to graduate from college. Throughout these years, Annie Sullivan laboriously spelled books and lectures into her pupil's hand.

While still at Radcliffe, Helen Keller began the writing career, which was to continue for 50 years. In addition to The Story of My Life, she wrote 11 other books and numerous articles on blindness, deafness, social issues and women's rights.

Despite the broad range of her interests, Helen Keller never lost sight of the needs of others who were blind and deaf-blind. She was a personal friend of Dr. Peter J. Salmon, Executive Director of Helen Keller Services for the Blind (then known as the Industrial Home for the Blind) and lent her support to the establishment of what has become known as the Helen Keller National Center for the Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. She was a visitor to a number of facilities and programs operated by IHB.

In 1936, Helen Keller moved to Westport, Connecticut, where she lived until her death on June 1, 1968, at the age of 87. In his eulogy at her funeral, Senator Lister Hill said of her, "She will live on, one of the few, immortal names not born to die. Her spirit will endure as long as man can read and stories can be told of the woman who showed the world there are no boundaries to courage and faith."

I think Helen Keller is a very good leader, considering the fact that for 18 yrs she could see and hear and then getting sick took that way from her and she was still able to learn to read and write. Because of her and the woman that taught her to have faith in life again, there has been many foundations formed for the blind and hearing impaired. 

I was going threw and researching well actually jsut trying to find some infrmation on drug dealing.  I I found this article that is coming directly from a drug dealer and it has his story.  There is not to much infrmation about actually drug dealing in his article but it is still interesting!  You should check it out at http://www.fims.uwo.ca/olr/feb2504/drugdealer

 Many people have different opinions on why people deal drugs... I found an article of a bunch of different comments from different people(kind of like a blog) stating why they think people deal drugs.  You may not agree with what some of them say or you may agree with everything they say, but either way it is still interesting to hear other peoples ideas so check it out at http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/A9530967

 

  The "Tank Man" was a man but some say he was a teenager that was shopping becuase some say that he was carring shopping bag sin his hand.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tank_man

  I really didn' find that much about the "Tank Man" all that I found was he was a man or a teen that stood for what he thought was right but I'm going to search some more on the internet and ask Farly

 

We have just been told that our next speech will be based on a particular issue that we are pationate about.  Well as most know, last time I took speech class my issue was suicide and that was something I felt strongly about.  I thouhgt, for just a second,  and the first thing that came to mind was my cousin Charlie.  Him and his older brother had an issue with drugs.  I think that drugs is a very big topic and so I am not sure how to narrow it down.  I am not going to post the story of my cousin because I will share it as part of my speech.  But the  issue they had ws dealing drugs,  So I think I want to research how kids get interacted with drugs in hte first place and what we can do to prevent it.   Let me know if this is a good start or if you have any better ideas for me!?! 

Well my first speech has been given and I think I did pretty good, at least I hope.  I did come prepared with a lot to say, but once I get up there I some how forget all the great ideas and things I had planned to say.  I just get up there and want to get it over with so I rush through it.  But I would have to say after being up there for a few minutes this time I realized that no matter what I had to give the speech so instead of tensing up and making it look like I am a nervous wreck... I should just do my best so I put off a good impression.  I really felt a lot more confident after this speech for some reason.  

 

    For those who have not gone yet I just want to let you know that everyone has good ideas out there and you should not feel scared or ashamed to be up there talking about somehting you are pationate abbout..... GOOD LUCK! 

Well we have statrted speech class and our first assignment is to bring in an object that is special to us.  There are a lot of personal things that I could bring in but I am having a hard time deciding on what to bring in.  Last year when I was in sppech class i had this same speech to do.  I brought in pictures of my dad and his family, when we went to Disney Land.  This was really special to me because my dad and I have not had a close reltionship in the past and on our trip we got to come close together.  People seemed interested in my topic so my goal is to bring in something else that will catch my audience attention.  

I am thinking that I want to bing in a ring that my grandma gave me or something like that, I also have a tatoo that I got for a particular reason and think that the story behind that would be interesting.  Like I said I do have many things I could bring just having a hard time deciding on what to bring...  So if you have any ideas let me know!   

