Lobbying Against the Energy Act Policy (AntiFracking)

Energy Policy Act 2005

I’m choosing this Act primarily because of the fact that water isn’t something that can be taken in vain even for a second, and if the people of the world do not have any water that is clean enough to drink, the people of the world will die. Money is not greater then the lives of the Earth, and to many members of our government, that is very much the case.


My Local Reps

John Myers, District 201, PA House (D)

Shirley M. Kitchen, District 3, PA Senate (D)

Chaka Fattah, US House (D)


Video Outline

The video I’m creating is simple. It talks about fracking from the presidents perspective, then it talks about how other politicians feel about it. After that, it goes into entertainment which shows some of the effects of fracking, giving information about how to make their voices heard and showing some of the ways people have protested it.


Act History

Introduced by Rep. Joe Barton on April 18, 2005

  • Represents Texas and is very much a Texasman
  • Republican and very Conservative 

Passed by House on April 21, 2005 (249 - 183)

Passed by Senate on June 28, 2005 (85 - 12)

Signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 8, 2005


Links

http://www.keystonepolitics.com/2011/10/republicans-divided-on-fracking-impact-fee/

http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050808-6.html

https://docs.google.com/a/scienceleadership.org/viewer?url=http://www.doi.gov/pam/EnergyPolicyAct2005.pdf

http://joebarton.house.gov/Default.aspx

¿Qué Tíempo Hace? (What's the weather like?)

You are in Mexico on vacation but you need to know what the weather is going to be like in order to plan your clothing ahead of time for the week you'll be there.... Here is a simple way to learn these spanish weather words and phrases.
Here are my partner's (Thomas) lessons
Screen Shot 2011-10-28 at 8.34.08 AM
Screen Shot 2011-10-28 at 8.34.08 AM

Lobbying for Stem Cell Research - Biello

Stem Cells have been being researched and studied since 1908, when Russian histologist Alexander Maksimov proposed stem cells for scientific use. Up until this day, there is much controversy surrounding stem cell research and it is a heated ethical debate. Although, there are many types of stem cells, including (but not limited too) ; amniotic, adult, and fetal. But, most of the controversy surrounds embryonic stem cells. Research on these specific stem cells is controversial because of the creation, using, and destruction of human embryos. 
Stem Cells

I'm lobbying for more funding and support towards embryonic stem cell research due to the medical breakthroughs that can come as a result of more research. I understand that there are some cons, but the pros definitely outweigh them. There is a plethora of diseases that stem cells can potentially fix including: 
"Parkinson’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
Heart Diseases, Stroke and Diabetes (Type 1)
Birth Defects
Spinal Cord Injuries
Replace or Repair Damaged Organs" (http://bit.ly/2Bgbu9) 
Embryonic stem cell


Among many more solutions/cures. The biggest con to stem cell research however is that a human embryo must be destroyed to work with the most beneficial stem cell - the embryonic stem cell. However, this is being tackled in many different ways. There are some stem cell researches working around the controversy by discovering and creating techniques of isolating stem cells that are as beneficial as embryonic stem cells, but a human embryo doesn't have to be used or destroyed. Also, many parents can actually donate their unused embryos towards stem cell research after going through In vitro fertilisation (IVF). 

Now that the controversy has been resolved, why not support stem cell research 100%? I was interested in stem cell research and lobbying FOR it because I thought it was interesting that something so beneficial to the future of medical science was being kept mostly in the dark because of controversy and heated ethical debate. In my head, I knew there had to be some way to get around the controversy, and there actually is. Making the public aware of the cons and how they've BEEN addressed already is important - to get rid of controversy, in order for stem cell research to get the ball really rolling. 

One of the main supporters of stem cell research is actually Pennsylvanian Republican Arlene Specter. Along with Iowa Democrat, Tom Harkin. In 2009, these two offered a Senate bill that would allow federal funding for stem cell research using stem cells of human embryos "left over from fertility treatments". Pretty much, taking what was going to be wasted anyways, and using it for something good - for a potential medical breakthrough. 

There are also major opponents of stem cell research. One of the largest members of opposition for stem cell research was President George W. Bush during his terms as president. In 2001, Bush restricted gov't funding to certain stem cell lines and threatened to veto at any expansion. Bush has stated that he thinks it is immoral to "experiment on or destroy human embryos". 

Over the years however, things have changed for the better. President Obama has overturned Bush's stem cell policy and created his own, which is more in favor of funding for stem cell research. There is more federal funding provided to stem cell research now, with less restriction to the once banned - 60 cell lines. However, Obama has put in some guidelines to make sure that human cloning does not become a possibility. 

