September 20, 2010

National News:

Fewer Deaths From Distracted Driving

( The New York Times)

Since 2009, the number of deaths attributed to distracted driving such as text- messaging had decreased by 6 percent across America. However, it is still more likely to find someone text- messaging while driving then not. In 2008, there were 5,838 deaths due to this fatal distraction. It is not necessarily the numbers that are the main concern, but the lives lost and hearts broken in cases that are completely avoidable. Society shouldn't need people consistently reminding them of number of lives lost and families distressed due to this. In fact, not all citizens’ text and drive as often as they brush their teeth, in some cases, more frequently.  Only thirty states have prohibited the use of phones behind the wheel, and hopefully twenty more will. Phones are like an addiction, people are hooked to these devices and it has come to a point where it jeopardizes their safety on the road.

 (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/technology/21distracted.html?ref=us)

Global News:

Haitians Cry in Letters For Help

(The New York Times)

When the deadly earthquake hit Haiti, thousands of lives were lost, hundreds of homes were demolished, and millions of hearts were broken. Sine then, letters from Haitians have been sent to non-government officials telling them their stories and how they are in dire need for help. This is the way of displaced Haitians venting, talking about their concerns, and finding hope. “I feel discouraged, I don’t sleep comfortably, I gave birth six months ago, the baby died, I have six other children, they don’t have a father, I don’t have work, my tarp is torn, the rain panics me, my house was crushed, I don’t have money to feed my family, I would really love it if you would help me,” wrote Marie Jean Jean. There are many camps that provide shelter and food, but they are all plague infested, flood prone, and feverish areas, which is not a healthy living environment. This was meant to give voice to the voiceless, not money to the poor and food to the hungry. As a misplaced citizen said, it is like they are all bobbing along on the waves of the ocean, waiting for someone to save them. But who will it be to throw the lifesaver?

(http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/world/americas/20haiti.html?_r=1&ref=world)

Local News:

Heroin Use a Growing Problem for Teens

(The Bergen Record)

A typical conversation in a suburban home goes like, “Hi honey, how was your day in school?”, “Fine,”, “Okay, I will make dinner.” However, more often then not parents have to confront their children about dangerous things like drinking, smoking weed, and even popping pills. In some cases, it is too late; the teens are already knee deep in addiction and have been avoiding detection for weeks, even months. The heroin use among teens have increased so drastically over the past years that if there is no stop to this, soon enough people will be selling them in school hallways. The consequences of being caught are severe for example jail or institution but the consequences of doing the drug can be fatal.

(http://www.northjersey.com/news/103226739_Heroin_use_is_growing_in_West_Milford.html?page=all)