For me I think writing is always a learning experience, I have never been a fan of writing, though coming to this class with Bud, I have found that it’s not so hard. Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t like it but it’s easier for me to write a paper. I have always wanted to be a good writer, but it’s not something that everyone can be good at. I always try to write my best but find that I am always fixing my writing. Aren’t you allowed to make mistakes? I do all the time. Writing is something that I chose not to make a hobby, I rather read a book and talk about it then write a paper. I have never really liked writing; It doesn’t appeal to me to sit down and write about a person or my life story. I love to read about people and the things that they say and the stories that they tell. I don’t like writing. I will still always make sure that when I do write that my papers are always “Perfect” to me and its always my best work.             I started writing when I was in the fifth grade. My school was doing a contest for opera tickets and I wanted them so bad. We were to write an essay on any topic of our liking and I chose to write about why I want the tickets. I wrote about 2 ½ pages about why I thought I should have them. I told them about how much I have always wanted to go to a musical, how I would love to take my Grandma to it because she loved the Phantom of the Opera. I also explained how I have never wrote anything like this before and I am glad that I get to try something new. It was the role of the dice. The moment of truth. Would I win? Heck yeah I won the tickets, out of the whole fifth grade (Which I was very proud of myself for) and all the good papers that were written by the students. I felt like a superhero saving the day. I wasn’t happy that I beat all the kids (I was at first). I was happy that my writing was the best and everyone got a chance to see it. My teachers, family, and friends were very proud of me. I think I was most proud that I told myself that I couldn’t do it and I did so well that I won.             I have been writing since then, I really started respecting writing when I joined Writing and Comp;I have been in my Film and Comp classes a lot and with his Writing and Comp class, I think just being in there is an experience for me. I learned how to write an essay, as well as many kinds of papers. It’s hard for me to write them. For example, I was watching a movie called Gattaca and we were assigned to write an essay about how we think he is a hero and if any how religion tied into the movie. I wrote my essay and let me tell you, it sucked. I wrote a rough draft and a final, I even revised it and thought I did so well that when I got my paper back I got the lowest grade possible. I had a hard time with the grade I got because I like doing things right and good and I thought I did really well and I didn’t. Another reason is because I worked so hard on my paper that it made me feel like I failed and did a horrible job. I was never mad at my teachers for giving the grade that they did and was never mad at the reason for it either because my teacher sat down with me and gave me idea’s for my paper and helped me out with some of the hard spots, like how to put a sentence together, grammar, things that didn’t need to be in there. I went back and wrote my paper the best that I could and I received a high B for it. I was so proud at myself for writing a good paper and getting a very good grade for it.             From fifth grade to high school, I have come a long way with writing and liking it. Fifth grade I would write because I had to of course, but it was easier for me because it was very basic, easy, sometimes it was fun. Going through school and coming up to now I really didn’t like it, it was very hard for me and I would give up. I have always had trouble writing anything. I never thought I could use my brain hard enough to have confidence to write really well. I fell in love with books and decided that I am a reader and good listener then a writer and loud speaker.(For speeches).   I came here for high school, and to my surprise I had to write a paper almost everyday. I would struggle so much to get the right and perfect paper and every time I would always have to change and re-write and fix. I think the big lesson for me was I learned to rough draft and plan my papers. I learned to word my sentences better and know how to put paragraphs together. I learned how to write for myself and learned that I can always make it a positive thing to do, like when I am having a rough day and am upset with a person I can write my feeling in a journal and keep my secrets all to myself. I can write a really good reader’s response paper. Plus what I have to write about isn’t boring and I enjoy the topics that I am given to write about. I learned not to be bored with writing.  Good writing doesn’t mean that you only do it when you are going to win something or get something but because you get the feeling of accomplishment and success. I will always be proud of the papers that I write. I have learned that good writing isn’t just the paper that you write to turn in for a grade but it can also be the paper of a  letter that you write to your friends, family, the card you send to somebody, the art that you draw onto paper. I never really respected writing to tell the truth but I started when I came to OldeColumbineHigh School.  Writing is an adventure for a lot of people. Most doubt themselves but I do try to do my best. I might not always get the best grade, but I always get an “A” for effort and just trying makes my feel good about my writing. Now I love to write, letters, stories, in a journal, and anywhere that I can. Love writing because you can always have fun and learn from it

Welcome to this Elgg installation.