Shavon Pulley/Jan 31/9:40/Gender Issues
This article deals with the women in India that works night shifts and are at risk for sexual harassment. In one case, a driver for a company raped and killed one of the female employees. In this specific area, women are not allowed to work the night shifts. Special provisions are made for information technology and similar companies that must protect the women with adequate transportation and security. The H.P leader, is currently being tried for his drivers actions toward one of the women that resulted into death.
Foreign companies, either directly or through a third party, employ hundreds of thousands of people in India as customer service representatives, accountants, information technology specialists, developers and researchers. Nearly half of these employees are women, and many work overnight shifts to be on the same time zone as their foreign clients. Outsourcing is very popular in these countries as employment, but is the job worth their life? Many are changing the rules and regulation for the drivers and the women that ride with these drivers. Stricter screening process are being applied and women are not allowed to ride at night by themselves.
I found this article to be interesting, because of the current outsourcing topic we are studying in class. These women are trying to provide a living for themselves and families, but are putting themselves at risk for sexual assault that could result to death as one incident did. The companies that they are outsourcing for are not realizing the danger that the women face to provide service for their company. These companies are only worried about the savings and benefits that they will receive. With the jobs being such a high risk, many companies should provide current rules and regulations of the drivers and a safer environment for the female workers.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/business/worldbusiness/31cnd-rupee.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=women&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Rwanda: Kenyan Refugees in Food Scarcity
Kimberly Mega Jan 31st 9:28 pm Food Scarcity Current Event
This current event deals with the Kenyan refugees who have fled to Uganda due to lack of food and medicine. There have been at least 5,400 Kenya refugees who have fled from violence in the western parts of their country. With the upsurge of people in need supplies are not enough to cater to everyone. They are in desperate need of security, sanitation, and drugs but the resource centers are running out of supplies due to the high demand of refugees. The centers are supposed to supply each refugee with breakfast, half a kilogram of beans, and a kilogram of maize flour for the next two months but their supplies and close to none. This lack of resources is partly due to the delay of distribution of food from the World Food Programme. There was a disagreement between the UN and local governments over the distribution of relief supplies. The WFP wants to deal with only the country;s central government but it is causing the refugees to not have food on time. Even children aren't getting any nutrition from the Uganda relief aid or the humanitarian services. Unfortunaltelty local authorities aren’t affirming this food scarcity issue. they are saying that other governments have no idea what is happening. And they have already distributed maize flour and beans to all the refugee centers. I find this article really sad because governments never own up when they have made bad decisions. I do realize a government’s job is to make the public believe their people are safe, healthy and thriving. But at what cost are they willing to put on this show? Their people obviously aren't and do not feel safe in their own country. They have fled to other countries to find food and shelter. The government needs to own and try to fix their societal issues.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801090099.html
This current event deals with the Kenyan refugees who have fled to Uganda due to lack of food and medicine. There have been at least 5,400 Kenya refugees who have fled from violence in the western parts of their country. With the upsurge of people in need supplies are not enough to cater to everyone. They are in desperate need of security, sanitation, and drugs but the resource centers are running out of supplies due to the high demand of refugees. The centers are supposed to supply each refugee with breakfast, half a kilogram of beans, and a kilogram of maize flour for the next two months but their supplies and close to none. This lack of resources is partly due to the delay of distribution of food from the World Food Programme. There was a disagreement between the UN and local governments over the distribution of relief supplies. The WFP wants to deal with only the country;s central government but it is causing the refugees to not have food on time. Even children aren't getting any nutrition from the Uganda relief aid or the humanitarian services. Unfortunaltelty local authorities aren’t affirming this food scarcity issue. they are saying that other governments have no idea what is happening. And they have already distributed maize flour and beans to all the refugee centers. I find this article really sad because governments never own up when they have made bad decisions. I do realize a government’s job is to make the public believe their people are safe, healthy and thriving. But at what cost are they willing to put on this show? Their people obviously aren't and do not feel safe in their own country. They have fled to other countries to find food and shelter. The government needs to own and try to fix their societal issues.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801090099.html
Candis Little/Kenya Election Violence/01-31-08/8:55pm/ethnic conflict 3
For the past few weeks, I have been following the war in Congo and the progress over there but this week I decided to inform you on something that I thought was very interesting. No one ever thought that a woman would cause two powerful men to throw their lives away with her along with others dead and injured because of it and as this report goes things are not getting any better. In Kenya, Eldoret, a policeman shot and killed a opposition lawmaker Thursday and since his death one person has been killed and 21 injured in the Western city. The woman was the police officers girlfriend and having an affair with the politician, David Too. But Too’s family states that the woman had no connection with the politician while others mainly protestors are convinced that it was a assassination clashed with the police only because this was the second-government legislator killed in a week.
Because this has happened continuously, and word is traveling fast in Kenya, the bloodshed has stirred up other tribes but most importantly Kikuyus which is Kenya’s largest ethnic group which has been resented for their dominance of the economy and politics and they are known for some of the worst violence.
I feel that the truth has not come out yet because reporters had only the information that they could get today but I feel that things will get a lot clearer in the future. I can not really make a judgment on this situation because I do not know the full cover story. I honestly feel sorry about the 3 people killed but I just want to know why.
Because this has happened continuously, and word is traveling fast in Kenya, the bloodshed has stirred up other tribes but most importantly Kikuyus which is Kenya’s largest ethnic group which has been resented for their dominance of the economy and politics and they are known for some of the worst violence.
I feel that the truth has not come out yet because reporters had only the information that they could get today but I feel that things will get a lot clearer in the future. I can not really make a judgment on this situation because I do not know the full cover story. I honestly feel sorry about the 3 people killed but I just want to know why.
Russia plans on cleaning up
Jessika Ziglar/01-31-08 8:14pm/Pollution/ #3
On Wednesday, Russia's President and Prime Minister (Putin and Medvedev) announced that cleaning up and raising environmental standards would be a new main focus for the future of Russia's economic and public health.
Both Putin and Medvedev said that in order for Russia to stay competitive, the country would have to place an emphasis on "economic growth based on high environmental standards." And that the country's current economic success was coming at the expense of the environment.
Medvedev supports tougher punishments and fines for companies that violate environmental laws. He also said the country must work to clean-up the environmental damage done under Soviet rule when the environment was sacrificed in order to meet economic growth goals. Ecodefense, a Russian environmental group, echoed this claim, saying that Russia's problems "have been created by the state's pursuit of economic growth at any cost ... using old and ecologically dangerous technology."
The issue of economic growth at the cost of the environment is an issue that faces not just Russia, but also China, or pretty much any developing nation. I found it interesting how Putin emphasized that the key to Russia being about to compete in the global market was through high environmental standards. I mean, that sounds great for a press conference, but I have trouble seeing that as a major selling point in a world market that seems to value getting the best for the cheapest, regardless of expense to the environment or to the labor force.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2008/01/31/047.html
On Wednesday, Russia's President and Prime Minister (Putin and Medvedev) announced that cleaning up and raising environmental standards would be a new main focus for the future of Russia's economic and public health.
Both Putin and Medvedev said that in order for Russia to stay competitive, the country would have to place an emphasis on "economic growth based on high environmental standards." And that the country's current economic success was coming at the expense of the environment.
Medvedev supports tougher punishments and fines for companies that violate environmental laws. He also said the country must work to clean-up the environmental damage done under Soviet rule when the environment was sacrificed in order to meet economic growth goals. Ecodefense, a Russian environmental group, echoed this claim, saying that Russia's problems "have been created by the state's pursuit of economic growth at any cost ... using old and ecologically dangerous technology."
The issue of economic growth at the cost of the environment is an issue that faces not just Russia, but also China, or pretty much any developing nation. I found it interesting how Putin emphasized that the key to Russia being about to compete in the global market was through high environmental standards. I mean, that sounds great for a press conference, but I have trouble seeing that as a major selling point in a world market that seems to value getting the best for the cheapest, regardless of expense to the environment or to the labor force.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2008/01/31/047.html
Israel Stops Fuel Shipments;Gaza City Goes Dark
Sunday, Israel decided to cut off the shipments of fuel to Gaza City which powers their main electrical plant. Since Israel controls the fuel supply into Gaza, they thought this would be the best way to try to stop the rocket attacks that they had been getting by Gaza militants. Surprisingly, Israel has cut back the amount of fuel flowing into Gaza, but has never completely cut the supply off. The electrical plant in Gaza has little backup fuel, forcing citizens to prepare for at least the next few days in darkness. This power outage has also raised concern with health facilities. Although hospitals have generators, they will still be forced to turn off the generated electricity to certain vital areas of the hospital. The city believes that if the blackout continues, there will be a huge health crisis, due to powerless hospitals and no trash pickup, and lack of water. Shortly after the power went out, the residents put together a candlelight protest in the main street. The Gaza military believes the blackout is a tactic to attract sympathy and concern from other countries, and they have declared that it will not make them discontinue the attacks. Groups that have been against the fuel shortages completely disagree with the tactics used by the Israli government. They believe they shouldnt attack everyone with the blackout, just the ones in charge of the attacks.
www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/20/israel.palestinians.ap/index.html
www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/20/israel.palestinians.ap/index.html
Namibia:Child Labor Comes Under Spotlight
Jessica Otey/ January 31, 2008/ 6:21 pm/ Labor Problems
Yesterday, a conference addressing child labor was held in Namibia in hopes of improving child labor laws. The Minister of Labor, Alpheus !Naruseb, wanted the country to take a good look at the jobs that children were employed in and consider whether they were hurtful or exploitative to their well-being.
In Namibia, many children are forced to work in the charcoal industry and as domestic servants. Many of these children are abused either verbally and/or physically but are often overlooked, especially those who are engaged in domestic work. The minister believes that it is really hard to enforce laws regarding these children because they are usually imprisoned in the house where they are employed.
In addition, it is extremely hard to enforce laws concerning child labor because the programs created to enforce the laws are relatively weak. Another reason is that different laws and pieces of legislation contradict each other. To be affective the laws need to be harmonized.
The prime minister has also made a commitment to enforce punishment for those who exploit children. Anyone found breaking a child labor law will be forced to pay a hefty fine or be sent to prison for four years.
When I found this article I was really excited that someone is finally trying to take a stand on exploitative child labor. It’s so sad that most countries are completely ignoring the problem because it is too complicated to deal with. I do still have doubts about the conference though. Just because the Minister of Labor says these things doesn’t mean that he will actually follow through. It’s one of those things that I’ll just have to see to believe.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801300586.html
Yesterday, a conference addressing child labor was held in Namibia in hopes of improving child labor laws. The Minister of Labor, Alpheus !Naruseb, wanted the country to take a good look at the jobs that children were employed in and consider whether they were hurtful or exploitative to their well-being.
In Namibia, many children are forced to work in the charcoal industry and as domestic servants. Many of these children are abused either verbally and/or physically but are often overlooked, especially those who are engaged in domestic work. The minister believes that it is really hard to enforce laws regarding these children because they are usually imprisoned in the house where they are employed.
In addition, it is extremely hard to enforce laws concerning child labor because the programs created to enforce the laws are relatively weak. Another reason is that different laws and pieces of legislation contradict each other. To be affective the laws need to be harmonized.
The prime minister has also made a commitment to enforce punishment for those who exploit children. Anyone found breaking a child labor law will be forced to pay a hefty fine or be sent to prison for four years.
When I found this article I was really excited that someone is finally trying to take a stand on exploitative child labor. It’s so sad that most countries are completely ignoring the problem because it is too complicated to deal with. I do still have doubts about the conference though. Just because the Minister of Labor says these things doesn’t mean that he will actually follow through. It’s one of those things that I’ll just have to see to believe.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801300586.html
Kenya: Country to Be Hit By Food Shortage After Poor Rains
Ashley Snyder/January 31/5:04pm/Food Scarcity/Post 3
My last post concerned Zimbabwe's food shortages due to misuse of land and the overflow of rains that are ruining whatever crop may have grown in the fields. This week I'm reporting on the inability of Kenyan farmers to grow crop due to a shortage in rain.
The shortage of rain last year (2007) is having lasting effects as it spills over into this year, causing insufficient pastures, drinking water, and crop yields.
This article is not very long, I chose it because it deals with the countries that I'm focusing on, but also depicts how two areas on one continent are facing the same problem, yet in contrasting ways.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801080203.html
My last post concerned Zimbabwe's food shortages due to misuse of land and the overflow of rains that are ruining whatever crop may have grown in the fields. This week I'm reporting on the inability of Kenyan farmers to grow crop due to a shortage in rain.
The shortage of rain last year (2007) is having lasting effects as it spills over into this year, causing insufficient pastures, drinking water, and crop yields.
This article is not very long, I chose it because it deals with the countries that I'm focusing on, but also depicts how two areas on one continent are facing the same problem, yet in contrasting ways.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801080203.html
Japan researchers put tiny camera in mouse's brain
Erin Norris/January 31, 2008/4:54/Technology
A prof. at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology named Jun Ohta planted a 3mm camera into the brain of a mouse. They hope that by studied the functions and cognitive processes of the mouse's brain that they can someday find a treatment for Parkinson's disease. They implanted it in the hippocampus of the mouse's brain and it is designed so that when the camera records the memory recording something there a screen that the researchers can see that lights up blue. This is because the mouse has been injected with a substance that whenever there is brain activity allows it to show up in the camera as a blue signal. They are planning to next try the device as the mouse is walking. Ohta hopes that in 10 years being the earliest that they can start to test this on patients that have Parkinson's disease hopefully as a way to detect when the brain causes tremors.
