From Our Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent The media has chosen for the most part to ignore the disastrous flooding in Louisiana because lower level, lacking in entertainment value, disasters don’t follow their news agenda guidelines. The current news coverage of the devastation pales in comparison to the 24-7 coverage of Katrina in 2005. Somehow this … Continue reading Why has the media chosen to all but ignore the recent devastating floods that have occurred in Louisiana? What does this say about the underlying motives of the American media?
Weekly Correspondents’ Forum 2016
Norway recently became the first country to “ban” deforestation. Deforestation is clearly a global issue that has many ramifications for the environment. What, if anything, can we do to slow the rate of deforestation in the US and throughout the world?
Prescott Valley, AZ Correspondent-Deforestation has been a practice in developing countries and the United States for some time, and it has impacted the environment in both positive and negative ways. Most of the ill effects of deforestation are caused by corporations, companies, and individuals wanting to extract as many valuable resources and other byproducts as … Continue reading Norway recently became the first country to “ban” deforestation. Deforestation is clearly a global issue that has many ramifications for the environment. What, if anything, can we do to slow the rate of deforestation in the US and throughout the world?
Have the Olympics outlived their purpose and usefulness? Host countries spend billions of dollars, and in the case of Brazil, have better uses for the money. For sponsors, is the investment in elite athletes a good use of money on hopes they will get their picture on a box of Wheaties?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-I am a hardcore supporter of the Olympics, and I still believe that the Games allow us to showcase what is best in us and lets countries that might be nearly in states of active war compete on a level playing field. (Much more level now that the Russians have been busted for … Continue reading Have the Olympics outlived their purpose and usefulness? Host countries spend billions of dollars, and in the case of Brazil, have better uses for the money. For sponsors, is the investment in elite athletes a good use of money on hopes they will get their picture on a box of Wheaties?
Has religion become just another big business? Is it time to end religious institutions’ tax-exempt status?
Sheffield, Jamaica Correspondent-I'm a highly religious individual. In fact, I'm so devout that I've dedicated my entire life to a course of preaching, so that people can enjoy the hope and happiness I have. Getting to know God is wonderful! Since we received everything from God, I believe that we should give freely. That includes … Continue reading Has religion become just another big business? Is it time to end religious institutions’ tax-exempt status?
Should Video-Gamers Be Considered Athletes?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-Video gamers are absolutely not athletes. A partial definition of the word athlete, from the Encarta Dictionary, is "somebody with the abilities to participate in physical exercise." (emphasis is mine) Sitting on a sofa or at a desk, manipulating a joystick or computer keyboard, can in no way be construed as physical exercise. … Continue reading Should Video-Gamers Be Considered Athletes?
Following the tragic alligator attack of a 2 year old at Walt Disney World, multiple alligators were euthanized as part of the search effort. Was this really necessary? In addition, the media has called into question Disney’s liability for the tragedy for lack of signs warning of alligators. While a tragedy, are additional signs necessary and does this set a precedent for signage at golf courses, lakes, etc? Are signs necessary to warn of snakes, spiders, etc?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-Euthanizing many alligators in search of the alligator that snatched the child was necessary on one level, but unnecessary on another. The human desire to see justice done, to understand why, to place blame, and to right a wrong dictate that the offending alligator needed to be found. Since more than one alligator … Continue reading Following the tragic alligator attack of a 2 year old at Walt Disney World, multiple alligators were euthanized as part of the search effort. Was this really necessary? In addition, the media has called into question Disney’s liability for the tragedy for lack of signs warning of alligators. While a tragedy, are additional signs necessary and does this set a precedent for signage at golf courses, lakes, etc? Are signs necessary to warn of snakes, spiders, etc?
Philadelphia became the first major city to pass a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on sugary drinks. Is this really in the best health interests of the people or is this another government tax and spend overreach? Will this realistically curb consumption of sodas?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-“Sin” taxes are nothing new. Every time a municipal, state or federal government needs to raise some fast cash, it slaps new taxes on things we feel guilty for using anyway, such as alcohol or tobacco. The voices against such increases are muted because no one wants to be seen as championing an … Continue reading Philadelphia became the first major city to pass a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on sugary drinks. Is this really in the best health interests of the people or is this another government tax and spend overreach? Will this realistically curb consumption of sodas?
Is it fair game to question the independence and objectivity of judges and jurors when political persuasion or race may prejudice their decisions or give the appearance of prejudicial their decisions?
Gastonia, NC Correspondent-We in this country spend entirely too much time looking for prejudice under every rock. Are there people in the world who are prejudiced? Yep! They’re called humans. Every single blessed one of us has prejudices. We are hardwired to have them. Humans are a tribal society, and as much as the granola-ridden … Continue reading Is it fair game to question the independence and objectivity of judges and jurors when political persuasion or race may prejudice their decisions or give the appearance of prejudicial their decisions?
Should parents of child who climbed in gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, causing Harambe to be killed, be held criminally responsible for the child’s behavior in the death of a critically endangered species?
Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL June 13, 2016 Myrtle Beach Correspondent-Let me start by saying I’m not a parent so you can take my opinion with a grain of salt. That being said this is probably not a case of a “bad mother” more-so a case of “bad-judgment” or lack of common sense. It is … Continue reading Should parents of child who climbed in gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, causing Harambe to be killed, be held criminally responsible for the child’s behavior in the death of a critically endangered species?
With the precipitous decline in bee colonies as a result of toxic chemicals/pesticides is it time to ban the use of pesticides?
Owatonna, MN Correspondent-The knee-jerk reaction is to think, “Of course we should ban the use of pesticides. They are poisonous, sometimes carcinogenic, and often harm wildlife or beneficial plants.” One of the best-known examples of successfully banning a pesticide took place in the 1970s when the World Health Organization (WHO) banned the chemical DDT in … Continue reading With the precipitous decline in bee colonies as a result of toxic chemicals/pesticides is it time to ban the use of pesticides?
