Democracy in Action: Early voting in US election

The race factor in US Elections

I am glad that the issue of race was finally brought into the discussion. Below are some statistics giving us a snapshot of the preferences of each race in the 2008 election. What role do you think race plays in the election?

Total USA population by race 2007:
66% White
15.5% Latinos
13.5% Blacks
5% Asians

Support for Candidates:

Obama

Whites: 41%
Latinos:62%
Blacks: 83%
Asian: 41%

McCain

Whites: 47%
Latinos:28%
Blacks: 7%
Asian: 24%

Source: US Census Bureau/NBC/NAAS

'Big Bang' Experiment

Take a look at the video below. The largest scientific experiment ever produced provides interesting questions for debate. Firstly, how would would the results of an experiment affect or change our lives ? Are the 6 billion dollars that the machine costs being well spent or just a waste of funds that could be put to better use in other areas of research ?

Some scientists, led by Walter Wagner are trying to stop the experiment from taking place through a lawsuit as he claims that is could produce black holes that could swallow the earth as we know it. What are your opinions??

'Big-Bang ' The Largest Scientific Experiment in History

The Myths of the 2008 Presidential Race

Like most presidential elections, the 2008 US elections represents a collision of myths of the various versions of America that exist. What are these myths that are being portrayed?

AIG executives head to resort

AIG insurance company was given an $85 billion dollar loan from the government to prevent them from filing bankruptcy. Here is an excerpt from today's Associated press article:

Outrage over perks

Lawmakers expressed outrage at perks AIG executives enjoyed less than a week after the bailout, including a spa retreat where they racked up bills for $200,000 for hotel rooms and $23,000 for spa services.

"They were getting facials, manicures, and massages, while the American people were footing the bill," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat on the oversight panel.The oversight committee examined thousands of pages of internal documents produced by AIG and former executives.


Comments ?? Opinions??

Homework for Fall Break

I- A two page reflection paper based on the Time article:
" The Price of Greed"
II- Read " At the end of an age" pg 28-44 in your class supplementary readings

Both of these assignments are due on Tuesday October 14th