Are you ready for the big internet crunch?

Some estimate that by September 2011 the last large batches of addresses will be issued, meaning that months after that date there will be no new addresses available. The internet will begin running out of "IP addresses", the unique code used to provide access to the internet. Soon the internet will not be the ever expanding thing as we saw it before. This will make it harder for new devices to be able to connect to the internet, or create new websites. I feel that we had to have known that eventually this would happen. It shouldn't really be such a shock with all of the websites and PC devices out there so far. More and more technologies are coming out each year.
Are you ready for the big internet crunch?

Florida officials hope oil spill fears won't keep tourists away

Florida fears that the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will scare off tourists in Panama City. Dan Rowe of the Panama City Visitors' Bureau says that he has been getting calls from people whom frequently visit Panama City, they are wondering about the conditions of the water and if it will be safe to travel there. Tourism is the largest industry in Panama City. "We'll get through the oil spill," Rowe said. "There's no oil on Panama City Beach or any of the beaches in northwest Florida."
I personally hope that the oil spill doesnt reach the beaches of Florida. It wouldnt be good for the economy there and it is the place that I will be vacationing this summer.
Florida officials hope oil spill fears won't keep tourists away.

Iraq says it detained al-Qaida militant suspected of plotting attack on World Cup

Iraqi security forces now have a militiant in custody, this militia was created to attack at the World Cup next month in South Africa. A officer in the Saudi army has been said to be the "brain" behind this terriost act. It is said that he is also suspected of committing several attacks in the capital or Iraq and else where in the country. In Iraq, attacks blamed on al-Qaida have continued despite the killing last month of the group's two top figures in a U.S.-assisted military operation. The South African police say that they have not been notified of any arrests made.
Iraq says it detained al-Qaida militant suspected of plotting attack on World Cup

Getting a leg up on alcohol scofflaws

Hennepin County has now introduced a new device which will help stop alcohol offenders stop drinking and committing crimes involving alcohol. This device is called a transdermal alcohol detector, it detects alcohol in sweat. Although there have been some false calls due to perfume or other alcohol based products this has already caught 16 people who were not supposed to consume. When the device detects alcohol it sends a signal to police alerting them at which point the person is brought it and must undergo a breathalizer test. This is also used as a house arrest anclet and alerts the workhouse if the person leaves there house or attempts to take it off.
Getting a leg up on alcohol scofflaws

Pope: Sex abuse scandal 'terrifying'

Pope Benedict XVI spoke out on the sex abuse scandal saying that the reality of it is "terrifying." Hundreds of people came out and said that they were sexually abused by priests or other catholic authorities. I believe that this is rediculous, these are supposed to be people that you can trust. I wouldnt be able to trust anyone who has been accused of these horrible things.
Pope: Sex abuse scandal 'terrifying'

Jobs and Welfare; Boosting the Minimum.

Minimum wage is set up to ensure that people are making enough money to live off of. Although this isnt always true, people don't always have enough hours at their jobs to get the money they need to survive. Many people in the U.S. today have to get on welfare because the jobs we provide don't provide enough hours at these jobs. They think that the amount they pay us is efficient but again the hours we are getting aren't efficient enough. Outsourcing is also affecting the jobs us Americans have. A lot of Americans are suportive of protectionism to save jobs in the U.S.

I believe that minnimum wage should be increased in the U.S., it has become a very contriversal topic mainly due to outsourcing and globalization. Many of our jobs are being taken oversea's so you'd think the government would be able to pay the people doing jobs over here more. It seems that our governtment is becoming very cheap, they arent the one's who have to actually live off of minimum wage so it doesnt effect them as bad. Barack Obama believes that minimum wage should be raised.

Issue #1

Issue #3

U.S airlines cancels Europe flights

There will be no flights between Europe and the U.S for the next couple days due to ash in the sky. This is all due to a volcano eruptions in Iceland on Tuesday. The volcano has already erupted twice and the skies arent clear enough for planes to travel safely between the two countries. A total of 21 flights were cancelled in and out of the U.K.
U.S airlines cancels Europe flights

mexico drug cartels extend reach in U.S.

The availibility of drugs in the United States is increasing, due to drug cartels from Mexico and increasing abuse of prescription drugs. "The trafficking and abuse of drugs affects everyone," said Michael T. Walther, director of the Justice Department's National Drug Intelligence Center, which produced the report. "The economic cost alone is estimated at nearly $215 billion annually." They've also stepped up cooperation with U.S. street and prison gangs for distribution. I feel that we should be alot more careful when letting people in from Mexico and other countries, we should check baggage and use drug dogs and such to make sure drugs arent being let in.
mexico drug cartels extend reach in U.S

medical marijuana users risk job loss.

In Michigan Joseph Casias was fired from Walmart after failing a drug test for marijuana. Joseph has a rare form of cancer which invaded is nasel cavity and brain so his doctor prescribed him medical marijuana to relieve the daily pain. He states that he never went to work high but of course it would be in his system because its medically prescribed to him. I dont think that its right that they could fire him for that when his doctor tod him he needed the marijuana to relieve his pain. It doesnt seem fair, but then again if someone else who didnt have a prescription failed a drug test they would be fired.
medical marijuana users risk job loss

Health Care Blog

I don't think its fair that everyone has to have healthcare and if you don't you'll be fined for it. Not everyone can afford to have health care, if we do it this way a lot more people will be on medical assistance and the government will have to pay more. Which will make taxes increase for the wealthier Americans. I'm not saying I'm against this bill but some of the parts of the bill don't seem fair to everyone. It's good that our government has finally somewhat come to an agreement on what to do with the healthcare bill, although not everyone really agrees on everything in the bill.

