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In the article “Volunteers Place 16,000 Wreaths at Arlington” by Samantha L. Quigley what matters is The Arlington Wreath Project, an unofficial national tradition, prompted about 6,000 volunteers to wake up extra early this morning to help place 16,000 wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. Morrill Worcester, president of Maine-based Worcester Wreath Company, started the tradition in 1992, although the seeds for the idea had been planted 30 years earlier. The cemetery’s hallowed ground first impressed Worcester in 1962, when the 12-year-old Bangor, Daily News paper boy had won a paper-sponsored contest and a trip to Washington. I think that it's really nice that America still remembers our troops, and people still care about the troops even if they are dead. Men who died in recent conflicts and are buried in Section 60, wreaths are not typically placed on those graves. This year, however, the USO asked to sponsor 1,000 wreaths specifically for that section, which is set aside for U.S. military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 300 volunteers, including 125 military family members, helped place the wreaths in less than an hour.

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In the article “U.S., Russia Make Progress on Nuclear Reduction Agreement” by John J. Kruzel what matters is The United States and Russia are making progress on a pledge to reach an agreement on a nuclear weapons reduction pact to replace a long-standing treaty that expired last week. Negotiations have proceeded quietly in Switzerland under tight secrecy, according to reports. But an administration official this week said the two sides are making progress on reaching an agreement. I think that this will be a great thing because it will help stop nuclear stockpile and the nuclear threat. The START treaty, signed in July 1991 by President George H.W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, is considered the biggest arms reduction treaty ever brokered. Under the agreement, Russia has more than halved its nuclear arsenal, destroying over 3,000 intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, 45 atomic submarines and more than 65 strategic bombers, Russia’s foreign ministry said. The United States also reduced by more than 3,000 its arsenal of intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and cut the amount of launchers and heavy bombers.

PLN 27

In the article “Corps of Engineers Preps for Afghan Surge While Looking Long-Term” By Donna Miles what matters is as 30,000 additional troops move into what will be “pretty intense conditions” in Afghanistan, the Army Corps of Engineers is working in partnership with unit level engineers and contractors to provide basic comforts. They should expect some tough conditions, bedding down in tent cities both at their arrival point and at the forward operating bases they move out to. I think that we should go to Afghan to make sure that we eliminate the terrorist threat. U.S. Forces Afghanistan has geared up the entire engineering community to provide the incoming troops the support facilities they’ll require. Troop engineers and the contractor-supported LOGCAP program -- Logistics Civil Augmentation Program—will provide amenities such as dining, laundry and post exchanges.

PLN 26

Team Uses Afghan Airwaves to Counter Flu Misinformation by Air Force 2nd Lt. Natassia Cherne, what matters is Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team service members used radio waves to combat misinformation about the spread of the H1N1 flu virus here. Navy Lt. Jennifer Dreiling, team senior medical officer from McLean, VA, and Navy Lt. j.g. Stacy Gross, team information operations officer from Lakeville, Minn., broadcasted public health messages about the virus Nov. 19 on Radio Kalagush, a U.S.-funded Afghan radio station transmitted from Forward Operating Base Kalagush. The messages informed people how to react to the common cold or H1N1 symptoms, and what to do if they suspect they have the virus. I think that this will help people get more informed of the virus and what to do if they get the virus. This will help prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu. Every radio message the team broadcasts with useful information about the virus is another opportunity to take power away from the enemy’s information campaign.

PLN 25

In the article “Army Joins With Mental Health Institute to Study Suicides” by Christen N. McCluney what matters is the Army is collaborating with the National Institute of Mental Health to launch the largest study ever undertaken of suicide and mental health among military personnel. The institute is partnering with an academic team led by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences that includes researchers from Harvard University, Columbia University and the University of Michigan. The team aims to develop a research agenda and research projects that look at the causes of, and areas for intervention in, a variety of mental disorders. I think this is important because it could help to find out why people kill then selves and help to find a way to prevent it. This would make a lot of people feel more secure. The project is going to capitalize on the data the Army already collects on service members including training experiences, deployments, exposure during deployment, as well as information about health problems and utilization of health services.

