Officials to discuss Census participation

The army of U.S. Census Bureau will be finding out how many doors they will be kocking on to complete the nationwide survey. Census Director Robert Groves will announce how well Americans have responded by mail to this census that comes out once a decade, and how many homes will need to be contacted in order to complete the census. The Census Bureau announced that 72% of all households nationwide, returned the completed census. Midwestern states have the highest participation rates, with Minnesota at 79%. It costs the government 42 cents for each response that comes back in the mail, and costs the government about $57 per household to get the responses in person. The bureau is now hiring an about 870,000 temporary workers to help complete the census.

I think that it is interesting to see the percentage of people that fill the cenus and mail it back in. It doesn't suprise me that Minnesota's return rate is at 79%, because most Minnesotans are pretty resposible with things like that, and truely care. It is a shame tht some people don't take a few minutes out of thier day to fill out the census. It would actually save people money in the long run because it would cost the government less money, and tax the taxpayers less. I can't belive how much effort is put into this once a decade census. It is pretty cool how serious the Census Bureae takes the census , and how they srtrive to have an accurate census. I honestly wish that everyone would just turn in their census, so that the bureae won't have to come after people. That would make things a lot easier for everyone.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/28/census.numbers/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

Russia suspends U.S. adoptions

Russia has stoped the adoption of children by American families process until they work out a further agreement. The U.S Embassy in Moscow, Russia says that there is not too much to worry about. John Beyrle, U.S. ambassador to Russia, says , "We're working on this and we really don't think that this will have any long-term effect on the ability of American families to adopt here." This all started when an American family returned their adopted back to Russia, beacause they said that the child was violent and had pyschopathic issues, and that the child was a danger to the family. The Russian child was sent back to Russia, riding solo on the plane. Russian officials want to sign a treaty with Amerians allow monitoring of children after they are brought to the United States.


I think that Russia should let American's adopt the children in Russia still, because they will have a much better life in America, than they would have in Russia. I don't foresee this being a major problem. I think the Russians will let American families adopt again. I don't really think that what that American family did to their Russian child was the right thing to do, however, I don't think that Russia should stop the adoption process because of it. If American families wast to adopt the kids in Russia, they should deal with them, and not send them back. They really should try and work through the adversity and try to make the child better, if it is not what they expected.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/04/15/russia.adoptions/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

Insurers agree to comply with intent of new health care law

Health Care Blog:

Insurers and providers of health care said that they would agree to comply with the new regulations that will prevent the denial of coverage for children due to pre-existing conditions. This is a key component for President Obama. The president of America's Health Insurance Plans, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, said the nation's insurance companies would not try to find loopholes in the new health care law. The industry would fully agree to regulations being drafted by Sebelius to follow the new law. Coverage for kids takes effect on September 23.

I think that it is a good thing that the health care insurers are saying that they will follow the new health care plan and whatever it entails. I'm mot really sure if the health care bill is the best idea, however. I think that with kids being on their parents health care plan is good because that way it will take a burden off of them after college so that they won' t have to worry about more debt. Also, kids can have time to regroup after college and save up more money for the future. But I also think that kids will become more dependent on their parents and maybe expect them to pay for more of their things. The health care bill will effect many people, and I hope that it will be for the better. I truly hope that it won't be a disaster and that everything will turn out okay.

Autopsy: SeaWorld trainer died from drowning, traumatic injuries

After an autopsy, it was confirmed that a 12,000 pound killer whale drowned the trainer, Dawn Brancheau at Sea World in Orlando, Florida. The killer whale puller her underwater drowning her, she also suffered from injuries to her spine, ribs and head. Brancheau was working with whale, Tilikum, when he grabbed he by the ponytail and drug her under the water. It shocked the audience watching the show at the park's Shamu Stadium.

