Tuesday, Jan. 25 was the annual State of the Union, a speech in which the president addresses his constituents in the United States, updating them on what is affecting our country at that time. This speech was once revered as one that kept Americans buzzing for weeks afterward, and conjures images of 1950s families huddled around their black-and-white televisions or radios. But today, it really only makes me ask one question: who the heck watches it?

In our fast-paced, technology-ridden world, even politically-inclined people want their news as fast as possible. Even an hour-long speech seems to be too lengthy for people to watch, according to the Christian Science Monitor. I consider myself to be pretty politically informed, and I’m even a political science major. But, will I watch the State of the Union? I doubt it. Why do what when I can catch all the highlights on CNN.com tomorrow morning?

Now, I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing, though. It just goes to show that the State of the Union is becoming outdated. Not the importance, but the format itself. It just can’t keep Americans’ attention any more. This is just a sign of the times, and something our government needs to get used to.

How many of you text, talk on the phone, or send emails while driving?  It is certainly not an uncommon practice today, but I understand the dangers it can cause while on the road.

As of this January, eight states, D.C., and the Virgin Islands prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving, and 30 states, D.C., and Guam ban text messaging while driving, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.  These text messaging laws are not news to anyone, but cell phone carriers are now developing technology that will temporarily disable service so drivers don’t get distracted behind the wheel.  Once the car reaches a certain speed, the program would kick in, sending a call straight to voicemail or a text message straight to the inbox without notifying the driver.

I, for one, think this is a step in the right direction to address the ongoing issues of cell phone use by the driver and advocating safety.  However, I am faced with a few concerns and questions regarding the technical aspects of the new service.  How many people would actually pay to have their texts and calls unavailable? T-Mobile’s service runs at $4.99 a month.  I would think that those who use their cell phones behind the wheel just wouldn’t purchase this service, which would defeat the purpose.  Although, I’m sure parents may use it for their new teen drivers.

The service can be adapted different ways, such as when the driver needs to use the phone in an emergency or for GPS type reasons.  But what happens when there is a glitch in the technology? (Electronics are not perfect).  I also happen to know a few people who travel a lot, which means they use time in their car to talk to colleagues, clients, etc. when they are available.  I’m not encouraging this behavior in any way, but people today are addicted to multitasking—that’s just the way it is.

All in all, I applaud this new effort to ensure safety on the road.  I’ll definitely be interested in seeing how the cut-off service is accepted in today’s society and how effective it will be in preventing dangerous situations on the road.

President Obama’s health care overhaul is continuing to make waves in the first days of the new session of Congress.

House Republicans are calling to repeal Obama’s health care law, which, among other reforms, allows young Americans to stay on their parents’ health care insurance up to the age of 26. It also requires all American citizens to purchase some form of insurance or suffer a fine.

According to Sen. Richard Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, a reversal of the reform would cause 30 million Americans to be dropped from health insurance.

A CNN article reports that Republicans believe the implementation of the reform will ruin the American economy. Democrats disagree, and think a reversal would plunge America even further into debt.

It’s estimated by the Congressional Budget Office that overhauling the reform would cost $230 billion by 2021.

Though it seems unlikely that this bill would pass both the House and Senate, it still raises questions. Either overhauling or keeping the law will cost American tax payers money. So which is more important: keeping our health care system the way it is, or making sure all citizen have health insurance? It seems to me that the protection of American citizens should be a nonpartisan issue, but it is an inherently political reform to discuss, and there will always be two sides. Yet, I urge both Democrats and Republicans to truly keep the well-being of Americans in mind as they vote on this bill.

There’s some good news for soon-to-be UD grads.

According to the Houston Chronicle, employment is on the upswing, which allows for college seniors around the nation to breathe a sigh of relief. The Labor Department has received fewer applications for unemployment benefits this month – the lowest since late 2008. This shows that the American job market is growing, and employment-seekers that will soon be graduating from college have less to worry about than their 2010 counterparts. A survey by Business Roundtable said that 2011 will be the year for companies to bounce back, with an estimated 45 percent of “big company” CEOs planning to add jobs. In addition, most companies also said they were “more optimistic” about 2011 than the past two years.

This trend is mirrored in Ohio’s current employment rates, which are higher than they have been in two years, according to the Dayton Daily News. This could be a good turnaround for the state, which will be losing two U.S. House of Representatives members due to a low growth rate in the past 10 years on the U.S. Census. For new grads, Ohio is proving to be a state with competitive costs of living with a growth in jobs, which may keep the class of 2011 within the Buckeye state.

At the end of every semester, students are asked to fill out professor evaluations to honestly, and constructively, give insight into a professor’s effectiveness in the classroom.  How effective do you think this method is?

When it comes to grammar schools and high schools, most teachers are evaluated by principals or administrators, but more than 9 out of 10 teachers get top marks, according to a study done by the New Teacher Project.  That doesn’t seem like an accurate evaluation either.

Bill Gates has a different method for improving the American education system. His plan is to invest $335 million in research for developing a new and improved evaluation system for the classroom. Many states are passing new laws that require more frequent classroom observations a year, instead of just one or two. Twenty states have already submitted improved teacher evaluation systems in a $4 billion federal grant competition.

