Sunday, December 21, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Better Place for Japan
Stephanie Adams
Subaru and other Japanese carmakers are teaming up with
Kiyotaka Fujii who previously ran Louis Vuitton
Britian's seven year recession
by Ashley Tyner
This is one of the most sobering predictions I’ve seen of how long and deep the economic pain will be. Martin Wolf of the financial times isn’t the panicky type but with budget deficits soaring in the United Kingdom, he lays out how Britain may be heading for seven lean years. Could this be a model of where the United States is heading? Britain’s deficit is expected to reach 4.4 percent of gross domestic product next year. The U.S. deficit was 3.2 percent this year but with more bailouts on the way, we may not be far behind.
This is one of the most sobering predictions I’ve seen of how long and deep the economic pain will be. Martin Wolf of the financial times isn’t the panicky type but with budget deficits soaring in the United Kingdom, he lays out how Britain may be heading for seven lean years. Could this be a model of where the United States is heading? Britain’s deficit is expected to reach 4.4 percent of gross domestic product next year. The U.S. deficit was 3.2 percent this year but with more bailouts on the way, we may not be far behind.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Smithfield Workers To Vote on Union | Labor Notes
Smithfield Workers To Vote on Union | Labor Notes: "In a surprise settlement, Smithfield Foods dropped its multimillion-dollar racketeering lawsuit against the United Food and Commercial Workers, Jobs with Justice, and the Change to Win federation October 27.
The company agreed instead to a set of rules that will govern a vote on December 10 and 11 for union representation at its hog slaughterhouse in Tar Heel, North Carolina.
UFCW Organizer Carl Green reported from North Carolina, “The activists are extremely excited. They always were wondering when they were going to vote. And now their wish has come true.”
The election will cap 16 years of organizing at the world’s largest pork processing facility, with nearly 5,000 workers. The UFCW lost elections there in 1994 and 1997, but in 2006 a Circuit Court of Appeals upheld numerous charges brought by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Smithfield. The union had said the company spied on workers and had some beaten up on voting day. The company had to pay $1.5 million to workers it had illegally fired."
The company agreed instead to a set of rules that will govern a vote on December 10 and 11 for union representation at its hog slaughterhouse in Tar Heel, North Carolina.
UFCW Organizer Carl Green reported from North Carolina, “The activists are extremely excited. They always were wondering when they were going to vote. And now their wish has come true.”
The election will cap 16 years of organizing at the world’s largest pork processing facility, with nearly 5,000 workers. The UFCW lost elections there in 1994 and 1997, but in 2006 a Circuit Court of Appeals upheld numerous charges brought by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Smithfield. The union had said the company spied on workers and had some beaten up on voting day. The company had to pay $1.5 million to workers it had illegally fired."
A Step Forward, the Association of Women's Rights in Development
A Step Forward, the Association of Women's Rights in Development
John Johnston
11/6/2008
11:45 pm
The Association of Women's Rights in Development is a group that holds public forums every three years, and this article highlights the association's meeting in South Africa. This meeting in South Africa is especially important because the association (and article) remembers three specific women's rights violations, in which two women were tortured and killed and one was forced to live in exile for many years (and still currently). The association attempts to address issues such as illeteracy, rape, murder, HIV/AIDS cases, political and religious. The overall goal of the assocation's forum was to unite encompass resolve in South Africa.
---------------
Association's like these are what make the fight to women's rights worth the while. The article, while not important to the actual fight for women's rights, detailed a parade of purple dressed demonstrators and activists hanging flags and protesting in the streets. This is what makes the fight for women's rights worthwhile, and most importantly, publically broadcasted and hopefully successful. Without forums like this one, and many other associations and forums that the United Nations puts on, success is just around the corner and all we need is a little bit of pick-up by host nations. The biggest problem, here, is that people do not want to conform to ideas and rights that have surfaced within the last century or so. As this is the last blog entry that I will be doing, I would like to say that this has been a great and an enlightening project, and I hope that in some way, shape or form, change can be made and other country's that have not caught on will do so. With organizations like these, it is almost inevitable that it will.
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-12-07-moving-from-helplessness-to-hope
John Johnston
11/6/2008
11:45 pm
The Association of Women's Rights in Development is a group that holds public forums every three years, and this article highlights the association's meeting in South Africa. This meeting in South Africa is especially important because the association (and article) remembers three specific women's rights violations, in which two women were tortured and killed and one was forced to live in exile for many years (and still currently). The association attempts to address issues such as illeteracy, rape, murder, HIV/AIDS cases, political and religious. The overall goal of the assocation's forum was to unite encompass resolve in South Africa.
---------------
Association's like these are what make the fight to women's rights worth the while. The article, while not important to the actual fight for women's rights, detailed a parade of purple dressed demonstrators and activists hanging flags and protesting in the streets. This is what makes the fight for women's rights worthwhile, and most importantly, publically broadcasted and hopefully successful. Without forums like this one, and many other associations and forums that the United Nations puts on, success is just around the corner and all we need is a little bit of pick-up by host nations. The biggest problem, here, is that people do not want to conform to ideas and rights that have surfaced within the last century or so. As this is the last blog entry that I will be doing, I would like to say that this has been a great and an enlightening project, and I hope that in some way, shape or form, change can be made and other country's that have not caught on will do so. With organizations like these, it is almost inevitable that it will.
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-12-07-moving-from-helplessness-to-hope
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Last word of threats
On Dec 7 Condoleezza Rice says that terrorism is the greatest threat to the united states. She says that she still is concerned that everyday the terrorist are plotting against us. She made an interesting statement that "We have to be right 100 percent of the time, they have to be right once”. Osama is not a one man organization and it going to take a lot of time to take this organization.
In my opinion this is exactly what I feel but the war should have been better managed. Over the past blog I have learn to grow out of my ignorance. Al-Queda is a national organization that consist of many members that really believe in their cause. And there are many issues that are on the table like torture and prisons for these terrorist. There needs to be a planned organized method on how to defeat this organization. I personally don't think that we will be completely rid of these people but America came come through. Also, there needs to be an increase of foreign countries to protect them selfs and treat terrorist as strongly as we do.
In my opinion this is exactly what I feel but the war should have been better managed. Over the past blog I have learn to grow out of my ignorance. Al-Queda is a national organization that consist of many members that really believe in their cause. And there are many issues that are on the table like torture and prisons for these terrorist. There needs to be a planned organized method on how to defeat this organization. I personally don't think that we will be completely rid of these people but America came come through. Also, there needs to be an increase of foreign countries to protect them selfs and treat terrorist as strongly as we do.
Bombs Kill Record Numbers in Baghdad, Jared Hill, 12-7-08, 9:31 p.m.
Bombs in Iraq cause devastating catastrophe on Thursday. This event included the death of an Iraqi government official. The first attack occurred in Falluja, which is west of Baghdad. Two oil tankers were rammed into police posts. The attack from the two suicide bombers also damaged a nearby school. The estimated total death count has been 15. Although many more injuries than deaths occurred, the nearby rumble and building foundations trapped many people. Temporary rules have been established, including a curfew. Due to the regulations of no one filming the aftermath, no visual interpretation of the damage has been seen yet. Although there is an American presence still in place, control of this region has been given to the Iraqis. The attacks here came as a surprise to many, due to the fact that this district has seemed to dismiss any terrorist activities. During the beginning of the war, it was once a strong-hold for al-Qaeda members, but seemed to be diminished after the United States military presence. Although this proved to be a disappointment for the war efforts, the death casualties of the military have dramatically decreased from last year’s tolls. In all, a total of 4,207 soldiers have died since the United States invasion of Iraq in 2003. As reported last time, “sticky bombs” continue to be on the rise. These are bombs that are attached to vehicles without the driver’s knowledge. Due to tightened security, this has become a new method of terrorism for those who cannot enter safe zone boundaries.
LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/04/iraq.main/index.html
LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/12/04/iraq.main/index.html
Funding for anti-poverty bill opposed
In Manila Philippines, the department of finance has opposed proposals to tap into different government funds for the execution of a draft bill called the “Magna Carta of the Poor.” The bill aims towards antipoverty efforts through the implementation of a variety of programs and projects to relieve the plight of the poor.
Under the bill, the government would distribute 20 percent of its share to Pagcor, 20 percent of its share to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, 50 percent of proceeds from the sale of sequestered assets, and 50 percent of proceeds from the sale of goods auctioned by the Bureau of Customs to the "Magna Carta of the Poor." The bill also seeks to grant tax incentives to private sector entities, such as the establishment of socialized housing projects.
The bill pushes the governments prioritization of investing in antipoverty programs to empower the poor and participate responsibly in the country’s growth and development.
The government opposed the bill because they cannot afford to delve into their savings for these programs. They also said that the 50 percent of the proceeds from sale of sequestered assets would conflict with an existing law that says 100 percent of the same funds should go to the agrarian reform fund, as stated under the Agrarian Reform law. I this situation is very unfortunate, especially since places like the Philippines are in dire need programs and projects such as this.
Israeli Website advises using wisdom of Quran
An Israeli Professor and his Bedouin students have launched a website to try and make the Quran into a tool to relate to current day problems in the world. The website takes each chapter of the Quran and breaks it down to simple explanations to let the public understand Islamic law. The website also strives to contradict the western presumptions that the Quran is used only to be an excuse for terrorist activities. Using students work about some verses of the Quran and what they believe they mean in modern day life is what the site incorporates, these writing by the students are also used and cited in the Quranet: A Guide for Education, the companion book to teaching the Quran. This site in some ways could really end some assumptions that are made about Islamic Fundamentalism and Islamic law. Having this material available on the web makes it easily accessible, and available to everybody that has an internet connection, which is a lot of people. The world is a home to 1.5 billion muslims, and with the use of this site, all non muslims with an understanding about Islam that is shaped by the media can use this site unravel the assumptions that they have made about Islam and the Muslim population. The internet is a multi functional tool, either it be for communication, education, pleasure, or any other activity the internet teaches us new things every day and this site is a prime example of communicating some vital informatin to the public.
Thomas Baker
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/12/05/quranet.website/index.html
7th December 2008
Thomas Baker
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/12/05/quranet.website/index.html
7th December 2008
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Zimbabwe Declares Cholera Emergency - Laura Johnson 12/5/08
The Zimbabwean Health minister has declared the nation’s cholera outbreak a national emergency and has appealed for outside help. The epidemic has claimed more than 565 lives with 12,500 people infected by the disease. 100 doctors and nurses were protesting for better pay and working conditions in a nation suffering from both the cholera outbreak and an economy with an inflation rate of 230mil %. The health workers were clubbed and arrested by Zimbabwean police officers, a government ministry owned by President Robert Mugabe. This dysfunctional government lacks the chemicals to purify the water supply, which allows cholera to spread through the bacteria. Many businesses have shut down because of sanitation problems.
