Trisha Butterworth
Feb 28th
10pm
More than 200,000 Moroccan students drop out before the end of elementary schooling. Morocco hopes hat by 2012, 95% of all children will be enrolled in school. The education ministry wants to help by giving money aid to families. This year over 3,000 families are going to receive some aid. Communities with a 30% poverty rate are eligible to have families helped. Even more families are going to be added for the next term in the spring to make the list over 46,000 families. The ministry is hoping that this will reduce child labor since the family will be getting extra money. Some people are criticizing the plan already, saying that this is not enough money to help out these families enough to send their children to school. To help the plan, the Economic and General affairs has donated over 1 million school bags to the poor families.
I think that this is a great plan for Morocco. Although some families are criticizing it, I believe it could be very helpful, especially if so many children are dropping out. In these countries most children cannot go to school, because the family needs the children to work to make money. If aid is sent out, then hopefully it will be enough to allow children to go to school. Although the aid does not seem like quite enough, it is still a start. I wish more people would see the good rather than then the negative, or think that it will not help enough. Im curious to see how this next year or so will go with this plan, and if it will get any better, or show better results.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Observers Say Women’s Ministry Is Holding Back the Cause
Kenya Satchell
February 27, 2009
3:26 P.M.
This article was basically about the State Ministry for Women’s Empowerment. Faisal Basri, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia’s School of Economics, said that the ministry had not only failed to help women, it had played a role in marginalizing them. He feels this ministry should be done away with and just let women have equal opportunities. Faisal said that Indonesia could be twice as prosperous if women had the same access to strategic jobs as their male counterparts. Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, wife of presidential hopeful and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, agreed that the ministry was of little use, saying that “all governmental departments must provide access for women.” Faisal said he believed that some female government officials appointed to fight for women’s rights had turned out to be a negative force. He went on to say, “Do not always appoint a woman to fight for the cause of women.”
I chose this article because we have been discussing women’s rights and opportunities all over the world. This article came at the right time because it actually has a man speaking on behalf of women! Most men seem like they don’t want women to get ahead, but here we have Faisal saying he would rather include more women in government and more strategic jobs. He made a comment that it is not always good to have a women fighting for the cause of women, and I find truth in that statement. Some women are not prepared for the leadership roles that they try to take. I believe some women have great ideas but choke when it’s time to present. Overall, women should keep striving to get those rights or at least close the gap a little more!
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/article/11483.html
February 27, 2009
3:26 P.M.
This article was basically about the State Ministry for Women’s Empowerment. Faisal Basri, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia’s School of Economics, said that the ministry had not only failed to help women, it had played a role in marginalizing them. He feels this ministry should be done away with and just let women have equal opportunities. Faisal said that Indonesia could be twice as prosperous if women had the same access to strategic jobs as their male counterparts. Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, wife of presidential hopeful and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, agreed that the ministry was of little use, saying that “all governmental departments must provide access for women.” Faisal said he believed that some female government officials appointed to fight for women’s rights had turned out to be a negative force. He went on to say, “Do not always appoint a woman to fight for the cause of women.”
I chose this article because we have been discussing women’s rights and opportunities all over the world. This article came at the right time because it actually has a man speaking on behalf of women! Most men seem like they don’t want women to get ahead, but here we have Faisal saying he would rather include more women in government and more strategic jobs. He made a comment that it is not always good to have a women fighting for the cause of women, and I find truth in that statement. Some women are not prepared for the leadership roles that they try to take. I believe some women have great ideas but choke when it’s time to present. Overall, women should keep striving to get those rights or at least close the gap a little more!
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/article/11483.html
U.S. satellite shootdown debris said gone from space
PGibson
28 Feb 09
1:30pm
The U.S. is currently tracking 18,000 pieces of debris in orbit above the earth. The importance of monitoring the space junk is due to the potential threat it poses to the approximately 800 commercial and military satellites currently operating in orbit, as well as the International Space Station. The U.S. destroyed a wandering spy satellite last year but fortunately there is no remaining debris in orbit to interfere with other operational satellites. China destroyed one of their old weather satellites less successfully, probably due to the increased altitude, which will leave debris in orbit for another eighty or ninety years. A few weeks ago a Russian communication satellite collided with a U.S. satellite which further stresses the need for successful tracking and control measures. Underlying political agendas and demonstrations were also noted as being part of the satellites destruction which suggests potential security issues as well.
Space debris, while not an immediate threat to lives on the planet, is perhaps another example of an uncalculated consequence of technology. It is actually just space litter, pollution much like the exploding landfills or litter ridden streets that exist on the surface of the planet. Space junk is a global back yard pollution problem with the potential to disrupt many of the services that satellites provide such as weather, communication, and security (not to mention the related costs). The increasing debris in space should be an indication of why technology should be better managed during use. Accidental collisions warrant the desire for additional sensors for monitoring space but I can’t grasp why the mention of debris prevention of clean wasn’t even mentioned. It is currently a small scale problem but one that could escalate in the future with potentially grave results. An ounce of prevention (responsibility) usually goes a long way. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090227/sc_nm/us_space_usa_china
28 Feb 09
1:30pm
The U.S. is currently tracking 18,000 pieces of debris in orbit above the earth. The importance of monitoring the space junk is due to the potential threat it poses to the approximately 800 commercial and military satellites currently operating in orbit, as well as the International Space Station. The U.S. destroyed a wandering spy satellite last year but fortunately there is no remaining debris in orbit to interfere with other operational satellites. China destroyed one of their old weather satellites less successfully, probably due to the increased altitude, which will leave debris in orbit for another eighty or ninety years. A few weeks ago a Russian communication satellite collided with a U.S. satellite which further stresses the need for successful tracking and control measures. Underlying political agendas and demonstrations were also noted as being part of the satellites destruction which suggests potential security issues as well.
Space debris, while not an immediate threat to lives on the planet, is perhaps another example of an uncalculated consequence of technology. It is actually just space litter, pollution much like the exploding landfills or litter ridden streets that exist on the surface of the planet. Space junk is a global back yard pollution problem with the potential to disrupt many of the services that satellites provide such as weather, communication, and security (not to mention the related costs). The increasing debris in space should be an indication of why technology should be better managed during use. Accidental collisions warrant the desire for additional sensors for monitoring space but I can’t grasp why the mention of debris prevention of clean wasn’t even mentioned. It is currently a small scale problem but one that could escalate in the future with potentially grave results. An ounce of prevention (responsibility) usually goes a long way. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090227/sc_nm/us_space_usa_china
Dublin cops arrest 7 over Irish-record bank heist
Kelly McKee
February 28th, 2009
9:09 am
February 28th, 2009
9:09 am
Police recovered millions of dollars that was stolen from a bank. The police interrogated seven suspects who took a bank employees family hostage and forced the bank employee to rob his own branch. Six armed men went to the home of Shane Trevers an employee with the Bank of Ireland and tied his partner up, her 5 year old son, her mother and told Shane Trevers to cooperate or they would be killed. Trevers did as he was told and robbed his own bank for 7 million Euros (9 million dollars). The police in
After reading this article, I was shocked to read that the police did not like the way Trevers handled the situation. If it were me in that situation I would only be thinking of my family and do whatever it took to make sure they were safe and also to make sure I would be okay. These six people were armed and masked so therefore they did not know what to expect from them. They were capable of doing anything. I understand that these bank officials are trained but if any normal human being were put in that situation they would do the same thing Shane Trevers did more than likely. I think he handled it very well and at least there were no deaths to come out of this hostage and they caught all six of the people and got the money back.
http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/world/story/4634865/Friday, February 27, 2009
Green Remodeling
Juan Miranda
Friday February 27
10:53
This article in the Guardian, a British Newspaper, talks about how people in Minnesota have invested money in transforming their houses or remodeling along the Green building standards. Many families in that are currently fixing up their house or adding rooms to it, like in the case of the Kraft who wanted to add a porch to their house and they chose "green" remodeling to protect their children's health.” In the end the Krafts had a new great room with bamboo floors, recycled paper countertops, solar light, recycled fireplace beams, double-pane windows, extra insulation, a metal roof on the porch and a new high-efficiency furnace and water heater.” This is great because it doesn’t only keep your children safe from harmful gases and glues and other building materials but it is also great for the environment since it uses alternative energy as well use recycled materials that could have ended up in a landfill. I Believe its awesome that people are looking at these projects because even though they have different reasons to do it, whether is the health of their children, the environment, or because the value of the house will increase if done so. It is true that it is more expensive to construct with green building materials but if more people continue and more of these materials are being produce the prices will come down making it more affordable for everybody to purchase. Also people are leading by example and soon their neighbors will copy them and eventually other countries will start doing the same. That is why is important that this article was posted in a foreign news paper like the Guardian, because other people are learning about it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/27/minnesota-green-remodelling
Friday February 27
10:53
This article in the Guardian, a British Newspaper, talks about how people in Minnesota have invested money in transforming their houses or remodeling along the Green building standards. Many families in that are currently fixing up their house or adding rooms to it, like in the case of the Kraft who wanted to add a porch to their house and they chose "green" remodeling to protect their children's health.” In the end the Krafts had a new great room with bamboo floors, recycled paper countertops, solar light, recycled fireplace beams, double-pane windows, extra insulation, a metal roof on the porch and a new high-efficiency furnace and water heater.” This is great because it doesn’t only keep your children safe from harmful gases and glues and other building materials but it is also great for the environment since it uses alternative energy as well use recycled materials that could have ended up in a landfill. I Believe its awesome that people are looking at these projects because even though they have different reasons to do it, whether is the health of their children, the environment, or because the value of the house will increase if done so. It is true that it is more expensive to construct with green building materials but if more people continue and more of these materials are being produce the prices will come down making it more affordable for everybody to purchase. Also people are leading by example and soon their neighbors will copy them and eventually other countries will start doing the same. That is why is important that this article was posted in a foreign news paper like the Guardian, because other people are learning about it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/27/minnesota-green-remodelling
Southeast Asia
Cory Mattson
February 27, 2009
4 15 pm
Southeast Asia is also starting to get hit by the economy down fall all over the country. The people of Southeast Asia are losing jobs all over. Factories are starting to cut their workers and overtime and even shutting down. They say that construction workers and waiters in fancy restaurants and losing jobs as well hotel workers. All of these people that are losing their jobs are having to go back out into the country with all of the extended families. They said that this is the first time in decades that families and all of the extended family is living under one roof. Since they are getting laid off in their jobs from the cities they are having to move back to the farm land and live of their own earnings and growing they create. Their country also does not have a good unemployment program, some places will pay them 200 dollars for six months and then they are on their own. Since the economy is just going to get worse there is not a good chance they will not find another good job within that time so they are stuck going back into the country living with extended family.
