Current Connection 2

Is America losing it's competitive Edge? This Article is has two sides to it. You can either agree that America is losing it's competitive edge or that it's not. The Yes side states facts explaining why America is losing it's competitive edge. The Economic Forum said United States in seventh place. It slipped down because high tax rates, government inefficiency, and burdensome regulations. Also businesses involving large numbers of jobs and high-end work are moving out of the U.S. faster than they're moving in. Two thirds of those surveyed believe the U.S. is falling behind, and 71 percent expect the U.S. to become even less competitive in the next three years. The No side states facts explaining why America is not losing it's comepetitive edge. Well for one The United States export $2.1 trillion of goods and import $2.6 trillion. Our annual gross domestic product is the world's highest, at $15 trillion. Our Military is unequally strengthend. U.S. has military presence in about 150 countries, as well as in space. The U.S. Navy ensures freedom of navigation across the world's seas, and our nearly 5,000 strategic and tactical nuclear weapons deter potential enemies and protect our allies. We are a nation of endless ideas and innovation, issuing 250,000 patents in 2001 alone. Basically on the Yes side they are stating negative facts about United States making it look like it's losing its competitive edge. On the No side they are stateing positive facts about our military and other stuff making United States look strong and on top. But everybody has their own opinions.

Current Connection 1

In this magazine there is a picture that shows a dad enjoying christmas with his little child, and the kid says "Dad, can you help me? My new toy car needs batteries" Then it shows to the right later in the future them having christmas together again and his dad is asking him saying. "Son, can you help me? My new tablet won't synch with my laptop." What this is basically saying is kids as they are young they need help and don't really know much, but as they get older they learn much more about technology then their parents know. Most Teen's now day's know a lot more about phones, how they work, and all other electronics much more then their own parents know how to work them.

Boy Scouts

A very big thing I am about to accomplish in life is becoming a Eagle Scout. In Boy Scouts there is many different ranks. For Example: Tender Foot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, then Eagle. Throughout all of these ranks you have certain requirements you have to accomplish, and complete to earn that rank. All throughout Scouts you will learn many, many fun and interesting things that you will use in the future. There is also a Boy Scout camp called Camp Rockefeller. Ever year all the scouts in our troops get to choose whether they want to go or not. Basically what we do at camp is we go to different classes everyday, and by the end of the week we end up getting those classes done which help us complete a merit badge. A merit badge is a patch we earn when we go through that certain topic and learn and finish all the requirements that it takes to complete it. For fundraisers to help our troop gain money we do popcorn sales, and try to sell discount cards. t

Book Review on A Child Called It

A Child Called It is a real life story about a boy who was brutally beaten and starved by his mentally disturbed and alcoholic mother. At first, David Pelzer lived a healthy and normal life with his parents and brothers. His mother, however, transformed into a monster, venting her anger on her helpless child. David was submerged in freezing cold water, forced to eat his own vomit, slept in the basement under the stairs, stabbed, and forced to sit on a burning stove. These are just a few of the torturous games that his mother used to play. She treated him like an it. David suffered both mental and physical abuse. In order to survive from his mother's sick games.
This book is a perfect example of how the human spirit can provide strength in the toughest of situations. David's spirit helped him to survive through his mother's emotional and physical abuse. He refused to let his mother win. He had no one to help him so he learned how to fend for himself. His courage saved him from all of the suffering that he got at such a young age.
  David, at a young age, showed strong signs of being a planner as well as a problem solver. These character traits, along with caring adults (nurses, teachers, social workers, etc.), help him to become resilient. David's inner strength helped him turn shame into pride and rejection into acceptance. A Child Called "It" sends an inspirational message of resilience and the human spirit. A person has the ability to leave their dark past and look forward to a better tomorrow.