Drunk, high dad leaves baby in oven overnight, police say

A Kentucky man high on marijuanna and drunk off of a fifth of whiskey but his 5-week-old son in the oven and left him there overnight. The oven wasnt turned on and the door was left open a bit, says police. The babies mother fell asleep after taking 4 or 5 shots of whiskey and was awoken, at 5:30 the next morning, by her babies cries coming from the oven. A mental health care provider reported this after the man called. He called immediatly after he realized what he had done. He was arrested on the charge of first degree endangerment and is being held on a bail of $10,000. The baby was taken from the mothers custody and placed in care of a family member.
I feel that he pretty much got what he deserved. I also think that the baby should have been taken away from the family if he is in danger of this happening again. Although the mother was sleeping she should still be somewhat responsible for drinking with a baby so young in the house.
Drunk, high dad leaves baby in oven overnight, police say

At least 39 killed in Pakistan bombings

There were 2 suicide bombings in Pakistan last week, one in Lahore and the other in Pakistani City. So far there have been 39 deaths from these bombings, including 5 Pakinstani soldiers. Seven of the dead were security personnel, and two were a mother and daughter on their way to school. At least 95 other people were injured. The attack was in response to U.S. aggression against Muslims around the world. It doesnt make sense to be that they would do suicide bombings in Pakistan to "get back" at the U.S for our supposed "aggression towards Muslims around the world."
At least 39 killed in Pakistan bombings

Graduates Rally for Embattled School

Graduates of the school in Rhode Island, where all the teachers were fired, came to the campus on Tuesday evening to fight for the teachers and to tell president Obama to not bash their school. Obama weighed in last week, endorsing the actions of the local board. "Our kids get only one chance at an education and we need to get it right," the president said. I feel that this was a drastic action which was taken but like Obama says you only get the chance of education once.
Graduates Rally for Embattled School

All teachers fired at Rhode Island school

The school board in Rhode Island decided on firing all teachers at a struggling Rhode Island high school. They were all fired because the school board felt that the teachers werent spending enough time with students to improve test scores. A teachers union spokesman said that this is "drastic." I also agree that this is very drastic, all of the teachers should have been evaluated because I'm sure it wasnt all of the teachers werent neglecting the children.
All teachers fired at Rhode Island school

Issue #3- Social Insecurity

Social Security today is soon going to be spending more then we are taking in, President Bush has proposed many options to fix this one being private investment accounts. Many feel that dramatic changes need to be made to keep our government strong. The Social Security system is going bankrupt and making our economy very weak, if it is not overhauled we will run into very large issues including cutting benefits for everyone except for those Americans who really need it. Some Americans believe that the system remains strong and that future short falls can be avertede. These supporters say that we can make some small changes to fix these problems by raising the caps on earning that can be taxed and also gradually raising the retirenment age.

I believe that we will need to make dramatic change to fix this because if we dont we will become a weak country. We need to start doing things to fix our issues now, if we wait too long it will be too late to fix this. We will fall in to debt and more then likely wont be able to get out. Joe Biden has the same view on this issue that I do, here is an article showing this. We need to make changes such as raising taxes and raising the retirement age gradually. Although I see how some people could say we might make it with just small changes but with these little changes I dont see how this could do alot. This is a tough topic in todays society, by the time I am old enough to get social security there wont be any funds left.

Issue #1

Issue #2

Jaycee's Journal

Jaycee Dugard was held captive for 18 years, Jaycee was kidnapped when she was 11 years old from the street in front of her house in South Lake Tahoe, California and wasnt found until she was 29 years old about 120 miles away. Jaycee mothered 2 daughters, both her abductors. She grew up in a fort in the backyard of Phillip Garrido's house. While in captivity she wrote a journal, in this journal she wrote about how she yearned for freedom. She wrote of how she wanted to just tell Phillip that she wanted freedom but she wasnt sure how to tell him. She was strong throught the years and raised her daughters to the best of her ability. She is now safely with her family, although there where abouts are being kept a secret I'm sure she is more happy with them then she ever was in Phillip Garrido's backyard prison.
Jaycee's journal

'Millennium bomber' sentance overturned

Today the 'Millenium bombers' 22 year sentance for an attempted bombing of the Los Angeles Airport in 1999 was overturned so prosecuers could seek out a longer sentance for the crime. It was proved that a lower court did not use federal sentancing guidlines when giving Ahmed Ressam the 22 year prison sentance.The federal guidelines indicate that he should have received 65 years to life in prison according to the U.S. attorney's office. In my view this is the lower courts fault because they should have followed the federal sentancing guidlines. The judge who handed out the original sentance should get some sort of disiplinary action taken towards him for handed out the wrong sentance.
Millenium bomber sentance overturned

3 Teens, 4 year-old Among Victims in Virginia Shooting

Eight people were killed Tuesday night in Virginia, among them were 3 teens and a 4 year-old. On Wednesday a man named Christopher Speight, 39. The next morning after a night long man hunt Christopher turned himself in peacefully. The police have not yet disclosed a relationship or motives for these murders. Christopher is being held without bond at the Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Lynchburg, Virginia, after being charged with a single count of first degree murder, police said, adding that further charges are pending. On Wednesday a search of the house turned up explosive devices, it is said that Christopher may have lived in the house with the eight people whom he killed but it hasnt been proven. This is a scary thing, if it was random and he had no motive then it shows that we have some crazy people living in this world.
3 teens, 4 year-old among victims in Virginia shooting