I think it is very sad what happened to the trainer. I don't understand why the whale would act like that. I've heard a few things about the whale pertaining to the drowning. Some sources have said that the whale has been in a bad mood, and was especially off that say. Other sources have said that the whale was thinking it was playing with the trainer. I never realized how risky a job like that would be. I find it just crazy how a trained whale would kill someone! I hope that the whale doesn't interact with any other trainers, and harm any of them. I know that the trainers at Sea World are ecpecially taking caution and paying closer attention to the whale's behavior. I went to Sea World about a week after this accident happened, and noticed that all the female trainers had their hair in a tight bun during the show. How wierd.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/03/31/florida.seaworld.autopsy/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+(RSS%3A+Top+Stories)

Colombian soldier held hostage is freed

Joshue Daniel Calvo was released Sunday after being held by Columbian rebels for over 11 months. He reunited with his family in the city of Villasicencio where the helicopter he was riding in landed. Calvo, a young soldier, was released to a humanitarian mission led by Colombian Sen Piedaid Cordoba. Calvo became sick on the helicopter ride and became very dizzy, and therefore greeted his familyh with the help of a walking stick. He was very happy to be back with his family. Cordoba hopes that the FARC will release another hostage on Tuesday.

I think it is very sad that Colombian soldier are being held hosatge for a long period of time. I can't even begin to image what the families would go through while their soldier is being held hostage. It is a very disturbing event for the soldiers and families to go through. I am very glad that Calvo was released and reunited with his family. They must all be very thankful and happy. Mentally, the hostage must go through a great deal. I feel very bad through what they go through. It must be so hard. I hope very much that more hostages will be released because that would make many more families of these soldiers happy.



Calvo with his family after release

http://www.cnn.com/2010/world/americas/hostage

Second NBA player pleads guilty in gun case

Point guard Gilbert Arenas for the Washington Wizards will be sentenced on Friday for violating gun laws in the District of Columbia. Arenas pleaded guilty for bringing guns into the Wizards lockerroom because of a disput with teammate Jarvaris Crittenton. Arenas was suspended from being in the NBA this season. Arenas lawyer says that he is a good role model and that he has been punished enough through public scorn and loss of income. Judge Robert Morin said that he could decide to give Arenas five years in jail , which is the maximum term for Arenas' crime.

I think that it is kind of rediculous that an NBA professional basketball player would carry weapons in his lockerroom. I don't understand how someone that could get so far in his basketball career and became so successful would do something so stupid. What Arenas did was very wrong. He risked a whole NBA season for his stupidity. I don't think his head is srait because any sain and normal person would know that carrying guns out in public manner like that is completley wrong. I think that Arenas lawyer is also wrong, Arenas is not a good role model, and kids should not be looking up to someone who threats others with weapons. I hope that Arenas does go to jail for this because he deserves it for his stupidity. Overall, kids shouldn't be looking up to him in the NBA.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIMEwizards.gun/plea/index.html

Texas lawmaker: I yelled 'It's a baby killer'

Texas Rep. Randy Neugebauer admitted to calling out "baby killer" during the chamber's debate Sunday night on the health care reform bill. He apologized Monday for his outburst. He says that he said "its a baby killer" in reference to the last-minute deal between Michigan Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak and the White House that secured the support of Stupak and other anti-abortion Democrats for the health care bill. His interruption occurred while Stupak was giving a speech. Neugebauer says, "The House Chamber is a place of decorum and respect. The timing and tone of my comment last night was inappropriate." This incident is similar to Rep. Joe Wilsons outburst during Obama's health care speech in September.

I think that Randy Neugebauer's comment was unneccesary. Like he said, it was the wrong place and time for the comment, and that the House Chamber is a place of respect. He could have held in his comment instead of drawing nationwide attention to himself. What he did was prety rude and embarrasing on his part. However, I appreciate his apologies and I think that they are very sincere and meaningfull. I can understand how heated a subject can get and sometimes people say things that they don't honestly mean and wish they could take back what they said. Neugebauer's comment was kind of understandable, but he really needs to learn how to control his anger and outbursts. Overall, his comment was disrespectful and unappropriate.


Randy Neugebauer

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/22/stupak.shout/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+(RSS%3A+Top+Stories)