Recently in Pro/Con Category

Tanning beds have been taking a little heat (ahem) in the press lately because their use may increase the risk of skin cancer, UV radiation, and bad burns. Local governments have even discussed banning children from indoor tanning and the federal government has added a 10% sales tax on tanning.  The World Health Organization has even likened it to cigarettes and arsenic. But the risks may have gotten a little bit higher--according to a recent study, indoor tanning might actually be akin to substance abuse.  This Medical Minute by Penn State faculty also lists some other dangers of this practice

So far, it sounds like indoor tanning doesn't have a lot going for it. Could there possibly be some upsides, such as increasing Vitamin D levels (in a population who is typically deficient), increasing your mood, or giving your body image a boost?

Or maybe the government and researchers are just hyping the risks. Perhaps the sunscreen industry just wants to sell more products by instilling fear in consumers. Some even suppose that drug companies don't want you to feel the mood elevating affects of tanning so that you continue to take the medications they produce.

No doubt, there are lots of issues surrounding what once considered a healthy habit by many people.

keywords: tanning booths, indoor tanning, tanning salons, vitamin d, sunscreen, skin cancer

Today I'm in a rush, I have a lot to do! It probably took me longer to select a reference book to write about today than it will take for me to write this. So, this got me thinking about hurrying... what helps when you're in a hurry? I have a lot of ideas about this, but I settled on something that will help you say a lot in a short amount of time (and space).

Recently I was talking with a class about how a picture can say 1,000 words. Along those same lines, starting out with a short, pithy quote can really set the tone for what you're trying to say.

I distinctly remember being introduced to quotation dictionaries in junior high. (Oddly, this is not the first time today that a memory of junior high was triggered!) It was one of the few times I ever went into the school's library after elementary school--a class trip, probably for English class. My memory is foggy, but it goes something like, "Wow! Abraham Lincoln said that?!"

Some of you may already be familiar with Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, but I grabbed a more modern volume--The Oxford Dictionary of American Quotations (Ref. PN6081.A623 2006, Eiche Library Reference Collection).

They way they work is you look up the idea, place, person, or quality you're interested in and the book will give you a selection of famous and/or meaningful quotes to choose from. What's unique about this particular title is that (from the "Introduction," p. vii), "It is a collection, organized along historical lines, of nearly six thousand memorable quotations on more than five hundred some aspects of American life and culture."

So, under the entry for "love," you can read what Benjamin Franklin had to say about love in 1755 ("If you would be loved, love and be lovable.") -- what Emily Dickinson had to say about love in the 19th century -- and what 20th century icons like Robert Frost have to say ("Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."). Humorously reflecting what may be a 20th century attitude toward love, comedian Lily Tomlin said "If love is the answer, could you rephrase the question?"

The words of Golda Meir speak to me: "I must govern the clock, not be governed by it."

Didn't find what you were looking for? The book also has a keyword index in the back, either for quick scanning or to find "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" (Whig campaign slogan, 1840) under the heading "political slogans" (see p. 514 to learn what that means). In the author index you can find direction to all those thoughtful Lincoln quotes. Maybe one will trigger more memories of 8th grade for me!

I could write a year's worth of entries about the wonders of titles in the language section of our reference collection, so stay tuned.

I have been saving up lots of ideas for new mini-bibliography posts, so hopefully the next one will arrive sooner! The "5 Myths" article is an easy read and covers a lot of ground quickly, making it a good springboard into further research on any one of the many aspects of harnessing wind as a sustainable energy source presented there.

"5 Myths About Wind Energy" by Michael Schirber
U.S. News & World Report online, LiveScience feature

In his report, Schirber debunks these 5 myths:
1. Wind in cheap
2. America is way behind the rest of the world
3. Wind turbines are loud
4. Wind turbines kill birds
5. Any house can own a windmill

For more about wind energy/wind power, check out some of these books at the library:

Global Resources, edited by Clare Hanrahan, contains pro/con essays on wind energy:

"Wind Power is Affordable and Environmentally Friendly," by Joseph Florence
"Wind power is Unreliable and Not Environmentally Friendly," by Eric Rosenbloom

Since this book in the Opposing Viewpoints Series, these essays and more are also available to PSU students electronically in the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database.