All countries are desperately suffering in some kind of economy downfall. The United States is not the only country. There has to be some change in our would or our world is going to go into a huge depression or ever worse. Some countries are already discussing between other countries free trade and backing up each other if a war or something like that would happen in that time they are doing the free trade. Yes free trade will help right now but will later on hurt the economy even worse.
February 27, 2009
4 15 pm
Southeast Asia is also starting to get hit by the economy down fall all over the country. The people of Southeast Asia are losing jobs all over. Factories are starting to cut their workers and overtime and even shutting down. They say that construction workers and waiters in fancy restaurants and losing jobs as well hotel workers. All of these people that are losing their jobs are having to go back out into the country with all of the extended families. They said that this is the first time in decades that families and all of the extended family is living under one roof. Since they are getting laid off in their jobs from the cities they are having to move back to the farm land and live of their own earnings and growing they create. Their country also does not have a good unemployment program, some places will pay them 200 dollars for six months and then they are on their own. Since the economy is just going to get worse there is not a good chance they will not find another good job within that time so they are stuck going back into the country living with extended family.
All countries are desperately suffering in some kind of economy downfall. The United States is not the only country. There has to be some change in our would or our world is going to go into a huge depression or ever worse. Some countries are already discussing between other countries free trade and backing up each other if a war or something like that would happen in that time they are doing the free trade. Yes free trade will help right now but will later on hurt the economy even worse.
Obama: U.S. to withdraw most Iraq troops by August 2010
Matt Northrup
2/27/09
3:48 PM
On Friday, President Obama announced that he plans to withdraw the bulk of U.S. forces from Iraq by 2010. Between 35,000 and 50,000 troops will remain in Iraq, but will be withdrawn gradually until all American troops are removed by the end of 2011. Obama gave the announcement in Camp Lejune, North Carolina. "We sent our troops to Iraq to do away with Saddam Hussein's regime and you got the job done,” he said, referring to the soldiers. By leaving Iraq, Obama plans to hand over power to the Iraqi government, and removing American influence from the nation.
In my opinion, the removal of U.S. troops from Iraq is a long overdue action. Despite some minor success in Iraq, for the most part the war has just been a drain on the U.S. American forces have spent far too long in Iraq, and so far the timetables for troop removal set up by the previous administration have been largely ignored. It is very comforting to have our president set up some definite timetables for removal. Next month will mark the sixth anniversary of the Iraq war, and as far as I’m concerned, it has been six years too long; when it comes to ending this war, the sooner the better.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/27/obama.troops/index.html
2/27/09
3:48 PM
On Friday, President Obama announced that he plans to withdraw the bulk of U.S. forces from Iraq by 2010. Between 35,000 and 50,000 troops will remain in Iraq, but will be withdrawn gradually until all American troops are removed by the end of 2011. Obama gave the announcement in Camp Lejune, North Carolina. "We sent our troops to Iraq to do away with Saddam Hussein's regime and you got the job done,” he said, referring to the soldiers. By leaving Iraq, Obama plans to hand over power to the Iraqi government, and removing American influence from the nation.
In my opinion, the removal of U.S. troops from Iraq is a long overdue action. Despite some minor success in Iraq, for the most part the war has just been a drain on the U.S. American forces have spent far too long in Iraq, and so far the timetables for troop removal set up by the previous administration have been largely ignored. It is very comforting to have our president set up some definite timetables for removal. Next month will mark the sixth anniversary of the Iraq war, and as far as I’m concerned, it has been six years too long; when it comes to ending this war, the sooner the better.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/27/obama.troops/index.html
Malaysia to Allow Christians to use 'Allah'
Jessica Rogers
February 27, 2009
3:45 pm
The government in Malaysia has removed the ban upon the world 'Allah' which had been, until recently, discouraged from use within Christian documents in order to avoid confusion. However, these documents are now required to have a warning on the front, saying that it is for Christian use. What this symbolizes is an underlying tension that is beginning to arise between the majority, the Muslim Malay's and the minorities, those of Indian and Chinese descent that are primarily Christian. Many of the minorities within Malaysia complain of religious discrimination by the Muslim-dominated government, examples including the destruction of Hindu temples and conversion controversy. An editor for the Herald, while agreeing that this order will make things 'easier' on the Herald, but it is still a violation of religious rights because Christians will not be able to carry around documents that do not have the warning upon the front cover. Other Arabic words are prohibited from making an appearance in such documents without the warning, as well. Ministry officials could not be contacted and are not prepared to make a statement until Monday.
Personally, I do not think it is right to be able to censor any form of literature. Literature is freedom of the press and no one should be denied that freedom, no matter what their opinion. You can agree with it or disagree with it. While I can understand if it might cause confusion within the newspaper, I see no reason for Christian documents to require a 'warning' on the front if they are to use certain words within their documents. But, even if this is a big issue, I think that the underlying issue is merely religious tensions rising up between two opposing religions. It is yet another case of the majority religion dominated the other more minor religions. This goes back to what I have said time and time again, no matter what the majority religion of the country is, it is not right to force such ideals on those that have varying beliefs. Religion is a personal choice and should be kept out of state.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/27/asia/AS-Malaysia-Allah-Ban.php
February 27, 2009
3:45 pm
The government in Malaysia has removed the ban upon the world 'Allah' which had been, until recently, discouraged from use within Christian documents in order to avoid confusion. However, these documents are now required to have a warning on the front, saying that it is for Christian use. What this symbolizes is an underlying tension that is beginning to arise between the majority, the Muslim Malay's and the minorities, those of Indian and Chinese descent that are primarily Christian. Many of the minorities within Malaysia complain of religious discrimination by the Muslim-dominated government, examples including the destruction of Hindu temples and conversion controversy. An editor for the Herald, while agreeing that this order will make things 'easier' on the Herald, but it is still a violation of religious rights because Christians will not be able to carry around documents that do not have the warning upon the front cover. Other Arabic words are prohibited from making an appearance in such documents without the warning, as well. Ministry officials could not be contacted and are not prepared to make a statement until Monday.
Personally, I do not think it is right to be able to censor any form of literature. Literature is freedom of the press and no one should be denied that freedom, no matter what their opinion. You can agree with it or disagree with it. While I can understand if it might cause confusion within the newspaper, I see no reason for Christian documents to require a 'warning' on the front if they are to use certain words within their documents. But, even if this is a big issue, I think that the underlying issue is merely religious tensions rising up between two opposing religions. It is yet another case of the majority religion dominated the other more minor religions. This goes back to what I have said time and time again, no matter what the majority religion of the country is, it is not right to force such ideals on those that have varying beliefs. Religion is a personal choice and should be kept out of state.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/27/asia/AS-Malaysia-Allah-Ban.php
Global "green" energy stimulus hits $200 billion
Samuel Dalzell
Friday, February 27, 2009
3:22 PM
Energy/Alternative Energy
Since the onset of the current economic crisis, many governments around the world have passed "stimulus packages" that allocate government funding to various projects, tax cuts, and incentives in an attempt to reinvigorate the slumping global economy. Included in many of these stimulus packages are provisions that invest in the emerging trend of renewable energy; so far, governments around the world have committed an estimated $200 billion or more toward technologies that will reduce our dependence on dirty fossil fuels and encourage development in "green" industries despite the global economic downturn. Moreover, since July 2008, governments in Europe, Asia, and the United States have created more than 250 policies that support alternative forms of energy. In the United States, the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that President Obama signed this month provides about $106 billion for green energy, including tax breaks, loan guarantees, and incentives, and includes $18 billion in investments for improving mass transit. The European Union has allocated some $60 billion to green measures in its own stimulus bill. Twenty-eight U.S. states have created new alternative energy standards, and many environmentalists and politicians are pushing for a national policy.
These actions prove that many governments are now in full support of the environmental movement, which has been slowly building for the past few decades. This is monumental news for those who have supported a push toward renewable energy for years. While this move is somewhat belated (and possibly could have been implemented in a more practical manner some years ago had it gotten the support it needed from our leaders), it indicates that governments at this time are very serious about dealing with the issues of climate change and renewable energy. The fact of the matter is that we have and have always had (at least as long as we've relied on fossil fuels such as petroleum) a finite amount of energy resources--in fact, we have already reached the theorized "peak oil", and oil production has begun its inevitable decline. The fact that governments have now embraced this simple fact of nature is very reassuring indeed; we can now realistically foresee a future in which the components of energy production are ultra-efficient as well as virtually non-polluting. I also believe that this is a key to fixing the global financial crisis: this new sector has the potential to grow tremendously, assuredly bringing with it economic growth and millions of new jobs. Loan guarantees for renewable energy in the ARRA should help the markets develop despite the turbulent economic times. All things considered, I think we can safely say that energy development is at long last on the right track.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE51N4OM20090224
Germany may arrest Holocaust-denying Bishop
Katy Greene
February 27th, 2009
3:30 PM
Germany is considering arresting a bishop that denies the Holocaust ever happened. The countries justice minister said that he would be arrested on a hate crime charge. Several countries that are members of the European Union have made it a crime to deny that the Holocaust ever happened.
Brigitte Zyphries, the German Justice Minister, said that the arrest would be applied to all members of the European Union, which would mean that the bishop could not merely leave the country to evade arrest. Richard Williamson, the German bishop, denied that the Holocaust happened in a Swedish interview that was broadcast on television. Although he currently lives in Britain, because the arrest applies to all of the European Union, he would still be arrested.
During the interview, Williamson said that six million Jews were not really killed during World War II, with the actual number being between 200,000 and 300,000. Although Williamson apologized on Thursday, he did not say that he no longer believed what he said, or revoked it. The Vatican said that this is unacceptable, and he needs to "absolutely and unequivocally distance himself from his remarks."
I think that Richard Williamson's statements are unacceptable. Speaking out against the Holocaust will merely reopen old wounds in Germany, and stir up old hatreds. I think it is a good thing that Wiliamson can be arrested anywhere in the European Union, as this prevents him from evading arrest. I am pleased that the Vatican has chosen to not only distance themselves from,but also outspokenly condemn, Williamson and his prejudiced beliefs.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29429153/
February 27th, 2009
3:30 PM
Germany is considering arresting a bishop that denies the Holocaust ever happened. The countries justice minister said that he would be arrested on a hate crime charge. Several countries that are members of the European Union have made it a crime to deny that the Holocaust ever happened.