I think that this is a very valuable scientific project that could be very helpful in the advancement of treatments of Parkinson's disease. I also think however, that this is a very optimistic claim and that many tests and many trials of this will have to be made on larger animals before it can even be thought of to be tested on humans. I think that 10 years is very optimistic and I hope that they dont find too many complications that will prevent them with being able to continue their research and hopefully find some treatments of this disease because it is something that would be very valuable to an entire community of families and people who actually deal with the disease every day.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=4223558
A prof. at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology named Jun Ohta planted a 3mm camera into the brain of a mouse. They hope that by studied the functions and cognitive processes of the mouse's brain that they can someday find a treatment for Parkinson's disease. They implanted it in the hippocampus of the mouse's brain and it is designed so that when the camera records the memory recording something there a screen that the researchers can see that lights up blue. This is because the mouse has been injected with a substance that whenever there is brain activity allows it to show up in the camera as a blue signal. They are planning to next try the device as the mouse is walking. Ohta hopes that in 10 years being the earliest that they can start to test this on patients that have Parkinson's disease hopefully as a way to detect when the brain causes tremors.
I think that this is a very valuable scientific project that could be very helpful in the advancement of treatments of Parkinson's disease. I also think however, that this is a very optimistic claim and that many tests and many trials of this will have to be made on larger animals before it can even be thought of to be tested on humans. I think that 10 years is very optimistic and I hope that they dont find too many complications that will prevent them with being able to continue their research and hopefully find some treatments of this disease because it is something that would be very valuable to an entire community of families and people who actually deal with the disease every day.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=4223558
Nigeria: Women Seek Strategy to Address Gender Concerns
Kelli Mack/ January 31, 2008/ 4:34 pm/ Gender Issues
The Federal government in Nigeria has come together to establish and strengthen gender focal points at all levels. This meeting was to ensure that gender concerns are addressed and implemented into policies and fiscal decisions. It is urged that gender issues become part of budget planning and implementation. These recommendations are a part of a statement issued by a coalition of non-governmental organizations.
At this meeting, the groups noted that Nigeria has made some efforts to promote gender equality at the global, continental, sub-regional and national level. These include the Beijing Platform for Actions, the Paris Declaration, and the Millenium Development Goals. The opportunity to address these issues, especially feminised poverty, especially at the grassroots level is reflected in todays public policy discourse. And in Nigeria, women make up nearly half of the population, so the implementation of gender policies is very important.
In Nigeria, females have a higher drop out rate than men at the secondary level of education. The implementation of gender policies, especially in the fiscal area would allow more education for women as well as the maternal health of women. There are an estimated 37,000 maternal deaths per year. Also by aiding women, the government would be aiding the countries economy because by allowing women the right to credit and other such things, they can become a viable part of the economy.
Overall, Nigeria is committed to making gender issues part of their policies and integrating gender into their fiscal planning. Overall, they are helping the status of women and their economy at the same time.
I was glad to read this article and the others I've read so far this semester. It seems like a lot of countries are trying to make a difference in their gender policies. Its also great to hear that Nigeria has realized that it can also capitalize on the power of women and make their economy better by having women participate fully in it.
The Federal government in Nigeria has come together to establish and strengthen gender focal points at all levels. This meeting was to ensure that gender concerns are addressed and implemented into policies and fiscal decisions. It is urged that gender issues become part of budget planning and implementation. These recommendations are a part of a statement issued by a coalition of non-governmental organizations.
At this meeting, the groups noted that Nigeria has made some efforts to promote gender equality at the global, continental, sub-regional and national level. These include the Beijing Platform for Actions, the Paris Declaration, and the Millenium Development Goals. The opportunity to address these issues, especially feminised poverty, especially at the grassroots level is reflected in todays public policy discourse. And in Nigeria, women make up nearly half of the population, so the implementation of gender policies is very important.
In Nigeria, females have a higher drop out rate than men at the secondary level of education. The implementation of gender policies, especially in the fiscal area would allow more education for women as well as the maternal health of women. There are an estimated 37,000 maternal deaths per year. Also by aiding women, the government would be aiding the countries economy because by allowing women the right to credit and other such things, they can become a viable part of the economy.
Overall, Nigeria is committed to making gender issues part of their policies and integrating gender into their fiscal planning. Overall, they are helping the status of women and their economy at the same time.
I was glad to read this article and the others I've read so far this semester. It seems like a lot of countries are trying to make a difference in their gender policies. Its also great to hear that Nigeria has realized that it can also capitalize on the power of women and make their economy better by having women participate fully in it.
'Afghan Efforts Faltering'
Brian England 1/30/08 Global Political Relations
Afghan people have grown less confident about the role of US and other countries with NATO in Afghanistan. International help has been lacking and violence is coming back into play bringing a turning point to the country. Failure is becoming an appropriate word for the role of outside countries, and talk of pulling forces out of the region would bring two feared options to its people. If this were to happen the poor government of Afghanistan would undoubtedly fail, and bring rise to the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and other potential warlords. The country would be considered a failed state like it previously was under Taliban and Al Qaeda control. Forces have built up their infrastructure and security and are said to continue to do so. But the effort is no longer progressive in the country and will now be focused on the resurgent Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as containing the opium market.
Taliban ties moved the threat of violence and extremism from unlikely to extremely possible. Terrorist influence has made 2007 the deadliest year for international troops from Britain, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and the US. Afghans have shown concern about the troop’s mission in their country and with these massive loses, so has most of the world. The threat of losing the control of the country would become an impacting black veil of terrorism to our country as well as many others. There are few international efforts to stop these extremists, and contributing countries plead for more support from those who seem to be ignoring the struggle. This is a fight on terrorism that affects the world and only a handful of nations are acknowledging this.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/30/afghan.report/
Afghan people have grown less confident about the role of US and other countries with NATO in Afghanistan. International help has been lacking and violence is coming back into play bringing a turning point to the country. Failure is becoming an appropriate word for the role of outside countries, and talk of pulling forces out of the region would bring two feared options to its people. If this were to happen the poor government of Afghanistan would undoubtedly fail, and bring rise to the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and other potential warlords. The country would be considered a failed state like it previously was under Taliban and Al Qaeda control. Forces have built up their infrastructure and security and are said to continue to do so. But the effort is no longer progressive in the country and will now be focused on the resurgent Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as containing the opium market.
Taliban ties moved the threat of violence and extremism from unlikely to extremely possible. Terrorist influence has made 2007 the deadliest year for international troops from Britain, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and the US. Afghans have shown concern about the troop’s mission in their country and with these massive loses, so has most of the world. The threat of losing the control of the country would become an impacting black veil of terrorism to our country as well as many others. There are few international efforts to stop these extremists, and contributing countries plead for more support from those who seem to be ignoring the struggle. This is a fight on terrorism that affects the world and only a handful of nations are acknowledging this.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/30/afghan.report/
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Sri Lanka bombs rebel positions, army blamed for blast
Catherine McDuffie / 1/30/2008 / 5:00pm / Global Crime /
Sri Lankan jets have been bombing rebel positions as ground troops have attacked thirty five rebel bunkers. At least ten Tamil Tigers, the Sri Lankan rebel group, have been killed. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam blamed the army for a roadside bus bombing that killed 17 people, most of who are said to be children. The army denies this report. Both sides continually deny the strength of their own doings and instead exaggerate the wrongs of the other. The ground troops killed twenty people during their raid on the rebel bunkers, claiming those ten Tamil Tiger deaths as deaths of terrorists. The mainly Sinhalese government has promised to wipe out the Tiger military, as earlier this month it ended its six year ceasefire. This twenty year conflict has claimed more than 70,000 lives. Nordic military, who have just been asked to leave the area, claim that both sides repeatedly violated the ceasefire.
This conflict in
Afghan Efforts 'Faltering'
Brian England 1/30/08 Global Political Relations
Afghan people have grown less confident about the role of US and other countries with NATO in Afghanistan. International help has been lacking and violence is coming back into play bringing a turning point to the country. Failure is becoming an appropriate word for the role of outside countries, and talk of pulling forces out of the region would bring two feared options to its people. If this were to happen the poor government of Afghanistan would undoubtedly fail, and bring rise to the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and other potential warlords. The country would be considered a failed state like it previously was under Taliban and Al Qaeda control. Forces have built up their infrastructure and security and are said to continue to do so. But the effort is no longer progressive in the country and will now be focused on the resurgent Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as containing the opium market.
Taliban ties moved the threat of violence and extremism from unlikely to extremely possible. Terrorist influence has made 2007 the deadliest year for international troops from Britain, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and the US. Afghans have shown concern about the troop’s mission in their country and with these massive loses, so has most of the world. The threat of losing the control of the country would become an impacting black veil of terrorism to our country as well as many others. There are few international efforts to stop these extremists, and contributing countries plead for more support from those who seem to be ignoring the struggle. This is a fight on terrorism that affects the world and only a handful of nations are acknowledging this.
Afghan people have grown less confident about the role of US and other countries with NATO in Afghanistan. International help has been lacking and violence is coming back into play bringing a turning point to the country. Failure is becoming an appropriate word for the role of outside countries, and talk of pulling forces out of the region would bring two feared options to its people. If this were to happen the poor government of Afghanistan would undoubtedly fail, and bring rise to the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and other potential warlords. The country would be considered a failed state like it previously was under Taliban and Al Qaeda control. Forces have built up their infrastructure and security and are said to continue to do so. But the effort is no longer progressive in the country and will now be focused on the resurgent Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as containing the opium market.
Taliban ties moved the threat of violence and extremism from unlikely to extremely possible. Terrorist influence has made 2007 the deadliest year for international troops from Britain, Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and the US. Afghans have shown concern about the troop’s mission in their country and with these massive loses, so has most of the world. The threat of losing the control of the country would become an impacting black veil of terrorism to our country as well as many others. There are few international efforts to stop these extremists, and contributing countries plead for more support from those who seem to be ignoring the struggle. This is a fight on terrorism that affects the world and only a handful of nations are acknowledging this.
U.S. Given Poor Marks on the Environment
Andrew Calhoun, Jr. / 1-30-08 / 1:51 PM / Current Event #3 / Pollution
Based on a new international ranking system, that rates how well a country protects it's environment from pollution, the United States placed at the bottom of the top 8 group of industrialized nations and ranked 39th out of the 149 countries that were subject to the survey. The ranking system, which measured sanitation, greenhouse gas emissions, agricultural policies, air pollution and 20 more categories to generate an overall score, gave the US a ranking of 81 out of 100 based. The test determined that the primary problem for the US in regards to pollution is it's greenhouse gas emissions and it's treatment of smog. A statistic in the article credits the US with 25% of the new releases of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the article attempts to reveal to readers that the US is concerned with this condition. One chairman at the White House says to have brought this issue to President Bush 5 years prior to this and claims to have a program that going to address these problems coming within the next 10 years or so. Other countries that ranked low as well include India and China, who ranked among the bottom 25 nations in the indicator that combined all the climate change scores.
I wish this article went alittle more into detail about the program the White House plans to institute to curb our greenhouse gas emissions. I mean, I see some changes occuring like more fuel efficent cars that cut down on emissions, however I don't see an effort to directly confront this problem.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/washington/23enviro.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=pollution&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Based on a new international ranking system, that rates how well a country protects it's environment from pollution, the United States placed at the bottom of the top 8 group of industrialized nations and ranked 39th out of the 149 countries that were subject to the survey. The ranking system, which measured sanitation, greenhouse gas emissions, agricultural policies, air pollution and 20 more categories to generate an overall score, gave the US a ranking of 81 out of 100 based. The test determined that the primary problem for the US in regards to pollution is it's greenhouse gas emissions and it's treatment of smog. A statistic in the article credits the US with 25% of the new releases of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the article attempts to reveal to readers that the US is concerned with this condition. One chairman at the White House says to have brought this issue to President Bush 5 years prior to this and claims to have a program that going to address these problems coming within the next 10 years or so. Other countries that ranked low as well include India and China, who ranked among the bottom 25 nations in the indicator that combined all the climate change scores.
I wish this article went alittle more into detail about the program the White House plans to institute to curb our greenhouse gas emissions. I mean, I see some changes occuring like more fuel efficent cars that cut down on emissions, however I don't see an effort to directly confront this problem.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/washington/23enviro.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=pollution&st=nyt&oref=slogin
European court condemns France for refusing to allow lesbian to adopt
Lamanda(Michelle) Reid/Jan.30,2008/12:35/poverty and inequality
The article European court condemns France for refusing to allow lesbian to adopt was published by the Associated Press on January 22, 2008 in the International Herald Tribune. The article was about a lesbian French woman being ineligible to adopt due to her sexuality. Originally the French courts claimed the denial wasn’t due to her sexuality, but was denied because she acknowledged her partner on her application. French civil codes state that two unmarried people can’t adopt. France stated that the request was denied due to the absence of a paternal image. This in other words means that the woman only identified as E.B. was denied a child due to her sexual preference. The case was appealed to the Grand Chamber, which is a court of 17 European judges. These judges ruled that E.B. should not have been denied the right to adopt. They also ruled that the earlier decision set forth by French court was solely based on her sexual orientation and therefore illegal.