What specific plan has gotten Bill Gates’ attention? Videotaped lessons. The purpose of this method is for researchers to review hours of videotaped lessons to find which methods are most effective in the classroom and why.

My concern with this method is who would see the videos. If outside researchers are evaluating these lessons, how can they justify the effectiveness of the teaching style? They don’t know the school district, the teacher, or the type of students in the classroom.

Also, if teachers know they are being videotaped for observation, they may change their teaching styles. That doesn’t seem effective either. How accurate would a videotaped classroom session depict interaction with students?

I do think that teacher evaluations need to improve, but I’m not sure how effective the videotaped lessons would be. It’s a great idea, but I don’t think that method could replace in-person classroom observations. I don’t want to be quick to judge any effort to improve the education system, so I’ll be anxious to see how the research plays out.

With all this fuss over the newly banned Four Loko and Joose because of its joint caffeine and alcohol properties, it seems like the alcohol industry would be lying low for awhile. But, two new alcoholic products that have recently hit the market will surely keep the controversy going.

Alcohol-infused whipped cream has recently hit the shelves, packing a punch of 15 to 18 percent alcohol in one bottle. The actual container looks just like regular whipped cream, making it look like an innocent addition to drinks like hot cocoa.

Speaking of childhood drinks, Adult Chocolate Milk doesn’t mess around when it comes to advertising – its name is exactly what’s in it.  This new drink comes with the marketing line “Re-taste your youth, 40 proof,” referring to the milk’s 20 percent alcohol tag.

I understand that there are constantly new drinks being invented, but these seem a little over the top. The alcohol industry seems to be turning away from high-alcohol energy drinks like Four Loko, and are turning to novelizing inn0cent drinks into the newest party beverage. To me, this seems like it may even more dangerous. They are marketed to taste great, which could make them appealing to the younger, underage crowd. Who knows if these will be the “new Four Loko,” but they definitely seem to be something to keep our eye on.

Even though the U.S. was the first country to require health warnings on tobacco products, it is falling short in comparison to many other countries that have been requiring large, graphic images on their products for some time.

A man smoking out of a tracheotomy hole, a dead body in a casket, a corpse with identifiable “lung cancer” tag, a distressed child, rotting lips and teeth…all graphic images intended to create and undesirable effect.

How long with the shock value last? How long will these gruesome images deter smokers from smoking?

The appalling, disturbing images plastered all over the new cigarette packs will most likely prevent non-smokers from starting. What about those who are already addicted? A sad image comparing healthy lungs to diseased ones may shock those who smoke initially, but ultimately why would they care about the images on the pack when they need and crave what the cigarettes provide on the inside?

As a Chapstick addict, I know that no matter what label a tube had on it, I would continue buying it. As my addiction to Chapstick is just as obsessive as someone with an avid smoking addiction, this is how I can relate.

Creating these new labels is a great step to make non-smokers reconsider a cigarette purchase, but what will be done to target those already addicted? What will be done to make sure that the shock value of the images doesn’t fade away?

Who the heck still uses their land line?

That was the question asked to the city of Dayton recently. They decided to unplug unused phone lines, and it’s estimated to save about $52,000 from the city’s phone bill.

Back home, my family got rid of our landline before I came to college, and I’ve never once used the phone jack in my UD housing for a phone. This summer, when I called people for my job, I got a little freaked out at the dial tone.

It’s a new generation, and cell phones are all the rage. Just like cassette tapes and VCRs, all things phase out. But what’s going to come after cell phones? Even though this old technology still works, we throw it by the wayside because it isn’t cool or brand-new any more. It’s always nice to see a way that places like Dayton can save money in  way we would have never thought possible.

I stepped onto the Notre Dame campus this Halloween weekend for the Tulsa vs. Notre Dame football game just three days after the terrible accident involving team videographer Declan Sullivan.

The 20-year-old junior fell to his death while filming football practice on a hydraulic scissor lift, which collapsed during a heavy windstorm. Reports say that he tweeted his fear via Twitter, even predicted his own death, after he was told to film the practice. The incident is currently under investigation.

Football coach Brian Kelly started Saturday’s game with a vow of silence in Sullivan’s memory and Rev. John Jenkins, president of the university, said a special prayer for Sullivan’s family and friends.

“Declan gave his energy, his optimism, his heart and his life intensely to all. May his example inspire us,” Jenkins said.

The Fighting Irish fought hard for the game, but also for keeping Sullivan’s memory alive. Players from both teams wore shamrock decals on their helmets with the initials “DS” written on them, and fans from both teams also paid a tribute to the fallen videographer.

The Sullivan family released a statement after Saturday’s game: “Declan loved Notre Dame… We are grateful for the consideration shown to us by the Notre Dame administration and everyone associated with the university… We hope that all that knew him join us in celebrating our son’s life and remembering the joy he brought to so many.”

It’s tragedies like these that give me perspective into how a community functions together. Community is something to be valued, something to be shared, and something from which everyone can benefit. It is expressed through its members, and the Notre Dame family reached out to one another after Sullivan’s death.