Week 1, Post A

1. Bad Weather
This year has seen more severe weather than many years past, all over the country. Hundreds have died in Missouri and Alabama from tornadoes, and even in Illinois and Indiana, there has been outbreaks of damaging storms and tornadoes. Is this just a partuicularly strong year, or have weathe patterns changed as a result of global warming. People who might care are those who are effected by the storms, which is potentially everybody. Another group who might care are energy companies, who would possibly be hit with restrictions if any environmental laws are passed on account of the weather.


2. Gas Prices
Gasoline jumped to about four dollars per gallon earlier this year and has stayed at about that level. Many people are being hit hard by the price increase. Many have speculated that this is a result of the various uprisings in the Arab world, the source of most of the U.S.'s oil. Others have suggested that it is simply speculation and oil companies inflating the prices People who might care about this are motorists who pay for gas, as well as speculators and oil companies who make money off of gas.

3. Public Schools
All over the country, there is turmoil regarding public education. Many school systems have no money and are forced to cut faculty to the point that too many students are in one class. Also in the news is the issue of lawmakers cutting benefits and bargaining rights to teachers' unions. My high school in particular was recently in the midst of letting go several teachers. People who might care about this are the teachers this law directly effects, and the students and parents of students who attend public schools.