Krista wrote her blog in Mexico after a long day of fighting with Russia and ´´East Germany´´

NATIONAL

Birth Control in Middle School

Summary
King Middle School in Pórtland, Maine has decided to offer birth control, including pills and patches, to their students as young as 11 years old in order to prevent teen pregnancy. The school is the first one in Maine to offer the protection for girls, but has been supplying condoms for boys for the past 7 years. The school has resorted to offering the student protection because more than 17 pregnancies have been reported in the last 4 years. Many of the parents at the school are upset with the school board for providing the protection which encourages the kids to be sexually active, the parents are upset about this but the school would rather have their students be protected rather than pregnant.

Opinion
This is outrageous! Kids ages 11-13 being sexually active, it is just not right, they are kids themselves and are way to yourng to even be thinking about sexual activity. I agree that the students should be aware of the consiquenses of sexual activity but they should not be encouraged to get birth control, or else they will think it is ok to have sex since they are protected.

INTERNATIONAL

Iraqi War is Pointless

Summary
The Pesident of Russia, Vladimir Putin, said that the war the US is having againt Iraq is pointlesswhe, when he was being interviewed by a television station this Thursday. He thinks that the US´s idea for war is like an idea someone had in their head to satisfy their interests, but has pointless results. Russia also think that the US is only fighting with Iraq because they know they are week. He says that he is glad he country is not Iraq, but he knows that even if they were, Russia would be strong enough and has enough power to defend itself.

Opinion
Wow I cannot stand Russia today! The country is so full of themself and they think they have so much power. If they have so much power why have they not taken over the world yet. The war in Iraq is not pointless no matter what Russia thinks, Russia needs to get hobby and stop put other coutries down for the decisions they make.

NATIONAL

Hemp

Summary
There is an argument whether hemp is considered a controlled substance, like pot, heroin, or LSD, or if it is considered good for the environment. Two Farmers in North Dakota are taking this issue to the federal court in order for them them to continue growing their crops. Although hemp has similar characteristics to marijuana, it can not get you high. Some say that hemp is even an anti-drug or a healthy food. The farmers won the lawsuite and sued the DAE. Now North Dakota is one of seven states that allows hemp.

Opinion
I believe that hemp is a good thing and will be able to make the environment better by using it, even if they do say that it is similar to marijuan and other drugs, if it does not have a negative effect on people why should it be considered wrong. More states should allow the growth of hemp to eventually create a better environment.

INTERNATIONAL

Game Adds

Summary
In London, England the arms of British intelligence are putting job adds into video games in order to recruit young people. They hope to capture the imagination of people with interests in IT. The porgram will eventually be used world wide and be put into products made by Microsoft. Not only is Britian putting adds in video games they are also putting them up on the sides of busses and in locker room. They hope by expanding there ways of advirtising they will be able to get interest from more people with a wider range in their backgrounds and skills.

Opinion
The British have a good idea, what better way to recruit for the future army than by putting adds into video games. Especially the gun fighting ones like Halo, etc. If young kids enjoy playing those types of games why not encourage them to persue a career in it and not only be able to fight but also defend their county.