Overall, the pros outweigh the cons. There have been many ways to tackle the cons in an efficient way and I believe the continuation of stem cell research should last for as long as possible under the future policies. I would not like to see the federal funding cut as it was just recently opened under President Obama. Stem cells have the power to potential change so much of medical science, saving and curing thousands and thousands of people. All, stem cell research needs is full support and a constant supply of federal funding to make these medical breakthroughs of the future something even closer than we imagined.



Obama turn over - http://bit.ly/heuDFZ

Opposition - http://bit.ly/nLEPPN


Debate - http://bit.ly/raTw91

Support for Stem Cell Research - http://reut.rs/mjFlwM

Stem Cell Controv. Wiki - http://bit.ly/oGUUiZ

More debate - TIME - http://ti.me/5khCZ9

IVF explanation - http://bit.ly/9J2rZc

pros/cons - http://bit.ly/2Bgbu9 

Blog post #2: Curfew Representative

MinorityBizSanchez*280
MinorityBizSanchez*280
I am still against curfew, I'm represented by Maria D. Quinones-Sanchez from the 7th district. She represents the 7th district, she is known as the first Latina to serve in the Philadelphia city council. I am going to figure out her thoughts on my lobbying topic, curfew. She was born November 12 in Philadelphia, PA. She is married with 2 kids. She has been in office since 2008 till 2012. She had a high of, 80% of votes November 6 of 2007. She was guaranteed a 4 year term. There are many things that she is known for she is a member of multiple committees. Such as;
Education
Ethics
Appropriations
and many more
She is also chair committee of license and inspections. She is involved with so much especially when it comes o the public she is involved in such as
Housing and Homeless
Labor and Civil Service
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Public Health and Human Services
She is involved with many things especially if ti involves the public.
In the past "Cyber Action" has completely disagreed with the curfew law that was set. This group in particular is basically setting a goal making sure everyone in the community is trying to get the council members to not agree with the law at stake about curfew. It seems as though council woman Maria D. Quinones-Sanchez was agreeing with the law that was being made about curfew. I believe that she is for the curfews and that she is not about to stand down in any way to make the curfew law, out. The city council states that the voting recently had been 15-1 meaning only one person voted against the curfew law. "It’s a bad bill,” Blackwell said. “It won’t work.”

It's ironic how she is Latina and I am also. Yet I feel we have nothing in common. I noticed she had done some pretty outstanding things in her time such as; focus on education throughout the city, focus on crime and public safety etc; her accomplishments are in a way similar to my community service. I help around the neighborhood and volunteer at the PSPCA. We both have a connection where we both interact with the community in a positive way.
A little more about Maria D. Quinones-Sanchez:
- She is from the 7th district
-  The youngest in city council
-  Known for her reduced crime rates
-  Known for her increase in economic opportunity
-  Known for outstanding achievements
-  Made history November 2007 by having 80% of votes and being Latina

Small Talk With Big Words en Espanol!

Basic conversation questions in the Spanish language.

 

 

In order to hold a basic conversation with someone in Spanish, you need to know the following questions:

 

In English

En Español

Hello, how are you?

¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?

What is the weather like?

¿Qué tiempo hace?

Where are you from?

¿De dónde eres tú?

What time is it?

¿Qué hora es?

How is it going?

 

¿Qué pasa?

 

 

Here are some audio flashcards en Español to help you practice! 



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Now that you can ask basic questions in real life, you are ready to go hold conversations en Español! Here is a video of a girl, Jenna, talking to a guy, Júan In Spanish!

Greetings

Greetings My Friends; 

Normally you don’t just walk up to people and start talking to them, randomly out of the blue. You need to approach and greet them before starting an all out conversation. There are multiple ways to greet somebody in the Spanish speaking language. Look through the FIRST set of flash cards and listen to the pronunciation of the words until you get the hang of it!

**Starting to get the hang of it? Now lets move on to the second part of our greetings! Usually the question "How are you doing?" follows shortly after hello is said. To ask "How are you doing" or "How are you" use the phrase, "Como estas?" Study the second set of flash cards until you get the hang out it, be sure to listen to the pronunciation of each word. 


**Now that you've got it, watch this video clip of two strangers talking while they wait at the bus stop!**

How To Talk Respectfully en Espanol

The difference between respect and disrespect en Español!

 

To tell the difference between a respectful and a relaxed attitude in Spanish, you need to know the difference between two Spanish terms:

Tú, and Usted (Ud.) While these words both mean you in English, in Spanish Tú is a relaxed form of the term, while Usted is used when talking to a superior, or someone that you respect.

 

Here are some digital flash cards en Español to help you practice:



Now that you know the difference between Tú and Usted, you can use these terms in real life! Here is a video of a boy, Carlos, greeting his principle in Spanish!