Gina Ponzi
March 31, 2009
3:07 PM
The trend with school shootings has spread overseas. A young man named Farda Gadyrov entered the Azerbaijan Oil Academy and shot and killed 12 people, later committing suicide himself. His motive is unknown, although there have been reports made about his strange characteristics. One acquaintance of the killer claimed that he was unusually quite and reclusive, stating that he would leave the house only purchase things at stores. Gadyrov entered the school armed with a pistol and clips of ammunition with a clear intent to kill everyone he encountered. If after shooting a victim they were still alive, Mr. Gadyrov would shoot them again. The Azerbaijan Academy is a prestigious school with alumni including presidents and tycoons.
This shocking report is, sadly enough, becoming almost ordinary. Since the Columbine shootings, occurrences such as these have been rampant, and the motives are nearly always unclear. What would lead an individual to commit such a bloody, violent act against his fellow humanity? I can only conclude that we live in a sad, pathetic world where we conditioned to hold very little respect for the sanctity of human life.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97SU26O0&show_article=1
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Germany Predicts 6% Shrinkage in Economy
Kelsey Walker
April 30, 2009
1:27AM
Germany predicts that they will see a 6 % economical shrinkage because of the recession. They predict that this will be the worst depression the German and European counties have seen since WWII. They predict this downfall because of the slump in exports. German leaders see that because every other country is suffering that their exports and imports are plummeting because countries that are having to us the Euro such as Greece and Italy are struggling worse because their economy cannot handle the Euro right now. Three months ago, the German government was forecasting that G.D.P. would contract by 2.25 percent in 2009. But since then, Berlin has suffered from plummeting demand for its products as its foreign customers rein in spending. Although Germany is struggling leaders believe that they are the best right now within the 16 euro countries that are facing economical crisis.
These issues facing Germany are being seen all across the globe. The impact on one or two countries is hindering all other countries. I feel like the way to solving the recession and financial, economical crisis’ that countries are facing is a global solution. Since globalizations is what is impacting many countries there has to be a global solution.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/business/global/30euecon.html?_r=1&ref=world
April 30, 2009
1:27AM
Germany predicts that they will see a 6 % economical shrinkage because of the recession. They predict that this will be the worst depression the German and European counties have seen since WWII. They predict this downfall because of the slump in exports. German leaders see that because every other country is suffering that their exports and imports are plummeting because countries that are having to us the Euro such as Greece and Italy are struggling worse because their economy cannot handle the Euro right now. Three months ago, the German government was forecasting that G.D.P. would contract by 2.25 percent in 2009. But since then, Berlin has suffered from plummeting demand for its products as its foreign customers rein in spending. Although Germany is struggling leaders believe that they are the best right now within the 16 euro countries that are facing economical crisis.
These issues facing Germany are being seen all across the globe. The impact on one or two countries is hindering all other countries. I feel like the way to solving the recession and financial, economical crisis’ that countries are facing is a global solution. Since globalizations is what is impacting many countries there has to be a global solution.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/business/global/30euecon.html?_r=1&ref=world
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Religious affiliation in the US
Meredith Hodge
5/1
7:12 pm
This article was written to break down the percentages of a recent survey that was conducted that had to do with religious affiliations in the US. The survey reported that “roughly two-thirds claiming no religious affiliation but were raised catholic or protestant have changed faiths at least two times.” The survey shows trends of Catholics completely denouncing their religion and Protestants conveniently swapping denominations in order to better suit their lifestyle. The percentage of unaffiliated people, on the other hand, is growing.
Many people are a certain religion because they are born into it. When this happens, the child does not get to choose and as we get older we will begin to do more thinking and questioning. This goes along with the article when it says that most people who change their affiliation do so before the age of 21. This brings up another question: are we a certain religion because its expected of us or because we chose it and believe in it?