I think that this is the perfect article to show the inequalities of homosexual people versus heterosexual people. It is clearly globally very common for homosexual people to be treated differently due to their sexual preference. Personally I do not one-hundred percent agree with homosexual adoption. I do believe that legally homosexual couples have just as much right to adopt as heterosexual couples. I just feel that homosexual couples should think about the affect their lifestyle will have on their child or children. I believe that every child deserves a loving home. Overall if that couple can provide a loving and stable environment for the child I think they should adopt. But I do not agree with homosexual adoptions moving at a faster pace than heterosexual adoptions due to sexuality. I think that our society is so afraid of being sued that we move certain things along faster than others.
The article European court condemns France for refusing to allow lesbian to adopt was published by the Associated Press on January 22, 2008 in the International Herald Tribune. The article was about a lesbian French woman being ineligible to adopt due to her sexuality. Originally the French courts claimed the denial wasn’t due to her sexuality, but was denied because she acknowledged her partner on her application. French civil codes state that two unmarried people can’t adopt. France stated that the request was denied due to the absence of a paternal image. This in other words means that the woman only identified as E.B. was denied a child due to her sexual preference. The case was appealed to the Grand Chamber, which is a court of 17 European judges. These judges ruled that E.B. should not have been denied the right to adopt. They also ruled that the earlier decision set forth by French court was solely based on her sexual orientation and therefore illegal.
I think that this is the perfect article to show the inequalities of homosexual people versus heterosexual people. It is clearly globally very common for homosexual people to be treated differently due to their sexual preference. Personally I do not one-hundred percent agree with homosexual adoption. I do believe that legally homosexual couples have just as much right to adopt as heterosexual couples. I just feel that homosexual couples should think about the affect their lifestyle will have on their child or children. I believe that every child deserves a loving home. Overall if that couple can provide a loving and stable environment for the child I think they should adopt. But I do not agree with homosexual adoptions moving at a faster pace than heterosexual adoptions due to sexuality. I think that our society is so afraid of being sued that we move certain things along faster than others.
Maternity units forced to turn away expectant mothers because of migrant baby boom that is costing NHS £350m
Matthew Heyes/ 01/30/2008/ 10.30PM/ Population
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=511171&in_page_id=1774
This is an interesting article that examines the effect that immigrants are having on the National Health Service. It is important to consider the political stance of the newspaper on arguing their opinions on the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United Kingdom as well as budgeting priorities. According to the article expecting mothers are being turned away from hospitals due to the rising demand from foreign-born mothers. An investigation showed that the government has not estimated the cost of providing these services.
Once you get away from the political debate there are some interesting figures on immigration into the United Kingdom and comparisons between citizens’ fertility rates and those of immigrants. The number of babies born to British mothers has fallen by around 44,000 each year since 1997 but the number born to foreigners is up by 64,000 a year, or one in four babies. This has raised the overall birth rate to its highest level for 26 years and almost 40,000 more babies were born in 2006 than officials at the Health Department expected.
These figures seem extraordinary and makes one consider the implications on the population of the United Kingdom. Women are continuing to have children at an older age than previous generations as well as an increasing number of immigrants having children leads to a dramatic rise in the birth rate. The infant death rate remained at the lowest level ever, at five deaths per 1,000, the same as for 2005, causing an increased rise in the population.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=511171&in_page_id=1774
This is an interesting article that examines the effect that immigrants are having on the National Health Service. It is important to consider the political stance of the newspaper on arguing their opinions on the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United Kingdom as well as budgeting priorities. According to the article expecting mothers are being turned away from hospitals due to the rising demand from foreign-born mothers. An investigation showed that the government has not estimated the cost of providing these services.
Once you get away from the political debate there are some interesting figures on immigration into the United Kingdom and comparisons between citizens’ fertility rates and those of immigrants. The number of babies born to British mothers has fallen by around 44,000 each year since 1997 but the number born to foreigners is up by 64,000 a year, or one in four babies. This has raised the overall birth rate to its highest level for 26 years and almost 40,000 more babies were born in 2006 than officials at the Health Department expected.
These figures seem extraordinary and makes one consider the implications on the population of the United Kingdom. Women are continuing to have children at an older age than previous generations as well as an increasing number of immigrants having children leads to a dramatic rise in the birth rate. The infant death rate remained at the lowest level ever, at five deaths per 1,000, the same as for 2005, causing an increased rise in the population.
Jazmin Hermosillo/Jan.30,8:47am
Lots of followers to Pope Benedict XVI gathered at his noon Sunday blessing in the Vatican City to show their support after the Vatican canceled the visit to La Sapienza University in Rome because of the protests of about 63 professors and some students saying that they opposed the religious leader speaking at there opening semester ceremony on campus that day. The Vatican said it didn't want make in more uncomfortable the situation then it was already so he canceled it.
The Cardinal Camillo Ruini suspected that there was gona be a very large crowd that would be attending Pope Benedict’s blessing. St. Peter's Square was over flooded with thousands of people. Included in this crowed were a couple of college students from La Sapienza. One mentioned in an interview that he thought that he should show his support for the Pope because as a college student he believed that everyone should have the opportunity to speak on his/her views and then you should comment on them, but you should give them the opportunity to speak at least and that he thought it very unfair for his fellow students and professors to have done something like that of last week.
Pope Benedict mentioned that he would like it that college students as well as professors respect other peoples opinions on things and that they should be open to new ideas and opinions and that they should search for truth and goodness with a free and responsible spirit.
I think that the Pope has every right to say these things because it’s not right for all these students and professors to question his opinions and they should be open to what they hear. They just can’t get mad over something he said and hold it against him forever. Well what ever happens I’m glad that supporters went out to his Sunday Blessing to show their support because that’s what he needs.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22755555/
The Cardinal Camillo Ruini suspected that there was gona be a very large crowd that would be attending Pope Benedict’s blessing. St. Peter's Square was over flooded with thousands of people. Included in this crowed were a couple of college students from La Sapienza. One mentioned in an interview that he thought that he should show his support for the Pope because as a college student he believed that everyone should have the opportunity to speak on his/her views and then you should comment on them, but you should give them the opportunity to speak at least and that he thought it very unfair for his fellow students and professors to have done something like that of last week.
Pope Benedict mentioned that he would like it that college students as well as professors respect other peoples opinions on things and that they should be open to new ideas and opinions and that they should search for truth and goodness with a free and responsible spirit.
I think that the Pope has every right to say these things because it’s not right for all these students and professors to question his opinions and they should be open to what they hear. They just can’t get mad over something he said and hold it against him forever. Well what ever happens I’m glad that supporters went out to his Sunday Blessing to show their support because that’s what he needs.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22755555/
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Maternity units forced to turn away expectant mothers because of migrant baby boom that is costing NHS £350m
Matthew Heyes/ 01/30/2008/ 10.30PM/ Population
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=511171&in_page_id=1774
This is an interesting article that examines the effect that immigrants are having on the National Health Service. It is important to consider the political stance of the newspaper on arguing their opinions on the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United Kingdom as well as budgeting priorities. According to the article expecting mothers are being turned away from hospitals due to the rising demand from foreign-born mothers. An investigation showed that the government has not estimated the cost of providing these services.
Once you get away from the political debate there are some interesting figures on immigration into the United Kingdom and comparisons between citizens’ fertility rates and those of immigrants. The number of babies born to British mothers has fallen by around 44,000 each year since 1997 but the number born to foreigners is up by 64,000 a year, or one in four babies. This has raised the overall birth rate to its highest level for 26 years and almost 40,000 more babies were born in 2006 than officials at the Health Department expected.
These figures seem extraordinary and makes one consider the implications on the population of the United Kingdom. Women are continuing to have children at an older age than previous generations as well as an increasing number of immigrants having children leads to a dramatic rise in the birth rate. The infant death rate remained at the lowest level ever, at five deaths per 1,000, the same as for 2005, causing an increased rise in the population.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=511171&in_page_id=1774
This is an interesting article that examines the effect that immigrants are having on the National Health Service. It is important to consider the political stance of the newspaper on arguing their opinions on the number of immigrants allowed entry into the United Kingdom as well as budgeting priorities. According to the article expecting mothers are being turned away from hospitals due to the rising demand from foreign-born mothers. An investigation showed that the government has not estimated the cost of providing these services.
Once you get away from the political debate there are some interesting figures on immigration into the United Kingdom and comparisons between citizens’ fertility rates and those of immigrants. The number of babies born to British mothers has fallen by around 44,000 each year since 1997 but the number born to foreigners is up by 64,000 a year, or one in four babies. This has raised the overall birth rate to its highest level for 26 years and almost 40,000 more babies were born in 2006 than officials at the Health Department expected.
These figures seem extraordinary and makes one consider the implications on the population of the United Kingdom. Women are continuing to have children at an older age than previous generations as well as an increasing number of immigrants having children leads to a dramatic rise in the birth rate. The infant death rate remained at the lowest level ever, at five deaths per 1,000, the same as for 2005, causing an increased rise in the population.
Egypt and Hamas in Rafah crossing
Hamid Benbella/
Israeli siege on Gaza,and Hamas's catastrophic policies lead to Plalestinian ' people suffering, Egypt has been thrown into the eye of the hurricane on both Arab and international levels. The country has been embroiled in a crisis at the hands of Hamas.
Egypt's sternness regarding the closure of the Rafah border crossing will cause it to be perceived as an accomplice to Israel in besieging the Palestinians:however ,opening the crossing will implicate it with the international community as it would implicity mean that Egypt accepts Isamel Haniyah's government.Therfore ,Hamas,led by Khaled Meshaal, has imposed the present reality upon Cairo without rectifying its coup.
This is why Egypt is now trapped; because Hamas decided to escape by moving forward and elevating international pressure from Israel by embroiling Egypt.It imposed a reality of Egyptian-Palestinian confrontation instead of Palestinian-Israeli confrontation: today, the whole World is more concerned about the crisis of the Rafah crossing and Egypt than about the [Israeli] siege on Gaza.
There was a state of confusion in dealing with the Hamas issue since the cases is not confined to Hamas alone ; rather , it involves those who support it. Hamas could carry out political roles that topple the legitimate Palestinian Authority and put the Arab countries in a difficult political position .
Israeli siege on Gaza,and Hamas's catastrophic policies lead to Plalestinian ' people suffering, Egypt has been thrown into the eye of the hurricane on both Arab and international levels. The country has been embroiled in a crisis at the hands of Hamas.
Egypt's sternness regarding the closure of the Rafah border crossing will cause it to be perceived as an accomplice to Israel in besieging the Palestinians:however ,opening the crossing will implicate it with the international community as it would implicity mean that Egypt accepts Isamel Haniyah's government.Therfore ,Hamas,led by Khaled Meshaal, has imposed the present reality upon Cairo without rectifying its coup.
This is why Egypt is now trapped; because Hamas decided to escape by moving forward and elevating international pressure from Israel by embroiling Egypt.It imposed a reality of Egyptian-Palestinian confrontation instead of Palestinian-Israeli confrontation: today, the whole World is more concerned about the crisis of the Rafah crossing and Egypt than about the [Israeli] siege on Gaza.
There was a state of confusion in dealing with the Hamas issue since the cases is not confined to Hamas alone ; rather , it involves those who support it. Hamas could carry out political roles that topple the legitimate Palestinian Authority and put the Arab countries in a difficult political position .
EC - Sites of Conscience: Activating Historic Sites for Human
Liz Sevcenko, founding Director of the International Coalition of Historic
Site Museums of Conscience, will speak this Wednesday, January 30 from
4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Moore Humanities Building (MHRA) rm. 2209. Her
talk--“Sites of Conscience: Activating Historic Sites for Human
Rights”--will describe how confronting difficult historical memories can
foster public dialogue on pressing contemporary issues.
The Coalition of Historic Site Museums of Conscience works with over 1300
initiatives in more than 90 countries—from the District 6 Museum in South
Africa to the Gulag Museum in Russia to the National Civil Rights Museum in
Memphis:
http://www.sitesofconscience.org/index.php/home/en/
Attend, write a 2-3 page paper summarizing and reacting to the film. +10%
Site Museums of Conscience, will speak this Wednesday, January 30 from
4:00-5:00 p.m. in the Moore Humanities Building (MHRA) rm. 2209. Her
talk--“Sites of Conscience: Activating Historic Sites for Human
Rights”--will describe how confronting difficult historical memories can
foster public dialogue on pressing contemporary issues.
The Coalition of Historic Site Museums of Conscience works with over 1300
initiatives in more than 90 countries—from the District 6 Museum in South
Africa to the Gulag Museum in Russia to the National Civil Rights Museum in
Memphis:
http://www.sitesofconscience.org/index.php/home/en/
Attend, write a 2-3 page paper summarizing and reacting to the film. +10%
EC - Russian Studies film series
The Russian Studies film series will kick off tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan 29 at 6:30pm in HHRA 1215. The film, White Sun of the Desert, a Soviet era look at images of Central Asia, will be preceded by a talk by Dr. Paula Michaels and will be followed by refreshments.