Brigitte Zyphries, the German Justice Minister, said that the arrest would be applied to all members of the European Union, which would mean that the bishop could not merely leave the country to evade arrest. Richard Williamson, the German bishop, denied that the Holocaust happened in a Swedish interview that was broadcast on television. Although he currently lives in Britain, because the arrest applies to all of the European Union, he would still be arrested.
During the interview, Williamson said that six million Jews were not really killed during World War II, with the actual number being between 200,000 and 300,000. Although Williamson apologized on Thursday, he did not say that he no longer believed what he said, or revoked it. The Vatican said that this is unacceptable, and he needs to "absolutely and unequivocally distance himself from his remarks."
I think that Richard Williamson's statements are unacceptable. Speaking out against the Holocaust will merely reopen old wounds in Germany, and stir up old hatreds. I think it is a good thing that Wiliamson can be arrested anywhere in the European Union, as this prevents him from evading arrest. I am pleased that the Vatican has chosen to not only distance themselves from,but also outspokenly condemn, Williamson and his prejudiced beliefs.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29429153/
education?
Sarah Elizabeth Carpenter
2:32 pm
Friday February 27,2009
Four Sentenced in Scheme to 'Adopt' Samoan Kids
This article is reach for lifestyle changes but I felt that it was important to show how hard it is in other countries for people to be trusting and do what is best for their families.
Samoan children are being taken from their families under false pretences. An adoption agency goes into homes and tells families with young children that they would like to bring the children into higher income homes in the US for a while so that they can be provided for properly. These families think that the kids will be provided a good education, food, shelter, and clothing and will return to them periodically still being their family. But in reality the agency takes the kids, gets parents who want to adopt to pay thousands of dollars and then sends the children to live under false pretenses. So in this case the children are e being abandoned and having to go months without schooling or proper education because they are going through adoption processes.
My opinion on this article is very much associated with the class discussion on Wednesday, we looked at the family taking action in their children’s lives. Parents care less and less about what their children are doing. So even in this case where the parents are giving up their children in hopes that they will have a better life, they are not doing the research behind it. I think that lower SES families are not provided the resources to provide for their children the way they could if they had computers or news outlooks. Even in America we see families, for instance the Navajo Indians these kids wrote Obama and told him they were his best friend because they thought that he could give them new homes and better school facilities. Education needs a drastic change on all level, parents need to be more educated world wide not just locally.
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=6958072&page=1
2:32 pm
Friday February 27,2009
Four Sentenced in Scheme to 'Adopt' Samoan Kids
This article is reach for lifestyle changes but I felt that it was important to show how hard it is in other countries for people to be trusting and do what is best for their families.
Samoan children are being taken from their families under false pretences. An adoption agency goes into homes and tells families with young children that they would like to bring the children into higher income homes in the US for a while so that they can be provided for properly. These families think that the kids will be provided a good education, food, shelter, and clothing and will return to them periodically still being their family. But in reality the agency takes the kids, gets parents who want to adopt to pay thousands of dollars and then sends the children to live under false pretenses. So in this case the children are e being abandoned and having to go months without schooling or proper education because they are going through adoption processes.
My opinion on this article is very much associated with the class discussion on Wednesday, we looked at the family taking action in their children’s lives. Parents care less and less about what their children are doing. So even in this case where the parents are giving up their children in hopes that they will have a better life, they are not doing the research behind it. I think that lower SES families are not provided the resources to provide for their children the way they could if they had computers or news outlooks. Even in America we see families, for instance the Navajo Indians these kids wrote Obama and told him they were his best friend because they thought that he could give them new homes and better school facilities. Education needs a drastic change on all level, parents need to be more educated world wide not just locally.
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=6958072&page=1
Falling Revenues Threaten Rebuilding in Iraq
Kelsey Walker
2/27/2009
2:52 PM
With the global depression on the rise, Iraq is facing hard times. They have to cut infrastructure projects that are a major necessity in the majority of unstable places throughout Iraq. The major problem hindering the Iraqi economy is the fact that 90 percent of their economic revenues lie in oil. Iraq’s main consumer, the U.S., has to cut back in oil consumption. To keep good business Iraq must lower the cost per barrel. This forces Iraq to postpone important projects that give the Iraqi people better access to water, electricity, and education. This also hinders America in that it is crucial for Iraq to have a stable economy and government because of President Obama’s hope to slowly pull out of Iraq. Some people believe that a easy fix would be to just raise the prices and dip into the bank and use money setback for the production of oil but this will not help to provide help from inadequate services. Officials believe that another possible fix would be to lower the prices and ship out twice as many barrels however, many believe that the deficit will still be too low. On the bright side, the crisis could finally force Iraq to build up its agricultural and industrial which can create private sectors and help Iraq become producers in more that oil.
The Iraqi crisis could not have happened at a worse time. With the global recession occurring many countries are forced to give up to keep a stable economy. It is harder on countries like Iraq, where their main income lies in only one or two types of production. Especially if that production is oil, which is the one of the main focuses for the American government to cutback. The Iraqi crisis is not just going to hinder Iraq, but America’s goals for a stable economy and government in Iraq. No matter what Iraq chooses to do to try to fix its problems, the whole world will be impacted because the majority of the world’s developed countries are dependent on Middle Eastern oil.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/world/middleeast/26reconstruct.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=world
2/27/2009
2:52 PM
With the global depression on the rise, Iraq is facing hard times. They have to cut infrastructure projects that are a major necessity in the majority of unstable places throughout Iraq. The major problem hindering the Iraqi economy is the fact that 90 percent of their economic revenues lie in oil. Iraq’s main consumer, the U.S., has to cut back in oil consumption. To keep good business Iraq must lower the cost per barrel. This forces Iraq to postpone important projects that give the Iraqi people better access to water, electricity, and education. This also hinders America in that it is crucial for Iraq to have a stable economy and government because of President Obama’s hope to slowly pull out of Iraq. Some people believe that a easy fix would be to just raise the prices and dip into the bank and use money setback for the production of oil but this will not help to provide help from inadequate services. Officials believe that another possible fix would be to lower the prices and ship out twice as many barrels however, many believe that the deficit will still be too low. On the bright side, the crisis could finally force Iraq to build up its agricultural and industrial which can create private sectors and help Iraq become producers in more that oil.
The Iraqi crisis could not have happened at a worse time. With the global recession occurring many countries are forced to give up to keep a stable economy. It is harder on countries like Iraq, where their main income lies in only one or two types of production. Especially if that production is oil, which is the one of the main focuses for the American government to cutback. The Iraqi crisis is not just going to hinder Iraq, but America’s goals for a stable economy and government in Iraq. No matter what Iraq chooses to do to try to fix its problems, the whole world will be impacted because the majority of the world’s developed countries are dependent on Middle Eastern oil.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/world/middleeast/26reconstruct.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=world
Obama: US combat in Iraq to end
I think the war was a necessity and I do not look at it as a failure. I think things could have been completed more efficiently though. I am not sure what this troop withdrawal will mean for
Randy Williams
2-27-09
Women's Rights Group Opens Chapter in Morocco
Shermunda Lawrence
Feb. 27, 2009
1:55pm
The French women’s rights group has moved to another country and continent, Morocco. This group, led by Vice President Silhem Habchi, fights against forced marriages and abusive situations which may have them end up living with a poor income. Since this is the first chapter in Morocco, especially in a Muslim world, this protest may take a while for women to be recognized for their rights. But everyone is not pleased with this move, saying this is not part of the “local culture.” Habchi feels really adamant about this move even though the fight is not over for France. She wants this movement to be spread globally, helping women overcome what she went through with her boyfriend. He set her on fire because she refused to marry him.
Since my minor focuses on Women’s and Gender Studies, I strongly agree with this movement. Countries, Religions, household, etc. have many roles and rules on women that restricts them from doing many things which bothers me. Vice President Habchi has been through a lot with her boyfriend and knows the pain the women are going through. Women should not be forced into marriages or relationship that they would not pull there all in. The women would not be happy, which will cause others in the family not to be happy. I think starting France was a good idea since France is the country where is amicable and everyone accepts everyone for the most part. And moving to Morocco is going to be a big step since the prominent religion of Muslim is there. But if the group can attain this, they can do anything.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-27-voa15.cfm
By Lisa Bryant Paris
Feb. 27, 2009
1:55pm
The French women’s rights group has moved to another country and continent, Morocco. This group, led by Vice President Silhem Habchi, fights against forced marriages and abusive situations which may have them end up living with a poor income. Since this is the first chapter in Morocco, especially in a Muslim world, this protest may take a while for women to be recognized for their rights. But everyone is not pleased with this move, saying this is not part of the “local culture.” Habchi feels really adamant about this move even though the fight is not over for France. She wants this movement to be spread globally, helping women overcome what she went through with her boyfriend. He set her on fire because she refused to marry him.
Since my minor focuses on Women’s and Gender Studies, I strongly agree with this movement. Countries, Religions, household, etc. have many roles and rules on women that restricts them from doing many things which bothers me. Vice President Habchi has been through a lot with her boyfriend and knows the pain the women are going through. Women should not be forced into marriages or relationship that they would not pull there all in. The women would not be happy, which will cause others in the family not to be happy. I think starting France was a good idea since France is the country where is amicable and everyone accepts everyone for the most part. And moving to Morocco is going to be a big step since the prominent religion of Muslim is there. But if the group can attain this, they can do anything.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-27-voa15.cfm
By Lisa Bryant Paris
Mexican president: We're not losing drug war
Meagan Flood
2/27/09
1:30
The drug trade has become a major problem in Mexico. Drug gangs are the cause of most violence in Mexico at this point. Taking over 1,000 lives within the first few weeks of 2009. Several international forces have been sent in at this point to try and aid against this war. Mexico’s president Calderon, claims that the smuggling cannot be eliminated while Americans are continuing to use drugs. Calderon’s goal is to have most of the worlds most powerful drug gangs defeated by the end of his term in 2012. Mexico controls a good amount of the drug smuggling and global trade. The next step is to deploy over 5,000 troops and federal officers to Ciudad Juarez, which is the most violent city. Unfortunately kidnappings and extortions have more than doubled in 2008.
