Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Exploring possible issues to blog about
Identify three topics that you think look interesting from the list we brainstormed together as a class (or from your initial list.) Write a brief paragraph for each issue: explore what you already know about this issue, entertain some possible arguments you might make about it, and explain why you’re interested in possibly writing about it.
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1) government subsidies for alternative energy- I would like to do this because Colorado has the most extensive and progressive subsidy programs in the country. In this post you could make arguments about the global warming and how that pertains to the global good. It would entail researching some of the laws, and showcasing how, and why these subsidies work to the audience base that very well may not know.
ReplyDelete2) obesity- I would take the food angle on this. in many states most notably NY they are making laws restricting certain fats and such, I would into Colorado law on food laws, as well as write in general healthy eating habits and the flaws with unhealthy eating. I'm very interested in food policy as a whole so that would be where I would focus. I would also maybe look at the flip side of obesity and look at homeless/ hunger and write on some organizations that Denver has to feed the hungry
3) Denver restaurants "going green"- again food and food policy and farming are my great interests. I believe wholeheartedly in local sustainable food, and the impact that has on the health of a community and the environment of that community. denver is an upcoming "foodie" city where much emphasis is being placed on "farm-to-table" cuisine and i would write on that.
Homelessness
ReplyDeleteHomelessness in Denver is a huge issue in the city right now. As a city, the Denver Road Home initiative is having large impacts all around the streets of Denver. However, there are also specific issues being investigated. For example, there is discussion on a free, clean needle exchange for the homeless and the poor. It is controversial because on one hand, it is helping to keep disease from spreading as used needles are being shared. However, on the other hand, some are concerned that it is almost encouraging drug use. Another angle could be from what non-profits are out there in support of this issue or even the new 16th Street Miracles program that was just started by some college aged students that is looking to be successful.
Medical Marijuana
I think this topic is interesting because Denver is pretty unique with this policy. I am interested to know the economic benefits and downfalls. How it relates to crime rate in Denver. Where the dispensaries are located (if they are generally around college campuses, not that many 18-24 year old people have chronic pain of some sort). And even look into the scientific side of marijuana and the actual effects or the history of how the drug is perceived. Public opinion on this would be interesting on a college campus as well.
Health Care
While I do not know much about health care in Denver specifically, it is for sure a huge national issue. The cost of prescription medication is almost 3x the rate of inflation which is partly attributed to being one of the only countries without regulation of this market. Maybe this issue could link into the new Colorado House Bill 1256 that would effect abortion in the state of Colorado.
Homelessness: It seems that no matter how many laws are reformed, there are still things to look at when it comes to homelessness in the community. Many people in Colorado are pushing for more inclusiveness for homeless people and giving them rights, but other people feel that we already help them out so much it is not necessary to give them more. I tend to argue that although everyone deserves rights and to be included, I believe that the homeless already receive so much aid, and so much help exists for them, that no one NEEDS to be homeless in this state. Having lived with someone whose job was directly to help homeless people find jobs, I tend to feel that if homeless can get help, then why do we need to make separate laws for them?
ReplyDeleteGo Green: Over the past few years, people have become increasingly accepting and aware of global warming. People are learning about the polar ice caps melting, which could force polar bears to go extinct, and through rising water levels, humans could go extinct as well. The solution scientists have found is to invest in new green technology to try and reverse our carbon footprint. I would like to make an argument for more Go Green technology, while also pointing out that we are using more clean technology today, so we just need to keep moving forward.
Obesity: Obesity has proven serious health risks, such as heart disease, diabetes, and heart attack and heart failure. It is hard for many obese American’s to lose the weight once they gain it, which is why this is such a problem. Another issue is that obesity seems to be the most prominent in the United States. I would like to investigate why it is, exactly, that the American’s diet is such that people tend to become obese. Or if it is not our diet, what is it that causes Americans to be so much more overweight than other nations.
Influence of a major league sports team on a city
ReplyDeleteI think that a city with sports teams are greatly improved and have a higher level of connection. Look around the room and three of the three hats in the room are from Colorado sports teams. This link in common interests brings a city together. The Colorado Rapids had a stellar season last season and now Denver has another team to unite behind. The atmosphere at events such as the Rockies playoff run a few years ago exponentially affects a city. I see how this argument could be difficult to relate to the public good, but I think that by analyzing how cities, Denver specifically, are socially improved by having a professional sports team. This issue also generates money for the state especially when teams are successful.
Medical marijuana law
This issue has been heavily debated recently. I can see the argument going both ways but standing against the legalization of marijuana seems to be the easiest to support. There are so many variables surrounding this topic. The best argument I see in the support of marijuana would be a lowering crime rates because the most popular drug is now legal, though this could lead to other drugs taking its place.
Healthcare
Healthcare is very relevant right now. There are debates from the state to the national level arguing both sides. I am not very well versed on the details of this debate, though I would like to learn more about this topic.
Topic 1 (Medical Marijuana)
ReplyDeleteThis is a big issue in CO right now because it is a state that is bordering on legalizing marijuana. It is one of the few states that allows medical marijuana and where dispensaries are popping up everywhere across the state quite rapidly. I also know that by Denver city law you are legally allowed to carry a certain amount of weed on you however, by federal and state law it is still illegal. This topic would be interesting because it would allow for the argument for the reasoning behind why it could/should be legal or illegal.
