The Muckrakers were a group of journalists, writers, and political cartoonists who worked to draw attention to the corruption of the Gilded Age, as well as the problems of mass immigration and urbanization. Now it's your turn to rake some muck. Write about an issue you feel strongly about that needs attention drawn to it. Persuade me to care, and try to elicit some response from your classmates.
28 Comments
Sunshine
2/16/2010 11:05:34 am
It is hard to pick an issue that I feel strongly about, when I am passionate about a lot of things. So I am going to randomly pick an issue that will probably make me sound like a hippie but ohhh well.
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Paige L.
2/18/2010 01:03:37 am
I would like to strongly preach about the subject of pollution and it leading to the occurence of global warming. I believe that this issue is very important to discuss because with the carelessness of littering and polluting our earth we are endangering ourselves and the environment as a result. It's not that hard to wait until you find a trash to throw something away. Recycling is a great way to go green to prevent global warming and it's not hard and time consuming. Switching to flouresent light bulbs is another way to go green and not use up so much electricity. Even turning off the water while brushing your teeth is helping to stop this crisis.
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Molly G
2/18/2010 10:56:29 am
Ever since Roe v. Wade in 1973, abortion has been a huge debate, and more attention and awareness needs to be brought to this issue. Abortion is wrong. It is legalized murder. Life starts at conception and therefore abortion is the killing of an innocent life. Some argue that life begins at birth, but the definition of life is: the property of plants and animals to functions, have the ability to take in food, adapt to the environment, grow, and reproduce. If you think about it, a child in the womb applies to all of these things, therefore it is a living human being. Abortion not only hurts the baby, but also the mother. Many mothers who have abortions regret it later. They realize the reality in what they have done and they have to live with it their whole lives. As Upton Sinclair wrote in The Jungle, about horrific things in meat packing factories, abortion has horrific images with it too. He brought to America’s attention many facts that they were previously unaware about. There are many types of abortion but all are very painful to hear about. For example, there is suction aspiration. In this type of abortion a vacuum is used to suck the developing baby up. In another type of abortion pincers with metal jaws are used to grasp parts of the developing baby, and tear it away from its mother. Often times in this procedure, the baby’s skull is crushed. In partial birth abortion, scissors are used by the doctor to pry open the babies brain, and suck the brains out.
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Ashley C
2/20/2010 12:15:12 am
Teen pregnancy is a big issue surrounding America. As much as we try to educate and preach about the consequences of having sex as a teenager, there are still an overwhelming amount of pregnant teens. Although I do not condemn having sex at such a young age it is not the issue I will be addressing. The issue being to decrease teen pregnancy. It is apparent that kids are going to have sex either way, protected or not. If birth control was available without parental consent the rate of teen pregnancy would decrease. Most kids that do not want their parents to know that they are sexually active have unprotected sex. If they could get a more reliable birth control, besides condoms, I think that teen pregnancy would decrease greatly. Some may argue this would make it easier for kids to have sex but like I said it is apparent kids are going to have sex either way. Which would parents prefer, being out of the loop and ending up with a grandchild or being out of the loop and not having a grandchild?
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Ashley C
2/20/2010 12:20:38 am
I agree with Sunshine about how I think the government is scared to implement natural resources into the world as means of energy because of the cost. As I said though Sunshine is right, in the long run it will be more cost efficient in the long run. We have to start now because with each passing day we kill more of our planet and every little step helps.
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Taylor D.
2/20/2010 09:58:25 am
I think an issue that has been lacking some attention is the issue of abuse of teens from their parents. I'm talking about any type of abuse - emotional, physical or physcological. The only abuse that really shows up visually is the physical abuse. Many teens have the ability to hide the emotional and physcological abuse by putting on a happy face and acting like nothing is wrong or getting so involved in other activities at school, that they don't have to go home to the abuse. Some teens come to school to escape from the abuse and the last place that they want to talk about what is going on is to a conseluor or a teacher. There are so many of our peers walking through the same halls as most of us and going through the same motions of school, that go unnoticed because they have become so immune to the abuse and have the ability to hide it so well.