Many hospitals are closed because they are in urgent need of drugs, food, and equipment. They are also short on staff since most people do not come to work anymore. The money and energy used getting to work and working a full day does not amount to the detrimental paychecks. The conditions in hospitals and clinics have been steadily deteriorating since most are without basic health institutional needs like drugs, adequate water and sanitation, safe clothing gear, medical equipment, and support services. The health system was already in collapse when the cholera epidemic struck.
The best solution is to get Robert Mugabe out of office and out of power. He is destroying an entire nation due to keeping himself in power. The power-sharing agreement between Mugabe and Tsvangirai was hailed as a breakthrough but vital details were never clear and the arrangement is further stymied by disputed over who will control central government ministries. There needs to be pressure from the US and Great Britain as well as pressure from the surrounding African nations for something to be done about the staggering conditions Mugabe has caused. If this cholera outbreak is not contained, then it will undoubtedly affect the southern nations by flowing downstream.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/world/africa/05zimbabwe.html?ref=africa
Many hospitals are closed because they are in urgent need of drugs, food, and equipment. They are also short on staff since most people do not come to work anymore. The money and energy used getting to work and working a full day does not amount to the detrimental paychecks. The conditions in hospitals and clinics have been steadily deteriorating since most are without basic health institutional needs like drugs, adequate water and sanitation, safe clothing gear, medical equipment, and support services. The health system was already in collapse when the cholera epidemic struck.
The best solution is to get Robert Mugabe out of office and out of power. He is destroying an entire nation due to keeping himself in power. The power-sharing agreement between Mugabe and Tsvangirai was hailed as a breakthrough but vital details were never clear and the arrangement is further stymied by disputed over who will control central government ministries. There needs to be pressure from the US and Great Britain as well as pressure from the surrounding African nations for something to be done about the staggering conditions Mugabe has caused. If this cholera outbreak is not contained, then it will undoubtedly affect the southern nations by flowing downstream.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/world/africa/05zimbabwe.html?ref=africa
Downturn 'puts strain on couples'
Carrie Reinheimer December 6, 2008. 10:58am
The economic crisis is straining people's relationships and leading to a steep rise in couples seeking help, a leading counseling service has said. Relate said it had seen calls jump from nearly 5,000 in October to November last year to more than 7,500 for the same period this year - a rise of 59%. It said job insecurities and money worries were putting an extra strain on their callers' relationships. Vanessa Lloyd Platt, a leading divorce lawyer, told the BBC that couples who were thinking of splitting may initially have been waiting for the housing market to pick up, so that when they sold their most valuable joint asset, they would not lose as much money. But Ms Lloyd Platt said now that it was clear the economic downturn was going to last, many people were deciding not to delay a divorce any longer. She said: "For a while we saw that people were frightened to deal with proceedings, starting to deal with their matrimonial difficulties. "But now we're seeing a wholesale exodus of people out of the relationships, because they're in for the long haul, they realize they can't wait for the property market to shift."
This is really sad that there is so many peoples relationships struggling because of the economic Downturn. I am ready for all of this to be over and really want to see the economy get better. I know from first hand experience that money can put a big burden on marriages. This is something that we do not pay much attention to, but maybe we should. Marriages are falling apart in the UK because of the economy. Now maybe we will start to make a difference with our economy because it is having a different effect on us.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7768674.stm
The economic crisis is straining people's relationships and leading to a steep rise in couples seeking help, a leading counseling service has said. Relate said it had seen calls jump from nearly 5,000 in October to November last year to more than 7,500 for the same period this year - a rise of 59%. It said job insecurities and money worries were putting an extra strain on their callers' relationships. Vanessa Lloyd Platt, a leading divorce lawyer, told the BBC that couples who were thinking of splitting may initially have been waiting for the housing market to pick up, so that when they sold their most valuable joint asset, they would not lose as much money. But Ms Lloyd Platt said now that it was clear the economic downturn was going to last, many people were deciding not to delay a divorce any longer. She said: "For a while we saw that people were frightened to deal with proceedings, starting to deal with their matrimonial difficulties. "But now we're seeing a wholesale exodus of people out of the relationships, because they're in for the long haul, they realize they can't wait for the property market to shift."
This is really sad that there is so many peoples relationships struggling because of the economic Downturn. I am ready for all of this to be over and really want to see the economy get better. I know from first hand experience that money can put a big burden on marriages. This is something that we do not pay much attention to, but maybe we should. Marriages are falling apart in the UK because of the economy. Now maybe we will start to make a difference with our economy because it is having a different effect on us.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7768674.stm
European Court Rules Against Britain’s Policy of Keeping DNA Database of Suspects
Alisha Casey/ December 6, 2008/11:00 am
It seems that Britain has experienced some conflict surrounding human rights and DNA and fingerprints of individuals suspected to be guilty in cases. It appears that the European Courts of Human Rights has decided that the Britain policy surrounding the storing of DNA and fingerprints of all suspects. Those that turn out being innocent in the cases have experienced a violation of their human rights. It seems that the ruling has been a blow to the law enforcement policies in the Labor government. This has not stopped Europe from been retaining information on their citizens.
Britain does have a chance to respond to the ruling but one that is for certain that the law has to be changed. The home secretary feels that DNA and fingerprints play an important role in fighting against crime and with this law being passed it will make it difficult to prove some of their cases. Britain' s database holds personal information on 4.6 million but 806,000 do not hold criminal cases.
The Human rights group is elated about the court's decision surrounding DNA and fingerprinting. The government feels that the information contained was useful in solving many cases in the past eight years especially rape and murder cases.
I can understand where the government is coming from when it comes to the cases where the suspects are not convicted it seems that their rights would have been violated. My question is what happens to those cases where the suspects are not convicted. There DNA and fingerprints are essential to proving that they are guilty. Hopefully, Britain can settle the dispute and come to a conclusion that can still help them with solving cases.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/world/europe/05britain.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=human%20rights%20violation&st=cse
It seems that Britain has experienced some conflict surrounding human rights and DNA and fingerprints of individuals suspected to be guilty in cases. It appears that the European Courts of Human Rights has decided that the Britain policy surrounding the storing of DNA and fingerprints of all suspects. Those that turn out being innocent in the cases have experienced a violation of their human rights. It seems that the ruling has been a blow to the law enforcement policies in the Labor government. This has not stopped Europe from been retaining information on their citizens.
Britain does have a chance to respond to the ruling but one that is for certain that the law has to be changed. The home secretary feels that DNA and fingerprints play an important role in fighting against crime and with this law being passed it will make it difficult to prove some of their cases. Britain' s database holds personal information on 4.6 million but 806,000 do not hold criminal cases.
The Human rights group is elated about the court's decision surrounding DNA and fingerprinting. The government feels that the information contained was useful in solving many cases in the past eight years especially rape and murder cases.
I can understand where the government is coming from when it comes to the cases where the suspects are not convicted it seems that their rights would have been violated. My question is what happens to those cases where the suspects are not convicted. There DNA and fingerprints are essential to proving that they are guilty. Hopefully, Britain can settle the dispute and come to a conclusion that can still help them with solving cases.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/world/europe/05britain.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=human%20rights%20violation&st=cse
Friday, December 05, 2008
concluion
Conclusion
Rachael Morgan
12-5-08
5:40 pm
My topic is oil and energy. Over the past fourteen weeks I have specifically concentrated on oil prices, production, and alternatives.
Over the past four weeks gas prices have fluctuated from their all time national average high of four dollars and eleven cents a gallon, to a national average of below two dollars a gallon. In an effort to raise prices again, oil production companies have slowed production, but oil continues to drop in price. Oil is now at its lowest price of below sixty dollars a barrel.
In an effort to put an end to the fluctuating price of oil, and declining economy, oil alternatives have never been so sought after. The two leading alternatives at this time are Nuclear power, which is when an atom is split to create energy. Then there are fossil fuels which are coal, oil, natural gas. Coal and oil have been abundantly used through out the world, and now developed countries are looking at natural gasses as the alternative. With these alternatives, and many more in the works the chances that our generation will ever be independt from oil are very slim, but possible.
Gasoline is now at its lowest point in three years, and our economy is at its lowest since 9/11. Our dependency on foreign oil is a large contributor to both. Although the decline in demands has affected oil prices it has affected other industries as well, such as travel, tourism, and companies with luxury items. This economic recession is not just a national crisis but also an international crisis because of our intertwined dependency.
Rachael Morgan
12-5-08
5:40 pm
My topic is oil and energy. Over the past fourteen weeks I have specifically concentrated on oil prices, production, and alternatives.
Over the past four weeks gas prices have fluctuated from their all time national average high of four dollars and eleven cents a gallon, to a national average of below two dollars a gallon. In an effort to raise prices again, oil production companies have slowed production, but oil continues to drop in price. Oil is now at its lowest price of below sixty dollars a barrel.
In an effort to put an end to the fluctuating price of oil, and declining economy, oil alternatives have never been so sought after. The two leading alternatives at this time are Nuclear power, which is when an atom is split to create energy. Then there are fossil fuels which are coal, oil, natural gas. Coal and oil have been abundantly used through out the world, and now developed countries are looking at natural gasses as the alternative. With these alternatives, and many more in the works the chances that our generation will ever be independt from oil are very slim, but possible.
Gasoline is now at its lowest point in three years, and our economy is at its lowest since 9/11. Our dependency on foreign oil is a large contributor to both. Although the decline in demands has affected oil prices it has affected other industries as well, such as travel, tourism, and companies with luxury items. This economic recession is not just a national crisis but also an international crisis because of our intertwined dependency.
Report highlights sexual violence
Danielle Plesser
December 5, 2008
SOC202, 5:00 PM
A report launched by Wednesday by the Australian Government noted that “women in Fiji are victims of high levels of domestic and sexual violence”. The report concentrated on women in Melanesia and East Timor and was commissioned by AusAID. Similar to my last article about Vietnam, it concentrated on domestic violence as an issue of the region, affecting the area’s ability to develop.