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/AP/story/1020089.html
5/1
7:12 pm
This article was written to break down the percentages of a recent survey that was conducted that had to do with religious affiliations in the US. The survey reported that “roughly two-thirds claiming no religious affiliation but were raised catholic or protestant have changed faiths at least two times.” The survey shows trends of Catholics completely denouncing their religion and Protestants conveniently swapping denominations in order to better suit their lifestyle. The percentage of unaffiliated people, on the other hand, is growing.
Many people are a certain religion because they are born into it. When this happens, the child does not get to choose and as we get older we will begin to do more thinking and questioning. This goes along with the article when it says that most people who change their affiliation do so before the age of 21. This brings up another question: are we a certain religion because its expected of us or because we chose it and believe in it?
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation/AP/story/1020089.html
Markets jump as US recession shows signs of easing
Jared Hance
Wednesday, April 29th 5:56PM
In my final blog post, I felt that it would be somewhat fitting, among the rest of my doomsday posts, to talk about something that is at least somewhat uplifting. The Federal Reserve has released a report acknowledging that the recession is slowing to some degree, with markets jumping unexpectedly in the past few days. This came as a surprise to many financial experts, as a recent report had also just been released saying that the American economy was the worst it had been in half a century. Coupled with this, there are several sources saying that housing prices are finally stabilizing, one of the major reasons the economic collapse started in the first place. The news was even enough for a Wachovia Securities economist to state that the economy is “now on a road to recovery”.
While it is absolutely good news to hear about something like this, it is perhaps too early to get excited. Economic recovery is not something the world is going to achieve at a fast pace, but a gradual and careful plod that will probably backtrack a few times before succeeding. That banks are working towards helping establish a stable house market is surely good news, despite that consumer spending is down almost everywhere. The next few years will be essential to the recovery of the world economy, and the U.S. will have a essential role in assuring that the road to economic prosperity is one taken with caution and responsibility.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Rural Afghan Women Hungry for School
Gabby Martino
April 28th, 2009
6:37 pm
The talk around the world has been about the new Afghan law which tells women that they must "make themselves up" when their husbands demand it, they cannot leave their homes without permission, and they must be sexually submissive to their husbands and be willing to have sex whenever their husbands ask for it.
The world has been talking about this, and putting a lot of pressure on the Afghan President Karzai to get rid of this new law, but the very women that this is affecting, just recently found out about it. These women live in very rural areas and most of them are illiterate. When they were told about this law, they actually laughed. They claimed that most of them were too poor to even buy cosmetics so their husbands couldn't even tell them to put it on. They claimed that the law was reflective of the way that life already was, and that they already had to ask for permission before leaving the home.
Only 18% of Afghan women are literate, and one woman even said that for years she couldn't go shopping because she did not understand how money worked. A group that does literacy lessons for women said that some of the women walk in the heat for up to two hours just to learn how to read. These women want their liberation but do not know how to go about getting it. The very women that this law is affecting didn't even know about it for weeks. I think that people from around the world need to help these women win their rights, because their government is not one that is trying to help them.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKTRE53Q2KA20090427?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
April 28th, 2009
6:37 pm
The talk around the world has been about the new Afghan law which tells women that they must "make themselves up" when their husbands demand it, they cannot leave their homes without permission, and they must be sexually submissive to their husbands and be willing to have sex whenever their husbands ask for it.
The world has been talking about this, and putting a lot of pressure on the Afghan President Karzai to get rid of this new law, but the very women that this is affecting, just recently found out about it. These women live in very rural areas and most of them are illiterate. When they were told about this law, they actually laughed. They claimed that most of them were too poor to even buy cosmetics so their husbands couldn't even tell them to put it on. They claimed that the law was reflective of the way that life already was, and that they already had to ask for permission before leaving the home.