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Taylor D.
2/20/2010 10:05:33 am
I totally agree with Ashley and her discussing the prevalent issue of teen pregnancy. Some teenage girls view motherhood as fun or a way to get attention. Most teens that are sexually active have the mentality that it won't happen to them. That sex after one time will not cause a pregnancy. Pregnancy is not the only thing teens should be worried about. What about all of the STDs and other diseases that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Like Ashley said, obviously preaching about abstinence is not working. I agree with her when she says that teens are going to have sex. (Some of them, not all of them.) The problem then becomes unprotected sex. This is definitely an issue that needs to be addressed in our country.
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Molly G
2/21/2010 03:56:53 am
I agree with Taylor
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Ryan H.
2/21/2010 08:33:20 am
Every junior in high school dreads taking the ACT test. Teachers and parents keep reminding their students and kids as to how important this test is. As to how this test effects what college you get into. In my opinion, this test is really unfair and that there is no reason for it. This test depends on how fast you can read and comprehend along with a little bit of luck. Colleges should not judge a student's entry from their ACT score. Their score could be brought down from a subject that has nothing to do with what they want to do later in life. I am sure that I am not the only one that believes this. I know of many other students, parents, and even teachers who do not believe this test is necessary.
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Ryan H
2/21/2010 08:37:06 am
Molly's details are very mind bottling. But, I guess this is what a muckraker is supposed to do.... So good job Molly.
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Amberleigh V.
2/21/2010 09:10:59 am
An issue that i believe is on the rise again is racism. We have touched on this subject a little bit in class, but we did not go too far in-depth. I feel as though people are becoming too comfortable with stereotypes. I listen to classmates and cannot believe my ears sometimes. I wonder how people have grown so accustomed to putting down other races based on things they have heard, but have not studied. How is this hate rising again? Not one race is perfect. No matter what our skin color, every single race has good and bad things about them. There are pros and cons to every society. I sometimes think that the early years of the 2000s are reflecting that of the early 1900s. If people do not put aside petty things like the color of our skin, it will just be one more thing that keeps people from uniting and becoming stronger together. Some of the race issues are caused by the views of parents or grandparents that have been passed down the line to their children. We need to keep an open mind about things. We cannot assume that what our parents tell us are all true things. In some ways racial issues have progressed since the early 1900s, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. It is not practical to think that all of the racial issues could ever be brought to peace in our world. But we can try. Every word spoken has an effect. Racial jokes are sometimes funny, but is it worth it? At what point do those jokes become actual thoughts and beliefs? Where is the line drawn and can you control it? Everyone and every race has stereotypes but these are only created because people have nothing better to do than to criticize others to make themselves feel better. People laugh and joke about others to cover up their own insecurities. It sounds cliche, but it is true. How can someone respect you if you are always putting people down? How can someone claim to be your friend if you are acting that way, and be proud to be your friend? The only way to help stop this hatred from rising more is to stop assuming things about people based on the color of their skin. Look deeper into their personalities before saying stereotypical statements. Judging people comes from laziness. Getting to know someone takes effort. No matter what you are, or where you are from, you can make a difference.
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Brianna Gaston
2/21/2010 09:21:52 am
An issue that i feel strongly about and feel lacks attention is animal abuse. The fact that a human can hit or kill an animal who is mainly defenseless to them is awful and cowardly. When you see and hear the stories of how an owner of an animal has physically abused and/or starved an animal it is disgusting and heart breaking. The saddest part is that the animal counts on its abuser and even loves them. They are forgiving of most anything, and in some cases don't know the difference of how they are being treated. People who do these harsh things to innocent animals should be fined and/or jailed! It is sad when they get away with it and wrong. Without animals and without pets the world would be a boring place and a really sad place as well. Animals bring so much love and fun into lives everyday and all they want back is the same love they have for you! For those animals whom do not receive that love and respect that they deserve they at least deserve a voice and we can do just that for them! :)
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Amberleigh V.