I was hoping to end the semester on a high note, but this was the article I found. It was frustrating, because it’s not a particularly optimistic article, but in addition to that, this article didn’t have any figures or statistics whatsoever. This made it hard to judge the strength of their claims. The article’s line “In terms of measures to reduce violence against women, Fiji has taken the greatest steps forward compared to all other countries included in the report” was not particularly encouraging as a result, because there was no explanation of what steps were taken or how improvement was being observed.
If I look at it less for the presentation of the content and more for the issue, this article is a sad end to a semester of sad stories. Domestic violence is something that, if condoned by the community, is nearly impossible for a woman to escape. It also affects the children who witness these events during their upbringing at home, and the patterns become harder to break. The future won’t see any change, I don’t care what ‘steps Fiji has taken’ unless people really get the message.
DRC: Sexual abuse of minors doubles in Kasai Occidental town (Martika Bigham)
December 5, 2008
4:31
In Kananga children as young as four months old are being sexually abused. Reported cases of child adulteration have doubled since 2007. At least 250 cases were recorded in 2008. Local customs and traditions are both contributors to this defilement. The article stated that “Many people consult charlatans who tell them to have sexual relations with young virgin girls to solve their problems.”
Another cause is that rich men in this country defile young virgins to maintain their status in the society. Afterward they pay large amounts of money to the family. Money is given to keep the family “quite” about the act that took place. In some situations the money is used t pay for the young girl’s dowry, as part of their custom. Some families see it as a honor to be married off to a rich man, even if he is more than twice her age.
Although there are laws prohibiting early and forced marriages, not many of the cases are taken to court. This is partly because of the money paid to the families. It’s usually the poor perpetrators, who do not have money to bribe the families and prosecutors, who are sentenced.
This article was a bit confusing to me. It was really short and scattered, so I had to do a lot of piecing together. I don’t quite understand if the rich men are sexually abusing the children for status, just to do it, fix their “problems”, as part of their marriage or combination of each. I will defiantly have to look further into this. It’s very tragic and I would like to have a better understanding of it.
Kia, Union Agree to Adjust Production
Angela Berst
Sociology-202
4:25pm
12/5/08
Kia, Union Agree to Adjust Production
Today, in South Korea, Kia Motors and its labor union joined together in a meeting about Kia’s production. The meeting was held at Kia’s plant in Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province. Both the president of Kia Motors, Cho Nam-hong, and the leader of the Kia union, Kim Sang-goo, proposed “a statement for mutual cooperation.” The agreement produced a “flexible production scheme” in order to “help with the crisis in the auto industry.” Kia has been cutting back production by stopping overtime work and shutting down the production lines partially. South Korea is struggling because other countries like Europe and the United States are going into a recession which affects their trade partner China. Kia has had to cut down on the amount predicted to sell; it was about “1.7 million vehicles worldwide this year” and they’ve cut it down by “100,000”. This article has shown that in some places unions and companies can get along. By coming together and agreeing on what should be done will stop protests and allow a better solution to arise. South Korea just like many other places in the world have had to cut back on production in order to keep their companies and businesses running. For right now slowing down production and temporarily stopping production lines are the only things that can be done right now in order to make sure that businesses don’t shut down and cause the economy to crash completely.
"Kia, Union Agree to Adjust Production." The Korea Times. 5 Dec. 2008. 5 Dec. 2008.
Sociology-202
4:25pm
12/5/08
Kia, Union Agree to Adjust Production
Today, in South Korea, Kia Motors and its labor union joined together in a meeting about Kia’s production. The meeting was held at Kia’s plant in Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province. Both the president of Kia Motors, Cho Nam-hong, and the leader of the Kia union, Kim Sang-goo, proposed “a statement for mutual cooperation.” The agreement produced a “flexible production scheme” in order to “help with the crisis in the auto industry.” Kia has been cutting back production by stopping overtime work and shutting down the production lines partially. South Korea is struggling because other countries like Europe and the United States are going into a recession which affects their trade partner China. Kia has had to cut down on the amount predicted to sell; it was about “1.7 million vehicles worldwide this year” and they’ve cut it down by “100,000”. This article has shown that in some places unions and companies can get along. By coming together and agreeing on what should be done will stop protests and allow a better solution to arise. South Korea just like many other places in the world have had to cut back on production in order to keep their companies and businesses running. For right now slowing down production and temporarily stopping production lines are the only things that can be done right now in order to make sure that businesses don’t shut down and cause the economy to crash completely.
"Kia, Union Agree to Adjust Production." The Korea Times. 5 Dec. 2008. 5 Dec. 2008
Zimbabwe Police Arrest 70 at Worker Protest
Global Labor and Production: Nick Shields. December 5th, 2008. 3:45 pm.
70 Union members were arrested at a protest to force the central bank to scrap the limit on amounts of cash people can withdraw. Among the arrested was labor secretary general Wellington Chibebe. He was later arrested to attend a meeting with the central bank governor concerning the cash crisis. The government's violent reaction to protests raises questions about president Robert Mugabe and his ruling party's commitment to a power sharing agreement with the opposition. As union leaders were arrested more police with batons began to charge the workers marching on the central bank offices. 5 workers had to receive treatment after they were severely injured. Police also dispersed around 100 doctors and nurses who had marched on the ministry of health building. Health workers have been on a lengthy strike due to low wages and poor working conditions. They also are trying to pressure the government to save the public health sector from collapse.
It is obviously unacceptable when people are beaten and stopped from peacefully protesting. With that said the site that this article comes from is pro-union, so there might be a bias. However, I still think it is terrible that unarmed workers were beaten so severely that they had to receive hospital treatment. I also think that if health care workers are protesting and are on strike then there must be something wrong. Anybody in the health care industry got into that industry because they like helping people. So there has to be some sort of injustice going on against them for them not to be helping sick people anymore. The whole country is in turmoil which is obviously taking a toll on the labor market in the area.
http://www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=3985
70 Union members were arrested at a protest to force the central bank to scrap the limit on amounts of cash people can withdraw. Among the arrested was labor secretary general Wellington Chibebe. He was later arrested to attend a meeting with the central bank governor concerning the cash crisis. The government's violent reaction to protests raises questions about president Robert Mugabe and his ruling party's commitment to a power sharing agreement with the opposition. As union leaders were arrested more police with batons began to charge the workers marching on the central bank offices. 5 workers had to receive treatment after they were severely injured. Police also dispersed around 100 doctors and nurses who had marched on the ministry of health building. Health workers have been on a lengthy strike due to low wages and poor working conditions. They also are trying to pressure the government to save the public health sector from collapse.
It is obviously unacceptable when people are beaten and stopped from peacefully protesting. With that said the site that this article comes from is pro-union, so there might be a bias. However, I still think it is terrible that unarmed workers were beaten so severely that they had to receive hospital treatment. I also think that if health care workers are protesting and are on strike then there must be something wrong. Anybody in the health care industry got into that industry because they like helping people. So there has to be some sort of injustice going on against them for them not to be helping sick people anymore. The whole country is in turmoil which is obviously taking a toll on the labor market in the area.
http://www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=3985
Experimental offerings
Hi all,
I have a bit of information that may be helpful as you continue to get your schedules worked out for the spring semester. It has come to my attention that some helpful information about our two new experimental classes in the spring has not been available to you. So, I wanted to be sure that everyone knew the details about Soc 374: Visualizing the Triad's Global Identity and Soc 429: Collective Violence and Non-violence.
Soc 374 will count towards the global social problems concentration. Because it is experimental, it does not yet show up in the undergraduate bulletin or on your degree evaluation. However, it does count. If you take this class and want it to count as one of your electives in the global social problems concentration, you simply need to let me know during advising in the spring, so that we can do the paperwork to get that handled.
Something similar applies to Soc 429. This class can count towards both the global social problems concentration and the criminology concentration, but again, that does not show up on your degree eval yet or in the undergrad bulletin because it is experimental. If you need a class to count towards the electives in one of these concentrations, I will simply need to do the paperwork in the spring to get it moved over.
Early next semester, I'll be sending out some information about a change to our advising protocol and some other happenings in the department so be on the lookout for something from me early in the semester.
In the meantime, work hard on those exams and then rest hard over the holiday!
Have a great break!
Dr. Westervelt
Saundra D. Westervelt
Associate Professor &
Director of Undergraduate Studies
I have a bit of information that may be helpful as you continue to get your schedules worked out for the spring semester. It has come to my attention that some helpful information about our two new experimental classes in the spring has not been available to you. So, I wanted to be sure that everyone knew the details about Soc 374: Visualizing the Triad's Global Identity and Soc 429: Collective Violence and Non-violence.
Soc 374 will count towards the global social problems concentration. Because it is experimental, it does not yet show up in the undergraduate bulletin or on your degree evaluation. However, it does count. If you take this class and want it to count as one of your electives in the global social problems concentration, you simply need to let me know during advising in the spring, so that we can do the paperwork to get that handled.
Something similar applies to Soc 429. This class can count towards both the global social problems concentration and the criminology concentration, but again, that does not show up on your degree eval yet or in the undergrad bulletin because it is experimental. If you need a class to count towards the electives in one of these concentrations, I will simply need to do the paperwork in the spring to get it moved over.
Early next semester, I'll be sending out some information about a change to our advising protocol and some other happenings in the department so be on the lookout for something from me early in the semester.
In the meantime, work hard on those exams and then rest hard over the holiday!
Have a great break!
Dr. Westervelt
Saundra D. Westervelt
Associate Professor &
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Pakistan Police Losing Terrorism Fight
Pakistan's police force is losing members because of a recent rise in terror attacks on the force by militants. Former police have begged newspapers to publish articals claiming them to be out of the police force so the taliban will not kill them. The police force is outgunned and out financed by the Taliban and are losing a battle against insurgents. The police has no control over this terror thus those who survive attacks are leaving the force. The number of police attacks has increased from 113 in 2005 to 1,820 last year. Pakistan needs to modernize its police force to combat with the taliban and al-qaeda. Some say the problem lies with the police forces' lack of technical expertise, training, and equipment. The police are not paid well in Pakistan thus those who leave are not worried about finding a job of equal pay. In addition, these attacks are demoralizing the whole police force, making them less confident and destroying their hopes of ending this strain of misfortunes. A Pakistan constable makes about $80 a month where a Taliban foot soldier makes $170. Pakistan needs help from the internal community to raise funds for cameras at crime scenes, better training, and better pay. For now, Pakistan is creating a group of 7,500 men who will be better trained, better paid, and will protect Pakistan with force against the Taliban. I think it is awful that the police force is diminishing because they have no money to put into it. It is sad that the police force can't protect the citizens let alone themselves. In this artical, the US is criticized for helping the military more than the police but I wonder what other countries are doing to help at all.
