Outside Reading #15

"Bush:President's priority is preventing attack"

"The most important job I have had - and the most important job the next president is going to have - is to protect American people from another attack." A comment made by president George W. Bush during an interview with CNN's "Larry King Live" on Tuesday. During this interview Bush was accompanied by the first lady, Laura Bush. According to the "current" president, his administration has been involved with preventing and stopping specific threats against the United States. Bush's administration has been doing this since the first attack on September 11th, 2001. Since the first terrorist attack the president and his people have learned so much about other terrorists and possible terrorist attacks. The president's describes himself as "never tiring" for the past two terms. He has worked hard to gain this information and hopes Obama will take it and use it wisely. CNN's Larry King brought up the economic slump our country is facing. Bush criticized Obama for saying America is in for a bad year economically speaking. His opinion resulted in the idea that Obama should stay positive and explain the steps he is going to take. Overall Bush is excited for Obama's inauguration.

The entire article can be found here.  

Outside Reading #14

The British-based News of the World released two videos featuring Prince Harry and other soldiers on their website this weekend. In one video Prince Harry called a soldier a "Paki." And in the other he told another soldier with a cloth on is head that he looked "like a raghead." However these videos did not show the Prince, but his voice was to be heard making these comments in the background. The first video was filmed while the soldiers were waiting to board their flight to Cyprus. And the second video was filmed in Cyprus. On Saturday, after the videos were released. A spokesman of Harry's apologized in a statement released by St.James's Palace. In the statement Harry's spokesman apologized and explained that Prince Harry understands what he said was wrong and offending. It also said that the Prince had no intentions of offending his friends. Unfortunately this isn't the first time Prince Harry has had to apologize for offensive behavior. In 2005 he was photographed wearing a Nazi costume to a party. However friends and family of Harry believe he is not the man today that he was three years ago. 

This article was written by CNN's Katy Byron, and can be found here.

Outside Reading #13

On Friday, January 2nd. Jett Travolta, son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston. Was found unconscious while on vacation with his family in the Bahamas. The Travolta/Preston family was vacationing on the West End of the Bahamas. A local policeman said that Jett was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at arrival. Because the autopsy results have not been released, Jett's death remains a mystery. However the employees at the funeral home that handled Jetts body said that it was a "seizure" was listed as cause of death on the death certificate. The employees of the funeral home explained that Jetts body was in good condition and that there were no signs of head trauma. Jetts body was cremated, and the funeral is to take place on Thursday, January 8th. John and Kelly described Jett as an amazing son who will be terribly missed. "We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief," the couple said. Kelly and John are a very family oriented couple and will miss Jett terribly. Kelly and John also have an eight year-old girl, Ella. Today, January 6th Travolta and Preston returned to Ocala, Florida with their sons ashes.

This entire article can be found here.

Outside Reading #12

On Sunday at 4:43 a.m. an earthquake took place in Indonesia. Eastern time the earthquake took place on Saturday at 2:43 p.m. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 and struck ninty-five miles west-northwest of Manokwari, Indonesia. And almost one-hundred and five miles east-northeast of Sorong. Both are cities in the Indonesian province of West Papua. The earthquake killed a ten year old girl, and left thirty-five others seriously wounded. The toll was one fewer than the two dead recorded during the weekend. Many homes were damaged along with dozens of other buildings. According to an Indonesian agency four buildings totally collapsed. Military workers have been called upon to participate in rescue missions. However no one was left buried under the "rubble" after rescue workers took action minutes after the earthquake. The earthquake was centered at a depth of 21.7 miles. Following the earthquake a tsunami warning was issued but ended within an hour after the tsunami. I believe in global warming, therefore I believe global warming created the earthquake.

the entire article can be found here.

Outside Reading #11

Today my sister left for Israel with a group called "Birth Right." Birth Right is a program supporting Jewish people from ages eight-teen to twenty-two to travel to Israel to be inspired by their culture. Due to the fact that the war in Israel is very serious right now, my family and I are constantly checking the internet, television, and family members for updates. In that case I came across this article on CNN.com. According to the article thousands of Israeli troops pushed into Gaza. The troops were backed by tanks and helicopters, and gained control in the northern part of Gaza. The crucial air attacks that Israel has conducted began on December 27th of 2008. Since then five-hundred Palestinians have been killed. And 2,600 Palestinians have been seriously injured. Since Israeli troops have invaded Gaza on Saturday, thirty-seven Palestinians have been killed. Those thirty-seven Palestinians killed were both militants and civilians. This entire event, and it's background is very depressing to me. Even though I was born in the U.S. and I live in the U.S. I feel as if I am apart of two wars. I have family and family friends that both live in Israel and participate in the Israeli Army. My hope is that one day my generation will solve today's problems, and make the world a better place.

the entire article can be found here.