I posted an article along the lines of this topic last week. Mexico is a power force when it comes to drug cartels. This is defiantly something that needs to be stopped. Mexican drug cartels often have their chemicals shipped to places like Africa then redistributed elsewhere. Also, drug use in America plays a big role in this situation also. The death of police officers and troops has already reached around 800 on top of the innocent bystanders. There have been reports lately of beheadings as well. It just shows these “drug lords” will not let anything or anyone get in their way.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29413556/
2/27/09
1:30
The drug trade has become a major problem in Mexico. Drug gangs are the cause of most violence in Mexico at this point. Taking over 1,000 lives within the first few weeks of 2009. Several international forces have been sent in at this point to try and aid against this war. Mexico’s president Calderon, claims that the smuggling cannot be eliminated while Americans are continuing to use drugs. Calderon’s goal is to have most of the worlds most powerful drug gangs defeated by the end of his term in 2012. Mexico controls a good amount of the drug smuggling and global trade. The next step is to deploy over 5,000 troops and federal officers to Ciudad Juarez, which is the most violent city. Unfortunately kidnappings and extortions have more than doubled in 2008.
I posted an article along the lines of this topic last week. Mexico is a power force when it comes to drug cartels. This is defiantly something that needs to be stopped. Mexican drug cartels often have their chemicals shipped to places like Africa then redistributed elsewhere. Also, drug use in America plays a big role in this situation also. The death of police officers and troops has already reached around 800 on top of the innocent bystanders. There have been reports lately of beheadings as well. It just shows these “drug lords” will not let anything or anyone get in their way.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29413556/
Bill Gates to End Polio!
Richard Gregory
2/27/09
12:45 PM
Even though Polio would seem as if it is a small problem globally considering only 2,000 people got polio last year while AIDS and malaria killed more than 3 million people. Polio is actually considered to be one of the least threatening global diseases. Since Polio isn’t really that big of problem why did Bill Gates and his foundation 255 million dollars to help fight against Polio. Most people say it’s because if we keep working towards this small problem of Polio we could actually eliminate it forever. The World Health Organization said they have eliminated pretty much all of the Polio cases and just have a little bit more to go, they just need the financial backing. You would think that money, especially 255 million dollars would be able to cure a small disease but actually it’s not money that is the problem. Polio spreads so quickly just through touch and contaminated food and water that it’s very hard to contain. The article goes on to say that only one in 200 children that get Polio receive the symptoms while the other 199 cases are “silent” killers.
I think that this is a great thing that Bill Gates is trying to do, even though I could see him doing it just for the prestige; “Bill Gates has ended Polio”, but maybe not, I don’t know him personally. It is good that a man with his wealth is putting it towards something good rather than more cars and bigger houses. I like the idea of the people trying to eliminate Polio of trying to do vaccinations in areas where they need it the most especially in Africa and India. The article went on to say that Nigeria and India governments don’t always cooperate, I’m guessing because they don’t care about it as much as Bill Gates and the World Health Organization. Those government’s would rather worry about something else than their own people dying.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/180968
2/27/09
12:45 PM
Even though Polio would seem as if it is a small problem globally considering only 2,000 people got polio last year while AIDS and malaria killed more than 3 million people. Polio is actually considered to be one of the least threatening global diseases. Since Polio isn’t really that big of problem why did Bill Gates and his foundation 255 million dollars to help fight against Polio. Most people say it’s because if we keep working towards this small problem of Polio we could actually eliminate it forever. The World Health Organization said they have eliminated pretty much all of the Polio cases and just have a little bit more to go, they just need the financial backing. You would think that money, especially 255 million dollars would be able to cure a small disease but actually it’s not money that is the problem. Polio spreads so quickly just through touch and contaminated food and water that it’s very hard to contain. The article goes on to say that only one in 200 children that get Polio receive the symptoms while the other 199 cases are “silent” killers.
I think that this is a great thing that Bill Gates is trying to do, even though I could see him doing it just for the prestige; “Bill Gates has ended Polio”, but maybe not, I don’t know him personally. It is good that a man with his wealth is putting it towards something good rather than more cars and bigger houses. I like the idea of the people trying to eliminate Polio of trying to do vaccinations in areas where they need it the most especially in Africa and India. The article went on to say that Nigeria and India governments don’t always cooperate, I’m guessing because they don’t care about it as much as Bill Gates and the World Health Organization. Those government’s would rather worry about something else than their own people dying.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/180968
SunCat Prototype
Trey Brown
2/27/09
11:50pm
A new greener technology is in the works that might have a heavy influence in the near future. Everything we use these days seems to run off electricity and if it not plugged in than it has got batteries. Even if they are the internal rechargeable kind people still get tired of having to plug them in or having them run out of juice at inopportune moments. Well SunCat, made by designer Knut Karlsen, is going to change that. They are merely prototypes but he fitted some old nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries with some small flexible solar panels and has managed to give them a charge. Though they are only weak prototypes he is well on the path to creating far more efficient batteries. Karlsen’s batteries will be able to hold and maintain a charge caught from the largest and longest lasting battery in existence, the sun. That is a most definite plus.
For a world becoming more concerned about its carbon footprint and the effect it has on the environment these batteries could be a miracle in the making. For as long human kind has existed there has been the dream of harnessing the power of the sun and now that technology might be coming in the foreseeable future. Being able to utilize such an almost inexhaustible resource would definitely help the growing population of the planet. Energy resources are always at a premium and having the sun on tap would alleviate a considerable amount of pressure. Using sun rechargeable technology could mean having machines that could almost never run out of energy. This would ensure important equipment such as hearing aids, motorized prosthetics and bigger things like farming machinery would never cease to operate at optimal efficiency unless the cause was a technical breakdown. Overuse of machines that can continually operate would probably be the only danger, but living in a world staring down a looming energy shortage I think it’s best to get the technology first and adapt after the major issue has been solved first.
Link to Article
2/27/09
11:50pm
A new greener technology is in the works that might have a heavy influence in the near future. Everything we use these days seems to run off electricity and if it not plugged in than it has got batteries. Even if they are the internal rechargeable kind people still get tired of having to plug them in or having them run out of juice at inopportune moments. Well SunCat, made by designer Knut Karlsen, is going to change that. They are merely prototypes but he fitted some old nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries with some small flexible solar panels and has managed to give them a charge. Though they are only weak prototypes he is well on the path to creating far more efficient batteries. Karlsen’s batteries will be able to hold and maintain a charge caught from the largest and longest lasting battery in existence, the sun. That is a most definite plus.
For a world becoming more concerned about its carbon footprint and the effect it has on the environment these batteries could be a miracle in the making. For as long human kind has existed there has been the dream of harnessing the power of the sun and now that technology might be coming in the foreseeable future. Being able to utilize such an almost inexhaustible resource would definitely help the growing population of the planet. Energy resources are always at a premium and having the sun on tap would alleviate a considerable amount of pressure. Using sun rechargeable technology could mean having machines that could almost never run out of energy. This would ensure important equipment such as hearing aids, motorized prosthetics and bigger things like farming machinery would never cease to operate at optimal efficiency unless the cause was a technical breakdown. Overuse of machines that can continually operate would probably be the only danger, but living in a world staring down a looming energy shortage I think it’s best to get the technology first and adapt after the major issue has been solved first.
Link to Article
Kenya toddler is first polio infection in 20 years
Amanda O’Donnell
February 27, 2009
10:30 am
Kenya announced its first polio infection in 20 years on Wednesday, after a 4-year-old girl was diagnosed with the disease along the country's remote border with Sudan. “In a country free of polio, when you make a diagnosis of one case of polio the definition is an outbreak," said Dr. David Okello, country representative of the World Health Organization. They were investigating a second case in Lokichoggio, 900 kilometers (560 miles) north of the capital city of Nairobi, where an infant had shown symptoms of the disease.
Polio is an infectious disease that mainly strikes children under five. It is spread primarily by the feces of an infected person getting into the food chain. It causes paralysis and can be fatal. Many Kenyan children were not immunized due to post election violence in 2008, which left more than 1,000 people dead and 600,000 people displaced from their homes. Many have still not returned home.
The next 10 days health officials will conduct immediate vaccination of Lokichoggio and surrounding areas to prevent the spread of the disease and then a synchronized vaccination campaign involving Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.
First of all, I think that is amazing that it is the first case for them in 20 years. Also the process that the World Health Organization is going through to make sure that the disease does not spread any further. This is a very serious situation and I really though that they would do nothing about it and act as if it were not a problem at all but they are really taking action for this country and that is very exciting. Also due to the election the immunization went from 100% to 60%. They were so concerned about their election that they were letting their health of their country diminish. I think what I found most interesting were the efforts being put into the case because most time in Africa they do not worry about things like that.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5irISeDANBDO50uQxugSP8yVjicdAD96IL8NG0
February 27, 2009
10:30 am
Kenya announced its first polio infection in 20 years on Wednesday, after a 4-year-old girl was diagnosed with the disease along the country's remote border with Sudan. “In a country free of polio, when you make a diagnosis of one case of polio the definition is an outbreak," said Dr. David Okello, country representative of the World Health Organization. They were investigating a second case in Lokichoggio, 900 kilometers (560 miles) north of the capital city of Nairobi, where an infant had shown symptoms of the disease.
Polio is an infectious disease that mainly strikes children under five. It is spread primarily by the feces of an infected person getting into the food chain. It causes paralysis and can be fatal. Many Kenyan children were not immunized due to post election violence in 2008, which left more than 1,000 people dead and 600,000 people displaced from their homes. Many have still not returned home.
The next 10 days health officials will conduct immediate vaccination of Lokichoggio and surrounding areas to prevent the spread of the disease and then a synchronized vaccination campaign involving Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.
First of all, I think that is amazing that it is the first case for them in 20 years. Also the process that the World Health Organization is going through to make sure that the disease does not spread any further. This is a very serious situation and I really though that they would do nothing about it and act as if it were not a problem at all but they are really taking action for this country and that is very exciting. Also due to the election the immunization went from 100% to 60%. They were so concerned about their election that they were letting their health of their country diminish. I think what I found most interesting were the efforts being put into the case because most time in Africa they do not worry about things like that.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5irISeDANBDO50uQxugSP8yVjicdAD96IL8NG0
Japanese Teen Arrested on Suspicion of Making Bombs to Blow Up Classmates
Ashlee O'Connell
02/27/09
10:22 A.M.
Japanese police arrested a 16-year-0ld boy today on suspicion of trying to manufacture a bomb to blow up his classmates. Materials and ingredients to make hand-made bombs were found at his home in the northern city of Sapporo. The threat was seen when the boy sent a threatening message to a classmate’s cell phone: “I’m the killing god. I’ll kill. Wiping out those who have made fool of me is what I live for.” The boy reportedly got tips from the Internet on how to make home-made bombs. Police confiscated explosive powder, some chemical substances, and other items from his house. Over fifty items were confiscated, which would have been enough to make explosives as deadly as the 2005 London attacks.
