Michael’s Blog

Today we got back our map quizes and took our Iraq quiz. Then we worked on our study guide for the middle east map test.

Last week, we read about oil drilling and how much oil is left in the world.  The amount estimated in the ground is 2.6 trillion barrels.  M. King Hubbert, geophysicist, predicted that “oil pumped from U.S. fields would peak around 1970” and it did. The
United States has only 4 percent of the Earth’s population, but uses about 25 percent of the world’s supply. Without oil, we will not be able to make items like tires, tennis rackets, trash bags and toothpaste. We have been talking about how we can conserve oil and how we can use different resources without harming the environment.  In order to conserve oil usage, we are making new transportation vehicles that use fuel like compressed air and water so we don’t have to consume too much oil.  Efficient heating, lighting and cooling systems in building are also cutting down on the use of oil. We need to increase research to find renewable energy sources so we don’t run out of oil soon.

1938

Dear Bob,

How have you been? I am fine here now with all of the changes since Kemal Ataturk has been president of
Turkey. I’ll tell you about some of the changes.

Our new Turkish state is a republic. Kemal Ataturk changed many things to be more like the West. A new legal system was adopted. We call it the Swiss Civil Code. He also brought in the Italian Penal Code. These changes really modernized the way our country operates.

In 1933 a new education system was also established. It is more like yours. Women now have more rights and can vote in elections and hold official posts.

A big change is that we do not use the Arabic script any more. We use the Latin script instead. We even have a new Turkish alphabet.

We also have changed the clothes we wear. Women do not have to wear veils and men wear western style hats. We look more like people in your country.

You must come to
Turkey to visit me.

Your Friend,

Michael

If you would like more information please visit

http://www.allaboutturkey.com/ataturk.htm