Can People Actually Own Virtual Land?

With the world of video games becoming more and more real and intuitive with each passing month will there ever be a time when people live vicariously through their avatars? Sadly, that day has already come for some. With such games as World of Warcraft, individuals are rejecting the real reality of life for a fantasy land of excitement and adventure. Creating avatars, or virtual identities, to live out their most wild fantasies and feel empowered in a somewhat mediocre life. With people more involved with life on-line than in society, how will these individuals continue to fend for themselves. Sure a utopian world of fantasy and exotic creatures is nice, but when is it time to grow up and face the real world and battle the demons of everyday life?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/05/10/virtual.property.second.life/index.html

Spain's 'Coast of Death' Bears Evidence of Oil Spill 8 Years Later

With evidence of Spain's horrific oil-spill for eight years ago only brings to question the lasting harm of the current oil spill that is occurring today. Citizens from Spain explain how terrible an oil spill is on the land and animals of surrounding regions. "We couldn't come out here," he said, pointing at the beach. "It was all full of black sludge. Black, black, black. Wherever you put your feet, you had to wear boots and protection." is the reaction of a Spaniard trying to clean up the mess of the oil-spill eight years ago. By comparison that oil-spill is minuscule in comparison to the one happening today which only makes one think, "How long will this take to fix?"and how much will it cost?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/05/09/spain.black.tide/index.html?iref=allsearch

A Summer Job Drought for Youth

With increased unemployment comes decreased opportunity for teenagers to find jobs this summer. Since 2000, teenagers have gone from an employment rate of about 60% to a rate of 47%. This statistic is based on the number of individuals age 16-24 years old. This summer is expected to be even worse. Even minimum wage jobs may be hard for teenagers to seek out with such staggering unemployment numbers. It is encourages for young individuals to apply to as many locations as possible to increase their chance of seeking a job before the summer months come to burn even more holes into their pocketbooks.

http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/06/news/economy/summer_jobs/index.htm?cnn=yes

Volcanic Ash Cloud Disrupts Flights

As the Icelandic ash continues to trap the sky in a blackened fog, airplanes must stay on the ground. The eruption is has been interfering with air-traffic for over a week now with hundred of European flights being cancelled, or at best, heavily delayed. Passangers are strongly recommended to check their flight status prior to heading off to the airport to reduce frustration of this natural incident. The ash cloud is slowly dissipating and a return to normal flight patterns should return shortly. However, until then, the ones so dependent of airplane travel will have to stay low this coming week and hopefully return home soon.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/05/10/volcanic.ash.flights.europe/index.html

Barbara Walters to Undergo Heart Surgery

Barbara Walters will undergo heart surgery this Monday to replace a faulty heart valve. "I have known of this condition for a while now, and my doctors and I have decided this is the best time to do the surgery," says 80 year old Walters. The surgery is fairly routine however the recovery may take some time for an individual of her age. We all hope the best Barbara in her medical endeavor and that she will return to entertain us all with her insightful wisdom and bright personality on television.

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/10/barbara-walters-to-undergo-heart-surgery/

Dealing With Loneliness

As said in a popular song, "one is the loneliest number". America is filled with people that undergo the pangs of loneliness, even if the do not live alone. Suffers of chronic loneliness can feel lonely even when surrounded by groups of friends or family. It isn't the shear number of individuals that stops these people from feeling lonely, but rather a lack of understanding or relation to these people. It is hard for these suffering individuals to strip themselves from their somber skin and recognize the people that care for them. Researchers are looking for ways for chronics loners to find purpose in relationships. But until then, whether it be one or one hundred, these people feel the fear of being alone.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/06/loneliness.depression/index.html

Jobs Blog

Issue 3) Putting Welfare to Work

With Unemployment rates sky rocketing

, more and more Americans are struggling to make ends meet. In order to maintai

n a stable living situation many people resort to Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) as assistance to providing for their families. Welfare is an increasing necessity and many people still struggling with financial situations. The highest number of people in deep poverty was reported in 2005, meaning that our nation has to figure out a welfare system that will enable people to have a source of income while seeking a job.

Like Bill Clinton, the Obama Administration has tried attempts at a reform to poverty stricken people. Universal healthcare provides healthcare to people that could otherwise not afford it and new referendums for welfare have been put into place. Hopefully welfare is an issue that will be adjusted and new forms aid will be administered to create new flow of work to the poverty suffering population. Creating a much stronger nation with a positive future to come.

Issue 1) All Things Being Unequal (Jill Kvilhaug)

Issue 2) Boosting the Minimum (Molly Simonson)