PLN 24

In the article “Forces in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Militants” by American Forces Press Service what matters is Afghan and international forces worked together to kill or detain numerous enemy fighters and terrorism suspects in operations over the last two days. A combined Afghan and international security force killed several enemy militants, including a Taliban district commander and detained several suspected militants in Afghanistan’s Wardak province. The force searched a compound near the village of Mayshin Kala in the province’s Sayed Abad district where intelligence indicated militant activity. Upon entering the compound courtyard, the force came under attack and returned fire, killing several enemy militants. I think that this is a good thing because it is helping Afghanistan make its country safer for it inhabitants. Afghan-international security force also detained a suspected militant in Kandahar province yesterday while pursuing a senior Taliban commander. The force searched a vehicle near the village of Shad Khan Kalay in the province’s Kharkriz district after intelligence indicated militant activity.

PLN 23

In the video "What if" by Karl Fisch, what people have said in the past about students will never use laptops in school or AHS will never have wireless internet or students will never use pens in school. What if we had listened to them? What would it be like today? Would we have laptops? Would we have wireless internet? Would we have pens? Would teachers have computers? Would we have Infinte Campus? I think that it is a good thing we didn't listen because school would be a lot harder and a lot more boring. Technology is helping students more than if we didn't use it. If we didn't have it I think more students would drop out and some nations would fall because of the lack of education. Technology is the only way to teach students today because it is what they are used to. What if we didn't have it?

PLN 22

In the article "Put Fourth our Best Writing Selves" by Douglas Hesse, what matters is Douglas is encouraging people to tell there story to Colorado and "show one another our best writing selves" said Douglas.

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In the article “Summit Aims to Improve Family Support Programs” by Elaine Wilson, what’s important is more than 300 leaders who provide support to military families will gather next week to discuss the effectiveness of the military’s family support. The summit is expected to draw participants from all services as well as active and reserve components. The Defense Department’s military community and family policy office organized the summit in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the University of Maryland. I think that this is a good thing because it will give service men and women’s families more support. Defense Department and land-grant universities will review identified priorities, issues raised at the summit and feedback from family member sessions and prepare a report with recommendations on ways to strengthen the development of a Defense Department strategic plan for military family support.(DOD)

PLN 20

In the article "Brigade Prepares for ‘Advise, Assist’ Mission" by Donna Miles what matters is 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Brigade prepares for its fourth deployment to Iraq. Army Col. Roger Cloutier, the brigade commander, calls it fitting that his soldiers will serve as one of four new “advise-and-assist” brigades made specifically to support Iraqi security forces. I think that this is a good thing because if our AA teams help the Iraqi security forces it will help stop fighting and help prevent terrorism. During the NTC rotation, the Iraqis - portrayed by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, NTC's permanent opposing force - took the lead in planning and carrying out every operation. During two out-of-sector operations, one at battalion level and one at brigade level, the Iraqi security forces led the planning, with concept development support from the U.S. stability transition teams.

PLN 19

I read the article " Exercise Seeks to Reduce Friendly Fire Incidents". Whats important is that the military is seeking technology's that will help to prevent friendly fire incidents to save military and civilian lives during combat operations. They are also seeking technology's to better aid combat air crews in differentiating between friendly and enemy forces and civilians during air-to-ground support operations. About 1,000 military members are participating in this exercise which includes about 20 U.S. and Canadian aircraft and some 80 U.S. ground vehicles. Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, are heavily involved in all of the exercises ground operations. I think that this wiil help us not to shoot our own guys and save more lives in combat. "The potential for human error cannot be totally factored out, it’s unlikely that fratricide or civilian casualties will be completely eliminated from warfare", said Sgt. Miller. My dad served in Operation Desert Storm and was shot by his best friend on accident. They are still best friends but they are involved in this exercise.

PLN 18

I read the article "President Obama signs the defense authorization act". What matters is that Obama has signed an act to stop wasteful spending of money for the armed forces. The things that are being promoted to help the defense of the US is building more F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighters, littoral combat ships, and more helicopters and reconnaissance support for deployed U.S. forces. I think that this act is good for the armed forces because it will give them the equipment they need and when they need it. They will always be prepared with the equipment they need. This is going to help us spend the money we are not wasting on things to help the US and its allies. The money we have saved numbers in the $100,000,000 (Source DOD) range. Obama has used that money for health insurance and for food stamps.