After the Columbine attacks and Virginia Tech in the U.S., you would think the U.S. is the one with the problem with violence in schools. It is scary to think that all over the world there are kids with a “hit-list” on different classmates. It makes me also feel better and like something is being done about this that when the threat was made against the student, there was actually something done about it and teachers did not just take it lightly. In the U.S., the Columbine shootings could’ve been prevented by taking the threats more serious. The U.S. can learn from this situation and take their example into our own hands by taking threats of violence in education as serious as they really are.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,500691,00.html
China/US: Together at Last?
J. Robert McKnight
2-27-09
9:32
The US and China are taking advantage of the eminent eco-tastrophe to bolster their rocky relationship. Before the two can solve any global problems, however, they've got to "increase the level, intensity, transparency and consistency" of their dialogue.
China and America combined account for nearly half of the global total of greenhouse gas emissions. The two agree that something needs to be done, but don't agree upon how. Co-development of technology, building a framework for energy cooperation and a US-China summit highlighting clean energy has been recommended by concerned outsiders.
A mutual distrust in each of the governments has long been a big problem in resolving conflicts between the two countries, but perhaps this "less divisive goal" (compared to issues of security, trade and human rights) will herald in a new era of collaboration and other good things...
Less divisive, perhaps, but "climate change now likely presents the greatest security threat to our common future," says Kenneth Lieberthal, a China scholar and former White House adviser.
Leave it to armageddon to forge international unity. It's funny how bad things so often bring about good... And vise versa. This problem is one of those kill two birds with one stone opportunities. Wouldn't it be cool if the better part of 40% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions were cut and America and China trusted each other. Everyone wins.
I've read before that China isn't very excited to curb its patiently awaited rise to power in the name of the environment, and that it's their opinion that the greater environmental responsibility rests on fully developed nations. I didn't know that that's why Bush didn't sign the Kyoto protocol, because it was his opinion that developing countries like China and India ought not to be exempt from the rest of the worlds efforts. A terrible, TERRIBLE reason for the US not to participate, but his point rings true. The well-being of the planet comes before a nation attaining new levels of economic prosperity and prestige.
The 17 Minute Film
Meredith Hodge
2/27/09
1:22 AM
The screening of a controversial film, “Fitna,” created by a man named Geert Wilders who is a Dutch lawmaker and leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom. Wilders is primarily known for his intense criticism of Islam. He was supposed to be prosecuted according to a Dutch court and was banned by the British Government from entering the country after the screening of his movie. His film is merely 17 minutes long and “opens with a warning about the “very shocking images” it contains,” and contains “video clips of violence and bloodshed committed by Muslims are interspersed with verses from the Koran.” This film features events such as September 11. Wilders upheld his position by stating “I don’t hate Muslims — I hate Islam.”
When looking at the issue of the film itself it obviously offends many people. However, Wilders is entitled to freedom of speech, religion, and his own opinion. Just because we don’t agree with people or view things from the same standpoint we should at least tolerate them. Although Wilders is exercising his personal rights I also believe he could have been more sensitive to others in doing so. Many other people are offended because this video is directed towards them when in all reality everyone is stereotyped and criticized. People may have been offended and whatnot but it seems in some instances they may very well have been blowing this out of proportion.
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/mr-wilders-goes-to-washington/?hp
2/27/09
1:22 AM
The screening of a controversial film, “Fitna,” created by a man named Geert Wilders who is a Dutch lawmaker and leader of the right-wing Party for Freedom. Wilders is primarily known for his intense criticism of Islam. He was supposed to be prosecuted according to a Dutch court and was banned by the British Government from entering the country after the screening of his movie. His film is merely 17 minutes long and “opens with a warning about the “very shocking images” it contains,” and contains “video clips of violence and bloodshed committed by Muslims are interspersed with verses from the Koran.” This film features events such as September 11. Wilders upheld his position by stating “I don’t hate Muslims — I hate Islam.”
When looking at the issue of the film itself it obviously offends many people. However, Wilders is entitled to freedom of speech, religion, and his own opinion. Just because we don’t agree with people or view things from the same standpoint we should at least tolerate them. Although Wilders is exercising his personal rights I also believe he could have been more sensitive to others in doing so. Many other people are offended because this video is directed towards them when in all reality everyone is stereotyped and criticized. People may have been offended and whatnot but it seems in some instances they may very well have been blowing this out of proportion.
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/mr-wilders-goes-to-washington/?hp
Thursday, February 26, 2009
China Says U.S. Distorts Facts in Report on Rights
Kelsey McGalliard
7:45 pm
2/26/2009
Chinese authorities reacted sharply on Thursday to an annual State Department report on global human rights that called China’s respect for rights not only “poor,” but also declining in its handling of ethnic minorities and dissidents. The state news agency Xinhua called the report’s section on China groundless and irresponsible, saying it “willfully ignored and distorted basic facts” about human rights conditions and the nation’s ethnic, legal and religious systems. “The report turned a blind eye to the efforts and historic achievements China has made in human rights that have been widely recognized by the international community,” the Xinhua statement said. “It called the annual report an American pretext for interfering in the domestic affairs of other nations.” Hillary Rodham Clinton said publicly that American concern over China’s human rights practices would not impede cooperation on strategic issues like the economic crisis and global warming. Human rights groups and some others expressed dismay at her remarks, which they said undercut the United States’ ability to influence China’s human rights policies and its treatment of dissidents and other persecuted individuals. The State Department document mentioned China, Russia, Zimbabwe, Egypt and a handful of other nations in its introduction as states where human rights conditions had deteriorated during 2008. It said Russia had “continued a negative trajectory” in domestic rights matters and accused Zimbabwe of a campaign of terror against the governments political opponents that has led to the torture, disappearance or death of hundreds. The 44-page section on China particularly criticized the government’s treatment of its Tibetan and Uighur minorities, and what it termed “increased detention and harassment of dissidents and petitioners.”
This was really interesting to read and I am glad that public is getting to see China for what it really is and how they are treating their citizens. China wasn’t the only country that was listed which is a good thing because these human rights is very important and the people of the world need to have efforts done that protect them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/world/asia/27china.html?ref=world
7:45 pm
2/26/2009
Chinese authorities reacted sharply on Thursday to an annual State Department report on global human rights that called China’s respect for rights not only “poor,” but also declining in its handling of ethnic minorities and dissidents. The state news agency Xinhua called the report’s section on China groundless and irresponsible, saying it “willfully ignored and distorted basic facts” about human rights conditions and the nation’s ethnic, legal and religious systems. “The report turned a blind eye to the efforts and historic achievements China has made in human rights that have been widely recognized by the international community,” the Xinhua statement said. “It called the annual report an American pretext for interfering in the domestic affairs of other nations.” Hillary Rodham Clinton said publicly that American concern over China’s human rights practices would not impede cooperation on strategic issues like the economic crisis and global warming. Human rights groups and some others expressed dismay at her remarks, which they said undercut the United States’ ability to influence China’s human rights policies and its treatment of dissidents and other persecuted individuals. The State Department document mentioned China, Russia, Zimbabwe, Egypt and a handful of other nations in its introduction as states where human rights conditions had deteriorated during 2008. It said Russia had “continued a negative trajectory” in domestic rights matters and accused Zimbabwe of a campaign of terror against the governments political opponents that has led to the torture, disappearance or death of hundreds. The 44-page section on China particularly criticized the government’s treatment of its Tibetan and Uighur minorities, and what it termed “increased detention and harassment of dissidents and petitioners.”
This was really interesting to read and I am glad that public is getting to see China for what it really is and how they are treating their citizens. China wasn’t the only country that was listed which is a good thing because these human rights is very important and the people of the world need to have efforts done that protect them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/world/asia/27china.html?ref=world
His and Hers: The Swedish Balance
Gabrielle Martino
February 26th, 6:28 pm
This week in class we have been discussing the gender gap in wages. In this article, new data from 2008 has shown that the Nordic countries are leading the world in closing that gap. They have reached about 80 cents per one dollar (women to mans). This is fairly impressive, considering that in the United States we are averaging about ten cents less than this. This report also took into account how many women were active in their country's government. Sweden was also at the top of the list with a very impressive 47%.
At the bottom of the list included India at number 25 and Pakistan at number 50. These countries have a long history of unequal gender rights, and they are far from reaching equality between the sexes.
I think that it is very impressive that Sweden has been working towards gender equality; the fact that it is almost an even number of men and women in government is extremely impressive. This is probably one of the primary reasons for why the gap is closing in this country. I think that the US really needs to catch up and should be paying close attention to the progress that they have made.
http://newsblaze.com/story/20090217072633iwfs.nb/topstory.html
February 26th, 6:28 pm
This week in class we have been discussing the gender gap in wages. In this article, new data from 2008 has shown that the Nordic countries are leading the world in closing that gap. They have reached about 80 cents per one dollar (women to mans). This is fairly impressive, considering that in the United States we are averaging about ten cents less than this. This report also took into account how many women were active in their country's government. Sweden was also at the top of the list with a very impressive 47%.
At the bottom of the list included India at number 25 and Pakistan at number 50. These countries have a long history of unequal gender rights, and they are far from reaching equality between the sexes.
I think that it is very impressive that Sweden has been working towards gender equality; the fact that it is almost an even number of men and women in government is extremely impressive. This is probably one of the primary reasons for why the gap is closing in this country. I think that the US really needs to catch up and should be paying close attention to the progress that they have made.
http://newsblaze.com/story/20090217072633iwfs.nb/topstory.html
Hague War Crimes Tribunal Acquits Milutinovic
Lauren DiCiaccio
Feb. 26, 2009
5:32
The former president of Serbia, Milan Milutinovic, was found not guilty of committing crimes against humanity during the Kosovo conflict. He was tried at the Hague by a war crimes tribunal who acquitted, but sentenced five other former government officials who were involved with the conflict that occurred in the 1990's. The other government members who received sentencing were charged with the deportation and forcible transfer of ethnic Albanians out of Kosovo, which is a predominantly ethnically Serbian area. Critics of the officials, including Milutinovic, state that they worked closely with the former president of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic, to wrongly rid Kosovo of thousands of ethnic Albanians.
