Journal Response(rebound King/ 9pib)

Obama Banks on the Ground Game Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2008 By JAY NEWTON-SMALL/CHICAGO Reference: http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1840141,00.html

Obama campaign volunteer Peggy Tyus helps to register voters at a weekly farmers market in Virginia in August For next month, Obama is focusing on getting as much voters as possible. Since January more than 3.5 million new voters have been registered in 17 of the 23 states tracked closely by the Obama campaign where information is available. Three states — Florida, Michigan and North Carolina — have seen increases of more than 400,000 new voters and 10 more states have recorded new registrations of more than 100,000. Though these numbers include registrants to all parties, in 14 of the states at least half of the new voters are under 35. "We're on pace to hit goal," says Jason Green, a 27-year-old Gaithersburg, Maryland native who is Obama's National Voter Registration Director. "I would love to exceed goal." Green, not surprisingly, isn't in the mood to get specific about what that goal is, though he does say that it is "in the millions," and that the bulk of them will be in the 18 battleground states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and New Mexico, though drives have been mounted in all 50 states. Green is also happy to share the news that they registered more than 100,000 people over Labor Day weekend, capitalizing on the wave of excitement coming out of the convention in Denver. Virginia is one of 10 states, including Ohio, Indiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Missouri, Florida, Colorado, Montana and North Dakota, that went for President Bush in 2004 but that the Obama campaign believes will be among the most closely contested in November. "Those, plus New Hampshire and Wisconsin, are going to be the toughest 'til the end," predicts Steve Hildebrand, the man in charge of Obama's ground game. Comment: I think that Obama has done a very good job. He has confident in him and he had try hard and was able to get closer to his goal whatever it is. Even though it is labor

day weekend, he did not stop campaigning and his activity shows his result. He get more than 100.000 voters on that day.

Meat: Making Global Warming Worse Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2008 By BRYAN WALSH Reference: Reference: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1839995,00.html

Beef cattle grazed on a hillside below wind towers 50 miles east of San Francisco along Altamont Pass on April 14 Happy meal is not a good meal. Not only the fat and the calories. Rajendra Pachauri is The head of the U.N.'s Nobel Prize–winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Pachauri urged people around the world to cut back on meat in order to combat climate change. The addiction of pork and beef isn’t just blocking your arteries; it’s burning our earth too. In 2006 report, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conclude that worldwide farming stock generates 18% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. While all the world’s cars, trains, planes, and boats combined generate a 13% greenhouse gas emissions. The number above shows how much farming stock affects the greenhouse emissions. Around 70% of greenhouse gas emissions is caused by cutting the forest. This happen because when plants live, they absorb CO2 but when they die, they release greenhouse gases back to the atmosphere. The most worrying news is that as world economy grows, so does global meat consumption. Average person in the industrialized world eats more than 176 lb of meat annually, compared with 66 lb consumed by average resident of developing world. Pork was once have been a rare luxury in China, today even poor country cities can afford a little meat at almost every meal. Pork imports to China rose more than 900% through the first month of the year. In 2008, global meat production is expected max 280 million tons Is Pachauri right that going vegetarian can save the planet? It’s true that giving up that average 176 lb of meat a year is one of the greenest lifestyle changes you can make. You can drive a fuel efficient car, or install a compact fluorescent light bulbs, or improve your insulation. Farmed beef or chicken is better than its factory raised equivalents. The

geophysicists Gidon Eschel and Pamela Martin have estimated that if every American reduce meat consumption by just 20%, the greenhouse gas savings would be the same as if we all switched from a normal sedan to a hybrid Prius Comment: Pachauri is telling us to think more to the world then just yourself. If we all keep on eating meat, then they will produce more meat and it will keep on increasing greenhouse gas emissions. If they reduce the use of meat and eat vegetables, it already help the world a lot. Even though in Indonesia beef steak is consider luxury and vegetables are not luxury, we have to help our earth to be better not only care for our pride and let our generation suffer for what we done.