PLN 17

I read the article "Chairman Calls US-Japan relationship vital" by Jim Garamone. What matters is Japan's relationship with the US is stronger than ever before. The Japanese are helping US in Afghanistan by helping the Army and police keep peace. I think that this is very good for us because it is helping prevent a war in Afghanistan and helping their population. They hope to achieve the level of peace in their cities as the US has and try to end poverty. They don't want to fight so that is why they are accepting the help from Japan and the US. We are currently bombing in Afghanistan but it is to help stop terrorism in Afghanistan. If we stop bombing it may lead to retaliation from terrorists because we have confirmed kills of terrorists and Afghanistan is very happy. Japan is happy as well because it is making their job there easier.

PLN 16

I read "Iraq Drawdown on Track" by Army Sgt 1st class Michael J. Carden, whats important is that the withdraw from Iraq is going according to plan. Since January, the U.S. military footprint in Iraq has decreased from more than 143,000 troops to about 120,000. I think that this is a very good thing because it means that there is less fighting going on in Iraq and there will be less and less deaths. By June 30 the Department of Defense (DOD) hopes to send an assistance and advisory force for the Iraqis to help rehabilitate them and help them create a stable government. This is good for us and Iraq because there will be no more war and we can get oil from them again hopefully.

PLN 15

In "Major in Learning" by Google they give advice to students to help them succeed. What companies are looking for in people to hire is analytical reasoning, communication skills, a willingness to experiment, team players, passion and leadership. Today good jobs are only looking for the best of the best of people. To get a good job you have to really work hard and get good grades. People that fail will not get good jobs, they would get jobs that don't require higher education. I have all of these aspects but I am trying to improve them because some are just borderline and not thoroughly proven aspects of me. For me to acquire a good job I have to grasp all of these aspects and more.

PLN 14

In the article "Rigor Redefined" by Tony Wagner, talks about the schooling students need for the 21st century careers. What skills students need to have to succeed in the 21st century are critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and leadership, agility and adaptability, initiative and entrepreneurialism, effective oral and written communication, accessing and analyzing information and curiosity and imagination. Students do need these things to succeed in the 21st century because jobs are becoming more complex because if technology such as the Air Force. For example they need to know math and science very well because the AF is swithching from manned aircraft to unmanned aircraft such as Reapers. They need to know the wind speed and how fast the craft is traveling to effectivly seek out a target and hit it dead on because wind speed and the speed of the craft can change the flight path of your bullets so they need to know how to find the precise time to fire.

PLN 13

In this post by the National School Board Association my opinion is that I write better when I use a pen and paper but when I use a computer it helps me with punctuation spelling and format. When I write I take more time but when I use a computer I don’t take a lot of time but I prefer the computer over pen and paper. I like it better because I have Word to help me when I don’t know how to spell a word or when I miss punctuation or my formatting is wrong. Also I can go to the internet for information when I need help or I can call my teacher or email her using Skype or an email server. I think overall the computer is better than pen and paper because it is what we know how to use. The old ways won’t serve us with today’s technology after we have already been taught how to use today’s technology.

PLN 12

I read "Footprints in the Digital Age" by Will Richardson. What matters is that people are afraid that their kids won't be googlable in the future so they won't get into a good collage or a good job. Schools are trying to get kids to use the Internet more for school work such as using blogs and google reader. I think that this is a good thing for students and that it will help our future. Schools are helping students grasp better futures for the students sake. If the students aren't googlable in the future it is not the schools fault but the students fault. Its up to the students whether or not they help their future by doing their online homework and classwork.

PLN 10

I watched "Did you know 4.0" by Karl Fisch. In this video what matters is he predicts what technologies will become available in the future and what will happen to the older technologies today. Today the use of the TV and the internet are making the purpose of a newspaper obsolete. 95% of the adults in the US have cell phones and some people get the news from their phones. Nokia makes 13 cell phones every second. I think that it is nuts that Nokia can make 13 cell phones every second. He predicted that in 25 years a computer will be the size of a blood cell. While that will be possible i think that it would have no use unless somehow it could link with your brain and you could tell it what to do. Then if that worked you would never have to take time to sit and search the internet of type something you could do it all in you head while your doing something else.