Attend, write a 2-3 page paper summarizing and reacting to the film. +10%
Attend, write a 2-3 page paper summarizing and reacting to the film. +10%
Monday, January 28, 2008
Zimbabwe: Citizens Face Xenophobia as They Flee Their Country
Emily Mader/28/01/2008/7:25pm/Human Rights
As the economy of
I couldn’t help but think about the parallels between this situation in
PAKISTAN: Bonded labourers, children eke out existence at brick kilns
Breanna Fehr, January 28, 2008. 4:20 pm. Labor Problems
Twelve-year-old Salamat Ahmed who wears a smile and wishes to become a cricket player bears burn marks from working up to fourteen hours a day in a brick factory. He describes how he has been doing this work since he was six years old, or helping his mother when he was even younger. He says that his family “belongs” to the brick kiln owner.
The International Labour Organization says that 1.7 million people that are bonded labourers in Pakistan. Even though there are laws that ban bonded labor forced labor often remains through debt bondage. This happens when owners advance money to the laborers to meet needs. Since the laborers make such low wages the loans cannot be paid back right away, in some cases it could take many years. The workers cannot leave the companies until they can pay off their debts. This is what Salamat Ahmed meant when he said his family “belongs” to the brick kiln owner.
PILER (Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research) did a study that showed that half of the workers at the brick kilns are women or children. Most of the children who work do not attend school, and when the female children are not working they are tending to domestic needs. Most children who work at the kilns do not go to school. Over the past three or four years social organizations have persuaded kiln owners to set up small schools working for them. Even though these schools are limited in what they can teach they give these children a ray of hope.
I think it is terrible that these families are so indebted to someone that they have to have their children work as well. Most of these families can not survive without their children working with them. It is terrible that these companies can get away with having such young children working such long hours even with the laws against it. It is a form of slavery; these people literally see themselves as belonging to these companies.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76296
Twelve-year-old Salamat Ahmed who wears a smile and wishes to become a cricket player bears burn marks from working up to fourteen hours a day in a brick factory. He describes how he has been doing this work since he was six years old, or helping his mother when he was even younger. He says that his family “belongs” to the brick kiln owner.
The International Labour Organization says that 1.7 million people that are bonded labourers in Pakistan. Even though there are laws that ban bonded labor forced labor often remains through debt bondage. This happens when owners advance money to the laborers to meet needs. Since the laborers make such low wages the loans cannot be paid back right away, in some cases it could take many years. The workers cannot leave the companies until they can pay off their debts. This is what Salamat Ahmed meant when he said his family “belongs” to the brick kiln owner.
PILER (Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research) did a study that showed that half of the workers at the brick kilns are women or children. Most of the children who work do not attend school, and when the female children are not working they are tending to domestic needs. Most children who work at the kilns do not go to school. Over the past three or four years social organizations have persuaded kiln owners to set up small schools working for them. Even though these schools are limited in what they can teach they give these children a ray of hope.
I think it is terrible that these families are so indebted to someone that they have to have their children work as well. Most of these families can not survive without their children working with them. It is terrible that these companies can get away with having such young children working such long hours even with the laws against it. It is a form of slavery; these people literally see themselves as belonging to these companies.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76296
Beijing to Raise Fines on Elites Who Violate the One-Child Rule
Matthew Heyes/ 01/22/2008/ 9PM/ Population
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/world/asia/22china.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
This article refers to the one child rule that has been in effect in China for the last thirty years. The Chinese population is the biggest in the world, with 1.3 billion people. The rule was introduced to control the growth of this vast population and to conserve natural resources, and has been credited with preventing 400 million births.
The one child rule has several consequences. The first creates a gender imbalance, as males are deemed more desirable than females if the couple is only able to have the one child. Because of this many pregnancies are terminated if the couple find out that the child will be female, this raises many ethical issues about the rule. There is also an imbalance between the number of young and elderly as the birth control reduces the work force needed to support the elderly.
Another problem with the current rule is the fines that people face for breaking this rule. Put simply, a fine may ruin poor families, the affluent are barely affected. This will prolong, if not increase, inequality in China and the wealth gap between the richest and poorest. This is a main point of the article as family planning authorities are planning to increase the fines for the wealthy and reduce their ability to use their status in some cases to avoid paying fines at all.
I think that this is a fair and just initiative that will reduce inequality in China in the short term. While the law is controlling population growth it is important to consider the long term consequences for the elderly who should soon notice the effects of a reduced workforce, the poor will suffer greatly.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/world/asia/22china.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
This article refers to the one child rule that has been in effect in China for the last thirty years. The Chinese population is the biggest in the world, with 1.3 billion people. The rule was introduced to control the growth of this vast population and to conserve natural resources, and has been credited with preventing 400 million births.
The one child rule has several consequences. The first creates a gender imbalance, as males are deemed more desirable than females if the couple is only able to have the one child. Because of this many pregnancies are terminated if the couple find out that the child will be female, this raises many ethical issues about the rule. There is also an imbalance between the number of young and elderly as the birth control reduces the work force needed to support the elderly.
Another problem with the current rule is the fines that people face for breaking this rule. Put simply, a fine may ruin poor families, the affluent are barely affected. This will prolong, if not increase, inequality in China and the wealth gap between the richest and poorest. This is a main point of the article as family planning authorities are planning to increase the fines for the wealthy and reduce their ability to use their status in some cases to avoid paying fines at all.
I think that this is a fair and just initiative that will reduce inequality in China in the short term. While the law is controlling population growth it is important to consider the long term consequences for the elderly who should soon notice the effects of a reduced workforce, the poor will suffer greatly.
Little Cambodia, Growing Still Littler
Matthew Heyes/ 01/17/2008/ 9PM/ Population
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/nyregion/thecity/20camb.html
This article tells the story of Cambodian immigrants who came to America and settled in New York, most of which in the Bronx neighbourhood. The majority of immigrants arrived in the 1980s, after fleeing the repressive Khmer Rouge regime, which fell in 1979 and claimed nearly two million lives. Violence, lack of job opportunities and poor living conditions in the Bronx has led to many Cambodians moving out of this slightly segregated environment to other areas of the country. A vast cultural difference to other nationalities was blamed for this segregation. Immigrants from nations such as Vietnam fared better due to the cultural similarities shared with the Chinese. The majority of those left are the older generation or those in poor health. Second generation youth are looking elsewhere for education, employment and a higher standard of living.
I think that for the Cambodians to succeed and prosper in America they need to move out of an enclosed and segregated community. This is not only true for the residents of Little Cambodia, but also for any immigrant population. This movement should lessen the alienation caused by vast cultural differences. A higher standard of living will be achieved through better education and subsequent employment.
However this movement will do little for the elder generation, unwilling or unable to move. No doubt the living conditions in the neighbourhood will remain the same and either another batch of immigrants or more poor people will be forced into the area and suffer the same conditions.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/nyregion/thecity/20camb.html
This article tells the story of Cambodian immigrants who came to America and settled in New York, most of which in the Bronx neighbourhood. The majority of immigrants arrived in the 1980s, after fleeing the repressive Khmer Rouge regime, which fell in 1979 and claimed nearly two million lives. Violence, lack of job opportunities and poor living conditions in the Bronx has led to many Cambodians moving out of this slightly segregated environment to other areas of the country. A vast cultural difference to other nationalities was blamed for this segregation. Immigrants from nations such as Vietnam fared better due to the cultural similarities shared with the Chinese. The majority of those left are the older generation or those in poor health. Second generation youth are looking elsewhere for education, employment and a higher standard of living.
I think that for the Cambodians to succeed and prosper in America they need to move out of an enclosed and segregated community. This is not only true for the residents of Little Cambodia, but also for any immigrant population. This movement should lessen the alienation caused by vast cultural differences. A higher standard of living will be achieved through better education and subsequent employment.
However this movement will do little for the elder generation, unwilling or unable to move. No doubt the living conditions in the neighbourhood will remain the same and either another batch of immigrants or more poor people will be forced into the area and suffer the same conditions.
Gangs Face Off in Kenya Violence
Nakita Knight 1/28/08 at 2:46pm/global crime
There has been raging violence going on in Naivasha, Kenya since last monday. These violent acts occured between two rival tribes called the Kikiyu and the Luo. The two confronted each other in Naivasha and really duked it out! The gangs through machetes, clubs, and rocks at each other. The uproar slightly ceased when a handful of police officers came and fired bullets into the air. This didn't stop the violence, however. Various crimes countinued throught the week. About 130 miles from Naivasha in a town called Kisumu, armed mobs set some houses on fire, forcing police to open fire. The trouble is that the Kikiyu tribe is upset with the Luo being in their territory. These acts of violence have been occuring since their December 27th election when President Mwai Kibaki to office. Some 500 to 1,000 people have been killed since the election.
Clearly, this battle is a claim of territory. These type of battles have gone back to the most ancient times. I'm not saying that it's right because it most definitely isn't. It's very unfortunate that innocent people are being killed because of there location. What I am saying is that this is definitely nothing new. Tribes and empires have created bloodbaths over land for centuries now. It's sort of a way of life. If you think about it, we do it in our own society. I live in this neighborhood which is this part of Greensboro. You live in that neighborhood which is that part of Greensboro. We don't associate, because we're not from the same area. We didn't grow up the same, we don't dress the same, and we don't share the same customs. When we see each other in public, we don't have to get violent. But, look at me funny and we can go there! Fortunately, our societies aren't nearly as violent. But we do have our own gang violence, which in a large part has to do with territorial claim as well.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/01/28/kenya.violence/index.html
There has been raging violence going on in Naivasha, Kenya since last monday. These violent acts occured between two rival tribes called the Kikiyu and the Luo. The two confronted each other in Naivasha and really duked it out! The gangs through machetes, clubs, and rocks at each other. The uproar slightly ceased when a handful of police officers came and fired bullets into the air. This didn't stop the violence, however. Various crimes countinued throught the week. About 130 miles from Naivasha in a town called Kisumu, armed mobs set some houses on fire, forcing police to open fire. The trouble is that the Kikiyu tribe is upset with the Luo being in their territory. These acts of violence have been occuring since their December 27th election when President Mwai Kibaki to office. Some 500 to 1,000 people have been killed since the election.
Clearly, this battle is a claim of territory. These type of battles have gone back to the most ancient times. I'm not saying that it's right because it most definitely isn't. It's very unfortunate that innocent people are being killed because of there location. What I am saying is that this is definitely nothing new. Tribes and empires have created bloodbaths over land for centuries now. It's sort of a way of life. If you think about it, we do it in our own society. I live in this neighborhood which is this part of Greensboro. You live in that neighborhood which is that part of Greensboro. We don't associate, because we're not from the same area. We didn't grow up the same, we don't dress the same, and we don't share the same customs. When we see each other in public, we don't have to get violent. But, look at me funny and we can go there! Fortunately, our societies aren't nearly as violent. But we do have our own gang violence, which in a large part has to do with territorial claim as well.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/01/28/kenya.violence/index.html
Sociology Club
UNCG SOCIOLOGY CLUB
Thursday's meeting was successful! A great number of new faces showed up, eager to work this semester. The activities planned for this semester are very exciting, however there will be no activities during the months of January nor May. February through April will be filled with events. Each month we will host a speaker, social event, volunteer opportunity, screening/cause, and fundraiser. We still need fundraiser ideas. For the month of February our social event will be a potluck on Sunday, February 10th at 7pm at Casey Strange's home. (Directions will be e-mailed later). There will be a sign up sheet on the board for items to bring. Our fundraiser for Feb. will be a bake sale on Feb. 13th & Feb. 14th. There will be sign up sheets for items to bring as well as times to sell. Wednesday, Feb. 20th Dr. Sils will be hosting an immigration panel from 2pm-3pm. We need to attend! If you are interested in being a mentor to a high school student(one hr. per week), e-mail the account by Wednesday! We have lots to do this month, and much more in March. Look forward to a busy, yet productive semester! Meetings are every other Thursday at 5pm. The next meeting will be February 7th.
Thursday's meeting was successful! A great number of new faces showed up, eager to work this semester. The activities planned for this semester are very exciting, however there will be no activities during the months of January nor May. February through April will be filled with events. Each month we will host a speaker, social event, volunteer opportunity, screening/cause, and fundraiser. We still need fundraiser ideas. For the month of February our social event will be a potluck on Sunday, February 10th at 7pm at Casey Strange's home. (Directions will be e-mailed later). There will be a sign up sheet on the board for items to bring. Our fundraiser for Feb. will be a bake sale on Feb. 13th & Feb. 14th. There will be sign up sheets for items to bring as well as times to sell. Wednesday, Feb. 20th Dr. Sils will be hosting an immigration panel from 2pm-3pm. We need to attend! If you are interested in being a mentor to a high school student(one hr. per week), e-mail the account by Wednesday! We have lots to do this month, and much more in March. Look forward to a busy, yet productive semester! Meetings are every other Thursday at 5pm. The next meeting will be February 7th.
