Blog Refelction.

     As students at Syracuse University, we are ONE- including out friends, parents, and people whom we haven't met yet and perhaps never will. If we strive for change, we will have to get Starbucks coffee, dance around to loosen up, and READ. Maybe even look through Youtube to find a creative song for inspiration. Together, we can make a change. (This was inspired by my Wordle.)
     I'm surprised by how much I've covered on my blog. Before we started the blog, I thought it would just be a blog where I jot down ideas on my opinions of an article, well-known issue, or anything that other SU students and/or other students are familiar with. However, I never expected to learn so much. Along with writing a separate blog posts on certain articles, I also read many other articles while searching up for an article to write about for some of my posts. I saw many articles on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
     I'm glad we had this blog assignment. It was not only fun, but also helped me gain a lot more knowledge of our world, ranging from social media to politics. If it weren't for writing blog entries, I probably would not have gone into depth with detail in learning about the case with Joe Paterno and Internet Censorship.

Everywhere.

I'm sure all of you have heard and remember Michelle Branch's song Everywhere. Released in 2001, I listened to it everyday because my brother would play it everyday. As a third grader, I sang and danced to it all the time. I was a very spunky kid back then; I wasn't shy about singing or dancing in front of anyone. I love to sing, and since I loved this song so much, I sang it to my mom everyday. I even created a dance to it, and showed it to everyone in my family. When I listen to this song, I think of the times I used to always sing and dance in front of everyone in my family, especially my mom . I realize right now how much I miss those times- the times when life was more carefree. I wish I could sing and dance to my mom and others without being shy about it nowadays. Overall, I still love this song and I'm singing it to myself right now.

Potential Internet Censorship: Vote "NO"!

     There's a possible chance that we, as Americans, will be blocked from some of our favorite websites such as Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, and so much more. Congress held hearings on the first American Internet censorship system yesterday, November 16, 2011. If the bill passes, the government can order service providers to block websites for infringing links posted by any users on the web. In addition, ordinary daily users would have increased risks of facing jail time. Just by posting a video of you singing a song produced by a famous artist could land you a five year sentence due to copyright laws.
     Even if social networks are not banned, they will no doubt be monitored and possibly even censored. Links sent through email would also be censored. With the bill having great success in Congress, it could potentially be passed.

Currently, there has been no word on whether or not the bill has passed yet from a reliable source. Even if it is passed, it is never too late to let your voice be heard! 

If you enjoy watching videos on Youtube or socializing with your friends on Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, etc,. in private without being monitored or censored, then LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

Click HERE to vote: American Censorship

Remember, tell your friends. TOGETHER, we must fight to keep on First Amendment Rights- in this case, we must fight to keep our freedom of speech!

Ever bought coffee beans from Starbucks?

                            
     If you enjoy drinking coffee and have bought coffee beans from Starbucks more than two weeks ago or previously, you might've been charged extra for it. Before the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation fined the popular chain, it charged their customers an extra $1.50 to cover the extra labor and packaging when customers bought less than the traditional one pound coffee. The company was fined because of their failure to notify customers via stores or receipts.
     Starbucks stores across the nation applied the extra fee when customers bought a partial bag of beans. Particularly, about 75,000 customers in Massachusetts have paid the service change. In addition, Starbucks was fined nearly $2000 for their violations by Massachusetts state. Luckily, since November 7th of last week, Starbucks no longer applies the surcharge. You can read more about it here: Starbucks Ditches $1.50 Surcharge
     Although you may have been one those who were charged extra, I'm sure you can let it slide somehow. Just go to Starbucks when there are special promotions such as starting TOMORROW [November 17, 2011]. From November 17-20, 2011 between the hours of 2-5 PM everyday, you can BUY ONE holiday drink GET ONE FREE! As great as the holiday drinks are, I hope they will bring back the half-price frappuccino; perhaps we all need to do more "advertising" on Facebook and their official website Starbucks .