Ghana: Churchs Sensitized to Respond to Sexual And Gender Based Violence
Fikre Debela
12/05/08
Women are subject to inequality all over the world. Society tends to give men a boost up while women are left behind. However, what happens when this idea is reinforced by something that people look up to. In Ghana there have been cases of church’s using the Holy Word to reinforce the idea of submission to the husband in violent way. The church is suppose to be a place of comfort, somewhere people can go to get positive answers but quoting scriptures to reinforce domestic violence is wrong. Gender inequality in these situations have to be stopped, not only because its hurts the women but is shaming the church.
Domestic Violence among women and children is a form of inequality. For example there is a widespread belief that a husband is subject to intercourse with his wife at any time, even by force. This is certainly not true. When the Bible speaks of submission to ones husband it is not speaking of this but in other terms that are positive. People tend to justify their motives by twisting words meant for something else. Programmes that commit to women and children's rights such as NGO and the ARK foundation have worked to raise issues about Sexual and Gender based violence. The ARK had held fifty church forums to raise the issue of domestic violence and bring the truth to light.
It really is not fair when places that a person trust tells them otherwise. Though this isn’t the case for the majority, it really does effect the few. I think its good that awareness is trying to be raised about gender based violence.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200812050743.html
12/05/08
Women are subject to inequality all over the world. Society tends to give men a boost up while women are left behind. However, what happens when this idea is reinforced by something that people look up to. In Ghana there have been cases of church’s using the Holy Word to reinforce the idea of submission to the husband in violent way. The church is suppose to be a place of comfort, somewhere people can go to get positive answers but quoting scriptures to reinforce domestic violence is wrong. Gender inequality in these situations have to be stopped, not only because its hurts the women but is shaming the church.
Domestic Violence among women and children is a form of inequality. For example there is a widespread belief that a husband is subject to intercourse with his wife at any time, even by force. This is certainly not true. When the Bible speaks of submission to ones husband it is not speaking of this but in other terms that are positive. People tend to justify their motives by twisting words meant for something else. Programmes that commit to women and children's rights such as NGO and the ARK foundation have worked to raise issues about Sexual and Gender based violence. The ARK had held fifty church forums to raise the issue of domestic violence and bring the truth to light.
It really is not fair when places that a person trust tells them otherwise. Though this isn’t the case for the majority, it really does effect the few. I think its good that awareness is trying to be raised about gender based violence.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200812050743.html
Iran analyst criticizes efforts for signing Iraq-US security deal
David Lambeth
December 5, 2008
1:05pm
As a security agreement has been met, now it is time to spark the criticism of the union between United State and Iraqi political leaders. “The new round of debates on the Baghdad-Washington security pact has sparked political tension in Iraq. It comes as Ayatollah Sistani, the grand leader of Iraqi Shi'is, has declared that the government should not succumb to pressure and threat and sign the deal. Even as some Iraqi leaders including Mas'ud Barzani, Barham Salih and Hoshyar Zebari favour signing the deal and their stance contradicts that of the Iraqi people and the Shi'i leadership, we will try to analyze the issue and separate the principal from the secondary issues”. It is accused that The United States’ Under-Secretary of State has delivered a threatening message from President George W. Bush and other republican supporters. It is also claimed that on his last visit to the White House, Iraq's President Jalal Talabani, received an ultimatum that either the security agreement will be signed or the United States will take over the country and seize all of their assets and take all of the country’s oil supply. “But the US is just one side of the story and the other, is Baghdad. One cannot deny that Washington's acts of sabotage destabilize Baghdad but the fact is that the Iraqi government and parliament have the power to stand against America.” “According to the proposed document, America will control Iraq's Ministries of Defence and Interior for 10 years and the price of Iraq's oil will be set according to America's interests. American military bases in Iraq would pose a security threat to Iraq's neighbours, something that countries including the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria would never accept.” It is my personal opinion that these are not complete and true facts. I think that this is a political ploy like the paparazzi is to Hollywood.
December 5, 2008
1:05pm
As a security agreement has been met, now it is time to spark the criticism of the union between United State and Iraqi political leaders. “The new round of debates on the Baghdad-Washington security pact has sparked political tension in Iraq. It comes as Ayatollah Sistani, the grand leader of Iraqi Shi'is, has declared that the government should not succumb to pressure and threat and sign the deal. Even as some Iraqi leaders including Mas'ud Barzani, Barham Salih and Hoshyar Zebari favour signing the deal and their stance contradicts that of the Iraqi people and the Shi'i leadership, we will try to analyze the issue and separate the principal from the secondary issues”. It is accused that The United States’ Under-Secretary of State has delivered a threatening message from President George W. Bush and other republican supporters. It is also claimed that on his last visit to the White House, Iraq's President Jalal Talabani, received an ultimatum that either the security agreement will be signed or the United States will take over the country and seize all of their assets and take all of the country’s oil supply. “But the US is just one side of the story and the other, is Baghdad. One cannot deny that Washington's acts of sabotage destabilize Baghdad but the fact is that the Iraqi government and parliament have the power to stand against America.” “According to the proposed document, America will control Iraq's Ministries of Defence and Interior for 10 years and the price of Iraq's oil will be set according to America's interests. American military bases in Iraq would pose a security threat to Iraq's neighbours, something that countries including the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria would never accept.” It is my personal opinion that these are not complete and true facts. I think that this is a political ploy like the paparazzi is to Hollywood.
Obama Tackles AIDS issues
President Elect Barrack Obama Tackles AIDS issues
Chelsea Thompson – December 5th, 2008 - 12:34 PM
Over the past fifteen weeks I have been tacking three different global diseases. One of the ones I was covering was the issue of AIDS around the world. I came to the conclusion in my presentation that America as a superpower should be doing all it can to help alleviate or at least move the efforts forward to bringing an end to such a terrible, devastating disease. President elect Barrack Obama stated in a recent interview that the United States “must include a strong national strategy of education, prevention, and treatment … we all must do our part.” He said that we must keep the fight against HIV/AIDS alive and going. We should do all we can to help put a stop to AIDS around the world. His speech was appropriately given on December 1st, 2009 – a day that the World Health Organization (WHO) has set aside as World AIDS day.
I think that is wonderful that the newly elected president is already taking steps toward putting an end to HIV/AIDS. The fact that he is already making speeches about what we can do to stop it speaks volumes for his character and I think that the fact that he is trying to do something about it so early on in his presidential career could make it possible for a new wave of information and possibly a better treatment to come forward in the coming years.
http://www.looktothestars.org/news/1687-barack-obama-tackles-aids-issues
Deadly car bombs hits Pakistan marketplace
On Thursday, December 4th, at least 18 people were killed and 67 injured in Peshawar, North West Pakistan, in a car bomb. Peshawar is close to the border of Afghanistan, an area that is prone to violence from al Qaeda and Taliban hiding there. The explosion was in a busy shopping area where people were getting ready for the Muslim Holiday Eid al-Adha, which begins on Monday. The bomb wrecked a mosque and a hotel, and set a string of vehicles and shops on fire. Footage on television showed major chaos as civilians were trying to help the injured people. One man, a 28 year old goldsmith said he saw a white van explode in the street when he was walking home. He is currently in the hospital being treated for a gash on his face. Bilal said, “Something struck me in the face, and I fell down. There was fire and smoke and the cries of the injured people.” Police chief Malik Naveed Khan said the bomb seemed to contain chemicals that were made to spread fire. Government and religious buildings were under guard but "it is not possible to prevent this kind of terrorism unless you have extremely credible information", he said. The explosion was near a Shia Muslim community centre. Violence is drastically increasing in the country's north-west. Sunni Muslim militant groups have launched gun and bomb attacks on the minority Shia in recent weeks. About 20% of Pakistans 168 million people are Shia. While all of this is going on, tensions are escalating between Pakistan and India over the terror attacks in Mumbai. Militants recently vowed to step up attacks on Pakistani forces in retaliation for cross-border US missile strikes into the region, where Osama bin Laden is thought to be hiding. Another car bomb today killed six people at a checkpoint in the Orakzai tribal region, just south of Peshawar. The driver blew up the car as police and tribesmen waved for it to stop. It seems like everything in Pakistan just continues to escalate. As I stated in my presentation, this has put a major strain on the US and Pakistani alliance. People are now skeptical that Pakistan will help us in the war on terrorism.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/05/peshawar-car-bomb
Brittney Nicola
12/5/08
SOC 202
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/05/peshawar-car-bomb
Brittney Nicola
12/5/08
SOC 202
Israel Braces for More Trouble After Hebron Rampage
11:23 am
Chambria N. Brawley
After the evictions of settlers from a Hebron house, Israeli extremists sought retaliation on their Palestinian counterparts, shooting and wounding three Palestinians, setting fire to both cars and fields, and launching rocks as well. The entire West Bank has been declared a closed military zone, in order to prevent any further retaliation. Dozens of Palestinians burned tires and slung rocks at Israeli military troops in Hebron on Friday; military forces responded by firing tear gas, while approximately 2,000 others in Gaza City took part in a Hamas-led protest in regards to the settler violence. Security was sternly enforced on Friday, with increased security around Jerusalem mosque compounds. Access was restricted to Muslims, holding Israeli identity cards over the age of 45; there were no age restrictions for women. Authorities have come under harsh scrutiny concerning their lack of protection against Palestinians who resided in the area referred to as the “House of Contention.” As the governing authority, Israel is obligated to protect Palestinian citizens, property, and holy sites. Further attacks would only pose more of a threat to exacting a peace process. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has called on the UN Security Council session to discuss the settler violence. Videotapes have been released which shows a settler shooting two Palestinians, and a guard from a nearby settlement firing into the air, as relatives of the gunman were being overpowered.
The videotape has since been released to Hebron police, with justice being demanded in regards to the gunman, the security guard, and security forces will also be looking into the failures which allotted for settlers to riot in Palestinian neighborhoods.