Interested in Crime? - Comparative Criminology
Comparative Criminology: "Those wishing to do further research on a particular country can explore Websites that have been used in developing this Website. To go to the page that lists all of these links, click on the following link: Internet Links for Comparative Criminology"
EC - FOCUS THE NATION, UNCG Sustainability Committee, UNCG
FOCUS THE NATION, UNCG Sustainability Committee, UNCG: "FOCUS THE NATION
Schedule of Events"
Attend one of the talks, summarize the talk and provide your reaction in a 2-3 page paper +10 pts
Schedule of Events"
Attend one of the talks, summarize the talk and provide your reaction in a 2-3 page paper +10 pts
EC - A New, Global Oil Quandary: Costly Fuel Means Costly Calories - New York Times
A New, Global Oil Quandary: Costly Fuel Means Costly Calories - New York Times: "KUANTAN, Malaysia — Rising prices for cooking oil are forcing residents of Asia’s largest slum, in Mumbai, India, to ration every drop. Bakeries in the United States are fretting over higher shortening costs. And here in Malaysia, brand-new factories built to convert vegetable oil into diesel sit idle, their owners unable to afford the raw material."
Read the entire article, look at the multimedia, synthesize this with the textbook readings on global supply chain and write a 2-3 page reaction paper...
Read the entire article, look at the multimedia, synthesize this with the textbook readings on global supply chain and write a 2-3 page reaction paper...
They Call Him Nasty Nick
Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, a UK slumlord, will come before a magistrate today in Zimbabwe. He is purported to be a long time associate and friend of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s President for the last 27 years and the man seen by many since 2001 as personally responsible for sinking his country into economic chaos with his land redistribution policies and heavy-handed politics. Zimbabwe was once known as the bread basket of Africa, and boasted the best education system in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a current literacy rate of 94%. Now the economy has spiraled so far out of control that the exchange rate is 15,000 Zimbabwean dollars to one US dollar, and inflation hovers at a rate of around 5000%. Government price fixing in an attempt to slow the rampant inflation has only caused manufacturers and other businesses to report that they simply can’t afford to produce their goods, such as bread and other basic commodities, for such prices when they are paying for raw materials at the inflationary rates. Starvation threatens every day, forcing an average of 3000 Zimbabweans per day to vote with their feet and flee to “plentiful” South Africa, or to the UK or the US if they can afford it. It is disputed whether Mugabe’s policies are truly responsible for this, or whether “the West” and transnational corporations bear the bulk of responsibility in their quest to profit and “superprofit” from Zimbabwe’s plentiful sources of gold, platinum, and copper, as well as coal and other minerals. One of Mugabe’s stopgap measures has been to outlaw the use of foreign currency inside Zimbabwe, and it is this law that his “friend” has fallen foul of. He was arrested on Saturday at his home in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, one of several homes which have escaped a 6 million pound judgment against him from a British court, awarded to the family of a business rival. He was convicted of hiring two men to kill the business rival, Muhammed Raja, who had begun fraud proceedings against him, but the murder conviction was overturned on appeal, and he was instead convicted and sentenced for manslaughter. He served one year of the ten year sentence, then was freed. Muhammed Raja’s family then sued the billionaire tycoon and won a judgment against him of 6 million pounds. Van Hoogstraten has since refused to pay any of the judgment, and is thought to have moved to Zimbabwe, where he owns many properties, in order to avoid this financial judgment. Van Hoogstraten, who is thought to hold hundreds of millions of pounds in properties in the UK and Zimbabwe, is infamous for using such tricks as removing roofs and staircases to induce tenants to pay, and is known by the nickname of Nasty Nick. The equivalent of around 716,000 USD was found in various currencies, mostly Zimbabwean, in his home during the arrest. He is alleged to have demanded six months worth of rent from tenants in foreign currencies rather than the devalued Zimbabwean dollar. This is a violation of the Exchange Control Regulations of Zimbabwe. Pornographic magazines were also seized, and charges will be filed for his possession of these as well. One wonders how close a friend he can be of the President of the country in which he has just been arrested. It should certainly play out in the trial.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,1685103,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7210972.stm
Malaysian Islamic Party Still Wants Stonings
Chelsea Wills/ Soc. 202/Religious Conflicts/Jan.17, 2008 http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=4147542
Malaysia's Islamist opposition party is trying to gain support from non- Muslims for its election campaign to support strict Sharia law, including amputations and stonings, for the Muslims. Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) is trying to gain support from minority groups in a predominantly Muslim area, and political experts are predicting that they will be fought on the basis of rising street crime.
"An Egyptian-educated scholar, Nik Aziz said non-Muslims had nothing to fear from strict sharia punishments, known as hudud, and a lot to gain from them, especially Malaysia's large and wealthy ethnic Chinese minority."" This is an exact quote from the article describing the opinion of a man supporting the political campaign. He also proceeded to say "It is more important for the Chinese to accept hudud laws because those who steal do not steal from the poor," If the campaign does succeed, the hudud laws will not apply to non-Muslims. Nik Aziz's home is located next to a mosque and a religious school in a traditional Malay village. Malay's are defined as Muslim under the constitution. He also mentioned that thieves steal from the rich which are often the Chinese, and if thieves were amputated you would be able to tell that they had stolen before therefore everyone would be afraid and wouldn't steal.
Malaysia, which was once a collection of Islamic kingdoms, and still holds Islam as its only official religion has recently experienced a lot of Chinese and Indian migration. Throughout the past two centuries they have experienced extreme racial and religious changes.
I don't really understand what makes the political party believe that non-Muslims will support their campaign for these laws when they don't apply to them anyways. I don't see how these laws will help their community considering that they do not apply to everyone. And Nik Aziz believes it will help in that you will be able to identify a thief by their amputations, but what if there is a non-Muslim thief? I can see how this would be a very controversial campaign.
Malaysia's Islamist opposition party is trying to gain support from non- Muslims for its election campaign to support strict Sharia law, including amputations and stonings, for the Muslims. Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) is trying to gain support from minority groups in a predominantly Muslim area, and political experts are predicting that they will be fought on the basis of rising street crime.
"An Egyptian-educated scholar, Nik Aziz said non-Muslims had nothing to fear from strict sharia punishments, known as hudud, and a lot to gain from them, especially Malaysia's large and wealthy ethnic Chinese minority."" This is an exact quote from the article describing the opinion of a man supporting the political campaign. He also proceeded to say "It is more important for the Chinese to accept hudud laws because those who steal do not steal from the poor," If the campaign does succeed, the hudud laws will not apply to non-Muslims. Nik Aziz's home is located next to a mosque and a religious school in a traditional Malay village. Malay's are defined as Muslim under the constitution. He also mentioned that thieves steal from the rich which are often the Chinese, and if thieves were amputated you would be able to tell that they had stolen before therefore everyone would be afraid and wouldn't steal.
Malaysia, which was once a collection of Islamic kingdoms, and still holds Islam as its only official religion has recently experienced a lot of Chinese and Indian migration. Throughout the past two centuries they have experienced extreme racial and religious changes.
I don't really understand what makes the political party believe that non-Muslims will support their campaign for these laws when they don't apply to them anyways. I don't see how these laws will help their community considering that they do not apply to everyone. And Nik Aziz believes it will help in that you will be able to identify a thief by their amputations, but what if there is a non-Muslim thief? I can see how this would be a very controversial campaign.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Little Cambodia, Growing Still Littler
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/nyregion/thecity/20camb.html
This article tells the story of Cambodiam immigrants who came to America and settled in New York, many of which in the 1980s, after fleeing the repressive Khmer Rouge regime, which fell in 1979 and claimed nearly two million lives. Violence, lack of job opportunities and poor living conditions in the Bronx, where the main settlement was, has led to many Cambodians moving out of this slightly segregated environment to other areas of the country. A vast cultural difference to other nationalities was blamed for this. The majority of those left are the older generation or those in poor health. Second generation youth are looking elsewhere for education, employment and a higher standard of living.
This article tells the story of Cambodiam immigrants who came to America and settled in New York, many of which in the 1980s, after fleeing the repressive Khmer Rouge regime, which fell in 1979 and claimed nearly two million lives. Violence, lack of job opportunities and poor living conditions in the Bronx, where the main settlement was, has led to many Cambodians moving out of this slightly segregated environment to other areas of the country. A vast cultural difference to other nationalities was blamed for this. The majority of those left are the older generation or those in poor health. Second generation youth are looking elsewhere for education, employment and a higher standard of living.
Beijing to Raise Fines on Elites Who Violate the One-Child Rule By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEIJING (AP) — Celebrity has its perks, but in Beijing, large families are not one of them.
Family planning authorities in the city intend to increase fines for the rich and famous in an attempt to stem growing violations of the Communist government’s strict limits on the number of children the Chinese are permitted to have, the official Xinhua news agency reported Monday.
Fines for violating the policy can bankrupt an average family. But they are easily paid by the wealthy and famous, who in some cases can use their influence to avoid paying fines entirely.
While the exact amounts were still being debated, fines for the wealthy will be set many times higher than the fines for other Chinese, Xinhua said, quoting the director of Beijing’s family planning commission.
The announcement follows recent reports in the state news media bemoaning the brazen flouting of family planning policies by government officials, successful businessmen, athletes, entertainers and others among the country’s newly wealthy.
“Celebrities and well-off people should not have any privileges for having more children,” Zhang Weiqing, director of the State Commission on Family Planning, was quoted as telling officials at a recent meeting.
Mr. Zhang said that while he believed that only a small number of celebrities were in violation of the policy limiting family size, their fame ensured that their behavior had an amplified “negative social influence,” the report said.
China limits most urban couples to one child and rural families to two in an attempt to control population growth and to conserve natural resources. China is the world’s most populous nation, with 1.3 billion people.
The limits, instituted about 30 years ago, have been credited with preventing 400 million births.
However, there have been some side effects, including a gender imbalance reflecting the traditional preference for male offspring, and the prospect of a shrinking work force to support large numbers of elderly people.
The one child rule has several consequences. The first creates a gender inbalance as males are deemed more desirable than females if the couple is only able to have the one child. Because of this many pregnancies are terminated if the couple find out that the child will be female, this raises many ethical issues about the rule.
Another problem with the current rule is the fines that people face for breaking this rule. Put simply, poor families may be ruined by a fine, the affluent are barely affected. This will prolong, if not increase, inequality in China and the wealth gap between the richest and poorest.
Family planning authorities in the city intend to increase fines for the rich and famous in an attempt to stem growing violations of the Communist government’s strict limits on the number of children the Chinese are permitted to have, the official Xinhua news agency reported Monday.
Fines for violating the policy can bankrupt an average family. But they are easily paid by the wealthy and famous, who in some cases can use their influence to avoid paying fines entirely.
While the exact amounts were still being debated, fines for the wealthy will be set many times higher than the fines for other Chinese, Xinhua said, quoting the director of Beijing’s family planning commission.
The announcement follows recent reports in the state news media bemoaning the brazen flouting of family planning policies by government officials, successful businessmen, athletes, entertainers and others among the country’s newly wealthy.
“Celebrities and well-off people should not have any privileges for having more children,” Zhang Weiqing, director of the State Commission on Family Planning, was quoted as telling officials at a recent meeting.
Mr. Zhang said that while he believed that only a small number of celebrities were in violation of the policy limiting family size, their fame ensured that their behavior had an amplified “negative social influence,” the report said.
China limits most urban couples to one child and rural families to two in an attempt to control population growth and to conserve natural resources. China is the world’s most populous nation, with 1.3 billion people.
The limits, instituted about 30 years ago, have been credited with preventing 400 million births.
However, there have been some side effects, including a gender imbalance reflecting the traditional preference for male offspring, and the prospect of a shrinking work force to support large numbers of elderly people.
The one child rule has several consequences. The first creates a gender inbalance as males are deemed more desirable than females if the couple is only able to have the one child. Because of this many pregnancies are terminated if the couple find out that the child will be female, this raises many ethical issues about the rule.
Another problem with the current rule is the fines that people face for breaking this rule. Put simply, poor families may be ruined by a fine, the affluent are barely affected. This will prolong, if not increase, inequality in China and the wealth gap between the richest and poorest.
Droughts bad for food production, say UN scientists
Joey Sawyer/Sociology 202/ Sunday/ January 27/ 3:00 pm
According to an article on www.guardian.co.uk there is a global problem on the rise. This problem is caused primarily by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels. These gases are able to trap heat from the sun closer to the earth, thus raising the global temperature, which in turn alters global weather patterns over a long period of time, or "climate", as the meteorologists call it. This article was primarily concerned with the change in rainfall in various parts of the globe. Rainfall allegedly has a direct relationship to the amount of food persons and peoples living in subsistence farm settings around the world have access to.
Official government officials that make money researching these sorts of things agree that 34 countries are having some sort of drought that is leading to a food shortage. The most affected areas are in Africa, particularly east Africa. Sudan is deteriorating as well as Ethiopia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Eritrea. The Kalahari desert is predicted to spread its sand across much of southern Africa and the vegetation containing it dries up. Several countries in central America are also suffering from droughts. Southern Asia too, the list goes on.
