Ferguson

On August 9, an 18 year old black male, Michael Brown was shot and killed by white Officer Darren Wilson. The Grand Jury decided that Wilson would not go to court. This caused riots and people started destroying their own community. Why? Why are they burning their own buildings? What does that do for them? Nothing. It doesn't help them what so ever. It only makes the situation worse. I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

A Conversation Between Plants

When we think of plants, we think of them just quietly growing, minding their own business. But, in fact, they are plotting to take over the world. They are sharing nutrients and information with each other and even sabotaging unwelcome plants with toxic chemicals. 

About 90% of land plants are in a relationship with fungi, mutually-beneficial of course. Fungi are made up of a mass of thin thread like things called mycelium. By simply plugging in to mycelial networks, it makes them more resistant to diseases.

It has taken decades to find out what this fungal internet can do. In 1997, Suzanne Simard found what Douglas fir and paper birch trees were transferring carbon between them via the mycelia. 

Sharing information, getting together to kill off unwanted plants, and using fungi, plants are communicating with each other which we never really knew before.

Frat Party Gone Wrong

Nolan Michael Burch, 18, was a freshman at West Virginia University. He died Friday, two days after he was found unconscious and not breathing at a frat party. 

Earlier that day, he sent out a tweet saying-"It's about to be a very eventful night to say the least."

Burch sent out a paragraph of text in a tweet on Tuesday that ended, "If you're reading this, congratulations, you made it today. You made it."

The Buffalo News had reported Friday that others at the frat house party "challenged" him into drinking a large amount of liquor. Frankly I find this upsetting that these fraternities have these parties and make people drink so much. Don't they know that it can kill people? Also, this frat already has had incidents with people being arrested and cited for causing late-night disturbances. 

And The Winner Is...

Sen. Pat Roberts has narrowly won the Kansas Senate Race 53.24% to 42.50%. 
My prediction was, however, wrong. Roberts won because he over come the anti-incumbent fervor, his weak showing in the primary, criticism that he was out of touch with the state, and an unusually cold Kansas political scene for Republicans. Outside groups also helped by putting $10 million to support him and oppose Orman. All of these efforts and his aggressive campaign saying that Orman was a lapdog for Washington Democrats help Roberts pull off a win.

Winner Prediction Of Kansas Senate Race 2014

Independant Greg Orman has said that he will caucus with whichever party takes the majority of the Senate, and, by the looks of the races, it seems that Republicans will take the Senate.

If the Republicans do take the Senate, and Orman does what he says he will, then it doesn't matter if Orman or Roberts win, Kansas will still be a Republican state.

My prediction for this race is that  Greg Orman will narrowly win. Right now, the poll are so close in numbers that it is very hard to get a clear prediction, however, the most recent polls show him leading by at most two points. Both men believe that they will win.