Florida State Senators Argue if D.O.T. Video Should Be On Web

Florida Senator Mike Fasano argues that a video the Department Of Transportation put on the web to make viewers aware of pedestrian crosswalk dangers, is much too graphic. The video shows multiple scenes,  filmed by in car cameras or by cameras placed at intersections, of pedestrians being struck by cars as they cross the street. Some of the videos are of small collisions where the pedestrian gets up and walks off after being hit by a car. However, some portions of the video show scenes of pedestrians being hit so hard they are thrown on to the windshield and up over the car. The video is part of a safety campaign called See The Blind Spots in an effort to reduce the number of bicycle and pedestrian fatalities in Florida. The video is under scrutiny from some of the community including Senator Fasano who says the video is "truly graphic and shouldn't be seen on a state website." In my own personal opinion, I think they should keep the videos on the website if they truly want to scare people into being safe drivers. Because after seeing some of the footage they gathered it makes me think twice about flying through a crosswalk without looking for someone to walk out into the street.

P.S. As of right now you can watch the video from a link on Fox News unless they take it down soon.

Rock Fan Can Not Take The Music

After jamming out to the "US supergroup" Them Crooked Vultures, British rock music fan commits suicide. Robert McIndoe, 52 was unable to sleep for three months after seeing the group composed of: former Led Zepplin member John Paul Jones, former Foo Fighters singer Dave Grohl, and former Queens of the Stone Age member Josh Homme. He was unable to sleep not because the music had possessed him, but because the concert had left him with severe tinnitus. Tinnitus is a condition characterized by constant ringing in the ears, also sound seems to be coming from inside the body instead of from an outside source. Dr. Helen Stinson, McIndoe's psychiatrist, said that Robert McIndoe "accepted death as a side effect to stop the noise." When I first read this article I found on Fox News, I couldn't understand why this story was so important, the man was 52 years old and had no business being at a loud rock concert. As I pondered this story, I was inspired by my journalism professor, Dr. Beth Christian because she herself is a rocker. I pictured her office and how it is filled by posters and memorabilia of her favorite bands. She is someone who I consider to be a die hard rock fan. Her commitment and obsession made me realize that their are others just like my professor, of all ages. The commitment of Robert McIndoe is not something I should question or see as strange. Like Dr. Beth, he too felt the overwhelming joy and power that is rock and roll music. I like to imagine McIndoe's office covered in posters of Led Zepplin and Jimi Hendrix, his shelves covered in bobble head dolls of musicians he adores. Although, McIndoe decided to take the easy way out his drive has inspired me. That no matter what, no matter how old, or what your interests, if its something you love you should still be willing to put you heart, soul, and even life into it.

Texas Drought Uncovers History

In Bluffington, Texas receding water levels expose artifacts that have been lost in time. Parts of the state of Texas have been experiencing a year long drought. Bluffington's lake, Lake Buchanan is 21.3 feet lower than it was at exactly a year ago from when this blog was written. However, the drought has been very providing for those interested in history. As the 81 year old lake shrivels due to a diminishing water supply it has exposed parts of the old town of Bluffington, including a graveyard and concrete building foundations. Other artifacts such as ancient skulls, tools, and fossils have been found in surrounding areas of Bluffington. Some of the artifacts have even attracted the attention of historians. This discovery shows that there is a silver lining of every dark cloud. It also shows that there is still so much to be learned about our own back yard.  

