1.
Seniors
vs Crime: Dealing with Contractors
b.
Description:
This article briefly discusses red flags that senior citizens should be aware
of when requesting work to be performed that requires a contractor. The author
stresses the importance of doing our research prior to agreeing to work being
done, signing a contract, or providing payment. Numerous sources are provided
in the article to assist in researching business credentials.
c.
Problem: Senior citizens being scammed and
taken advantage of financially by contractors. A lot of senior citizens are
unaware of how or where to find the necessary information to validate a business/contractor,
etc.
d.
Who:
Senior citizens, other business, and those managing different services to assist
those who have fallen victim to these scams.
2.
A driver hit a pack of bicyclists and
killed two. Her penalty? A suspended driver’s license.
b.
Description:
The article is about a woman named Nicole Vanderweit and her sentence after
hitting a group of 15-20 bicyclists. Vanderweit told authorities that she was
distracted and that there was a glare from the sun that morning. However, as brought
out in the article, data from the airbag showed that she was driving 66 mph at
impact in a 55 mph zone. Also, witnesses told police that after she hit the
first rider, “she continued into the group striking numerous other bicyclists.”
The author brings out in the article that prosecutors said, “to charge her with
a crime, they’d have to prove reckless driving, where the driver shows a willful
or wanton disregard for safety.” In the end, Vanderweit was sentenced to a four-hour
driving improvement class, 120 hours of community service, and her driver’s
license was suspended for six months.
c.
Problem:
People are too distracted when they are driving. Many are careless and in too
much of a rush. This is manslaughter! She received a slap on the wrist for a
very serious crime. The other issue is what the justice systems considers to be
a criminal charge of vehicular homicide. The justice system is a mess!
d.
Who:
The families of the those killed, the victims who survived, taxpayers, the police
officers, all medical staff required to treat those injured.
3.
Florida Students Turn to Sugar
Daddies to Pay Off Student Loan Debt
b.
Description: This
was an interesting read! In this article, the author discusses a new way that
students can pay for their student debt by becoming a sugar baby. A website called
“Seeking Arrangement” is marketing itself as a solution to the national debt
crisis. The author notes that about a third of sugar babies on the site are
students. Several of which are students enrolled in Florida universities. In
fact, the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, and
Florida State University all had over 1,000 students registered on the site.
c.
Problem:
Attending college is very costly. Many can’t even afford to attend. For those who
are attending, without scholarship or grants, they are racking up a large amount
of student debt that they are unable to pay for in conventional ways. Thus, involving
themselves in activities such as discussed in this article, which could be very
dangerous.
d.
Who:
Students and friends/family/significant others of those who are involved in
this activity.
4.
Immigrants
at Key West Jail Report Abuse, Neglect, and Extreme Isolation
b.
Description:
Discussed in the article is the mistreatment of immigrant detainees. The Southern
Poverty Law Center and Americans for Immigrant Justice toured four facilities
in Florida gathering information and interviews. Their findings were published
in a report titled “Prison by Any Other Name.” Across all of the facilities
they found a system of substandard medical care, use of force, inadequate
mental health services, detainee deaths, abuse of segregations, and a lack of accommodations
for those with disabilities. In the article, the author provides, from
interviews of those detained, a few detailed encounters while being held in these
facilities.
c.
Problem:
The mistreatment of immigrant detainees in select facilities.
There are no laws or attorneys in place to protect them; they are humans too!
d.
Who:
The immigrants being held, their families and taxpayers.
5.
Brightline Is the Deadliest Train
Per Mile in America, According to the AP
b.
Description:
The author discusses in the article how Brightline trains travel at 80 mph. Due
to this speed, Brightline trains have one death for every 29,000 miles traveled.
Other rail lines nationwide average one every 100,000 miles traveling at a much
slower rate. The company claims, “the vast majority of deaths have been
suicides or the result of deliberate trespassing.” The author goes on to bring
out that the company feels as though they should not be forced to pay for
safety improvements at many of its crossings because local governments are
already using taxpayer funds to maintain these freight lines.
c.
Problem:
Brightline trains travel at a very fast speed of 80 mph through fairly densely
populated areas. Also, many of the railroad crossings they travel do not fully
close when trains near. Brightline trains have far more deaths than other
trains traveling at a slower rate. There is a need for more safety features.
d.
Who:
Pedestrians, families/friends of victims, and taxpayers.
The second article that you reported on is insane to me. I cannot believe that the verdict on that case ended in the way that it did and I feel terrible for the families of those cyclists that were killed.
ReplyDeleteThe third article is somewhat lighter and humorous, I think it shows the tenacity of students our age who are struggling with the situation that has been given to us - college is essential but extremely costly. However, I agree, it can definitely be dangerous and it's unfortunate that students have to seek that as an option in the first place.
These were all extremely shocking to me and I cant believe I didnt hear of some of these earlier. I hate people who are always looking for an easy way out, scamming elderly people??? Disgusting. I'd fight for my grandma. Also the second article, whew. This country needs to get their priorties straight seriously because the fact that people who sell weed to support their families getting locked up for years while people are out here getting a suspended license for attempted murder..jesus.
ReplyDeleteI also mentioned an article about a traffic accident. The one I focused on occurred right here on our very own campus. I do believe that accidents can happen but in your case I do believe there needs to be some more investigating. I always thought the sugar daddy thing was something you see in movies or a joke... scary to think people are actually stooping to that level in order to improve their financial situations. Lastly, people that take advantage of elderly people have a big storm coming for them. That is so sad.
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