Talking Points

Swimming pool for whites only?

SP Webmaster — 2009-07-09T21:55:11Z

According to a recent report, a swim club in Pennsylvania, who recently turned away a group of summer camp kids and refunded their membership, is being accused of doing so because the inner-city campers were black and hispanic. A statement issued by the club's president said, 'There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club.' ('http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=97869414908 h=ZXMOu u=p7Ncw ref=mf' target='_blank'>Click here to catch up on the original article; a quick Google search for 'the Valley Club' will turn up heaps more that have been posted since.) What do you think? Should the club face consequences? Are they within their rights? Or do you think there's more to the story?

Internet loves Iran

SP Webmaster — 2009-06-18T19:48:16Z

The Internet — Twitter especially — has been abuzz this week with support for the people of Iran. User icons are being tinted green, lists are being published describing how not to get Iranian twitterers arrested or killed, and photos of the protests are being retweeted left and right. Do you think this is helpful to the Iranian cause?

GM's bankruptcy: What does it mean?

SP Webmaster — 2009-06-01T14:09:02Z

General Motors filed for bankruptcy this morning. Realistically, what do you predict this will lead to?

No gays allowed on XBOX Live

SP Webmaster — 2009-02-26T20:36:26Z

XBOX Live is the name the online Microsoft gaming community that allows gamers to connect their XBOX consoles to the Internet, making it possible to play games with other players around the world. Recently, it's come to light that several players have been banned from the community by Microsoft for identifying themselves, in their user profiles, as being gay. According to Microsoft, it's because other XBOX Live users found their sexual orientation 'offensive.' Is Microsoft within its rights?

KFC is good for you now! (Are you convinced?)

SP Webmaster — 2009-05-07T17:03:22Z

This week seems to mark the beginning of a new era for KFC, one of healthy alternatives, chicken with grill marks, and KFC as a viable lunch choice for calorie-counters. The crux of its new identity is detailed at 'http://unthinkfc.com' target='_blank'>unthinkfc.com. It's not a first; other fast food chains have been trying to make similar image changes, from McDonald's fruit-instead-of-fries side options to Taco Bell's 'Fresco Menu' (extra tomatoes, hold the cheese). What do you think? Is it possible for the fast food industry to reinvent itself as purveyors of healthy meals, putting the nation's well-being first? And if it is, is that what KFC has done here? Or is this about money?

Isn't it about time those GA-400 toll booths came down?

SP Webmaster — 2009-04-23T18:12:07Z

Evidently, no. Construction of the southern extension of GA-400 has finally been paid off, and in keeping with the original plan, that should mean we don't have to pay tolls on it anymore. But according to Wikipedia, 'the road costs two million dollars per year just to maintain (plus occasionnal repaving), and it would cost several million more for the demolition of the toll plaza.' With that extra expense in mind, the new number for 'fully' paying for GA-400 is 2011. Of course, all the roads in Georgia incur a maintenence cost, toll booth or no. GA-400 has to become part of the state's regular budget sooner or later. What do you think? Does this extra two years' worth of 'occasional repaving' sound like part of the original plan, or is the state trying to milk it a little longer? Do you want to see the toll booths come down sooner? Would you rather see them stay?

Do you get sleepy in the middle of the day?

SP Webmaster — 2009-05-13T22:03:03Z

Well... do you?

Are celebrity gossip rags good for us?

SP Webmaster — 2009-02-12T19:17:12Z

There's a lot of talk lately about Jessica Simpson and her weight gain. Nutritionists are up in arms about companies that make their living trashing celebs for being both 'too fat' and 'too thin,' and the potential psychological impact it has on all women. Do these celebrity magazines really have a negative impact on women's psyches? And if it does, what should we be doing to fix it?

Let's bail out the department stores, too!

SP Webmaster — 2009-01-05T16:39:01Z

Some retailers (such as JC Penney and Saks Fifth Avenue) are trying to get in on the government bailout action. Are they beng greedy, or is it only fair that if some businesses get bailed out, others deserve a shot, too?

McDonald's revenue is up 5–11% worldwide. Why do you think that is?

SP Webmaster — 2008-11-10T20:25:06Z

While most sit-down restaurants have seen sales plummet, sales at McDonald's increased by 5% last month in the U.S. and as much as 11% elsewhere in the world. What should that be attributed to? Do you find yourself eating more fast food lately?