Getting Started with the blog -

Each of the discussions have multiple questions. When you formulate your response, remember the "rule of 3" - have three points to support your position or three details to support one point for your position. Do NOT limit yourself to the magic number. If you've got more ideas, add them in!
Please write your responses in paragraph form.
And remember, sometimes it is easier to write about a position that you don’t necessarily agree with.

Here's a quick sample :

• Should research on cloning be conducted?

Point: (yes) Cloning research provides vital information for medical progress.
Reasons:

1. gene therapy
2. research to help overcome immunity rejections in transplants
3. tissues and organs for transplant and treatment of degenerative conditions

A sample response could look something like this:

"Even though there are many people fear the worst from genetic research, cloning is not a science of creating evil twins. One of the major advances made possible by such research is in the area of gene therapy. This area affects me personally as some of the women in my family carry a genetic mutation that increases the risks of breast cancer. Another benefit from cloning research is the work done to overcome immunity rejection in the process of organ transplants. And beyond immunity boundaries, clone research can be used to create tissue and organs to treat people with degenerative diseases, in essence, undoing decay damage."

Discussion 1: Political and legal issues

• Should the U.S. provide foreign aid in the face of national debt?
  
• Should welfare and public assistance have a time limit??
  
• Should the U.S. phase out the Electoral College (regarding presidential elections)?

Discussion 2: Immigration debates

• Should English proficiency be a citizenship requirement?
  
• Should amnesty be granted to kids who were brought to the US by their parents so they can attend college?

Discussion 3: Life and death issues

• Should teens who murder be eligible for the death penalty?
  
• Should the death penalty be abolished?
  
• Should assisted suicide be legal?
  
• Should brain-dead people be kept on life support?

Discussion 4: Education issues

• Should English proficiency be a high school graduation requirement?
  
• Should schools require student uniforms?
  
• Should students failing their classes in high school have their driver's license revoked?
  
• Should condoms be available in high school?

Discussion 5: Education and technology issues

• Should cell phones and ipods be allowed in school?
  
• Should all students be allowed to attend a completely “virtual” school from a home computer?

Discussion 6: Environmental issues

• Should recycling be mandatory?
  
• Should transportation companies be forced to use non-petroleum based fuels?

Discussion 7: Freedom issues

• Should the internet be censored?
  
• Should school prayer be allowed?
  
• Should it be illegal to be a member of a gang or extremist groups (i.e. KKK, skinheads)?
  
• Should alcoholic beverages be legalized for all ages?

Discussion 8: Family issues

• Should parents of teen vandals be held responsible for their child's damage?
  
• Should parents of students who are excessively absent from school be prosecuted?
  
• Should adopted children be given the choice of contacting their biological parents? OR Should mothers who give their children up for adoption be allowed to keep their identity secret?

Discussion 9: Women and equity

• Should females in the military be excluded from combat and other "hazardous" duties?
  
• Should females be exempt from the military drafting system?