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?