2/21/2010 09:23:25 am
I agree with Taylor that teenagers need more support due to the abuse they endure.... from mild to severe abuse. No amount of it is pleasing. And you are correct when saying that a lot of people hide it. People do not speak up because they feel as though no one will believe them or that no one cares about what is happening to them. When you are sad you typically do not talk much, but if you are already the shy kid, who actually notices that you are upset? No one talks to you, and if someone does ask, you do not tell because you do not believe that they genuinely care. Why only care about me when I am sad? Why not talk to me when I am happy? Am i only worth talking to when something bad is happening to me? These are questions that race through a lot of teenagers minds. The stress that is put on teenagers is enormous, and a support group would be helpful and therapeutic to many students. One smile, one nice statement, can change someone's entire day around, if you are willing to be sincere about it.
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Brianna Gaston
2/21/2010 09:27:40 am
I agree with Ryan. The ACT is a very unfair test and to have it be timed as well is complete bull! I guarantee that many students would have better scores on their ACT test if it weren't timed. But all in all colleges just shouldn't base acceptance off an ACT score!
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Zain B
2/21/2010 09:42:53 am
One issue I feel needs attention drawn to it is the 3rd world countries we ignore. Many countries in Africa, India, and South America suffer from inhumane conditions on a daily basis and are ignored by the majority of the civilized world. These conditions are disgusting, people go days without food and water and suffer the effects of debilitating diseases. These conditions are occasionally recognized by government and small amounts of aid are sent but this generally fixes nothing long-term. Aid needs to be brought to these countries. Instead of fighting a war that has yielded nothing we should bring more support to countries that are on the brink of collapse. Warlords murder thousands daily and we never hear of it, this is unacceptable. We should not live comfortably while others a continent away live with the constant threat of death, disease or worse. Our government dips its fingers into multiple international issues but neglects those who need it the most. It’s disturbing that a country that promotes freedom and equal opportunity won’t spread this ideal to those who need it most.
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Zain B
2/21/2010 10:13:04 am
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Craig J
2/21/2010 11:39:14 am
An issue feel strongly about is how the US takes too active of a role in other countries matters. Whether its bringing them peace, like in Iraq, or help, like in Haiti, we need to let other countries pick up the slack in being the international police. Their are still houses in Lousiana that need to built or repaired that were destroyed by hurricane Katrina years ago. America needs to help those in need in our country before we put forth millions of dollars for a whole different country. The United States needs to make itself a priority before everything else. As coldhearted as it sounds, Americans need to come before Iraqis or Haitians. There are still so many that need help, especially in this great recession, that we need to help our own kind instead of being so quick to lend a hand to those across the globe.
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Mrs. T
2/21/2010 11:57:07 am
Nice work, class. I VERY MUCH appreciate you being respectful in your muckraking and respectful in your responses to your classmates' posts. We'll continue this discussion in class!
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Craig J
2/21/2010 12:18:45 pm
I also disagree with Molly (with the liklihood that I will also sound like an ass). Most don't know of the odd relativity between crime and abortion. In 1989 crime in America had reached its peak. Between 1974 and 1989, violent crime had risen 80%. But then as the early 1990s came around, crime rate began to quickly decline. It confused most experts, who had thought it would follow the 15 year pattern and continue to rise. It is true that when a women does not want to have a child, they usually have a good reason. When Roe v. Wade was put into effect in 1973 within the first year 750,000 women had abortions (at the time that was 1 abortion for every 4 live births). By 1980, the number of abortions reached 1.6 million, where it leveled off. Now, lets pause for a moment and look at the type of women that would take advantage of the R v W decision...most likely unmarried, poor, or still a teenager, maybe all three. Children growing up poor, with a single parent greatly increases their odds of being a criminal. With the millions of women getting abortions, this prevented future violent criminals from being born. In the early 1990s, just as the first group of children born after the Roe v Wade hit there late teenage years- the time when most young men enter criminal prime- the rate of crime began to fall. What that group was missing were the kids who stood the greatest chance of becoming criminals. The rate of crime continued to fall as entire generations came minus those children whose moms didnt want to bring a child into the world. Legalized crime led to less "unwantedness"and "unwantedness" leads to high crime. Therefore legalized abortion led to less crime in America. Decreased crime is always a good thing, but does the means justify the end? In some ways, it does.
