The ELC Writer’s Blog

Boxing is a traditional fighting sport where the participants are only allowed to use their hands to defeat their opponents.  If done right, it can be as well choreographed as a ballet.  Announcers have descriptive ways to bring color to the action - a southpaw, and overhand right, a straight cross, a combination, and there’s always the famous rope-a-dope that made Ali famous.

On the other hand, MMA (mixed martial arts) is the new kid on the block.  It encompasses all fighting styles.  It allows you to use your whole body to defeat your opponent.  Fighters are allowed to stand up or take the fight to the mat.  This sport also has descriptive words to describe aspects of the fight; my favorite term is the ‘rear naked choke’.

 Have you ever seen a Boxing match? How about an MMA match?  What’s your opinion of these two styles of competition.  Can they co-exist or should they both be outlawed?  Your comments would be greatly appreciated.

What are stem cells?  The website “Stem Cell Information”  (http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics) describe stem cells as:

Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.

If stem cells can save lives, why do most politician refuse to support this important research with funding?  In your opinion, is stem cell research an important tools to save lives.  Research this topic for discuss in class or blog your answer.

Homeschooling is the newest trend especially in the US.  Parents have removed their children from both public and private schools in order to give them the attention that they believe an organized school does not.  Below is an article taken from (http://www.abcarticledirectory.com/Article/Home-Schooling-Advantages-vs–Disadvantages/10706) about homeschooling. First, do you have homeschooling in your country.  Would you consider it for your children?  What are some of advantages and disadvantages as you see them?

 Home Schooling Advantages vs. Disadvantages By: Kris Koonar

Home schooling is an option that is becoming more attractive to parents as time goes on. Schools have become increasingly unstable over the past couple of decades. Children roam the hallways unchecked, textbooks are outdated, violence is prevalent, children are bullied mercilessly, and the quality of education on the whole has greatly diminished.

What options do parents have to combat this downward spiral? Initially, private school was thought to be the answer. As enrollment in private schools soared many parents failed to see a difference between public and private schools. The problems were still the same.

The option of home schooling has been around for a long time; however, until recently it had not been so popular. The idea of home schooling seems like a cure-all to many parents due to the advantages this type of education provides over traditional schools. Children who are home schooled can avoid many of the problems schools have become known for. For one, the environment is less threatening. Children can learn without fearing other students, aggressive or nasty teachers, and be under the constant supervision of parents. In addition, home schooling allows parents to dictate the academic course of their children. Home schooling also allows students to proceed at their own speed. If a child is weak at multiplication and division, a parent can focus lessons on those skills in favor of another skill that the child might grasp rather easily.

Home schooling is also advantageous because it keeps children away from other students that may be corruptive forces. There are many students in school who do not value learning. This is not any fault of the schools; however, it is still a painful reality. These students can lead to the destruction of a stable learning environment. Home schooling keeps children focused on learning and not on avoiding social pressures.

It may sound like the perfect option, but there are many disadvantages of home schooling. First of all, home schooled children are usually less socialized. While schools can sometimes be the breeding ground for poor social behaviors, school is also a place where students learn to interact with others and build social skills. It seems a bit like a catch 22.

In addition, another drawback to home schooling could be implementation of an educational plan. Many parents are not qualified as teachers and may not understand what is necessary to ensure a child has access to the proper curriculum.

Finally, another disadvantage to home schooling is the necessity for parents to take full responsibility for their childs education. If you choose to home school your child there is no one for you to blame if your child does poorly. The responsibility falls completely on the parent.

There are many advantages and disadvantages to home schooling. Before you begin a home schooling plan make sure you have evaluated your ability to properly instruct your child and provide a quality learning experience. If you do not think you can handle it, you might as well send your child to school but become more involved with his or her education.

“Oh, what a feeling!” is the advertising slogan that Toyota began many years ago to help introduce Americans to their their fuel efficient automobiles.  In the 1970s, most Americans drove large, gas-guzzling cars like Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevys and Fords.  The oil embargo that was implemented because of fighting in the middle east in the mid 1970s really crippled the American consumer.  The Japanese automakers saw an opportunity to enter the US market and quickly pounced on it with their fuel efficient cars.

In recently years, the “Big 3″ (B3) – GM, Ford and Chrysler have shown themselves to be not as attentive to the wants and needs of the American driver.  Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai and others, have continually stole market share from the B3.  As the imports became more popular, the B3 failed to follow their lead with styling and innovation. 

For the past few months, we have learned that the B3 are all hemorrhaging money; Downsizing, plant closings, layoffs and buyouts are the norm at the B3 now.  In recent weeks, Daimler, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, decided to sell off its Chrysler division to an American investor group; it was sold for a lots less money than it was purchased for. 

Ford recently learned that it has been surpassed by Toyota as the number 2 automaker in the US.  Toyota is definitely aiming for numero uno (or number 1).

What makes an import cars different or better from the American one?  I own a Toyota after having other American, German, and Japanese cars;  there are a lot of things I love about my Toyota, and because of past experiences, I plan to give my future business to the so-called importers.  What’s you opinion on this subject? Blog it!!