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Movie moves student to raise awareness



Julie Engel | Argus Observer Payette High School Student Lea Gathen laughs as she prepares to begin the movie ‘An Inconvenient Truth' for an informational session she organized on global warming.
Payette - A showing of the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” in a Payette High School physics class led one student to organize an open dialogue about the film and global warming.

Lea Gathen, a 16-year-old exchange student from Germany, said she wanted to share the movie with other high school students and community members. Gathen, though, took it one step further by inviting Treasure Valley Community College instructor Rick Reynolds to lead a discussion afterward.

Gathen held the global warming information session Thursday at the Payette High School auditorium.

The movie “An Inconvenient Truth” chronicles former Vice President Al Gore's research and interest in the issue of global warming from his college days in the 1970s to now. In her introduction to the movie, Gathen said the information presented is only one side of the issue and it is important to research both sides before making a conclusion.

“It concerns everyone,” Gathen said. “It doesn't matter where you live, everyone should think about it.”

Gathen came across the movie after PHS physics teacher Irene Murphy showed it in her class.

For Murphy, physics is how things work, which leaves the class curriculum wide open. The students are now studying energy, and she said she showed the movie in her class to get the students thinking about their future.

Also part of the assignment was to gather articles on global warming to provide a broad range of information, she said.

“I want kids to be aware of issues they will be facing in the future - it's (global warming) one of those issues they need to be aware of,” Murphy said.

The roof at PHS has solar panels, Murphy said, which she obtained last year with a grant. The school has encountered challenges regarding connections with the solar panels, but Murphy said she hopes to have them working soon. Students will also learn about hydrogen fuel cell cars and hydroelectricity, Murphy said, and groups of students will study topics for presentations.

Gathen said her topic is global warming.

“It's a huge problem - they will have to come up with solutions,” Murphy said.

After the movie, Reynolds gave a short presentation and fielded questions from audience members.

Reynolds said he is teaching a new class at TVCC called “Energy, Society and Environment.” There are two sides to every coin, and Reynolds said global warming can be viewed the same way. Even though most scientists agree that humans are the cause of some global warming, Reynolds said it is still unclear just how much humans are to blame.

While individuals can make lifestyle changes to reduce their impact on the environment, Reynolds said the best way to make a sweeping change is to contact legislators because they can truly change the way Americans live.

Reynolds said there will come a time when the world runs out of petroleum reserves - some estimate it will be in about 40 to 50 years.




Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:

" Islam is a woman-hating, human-enslaving ideology that should NOT be taught in our public schools. It's obvious the Saudis and the rest of the Muslim fanatics who are trying to take over the world have bought off the State of Oregon. Expect lawsuits.

And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.

Disgusting. "

anonymous wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 AM:

" The girl was Latasha Rodriguez "

Cody W. Ables wrote on May 16, 2008 11:04 PM:

" May 16, 2008

Here is something that we should all read. This is a letter from an angry woman in New Jersey regarding the War in Iraq and all of the war’s negative publicity. Pay attention.

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three-thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means quit reading. Should you choose to do so, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
Important for us all!!!!
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN!’


I hope you take this woman’s viewpoint into consideration. It closely parallels my own. As I begin my journey in becoming a soldier of the greatest country in the world, hearing this woman’s words sets my heart at ease. It is warming to know that there are people in this great country who still care about those men and women who have no choice.


Cody W. Ables
U.S. Air Force Academy 2012
"


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