...::Current Event::...

Summary:

Across England foxes have been exposed to a disease called the Sarcoptic Mange. Though this is the second time it has happened in the past century, this is the first time humans have attempted to cure it. This disease affects us, because if it is allowed to continue it could wipe out the fox population of not only England, but the entire world. Saracoptic Mange is caused microscopic parasites called Sarcoptes Scabiei, which lodges into the skin. This causes the fox's fur to fall off and its skin to harden. In addition once the fox has gotten this disease it will begin to chew off the limps and skin that the parasites have lodged into.

For the reasons I have listed people have begun to take the foxes into captivity to help cure them. Though it is admitted that the fox population will survive through this epidemic at this time, scientists view this as a once in a lifetime opportunity cure the Mange before extinction of the foxes occur.

How This Relates:

This issue regarding the fox population relates directly to what we are studying in class right now. However, since we focus only on the human population, I thought it would be unique to do something on animals instead. Also, population does not only limit itself to what we are learning in class, it relates directly to sociology, which is one of Social Studies biggest topics. In addition, this particular article has a geographic aspect to it as well, seeing as though this problem is only occurring in the midland and southern parts of England.

Acrostic Poem:

This is the second time in one-hundred years that this disease has happened.

Research shows that Sulphar and Armencium can also be used for the treatment.

Epidemic must be stopped before it's too late.

Admittedly it has not gotten out of hand, yet.

The most useful form of medicine for this so far is Ivermectin.

Microscopic parasites are what caused this disease in the first place.

England is the only country it has affected so far.

Now scientists are starting to take the foxes into captivity to cure them.

The parasites are called Sarcoptes Scabiei.

Scientists view this as a golden opportunity to cure the foxes before the disease causes extinction.

Bibliography:

Title: Combating Mange in Fox Population

Author: Stephen Harris

Date Written: February 25^th, 2008

Site: http://www.bbc.co.uk

Article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/features/194mange.shtml

..::MSN Issue::..

The Revealers

In the novel, The Revealers, the students of Parkland Middle felt connected through SchoolStream or as the students called it KidNet where they were able to chat or instant message. Most of you do this nightly through MSN Messenger. With KidNet and MSN nobody could break into or eavesdrop on your conversation without it being known. Not anymore. Today’s technology allows you to assume the identity of another person. Do you really know whom you are talking to in the cyber world?

It is 10:00 pm on a Wednesday night; you have finished your homework and you are chatting on MSN with three other friends. After 10 minutes two more friends ask to join the chat. By 10:30 pm five more people have joined and it is fun; however, there is a joke said about one of the people, rapidly followed by an insult. At first, no one knows how to respond, then seconds later a message pops up stating, “I didn’t say that! It isn’t me saying these things. Someone is using my name. What is going on here?”

What is the issue involved in this scenario? Why is this serious?

What would be a responsible way to handle this situation?

How could a situation like this be resolved? How would one of the three main characters from The Revealers deal with this situation?

My suggestions are as follows, first I would log off the system and then I would note the time that this occured, and also I would report it to the people behind MSN and then I would get a new I.D. This is a problem, because someone hacked into the system, and now can say anything in your name while you face the consquences. It is serious because your the scapegoat, and your reputation has been tarnished. In the Revealer I think one of them would tell Mr. Dallas, because he was the one in charge of the chatting system. They would also send something to all their contacts to tell them not to chat with that account, because it has been hacked.

..::The Revealers (Blog Topic)::..

The Revealers
Blog Writing Topic

Blog response Instructions: Answer the questions in complete sentences, proper English and use examples from the novel whenever possible. Put page number after your examples. When writing comments to your peers, be respectful in your language and about their response. It is okay to disagree, but do it in a polite manner.

Blog Question: Is bullying a rite of passage of childhood and adolescence? Is it apart of the maturation process one needs to go through to reach adulthood? Explain. Mrs. Hogeboom brings up this topic on page 108.


My Opinion: Well I think that partly yes and partly no. If a person goes through life with no obstacles and bullies in his or her life they might not learn to stand up for themselves. However if the bullying increases everyday and despite the child’s best efforts she/he can’t stop the bully then it might cause them to go through depression and not want to go to school or such. Though if a person goes through some minor bullying for example: name calling, then the child should either learn to ignore the bully or stand up to themselves, and to tell the bully that they don't like the harassment.

...random

Hey ppl!

well...yea this is my first blog...and i have noo idea wht to say...so yeah. LoL. Well um i'll write more later or something...bi

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