Articles written by Lori Ronan

What is Helium

About me - Lori Ronan

I began a professional career in journalism after receiving a BA in Communications in 1976. I was a newspaper reporter for 12 years traveling back and forth between both coasts. In 1992, I retired from the media maze to freelance write and continue my education.

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Education > Educational Philosophy Have public schools failed us: 1 of 45
When my son was in second grade, he came home from school with a lollipop. I was afraid he might have taken candy from a stranger, so I inquired as to where he had gotten it. "My teacher," was his response. "Were you really a good boy in school today?" I asked. "Nah, he replied, it was for my giving that present to the teache... More..
Politics, News & Issues > News Industry Do mainstream media outlets favor bad news over good news?: 3 of 61
The two headlines read: "Child Murdered by Vicious Predator", and "Kids Give Charity Donations at Local Hospital". Which one are you going to read first?Before you get offended by the choices, here is another example. You see a terrible accident on the side of the road; do you go slowly to see what happened? Further down the ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Death Penalty Assessing the death penalty: 13 of 139
Until recently, the idea that America has executed an innocent person has been unthinkable. We now know better. There is no absolute certainly in any death case, but we as a people must try to ensure that we are only killing the guilty. For that reason, I propose we consider the option of Death Court as a one stop solution to... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Teen Challenges Is it possible to raise a son and daughter without gender bias?: 1 of 4
What exactly is gender bias? Is that treating my son like a boy and giving my daughter dolls to play with? A variation on different but equal? I don't want to be a man and I expect my husband would not want to be my wife. Gender is great. There are two varieties, male and female.You have children. Yes, the girl's room is pink... More..
Education > Education (Other) Should public school children wear uniforms?: 21 of 64
DENIM'S GONNA GET YOU! What crime has ever been attributed to the wearing of plaids or denim? As I went to enroll my son in seventh grade I was handed a copy of the middle schools uniform dress code. This is not a school uniform policy, but rather the School Advisory Committees idea of "dressing for good behavior."What exactl... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 Why some people don't vote: 28 of 56
I can't contain my excitement when I stand in line. I can feel the goose bumps up and down my arms. I feel so American, so patriotic, so thrilled to be voting. The week before an election we look at the amendments and discuss who is running. We argue and debate, but we all look forward to the big day.When my son was very youn... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Relationships: 231 of 452
The aftertaste of lovebiting with caustic flavor.Nothing erases the anguishthe lost inert behavior.The ham and cheese still on the shelvesthe bread; warm on the table.A hamper filled with hopeless dreamsno one to send a cable.Books unread lay waitingfor sharing hands to grasp.Telephones hold empty wordsof things said in the p... More..
Education > Secondary School (Other) Should school districts provide cash rewards for high grades and test scores?: 39 of 67
The social pressure to contribute has taken on all shapes and intricate forms, and it now can even be applied to academic achievement. It is now cash 'n' carry grades!Two of my daughter's classes in high school are gifted classes. Earlier this year I gave her dozen-canned good items for some charity event in one of the two cl... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 US elections 2008: Assessing the media's negative impact on the campaign: 11 of 17
The candidate's prance and dance and try to woo us to their side. They seek the media and the revel in the power of the press. They buy millions of dollars of airtime to promote their policies and their propaganda. They have an audience and we respond as expected to the fluff they feed us. It could be worse, however if the go... More..
Creative Writing > Novel Excerpts Novel excerpts: Death: 41 of 63
Prologue November 1997My brother was a biohazard. This is how on his final day on earth he was listed on a 911-computer printout.I will hear those awful gurgling sounds of my brother dying and drowning in his own fluids for many years to come. There are images of the hospital scenes and nightmares where I try to save him. The... More..