Energy for the 21st Century: A Comprehensive Guide to Conventional and Alternative Sources, by Roy L. Nersesian

Contents include a section on sustainable energies, including wind power.

Further Research:

Suggested Keywords: wind energy, wind power, or more generally, renewable energy, alternative energy, sustainable energy, power resources

Find a PSU Library Database

The New York Times reports that official plans for Halloween activities in the Castro district of San Francisco have been canceled. In past years the parade and other activities have attracted crowds reminiscent of Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street. Historically, the Castro embraced a vibrant gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender community, but in recent years, as the article goes on to explain, newcomers of all sexual orientations are attracted by the eclecticism the community offers. -- "Gay Enclaves Face Prospect of Being Passé," New York Times, October 30, 2007

In related news, the Los Angeles Times recently ran an editorial about the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1592) being reviewed by Congress. The proposed legislation was motivated by the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, a hate-crime motivated by his sexual orientation. If approved, the legislation would add crimes motivated by the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation to the federal definition of a hate crime and improve the frequency and quality of investigations into such crimes. The bill has been introduced in every Congress since the 105th in 1999, but has yet to be ratified. -- Editorial, "Narrow the Hate Crimes Act," Los Angeles Times, October 29, 2007

Whether Greek or geek, hippie or hip-hop, we probably all belong to at least one subculture. A group where people just 'get' us, without explanation--or judgment.

Has mainstream America become more accepting of the LGBT subculture? And just what is "mainstream?"

For some basic information:
Start with the Try These First databases. (PSU only)

And, just about every subculture has a book or two on the subject. Search The CAT for the keyword "subculture," or the popular name for the subculture itself. -- There are also lots of books on hate crimes.

For more information:
Search GLBT research resources for more on GLBT (or LGBT) history and issues. Check out sociology and cultural anthropology resources for more on cultures and subcultures. Use criminal justice research resources to find out more about hate crimes. (mostly PSU only)

FBI Hate Crime Statistics

Search the Library of Congress' Thomas database for "matthew shephard" to learn more about the bills in Congress.

Need help? Ask! All PSU or Altoona only.

"Planet In Peril: Yellowstone National Park," CNN.com

Reintroducing gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park has helped restore balance to the park's ecosystem, where several species of animals and plants had been endangered. However, nearby ranchers oppose to this move because the wolves also threaten their livestock.

For pro/con research, use the library's Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center to find Viewpoint Essays and articles on endangered species in general, or wolf reintroduction in particular.

For more in-depth research, look in Wildlife & Ecology Studies WorldWide or Biological Abstracts.

Keywords: wolves, canis lupis, wolf reintroduction, endangered species, Yellowstone National Park

If wolves aren't for you, take a look at some of the other "Planet in Peril" subjects for other research topic ideas!

"A Real Bad ID Law," Boston Globe (editorial), August 12, 2007.

"New License Law Has Ripple Effect on Illegal Immigrants," by Brent D. Wistrom, Knight Ridder Tribune Business News (Washington), August 19, 2007. (Originally appeared in The Wichita Eagle (Kansas)).

Keywords: REAL ID Act (2005), terrorism, Homeland Security, immigration, illegal aliens, identity theft

The 2005 REAL ID Act, effectively requiring citizens to have a national ID card, is scheduled to go into effect on May 11, 2008. Critics claim this financially overburdens state budgets, that it is potentially a violation of state's constitutional rights, that meeting the requirements simply isn't feasible, and that it's not the right solution for the problem. Some states are fighting back.

Question:

* Will Real ID help against in the fight terrorism and with the immigration problem? Or is this a step to an Orwellian Police State?

Articles available online. For more information, search the CQ Researcher and the Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. (both links PSU only).

Russ H.