I thought it was interesting that Milutinovic was declared not guilty so close to the first year of independence of Kosovo. I was a bit disappointed to see that not many of the leaders charged with war crimes from the Bosnian or Kosovo conflicts charged. Most notably, the Slobodan Milosevic trial seemed to me to be a bit of a joke. He seemed to be more in control of the trial than anyone else, and his years of runarounds with the court ended in his death (due to natural causes), and not any sort of sentencing that he would follow through with. The atrocities that occurred in the Bosnian and Kosovo conflicts were a large scale threat to humanity in those areas. I am certain that many would agree with me, especially those who had seen it. It would seem like the US policy of "never again" in regards to genocide and intervention on behalf of the victims of such conflict is more one of convenience. While the US and UN stepped in earlier in Kosovo than in the Bosnian ethnic cleansing, it was still too late and the people responsible have been able to live life without the proper consequences.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-26-voa45.cfm
Feb. 26, 2009
5:32
The former president of Serbia, Milan Milutinovic, was found not guilty of committing crimes against humanity during the Kosovo conflict. He was tried at the Hague by a war crimes tribunal who acquitted, but sentenced five other former government officials who were involved with the conflict that occurred in the 1990's. The other government members who received sentencing were charged with the deportation and forcible transfer of ethnic Albanians out of Kosovo, which is a predominantly ethnically Serbian area. Critics of the officials, including Milutinovic, state that they worked closely with the former president of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic, to wrongly rid Kosovo of thousands of ethnic Albanians.
I thought it was interesting that Milutinovic was declared not guilty so close to the first year of independence of Kosovo. I was a bit disappointed to see that not many of the leaders charged with war crimes from the Bosnian or Kosovo conflicts charged. Most notably, the Slobodan Milosevic trial seemed to me to be a bit of a joke. He seemed to be more in control of the trial than anyone else, and his years of runarounds with the court ended in his death (due to natural causes), and not any sort of sentencing that he would follow through with. The atrocities that occurred in the Bosnian and Kosovo conflicts were a large scale threat to humanity in those areas. I am certain that many would agree with me, especially those who had seen it. It would seem like the US policy of "never again" in regards to genocide and intervention on behalf of the victims of such conflict is more one of convenience. While the US and UN stepped in earlier in Kosovo than in the Bosnian ethnic cleansing, it was still too late and the people responsible have been able to live life without the proper consequences.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-26-voa45.cfm
Children tied up in Mexico City
Michelle Commiskey
Feb. 26, 2009
2:12pm
Mexico City police have rescued a little boy and girl from a water tank in their home. The boy, age 6, and the girl, age 4, were kept in the tank bound, gagged, and naked by their relatives. Police were tipped off by an anonymous caller who reported hearing moans coming from the house. The two children have lived in the house with their aunt and uncle since their parents abandoned them.
After the children were saved from the empty water tank, police took the children’s aunt and uncle, as well as two others living in the house, into custody. The aunt and uncle stated their case by telling authorities that that was how they issued punishments to the children. Police have decided to investigate more on the case before filing any charges.
The boy and girl were taken to the hospital and were treated for dehydration, hypothermia and unspecified wounds. Doctors also found older wounds indicating that these children had been abused before.
What could two children do that was so bad that they were basically placed in a criminal-like situation?!? If anyone is a criminal it is the aunt and uncle. Child abuse is, in my opinion, one of the worst crimes (less than murder and rape) that someone can commit. Children should have their innocence protected, especially for these very young kids. As for police investigating further until filing charges…what other proof do they need? The aunt and uncle are the guardians for these children. They are supposed to be responsible for the care and well-being of the little boy and girl. They failed their responsibilities! I know if the aunt and uncle were taken away, after the children had been abandoned by their parents, they would have no one…but wouldn’t foster care be safer for them than their current environment?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090226/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_bound_children;_ylt=AoqPphQCBn41ORMpIO81lzhvaA8F
Feb. 26, 2009
2:12pm
Mexico City police have rescued a little boy and girl from a water tank in their home. The boy, age 6, and the girl, age 4, were kept in the tank bound, gagged, and naked by their relatives. Police were tipped off by an anonymous caller who reported hearing moans coming from the house. The two children have lived in the house with their aunt and uncle since their parents abandoned them.
After the children were saved from the empty water tank, police took the children’s aunt and uncle, as well as two others living in the house, into custody. The aunt and uncle stated their case by telling authorities that that was how they issued punishments to the children. Police have decided to investigate more on the case before filing any charges.
The boy and girl were taken to the hospital and were treated for dehydration, hypothermia and unspecified wounds. Doctors also found older wounds indicating that these children had been abused before.
What could two children do that was so bad that they were basically placed in a criminal-like situation?!? If anyone is a criminal it is the aunt and uncle. Child abuse is, in my opinion, one of the worst crimes (less than murder and rape) that someone can commit. Children should have their innocence protected, especially for these very young kids. As for police investigating further until filing charges…what other proof do they need? The aunt and uncle are the guardians for these children. They are supposed to be responsible for the care and well-being of the little boy and girl. They failed their responsibilities! I know if the aunt and uncle were taken away, after the children had been abandoned by their parents, they would have no one…but wouldn’t foster care be safer for them than their current environment?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090226/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_bound_children;_ylt=AoqPphQCBn41ORMpIO81lzhvaA8F
Palestinians say Israel to demolish Jerusalem homes
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-38166020090223?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
Gavin Munoff
February 26, 2009
To give a synopsys of this situation; Isreal, without the (directly known) support of the rest of the world, has decided to expand it's borders even further. The coutry considers all parts of Jerusalem to be theirs, and is engaging in the demolition of many homes in Jerusalem that house Arab families and citizens. Many believe that politcal and religious power in the coutry are already beginning to declare the land for themselves.
This is my second post regarding Israel, and although I am not an expert, I have a few opinions on what is happening here that seem to differ from the general opinion among older generations. Isreal is basically going to take over all of Jerusalem, with no regards to the palistinians who will just be completely displaced, redering them not only homeless, but also subject to more fostering of religious and ethnic hatred towards Israel and the west in general.
I feel that there is a very complex system involved here. With so much money being transferred from US and other nations, as well as the territory itself and it's location, seems like a complete setup for some kind of transformation of the middle east to make it meet our standards, an apparent constant issue in war today. At the root of it, it has nothing to do with religion or race. The UN kindly and generously stole territory from palistine after WW2 to give to the displaced jewish population. That territory also happened to be, like, 2 inches away from the holy-land. If that's not enough material for isreal's government to instill support for expansion, what is?
Why do 1WN's give so much money and support? I think it's because it's an infiltration into the arab society that isn't completely compliant with our new order of global capitalism. That's what I am inclined to believe although the evidence is so varied and wide, making it inherently difficult to know the truth, if there even is an agenda involved.
Overall though, I think there was another sort of motive involved when you consider who controls the UN. Comments please.
Gavin Munoff
February 26, 2009
To give a synopsys of this situation; Isreal, without the (directly known) support of the rest of the world, has decided to expand it's borders even further. The coutry considers all parts of Jerusalem to be theirs, and is engaging in the demolition of many homes in Jerusalem that house Arab families and citizens. Many believe that politcal and religious power in the coutry are already beginning to declare the land for themselves.
This is my second post regarding Israel, and although I am not an expert, I have a few opinions on what is happening here that seem to differ from the general opinion among older generations. Isreal is basically going to take over all of Jerusalem, with no regards to the palistinians who will just be completely displaced, redering them not only homeless, but also subject to more fostering of religious and ethnic hatred towards Israel and the west in general.
I feel that there is a very complex system involved here. With so much money being transferred from US and other nations, as well as the territory itself and it's location, seems like a complete setup for some kind of transformation of the middle east to make it meet our standards, an apparent constant issue in war today. At the root of it, it has nothing to do with religion or race. The UN kindly and generously stole territory from palistine after WW2 to give to the displaced jewish population. That territory also happened to be, like, 2 inches away from the holy-land. If that's not enough material for isreal's government to instill support for expansion, what is?
Why do 1WN's give so much money and support? I think it's because it's an infiltration into the arab society that isn't completely compliant with our new order of global capitalism. That's what I am inclined to believe although the evidence is so varied and wide, making it inherently difficult to know the truth, if there even is an agenda involved.
Overall though, I think there was another sort of motive involved when you consider who controls the UN. Comments please.
Casey Berry
2/26/09
9:00 am.
A baffling global economy
According to Robert Samuelson we’ve been having the wrong discussion about globalization for many years. We’ve spent our time arguing over out workers and other countries workers and our exports and imports. He said that by the large the answer to all these questions is yes! Samuelson said that the real question should be “Is an increasingly interconnected world economy basically stable? Or does it generate periodic crises that harm everyone and spawn international conflict?” He said that there’s a huge gap between the U.S. economy’s “actual performance” and “mass psychology”. A global economy that it disorganized could reverse our advances said Samuelson. He thinks that we’re starting to make some progress but then we start to get disorganized and we totally reverse that. In this article it states that foreigners own more than $1 trillion of our debt. He said that foreigners have bought $5.7 trillion of our U.S. stock. Our experts are very confused about our economy. They say “countries are growing economically more interdependent and politically more nationalistic.” Samuelson said that there’s no possible way to reverse globalization than any other time in our history. He also said that so much can go wrong and we have no guaranteed future.
In my opinion I am very worried about my future. I know that I am going to have it way harder than my parents. It seems like every day on the news they keep talking about our economy getting worse and worse. I am confused about why the foreigners are spending so much money on our stock and they are in debt so bad. If we wouldn’t let people come over here and get in debt and that includes foreigners or Americans then we wouldn’t be in the situation that we are in right now.
2/26/09
9:00 am.
A baffling global economy
According to Robert Samuelson we’ve been having the wrong discussion about globalization for many years. We’ve spent our time arguing over out workers and other countries workers and our exports and imports. He said that by the large the answer to all these questions is yes! Samuelson said that the real question should be “Is an increasingly interconnected world economy basically stable? Or does it generate periodic crises that harm everyone and spawn international conflict?” He said that there’s a huge gap between the U.S. economy’s “actual performance” and “mass psychology”. A global economy that it disorganized could reverse our advances said Samuelson. He thinks that we’re starting to make some progress but then we start to get disorganized and we totally reverse that. In this article it states that foreigners own more than $1 trillion of our debt. He said that foreigners have bought $5.7 trillion of our U.S. stock. Our experts are very confused about our economy. They say “countries are growing economically more interdependent and politically more nationalistic.” Samuelson said that there’s no possible way to reverse globalization than any other time in our history. He also said that so much can go wrong and we have no guaranteed future.
In my opinion I am very worried about my future. I know that I am going to have it way harder than my parents. It seems like every day on the news they keep talking about our economy getting worse and worse. I am confused about why the foreigners are spending so much money on our stock and they are in debt so bad. If we wouldn’t let people come over here and get in debt and that includes foreigners or Americans then we wouldn’t be in the situation that we are in right now.