It is a cruel coincidence that our habits and way of life have indirectly caused impoverished nations to suffer worse than they ever have before. As we continue driving to work everyday and complaining about gas prices, they are having increased desertification, some of the lowest crop production in ten years, and a constantly increasing population. These droughts are predicted to incur a need for aid for 30 million people around the world, half of which will go hungry without it. This half happens to be primarily in Africa. If all the people affected recieve the food they need to survive from outside help, it is likely the population will increase and the source of the problem will not go away fast enough to make up for it, so the problem of starvation will only get worse. Is it our responsibility to feed these people? Some may say yes because of religious views. Some may say yes because it was our environmental impact that worsened their situations. Some may say yes simply because it makes them feel good to think that they are helping someone that needs help. Some may say the population itself needs help. It needs regulation of some kind. They may say it is less humane to string along an increasing population of starving people with enough food to create more starving mouths to feed and no more.
I think a lot of Americans are beginning to question the sustainability of our own way of life in the "global north", But it may also be prudent to question the sustainability in the starving nations with nominal health care. Perhaps coming together as a world of people requires more effort than handing out sacks of extraneous grain the government bought from a huge subsidized farm.
According to an article on www.guardian.co.uk there is a global problem on the rise. This problem is caused primarily by the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels. These gases are able to trap heat from the sun closer to the earth, thus raising the global temperature, which in turn alters global weather patterns over a long period of time, or "climate", as the meteorologists call it. This article was primarily concerned with the change in rainfall in various parts of the globe. Rainfall allegedly has a direct relationship to the amount of food persons and peoples living in subsistence farm settings around the world have access to.
Official government officials that make money researching these sorts of things agree that 34 countries are having some sort of drought that is leading to a food shortage. The most affected areas are in Africa, particularly east Africa. Sudan is deteriorating as well as Ethiopia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Eritrea. The Kalahari desert is predicted to spread its sand across much of southern Africa and the vegetation containing it dries up. Several countries in central America are also suffering from droughts. Southern Asia too, the list goes on.
It is a cruel coincidence that our habits and way of life have indirectly caused impoverished nations to suffer worse than they ever have before. As we continue driving to work everyday and complaining about gas prices, they are having increased desertification, some of the lowest crop production in ten years, and a constantly increasing population. These droughts are predicted to incur a need for aid for 30 million people around the world, half of which will go hungry without it. This half happens to be primarily in Africa. If all the people affected recieve the food they need to survive from outside help, it is likely the population will increase and the source of the problem will not go away fast enough to make up for it, so the problem of starvation will only get worse. Is it our responsibility to feed these people? Some may say yes because of religious views. Some may say yes because it was our environmental impact that worsened their situations. Some may say yes simply because it makes them feel good to think that they are helping someone that needs help. Some may say the population itself needs help. It needs regulation of some kind. They may say it is less humane to string along an increasing population of starving people with enough food to create more starving mouths to feed and no more.
I think a lot of Americans are beginning to question the sustainability of our own way of life in the "global north", But it may also be prudent to question the sustainability in the starving nations with nominal health care. Perhaps coming together as a world of people requires more effort than handing out sacks of extraneous grain the government bought from a huge subsidized farm.
Carla Neal/Jan, 27 2008 2:35pm/Musharraf’s remarks on democracy slammed
This article was a response to some of President Musharraf’s(leader of
The responses to Musharraf’s latest speeches convey how fed up people are becoming of his continued excuses and lack of action. Opposing parties of the president were irate with his latest statements, claiming that the country was indeed ready for democracy and that Musharraf was just trying to keep hold of his country through dictatorial method and military rule. Another group, The Pakistan People’s Party states that Musharraf is just insecure, worrying about what will happen to him(his future) if democracy is applied in Pakistan. Governments and leaders of other countries are becoming increasingly annoyed with the same excuses time after time as well as annoyed with the delay of the President to help bring about the change of democracy in his country for the betterment of his people. But for some reason Musharraf is trying to delay or avoid democracy for his country.
While I do agree that a democracy cannot be developed in a short period of time, I believe that the main focus of a leader should be the welfare and happiness of it’s people, so while I can accept the President’s excuse that democracy can’t grow overnight, I believe his motives are more selfish than anything(power) and that he is not thinking of the betterment of his people(democracy or not).
http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/24/stories/2008012455371400.htm
Friday, January 25, 2008
The Starvelings: Hunger has an even bigger impact on children’s health than thought
Barbara Navarro/Jan. 25, 2007/ 4:50/ Heath issues
One of the children of Badaam died from tetanus. She is a woman who lives in the Indian province of Rajasthan. She has another who is weak from diarrhoea, caused probably by the custom of keeping mother and baby isolated of a month after birth. She is considered one of the lucky ones. A charity named Save the Children has been helping in keeping her family alive with food and nutritional advice.
Unicef, which is the United nations’ children’s agency, said this week that fewer than 1o million children died before their fifth birthday in the year 2006, which is probably the lowest rate ever, and definitely the lowest since records has began in 1960, when twice as many under-fives died, out of a world population half today’s level.
It is good news but it could be better. Malnutrition is by far the biggest factor to child mortality, in over half the cases of death in children, say the World Health Organization. New research in the Lancet, which is a British medical journal, thinks it is one of the biggest bills left to help take care of.
In One paper, written by Robert Black of John Hopkins University and others, says underweight births and inter-uterine growth restrictions cause 2.2 million child deaths a year (which totals around one every 15 seconds).
Hunger causes many diseases as well as death. Malnutrition is irreversible after the first two years. It is important to get to a child before this happens. Some of the reason for this happening comes from poor breast feeding. Lancet and Unicef is making efforts in teaching and giving advice in many areas. Breast feeding, food supplements, and better hygiene are areas of where help is needed. Money is a big issue in helping with these programs. Already there is quite a few dollars going in to these areas of need.
Focusing on nutrition and mortality also makes sense, say April Harding of the Centre for Global Development, Washington-based think tank, these forces policymakers to pay close attention to health in the view as a whole and not to focus just in one disease at a time.
I think it is a sad thing that so many are in serious need of health care and food. Many of us really don’t sit and think how we are blessed with programs that help. Even here in the U.S. we are faced with many health and nutrition problems. With jobs on the incline this problem to me will become even more of an issue here in the United States. Will they come up with a plan that will benefit the whole? It would be nice if they could. I feel there will be many sacrifices if they do. What areas will this affect us? What changes would we have to make in our lives and what would we have to give up for this to happen. Without getting into a deeper subject here, I personally feel a lot of our independence will be taken away to make some of these changes. It might make things better for a time period, but in the long run what will the side effects be?
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10566634
One of the children of Badaam died from tetanus. She is a woman who lives in the Indian province of Rajasthan. She has another who is weak from diarrhoea, caused probably by the custom of keeping mother and baby isolated of a month after birth. She is considered one of the lucky ones. A charity named Save the Children has been helping in keeping her family alive with food and nutritional advice.
Unicef, which is the United nations’ children’s agency, said this week that fewer than 1o million children died before their fifth birthday in the year 2006, which is probably the lowest rate ever, and definitely the lowest since records has began in 1960, when twice as many under-fives died, out of a world population half today’s level.
It is good news but it could be better. Malnutrition is by far the biggest factor to child mortality, in over half the cases of death in children, say the World Health Organization. New research in the Lancet, which is a British medical journal, thinks it is one of the biggest bills left to help take care of.
In One paper, written by Robert Black of John Hopkins University and others, says underweight births and inter-uterine growth restrictions cause 2.2 million child deaths a year (which totals around one every 15 seconds).
Hunger causes many diseases as well as death. Malnutrition is irreversible after the first two years. It is important to get to a child before this happens. Some of the reason for this happening comes from poor breast feeding. Lancet and Unicef is making efforts in teaching and giving advice in many areas. Breast feeding, food supplements, and better hygiene are areas of where help is needed. Money is a big issue in helping with these programs. Already there is quite a few dollars going in to these areas of need.
Focusing on nutrition and mortality also makes sense, say April Harding of the Centre for Global Development, Washington-based think tank, these forces policymakers to pay close attention to health in the view as a whole and not to focus just in one disease at a time.
I think it is a sad thing that so many are in serious need of health care and food. Many of us really don’t sit and think how we are blessed with programs that help. Even here in the U.S. we are faced with many health and nutrition problems. With jobs on the incline this problem to me will become even more of an issue here in the United States. Will they come up with a plan that will benefit the whole? It would be nice if they could. I feel there will be many sacrifices if they do. What areas will this affect us? What changes would we have to make in our lives and what would we have to give up for this to happen. Without getting into a deeper subject here, I personally feel a lot of our independence will be taken away to make some of these changes. It might make things better for a time period, but in the long run what will the side effects be?
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10566634
Jazmin Hermosillo/Jan.25,4:45pm/Religious Conflict
Pope Benedict XVI's followers showed their Support
Lots of followers to Pope Benedict XVI gathered at his noon Sunday blessing in the Vatican City to show their support after the Vatican canceled the visit to La Sapienza University in Rome because of the protests by the students and faculty of the University. The Cardinal Camillo Ruini, suspected that there was gona be a very large crowd that would be attending Pope Benedict’s blessing. St. Peter's Square was over flooded with thousands of people.
Pope Benedict mentioned that he would like it that college students as well as professors respect other peoples opinions on things and that they should be open to new ideas and opinions and that they should search for truth and goodness with a free and responsible spirit.
I think that the Pope has every right to say these things because it’s not right for all these students and professors to question his opinions and they should be open to what they hear. They just can’t get mad over something he said and hold it against him forever. Well what ever happens I’m glad that supporters went out to his Sunday Blessing to show their support because that’s what he needs.
Lots of followers to Pope Benedict XVI gathered at his noon Sunday blessing in the Vatican City to show their support after the Vatican canceled the visit to La Sapienza University in Rome because of the protests by the students and faculty of the University. The Cardinal Camillo Ruini, suspected that there was gona be a very large crowd that would be attending Pope Benedict’s blessing. St. Peter's Square was over flooded with thousands of people.
Pope Benedict mentioned that he would like it that college students as well as professors respect other peoples opinions on things and that they should be open to new ideas and opinions and that they should search for truth and goodness with a free and responsible spirit.
I think that the Pope has every right to say these things because it’s not right for all these students and professors to question his opinions and they should be open to what they hear. They just can’t get mad over something he said and hold it against him forever. Well what ever happens I’m glad that supporters went out to his Sunday Blessing to show their support because that’s what he needs.
Kuwait: Dress-Code Law Encourages Police Abuse Against Transgender People
Hazel Inglis/ 4:56pm/ 1/25/08/ human rights/ post 2
At least 14 people in Kuwait City have been arrested because they have violated the Criminal Code that states that: “any person committing an indecent act in a public place, or imitating the appearance of a member of the opposite sex, shall be subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding one thousand dinars [US$3,500].” This new Kuwaiti law has targeted transgender people – individuals born into one gender who deeply identify themselves with another. Kuwait allows transgender people neither to change their legal identity to match the gender in which they live, nor to adapt their physical appearance through gender reassignment surgery. In September 2007, the newspaper Al Arabiya reported a new government campaign “to combat the growing phenomenon of gays and transsexuals” in Kuwait. Police arrested all 14 because they believed they were “imitating the appearance of the opposite sex.” Transgender people in Kuwait now are afraid to leave their homes – even for work or to meet basic needs – for fear of arrest and ill-treatment.
All the people detained are being held in Tahla Prison. Friends of the accused believe that police and prison guards subjected the detainees to physical and psychological abuse. Al-Rai newspaper quoted police as saying that the “confused [men were] deposited in the special ward,” and that the prison administration ordered guards to shave their heads as a form of punishment. The paper quoted a prison administrator as saying “this step [shaving heads] follows the passage of the law concerning men who imitate the appearance of women.” While being held in prison, none of the detainees has access to legal representation.
There are some thing going on to help give back people’s rights and to release the 14 people imprisoned. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Kuwait has acceded, sets forth the prohibition against torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 7). Article 14 of the same treaty affirms the right to counsel. The treaty also bars interference with the right to privacy (Article 17) and protects freedom of expression (Article 19). Kuwait has the obligation to respect and ensure these rights, and to do so in a non-discriminatory manner. Hopefully there will be changes that help protect the rights and safety of the transgender people of Kuwait and to release the prisoners.
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/01/13/kenya17731.htm
At least 14 people in Kuwait City have been arrested because they have violated the Criminal Code that states that: “any person committing an indecent act in a public place, or imitating the appearance of a member of the opposite sex, shall be subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding one thousand dinars [US$3,500].” This new Kuwaiti law has targeted transgender people – individuals born into one gender who deeply identify themselves with another. Kuwait allows transgender people neither to change their legal identity to match the gender in which they live, nor to adapt their physical appearance through gender reassignment surgery. In September 2007, the newspaper Al Arabiya reported a new government campaign “to combat the growing phenomenon of gays and transsexuals” in Kuwait. Police arrested all 14 because they believed they were “imitating the appearance of the opposite sex.” Transgender people in Kuwait now are afraid to leave their homes – even for work or to meet basic needs – for fear of arrest and ill-treatment.
