Traveling

I think that traveling out of the country is definetly a good idea and I would totally consider doing this in college or whenever.  It is very true that most of us as Americans have a tinted view of traveling and exploring out of the country.  It's great to hear that there are many alternative cheaper options to getting out of the country and seeing new places.  I totally agree that this would make anyone a more rounded and experienced individual.

Say What?!

I think that if you listen to your music on an ipod in moderation, not for an outragous amount of time and not at an outragous volume then it should be fine.  As the article stated, "Music fans who insist on listening to iPods at 100 percent volume through ear buds — those in-ear speakers — should do it for only five minutes at a time, Kaplan said. At 80 percent volume, they can go an hour, Kaplan recommends. At 70 percent to 79 percent, a few hours, and 69 percent and below, four to five hours."  So if you are reasonble (listening at 69-79 decibles) with your listening you should be fine! (:

Tax cuts

I think that the tax cut is good overall.  For one some of the tax credit is being put twards college funds aimed tward the middle class.  This would be really helpful for kids all around the country and it's a good cause supporting future generation education.  Also the pact preserving extended jobless benefits would be good because so many people are losing their jobs and really have no control over it.  This would give people in this situation 13 months (paid) to find another source of income. 

Teen binge drinking article

I think that this article has an effective impact on readers.  From the inroduction the article gives out a serious tone, beginning with describing the emergency room items used on admitted binge drinkers (from an adult diaper to a body bag.)  The raw facts like that of the 5,300 middle schoolers engaging in binge drinking is surprising and scary.  The results of this habbit are also very intimidating and effective including young people arriving at the ER "injured in car crashes, sick with alcohol blood poisoning, unconscious or barely conscious after binge drinking or engaging in the newest trend of blackout drinking, or drinking to the point of intentionally passing out."  The fact that binge drinking not only hurts your body but also prevents and stops development of the teen brains is an effective stat that will hopefully prevent or diminish the habbits of many young teens out there.  

Welcome :)

Welcome to my blog! :)