Chris

International - From an ABC News article, it states that artificial life is closer than we think. In three to ten years it may be possible. Scientists around the world are working on creating human life from scratch."Creating protocells has the potential to shed new light on our place in the universe," says Bedau. "This will remove one of the few fundamental mysteries about creation in the universe and our role." Along with this, other scientists believe these man-made life forms could help fight diseases, eat toxic waste or lock up greenhouse gases.

Opinion – It seems like a good idea when seeing the possible benefits, but this might be more complicated than a simple good/bad, yes/no decision. It must be decided whether doing something like this is morally right. This might be jumping ahead as all these scientists are working on is microscopic life but what if they possibly reach the creation of human life? Is that right? This possibility seems somewhat heartless in my opinion as I consider life more precious than that. For the only difference between humans and animals is intelligence just doesn't seem right to me. This topic in general isn't black and white and each person must decide for him or herself whether it is right or wrong. As knowledge increases the possibility of man-made life, each person must not ask him or herself “can we do this” but rather “should we do this.”

National - According to CBS News, on August 20, 2007 sex abuse charges against two 13-year old boys were dropped. This then ended a six-month-long case which has gained much attention since it began. The reports against these two boys ranged from "swatting girls on the bottom in a school corridor, grabbing girls' breasts on at least two occasions, poking girls' breasts and mimicking sexual intercourse while dancing." The original charges for the case were felony and misdemeanor sex abuse charges. Misdemeanor harassment charges were later added as the felony sex abuse charges were dropped. All sex abuse charges were then dropped and left only the harassment counts. This followed with negotiations with the prosecutors and the defense. Along with these were discussions with the four girls listed as victims. Eventually an agreement came to the charges being dropped entirely.

Opinion – I believe this situation was blown entirely out of proportion. With a matter that took six months, the case was eventually dropped. I find that to be a complete waste of time. If these children involved and their parents met together, this problem could have been solved in a day or two. For anyone who wanted these kids to suffer, I'm sure the two boys would have suffered enough humiliation from this day or two of meetings between the parents' and their children. For the two boys to go through this humiliation for six months seems somewhat cruel. Although what these two boys did to other girls in their school could be seen as that as well. Situations like these make me realize how often we rely on the courts to solve our problems. “Oh no! My coffee's too hot. I spilled it on me from my own idiotic clumsiness.” Bam! Lawsuit. Stick that in a happy meal, McDonald's. You see the point? Yes, I know court cases are there for a reason but that doesn't mean they should be used in every situation or so excessively. These things should be taken into consideration when forming an opinion. That is all.