Internet Sources

1. Several crime statistics are available at the FBI's "Uniform Crime Report" Web site:
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm.

At this site, you should be able to search for crime statistics by year.

In the past year, there have been some high-profile attacks on the WSU campus. Many reports suggest that these incidents may fall under the category of "hate crimes." Use the "Uniform Crime Report" link above to research the crime statistics for "Hate Crimes" in Pullman in 2006 and 2007. How does Pullman compare to other Washington cities? Is there a particular kind of "hate crime" that is of concern? (Hint: One of the "tables" contains all of this information for each year).

"Hate Crimes" in Pullman in 2006:
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2006/table13wa.html
--> 4 recorded "hate crimes"
*All hate crimes based on sexual orientation

"Hate Crimes" in Pullman in 2007:
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2007/table_13wa.htm
--> 5 recorded "hate crimes"
*Majority of hate crimes are based on race

According to both of these tables, it apparent that race and sexual orientation "hate crimes" are of immediate concern in Pullman.

In comparison to other cities, it seems that the total number of hate crimes that occurred in Pullman are about average. Most cities had roughly 3-6 recorded hate crimes in both years. However, both Seattle and Spokane appeared to be the cities in which the most hate crimes occurred. (For instance, in 2007, over 20 hate crimes took place in Seattle.)


2. Followthemoney.org is a Web site that allows you to track flow of money in state politics. Use the site (Hint: Use "Explore" link then "State Overviews") to research and answer the following questions:

- Which Washington state governor candidate received the most political donations in 2008? How much did he or she receive in total tracked donations for 2008?

Christine Gregoire received the most political donations in 2008. In total tracked donations she received $12,002,778.

http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_candidates.phtml?s=WA&y=2008&f=G

- For each of the two leading gubernatorial (governor) candidates, what industry contributed the largest donations (aside from the candidates' own political committees)? How much did they give?

For each of the two leading gubernational candidates, the industry that contributed the largest donation overall was the Associated General Contractors of Washington who gave $7,300. However, an anonymous donation was also given for $10,736.

Christine Gregoire's largest donation, aside from those of her own political committees', was from an anonymous donor for $7,560.

Dino Rossi's largest donation, aside from those of his own political committees', was from the Associate General Contractors of Washington for $5,800.


- Use the same tool to investigate how donations play a role in politics. Use the "Explore" and then "Industry Influence" link to load in charts by each industry topic. At the bottom of the page, you can expand a category to select a particular industry. Then, once you click SUBMIT, you will see a graphic that details how much the selected industry contributed to each respective political party. Using this tool, answer the following:

What political party was the recipient of more donated money from the "forestry & forest products" industry in Washington state in 2008?
--> The Republicans

http://www.followthemoney.org/database/IndustryTotals.phtml?f=0&s=WA&i%5B%5D=9

What political party received the most donated money from the "lobbyists & public relations" industry in Washington state in 2008?
--> The Democrats

http://www.followthemoney.org/database/IndustryTotals.phtml?f=0&s=WA&b%5B%5D=K2000


3. Use Google's Patent Search to find the patent application with the FIRST REFERENCES to these technologies:
* Digital Video Recorder
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=N7h1AAAAEBAJ&dq=Digital+Video+Recorder
* Social Networking
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=aTB4AAAAEBAJ&dq=Social+Networking
* Automobile
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=IiIPAAAAEBAJ&dq=Automobile