President Obama's State of the Union Address

In President Obama's address he went over a number of topics. The first topic was budget cuts, he said "we can't cut our way to prosperity" then lead right into his plan for growing our economy, saying we need to ask three questions how are we going to attract more jobs to American soil, how will we equip the people to do these jobs and how we will make sure hard labor leads to a decent living? The answer he alluded to is to invest in the best products not stopping all of our investments but to make sure America at the top of the manufacturing world.
He also talked about the education of children. He said that we need to make sure each child has the opportunity to begin school in preschool or else they will start behind and lead difficulties in their career search later in life. He also proposed that we redesign high schools to be the launching pad for the job world, equipping the graduates for jobs right out after they finish.

Fireworks Fuel Air Pollution

In Beijing the celebration of the Lunar New Year showed a diminished display of colorful lights in the sky. The government warned that the smoke would heighten the already dangerous levels of air pollution as the smoggy days in January have doubled from last year. The fireworks that were set off reached their climax at midnight but after that they dwindled as day came. Normally the celebrations carry on well into the daylight hours. The firework sales were down 37% from last year with 260,000 cartons compared to 410,000 cartons.
Charlotte Observer Article

Lights Out

The lights in France will soon grow much dimmer. In July of this year, according to a law from the government  all stores and businesses must turn off their lights at night to save energy. France is well known for all of their shining light displays among tourists a question follows this decree will those tourist spots have to be turned off? The Eiffel Tower will remain lit and exceptions will be made for Christmas lights. Not only will the extinguishing of night lights help conserve energy but it will preserve to an extant the life of the nocturnal animals. Electric lights can effect sleep and migration patterns so dimming diminishes confusion of animals. Store lights will have to be completely shut off after the last worker leaves for the night and all window display and store front lights will have to be turned off by 1 a.m.
NY Times Article