Outside Looking In
If you’re into sports, like me, you know that the use of instant replay technology can make a huge impact on the outcome of a game. In the case of a recent soccer playoff, the lack of instant replay potentially cost Ireland’s national team a trip to the 2010 World Cup. Their opponent, France, was able to score the winning goal when French striker Thierry Henry admittedly touched the ball illegally with his hand. As a result of the goal, Ireland failed to qualify for a trip to South Africa.
Henry believes it’s the referee’s responsibility to make that call. Ireland believes they deserve another shot. The team was denied a request for the game to be played over. But now, they are asking FIFA to include them as the 33rd team in the 32-team field.
What do you think? Is referee error part of the game? Or do the Irish deserve a spot in the World Cup?
Jeremy Dunn, CNNSN Producer
Lincoln's Course Controversy
At Pennsylvania's Lincoln University, freshmen are given a test for fitness and body mass index (BMI). If a student's body mass is over 30, he or she is required to take a "Fitness Walking/Conditioning" class before graduation.
The arguments for and against the rule are pretty clear right away, with supporters saying it helps improve students' health and opponents saying it discriminates or doesn't focus on learning.
You seemed to have pretty mixed feelings (and GREAT comments) about the last health story we featured, so we're looking forward to hearing where you stand on this one.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
A National Tax on Sodas?
There are federal taxes on alcohol and tobacco, and there seems to be a growing call for a national tax on sodas and sugary drinks. Congress isn't debating a specific law on this now, but if it were to pass one, it would mean that you'd have to pay more for pop.
Many people blame sugary drinks for obesity, saying they add calories that consumers don't burn off. Supporters of a tax say it would both discourage people from drinking excessive sodas and bring in billions of dollars for the government. Critics of the idea say that sodas are harmless in moderation and that people should be free to drink them without any added costs. Also, raising prices on anything during a recession is an extremely unpopular idea.
Weigh in on which argument you side with.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Haircut Suspension
My guess is that a lot of you will side with Dustin Reader, who loves the Cincinnati Bengals so much that he had their logo shaved into his hair. But the thing is, his school had warned him about his hair before. So there's a good chance that Dustin knew it could've been against the code of conduct when he got his Bengals haircut.
Well, it landed him in in-school, but he's definitely gotten people talking. His father believes the haircut is an example of freedom of expression, but that freedom (as you already know) is sometimes limited when you're in school. So it's a question of whether the haircut is worth the hassle. It seems to be for Dustin. Would it be for you?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
9/11 Trials
On September 11, 2001, 2752 people were killed when two planes were deliberately crashed into New York City's World Trade Center. In today’s show, we report on Attorney General Eric Holder’s decision regarding five alleged terrorists with ties to the 9/11 attacks. They will be tried in a New York civilian court blocks away from where the Twin Towers once stood. Some disagree with this decision, saying that suspected terrorists should be tried in a military court at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. They raise security concerns about having terrorist suspects on American soil. Defendants in a civil trial will have the Constitutional protections given to any U.S. citizen. One Congressman says he's concerned that could result in shorter sentences.
9/11 is, without a doubt, the most significant date in my lifetime, so many Americans are interested in this trial. It’s your turn! Tell us where you stand in this important debate: Do you think that terrorist suspects should be brought to America to stand trial under the U.S. Constitution, or in a military trial?
John Martin, Writer
Historically Correct or Politically Correct?
Historian and Latta Plantation tour guide Ian Campbell said, "I was trying to be historically correct, not politically correct."
Charlotte NAACP President Kojo Nantambu said, "You want to be more sensitive than you want to be politically correct or historically correct."
What was your feeling on the controversial history lesson featured on Friday's show?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Pakistan's Unsung Hero
We've covered a variety of stories this week about heroes - and different kinds of them. On Tuesday, you learned about a teenager who founded a great cause after losing part of his legs. On Veterans Day, we paid tribute to all of America's heroes who've served in the Armed Forces. And on Thursday, you hear about a Pakistani custodian who reportedly sacrificed his life to protect students from a suicide bomber.
To me, all of these stories feature heroes. How would you define a hero?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Your Salute to Veterans
Veterans Day is this Wednesday, and I'd like to include some of your words in our special report. It's okay if you don't personally know someone who's served in the U.S. Armed Forces. We'd just like to hear what you'd say to thank America's veterans for their service, regardless of when or where they served.
Please tell us here, and then be sure to watch on November 11 to see if your comment appears on CNN Student News!
Carl Azuz, Anchor
If the Shoe Fits...
When I first read Friday's story about Marcus Jordan's Nikes causing contract problems for the University of Central Florida, I wondered what the big deal was. Can't a student player wear whatever shoes he wants on the court? Then, I found out that Adidas gave his school uniforms, equipment and shoes - as long as UCF players wore Adidas apparel. So when Marcus chose to play with UCF, he was probably expected, like the other UCF players, to lace up in Adidas.
It was an unusual choice for him to have: whether to wear his father's namesake Air Jordans or to wear his school's Adidas-sponsored sneakers. What choice would you have made?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Moral Dilemma?
I know a lot of you are past the age of trick-or-treating, but I still want your opinion on this.
Let's say you've just rung every doorbell in the neighborhood, gotten enough candy to fill a dump truck, and stumbled home to eat it. You spill out chocolates and mints and gum and candy corn on the kitchen table, and something shiny catches your eye: Gleaming among all the brightly colored wrappers is a three-diamond, anniversary ring. It's as surprising to see as it is beautiful to look at. Maybe you even try it on to see how it fits.
Then, the next day on the news, you hear about a woman who thinks the ring accidentally slipped off her finger while she was handing out candy. She's in good spirits, but the ring holds both sentimental and monetary value, and the woman is hoping and praying she gets it back.
Now it's on you: You know you've got it, and you know it's worth something, and you know who lost it. What do you do?
Carl Azuz, Anchor
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