Japan exports drop 46% in January
Jared Hance
Febuary 26
1:40am
Japan has released day saying that their exports have plummeted by 45.7% in just one year’s time, making it the lowest figure since the end of WWII. Just as shocking is that contained in this date is a 69% decrease in Japanese cars demanded, showing that not only GM is feeling the crunch. China is also sharing in the recession, with similar numbers being posted by Japan’s not so distant neighbor. Companies are expected to make large job cuts, with electronics juggernaut Sony cutting nearly ten thousand positions, which is an unfortunate example of the American recession being brought to the doorstep of Japanese citizens. To combat this, much like the U.S., Japan’s government is pushing out a series of legislature to help ease the pain domestically, such as a set of stimulus packages that will provide marginal relief. Interesting to note is that President Obama will be working directly with the Prime Minister of Japan on the problem.
It’s hard to comprehend the numbers found in this article. Has demand really shrunk exports to a meager 55% of what they were last year? It seems nearly impossible and downright scary to the think that this recession is so powerful that it can in a single year tear a countries production in half. While I can’t imagine that February will be much better, it is heartening to see that the Prime Minister and President Obama are actively working on a solution, as should the two top economies in the world falter to this degree it can only spell disaster for the rest of the world.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Abandonment follows family from Laos to the U.S. in 'The Betrayal"
Adonya Douglas
February 25, 2009
7:18 pm
From Laos to the U.S.
" The Betrayal" is a documentary that chronicles a families experience before, during, and after the Vietnam War which includes geopolitics and the upheavel of exilie. The story is told through the eyes of Thavi, and includes compelling conversations of him and his mother and his nine siblings. Thavi had an intimate knowledge of war for as long as he could remember: Jets screeching overhead, rockets pounding his village, wounded neighbors and body bags. His father was among thousands enlisted to fight the North Vietnamese in the CIA's clandestine war in Laos. But after the communist Pathet Lao took control, Thavi's family was stigmatized by its association with the United States. His father, nabbed by the new rulers for a "seminar" re-education, was assumed killed. "Resilience" and "fortitude" hardly begin to capture the family's response to its ensuing struggles: dead-of-night escapes, the purgatory of a Thai refugee camp, the brutal awakening that asylum in the U.S. would not bring them "one step away from heaven," as Thavi's mother believed.Expecting the country to take care of her family in appreciation of her husband's sacrifice, she instead found herself and her children sharing a room in a tenement crack house, gang warfare raging around them.
Many families that live outside the U.S. have a fake reality of what it is like to live in the U.S.
Once they get here they can experience some of the same hardships that they experienced in there country.
Although most of the time conditions are better. I think this would be a really good flim to see and it is also Oscar nominated!
Kenya issues polio alert
Shannon Bourret
February 25, 2009
11:55 AM
The article I read was about the Kenyan government releasing a new polio alert on Wednesday. The government has admitted that there had been a shortage of BCG and polio vaccines in Kenya since mid last year. This alert came after a confirmed case of a 4 year old little girl in Turkana North District with wild polio virus type 1. The director of public health is issuing emergency campaigns in the affected areas. Apparently, even one case of polio is considered an outbreak. He also said that there is a shortage of vaccines internationally. There have been 4 major vaccine distributors who have stopped due to inadequate quality. Also, Kenya’s agreement with UNICEF expired in December of 2007 and it took almost 6 months to get an new vaccine agreement. The World Health Organization is helping to supply Kenya with needed medical supplies. Because of intense polio campaigns, Kenya has been polio free for the last 20 years… until now.
I was very surprised when I read this article! I was not even aware that polio was still an issue in underdeveloped countries. This article really opened my eyes and showed me that even though we may not have certain issues here in the US that does not mean that other places in the world aren’t dealing with them. I am glad to see that UNICEF and the World Health Organization are contributing and putting in the effort to stop this “outbreak” in its tracks. I was also surprised to learn that there are 4 vaccine distributors around the world that have been stopped due to poor quality. To me, that is just unacceptable. With all of the resources and technology we have around the world in this day and age, it seems to me that we should be able to produce vaccines at a high quality.
link
February 25, 2009
11:55 AM
The article I read was about the Kenyan government releasing a new polio alert on Wednesday. The government has admitted that there had been a shortage of BCG and polio vaccines in Kenya since mid last year. This alert came after a confirmed case of a 4 year old little girl in Turkana North District with wild polio virus type 1. The director of public health is issuing emergency campaigns in the affected areas. Apparently, even one case of polio is considered an outbreak. He also said that there is a shortage of vaccines internationally. There have been 4 major vaccine distributors who have stopped due to inadequate quality. Also, Kenya’s agreement with UNICEF expired in December of 2007 and it took almost 6 months to get an new vaccine agreement. The World Health Organization is helping to supply Kenya with needed medical supplies. Because of intense polio campaigns, Kenya has been polio free for the last 20 years… until now.
I was very surprised when I read this article! I was not even aware that polio was still an issue in underdeveloped countries. This article really opened my eyes and showed me that even though we may not have certain issues here in the US that does not mean that other places in the world aren’t dealing with them. I am glad to see that UNICEF and the World Health Organization are contributing and putting in the effort to stop this “outbreak” in its tracks. I was also surprised to learn that there are 4 vaccine distributors around the world that have been stopped due to poor quality. To me, that is just unacceptable. With all of the resources and technology we have around the world in this day and age, it seems to me that we should be able to produce vaccines at a high quality.
link
Big Oil gets a hand in Big Green
Alex Sayre
10:00 am
2.25.09
AS THE GLOBAL MARKET turns towards using efficient and healthy fuels to help sustain our world many of the big oil companies have decided to chip in. Five of the world’s largest oil companies that have made researching and developing different venues for fuels include BP, PLC, Chevron Corp., ConocoPhilips co., Royal Dutch Shell, and Total SA. In total these companies have given little more than over half a billion dollars in funding to other organizations in the past two years. Compared to what these companies take in, 100 to 200 billion dollars a year, this barely tickles the hair on their chinny chin chins.
Universities are the recipient of these funds and are even becoming somewhat reliant upon the cash flow from these corporations. The universities are focusing on ways to convert biomass into gasoline, using technology to delve into geothermal and nuclear power as well as finding a way to possibly convert algae into fuel.
The money coming from these companies is providing much better help than money coming from grants from the federal government. Also instead of scientists doing the research themselves and helping large scale businesses take in the knowledge and act on it, the companies are coming to the scientists and are engaged by them directly. Much of the funding is going towards the big problems of the day like finding alternate fuels, carbon sequestration and nuclear waste disposal.
One company standing out from the rest is BP with an outstanding reputation being the second largest photovoltaic company as well as supporting wind. The best part is that funding the colleges it does it does not poke and prod at its research trying to direct science their way; the engineers from BP and the scientists from colleges work together on both sides of the table focusing their brain power on what each respectively know best.
Exxon mobile isn’t doing any of this, though. Jerks. I think the oil companies helping out research and development is pretty sweet though. And I’m damn proud of BP, mostly because I like their logos, but they are obviously headed by some very clear thinking people who are preparing for the future. Hats off to BP.
Extra Credit
Please feel free to join Prof. Cybelle McFadden Wilkens' Franco-Arab
Cinema course (FRE 562) for their weekly screenings. There will be tonight at 6:30 PM in 1213 MHRA.
All films are subtitled in English.
Tuesday, February 24, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Le plafond de verre (Glass Ceiling)
Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Viva Laldgérie
Tuesday, March 17, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Hidden (Caché)
Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Bedwin Hacker
Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Raja
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Le grand voyage
Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
La Haine (Hate)
Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Caramel
Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Persepolis
Cinema course (FRE 562) for their weekly screenings. There will be tonight at 6:30 PM in 1213 MHRA.
All films are subtitled in English.
Tuesday, February 24, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Le plafond de verre (Glass Ceiling)
Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Viva Laldgérie
Tuesday, March 17, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Hidden (Caché)
Tuesday, March 24, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Bedwin Hacker
Tuesday, March 31, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Raja
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Le grand voyage
Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
La Haine (Hate)
L?Esquive (Games of Love and Chance)
Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Caramel
Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 PM, 1213 MHRA
Persepolis
Extra Credit
Film: Black Diamonds, Feb. 26, Weatherspoon Art Museum
Next FREE Sustainability Film:
Black Diamonds (http://www.blackdiamondsmovie.com/)
WHEN: Thursday Feb 26. Film starts at 6:30pm,
WHERE: Weatherspoon Art Museum, UNCG (http://weatherspoon.uncg.edu or phone (336) 334-5770)
The film starts at 6:30 pm followed by a short discussion with Lenny Kohm, Campaign coordinator of Appalachian Voices (http://www.appvoices.org/) Lenny Kohm speaks tirelessly in defense of Appalachian mountains. As the recent disaster in Tennessee reminds us - there is no such thing as clean coal. Come see the film and discuss the important issue of mountain top removal with an expert.
This film charts the escalating drama in Appalachia over the alarming increase in large mountaintop coal mines. These mammoth operations have covered 1200 miles of headwater streams with mining waste; demolished thousands of acres of hardwood forest; and flattened hundreds of Appalachian mountain peaks. Directed by Catherine Pancake.
Sponsors: Many green organizations in the Greensboro area, will have tables with information, ways to get involved, and maybe even treats, available before the film as early as 5:45pm. Please stop by to peruse the tables, many of which are sponsors of our film series .
Next FREE Sustainability Film:
Black Diamonds (http://www.blackdiamondsmovie.com/)
WHEN: Thursday Feb 26. Film starts at 6:30pm,
WHERE: Weatherspoon Art Museum, UNCG (http://weatherspoon.uncg.edu or phone (336) 334-5770)
The film starts at 6:30 pm followed by a short discussion with Lenny Kohm, Campaign coordinator of Appalachian Voices (http://www.appvoices.org/) Lenny Kohm speaks tirelessly in defense of Appalachian mountains. As the recent disaster in Tennessee reminds us - there is no such thing as clean coal. Come see the film and discuss the important issue of mountain top removal with an expert.
This film charts the escalating drama in Appalachia over the alarming increase in large mountaintop coal mines. These mammoth operations have covered 1200 miles of headwater streams with mining waste; demolished thousands of acres of hardwood forest; and flattened hundreds of Appalachian mountain peaks. Directed by Catherine Pancake.
Sponsors: Many green organizations in the Greensboro area, will have tables with information, ways to get involved, and maybe even treats, available before the film as early as 5:45pm. Please stop by to peruse the tables, many of which are sponsors of our film series .
Taleban Education Ban in Swat
Carina Gibson
12:57 A.M.