Pakistan's Unlikely President Tuesday, Sep. 09, 2008 By OMAR WARAICH/ISLAMABAD Reference: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1839935,00.html

Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, is sworn in as President in Islamabad on Sept. 9, 2008 Asif Ali Zardari had come to Islamabad and ornate presidential palace to be sworn as Pakistan’s head of state. An event quite unthinkable which was just nine months ago. When Zardari spend after years in prison on corruption charges. Zardari, who was called "Mr. 10%" during the tenure of his wife, Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister, returned to Pakistan late last year, the night Bhutto was assassinated. The PPP triumphed at the elections and dropped all charges against Zardari and Zardari himself has become the most powerful civilian in Pakistan. What Zardari swear in the ceremony was brief. Zardari claimed the presidency in the name of “the martyr Benazir Bhutto”. His three children looked on with rising emotion while their aunt, Benazir’s sister Sanam collapsed into tears when the military band played the national anthem and the party supporters saluted Benazir’s memory. Comment: Zardari is a good person. He didn’t say in the ceremony about himself but he honors Benazir Bhutto. If everyone could honor others for their work like that, I believe

that everyone could have a good relationship to others and our world will be united. Soon there will be no more war.

Losing Weight: Can Exercise Trump Genes? Monday, Sep. 08, 2008 by ALICE PARK Reference: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1839708,00.html

Losing weight isn't easy, and it's even harder when your genes are working against you. But a new study by University of Maryland researchers shows that even people with a genetic predisposition to gain weight can exert some control over how big they get. Dr. Soren Snitker at the University of Maryland works with his partner Evadnie Rampersaud, who is now at the University of Miami. The team studied 704 Amish men and women. Although the Amish are a genetically homogeneous group, the study of volunteers’ genotypes still showed a genetic diversity that reflected the makeup of the general Caucasian population. The result is that 67% Amish people were most likely obese and were on average 7 lbs heavier than people without any copies of this form of the gene. People who successfully overrode their genes were burning a stunning 900 kilo calorie more per day. It is the same with three to four hours of moderate exercise daily. The volunteers in the “low” activity group were doing two to three hours of gardening, housework or brisk walking each day. That’s the kind of activity many people in the general American population do. While the Amish relies on cars, dishwashers, and washing machines would need a serious workout Comment: This article is good because it reflects what the Amish were doing and show them that you will need to change your activity. He also shows how to have an ideal weight even though you’re genes did not support you. So the conclusion is that this is a good reflection article and it tells you that it is not too late to change

U.S. sweeps basketball golds Primastuti Handayani, the Jakarta Post, Beijing | Sun, 08/24/2008 4:26 PM | Sports Reference: http://www.thejakarta post.com/news/2008/08/24/us-sweeps-basketballgolds.html U.S. defeated the world champion Spain with 118-107 in a game with fans from both countries. U.S. takes a quick lead at the first quarter with 38-31. U.S. keep on leading with 91-82, Spanish succeed to lower the difference by 104-111 before a time out. U.S. was better in the last minutes and they lead 107-118. Kobe Bryant was so happy because he gets a gold on his 30th birthday. The men’s team victory completed the U.S. domination in basketball after its women’s team get a gold a day earlier by beating Australia 92-65. Comment: I think U.S. team deserves to win cause their team has a very good teamwork and good individual skill. Both of this skill could support them to win in every competition

U.S. vs. Spain in Olympics men’s basketball final Primastuti Handayani, the Jakarta Post, Beijing | Sat, 08/23/2008 12:39 PM | Sports Reference: http://www.thejakarta post.com/news/2008/08/23/us-vs-spain-olympicsmen%E2%80%99s-basketball-final.html U.S.team had win when they had a fight with Argentina 101-81 on Friday’s semifinals of the 2008 Beijing Olympics men’s basketball match to set up a final clash against Spain. Spain defeated Lithuania with score 91-86. Spanish guard Ricky Rubio and his team would not be satisfied with a silver. He said that because this was the final then we will try to get a gold because it is the Olympic’s final. U.S. led with 30-11 in the first quarter. In the second quarter they tailed the score by 40-49. They have a hard battle especially after Ginobili’s injury. The U.S. hold a record of 19-6 against Argentina. Their most recent meeting was the Americas Olympic qualification in 2007 when the U.S. won 118-81. Comment: Argentina’s team is not careful on the first quarter. That’s why they lose. If only they care more on the first quarter, then they will have a little bit of changes to win this competition.

Spain reaches Olympics men’s basketball final Primastuti Handayani, the Jakarta Post, Beijing | Sat, 08/23/2008 12:04 PM | Sports Reference: http://www.thejakarta post.com/news/2008/08/23/spain-reaches-olympicsmen%E2%80%99s-basketball-final.html Spain had finally reached to the finals. Spanish guard Ricky Rubio said that the team is almost the same with the team that got to quarterfinal four years ago. His partner Raul Lopez said that they are in the Olympic gold medal final. There are a lot of emotions right now. He is very happy because they won, even though they had some bad moments. Spain was leading in the first quarter with 21-19. In the second quarter, Spain was down by 40-42. Pau Gasol has a average score is 19, 5 points per match and score another 19 points for his team. Lithuanian guard Simas Jasaitis said that he missed his shots. It’s basketball. They missed easy shots. Spain finally defeated Lithuania with 91-86 Comment: Spain was losing in points in the second quarter but their mental aren’t down. That’s what makes them win. If their mental are down then Lithuania could easily get the lead and win the game because the point difference is only 5 points.

