Final Project: Voicethread

Final Project on voicethread!!

Thanks Professor Lockman!! This was a really fun and awesome class I learned so much from it!!

Voice Thread Reflection

Voice Thread is a multimedia slide show that can show images, documents and videos. You can comment on the voice thread through words or audio comments. First, I thought what topic I can talk about and I thought I can talk about an important lesson I learned in life. Then I decided to outline how sports taught me valuable lessons in life, then sort of made it into an essay form. After doing that I decided search pics I can upload on my voice thread. After uploading the pics, I read the outline/essay I made and commented on my voice thread as a voice narration. The people who commented also felt that sports played a huge part in their life. I really liked looking at my classmates voice threads since it was interesting, I especially liked the global warming one. I feel that this is easier than power point and more interesting to look at. I think that professors should use voice thread when lecturing cause then the students can ask questions through comments and the professor can easily question back instead of having meetings or replying to emails. I feel that voice thread is a brilliant way as an educational and communicative tool. My Voice Thread

Legalization of Marijuana in the state of California

Californians will decide whether legal marijuana should be used to plug the state's $20 billion budget gap.California residents are expected to vote this year on whether legalization should be approved to raise nearly $1.4 billion in state revenue. That's based on an estimate from the State Board of Equalization, a tax administration agency. California Secretary Debra Brown confirmed on Wednesday that enough signatures had been collected to put AB 390, a marijuana legalization bill, on the ballot for Nov. 2. A press release from the secretary said that legalization proponents submitted 694,248 petition signatures for the bill, easily surpassing the required 433,791. According to the bill, people would have to be 21 years or older "to possess, cultivate, or transport marijuana for personal use." Californians would not be permitted to use the drug in public or within the presence of minors, and would not be allowed to possess it on school grounds. source CNN

Though not a user, I am strongly for this bill since it would create a lot of money and also reduce drug related crimes. Many of the people from older generations tends to believe that marijuana is a harmful and addictive drug, but in reality, it is proven that cigarettes and alcohol are as harmful. Study's have shown that alcohol and cigarettes are more likely to cause cancer. Also, it is proven that the substances such as nicotine are more addictive then THC which is a chemical found in marijuana.
There are many legitimate reasons in passing this bill. For one, it would create a lot of revenue in California. Surprisingly, marijuana is 30% of California's cash crops. If it were legal, the government would make a lot of revenue by taxing it, similar to how cigarettes are sold.
Secondly, there are many marijuana related problems in the state of California. Data shows that 300 million dollars are spent annually on enforcing marijuana related laws. If it were legal, there would not be anymore drug dealers dealing drugs sicne people would be able to get it from markets. For example, you don't see teenagers buying cigarettes or alcohol on the street.
Lastly, many believe that legalization would result result in the increase of users. However, marijuana is already very common, and people would have already tried it by now whether it be legal or not. If its alrady this common and used by many why not just legalize it.

Arizona Govenor Signs Immigration Bill

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed a bill Friday that requires police in her state to determine whether a person is in the United States legally, which critics say will foster racial profiling but supporters say will crack down on illegal immigration. The bill requires immigrants to carry their alien registration documents at all times and requires police to question people if there is reason to suspect that they're in the United States illegally. It also targets those who hire illegal immigrant day laborers or knowingly transport them. The Republican governor also issued an executive order that requires additional training for local officers on how to implement the law without engaging in racial profiling or discrimination. CNN

Being raised in southern California all my life, there were a lot of illegal immigrants in my community and I know how a community is like with illegal immigrants. I strongly oppose this bill for the following three reasons: firstly, illegal immigrants helps out the economy a lot. Secondly, the bill will cause racial profiling which by any means is not tolerable in this country. Lastly, our county is made up of immigrants. It is a well known fact that illegal immigrants help out the economy a lot. Most of the workers in southern California are illegal. Without them, many states probably would not function as well. Also, there will probably be a a lot of companies going out of business. There is no denying the fact that there will be racial profiling. Many of the people opposing this bill, including myself, are concerned that the law will cause racial profiling, assuming that most police officers don't have enough training to look past race while investigating a person's legal status. Lastly, America is a land made up of immigrants. The bill would be contradicting the fundamental ideas of the U.S.

The Okinawa U.S. Military Base Problem

An ongoing feud with the United States over the future of an American military base in Okinawa may end up costing Japan's prime minister his job, a weekend poll shows. Two out of three Japanese say they disapprove of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, according to a Nikkei newspaper poll. It shows that 68 percent of voters disapprove of the prime minister's performance and 59 percent say he should resign if he can't resolve the fight over the future of the Futenma Air Base in Okinawa. The poll comes on the heels of a massive rally in Okinawa, where nearly 100,000 residents gathered Sunday to demand the base move off the island. But last year, as then-candidate Hatoyama campaigned for the country's top job, he promised to move the base off of Okinawa altogether. The issue is an emotional one for Okinawans who currently give up 10 percent to 20 percent of the island to the U.S. military. CNN

Whenever I turn on the news, I always see the problem about the Okinawa base. I feel that Mr. Hatoyama should resign from his position as the Prime Minister since firstly, more than half of the nation feels that he should resign, and secondly, because he was not able to keep his promise. It is an act of betrayal for the Japanese people who voted for him and bleieved in him, and he should take responsibility by resigning. Many may say that it is not that easy to bring change that quickly, however, look at President Obama. He promised change during his campaign, and as he said, he is bringing change to America. It's only been a year since he took office and he already was able to create a health care reform. I feel that if Mr.Hatoyama is as passionate to bringing change, he would be able to move the base from Okinawa to Kagoshima. Hopefully, he will be able to end this conflict over the Okinawa base soon,