Food for the Blind is Closed

The new AP Gov course blog, The Hitchhiker's Guide to National Affairs, is here.

We've moved from a metaphor of blindness to one of needing a ride, and, of course, that all-important advice: DON'T PANIC.

A quick take on Hillary's speech

In her speech at tonight's conventions, Senator Hillary Clinton asked the questions that may very well convince her supporters to join the Obama camp: "I want you to ask yourselves: Were you in this campaign just for me? Or were you in it for that young Marine and others like him? Were you in it for that mom struggling with cancer while raising her kids? Were you in it for that boy and his mom surviving on the minimum wage? Were you in it for all the people in this country who feel invisible?" This is an attempt to unify all the Democrats behind Obama. Will it work? Is Hillary eyeing a Presidential run in 2012 or 2016 already? Should Obama have chosen her as his Vice-Presidential candidate?

Final official word to 08 with scores and all that...

Hiya,

(if there is anyone still out there)

This page is still bookmarked and I noticed a new comment saying Hi to me.

So hi to ya'll right back.

Summer was already going great -- b/c that's what summer does -- when I was told that 77% of you passed the AP exam. Yay. A couple goofy threes notwithstanding, the results were pleasing in general but not optimal. So it goes. Mr. Corti and I will strive to do equally well if not better next year.

More than any % can measure, the collective you were a pleasure to teach. So thanks for that.

I'm also pleased to report that several Aragon alum are working full time on a political campaign (guess which one!) this fall. I'd trade umpteen "5" scores for one actual person in the field trying to improve the public area -- practice is greater than theory. But I still hope you got enough theory and rigor last year to make this fall's campaign a little bit more meaningful.

I don't know if next year's class will keep the name for this blog or move onto their own name, but whether this is the last post for this year, or for all time, you all take care and have yourselves a prosperous and safe first year of college.

Hurricane warning in the Atlantic

According to federal forecasters, there is a good chance of there being 6 to 9 hurricanes forming in the Atlantic. Furthermore, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials have supported predictions of some of these major hurricanes as well as mentioning the possible formation of an additional 12 to 16 storms. While the forecasters said there is a 60% to 70% chance of their predictions coming true, it's impossible to predict what mother nature will present us with. For example, in 2005 forecasters predicted 12 to 15 storms to appear during the season, but there ended up being a record breaking 28. With the upcoming season quickly approaching (June 1 - Nov. 30), it's vital that people living in hurricane prone areas are prepared, regardless of the predictions.

Company offers to clone family pets

We all know that cloning is possible, we also know that cloning is more-often-than-not quite successful. However, what you may not know is that companies have begun to offer cloning services for family pets. A particular company in Mill Valley, here in California, has been granted the sole worldwide license for cloning cats, dogs, and select endangered species. BioArts International, aptly named, was given this right under the "Best Friends Again" program. This program works together with a Korean company called the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation. The company will offer slots to customers willing to pay about $100,000 for the clone.

Should cloning be legal, or to what extent should it be legal? Cloning endangered species seems reasonable, but house pets? Or is it all just wrong?

Original Article: http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2008/05/22/company_offers_to_clone_family_pets/1594/

Gay Iranian Takes Refuge in British Asylum

Mehdi Kazemi, a gay Iranian student was granted right to Asylum from Britain in order to escape possible conviction and death in his home country. After going to England to study, Kazemi discovered that his lover had been hanged by the Iranian government as punishment for breaking Iranian anti-sodomy laws. Most human rights groups believe that the law is a pretext for discrimination. While reading the original article I kept seeing similarities (with the exception of the death penalty) between this and the Texas anti-sodomy laws. The discrimination brought by the Iranian anti-sodomy laws kept reminding me of Lawrence v. Texas.

Link to original article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/05/20/international/i174955D23.DTL

Senator Kennedy Diagnosed With Cancer

After being hospitalized due to a seizure last weekend, senator Kennedy was discovered with a brain tumor Tuesday morning. With the condition of Gliacoma, most doctors estimate the senator having one year left. The news upset many in the senate, in particular Sen. Robert Byrd, who wept for Kennedy during a speech on the Senate floor. Having served 46 years in the Senate, Edward Kennedy influenced a major portion of American policy and left a great impression on politicians and citizens alike. Recently Kennedy has been on the national spotlight for endorsing Barack Obama in the Democratic Primary Election. Kennedy is not up for re-election until 2012, however it is unlikely that he will be able to fulfill his term with his current condition.

Original Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/kennedy;_ylt=Ag2XkWcl7Y9wT1N180QwcwOs0NUE