Feb 09
For many young people, listening to music while walking down the street has become a pretty common practice. Thousands of students on college campuses, as well as high school and middle school students, can be seen bopping about to their iPods or mp3 players. However, there is a major issue coming out of this new …
Feb 06
Khalil, a six year old in first grade, attends elementary school in Southeast D.C. We just finished reading The Little Engine That Could, and began discussing what it means to overcome obstacles and believe in oneself. Khalil is one of the sweetest kids I know, with overwhelming positivity and optimism for the future. He always …
Feb 03
Prosecuting human trafficking offenders in the United States is a difficult task at best as public policy does not always support the criminal justice system. Over the past ten years the United States implemented strong public policy measures to address human trafficking and implemented sentencing guidelines to punish traffickers. Prosecution is what I would call …
Feb 01
We observe our environment through all of our senses. Right now, as I feel the keys on my keyboard fall under the pressure of my fingers, I also watch the screen as the letters appear in front of me. I can hear the faint noise of the cars passing outside, and taste the spearmint gum …
Feb 01
The United States has enacted numerous laws that protect its citizen’s right to choose. People may disagree with another’s choice, but that does not matter because they still have rights. The Freedom of Religion, for example, allows Americans to worship whichever God they choose, disbarring any repercussions. Imagine if, as an American, you were only …
Jan 30
Phillip Parker grew up in Tennessee with a loving family and a supportive group of friends. He was upbeat and energetic throughout most of his childhood, and was respected by many. He was also openly gay. Unfortunately, with his confidence in being out of the closet came the consequence of bullying. To a number of …
Jan 30
College tuition has been a critical issue with students across the United States, especially as costs continue to skyrocket every year. However, President Obama recently outlined a series of changes that he felt are necessary to help keep college tuition costs from getting any higher. According to the president, higher education is an extraordinarily important …
Jan 27
Renewable energy, the wave of the future, right? Yes and no. What if I told you that I think we should curb production of renewable resource technology such as wind turbines and solar panels? Most people would think I’m crazy even environmentally irresponsible. However, I have an alternative to the immediate deployment of our current …
Jan 25
According to a recent article in the Daily Journal of Commerce, Oregon has been knocked from its top ranking position as leader in green design projects. Surely this loss comes as a mighty blow to the state known for its environmental friendliness. Apparently granola eating and tree hugging are no longer viable qualifications to “count” …
Jan 23
As a chocolate aficionado, I can safely say that I consume chocolate on an almost daily basis. The sweet treat is something that I always have stashed in my backpack or purse, and it always leaves me with a smile on my face. However, I was surprised to learn that there is a sad and …
