Are parents the ones to blame for teens virtual socializing?

http://www.wired.com/opinion/2013/12/ap_thompson-2/

What do you think of the claims of the author?  Would teens use online social media as a substitute for face to face communication if parents were less in the way?

Understanding Syria

NPR has a very helpful story that explains the situation in Syria, why the US and its allies have a difficult decision to make about involvement, and how the crisis is different from the one in Libya in 2011.

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/29/216858049/why-syria-is-more-complicated-than-libya

Maps would be helpful in understanding the geography of the peoples and religions, so here you go:

Miley and Sociology

Miley Cyrus' performance at the VMAs has been causing quite the stir, and for two reasons that tie closely in with sociology.  Some have focused on the provocative sexual nature of the performance, while others have voiced concerns about Miley's "appropriation... of black culture."  Judge for yourself if you agree with these assessments: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/anne-theriault-/miley-cyrus-vma-performance_b_3819177.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Whether you agree with HuffPost blogger Anne Theriault's viewpoint, she raises very interesting questions about race and culture in America.  This issue has popped up from time to time in the US for 100 years, and Miley is only the latest white performer to create controversy with her choices.

How do you feel about Miley's performance, and the criticisms of it?

North Korea: Explained

Hank Green, brother of "Fault in Our Stars" author John, explains why North Korea has been making such crazy threats recently.  He fantastically compares North Korea to a toddler screaming in a supermarket.  Should we give in so they'll calm down?  Bomb them before they make good on these threats?  What are our foreign policy objectives when it comes to North Korea?

Are US drones terrorising civilians? - Inside Story Americas - Al Jazeera English

We've discussed the justification for using controversial weapons in war, from the atomic bomb to Agent Orange.  The latest debate in this unending cycle involves the use of unmanned drones to carry out attacks and assassinations.  Watch the video and read the short article that accompanies it:

Are US drones terrorising civilians? - Inside Story Americas - Al Jazeera English

Then post a comment to this posting answering the following questions:
Is the use of drones to assassinate terrorist targets an acceptable tactic?  Why or why not?
Also, what fears and concerns could be caused by the increasing use of drones?  (Think about how the atomic bomb led to fears of nuclear war.)

Finally, you must respond to a classmates' posting, replying thoughtfully to their opinion and ideas, not simply agreeing or disagreeing.