There have always been strained relations between Israel and Palestine with the majority of it being centered around matters of supremacy and land control. In my opinion, this does not give one the right to persecute another group because they can. Israel has been subject to violence from several of its neighboring countries. Being a relatively small country, it would be necessary to establish yourself as a force, but it should not be displayed injustly. This is a fragile region and I’m not sure even peace will ever radiate beyond these borders.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j5la-INhfiiwdngSOgYtKr0OLSjw
Chambria N. Brawley
After the evictions of settlers from a Hebron house, Israeli extremists sought retaliation on their Palestinian counterparts, shooting and wounding three Palestinians, setting fire to both cars and fields, and launching rocks as well. The entire West Bank has been declared a closed military zone, in order to prevent any further retaliation. Dozens of Palestinians burned tires and slung rocks at Israeli military troops in Hebron on Friday; military forces responded by firing tear gas, while approximately 2,000 others in Gaza City took part in a Hamas-led protest in regards to the settler violence. Security was sternly enforced on Friday, with increased security around Jerusalem mosque compounds. Access was restricted to Muslims, holding Israeli identity cards over the age of 45; there were no age restrictions for women. Authorities have come under harsh scrutiny concerning their lack of protection against Palestinians who resided in the area referred to as the “House of Contention.” As the governing authority, Israel is obligated to protect Palestinian citizens, property, and holy sites. Further attacks would only pose more of a threat to exacting a peace process. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has called on the UN Security Council session to discuss the settler violence. Videotapes have been released which shows a settler shooting two Palestinians, and a guard from a nearby settlement firing into the air, as relatives of the gunman were being overpowered.
The videotape has since been released to Hebron police, with justice being demanded in regards to the gunman, the security guard, and security forces will also be looking into the failures which allotted for settlers to riot in Palestinian neighborhoods.
There have always been strained relations between Israel and Palestine with the majority of it being centered around matters of supremacy and land control. In my opinion, this does not give one the right to persecute another group because they can. Israel has been subject to violence from several of its neighboring countries. Being a relatively small country, it would be necessary to establish yourself as a force, but it should not be displayed injustly. This is a fragile region and I’m not sure even peace will ever radiate beyond these borders.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j5la-INhfiiwdngSOgYtKr0OLSjw
Italian Mafia is More Organized Than Police
Hazel Inglis/ global crime/ 12/05/08 / 10:48 am
The mafia is more organized than the police in Italy. The mafia groups throughout the region are compatible and act together in most cases, whereas the police do not. The Italian police realize that the mafia is more organized than them so they are trying to regroup and become more organized so that they can compete with the mafia. “… I am definitely optimistic that the mafia is losing, conditionally said, the war” says Karamarko.
Karamarko says it best on what the Italian officials need to do in order to become more organized than the mafia. “The mafia in the Balkans is one joint organism. The only way to face up to it is for the police forces, all security structures, start to act and compatible with each other. To be in agreement, to exchange information, and sometimes act together” said Karamarko for “Dnevni Avaz.
I think that there is some hope that the Italian police can become more organized then the mafia, but they will have to work hard to achieve that goal. The mafia has a very long history and is very connected and I am sure has ‘eyes and ears’ in the police force. It will take time and lots of effort for them to achieve their goal.
http://www.mafia-news.com/minister-mafia-more-organized-than-police/
The mafia is more organized than the police in Italy. The mafia groups throughout the region are compatible and act together in most cases, whereas the police do not. The Italian police realize that the mafia is more organized than them so they are trying to regroup and become more organized so that they can compete with the mafia. “… I am definitely optimistic that the mafia is losing, conditionally said, the war” says Karamarko.
Karamarko says it best on what the Italian officials need to do in order to become more organized than the mafia. “The mafia in the Balkans is one joint organism. The only way to face up to it is for the police forces, all security structures, start to act and compatible with each other. To be in agreement, to exchange information, and sometimes act together” said Karamarko for “Dnevni Avaz.
I think that there is some hope that the Italian police can become more organized then the mafia, but they will have to work hard to achieve that goal. The mafia has a very long history and is very connected and I am sure has ‘eyes and ears’ in the police force. It will take time and lots of effort for them to achieve their goal.
http://www.mafia-news.com/minister-mafia-more-organized-than-police/
OPEC Oil Investment Plans On Track, For Now
Rebecca Roberts
December 5, 2008
December 5, 2008
OPEC Oil Investment Plans On Track ~ For Now
For several weeks now the IEA has given warnings about the prolonged world recession could potentially lead to an uphill battle in underinvestment with energy projects that could lead to a future oil supply crunch if measures are not taken soon. OPEC has continued to do investments but according to the IEA it simply might not be enough and this could be a major issue in the near future.
Some OPEC members are expressing the pressing need that if oil prices continues to stay at record lows then because of the global economic standings there will be the problem with deep-water drilling and sanding for oil. Within OPEC there are budget cuts being made but because of the problems with not enough investments there is also the issue again of money.
Currently IEA states that within OPEC there is little evidence of its largest oil exporters doing any sort of cut backs and only about 10% of the $90 billion earmarked in the Middle East and Africa have been shelved for future use. However there are good things happening the the Middle East, in Africa, and in OPEC and that is because there is a stronger dollar accompained by the fall in crude oil prices this has allowed for more control power in the organization.
Finally the IEA World Energy Outlook recommends that despite the 7 million barrels a day capacity (on top of the already 23 million barrel sanction) there needs to be a middle ground met in order to avoid a supply crunch by 2015. Oil prices are as low as $45 a barrel and gas prices are globally below $6 a gallon, it is hard to tell how and when the investments are simply not enough.
Prosecutor: Sudan leader 'inviting violence'
Danielle Jones
12/5/08
In Sudan this past week, news is beginning to spread that the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court could have a warrant for the arrest of president Omar al- Bashir, who is said to have ties in orchestrating the genocide that is widespread in Darfur. Officials believe that it is time for the U.N. to be prepared for violence and chaos in retaliation to his arrest. Many government officials have been said to have conspired in the conflict in Darfur, and have been warranted for arrest, but the specific court in the Sudan refused to disclose any information on suspects to the International Criminal Court. Currently, 300,000 have died in the genocide spreading in Darfur. Many civilians and officials say they are hesitant to speak up, or accuse officials in government of conspiracy because of the violent consequences and intimidation. But the International Court believes that if something is not done to stop the violence, it will continue to get worse, one way or the other.
The conflict in Darfur seems to be a very complicated one. It seems like either alternatives could leave innocent people in danger. Speaking up, and arresting these officials in power could prove to harm more than it helps, and cause mass chaos in the country. However, sitting back and allowing injustice to continue to happen in within the government could cause the same effects. At least if al-Bashir is put away, some of the power that is fueling much of the genocide could be weakened. I believe the courts should act and receive a warrant for his arrest, even if it could cause further problems. The conflict has to end one way or the other, and neither way is going to be very pretty at this point.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28036320/
12/5/08
In Sudan this past week, news is beginning to spread that the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court could have a warrant for the arrest of president Omar al- Bashir, who is said to have ties in orchestrating the genocide that is widespread in Darfur. Officials believe that it is time for the U.N. to be prepared for violence and chaos in retaliation to his arrest. Many government officials have been said to have conspired in the conflict in Darfur, and have been warranted for arrest, but the specific court in the Sudan refused to disclose any information on suspects to the International Criminal Court. Currently, 300,000 have died in the genocide spreading in Darfur. Many civilians and officials say they are hesitant to speak up, or accuse officials in government of conspiracy because of the violent consequences and intimidation. But the International Court believes that if something is not done to stop the violence, it will continue to get worse, one way or the other.
The conflict in Darfur seems to be a very complicated one. It seems like either alternatives could leave innocent people in danger. Speaking up, and arresting these officials in power could prove to harm more than it helps, and cause mass chaos in the country. However, sitting back and allowing injustice to continue to happen in within the government could cause the same effects. At least if al-Bashir is put away, some of the power that is fueling much of the genocide could be weakened. I believe the courts should act and receive a warrant for his arrest, even if it could cause further problems. The conflict has to end one way or the other, and neither way is going to be very pretty at this point.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28036320/
Thursday, December 04, 2008
The 2008 cyber crime report
The 2008 cyber crime report by the online security service provider, F- Secure, tells of the progressive nature of hackers. This year, in all aspects of cyber crime, an increase has been shown; this includes the “amounts of malware, in infections, in the number of botnets and in criminal profits”. Malware has tripled this year, almost increasing by 350%, proving a great threat as it only doubled in 2007. Over ten million new detections of malware were found in 2008 by F- Secure and were named and copyed so that they may be fought against by the systems protecting subscribers. Botnets pose a problem, as they are by definition viruses that infect a computer and link it to the source of the virus so the hacker may gather information. This year, botnets were reported to infect 12 million computers, or one percent of all the 1.2 billion estimated computers used worldwide. It is believed that the lack of punishing hackers is causing them to flourish and others to become hackers because of the lack of consequences.
I believe that the 2008 cyber crime report is alerting and calls for action to be taken so that the internet and its legitimate services will not be eroded by this surging wave of hackers. The internet is a phenomenon created by the electronic age and as any other legitimate product of man created to bring good, it was exploited by criminals at a perplexing rate. It is clear that hackers who are caught and made an example of does not convey the message law enforcement hopes to display; the quantity of hackers is sure to change the tide of crime.
Article originally posted on Google News http://www.netguide.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=823&Itemid=16
I believe that the 2008 cyber crime report is alerting and calls for action to be taken so that the internet and its legitimate services will not be eroded by this surging wave of hackers. The internet is a phenomenon created by the electronic age and as any other legitimate product of man created to bring good, it was exploited by criminals at a perplexing rate. It is clear that hackers who are caught and made an example of does not convey the message law enforcement hopes to display; the quantity of hackers is sure to change the tide of crime.
Article originally posted on Google News http://www.netguide.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=823&Itemid=16
10 Arrested for Afghan Acid Attack
Chara G. Garmon
12/4/08
SOC 202
8:32 PM
An article that was published on November 25, 2008 about 10 militants arrested caught my attention as soon as I visited the New York Times website. It is about a week old but this article is worth writing about.
The police in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan arrested 10 Taliban militants that confessed to the attacks of a group of Afghan schoolgirls in which their faces were burned with acid. The girls were attacked while walking to their high school. Two men on motorcycles came up beside them and splashed what appeared to be battery acid on them. There was a team put together that went to Kandahar to evaluate the suspects and the case in general that consisted of officials from the Interior Ministry and the office of the attorney general in the capital, Kabul. The militants that reportedly confessed to their involvement in the attack were paid 100,000 Pakistani rupees or $1,275 by a high-ranking Taliban member for each girl that they burned. Officials said their punishments would be determined after the investigation is completed. Two of the girls were reported as being hospitalized with their faces burned and blackened.
