Best App Ever : NPR

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Best App Ever : NPR

Last Wednesday, Austin Seraphin, a legally blind man purchased an iPhone. He can see a bit of light and color, but everything is just blurs. He downloaded an application for his iPhone called "Color Identifier." It uses the phone's cam and it says the colors it sees. He explains how the iPhone has literally changed his life. Do you think that Apple should continue to develop uses for the iPhone to help people with disablities? Apple has developed an entire collection of programs for the Mac OS, but I don't think they have developed anything for the iPhone. Application developers have created a bunch of different ones, but you have to purchase them in Apple's App Store. They come free in the Mac OS...

Americans' Wealth Eroded In Spring As Stocks Fell : NPR

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Americans' Wealth Eroded In Spring As Stocks Fell : NPR

During the nation's last quarter, stock prices have dropped even more. The net worth of the country dropped 2.7 percent - equal to $1.5 trillion dollars. That's $1,200,000,000. The worth is more than the lowest point in the recession, but it's no where near our origional net worth. Due to the state of the economy and the job market, we are afraid of spending our hard earned money. But, it then lowers the state of the economy more.

How do you think the economy is right now? Noticed any differences?

Class Discussions -

During the week, we've discussed a  lot of different topics from presidental speeches to a mosque in New York. What I found interesting is the topic about the mosque. I don't see what the big issue is about building one. I've actually done a little research on this and there are actually more than four mosques relatively close to Ground Zero. So, I have no idea why this one is such a big issue. Plus, the media sometimes says that it's going to be build on Ground Zero. It's not even going to be built on the same block.

I can't believe anyone is having a problem with this. As Americans, we have the individual right to disagree with a religion and find a different one. We have the right to believe in whatever we want.

If it wasn't being built near Ground Zero, would anyone mind? I don't think so.
There are churches being built all the time, but they don't get national media coverage ...

California Gas Blast 'Looked Like Hell On Earth' : NPR

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California Gas Blast 'Looked Like Hell On Earth' : NPR

 There was an enormous blast Thursday night in San Bruno, California. A natural gas pipeline broke and exploded, killing at 4 people in the process. Also, over 50 houses were destroyed and more than 120 others were damaged. The explosion even left a crater in the ground! The local company who controls the lines has no record of any crews working in the area of the explosion. What do you think was the cause? Some freak accident? I think so. I've never heard of anything like this, but anything is possible.

'Recovery Summer' Ends With Economic Pothole : NPR

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'Recovery Summer' Ends With Economic Pothole : NPR

As you probably know, the economy and the job market isn't the greatest right now. People are out of jobs and the government is handing out a lot of money for growth. There are about 15 million people either out of a job or cannot find a job due to the economy right now. You've probably heard about the government stimulus money being used to create jobs and help out the economy. In Columbus, the 10,000th stimulus project was created to widen a road, create a bike lane and create jobs. Across the country, there are 15,000 road projects funded by the government program. There has been almost $790 billion used in government funded projects so far. I'm not sure if I agree with the amount of money the government is using to help out the economy. If they keep printing money, it looses it's value over time.

What do you think about the government giving out stimulus money? Do you think it helps? Do you know anyone that is out of a job or is having trouble finding one?

about me -

Just introducing myself ...

My name is Ryan Monroe. I'm from Goodyear Heights, OH. (It's about a half an hour away) I graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School. My major is in photo-illustration (photography and graphic design) and minoring in graphic design. I'm very interested in anything art but mostly photography.