Topic 2 (Government subsidies in alternative energy)
A very pressing topic currently because our current source for a majority of our energy, coal and oil, are finite resources and we will run out eventually. New ways for energy must be looked into especially solar energy. The major thing that has to be addressed in terms of solar energy is being able to store it. Once you can store it and make it applicable to multiple types of energy using sources then it does become a very viable option. I feel there are many ways you can take this situation, being solar, wind, water, and nuclear energy for example.
Topic 3 (Obesity, fitness, health)
Colorado is perennially one of the fittest states in the country but why? Do we have more options that other states? Do we just work out more? There are many ways to go with this topic also because you could look at why are some people fat, or skinny, does it have to do with workout regime, or lack there of, are people knowledgeable enough about body maintenance and health? Due to me being an athlete for my entire life and playing college sports i have extensive knowledge on this topic.
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ReplyDelete1.) Medical marijuana would interest me as a topic because Colorado has legalized medical marijuana. There have never been any reported deaths due to an overdose of marijuana, which raises the question of why alcohol and tobacco are legal, and marijuana is not. There are also studies showing the minimal negative side affects of marijuana use on one’s health.
ReplyDelete2.) Healthcare is an entertaining issue, as our neighbor to the north, Canada, has free healthcare but America pays very high costs. Possible arguments may revolve around the costs of healthcare in America correlating to economic growth and why it is a necessary component in our capitalist society.
3.) Global warming interests me simply because I would love to convince people that it doesn’t exist or that our impact on climate change is minimal. I would argue that climate change is a natural phenomena rather than a result of our pollution, carbon footprint, or whatever else hippies blame it on.
Homelessness
ReplyDeleteWhile I am no expert in homelessness, I do know that it is a problem that people must face in every city coast to coast. People are well aware of the problem as there’s no escaping it; try to make it from DU to Coors Field without spotting a homeless person. Although Hickenlooper did a good job as mayor to help alleviate the problem, it still exists and will never go away as long as we remain a society run by capitalism. I see many arguments that are worthy of exploring. For instance, what’s the “cure” for homelessness? Job training? Expanded services at homeless shelters? Cash handouts to get people back on their feet? I can think of many pros and cons to each of these. Therefore, I imagine it wouldn’t be difficult to choose one and advocate for it through fact found by way of research. Clearly, any solution to alleviate homelessness would be for the public good.
Healthcare
Obama and his fellow liberals have taken the healthcare issue out of the shadows and into the focus of the American people. “Obama Care” didn’t fly with the public, but behind all the political rhetoric is it in fact a good or bad plan to fix our nation’s antiquated healthcare system? I think that it would be interesting to explore this by taking an unbiased approach. If I can advocate for a plan that would improve healthcare quality and value in our nation, I would feel that I would be working towards the public good.
Immigration
Immigration is another huge issue our country is facing. It’s no secret that thousands of Hispanic immigrants cross the border illegally each and every day. How can we approach this issue of mass illegal immigration in such a way that we secure our borders without unduly punishing those that come here only to provide a better life for themselves and their families? I can see how easy it would be easy to take one of many stances on this multi-faceted issue.
The three topics that I found interesting were environmental issues, local policies and homelessness.
ReplyDeleteLast quarter my FSEM was a political writing course very similar to this one. One of the topics that we analyzed was global warming and we watched the video made by Al Gore called ‘The Inconvenient Truth’. This was a persuasive video and our job was to analyze the rhetorical appeals used by Al Gore throughout his presentation. There are many other issues concerning the environment besides global warming and looking into those issues may be very interesting and easy to talk about.
I don’t know much about local policies since I am not a local, but I have heard of many policies that can be debated and are interesting to look at. The example of education funding being cut may not apply to us directly but I can relate very easily to those students who are and will be affected.
Homelessness is something that I have seen a lot of in my life. It is something I have interest in and there are most likely many topics and articles regarding homelessness. Cities always have their share of homeless people and in Colorado the winters can be devastating when there is no place to call “home”. I think looking into the hate crime law along with other articles on homelessness could generate strong arguments.
The three topics that looked interesting from the list we created in class were: Colorado budget cuts, health care, and environmental issues.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of Colorado budget cuts caught my interest because it directly affects me as a college student. I know that Hickenlooper is introducing a bill to Congress that would cut costs that pay for in-state tuition. There are arguments for and against the bill. The people who are for the bill would argue that this bill would help the economy and would not impact the education system negatively at all. The people against the bill would argue that this bill would negatively impact the education system, without much benefit to the economy.
Healthcare, Medical Marajuana, and Obesity are three of the topics that interested me the most.
ReplyDeleteHealthcare in the United States has been a large issue that has only expanded due to the new Healthcare actions. This new plan has created a rift in the population due to the policies and rapid introduction of the bill. I understand this more as an issue because I have been relatively lucky- I have had military healthcare my entire life, and have not had to worry unlike my friends.
Medical Marajuana is another hot topic due to cities and states legalizing it as a form of medicine. This has been apparent in Colorado, where medical marajuana shops now outnumber liquor shops. One of the issues with this medicine is making sure that people have legitimate medical issues to recieve the medicine and to make sure that there is no combination of driving and marajuana.
Obesity is the last major topic, and is important today because Colorado is currently the healthiest state, and thus the state with the lowest cases of obesity. However, this number continues to climb because of the American lifestyle, health problems, and diet. This issue not only affects health but also employment, disabilities, and law.