This is absolutely saddening. These girls were simply walking to school, trying to receive an education which is already such a hot topic in countries such as this one. This could be comparative to a drive-by executed by a gang in the United States to a certain extent but I’ve never heard of anything so heartless and violent being done to innocent bystanders. When I saw this article I knew that I wanted to comment on it. I feel that women’s rights have improved in a small way in Afghanistan so I’m hoping that their punishments will be handled correctly. Hopefully, they will not receive any leniency.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/world/asia/26afghan.html?ref=asia
12/4/08
SOC 202
8:32 PM
An article that was published on November 25, 2008 about 10 militants arrested caught my attention as soon as I visited the New York Times website. It is about a week old but this article is worth writing about.
The police in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan arrested 10 Taliban militants that confessed to the attacks of a group of Afghan schoolgirls in which their faces were burned with acid. The girls were attacked while walking to their high school. Two men on motorcycles came up beside them and splashed what appeared to be battery acid on them. There was a team put together that went to Kandahar to evaluate the suspects and the case in general that consisted of officials from the Interior Ministry and the office of the attorney general in the capital, Kabul. The militants that reportedly confessed to their involvement in the attack were paid 100,000 Pakistani rupees or $1,275 by a high-ranking Taliban member for each girl that they burned. Officials said their punishments would be determined after the investigation is completed. Two of the girls were reported as being hospitalized with their faces burned and blackened.
This is absolutely saddening. These girls were simply walking to school, trying to receive an education which is already such a hot topic in countries such as this one. This could be comparative to a drive-by executed by a gang in the United States to a certain extent but I’ve never heard of anything so heartless and violent being done to innocent bystanders. When I saw this article I knew that I wanted to comment on it. I feel that women’s rights have improved in a small way in Afghanistan so I’m hoping that their punishments will be handled correctly. Hopefully, they will not receive any leniency.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/world/asia/26afghan.html?ref=asia
Gunmen attack oil vessels in Nigeria
Brittany Sturdivant
December 4, 2008
Energy and Oil
Several gunmen attacked two oil services vessels in Nigeria’s restive Niger Delta on Thursday. A Russian and Mexican were kidnapped along with other Nigerians. It has been reported today that at least one person had died in this incident. They have not released the victim’s name, but they have said that the victim was not an oil company employee. The vessel was attacked about 13 miles off the coast of Akwa Ibom. This was near a crude oil rig operated by Canada's Addax Petroleum. This isn’t the first time that the OMl has been attacked this year. Actually it has been attacked over six times this year already. Another vessel, The Tiger Fish, was hijacked around the Sombreiro River area. During this attack six crew members were kidnapped. The captors are supposedly demanding a 23,000 ransom.
I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that these oil vessels keep getting attacked. I don’t see why there isn’t more security in place to make sure that this doesn’t happen to other vessels again. I think this is really ridiculous and there needs to be an end to this so that other oil vessels or oil companies do not get attacked like the ones we’ve been hearing about lately. It seems like almost every week I hear about an oil field or an oil vessel that has been attacked. I think here definitely needs to be more security and other procedures in place so that these hijackings will hopefully come to an end.
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSL460018520081204
December 4, 2008
Energy and Oil
Several gunmen attacked two oil services vessels in Nigeria’s restive Niger Delta on Thursday. A Russian and Mexican were kidnapped along with other Nigerians. It has been reported today that at least one person had died in this incident. They have not released the victim’s name, but they have said that the victim was not an oil company employee. The vessel was attacked about 13 miles off the coast of Akwa Ibom. This was near a crude oil rig operated by Canada's Addax Petroleum. This isn’t the first time that the OMl has been attacked this year. Actually it has been attacked over six times this year already. Another vessel, The Tiger Fish, was hijacked around the Sombreiro River area. During this attack six crew members were kidnapped. The captors are supposedly demanding a 23,000 ransom.
I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that these oil vessels keep getting attacked. I don’t see why there isn’t more security in place to make sure that this doesn’t happen to other vessels again. I think this is really ridiculous and there needs to be an end to this so that other oil vessels or oil companies do not get attacked like the ones we’ve been hearing about lately. It seems like almost every week I hear about an oil field or an oil vessel that has been attacked. I think here definitely needs to be more security and other procedures in place so that these hijackings will hopefully come to an end.
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSL460018520081204
Reasons behind increasing HIV/AIDS in women
Kari Leonard
December 4, 2008
Current Event 15
8:25pm
This article is about the third Government/Partners Bi-annual HIV/AIDS Review Meeting 2008 that is going to try to find out how to secure women in the family and community by identifying their roles in the socio-economic and political status, since their position in any society is the indicator of the health of the state in Tanzania and other countries. It talks about how in Tanzania women are not only the ‘architects’ in society but that they establish the institutions of family life, building homes and bringing up children to become good citizens. They strength that these women have contributes towards the making of the family, society and the country ideal. Dr. Mrisho said that out of more than two million people that are estimated to be HIV positive, the current figure indicates that seven per cent of women are positive, while men account for five per cent. They are wondering how they are going to keep building a healthy family if their women are going to keep getting sicker and sicker. I like the fact that this country is very concerned with this HIV/AIDS epidemic. It seems as though it is taking a lot of their women more than men and that if it is not taken into control then the country’s future is at stake. The biggest reason behind the HIV of women in this country is men. They are having multiple partners and thus infecting more and more women everyday.
http://dailynews.habarileo.co.tz/columnist/index.php?id=8520
December 4, 2008
Current Event 15
8:25pm
This article is about the third Government/Partners Bi-annual HIV/AIDS Review Meeting 2008 that is going to try to find out how to secure women in the family and community by identifying their roles in the socio-economic and political status, since their position in any society is the indicator of the health of the state in Tanzania and other countries. It talks about how in Tanzania women are not only the ‘architects’ in society but that they establish the institutions of family life, building homes and bringing up children to become good citizens. They strength that these women have contributes towards the making of the family, society and the country ideal. Dr. Mrisho said that out of more than two million people that are estimated to be HIV positive, the current figure indicates that seven per cent of women are positive, while men account for five per cent. They are wondering how they are going to keep building a healthy family if their women are going to keep getting sicker and sicker. I like the fact that this country is very concerned with this HIV/AIDS epidemic. It seems as though it is taking a lot of their women more than men and that if it is not taken into control then the country’s future is at stake. The biggest reason behind the HIV of women in this country is men. They are having multiple partners and thus infecting more and more women everyday.
http://dailynews.habarileo.co.tz/columnist/index.php?id=8520
The Global Climate Treaty Deadline
Luka Suon
Sociology 202
December 4, 2008- 3:18pm
As the Deadline Draws Near...
From Poznan, Poland, negotiators and delegates from 190 countries around the world met a year ago to commit to a program that would force governments around the world to cut their carbon emissions dramatically by 2009. However, as the year of 2008 draws to a close it appears the treaty is not getting any closer to achieving its goal. Many delegates have met since Monday to discuss whether a new treaty should be drawn, but in that scenario the deadline would have to be given a little more time to meet its goals. The next meeting is to be held in Copenhagen in Denmark to discuss the future of a new treaty. The new treaty is designed with the intent to replace the Kyoto Protocol, whose deadline ends in 2012. Most delegates agree that the details are secondary; getting the framework of the treaty is top priority at the moment, and to loose time on mere details would be a huge setback. For the U.S., the treaty could be a little more difficult to pass since it requires a Congressional approval on the matter. Nevertheless, the meeting will proceed, since this is a matter of grave importance that supersedes the authority of any nation here on the face of the Earth.
I suppose when one looks at it the frustration comes from spending too much time on details that had no place in the discussion at all. It is necessary to realize that what is truly at stake does not exist on a piece of paper but around us everyday. Politics, I guess, is just another devil in the detail that is out to ruin progress. I it's just another thing we need to live with, I suppose. Nevertheless, if we don't take this matter seriously enough by the time we do it could all be loss, and then that's when the real trouble begins.
Links:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/12/03/europe/EU-Poland-Climate-Dying-Deadline.php
http://www.heraldonline.com/wire/world/story/993762.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081203/ap_on_re_eu/eu_poland_climate_dying_deadline;_ylt=AvM76wMeG_WHniNnPTetNalpl88F
No time for small measures, economists say
Jennifer Rudd/ December 4, 2008/ 12:12 p.m.
I wish this was not my last current event but it is and I will continue to research the United Kingdom and its global economy to see what happens. This past week, figures were released Wednesday painting an increasingly grim picture for Europe's service sector, with purchasing managers indexes for the 15-nation euro zone and Great Britain dipping to record lows, showing a further slowdown in activity. I have seen this continuing happening. Add in drooping consumer confidence, weakening euro-zone retail sales, and a fading British labor market, fears about the length and depth of recessions in the United Kingdom and the euro zone are on the rise. This week it seems as if things are worsening. I find this hard to believe the upcoming holiday. Consumer inflation in the euro zone could hit the ECB's annualized target of near but just below 2% as soon as this month. If inflation strengths, it could not be good for the country. The Bank of England's latest inflation report last month warned inflation could fall well below its 2% annualized target, and BOE Gov. Mervyn King has warned that deflation is a threat.
I believe that new plans need to be drawn up for the country and its economy. Big cuts can only do so much. For example, if a man just lost his job and they have not had a stable income and are not getting as much as they use to they are eventually going to go in debt. If the government continues to give big cuts and either low or higher interest rates the family is still in need of money. Few economists expect the ECB to deliver such a big cut. Surveys show a majority expect policy makers to reduce the key rate by another half point, although a sizeable minority expects a three-quarter point cut. Credit markets have largely factored in a reduction of three-quarters of a point, analysts said. New ECB staff projections due to be released Thursday will likely include significant downward revisions to growth and inflation forecasts for 2009. I find this to be the best news in the article.
Overall this article did not make me hopeful for the United Kingdom’s economic future. I ask myself every week, when is everyone going to be able to come out of this? I also ask myself why did things have to get this bad. Hopefully there will be solutions soon.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/europes-central-bankers-expected-deliver/story.aspx?guid=%7B4995387B-7AE0-494F-97C5-A625DF772174%7D&dist=msr_1
I wish this was not my last current event but it is and I will continue to research the United Kingdom and its global economy to see what happens. This past week, figures were released Wednesday painting an increasingly grim picture for Europe's service sector, with purchasing managers indexes for the 15-nation euro zone and Great Britain dipping to record lows, showing a further slowdown in activity. I have seen this continuing happening. Add in drooping consumer confidence, weakening euro-zone retail sales, and a fading British labor market, fears about the length and depth of recessions in the United Kingdom and the euro zone are on the rise. This week it seems as if things are worsening. I find this hard to believe the upcoming holiday. Consumer inflation in the euro zone could hit the ECB's annualized target of near but just below 2% as soon as this month. If inflation strengths, it could not be good for the country. The Bank of England's latest inflation report last month warned inflation could fall well below its 2% annualized target, and BOE Gov. Mervyn King has warned that deflation is a threat.
