Children and Philosophy

The Examined Life, Age 8

by: Abby Goodnough

This article is a light hearted philosophical view through children's eyes. It discusses that a Professor and his undergrad that go to a charter school and use children's books to discuss philosophy. Prof. Thomas E. Wartenberg believes that children can discuss philosophy at a young age and that through children's books they can learn to express themselves. I found this to be a very intriguing article and it was nice to read something that didn't have to do with death and war. Goodnough does a wonderful job in designing the flow of the article and a lovely introduction that engages you to keep reading.

"A few times each month, second graders at a charter school in Springfield, Mass., take time from math and reading to engage in philosophical debate. There is no mention of Hegel or Descartes, no study of syllogism or solipsism. "

This introduction makes you realize that these are just children but are still taking a very mature step in there life. The kids even said that it was nice to express themselves and that they ultimately loved to do this activity. So far Wartenberg has done this 6 times in the school system and believes that there is to many standards that teachers are trying to meet that they forget analyzing concepts can be a very important maturation step in life.

The impact of this article makes your realize that it is important to teach children other things then just math and science but that outside of the box thinking is very important to do.

Meth

With Cars as Meth Labs, Evidence Litters Roads
by: Susan Saulny

"To get rid of your meth lab these days is to put it in a plastic bag, then throw it out the car window..."-William V. Wargo.

How classy is Indiana these days? Instead of blowing up their homes, they can now blow up their cars. Meth is being made on the move in vehicles and then tossed out windows. The story then goes into detail about why these meth labs are becoming transportable these days.

It was a nice journalistic stand point because it is very impactful. There is the chance that one of these people could be driving by you and possibly harm you or others. I think it is also an emotional peice with the possiblity of hurting others. In part of the article they described a dead deer next to a dumb site and they said it was because of the trash that was left. That is terribly sad.

Whoops!

Indy Star Pulls Duke Illustration

The Herald Bulletin: April 3rd, 2010

By: Scott Underwood

This doesn't have a whole lot to do with journalistic story telling, but i thought it was a slightly amusing incident that occured in the Indianpolis star on April 2, 2010. Some 30,000 (or so I heard, not nesicarily from this article) copies of the Indianapolis Star went out before noticing how innapropriate the photo was.. The article did cover peoples strong emotion towards Duke, however upper management found this photo illustration to be over the top and decided to change the later issues that were printed that day. I found it quite surprising that this happened to a newspaper. I know newspapers go through a lot of editors and to just change it mid way though the day is surprising. According to the editor, the page was done by a page designer that works for the Star. When I had first heard about this, I heard that someone tampered with the publication before it went to print with out anybody knowing. However, with the hand and pen it was obviously an intentional design that really does correlate with the story, meaning multiple people had to see this before it went out to press. Anywho, one must wonder whta made them change their mind so late in the processes of printing that days newspaper?

Salt Pit Death

Salt Pit Death: Gul Rahman, CIA Prisoner Died of Hypothermia in Secret Afghanistan Prison.
The Huffington Post
Adam Goldman and Kathy Gannon

This article discusses about how a CIA Prisoner died of hypothermia in a secret Afghan prison, known as Salt Pit. It starts out the lead as the inmates calling it "the dark prison". This intro into the article intrigues you to find out more about what happens in this prison and why someone died from hypothermia. The article then tells you the five "w's" within the first couple of short paragraphs while intriguing you to continue to read further. "Inside a chilly cell, the man was shackled and left half-naked. He was found dead, exposed to the cold, in the early hours of Nov. 20, 2002." From this quote you understand that this man was not treated right and something wrong and unlawful was happening within this situation. I found it interesting that this type of thing still existed and it led to the findings of more abused prisoners inside the CIA.

" The CIA's program of waterboarding and other harsh treatment of suspected terrorists has been debated since it ended in 2006. The Salt Pit case stands as a cautionary tale about the unfettered use of such practices." I really liked the wording in this paragraph. I think it helps tell the story by wording in a very precise manner and describes the incident in a unique way that I would have never thought of.

I found it extremely sad that the death of this man has just now been revealed. Later in the article they discuss that the family was never notified and no one knew where this man was. Granted, he was a terrorist, but cruel treatment of people should never be used on another human being. No matter who they are.

INTERNATIONAL / AMERICAS

Missionaries Go to Haiti, Followed by Scrutiny

By MARC LACEY and IAN URBINA

Published: February 16, 2010

As a broad band of religious groups rush to Haiti, what seems to divide missionaries most is how long they have been working in the country.

I enjoyed still seeing that efforts are continued to help out in Haiti. The article discusses a bounty of religious organizations still continue to volunteer their services. I was also intrigued by this... "Some of them arrived on John Travolta’s Boeing 707, which he flew down loaded with tons of relief supplies, and when not doing relief work they sang classic rock songs at a crowded bar full of aid workers inside the United Nations compound." I think its nice that not only are they volunteering, but during the wee hours they are off they are still able to have a good time. But honestly, I wasn't sure how i felt about them mentioning this. You would think that if they had time to drink and sing songs they would have time to help some more out in suffering Haiti. Granted, not all of their time can be sent on volunteering but shouldn't a large part of it be? On a lighter note however, I thought the wording of this next quote was very well written with good use of language to set the image in your mind. "Moved by awful images of the Jan. 12earthquake, a broad band of religious groups has swept down here in recent weeks. But rather than fostering a universal spirit of interfaith cooperation, the hasty assemblage of religious organizations has sometimes created tensions among them." Ultimately, I am very happy that efforts are continued in Haiti, and from what the article said, there are always efforts in this country. I think that is an important idea to remember. Of course in times of need it is important to help these countries, but most of the time these countries are always in need of something, and we as a society should not forget what is continually going on in the world around us.