GIVING YOUR OPINION

• Abortion Rights • Gambling • Gangs • Genetic Engineering • Poverty • Alcohol • Global Warming • Gun Control • Racism • Capital Punishment • Sex Education • Censorship • Human Rights • Sexual Harassment • Child Abuse • Immigration • Cloning • Internet Privacy • Stem Cells • Steroids • Domestic Violence • Media Violence • Suicide • Driving Under the Influence • Drug Legalization • Terrorism • Eating Disorders • National Security • Environment • Nuclear Weapons • Euthanasia • Political Corruption •

Abortion - DEFINITION

• An abortion is the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus, resulting in its death.

• The spontaneous expulsion of a fetus or embryo before the 20th week of gestational age is commonly known as a miscarriage.

• Induced abortion is the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus by medical, surgical, or other means at any point during human pregnancy for therapeutic or elective reasons.

• The approximate number of induced abortions performed worldwide in 2003 was 42 million.

• A 1998 study, from 27 countries, on the reasons women seek to terminate their pregnancies concluded that common factors cited to have influenced the abortion decision were: desire to delay or end childbearing, concern over the interruption of work or education, issues of financial or relationship stability, and perceived immaturity.

Euthanasia - DEFINITION

• Euthanasia is the practice of ending a life in a painless manner.

• Euthanasia may be conducted with consent (voluntary euthanasia) or without consent (involuntary euthanasia).

• euthanasia by proxy consent is highly controversial, especially because multiple proxies may claim the authority to decide for the patient and may or may not have explicit consent from the patient to make that decision.

Terrorism - Definition

• Terrorism is when a person or group uses force or violence to create fear and to get attention for political causes.

• Acts of terrorism include things like threats of violence, targeted killings, kidnapping, highjackings, bombings and suicide bombings and chemical, biological and nuclear weapon attacks.

• Not just against governments targets but against regular people as well. The idea isn´t just to attack, though, it´s to make people afraid. Most people would call using violence and force to get attention like that both lame and dishonorable. People who commit acts of terror are called terrorists. Terrorists are criminals, so when they´re caught they´re put on trial.

• Well, that´s another reason why terrorism is not an effective way to have a message heard. We focus so much on the horror of the act that no one really pays any attention to the terrorist´s reason for committing it. Terrorism has been part of our world for a long time, but September 11th, 2001 maybe was the first time you heard about it. It´s scary when terrorism hit so close to home. It´s pretty normal to feel helpless.

• But sometimes the best way to not be afraid is to be informed and prepared. Read the newspaper, listen to the radio and watch the news to stay in touch with what´s going on around you. The government and news media work to keep the public informed about terror threats and alerts, and you may want to make a family plan.

• Talk to your family about how you guys will get in touch in the event of an emergency and have everybody´s phone number on hand. Decide on a place to meet if you can´t reach one another by phone. It´s a good idea to have a ready kit of supplies you might need in event of an emergency.

• You know, it´s just like with natural disasters like fires and hurricanes, you can´t live in constant fear of a terror attack happening but you can be aware of what´s going on around you and listen to the people in charge if something does happen.

Global Warming - DEFINITION

• Global warming is the increase in the average measured temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-twentieth century, and its projected continuation.

• The average global air temperature near the Earth's surface increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the hundred years ending in 2005.

• Increasing global temperature is expected to cause sea level to rise, an increase in the intensity of extreme weather events, and significant changes to the amount and pattern of precipitation.

• Other expected effects of global warming include changes in agricultural yields, modifications of trade routes, glacier retreat, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors.

Teen Driking - DEFINITION

• Some kids start to drink alcohol at a young age. They think it is part of becoming an adult. They also think drinking is not that bad because so many people do it.

• Parents may start to notice a change in their child’s behavior if the child starts drinking. They act moody and do not have the same eating and sleeping habits.

• Parents need to stay involved in their kids’ lives. They should talk to their children about their problems to be aware of any changes. Parents can be the best protection.

Children who get a lot of love can feel good about themselves. It helps them resist doing bad things even when other kids are doing them. Parents can also help set a good example by not drinking and driving. Give the children good ideas on how to stay safe.

Gangs - DEFINITION

• a gang is a group of individuals, juvenile and or adult, who associate on a continuous basis, form an allegiance for a common purpose, and are involved in delinquent or criminal activity.

• The gang may range from a loose knit group of individuals who hang around together and commit crimes together, to a formal organization with a leader or ruling council, gang colors, gang identifiers, and a gang name.

• Gang activities are not restricted to typical organized crime groups, but may be associated with a general class of behavior in which collective action and support of communal interests and goals serves to achieve social cohesion or solidarity "especially in gangs, cults, unions, political parties or movements, and religious sects.

Driving Under the Influence - Definition

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, is the act of operating a motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol, to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired.

• It is a crime or offence in most countries around the world.