Only 18% of Afghan women are literate, and one woman even said that for years she couldn't go shopping because she did not understand how money worked. A group that does literacy lessons for women said that some of the women walk in the heat for up to two hours just to learn how to read. These women want their liberation but do not know how to go about getting it. The very women that this law is affecting didn't even know about it for weeks. I think that people from around the world need to help these women win their rights, because their government is not one that is trying to help them.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKTRE53Q2KA20090427?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
China’s Trade Decline Slows, Aiding Asian Economies
Sandra Fickweil
04-28-2009
10:30
As
Not only investments by U.S. companies in Japan, but also stronger Chinese exports lift up other Asian economies as their nation is in need of commodities and components for manufacturing. An economist with Barclays Capital in Hong Kong noted that
According to the head of emerging Asia research at Barclays Capital in
For example, Ford Motor Co., International Business Machines Corp. and Dell Inc. and others signed 32 contracts in
The following companies also linked deals at the forum hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products: Cisco Systems Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Microsoft Corp., EMC Corp., Oracle Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc. and Amway Corp..
Event the IMF said last week that it gets better right now.
After this terrible global downturn, increase of unemployment, decrease of imports and exports, devaluation of currencies etc, finally there is a sign that it is getting better. Although it will take a long long time until everything is the same as before, however at least the decline slows down. After governments spent so much money, billions and billions of dollars to boost economy and try to get rid of the downturn, finally it seems that this boost starts to work out. Of course there will be no change from today until tomorrow, it takes its time, however we can drawing hope again.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aZkXPy.tzh1U&refer=asia
Monday, April 27, 2009
Ethnic Clashes Hit Southern Sudan
Over 170 people were killed in ethnic clashes in Southern Sudan, this week. This attack is only the latest of the back and forth violence that the Jonglei state is facing. UN peacekeepers are investigating the incident and one U.N. official says that they are considering bringing in more people to boost its forces in the area. Twelve maybe more, villages were burnt to the ground and thousands of people were displaced by the violence. This attack was in response to the earlier Murle raids that was responsible for 450-750 deaths.
These attacks are becoming more and more dangerous and something needs to be done immediately before things get even worse than they already are. The U.N should defiantly bring in more help to put a halt to these attacks.
These attacks are becoming more and more dangerous and something needs to be done immediately before things get even worse than they already are. The U.N should defiantly bring in more help to put a halt to these attacks.
Russian advert featuring Obama sparks racism row
Kirstie Stofanik
April 27th, 2009
In London, on March, 24th, A Russian Company was criticized for creating a racist ice-cream commercial. In the advertisement for a chocolate and vanilla bar it features Barack Obama standing in front of the white house with the caption, Everybody’s talking about it- Dark in White. The advertisement seemed to cause a big uproar causing many to post blogs and other things online criticizing the “tasteless ad”. Alexander Verkhovsky of anti-racism group Sova, stated; “Violations of political correctness in Russia are clearly acceptable and adverts like this just reinforce ethnic divisions. “The fact this is a mainstream advert is potentially dangerous - the image is not aggressive in itself - but it can foment prejudice in a more insidious way,” he added. The company which is in charge of this controversial commercial fought back saying that they see nothing wrong with what was said and that pointing out race is not racism.
I would say that I agree with the company when they say that they were not being racist. I feel that they didn’t do anything wrong but they should have thought of a different idea for their commercial so that there could be no feelings hurt or any way that people could take things the way they were not intended. The company may have lost buyers simply because they tried to use a controversial commercial. Using things like race in a commercial can often cause ethnic division problems and this is a big issue that needs to be left out of commercials.
April 27th, 2009
In London, on March, 24th, A Russian Company was criticized for creating a racist ice-cream commercial. In the advertisement for a chocolate and vanilla bar it features Barack Obama standing in front of the white house with the caption, Everybody’s talking about it- Dark in White. The advertisement seemed to cause a big uproar causing many to post blogs and other things online criticizing the “tasteless ad”. Alexander Verkhovsky of anti-racism group Sova, stated; “Violations of political correctness in Russia are clearly acceptable and adverts like this just reinforce ethnic divisions. “The fact this is a mainstream advert is potentially dangerous - the image is not aggressive in itself - but it can foment prejudice in a more insidious way,” he added. The company which is in charge of this controversial commercial fought back saying that they see nothing wrong with what was said and that pointing out race is not racism.