Feb. 25, 2009
In the Swat Valley in Pakistan, Islamic militant groups are attacking schools and forcing children out of their homes. The Taleban issued a ban on female education that came into effect recently, as well as bombed several schools in the past week. These militants have paralyzed Swat with a two year long armed insurgency as the Taleban militants continue to impose their brand of Islamic law on the district. The Pakistani army is now moving into the remaining school buildings in order to protect the children in those buildings. Parents are worried that this occupation of militia will only provoke harsher attacks on these schools, therefore putting these children at an even higher risk. The Taleban militants have put the militia on the defensive by attacking check points and camps with suicide bombers. The district head of the education department, Sher Afzal Khan, says “…187 of our schools [have been] bombed out, of which 121 are girls' schools," he also goes on to say that “…nearly 60,000 students have been affected.” At least another eighty six schools are being used by the Taleban as camps, and other schools are located in combat zones where civilians cannot go. Those who can afford to leave will be able to reach some safety, but those who cannot, unfortunately don’t have much of a choice.
These schools are in danger, along with the many children in the educational programs, especially the girls. This ban on education is taking a toll on not only the children’s studies and educational advancement, but also many lives are at risk because of this forced rule of the Taleban.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7855198.stm
12:57 A.M.
Feb. 25, 2009
In the Swat Valley in Pakistan, Islamic militant groups are attacking schools and forcing children out of their homes. The Taleban issued a ban on female education that came into effect recently, as well as bombed several schools in the past week. These militants have paralyzed Swat with a two year long armed insurgency as the Taleban militants continue to impose their brand of Islamic law on the district. The Pakistani army is now moving into the remaining school buildings in order to protect the children in those buildings. Parents are worried that this occupation of militia will only provoke harsher attacks on these schools, therefore putting these children at an even higher risk. The Taleban militants have put the militia on the defensive by attacking check points and camps with suicide bombers. The district head of the education department, Sher Afzal Khan, says “…187 of our schools [have been] bombed out, of which 121 are girls' schools," he also goes on to say that “…nearly 60,000 students have been affected.” At least another eighty six schools are being used by the Taleban as camps, and other schools are located in combat zones where civilians cannot go. Those who can afford to leave will be able to reach some safety, but those who cannot, unfortunately don’t have much of a choice.
These schools are in danger, along with the many children in the educational programs, especially the girls. This ban on education is taking a toll on not only the children’s studies and educational advancement, but also many lives are at risk because of this forced rule of the Taleban.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7855198.stm
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Safe Haven: Deposit Teen Here
Gina Ponzi
February 25th, 2009
12:00 AM
What do we learn from Nebraska’s “Safe Haven” law? Semantics matter. While Nebraska’s “safe haven” law has good intentions, authorities should have been more careful with their choice of words. The intention behind the law is to protect infants from danger, and to help mothers (particularly young, single moms) who may feel trapped and afraid of raising a child. The law states that any parent or guardian may anonymously drop off a child at a hospital with no fear of persecution. Apparently, they should have been a little more specific; rather than receiving swaddled infants, hospitals have been surprised to find troubled (or troubling) teenagers at their doorstep. Every state has safe haven laws, but Nebraska’s is the only state that fails to specify an age limit.
I believe that the safe haven policy is a great illustration of society working towards endowing all people with human rights. The safe haven policy provides safety for mothers and infants, and presents a wonderful alternative to abortion, which, (besides being solely a matter of ethics), can cause a plethora of health and emotional problems for would-have-been mothers. Our constitution states that all humans are entitled to the basic rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and the “safe haven” law prevents unborn children and infants from being denied these fundamental rights. Despite these advantages, however, I do believe that there should be some stipulations on age. The policy is not intended to allow parents to relinquish responsibility of dealing with troublesome parenting issues; rather, it is intended to protect infants in immediate danger.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/10/08/nebraska.safe.haven/index.html
February 25th, 2009
12:00 AM
What do we learn from Nebraska’s “Safe Haven” law? Semantics matter. While Nebraska’s “safe haven” law has good intentions, authorities should have been more careful with their choice of words. The intention behind the law is to protect infants from danger, and to help mothers (particularly young, single moms) who may feel trapped and afraid of raising a child. The law states that any parent or guardian may anonymously drop off a child at a hospital with no fear of persecution. Apparently, they should have been a little more specific; rather than receiving swaddled infants, hospitals have been surprised to find troubled (or troubling) teenagers at their doorstep. Every state has safe haven laws, but Nebraska’s is the only state that fails to specify an age limit.
I believe that the safe haven policy is a great illustration of society working towards endowing all people with human rights. The safe haven policy provides safety for mothers and infants, and presents a wonderful alternative to abortion, which, (besides being solely a matter of ethics), can cause a plethora of health and emotional problems for would-have-been mothers. Our constitution states that all humans are entitled to the basic rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and the “safe haven” law prevents unborn children and infants from being denied these fundamental rights. Despite these advantages, however, I do believe that there should be some stipulations on age. The policy is not intended to allow parents to relinquish responsibility of dealing with troublesome parenting issues; rather, it is intended to protect infants in immediate danger.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/10/08/nebraska.safe.haven/index.html
Monday, February 23, 2009
Moscow to Use 'Harsh Measures' to Stem Ethnic Clashes in Universities
Kirstie Stofanik
February 23rd
On February 3rd in Vienna it was reported that clashes between students of different ethnic backgrounds have became so frequent and violent that the Russian government has decided to take action by expelling students involved as well as screen those applying to study in Moscow who comes from non-Russian groups inside the Russian Federation or abroad. These plans and actions are the product of several months of meetings and reflect the way in which ethnic conflicts are now involving not just street battles between Russian workers and unemployed citizens but also clashes by members of more elite groups of both. Although the violence may be reduced, a problem arises with this police involvement because it will also exacerbate the ethnic feelings of both Russians, who feel the police are taking their side and non-Russians, who would feel the police, are against them. The government also plans to ask universities to organize special "operational groups of students" who will react quickly to any conflicts that may arise between members of different national groups and take quick action to prevent such clashes from getting out of hand. The number of non-Russian students in Moscow is very large. 120,000 foreign students are in Russia now and the majorities are from the former Soviet republics. In addition, there are tens of thousands of students who are Russian citizens but members of non-Russian nationalities.
Because of the large numbers of foreign students and the degree of violence I feel that the government is making the right decision with stepping in although it may cause controversy. I agree with the idea to create “operational groups of students” as well as their idea to expel those students involved in the violence. I feel the when students realize that there are serious actions being taken the acts of violence will decrease. I believe the universities would benefit greatly by the idea of making the screening process a bit more intense for foreign exchange students because I believe they will see the true intentions and aspirations of the student applying. The students may feel the government is taking sides for providing police enforcement but I do not really see any other great options to putting a stop to or decreasing these ethnic crimes.
February 23rd
On February 3rd in Vienna it was reported that clashes between students of different ethnic backgrounds have became so frequent and violent that the Russian government has decided to take action by expelling students involved as well as screen those applying to study in Moscow who comes from non-Russian groups inside the Russian Federation or abroad. These plans and actions are the product of several months of meetings and reflect the way in which ethnic conflicts are now involving not just street battles between Russian workers and unemployed citizens but also clashes by members of more elite groups of both. Although the violence may be reduced, a problem arises with this police involvement because it will also exacerbate the ethnic feelings of both Russians, who feel the police are taking their side and non-Russians, who would feel the police, are against them. The government also plans to ask universities to organize special "operational groups of students" who will react quickly to any conflicts that may arise between members of different national groups and take quick action to prevent such clashes from getting out of hand. The number of non-Russian students in Moscow is very large. 120,000 foreign students are in Russia now and the majorities are from the former Soviet republics. In addition, there are tens of thousands of students who are Russian citizens but members of non-Russian nationalities.
Because of the large numbers of foreign students and the degree of violence I feel that the government is making the right decision with stepping in although it may cause controversy. I agree with the idea to create “operational groups of students” as well as their idea to expel those students involved in the violence. I feel the when students realize that there are serious actions being taken the acts of violence will decrease. I believe the universities would benefit greatly by the idea of making the screening process a bit more intense for foreign exchange students because I believe they will see the true intentions and aspirations of the student applying. The students may feel the government is taking sides for providing police enforcement but I do not really see any other great options to putting a stop to or decreasing these ethnic crimes.
Iraq’s War Widows Face Dire Need with Little Aid
Kenya Satchell
February 23, 2009
7:05 PM
According to this article, Iraqi women and children are doing pretty badly. The husbands have been killed and there has been no source of income for these widows and children. The mothers have turned into beggars, prostitutes, and marrying any old Joe just for income and stability. It is obvious that these women need help of all sorts, but Mazin al-Shihan, director of the Baghdad Displacement Committee thinks these women need to have some type of male guidance (a husband) in order to receive funds. He says women are not capable of spending money wisely, and it would just be easier to trust them if there was a male figure in the picture. There is a trailer park called Al Waffa, or “Park of the Grateful” that houses 750 people, and you have to be lucky to get housed there. The women are being black mailed into sexual acts with powerful men that have government control.
I think with the United States butting into everyone else’s affairs this should be a major one they get involved in. These women are struggling to feed and provide for their children and they can’t get help unless they are sexually active with a government official? This has to be one of the most degrading situations to be in. Anytime children are involved or getting the short end of the stick it saddens me because in these Third World countries there is nothing anyone can do about it. Opening up widow housing for 750 widows and children is a start, but you have a population of 740,000 widows!!! Things have to get better not just for them but across the globe!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/world/middleeast/23widows.html?hp
February 23, 2009
7:05 PM
According to this article, Iraqi women and children are doing pretty badly. The husbands have been killed and there has been no source of income for these widows and children. The mothers have turned into beggars, prostitutes, and marrying any old Joe just for income and stability. It is obvious that these women need help of all sorts, but Mazin al-Shihan, director of the Baghdad Displacement Committee thinks these women need to have some type of male guidance (a husband) in order to receive funds. He says women are not capable of spending money wisely, and it would just be easier to trust them if there was a male figure in the picture. There is a trailer park called Al Waffa, or “Park of the Grateful” that houses 750 people, and you have to be lucky to get housed there. The women are being black mailed into sexual acts with powerful men that have government control.
I think with the United States butting into everyone else’s affairs this should be a major one they get involved in. These women are struggling to feed and provide for their children and they can’t get help unless they are sexually active with a government official? This has to be one of the most degrading situations to be in. Anytime children are involved or getting the short end of the stick it saddens me because in these Third World countries there is nothing anyone can do about it. Opening up widow housing for 750 widows and children is a start, but you have a population of 740,000 widows!!! Things have to get better not just for them but across the globe!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/world/middleeast/23widows.html?hp
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