I believe that new plans need to be drawn up for the country and its economy. Big cuts can only do so much. For example, if a man just lost his job and they have not had a stable income and are not getting as much as they use to they are eventually going to go in debt. If the government continues to give big cuts and either low or higher interest rates the family is still in need of money. Few economists expect the ECB to deliver such a big cut. Surveys show a majority expect policy makers to reduce the key rate by another half point, although a sizeable minority expects a three-quarter point cut. Credit markets have largely factored in a reduction of three-quarters of a point, analysts said. New ECB staff projections due to be released Thursday will likely include significant downward revisions to growth and inflation forecasts for 2009. I find this to be the best news in the article.
Overall this article did not make me hopeful for the United Kingdom’s economic future. I ask myself every week, when is everyone going to be able to come out of this? I also ask myself why did things have to get this bad. Hopefully there will be solutions soon.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/europes-central-bankers-expected-deliver/story.aspx?guid=%7B4995387B-7AE0-494F-97C5-A625DF772174%7D&dist=msr_1
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Children at risk of contracting AIDS/HIV in Afghanistan
Jessica Maw, December 3rd 2008, 11:20PM
Afghanistan has a relatively low rate of confirmed HIV cases but alarm bells are being rung for an expected rise in cases especially in street children. Children are at high risk of contracting it in Afghanistan states UNICEF Maternal Health and HIV Specialist. According to Aschiana, a Non-Governmental Organization working with street children, there are more than 70,000 children who live on the street. In the country there is an issue with the vulnerability of children contracting HIV but at the same time the modes of transmission are a taboo which can not be talked about openly. Included in these taboo subjects are male-to-male sex with children and intravenous drug use.
The last thirty years in Afghanistan have caused broken families from war which has resulted in children now have to be dependent on themselves and in some cases even having to be the breadwinners for what remains of their family. These children will routinely spend their days begging on the streets which increase their vulnerability by being preyed upon by criminal groups who use children as sex workers and introduce them to drug use.
These issues are not helped through the fact that Afghanistan is one of the world’s largest suppliers of heroin which makes it readily available. A lack of education for the children regarding drug use is helping the growing trend of addiction and infection. These problems combined with a weak government, high rates of illiteracy and migration, and the large domestic production of heroin has enabled HIV/AIDS to take root and grow among the vulnerable populations.
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/afghanistan_46717.html
Afghanistan has a relatively low rate of confirmed HIV cases but alarm bells are being rung for an expected rise in cases especially in street children. Children are at high risk of contracting it in Afghanistan states UNICEF Maternal Health and HIV Specialist. According to Aschiana, a Non-Governmental Organization working with street children, there are more than 70,000 children who live on the street. In the country there is an issue with the vulnerability of children contracting HIV but at the same time the modes of transmission are a taboo which can not be talked about openly. Included in these taboo subjects are male-to-male sex with children and intravenous drug use.
The last thirty years in Afghanistan have caused broken families from war which has resulted in children now have to be dependent on themselves and in some cases even having to be the breadwinners for what remains of their family. These children will routinely spend their days begging on the streets which increase their vulnerability by being preyed upon by criminal groups who use children as sex workers and introduce them to drug use.
These issues are not helped through the fact that Afghanistan is one of the world’s largest suppliers of heroin which makes it readily available. A lack of education for the children regarding drug use is helping the growing trend of addiction and infection. These problems combined with a weak government, high rates of illiteracy and migration, and the large domestic production of heroin has enabled HIV/AIDS to take root and grow among the vulnerable populations.
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/afghanistan_46717.html
India's Muslims say no burial for 'demon' gunmen
By Krittivas Mukherjee
December 3, 2008
Tuesday in India, Mumbai’s highest ranked clerics stated that they were not going to allow nine Islamist militants to be buried in any Muslim cemetery. These militants have been blamed for killing one hundred eighty three people in three days last week. These high ranking clerics stated “their acts were an affront to Islam.” This was decided at a meeting in the state of Maharashtra and Mumbai is the capital.
Although in the past when Muslim attackers were killed carrying out their attacks they were allowed to be buried in a Muslim cemetery. These burials according to the Muslim tradition were usually done within a few hours of death. A leader who attended the meeting said those who are capable of such attacks cannot be Muslim, even if they call themselves one.
There were ten Islamist militants. They used AK-47s as well as grenades to attack some of Mumbai’s best known hotels and other famous landmarks. This city has 18 million people. With Muslim’s being the least amount of the population. This attack finally ended after sixty hours. A 10th attacker was arrested. This is upsetting the Muslim community because they feel it looks bad on them every time an Islamist carries out an attack in the country. The highest ranked clerics stand by their decision they don’t offer a solution to where these attackers are buried. They say it’s up to the government.
I find that these attacks are happening all over the country and it almost always has to deal with a religion. It appears all the different religious groups mostly in India right now are being attacked. I have been doing my current event focusing mainly on the Christians in India and now it appears that these attacks are spread out among all the religions there.
Nicole Bopp
http://in.reuters.com/article/email/idINIndia-36833120081202?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
By Krittivas Mukherjee
December 3, 2008
Tuesday in India, Mumbai’s highest ranked clerics stated that they were not going to allow nine Islamist militants to be buried in any Muslim cemetery. These militants have been blamed for killing one hundred eighty three people in three days last week. These high ranking clerics stated “their acts were an affront to Islam.” This was decided at a meeting in the state of Maharashtra and Mumbai is the capital.
Although in the past when Muslim attackers were killed carrying out their attacks they were allowed to be buried in a Muslim cemetery. These burials according to the Muslim tradition were usually done within a few hours of death. A leader who attended the meeting said those who are capable of such attacks cannot be Muslim, even if they call themselves one.
There were ten Islamist militants. They used AK-47s as well as grenades to attack some of Mumbai’s best known hotels and other famous landmarks. This city has 18 million people. With Muslim’s being the least amount of the population. This attack finally ended after sixty hours. A 10th attacker was arrested. This is upsetting the Muslim community because they feel it looks bad on them every time an Islamist carries out an attack in the country. The highest ranked clerics stand by their decision they don’t offer a solution to where these attackers are buried. They say it’s up to the government.
I find that these attacks are happening all over the country and it almost always has to deal with a religion. It appears all the different religious groups mostly in India right now are being attacked. I have been doing my current event focusing mainly on the Christians in India and now it appears that these attacks are spread out among all the religions there.
Nicole Bopp
http://in.reuters.com/article/email/idINIndia-36833120081202?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Protesters cause stir at U.N. Baghdad Headquarters, Jared Hill, 12/2/08, 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad was under attack of two missiles. Only two catering service employees were killed in the event, but several were injured. Although the incident has proved to be tragic, no prominent members of parliament were attacked. Elsewhere, rockets were also fired at Camp Victory. This post is in proximity of Baghdad’s international airport. These occurrences on Saturday are thought to be the work of Shiite militias. The United States has made claims that Iran’s government often funds these anti-American organizations. Iran officials deny this claim and state their money is spent in groups that do not use force against United States Military efforts. Just a couple of days before the attack, the United States-Iraq pact finally came to a decision that the United States Military will occupy Iraq for three more years. This decision has taken quite a while to be established, due to immense amounts of protests and disagreements among the country’s parliament figures. Many of these protesters are followers of Muqtada al-Sadr. Not only was his influence suspected to cause the attacks upon the United Nations, but he led the protest against the new pact between the United States and Iraq. Sadr and his followers believe the United States should seek immediate exile out of their country. Protesters demonstrated their resentment by mourning and burning American flags. To accompany this eventful day, there were at least three more bombings in central parts of Baghdad.
LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/11/29/iraq.main/index.html
LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/11/29/iraq.main/index.html
Mumbai attacks
Mumbai terrorism
Mumbai police believe that a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba planner was in charge of the attacks in Mumbai.
The terrorist attacks on the hotel was planned by several terrorist leaders that were in connection by satellite phone. A senior policeman stated that the militants were in touch using satellite phones. The evidence of this was left behind on a abandoned fishing ship that was hijacked earlier. Records from this phone were taking from those fishing ships.
Yusus Muzmmil, was the head of the terrorism operations against India. Pakistani police confirmed that India has told Pakistan that the attack was planned by the leader Mr. Muzammil. This mans name is one of twenty on a list that has been given by India to Pakistan. The organization that trained the terrorist was located in Pakistan.
The attacks targets three major luxury hotels, a Jewish center a train station and other locations around India's largest cities. The terrorist target was mainly Americas ,and several Americans have died . The terrorist militants have stated that they wanted to make an Indian 9/11 and create the social impact and the world trade center attacks generated. Short term their plan may work , but long term they will never get the recognition that a real organization gets thats has an agenda.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122823715860872789.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Mumbai police believe that a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba planner was in charge of the attacks in Mumbai.
The terrorist attacks on the hotel was planned by several terrorist leaders that were in connection by satellite phone. A senior policeman stated that the militants were in touch using satellite phones. The evidence of this was left behind on a abandoned fishing ship that was hijacked earlier. Records from this phone were taking from those fishing ships.
Yusus Muzmmil, was the head of the terrorism operations against India. Pakistani police confirmed that India has told Pakistan that the attack was planned by the leader Mr. Muzammil. This mans name is one of twenty on a list that has been given by India to Pakistan. The organization that trained the terrorist was located in Pakistan.
The attacks targets three major luxury hotels, a Jewish center a train station and other locations around India's largest cities. The terrorist target was mainly Americas ,and several Americans have died . The terrorist militants have stated that they wanted to make an Indian 9/11 and create the social impact and the world trade center attacks generated. Short term their plan may work , but long term they will never get the recognition that a real organization gets thats has an agenda.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122823715860872789.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Monday, December 01, 2008
Our Country Is Failing the AIDS Test-Cara Beck-December 1st-9:45pm
Cara Beck
Soc. 202
Dec. 1, 2008
AIDS is still the number one health threat in the world. Over one million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are taking steps like to prevent the spread of this disease. One example of these preventions would be testing the blood samples of all individuals between 13 and 64 for HIV. HIV/AIDS so often goes undetected because an individual can go years after becoming infected without testing positive for the disease. HIV is spread by blood, sex, needles being shared, and during pregnancy- these variables affect people equally regardless of age, gender, color, or social status.
