World hunger is a real epidemic. It impacts a significant portion of the globe-even in the 21st century. What do you think we can do as individuals to alleviate hunger within impoverished communities and nations? Is it a lost cause? How can we help in a meaningful and lasting way?

Credit Cards

What are the pros and cons of having credit cards? Are they a good thing or a bad thing? Can they be both? Many feel that it is all in the way you manage your credit. If you pay your balances and don't 'overbuy' then it is okay. Tell me what you think. Share some of your personal experiences.

Credit Cards-Yea or Nay?

Are credit cards okay? They can aid your credit score but they can also harm your credit score if you have high balances. Are they fine if used in moderation? Or should we use cash only? Tell me how you 'weigh in' on the subject. Share your experiences if applicable.

Safer Schools, Safer Malls, Safer Movies

Assault rifle ban? Yay or Nay? Clearly something must be done; but is this it? Will requiring background checks and mental health evaluations before approving a gun license help? Let's brainstorm immediate ways in which we can make our society safer.

Castaway...

Natural disasters are happening with frequency around the globe. Let's say that your area was hit hard and you were forced to pack a bag and leave town/go to a safe house within 30 minutes. What would you pack? List 10 items that you'd have to have-you'd have to save...

Life Imprisonment or Capital Punishment?

Which form of punishment do you prefer for criminal offenders that commit murder? Which is the harsher form of punishment? What about rehabilitation? The reason that prisons exist is to supposedly rehabilitate the offender. Chime in and let me know what you're thinking.

Credit Cards-Yea or Nay??

Are credit cards a good idea? What are the pros and cons? There's Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and a host of others to choose from. Tell me what you think. Share any experiences, if applicable.

Is College Really Necessary?

I was talking to a group of young college students last night. We were discussing life after high school. The challenges that college students face can be daunting-particularly in today's economy. Funding difficulties and lack of student loan availability are barriers that impact many degree seeking students. Is there a way to make a decent living without a college degree? Explain...

Aristotle

Please 'breakdown' Aristotle's famous quote, "A friend to all is a friend to none." What does he mean? Have you experienced a friend like this before? What does it feel like to have someone tell a secret that you shared with the expectation of confidentiality?

Can we all just get along??

There seems to be an increasing fracture in the relationships between teens/young adults and their parents. Why is there so much discord in parent-child relationships at this stage? Whose fault is it usually in the case of teenagers squabbling with parents? Who is at fault in the case of young adults beefing with parents? What can parents do to 'fix' this? What can youngsters do to 'fix' this? Can it be fixed? Is there a common ground...can the two 'parties' agree to disagree and maintain a loving relationship? Your thoughts please...Examples and personal experiences are welcome too.

College Anyone???

Is college a necessary step for all high school graduates? Do we really need college in order to make a living? Does our geographical location make a difference? The cost of living is higher on the East Coast, in Hawaii and parts of the West Coast...so more money is needed in these areas to sustain a living....give me your thoughts!

Peace?

Will we ever live in a peaceful world? Why or Why not? What steps does our government need to take to decrease crime in our nation? What do our governors need to do to create more law 'abiders' within our states? What about the mayors of our cities? What about you? What can you do to promote peace within your circle of influence?

Famous Quotes on Peace:

One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one....Agatha Christie

We make war that we may live in peace....Aristotle

Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict -- alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence....Dorothy Thompson

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy....George Washington

When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace....H.H. The Dalai Lama

You can't shake hands with a clenched fist....Indira Ghandi

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace....Jimi Hendrix

We are not going to deal with the violence in our communities, our homes, and our nation, until we learn to deal with the basic ethic of how we resolve our disputes and to place an emphasis on peace in the way we relate to one another....Marian Wright Edelman

Teen Groundhogs

As parents of teens, our primary job is to prepare them for the real world. Sometimes teens make bad decisions. Is it appropriate for teenagers to be punished? Is grounding ok, teens? What other methods of ‘learning lessons’ do you feel are effective for teenagers? Now let me add, I never was grounded as a teenager, I was whipped. My own children say I lecture too much…Which method is most effective and why?

Community Service Anyone?

The recent passing of Senator Ted Kennedy imprinted the images of "Camelot" across new programs & on the minds of the American public. This notable family dedicated their lives to changing America of the past and propelling us to the place we are today. Kudos Kennedy family. An old speech of Ted Kennedy's resurfaced. The poignant words playing on televisions across the land "...the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die..." What does this mean to 2009? How can we embrace this and act on it? As an action verb, what does this phrase look like?

Prop 8 Controversy

Miss California recently encountered MUCH controversy after stating that she was against same sex marriage. Why do you think she received so much press-positive and/or negative regarding her opinion? Can we agree to disagree in our society? Or must we be politically correct to be accepted or 'get ahead' in life? Your thoughts........all are welcome...

We're moving?!!

Moving is often exciting. But sometimes it can be challenging, especially for youth & teens that are leaving schools and friends that are comfortable for them. Share positive or negative experiences you've had with moving.

Teen Drivers...

Should teens receive cars when they turn 16 years of age? Is it fair that parents must pay several hundred to thousands of dollars more per year on car insurance if they insure their teens? Some states are even raising the minimum age for obtaining driver's licenses to 18; while some have lowered the minimum age to 15. Which is best? Which do you prefer? How do you feel about drag racing?

How do you feel about corporal punishment in the classroom?

Years ago, teachers were allowed to hit students in the classroom. They would traditionally use a ruler or a yardstick to mete out the punishment against certain infractions ie. lack of homework, incorrect answers, talking back, disruptive behavior, falling asleep etc..Can you imagine that happening in 2008? Would it create a better or worse learning environment? How would you feel as a student receiving such punishment? How would you feel as a student watching your friends/classmates receive discipline in the classroom?

Hollywood celebrities gone berserk!

We have seen an influx of tragic circumstances surrounding our Hollywood celebrities. Many of the celebrities that are 'behaving badly' come from seemingly good homes with parents who love and support them. What do you think is happening? Is the fame and money too much at such a young age? How can we help them? Is the media too hard on them? [Brittney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, T.I., Owen Wilson, Amy Winehouse...and others]

Can you determine your future?

Many people believe that our future is pre-determined. Yet others believe life just happens as a result of positive or negative circumstances. Still others feel that the future can only be predicted for those who work hard or are born 'under a lucky star'. What do you think? Hip-hop legends Tupac and Biggie spoke about their deaths in songs they wrote. Did they predict their deaths?