I Recently made a trip to the internationaly famous Sea World in Orlando Florida; where i was met with the most fantastic yet terrifyingly eye-opening experience i have ever encountered. At this point i would like to admit that -just like many other visitors- i was captured in a sense of great awe as i watched Shamu leap through the air, splash the crowd and many other praise-worthy stunts.

But this Does not change the fact that Shamu is a living creature, and it’s purpose is not the entertainment of humans. The living fercilities in which these whales are living in are cruel and un-just! I was absolutly flaberghast when i saw the size of the pool in which the whales would be performing, as although it may look big, these animals are used to living in oceans, where they have all the room they need, and the pool in SeaWorld is just not up to the standards it needs to be, for the whales to be happy in their enviroment.

It is no wonder that terrible accidents occur. Just recently on 24th February 2010, a trainer who had worked with killer whales for 16 years, and had a pleanty of experience was tragically killed by Tillikum, a whale at SeaWorld Orlando. The Orca is a huge 26ft weighing 12,000 pounds, dragged Dawn Brancheau- a trainer at SeaWorld- under the water and thrashed her around until she drowned.

Although neither Dawn nor Tillikum can be blamed for this brutal attack. Using wild animals such as Tilikum in the way they do in SeaWorld is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. The huge Orcas are natuarl predeators, and no amount of training will change that. It is un-fair to the animals being used and also to the trainers that work with them. Tilikum has continued to be used in shows at SeaWorld and was actually there on my visit to SeaWorld just a few days ago; although procedeurs have changed, and the trainers no longer go in the water with the Orcas.

Orcas born into captivity must remain in captivity as they would not survive in the wild having to fend for themselves. Which is very un-just on the animals, as if they are not ill or in need of special care they could be free in the wild where they belong, but instead must remain in the tiny pool of a tourist attraction.

The way these animals are treated is not right, and should be changed imediatly! Humans have rites, so why shouldn’t animals? If you agree then do something about it, because this is cruelty, the Orcas deserve to be in better living conditions.

written by Courteney age 13

FAIRMOUNT WEATHER/// As I have been told the days have been humid and the nights have been cookin up a storm. For the past coulple of weeks or so everyday has been hummid and every night there has been a storm. So to take a small vacation im satying in this littlie town with my grandparents to see what was really happening, and sure enuff i was told exactly correct.In the air is hummid and its so stuffy by morning fall around 8:oo A.M its already hummid so if you planning on come here with a dog and you need to walk them just make sure you always have enuff water for them on the walks.From what im seeing on the stormy side it comes around at 7:30 P.M and starts comeing.So far nothing bad has happend here in the small and lovely town.

So it’s that time of year again! When everything is “decomposing” and dying all aroung you. It’s been called, “the most beautifull time of year.” Great indeed but not just in scenic terms. It’s a time of year a kids imagination is exploding with joy, and ours are “dying away,” similar to life around us. We all seem to forget our child hood thaughts. Though I like to think Im still in some way attached to the old days. How fun they were, but cant get them back. Now I think I’ll show my children “The Way of the Child!” Or maybe I’ll just take them trick or treating.

I have lived in Michigan all of my life. What is as familiar to me as Detroit and Vernor’s pop is the crazy weather here. This week was so erratic it was like watching a person with multiple personalities trying to find one person to represent them.

Besides the crappy freezing rain and foot and a half of snow which firmly stuck my car on the side of the road, the high winds and the rain about gave me a stroke when I was trying to Christmas shop for the family.

The funny thing is I am off to vacation in Minnesota now to visit a friend. Now that is one state that trumps Michigan for the worst winter weather. However, the instability of Michigan’s weather is famous. I have seen hail and a snowstorm on a summer day. I have seen rain and lightning in winter. What I would miss if I ever moved out of this schizophrenic climate is the excitement that comes with waking up in Michigan and trying to predict the weather. If you don’t like the weather here after all, wait a minute! It will change and maybe for the better! A word of advice though..planning an outdoor event here is like carving a sandcastle close to the water’s edge, it may or may not hold. Outdoor weddings in Michigan are a constant source of amusement as well…