All the people detained are being held in Tahla Prison. Friends of the accused believe that police and prison guards subjected the detainees to physical and psychological abuse. Al-Rai newspaper quoted police as saying that the “confused [men were] deposited in the special ward,” and that the prison administration ordered guards to shave their heads as a form of punishment. The paper quoted a prison administrator as saying “this step [shaving heads] follows the passage of the law concerning men who imitate the appearance of women.” While being held in prison, none of the detainees has access to legal representation.
There are some thing going on to help give back people’s rights and to release the 14 people imprisoned. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Kuwait has acceded, sets forth the prohibition against torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 7). Article 14 of the same treaty affirms the right to counsel. The treaty also bars interference with the right to privacy (Article 17) and protects freedom of expression (Article 19). Kuwait has the obligation to respect and ensure these rights, and to do so in a non-discriminatory manner. Hopefully there will be changes that help protect the rights and safety of the transgender people of Kuwait and to release the prisoners.
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/01/13/kenya17731.htm
Little Chance Left of Kasyanov Candidacy
Charlene Keeler/ 25 Jan 08/ 3:50/ Political Relations
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2008/01/25/011.html
The attempt of Kasyanov from last week seems to be futile. The Central Elections Commission is saying that over 13% of the hopeful presidential candidate’s 2 million+ signatures are invalid. An investigation has been opened in regards to such a high percentage of invalid signatures. According to Kasyanov’s spokeswoman, Dikun, most of the supposed forgeries were declared invalid because of small errors such as incorrect passport numbers and dates. Some in the Commission say that such a large percentage of invalid signatures should automatically disqualify Kasyanov from being accepted as a candidate. The number of invalid signatures should be below 5%. Those that have had to collect signatures, such as the Democrat Party’s Andrei Bogdanov, successfully collected his 2 million with only 3% invalidity. However, there is speculation that Bogdanov’s party was created by the Kremlin to “fragment the opposition.”
Other candidates put forth for the March 2 election are Dmitry Medvedev of United Russia, the Liberal Democratic Party's Vladimir Zhirinovsky; and Gennady Zyuganov from the Communists. These candidates do not have the pressure of collecting signatures put upon them since they are backed by legitimate parties.
It seems to me that the Commission does not want anyone running in the election that is not approved by the current officials. If the Kremlin doesn’t want someone to run in the election, they have ways of preventing that person from running. Russian politics still contains much corruption despite democratization. The favorite is still Medvedev since he is backed by the majority party, United Russia, and Putin. Since Kasyanov is from an independent party, there would be a very small chance that he would be elected, but there would still be some hope that even someone that is not from one of the prevalent parties has a chance, even if it just the simple act of running in the election. But judging by the current events concerning Kasyanov, it seems very unlikely that he will be allowed to run.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2008/01/25/011.html
The attempt of Kasyanov from last week seems to be futile. The Central Elections Commission is saying that over 13% of the hopeful presidential candidate’s 2 million+ signatures are invalid. An investigation has been opened in regards to such a high percentage of invalid signatures. According to Kasyanov’s spokeswoman, Dikun, most of the supposed forgeries were declared invalid because of small errors such as incorrect passport numbers and dates. Some in the Commission say that such a large percentage of invalid signatures should automatically disqualify Kasyanov from being accepted as a candidate. The number of invalid signatures should be below 5%. Those that have had to collect signatures, such as the Democrat Party’s Andrei Bogdanov, successfully collected his 2 million with only 3% invalidity. However, there is speculation that Bogdanov’s party was created by the Kremlin to “fragment the opposition.”
Other candidates put forth for the March 2 election are Dmitry Medvedev of United Russia, the Liberal Democratic Party's Vladimir Zhirinovsky; and Gennady Zyuganov from the Communists. These candidates do not have the pressure of collecting signatures put upon them since they are backed by legitimate parties.
It seems to me that the Commission does not want anyone running in the election that is not approved by the current officials. If the Kremlin doesn’t want someone to run in the election, they have ways of preventing that person from running. Russian politics still contains much corruption despite democratization. The favorite is still Medvedev since he is backed by the majority party, United Russia, and Putin. Since Kasyanov is from an independent party, there would be a very small chance that he would be elected, but there would still be some hope that even someone that is not from one of the prevalent parties has a chance, even if it just the simple act of running in the election. But judging by the current events concerning Kasyanov, it seems very unlikely that he will be allowed to run.
Career Women in Japan find a blocked Path
In 1985, Japan passed there first equal opportunity law in the work force. As many of the women thought, it would open up doors for them to have a career in the work force but suddenly seen no difference. It was common to see women in the factory, driving taxis, and construction sites, but not that of authority which where reserved to the gray-suited salary men.
As one female worker decided to have a child, she was looked over for promotions and finally pushed to a clerical job which she then quit. These changes occurred because she had to pick up her daughter from childcare at 6:30. Japanese work customs make it impossible for a woman to have both a career and a family. Many of the jobs require for them to work long hours until 10 or 11 o clock at night. With prejudice in the work place, many women are choosing to be single and not to have any children.
One particular situation of women having authority is of 36 year old Takako Ariishi. She was the only child of the president of Daiya Seiki, a small manufacturer owned by her family that supplies gauges to Nissan. She was her fathers disappointment so he cut her hair like a boy’s and forbade her to play with dolls. When she had her first son 10 years ago, he fired her from the company and anointed the infant grandson as his successor. Which later he died and she took over the company. Ariishi is the only women out of 160 men that supplies to Nissan. “I still have to prove all the time that a woman can be president,” says Ms. Ariishi, a trained engineer who wears a blue unisex factory worker’s uniform in her office”.
With the fertility rate going down, now women’s rights advocates are starting to argue that Japan must make more such efforts — not just for the corporate good, but for survival.
They point to studies showing that nations with greater workplace participation, like the United States, actually have higher fertility rates. “Birthrates here are declining because of a lack of equality for women,” said Ms. Inoguchi, the former minister. “The population shortage is forcing a change in attitudes.”
In closing, this article brings awareness to how important males in certain countries. If these individuals thought about reproduction, then they know the shortage of males will continue to grow. These women will soon be in charge because of the lack of reproduction and the rules due to labor dealing with having a family.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/world/asia/06equal.html?scp=4&sq=gender+issues&st=nyt
As one female worker decided to have a child, she was looked over for promotions and finally pushed to a clerical job which she then quit. These changes occurred because she had to pick up her daughter from childcare at 6:30. Japanese work customs make it impossible for a woman to have both a career and a family. Many of the jobs require for them to work long hours until 10 or 11 o clock at night. With prejudice in the work place, many women are choosing to be single and not to have any children.
One particular situation of women having authority is of 36 year old Takako Ariishi. She was the only child of the president of Daiya Seiki, a small manufacturer owned by her family that supplies gauges to Nissan. She was her fathers disappointment so he cut her hair like a boy’s and forbade her to play with dolls. When she had her first son 10 years ago, he fired her from the company and anointed the infant grandson as his successor. Which later he died and she took over the company. Ariishi is the only women out of 160 men that supplies to Nissan. “I still have to prove all the time that a woman can be president,” says Ms. Ariishi, a trained engineer who wears a blue unisex factory worker’s uniform in her office”.
With the fertility rate going down, now women’s rights advocates are starting to argue that Japan must make more such efforts — not just for the corporate good, but for survival.
They point to studies showing that nations with greater workplace participation, like the United States, actually have higher fertility rates. “Birthrates here are declining because of a lack of equality for women,” said Ms. Inoguchi, the former minister. “The population shortage is forcing a change in attitudes.”
In closing, this article brings awareness to how important males in certain countries. If these individuals thought about reproduction, then they know the shortage of males will continue to grow. These women will soon be in charge because of the lack of reproduction and the rules due to labor dealing with having a family.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/06/world/asia/06equal.html?scp=4&sq=gender+issues&st=nyt
"Indian Widows Continue to Live Desperate Life in 'City of Widows'"
Esther Mandelstamm/January 25, 2008/4:47pm/Gender Issues
In India, culturally women are very dependent on their husbands. There is stigma being a widow and women are cast out of their families and left to fend for themselves when their husbands die. The city Vrindavan in the state of Uttar Pradesh is referred to as the "City of Widows." Many widows come to this city after being abandoned by their families or to get refuge from their cruel relatives after their husbands die. There are about 15,000 widows that live in Vrindavan and the number is increasing. Many of these women make it by singing hymns in temples (known as bhajan ashrams) for about 6 hours a day for food and a small daily stipend of coins that equals about 15 cents a day. Some are left to beg on the streets wearing white sharis with their heads shaven according to custom. Even though Indian women are making progress in the workplace these widows in Vrindavan are still victimized by tradition. Not all of these women come voluntarily, many are taken there by their relatives who promise to come back for them, but never do. These women have little access to health care or government pensions, they are expected to "spend their days contemplating God, living a frugal existence, and awaiting death." Traditionally upper-caste Hindus are not allowed to remarry but at the same time, widowhood remains a stigma, especially in families that are less-educated and from rural areas. The religious institutions of Vrindavan do not do enough to help these women. Hundreds of women do find shelter from the government and private supports but this is a small minority of the total widow population. The Women and Child Development Ministry announced a plan to rehabilitate and retrain India's 33 million widows and try to get to them remarried but activists are skeptical saying that there is a long way to go before these women that are cast aside by society can overcome the stigma associated with widowhood.
This story is heart wrenching for me. I can not believe that these women are victimized because their husbands die. Not only do they have to lie with the pain of loosing a spouse as well as their family and their dignity within society. These women have to resort to earning cents a day and begging. It is very hard to believe that this is still going out in the 21st century but to these women this is very real. I am glad to hear that there is a plan of action to help these helpless women but I am afraid that it might be a hurdle that is too hard to jump. I am planning on following this story further in the future to see if there is any relief for these widows.
China's Factory Explosion With Global Warming
Samuel Fahnrich/Jan 25, 2008/3:45 pm.
Since the turn of the year, Japan has been urging China to cut their air pollution. Pollution from their rapidly growing factories that increase global warming just as quickly. However, this is not to say Japan will not be assisting the need for China, as both will be aiding the efforts. Due to China's sporadic industrial growth, the pollution problem has resulted before the proper environmental codes were in order. Now that global awareness has caught up with the popular players, there will hopefully be a steady push for the decrease of gases. However, this week, there seems to be a stronger push from Japan and not the US. It looks like Japan is about to take world rule here in a few years, acting as the police to the world... making the US its deputy? In this situation, not many people can take America serious when we can't reduce our emissions to the standards we claim for others. But at least China now has more gas than us, leaving an open door for us to blame them for.
With China suffering more environmental problems than ever, what will this mean for countries who gain their exports? I could talk about the toys full of lead, but why go there? What I do want to talk about is Japanese environmental aid to China. Japan is planning to help China reduce emissions with trades and transfers of environmentally friendly technology resources. These aids will reduce emissions and maintain productivity, with the Japanese flare of compact machinery. However, China doesn't want to pay high costs for these products, and Japan doesn't want to sell their technology cheaply. Which means the US will probably buy the machinery, lower emissions, and then blame everyone else for having gas.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/world/asia/29beijing.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Latest+on+Global+Warming&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Since the turn of the year, Japan has been urging China to cut their air pollution. Pollution from their rapidly growing factories that increase global warming just as quickly. However, this is not to say Japan will not be assisting the need for China, as both will be aiding the efforts. Due to China's sporadic industrial growth, the pollution problem has resulted before the proper environmental codes were in order. Now that global awareness has caught up with the popular players, there will hopefully be a steady push for the decrease of gases. However, this week, there seems to be a stronger push from Japan and not the US. It looks like Japan is about to take world rule here in a few years, acting as the police to the world... making the US its deputy? In this situation, not many people can take America serious when we can't reduce our emissions to the standards we claim for others. But at least China now has more gas than us, leaving an open door for us to blame them for.
With China suffering more environmental problems than ever, what will this mean for countries who gain their exports? I could talk about the toys full of lead, but why go there? What I do want to talk about is Japanese environmental aid to China. Japan is planning to help China reduce emissions with trades and transfers of environmentally friendly technology resources. These aids will reduce emissions and maintain productivity, with the Japanese flare of compact machinery. However, China doesn't want to pay high costs for these products, and Japan doesn't want to sell their technology cheaply. Which means the US will probably buy the machinery, lower emissions, and then blame everyone else for having gas.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/29/world/asia/29beijing.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Latest+on+Global+Warming&st=nyt&oref=slogin
Russia says foreign spies seeking WMD data: RIA
Russia says foreign spies seeking WMD data: RIA
Erin Norris/January 25, 2008/3:30pm
Spies from other countries in the West and Asia tried to contact the RIA (Russian Intelligence Agency) to try and gather information on nuclear weapons, biological advances, and other nanotechnology that was of value to them. Usually Russia does not comment a lot about catching spies and things of that nature but this time they made a point to release this information. Russia is the second largest holder of nuclear weapons to the U.S.
These spies contacted the FSB in Siberia trying to discover information on some secret projects that were going on in that area performed by the RIA. One person from China and several others from the Asian vacinity were expelled from entering Russia because of the information that they were trying to gain on weapons of mass destruction. Russia's domestic security forces stopped these people from gaining any information on the secret projects that were going on in the area.
The FSB however, would not confirm the report made by the RIA in regards to the spies.