'Redeem Team' takes Olympic gold Primastuti Handayani, the Jakarta Post, Beijing | Mon, 08/25/2008 11:19 AM | Sports Reference: http://www.thejakarta post.com/news/2008/08/25/039redeem-team039-takesolympic-gold,html The “Redeem Team” (known as U.S. team) claimed the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They defeated the world champion Spain by 118-107 in a tight game. Among the spectators was British soccer celebrity David Beckham, who previously played for Real Madrid before moving to U.S. based L.A. Galaxy Dwayne Wade who becomes the top scorer with 27 points said that winning the competition feels great. A lot of people doubted that NBA stars could play together. U.S. had put NBA stars as U.S. team since 1992 starting with Michael Jordan (with his dream team) until Kobe Bryant today had won 12 gold medal in 15 appearances. Bryant said that this gold medal is better than his title in Lakers in 2000 to 2002. Bryant said: "It is more important and more special than any other championship that any of us will ever win." Spanish center Marc Gasol said: ‘We were close; they were a little bit concerned. But Kobe and Wade got the ball and they were hot.” Teammate Alex Mumbru said: “We showed everyone we are a great team and we played toe to toe with the Americans.” The Bronze medal went to Argentina, who beat Lithuania 87-75.

Comment: U.S. team treats this game seriously and they are really planning to win and get a gold medal in the Olympics. The Spanish also were planning to win but their mental and individual skills are not as good as the U.S. team.

Transformers A novel by: Alan Dean Foster. This is a story of a man called Samuel James Witwicky who was the great great grandson of the famous Sea Explorer Archibald Witwicky. On a day, he was taken by his father to buy his first car and his father will pay half of the price. Sam wanted to buy the Camaro but his father won’t let him because they agreed to buy a car with only 4 grand but the Camaro was worth 5 grand. The owner of the shop didn’t know where did the car come from and he was planning to destroy it. Before the shopkeeper hit the car, the car opens his door by itself and hit the shopkeeper. The accident causes the shopkeeper to call Sam before he leaves the car sale and lower the price to 4 grand. He didn’t know that his car is actually a robot from outer space that could transform into a vehicle until he thought that his car was stolen. The Camaro robot’s name is Bumblebee. Bumblebee called his friends which are Optimus Prime, the leader of autobots, Jazz, Optimus Prime’s liutenant, Ironhide, Optimus’ weapon speacialist, and Ratchet, Optimus’ health specialist. After having a talk, Sam and Mikaela (his wonder woman) found out that there are two types of them which is the Autobots and the Decepticons and the reason they come to the earth is because of the cube/ allspark. If the Autobots get it then they will revive their friends who died in a war with the Decepticons but if the Decepticons get it, they will make an army of machines from earth to eliminate all Autobots. While the Autobots are talking with Sam, the Decepticons is trying to get information on where is the cube. Sam and Mikaela was brought by the sector seven leader and find out that the Decepticons leader Megatron was frozen there and the cube was in there with him. After the Decepticons come, Bumblebee transforms the huge cube into a small cube that Sam must carry. Because of the Decepticons’ attack, the place was damaged and the freezer didn’t work well so Megatron could finally escape. There goes a fierce war between the Autobots and the Decepticons especially the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron. When Optimus Prime loses the battle, Sam come and somehow drags Megatron into the cube. After the battle, Bumblebee must come back to the planet he belongs but he didn’t want to and ask permission from Optimus Prime to stay in earth. Optimus Prime allows it so Bumblebee lives in earth with Sam and Mikaela. Comment: Optimus Prime never loses faith to Sam even when he was losing to Megatron. Because of Optimus’s faith, Optimus could eliminate Megatron without killing himself. This is the kind of attitude that we must have. No matter how hard life could get, we must still have faith in God and pray so that God could always guide us the right way. I’ve found some difficult words which are: Glancing: to emit a flash of light Spatial: insult to space

Pertaining: insult Nudge: touch gently for attention or intimidation Gouge: pry off Querulous: like to complain