PLN 11

I watched "2020 Vision" by Karl Fisch. Mr. Fisch imagined what the future would be like for students and businesses. What matters is as time goes on school requirements change and businesses change. He predicted that Google would take over more businesses such as Ford, Apple and other businesses. He thinks that google will start to create cars and things to help students. This video was made 4 years ago by him and most of what he said would happen has happend. I think that this video does not apply to us because it is about the students of 2020 and not us. He dosen't say anything about what will happen to us but what will happen to businesses, schools and future students. The title is "2020 Vision" not 2013 vision so it is not about us just future students.

PLN 5

I read " The New Literacy" by Clive Thompson. What matters is students today can't write and that technology is to blame. Clive says, "Word and Power Point have replaced written essays, Facebook and texting have belittled word to abbreviations and not the full word." I think that Word helps students learn how to use the right formats and spell words right. Word, Power Point and Excel teach students about writing and using the right formats and how to spell. "I believe that technology isn't killing our ability to write it's reviving it."

PLN 6

I read "Dale Earndhardt Jr Frustrated After Late Crash at NHMS" by Dave Rodman. What matters is Dale was racing, he was in sixth place and all of a sudden the car next to him went out of control and hit Dale forcing him into the wall. The car went out of control because the crew didn't check the car throughly enough and there was a problem with the front axles. He tried to drive away but his car was to badly damaged. I think that the Nascar drivers should check their cars more thoroughly before racing, to make sure that there is nothing wrong with them and they will race safely.

PLN 7

I read the article, "Another Radical Obama Supporter," by Admin. Mrs. Bush supports Obama in his speech to all students. I agree with Mrs. Bush in supporting the president in trying to get students to stay in school. What he said to all students will affect their future, the future of our country and potentially the world. His speech was interesting and inspiring. He said "If you fail your school you're not only failing yourself you're failing your country." I think his speech will inspire a lot of US students.

PLN 9

In "Denver cop is found not guilty of excessive force." What matters is this officer was accused of assaulting a bicyclist because the police officer saw him pull out a knife and the police officer thought he was being attacked. He was found not guilty. I think police officers should only use excessive force when necessary. If this keeps happening people will not trust police officer's. It will instill fear in the population if police officers go around assaulting people. Police officers are around to protect people and enforce the law not attack people or break the law.

PLN 3

I read the article "Aurora Police Seek Stabbing Suspects" by the Denver Post. What matters is the police are searching for a suspect that killed a man around midnight. The incident happened near a school in Aurora but it wasn't at the school. The police are trying to keep these kind of people off the streets and keep citizens safe. After I read the article I thought that this guy was crazy for killing someone for no apparent reason as stated by the police. Before they put this man in jail they should check to see if he has any mental problems.

PLN 8

I watched "The Vision of Students Today" by Dr. Wesch. What matters is that students don't learn from sitting in class and watching the teacher write on the chalk board. It is not what we are used to, students are used to using technology to learn such as online books and other sites used in school. I think that sitting in classes 7 hours a day watching the teachers write on the chalk board won't work today because students text on their phones and don't pay attention while teachers give notes. Writing on the board is slower compared to having the teachers post their notes online for students to download and have on their computers to read. Using filtered internet has helped to keep students from going to sites that aren't related to school work and keep them on task during class.

PLN 4

I watched the video "The Machine is Using Us" by Dr. Wesch. The video is about how we teach the internet and the machines. We teach others through the Internet by posting information and by others looking up that information. I think that the Internet uses us to teach others by taking our information and sending it across the World Wide Web to millions of sites. It does it like that because the internet is a form AI.

PLN 2

In "Women raise bar at colleges" by Tamar Lewin what matters is that women are succeeding while men are not. Men show up in greater numbers but most don't pass. Men no matter what their race, are less likely than women to get a bachelors degree. In two national studies men reported that they socialized more and studied less. I think the men should work harder because if we stay like this all of the government could one day belong to women.

PLN 1

What I saw in Karl Fisch's video "Did You Know" was what matters and what will happen in life. In 2013 they will invent a supercomputer that will exceed the capabilities of a human brain. Every year the amount of technology doubles every year. China has more honor students than the US. In 2049 a 1000$ computer will be built that exceeds the capabilities of the human race. There are 540,000 words in the English dictionary. They are currently preparing students for jobs that don't exist with technologies that don't exist. I think that one day technology will takeover the human race.