North Korea wants to go to War

“Korean War Part 2?” written by Choe Sang-Hun is about North Korea probably starting a war. North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un threatens to launch nuclear bombs.

The article has facts. One fact that stood out was that Kim Jong Un and the former basketball player Dennis Rodman were friends. This is surprising because why would he want to hurt us if he is such good friends with Dennis Rodman.

I think the whole North Korea war is a cry for attention.  They probably just want food and some of the things South Korea is able to get. All North Korea leader wants to do is talk to President Obama. I think he wants to talk to ask for these things. Really make amends and for his country to truly open up to everyone.

North Korea is a poor country and is without many of the weapons The U.S. has, so I doubt if they really would like to go to war with the U.S. Rodman is stated saying Kim said “I don’t want to do war.” But with his actions and statements it seems like something totally different.

I can connect this with their earlier attacks against the U.S. like in 2006 and in 2010. Those attacks were also for attention and to show that they could actually so something. This is what Kim Jong Un wants to do, follow in his grandfather and father footsteps.

The Raising of Minimum Wage

"Time for a Raise,” written by Patricia Smith is about if minimum wage should go up. President Obama feels minimum wage should go up to $9 an hour.

The article has facts. Obama feel minimum wage should go up simultaneously to when inflation go up. Others oppose that the $9 an hour minimum wage is going to make it expensive to hire workers. Obama also want people to be able to have extra money in their pocket.

I think the raising of minimum wage would be a good idea. When I start to work I will be able to make more money than I would have been making.

I understand why Obama wants to raise the minimum wage. People are living off of paycheck to paycheck just to make it by. Once they get their paycheck they aren’t even able to buy themselves or children something because they only have enough to pay bills.

But I also understand the position of the owners. Now that they have to give bigger paychecks, they can’t hire as many people. Or if they do decide to hire more people hours are going to start getting shorter.

Things are only getting more expensive, that means less and less money in people pockets.

I can connect this with a story I have read. The children could barely eat because their mom only had enough money to pay the bills. She was never really home with her kids because she works two jobs. So if minimum wage went up not only would they mom be able to eat and pay the bills but she would also have some time to be with her kids.

Elephants Near Extinct

“Slaughter of the African Elephants,” written by Samantha Strindberg and Fiona Maisels is about elephants being killed for their tusks. It points out China and other countries in the Far East pay lots of money just to have these ivory trinkets in their household.

The article has facts. Evidence that elephants are now becoming extinct. It’s bad that elephants are becoming extinct because they play a huge role in the eco system. Elephants provide water for other species by digging water holes in dry riverbeds. Elephants also provide food for birds by disturbing small insects and reptiles while walking through high grass.

This topic is important. It changed my perspective on elephants, because I didn’t know they played such a big role in the Africa ecosystem. I don’t believe killing animals just so you can have a piece of art in your house is the right thing to do. Also, once the elephants become extinct where would China and other Far East countries get their tusks? Or will they just find another animal to kill off?

I can connect this to when people wear fur. They are killing animals just so they can be warm. We continue to kill animals for our selfish wants.

 China and other Far East countries are killing elephants just for their tusks, and other people are killing off animals just to have a little fur in their closet. You may say isn’t this the same as killing off animals to eat them? It is, but you need meat you need the protein, vitamins, and minerals that meat holds.

I don’t think it’s right to kill animals for your own personal wants and needs.

5 Month Year Old Baby Murdered

The CNN article written by Ashley Fantz "Chicago Baby Shot While Dad Changes Diaper" is about a 5 month year old baby and her father being shot. Her father survived the shooting but the baby Jonylah Watkins died the next day.

The article has quotes and facts. A quote that stood out to me was “We don’t have one individual who’s stepping up to help us,” said the police superintendent Garry McCarthy. Why isn’t anyone helping the police? To put the murderer of a 5 month year old baby behind bars? What was her father or her mother into to cause her to get shot? All these questions come to mind when I read this article and seen this quote.

This is an important topic. This topic should encourage better gun laws. To make sure guns is in the right hands. It’s sad that she could not have a life and now her mother and father got to live with the fact that the life they live got their daughter shot and killed.

It should be no reason from 2011 to 2012 there was a 15% increase. From the 448 homicides in 2011 there should have been changes. Gun laws should have gotten stricter in Chicago.

I can connect this to a shooting that happened outside of a daycare. Both articles involve kids, just in one article one got killed and in another none got hurt. The articles are similar because kids were around at both times. Children should not have to suffer because they are at the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Woman in the Army

The article written by James Dao talks about the ban being lift on woman being allowed to fight in the army. For years they have been working as nurses, intelligence officers, and military police, etc. now they can finally be allowed to be in combat. Fight side by side with men.

The evidence in the article is facts and quotes. A fact that stood out to me was women are now allowed to fight in the army. It’s good they are now allowed to fight. They deserve to have a chance if they want to fight for our country.

This topic is for good conversation.  Like are women manly enough to go out there and sacrifice themselves for our country? Will people look at the army different when women die? There would also be women are just as equal to men, and deserve to do what they want. I think it’s good they can now be in the army. They can have the same chances as men. America is finally changing.

I can connect this with when women weren’t allowed to go to school and have a job. Women for many years did not have many of the same rights as men. They were only supposed to be housewives. Now America is finally seeing that women can stand be independent and be equal to men.