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Craig J
2/21/2010 12:20:28 pm
BTW!! All of my statistics and facts came from the book Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. Good book...
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Paige L.
2/22/2010 09:04:14 pm
I also agree with Ashley and her issue being teen pregnancy. I agree with her saying, "The fact is when teenagers get pregnant it is not fair to their parents that have to now help raise the child. It's not fair to the teen who now has to struggle through high school and possibly college to help make ends meet. It is also not fair to the child that has to grow up in now possibly unstable household. It just not work having a child at such a young age." And I believe it is very true that if birth control was available for teens without parental consent, that there would be less teen pregnancies.
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Ted S.
2/22/2010 09:31:47 pm
After my many encounters with radical extremist conservatives, I think that the problem of radical Pro-life activists needs to be spoken about. Before adressing the issue, I would like to let Molly know that this is not an attack on her at all. I have been planning on doing this for the blog for a while, and am not saying you are one of these radical extremists. Anywho, during my stay at Lumen Christi, I experienced some people with conservative values, that took them to the extreme. I was issued a detention and a C in religion class because I refused to participate in a Pro-life activist picket and strike. I realized that this is their right, as I payed to attend there, but this is a little bit ridiculous. Also, after expressing my belief in Pro-choice, I was called a "sinner" and sent to confession. You can't make this stuff up. They told ridiculous lies about abortion and Planned Parenthood. Telling kids these lies is brainwashing us into thinking what they want which needs to be stopped.
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Ted S.
2/22/2010 09:33:19 pm
I obviously disagree with Molly's views, but I do think she makes a good point.
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Sunshine
2/23/2010 02:22:17 am
First of all, I'm pretty irritated with the comment supposedly published by 'Sunshine' (me) that say's global warming does not exist. I understand that's your opinion, whoever you are, but you didn't have to pretend to be me or whatever. too bad no one else caught that...
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Morgan
2/23/2010 04:22:13 am
After the talk we had today in class I decided to right my blog on the racism. I can understand why people say that when we call someone black that could be offensive, but after talking to some African Americans they really don't care what we call them as long as we don't end the word with an ER. I also think that it was a decade thing because I am pretty sure if you said anything that people could find offensive i think that they would care so I watch what i say if i say anything racist around certain African Americans...
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Austin The BOSStin
3/2/2010 07:27:21 am
ABORTION. It's a word that gets tossed around nowadays as a joke, a sin, and also the name of an awesome band (check them out, they're called Aborted.)
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Austin from Boston. That's right.
3/2/2010 07:31:51 am
I'm sorry Molly, but I disagree with your opinion on abortion. Although I may sound like a bunghole, it's the choice of the woman. the baby may be 'alive' at conception, but until it takes a breath and cries, I don't see it as so.
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Brian w
3/4/2010 12:13:02 pm
One issue i have on society right now is the way gays are treated and disrespected. They are human beings and they should be treat like ones. Just because your gay doesnt mean ur a bad person it means you just express ur self differently. I have many gay friends i dont mind hanging out with them either. They respect my boundries because i respect them. I would rather hangout with a gay guy rather than a straight guy do to the fact that straight guys are way harder to get along with me because they are inmature. Lastly when you use the word gay do you really know what your, stop saying it!
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