Personally, I think that it is scary to think that people can gain that kind of information and if they had not been caught then they could have used this information to gain more control over weapons of mass destruction and nuclear bombs. It gives me comfort to know that in the report it does say that these spies are caught and Russia just chooses not to report or confirm reports about them a lot. I also wonder however, why the Asian and Western countries would want to know more information or would go as far as to run the risk of being caught and expelled from a country to try and get this information.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=4189570
Erin Norris/January 25, 2008/3:30pm
Spies from other countries in the West and Asia tried to contact the RIA (Russian Intelligence Agency) to try and gather information on nuclear weapons, biological advances, and other nanotechnology that was of value to them. Usually Russia does not comment a lot about catching spies and things of that nature but this time they made a point to release this information. Russia is the second largest holder of nuclear weapons to the U.S.
These spies contacted the FSB in Siberia trying to discover information on some secret projects that were going on in that area performed by the RIA. One person from China and several others from the Asian vacinity were expelled from entering Russia because of the information that they were trying to gain on weapons of mass destruction. Russia's domestic security forces stopped these people from gaining any information on the secret projects that were going on in the area.
The FSB however, would not confirm the report made by the RIA in regards to the spies.
Personally, I think that it is scary to think that people can gain that kind of information and if they had not been caught then they could have used this information to gain more control over weapons of mass destruction and nuclear bombs. It gives me comfort to know that in the report it does say that these spies are caught and Russia just chooses not to report or confirm reports about them a lot. I also wonder however, why the Asian and Western countries would want to know more information or would go as far as to run the risk of being caught and expelled from a country to try and get this information.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=4189570
Thousands of police officers march over pay (re-done for word count)
Joseph Borawski, Friday January 25th 2008, 2:42 AM, Global Social Protests Current Event
The next story I bring stands in stark contrast to my first, as opposed to protest and violence breaking out in
The protest it self was quite remarkable being the largest ever staged by policemen and women in
Surprisingly a very small group of counter protesters, about 20, from an anarchist group called “Class War”, showed at the protest heckling and jeering. “We remember what they did for other workers in the 1980’s – the printers, dockers, the miners.” One of the counter protesters, a woman, was arrested on the under an offense to public order.
Aside from the small group of counter-protesters, the march was described as “sensible”, policemen and women reducing what might be a more violent reaction to peaceful dissent by wearing white caps with “Fair pay for police” written on them and taking to the streets in overwhelming numbers. The police themselves state that its not so much an issue of the money specifically, but instead a matter of fairness and promises kept and broken by the government. Check it out here:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3240694.ece
World Economic Forum Opens in Davos
Katrina Shankle/Jan. 25, 2008/ 3:42 p.m.
Participants from eighty-eight countries gathered in Switzerland to discuss the state of the global economy. The outlook for the new year is grim due in large part to the economic slow-down of the United States. A credit crisis brought on by overexposure to sub-prime mortgage securities changed the forecast for a strong global economy that was predicted at last year's conference.
A potential aid to global economic turmoil caused by the slow down in the U.S. is China as it broadens its trade with countries other than the United States. Other countries, primarily Canada and Mexico, whose exports to the United States account for roughly twenty-five percent of their GDP are likely to feel the sting from the U.S. recession.
Other matters to be discussed in the forum include terrorism, a workable solution to pacification in the Middle East, and technology and the way it has changed social networking by removing borders.
Representatives from the United States appearing at the forum include U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, former Vice President Al Gore, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Rice is slated to hold a closed doors session with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf. This is the first meeting between the Secretary of State and the President of Pakistan since the December assassination of the opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, an event that sank the country into near chaos.
UNICEF working with displaced Children in Kenya
Eric Cressey / 3:04 PM / 01.25.08 / Education / 2
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_42664.html
Learning about the conditions that these people are living in has been extremely eye opening. Many people do not realize the kind and frequency of abuse that children are suffering in these displaced peoples camps and I think it’s great that UNICEF is taking steps to help out. I agree that education is one of the best ways to help out, and I am glad that in the article the parents of the children in the camps agreed that education was their top priority.
Brian England Global Political Relations 'South African Presidency'
South Africa is also faced with a presidential election coming up. And their election may be even more historical than our Clinton, Obama duo. South Africa’s front-runner is a white man by the name of Zuma. He emerged out of the ANC party from which Mandela came out of, but the controversy lies with him being more than white. Zuma has a history that would make him a hard candidate to be the CEO of a company much less a president. He is a projected leader that does not feel strongly about HIV/AIDS, women’s rights, or business integrity. He is also in the midst of a sex scandal that could surely keep him out of the presidential picture. He has supposedly survived a rape conviction and faces many questions about his relationship with a fraudster. Non-the less, if he is not convicted he will most likely become the next leader of South Africa with a criminal history as a resume. “but then, will all the members of the African Union that are "clean" please raise your right hands!”
A president of any country that has a record like Zuma makes the region seem more like a cartel than a country. I’m sure you all are no strangers to the history of South Africa’s corruption along with its impact on the world market through that corruption. Of course I am not one to judge because I am politically ignorant, but the influence he will have on world relations with his country can be nothing but negative. After reading this article I wasn’t exactly sure if he has any positive attributes that made him close to introducing worthy, much less presidential.
A president of any country that has a record like Zuma makes the region seem more like a cartel than a country. I’m sure you all are no strangers to the history of South Africa’s corruption along with its impact on the world market through that corruption. Of course I am not one to judge because I am politically ignorant, but the influence he will have on world relations with his country can be nothing but negative. After reading this article I wasn’t exactly sure if he has any positive attributes that made him close to introducing worthy, much less presidential.
Russia Disapproves of Kosovoan Secession
Max Peck / January 25, 2008, 3:30 PM / Global Political Relations / #2
Not too long ago, the pro-Western governments of Ukraine and Georgia jockeyed for a position in the NATO alliance, which they hoped would grant them mutual protection from some of the most powerful nations in the world. In the past year, Kosovo (a small
So what exactly does
Putin-appointed spokesman Dmitry Rogozin said that Kosovo’s terms offered to
http://abcnews.go.com/International/WireStory?id=4184617&page=1 (Associated Press)
Indian Shares Plagued By Economic Woes; Shamia N. Irving January 25, 2008 Friday 2:19pm
Shares in India also dropped dramatically because they are in fear of a US recession. This started a temporary shutdown of the country's flagship stock exchange in Mumbai (Bombay). Early Tuesday morning, (1/22), the Mumbai stock index fell 9.8% and this caused the software-automated stop that ceased all trading. The site was one of complete chaos, the traders were in complete pandemonium. Although the Mumbai stock index capped an alltime high at 21,000 points on January 8, 2008, nearly $350 billion has been wiped out over the past six trading sessions. The US in one of India's major trading partners and it is India's biggest importer of IT sevices, and this is why investors are starting to pull out because if the US experiences a recession this will tramatically affect India's investors. However, on the flip side, there are investors who are saying that the fears of these investors are being overdone and there is more opportunity for new investors because so many other investors are pulling out before anything is even occuring. A finance minister was brought in to tell the investors to remain calm in order to restore some stability to the trading post. Many of the elite believe that India will not suffer if the US goes into a recession, at least that is what they are telling the investors in order to get them to remain calm, they have even reassured them that if something was to happen the Reserve Bank and all other banks in India will give enough liquidity to brokers and market players.
I think that the investors are doing the right thing by pulling out if they think the US economy is about to go into a recession. It goes with the old saying "better safe than sorry"
I think that the investors are doing the right thing by pulling out if they think the US economy is about to go into a recession. It goes with the old saying "better safe than sorry"
2008 Important for Amazon
Kristopher Hilbert / 2:04 PM / 01.25.08 / Pollution / 2
In recent years the Amazon rain forest has taken a hit. Though the Amazon has been dealing with forestation for years, the last decade and even the last year has put pressure on 2008 to be the year of change. In the last 40 years about one fifth of the Amazon rain forest has been destroyed. This deforestation causes about 75% of green house gas emissions from Brazil. Some have reported 2007 to be one of the worst years as far as deforestation goes.
The Brazilian government has been making an effort to combat deforestation and rain forest destruction. New legislation has created fines for buying goods (mostly beef and soy) that were produced on illegally deforested lands. The Brazilian president has also sent federal police and thousands of inspectors throughout the country. This movement towards regulation and protection is evidence for a concern for problems of the loss of the rain forest.
Greenpeace and other environmentalists are saying that these new regulations are not enough. Though deforestation is down 59% in the last 3 years, there is obviously a concern for a rise again. Many people have made the argument that the lack of illegal and extreme logging is due to the slow economy. The current recession has been blamed for much of the deforestation reduction. Many nations are applauding Brazil’s recent environmental support while others in the global forum are saying it’s not enough.
So, the rain forest is getting cut down, nothing new. I feel as if more needs to be done. Though Brazil has imposed fines, sanctions, laws and inspections for years, there are still large areas that will never be what they once were. I guess there’s not a really reliable way of knowing why deforestation has been cut in the last few years. I guess we’ll know who’s right if and when the recession is gone.
http://soc202events.blogspot.com/search?q=kristopher
In recent years the Amazon rain forest has taken a hit. Though the Amazon has been dealing with forestation for years, the last decade and even the last year has put pressure on 2008 to be the year of change. In the last 40 years about one fifth of the Amazon rain forest has been destroyed. This deforestation causes about 75% of green house gas emissions from Brazil. Some have reported 2007 to be one of the worst years as far as deforestation goes.
The Brazilian government has been making an effort to combat deforestation and rain forest destruction. New legislation has created fines for buying goods (mostly beef and soy) that were produced on illegally deforested lands. The Brazilian president has also sent federal police and thousands of inspectors throughout the country. This movement towards regulation and protection is evidence for a concern for problems of the loss of the rain forest.
Greenpeace and other environmentalists are saying that these new regulations are not enough. Though deforestation is down 59% in the last 3 years, there is obviously a concern for a rise again. Many people have made the argument that the lack of illegal and extreme logging is due to the slow economy. The current recession has been blamed for much of the deforestation reduction. Many nations are applauding Brazil’s recent environmental support while others in the global forum are saying it’s not enough.
So, the rain forest is getting cut down, nothing new. I feel as if more needs to be done. Though Brazil has imposed fines, sanctions, laws and inspections for years, there are still large areas that will never be what they once were. I guess there’s not a really reliable way of knowing why deforestation has been cut in the last few years. I guess we’ll know who’s right if and when the recession is gone.
http://soc202events.blogspot.com/search?q=kristopher
Erica Crutch: 1/25/08, 12:24 PM/ Abuse increases amongst women and children in Kenya
A month following the Presidential election in Kenya and the violent outbreaks that have accompanied it we are starting to hear more and more about the children in Kenya. Through my research I am finding that some children ages 3-17 are lucky enough to go to homes such as the SOS Children’s Village in Nairobi. Unfortunately, other displaced children are in refugee camps where the outcome isn’t as optimistic.
The merriment of fleeing the violence is only temporary for some who face the possibility of sexual abuse in displacement camps. Rhoda Kasimbu, an aid worker from World Vision, says that these camps do not meet humanitarian standards. This increases the likelihood of abuse for women and children who have to sleep in the same quarters with men.
It is estimated that more than 60,000 children are among the 250,000 people displaced from their homes. World Vision workers report that children are arriving at food distribution centers hungry and severely traumatized by the violence that they have witnessed and experienced in their villages. Kasimbu reported that in one day in Narobi, the Women’s Hospital admitted eight girls who had been raped the youngest being twelve years old.
The World Vision organization is working to provide children friendly spaces in camps where they can feel free to play and participate in structured activities. The Christian agency is also providing some basic necessities to families.
I feel that this situation is despicable and unfortunate. I can’t even begin to imagine the horror that runs through these children's minds on a day to day basis. To escape the violence in the streets only to be met by more in a refugee camp is an indignity to these people. I wonder how long it has been since Kenyan children have felt safe. If your parents or the law enforcement in your nation can’t keep you safe from the injustices of this world when will you ever feel safe?
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/477686/120121609213.htm
The merriment of fleeing the violence is only temporary for some who face the possibility of sexual abuse in displacement camps. Rhoda Kasimbu, an aid worker from World Vision, says that these camps do not meet humanitarian standards. This increases the likelihood of abuse for women and children who have to sleep in the same quarters with men.
It is estimated that more than 60,000 children are among the 250,000 people displaced from their homes. World Vision workers report that children are arriving at food distribution centers hungry and severely traumatized by the violence that they have witnessed and experienced in their villages. Kasimbu reported that in one day in Narobi, the Women’s Hospital admitted eight girls who had been raped the youngest being twelve years old.
The World Vision organization is working to provide children friendly spaces in camps where they can feel free to play and participate in structured activities. The Christian agency is also providing some basic necessities to families.
I feel that this situation is despicable and unfortunate. I can’t even begin to imagine the horror that runs through these children's minds on a day to day basis. To escape the violence in the streets only to be met by more in a refugee camp is an indignity to these people. I wonder how long it has been since Kenyan children have felt safe. If your parents or the law enforcement in your nation can’t keep you safe from the injustices of this world when will you ever feel safe?
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/477686/120121609213.htm
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