U.S. infection rates show that the voluntary testing program has not been effective enough. Today in America it is not even required for pregnant women to be tested. All measures in the U.S. involving HIV testing are voluntary. The writer of this article feels that HIV/AIDS tests should be given by the government to protect public health.
Soc. 202
Dec. 1, 2008
AIDS is still the number one health threat in the world. Over one million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are taking steps like to prevent the spread of this disease. One example of these preventions would be testing the blood samples of all individuals between 13 and 64 for HIV. HIV/AIDS so often goes undetected because an individual can go years after becoming infected without testing positive for the disease. HIV is spread by blood, sex, needles being shared, and during pregnancy- these variables affect people equally regardless of age, gender, color, or social status.
U.S. infection rates show that the voluntary testing program has not been effective enough. Today in America it is not even required for pregnant women to be tested. All measures in the U.S. involving HIV testing are voluntary. The writer of this article feels that HIV/AIDS tests should be given by the government to protect public health.
104 Killed as gunmen rampage in India city
Chara G. Garmon
12/1/08
SOC 202
7:52 PM
On Wednesday, November 26th into Thursday, November 27th, in Mumbai, India, which is located in Maharashtra state of India, there were several attacks that left 104 people killed and 314 injured as well as the death or 8 militants. The attackers were originally suspected to be Muslim militants and were confirmed to be the acts of an unknown Islamic militant group. Mumbai is India’s financial capital and home to some of the greatest locations in India. The locations that were attacked included two five star hotels, a popular restaurant, a crowded train station, a Jewish center, in addition to five other sites. The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel were two of these locations, which served as a favorite spot for the city’s elite since 1903. The gunmen walked around to these locations armed with assault rifles, hand grenades, and explosives. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh believes “external forces” are to be blame for these attacks. "The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners," he said in address to the nation. There were several hostages which included Spaniards, New Zealanders, British and Israelis, among others. There are strong suspicions that these attacks were linked to al-Qaida, due in part to how the attacks were carried out and the fact that Britons and Americans were singled out.
There is so much more to this article, I recommend everyone read this. It’s very unfortunate that these sorts of attacks occur in any country. You hate to see any sort of confrontation or conflicts. I’ve yet to understand the rationale behind terrorist attacks. India has been a country that continues to prove itself as a prosperous country that contributes to the world’s increasing globalization phenomenon. The attacks that have plagued this country in recent years have diminished this image a bit.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27940975/
12/1/08
SOC 202
7:52 PM
On Wednesday, November 26th into Thursday, November 27th, in Mumbai, India, which is located in Maharashtra state of India, there were several attacks that left 104 people killed and 314 injured as well as the death or 8 militants. The attackers were originally suspected to be Muslim militants and were confirmed to be the acts of an unknown Islamic militant group. Mumbai is India’s financial capital and home to some of the greatest locations in India. The locations that were attacked included two five star hotels, a popular restaurant, a crowded train station, a Jewish center, in addition to five other sites. The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel were two of these locations, which served as a favorite spot for the city’s elite since 1903. The gunmen walked around to these locations armed with assault rifles, hand grenades, and explosives. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh believes “external forces” are to be blame for these attacks. "The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners," he said in address to the nation. There were several hostages which included Spaniards, New Zealanders, British and Israelis, among others. There are strong suspicions that these attacks were linked to al-Qaida, due in part to how the attacks were carried out and the fact that Britons and Americans were singled out.
There is so much more to this article, I recommend everyone read this. It’s very unfortunate that these sorts of attacks occur in any country. You hate to see any sort of confrontation or conflicts. I’ve yet to understand the rationale behind terrorist attacks. India has been a country that continues to prove itself as a prosperous country that contributes to the world’s increasing globalization phenomenon. The attacks that have plagued this country in recent years have diminished this image a bit.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27940975/
Mexico's Cleaning House
Hazel Inglis/ 12/01/08 / global crime / 5:08pm
Mexico has been trying to clean up the organized crime that has been going on in their country and across their borders and is especially focus on the drug trafficking. Their government is determined to identify those who “are involved in criminal activities and have abandoned the principles and values of public services”, says Medina. The Mexican government has recently arrested Noe Ramirez, who was high ranking law enforcement, for allegedly sharing police information with violent drug smugglers. He was taking $450,000 from a member of the Pacific cartel and they offered to pay him a similar amount each month for alerting the drug gangs of planned police operations. In 2006, Ramirez was named assistant attorney general of organized crime when Calderon took office and resigned in July at the request of Medina who is the Attorney General but there were no corruption allegations against him at that time.
The arrest of Ramirez shows the United States, the Mexican government and people that they are serious about getting to the bottom of the corruption that is going on within their country. The United States has been working closely with Mexican counterparts, sharing information, and the US Congress has promised $400 million in aid for Mexico’s efforts to clean up corruption. This arrest is likely to reinforce the mistrust of the Mexican police by the Mexican people who have long believed that the police were involved in drug trafficking at all levels.
I am glad to see that the Mexican government is taking action against the corruption within their government. I believe that all governments have some corruption within them and the Mexican government has been getting away with it for a long time. I do not know where the United States is going to find the $400 million that they have promised the Mexicans, maybe we will borrow the money from the Chinese.
http://www.mlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/international
Mexico has been trying to clean up the organized crime that has been going on in their country and across their borders and is especially focus on the drug trafficking. Their government is determined to identify those who “are involved in criminal activities and have abandoned the principles and values of public services”, says Medina. The Mexican government has recently arrested Noe Ramirez, who was high ranking law enforcement, for allegedly sharing police information with violent drug smugglers. He was taking $450,000 from a member of the Pacific cartel and they offered to pay him a similar amount each month for alerting the drug gangs of planned police operations. In 2006, Ramirez was named assistant attorney general of organized crime when Calderon took office and resigned in July at the request of Medina who is the Attorney General but there were no corruption allegations against him at that time.
The arrest of Ramirez shows the United States, the Mexican government and people that they are serious about getting to the bottom of the corruption that is going on within their country. The United States has been working closely with Mexican counterparts, sharing information, and the US Congress has promised $400 million in aid for Mexico’s efforts to clean up corruption. This arrest is likely to reinforce the mistrust of the Mexican police by the Mexican people who have long believed that the police were involved in drug trafficking at all levels.
I am glad to see that the Mexican government is taking action against the corruption within their government. I believe that all governments have some corruption within them and the Mexican government has been getting away with it for a long time. I do not know where the United States is going to find the $400 million that they have promised the Mexicans, maybe we will borrow the money from the Chinese.
http://www.mlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/international
Brazilian Poultry Plant Ends Stirke
Nick Shields: Global Labor Production. December 1st 2008.
The Cargill-owned Seara Poultry plant in Brazil ended a strike on December 1st that had been ongoing since November 17th. The strike started over the plant refusing to give the workers the 20% monetary gain for working in harsh conditions. That is half th amount the Brazilian supreme labor court requires. They voted to end the strike after an 8 hour meeting between the managment and the unions which was facilitated by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor. The settlement included a 9.5% wage increase, a larger basket to benchmark future increases to offset inflation, and a verbal commitment from the company to not dismiss or retaliate against any of the strikers. The 10% monetary gain remained there but it still under appeal. Tensions reached a peak when the company blasted loud dance music at the workers picketing outside the plant, and when 5 buses of replacement workers showed up overnight. The Seara Poultry plant is the 3rd largest in Brazil.
I always think it is a good think when a strike is ended. Even though the workers did not get everything they wanted I still feel as if it is a victory for them to some degree. As long as the company is the one giving ground and the workers are not the ones then that is perfectly fine. Eventually I believe the company will be forced to give the workers everything that they demand, including the 20 % monetary gain.
http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/dbman/db.cgi?db=default&uid=default&ID=5536&view_records=1&ww=1&en=1
The Cargill-owned Seara Poultry plant in Brazil ended a strike on December 1st that had been ongoing since November 17th. The strike started over the plant refusing to give the workers the 20% monetary gain for working in harsh conditions. That is half th amount the Brazilian supreme labor court requires. They voted to end the strike after an 8 hour meeting between the managment and the unions which was facilitated by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor. The settlement included a 9.5% wage increase, a larger basket to benchmark future increases to offset inflation, and a verbal commitment from the company to not dismiss or retaliate against any of the strikers. The 10% monetary gain remained there but it still under appeal. Tensions reached a peak when the company blasted loud dance music at the workers picketing outside the plant, and when 5 buses of replacement workers showed up overnight. The Seara Poultry plant is the 3rd largest in Brazil.
I always think it is a good think when a strike is ended. Even though the workers did not get everything they wanted I still feel as if it is a victory for them to some degree. As long as the company is the one giving ground and the workers are not the ones then that is perfectly fine. Eventually I believe the company will be forced to give the workers everything that they demand, including the 20 % monetary gain.
http://www.iuf.org/cgi-bin/dbman/db.cgi?db=default&uid=default&ID=5536&view_records=1&ww=1&en=1
Change to Come for Guantanamo Uighurs
The 17 Uighur Muslims currently held in Guantanamo still do not have hope for leaving until the change in administration in January. They have been held captive there since 2001. Several times they were found not guilty of committing crimes; however, they are being held at Guantanamo without any charges. These men are not believed to be dangerous by the United States government, but the government officials in Beijing insist that they are part of a separatist terrorist group and are a danger to society. The group of Uighurs cannot be returned to China because they could be tortured, and the United States constitution prohibits the release of prisoners into a place where they could be harmed. The government has made attempts at trying to persuade other countries to allow the men to resettle in their country. The other countries are afraid that China will punish them for accepting this group by cutting off the trade between the countries. China holds a lot of power over countries because of its ability to producer large quantities of goods for very little money. Some of the Americans working on this case are concerned about the same thing. However, most realize that China probably would not completely cut off trade, but the more likely scenario would be that China would put some type of limit on the trade allowed. Courts keep insisting that the men be released and president elect Barack Obama plans to close Guantanamo once in office, so the Uighurs should not have too much longer before their much waited release. Obama will likely have to release the Uighur men into the United States, unless there is another country that decides to allow them to move there.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1862567,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1862567,00.html
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