Dependence On Foreign Energy

The social problem that I presented in my speech was the United States dependence on foreign energy. This is a social problem that you may think does not involve many people and that no one is really taking individual action against. However, you are wrong. People all over the country are through with the U.S.’s dependence on foreign energy like oil. One way that individuals have and can take action is by purchasing energy saving clean cars like hybrids. Others are reducing their driving and using bicycles and forms of public transportation. Those who are concerned with the country’s dependence on foreign energy like oil are changing the way car companies especially, but also other major companies think about new clean energy sources. Although not everyone who wants to take action against this problem can afford to buy a new clean hybrid car, they can still participate by riding bicycles and using public transportation. One may not think that these actions are effective or useful, but they are. Car companies are already getting the message to switch to energy proficient cars and invest in advanced innovation. This action will continue to be effective and will continue to spread to companies all over the country. These actions are very persuasive due to the fact that these actions not only save you money at the pump, but are also shown to work. Those looking to take part in action against the United States dependence on foreign energy can visit the website below for more information.

http://www.einow.org/take-action

Dick Cheney on Same-Sex Marriage

A surprising celebrity advocate for gay marriage is former Republican vice president Dick Cheney. Cheney supports a state by state legalization of gay marriage.  Cheney has said that in a country that advocates freedom as one of its main values that it should mean freedom for everyone. Cheney has spoken at press conferences about his support for state legalization of same-sex marriage.  I don’t think his efforts are extremely effective. Although he is speaking his views which contradict with his political ideology he is not taking much action to fix the problem. The use of freedom for everyone is an effective persuasive strategy but it does not mean much unless action is taken. The way I would modify Dick Cheney’s efforts in order to make them more effective would be to take action. A call to action for the states does not do much. If I were Cheney I would travel state to state encouraging legislators to take action in their meetings. Showing people you care by traveling to them and pushing them to do something is more effective than just talking about it.

How to prevent trade imbalance of Rare Earth Elements

Since China reduce the export production, each government start to think their way without importing Rare Earth Elements from china. Individually, each government supports that people try to recycle their electronic goods which contain rare earth elements. Some people call this urban mining. It raises the efficiency of using natural resources. According to Natural Institute for material Science in japan, they investigate to extract the natural resources from electronic goods which stop to use. Especially, there are 400g of Rare Earth Elements in cell-phone which people stop to use. So, they can recycle this Rare Earth Elements to other areas such as rechargeable batteries, new cell phone, and much more. Also, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization try to investigate electronic car without using Rare Earth Elements. As I said in the speech, Rare Earth Elements are essential to produce electronic cars. To reduce dependence of Rare Earth Elements, people and government keep investigating about Rare Earth Elements. These efforts will increase the conformity against Chinese government’s export reduction and help to develop new technology.

People Against Verdicts

Many widely publicized trails have be subject to protest, the Casey Anthony Trial was no exception. Several groups surrounded the jail she was being held in, awaiting her release after the trial to protest the outcome of her trial and call her a baby killer. Although they may not be the most pleasant of people, they are speaking out against at trial that they are not a part of in an attempt to get the verdict reversed. These attempts are not very effective because the courts can not try a person for the same crime twice, yet there are constantly new people joining the group to protest due to the growing media circuses. It would be more effective for them to protest before a trial to try and affect the verdict.

The R-Word

Discrimination toward those with disabilities is a very common issue, whether people realize they are doing it or not. Many folks may not consciously discriminate against these people; most of the time it is human nature to speak to/about people with disabilities differently than the rest of the population.

Glee star Jane Lynch has recently taken it upon herself to speak out about discrimination about people with disabilities. Although her character on Glee can be crude and sometimes insensitive, in real life Jane is very caring and very sensitive to words such as "retard" and any other kind of discrimination involving those with disabilities. She has started to produce PSA's about this issue talking about why it is so important not to discriminate and how to stop it. She gives alternative ways to speak to and treat those with disabilities in hopes that everyone will then follow her example.

Jane's efforts are effective to a certain extent. Since she is a celebrity, she kind of has more of an influence on the general public and what they think about certain circumstances. I think, though, that if she was to go out and physically do something to spread more awareness, it would be more effective than her just making Public Service Announcements. However, this is definitely a good start toward ending this discrimination!

No Phone Zone

“I pledge to make my car a No Phone Zone. Beginning right now, I will do my part to help put an end to distracted driving by not texting or using my phone while I am driving. I will ask other drivers I know to do the same. I pledge to make a difference.”

Sign Oprah Winfrey’s No Phone Zone Pledge against distracted driving! Oprah took the issue of distracted driving to heart after airing an episode about a young girl who was killed by a driver on his cell phone. Texting is a huge distraction to drivers while on the road. The distraction of texting while driving is equivalent to the distraction of driving with a blood alcohol content level of .08!

Oprah created the No Phone Zone campaign in hopes to ban texting while driving in the US. In reference to the campaign, Oprah said, "My biggest hope for the No Phone Zone campaign is that it becomes mandatory that no one uses their phone in the car or texts while driving—just as seat belts are mandatory, just as driving while drunk is considered absolutely taboo, I'm hoping that this becomes not just law, but second nature for all of us." Watch her message here!

The individual action that Oprah took against distracted driving was beneficial to the issue. Since Oprah’s actions, people have been informed of the dangers of texting while driving. She has influenced over 200,000 people to sign the No Phone Zone Pledge, along with 60 celebrities to both sign and speak on behalf of the issue. Along with the pledge, Oprah and the state of Illinois have recognized April 30^th as National “No Phone Zone Day.” Oprah’s website includes a page dedicated to the No Phone Zone Pledge. On the website, you can find information and personal stories on the issue. A helpful part of the website is a map of the US where you can click on a state and see if it has a phone ban. If your state does not have a ban, there is a link to contact your state governor and tell him what you think!

Oprah Winfrey is a great influence on the issue of distracted driving. Her importance and fame has brought America’s attention to the problem. Sign the pledge today!

Awareness of Ritalin

Lawrence T. Smith is an individual trying to get his voice heard by every parent out there. His article can be found on RitalinDeath.com or here. He was once a parent of Matthew Smith, who died when he was 14 years old due to long term Ritalin use. Matthew was accused of having A.D.H.D by his School's social worker. Lawrence and his wife did not know too much about the disorder or the drugs given to "treat" it. When they went to the recommended doctor, the doctor said he was certainly not the first kid from his school to be diagnosed by this social worker. The drugs given to Matthew were explained to his parents as mild and safe drugs. After Matthew's death, Lawrence later found out the reality of A.D.H.D. and the dangers of Ritalin use. This all is explained in the article from the link.
I think this article is extremely effective at persuading people to realize the dangers of Ritalin. It comes from first hand experience and is so personal that the reader can't help but listen to the point trying to be made. Every parent and future parent wants the best and healthy life for their child and knowing the facts from this article could greatly affect their decisions if the problem of A.D.H.D. ever came up with them.
The efforts of this single person has the potential to affect many lives. Sharing his personal story with the readers is a great example of someone who wants to make a difference. Even though his story is a very tragic one, it is definitely able to positively affect other families' similar stories.