Desparation Surrounds Penn State as Saturday's Big Game Approaches

It is no well kept secret that Penn State University is under serious fire and scrutiny. Since allegations were brought to the surface concerning former members of the football staff including beloved coach Joe Paterno. Since the matter has been brought to court, both Paterno and long-serving President of the University, Graham B. Spanier have been fired from their positions. Bill Pennington said, "The campus is in turmoil. And there is a football game on Saturday that could determine the team's season." The event which has stirred up quite a media wake is definately lingering in the minds of all those involved with Penn State football, especially the players. On Saturday the Lions take on Nebraska who is ranked number 19 in the country. This game will be no easy task for the coaches and players who already have heavy hearts. However, despite the allegations, despite the media attention, despite the smut they have been faced with in headlines, and despite the huge wall they are facing both physically and emotionally, I want the Lions to win. I want to see the Lions rise from the ashes like the phoenix and shut everyone up. Show the criticizers that they are for real, use their anger and dissappointment as fuel to play their hearts out. I feel like if they are able to do this it will reunite the University and community like it was once before. They must give back to the students, alumni, families and all those who care about Penn State football and show them that there is still hope and life for their beloved team.

Study Shows That "Freshman 15" is a Myth

After stumbling upon this article I found on Fox News, I felt it was only appropriate that I posted my thoughts on it because the majority of my classmates are freshmen. The myth is that college freshmen gain 15 pounds their first year. However, a study that was conducted by researchers at Ohio State University proves this myth to be false. The researchers recorded the weight of college freshman both men and women as well as the weight of men and women who were the same age but did not go to college. They found that the freshmen only gained about half a pound more that those that were not attending school. Only a mere ten percent of those that participated in the research actually gained 15 or more pounds during their freshman year. Personally, since my freshman year has begun I have actually lost weight. I believe this is because I am less physically active and I am no longer eating three full meals a day. The study also shows that even after graduation the participants only gained a few pounds. To me this article is good news to hear because the United States has become one of the most obese countrys in the world. Im glad we were finally able to prove this myth untrue because it is a breath of fresh air to myself and my peers who are concerned about their weight and health.

More Bad News for College Students and Those Paying the Bill

This Fall the average in-state tuition for colleges rose 8.3 percent compared to one year ago. According to an annual report published by the College Board the list price for a state school is at $17,000. The highest increase comes from the state of California which enrolls 10 percent of four year public colleges. However, even without California the national average still would have raised 7 percent. After reading through this article I found on MSNBC.com I see what a sticky situation the United States is in. We are in a time of great economic depression. Our economy is being surpassed by other countrys like China. We find ourselves in a dire need of great thinkers and those educated enough to find ways to pull ourselves out of this recession. However, with a higher education financially out of reach to so many it seems we will never be able to break this cycle. I truly wish I could fathom such ideas that would be able to pull us out of all time low. "The night is darkest just before the dawn. And i promise you the dawn is coming". -Harvey Dent from "The Dark Knight".

It Appears the Immigration and Customs Department is Finally Doing Some Good.

In fiscal year 2011 the United Stated has deported nearly 400,000 illegal immigrants from American soil. Over half of these immigrants had criminal records ranging from: homicide, sexual crimes, and drug charges. However despite this good news there are still those who believe there is fault in the system, "Immigration advocates complain law enforcement officers are spending too much of their scarce resources rounding up families living illegally who are otherwise law-abbiding". I believe in the American dream and that everyone should have a right to persue it, unless you are a convicted criminal. In that case you have no business, and I personally do not want you to live in my home country which I am so proud of. I agree with the immigration advocates, that we should spend less time worrying about families and indiviuals who are living in America illegally but are causing no problems and are mostly looking for work and or saftey. Instead of wasting time and tax dollars to seek these people out we should focus mainly on those who are obviously "trouble makers", the immigrants that cross the border while having a criminal record. Personally I have a rather humerous and completely hypothetical approach to completely solve all of America's immigration problems. The first thing we do is get about 10 semi-truck trailers, fill the trailers full of all the seditives and narcotics we have confescated in the United States from drug busts, take the full trailers and park them on the Mexico side of the U.S. border. Leave the trailers unlocked and open for about two days, then use every border patrol and immigration officer to gather up the sleeping/passed out immigrants. Then put the would be immigrants on trucks and drive them North to the U.S. and Canada border, drop them off at the border so that when they come to they believe they are still about to cross the border into the United States, however they will actually be crossing the border into Canada. Problem Solved.