I would say that I agree with the company when they say that they were not being racist. I feel that they didn’t do anything wrong but they should have thought of a different idea for their commercial so that there could be no feelings hurt or any way that people could take things the way they were not intended. The company may have lost buyers simply because they tried to use a controversial commercial. Using things like race in a commercial can often cause ethnic division problems and this is a big issue that needs to be left out of commercials.
Asia Draws on Lessons From Past Outbreaks
Shannon Bourret
April 27, 2009
1:51 PM
Learning from the deadly SARS and bird flu outbreaks of recent years that left regions in Asia better prepared for a decisive response, Asian governments are moving swiftly to contain the deadly new swine flu disease. On Monday, Hong Kong authorities said they are among the first governments, anywhere, to take legal steps that require doctors to report any patients suspected of swine flu to the authorities. Any patient who is identified will be isolated and treated, and those people with whom he/she has had contact with will be identified and quarantined. Many Asian governments today are better able to monitor and combat infectious diseases than in the past because across Asia, the SARS epidemic combined with the possible threat of a potential avian flu pandemic made public health officials aware of the risk of infectious diseases. Quarantining may be less effective with swine flu than with SARS because SARS victims were only contagious at a late stage of the disease, when symptoms were already fairly evident. This made it easier to round up a victim's contacts before they could spread the disease to others.
The swine flu had basically taken over the news. All news channels and newspapers are full of stories about this disease. I think its terrifying. With so many people already dead and so many others infected, spreading it to others is really scary. I do think that it is important that government and medical officials use as much knowledge as possible from the past outbreaks of SARS and the bird flu to help contain this swine flu. I think that is going to be key in keeping this outbreak under control. I like the fact that Hong Kong is making it mandatory for doctors to report any patients suspected of swine flu to the authorities. If people who have come in contact with others who are infected, it is important that they be quarantined to decrease their chance of spreading the disease, even if quarantining may not be as effective with swine flu than it was with SARS. I really hope this pandemic gets under control soon.
link
April 27, 2009
1:51 PM
Learning from the deadly SARS and bird flu outbreaks of recent years that left regions in Asia better prepared for a decisive response, Asian governments are moving swiftly to contain the deadly new swine flu disease. On Monday, Hong Kong authorities said they are among the first governments, anywhere, to take legal steps that require doctors to report any patients suspected of swine flu to the authorities. Any patient who is identified will be isolated and treated, and those people with whom he/she has had contact with will be identified and quarantined. Many Asian governments today are better able to monitor and combat infectious diseases than in the past because across Asia, the SARS epidemic combined with the possible threat of a potential avian flu pandemic made public health officials aware of the risk of infectious diseases. Quarantining may be less effective with swine flu than with SARS because SARS victims were only contagious at a late stage of the disease, when symptoms were already fairly evident. This made it easier to round up a victim's contacts before they could spread the disease to others.
The swine flu had basically taken over the news. All news channels and newspapers are full of stories about this disease. I think its terrifying. With so many people already dead and so many others infected, spreading it to others is really scary. I do think that it is important that government and medical officials use as much knowledge as possible from the past outbreaks of SARS and the bird flu to help contain this swine flu. I think that is going to be key in keeping this outbreak under control. I like the fact that Hong Kong is making it mandatory for doctors to report any patients suspected of swine flu to the authorities. If people who have come in contact with others who are infected, it is important that they be quarantined to decrease their chance of spreading the disease, even if quarantining may not be as effective with swine flu than it was with SARS. I really hope this pandemic gets under control soon.
link
Yemeni forces free oil tanker, arrest 11 pirates
Meagan Flood
4/27/09
1:45pm
Somali pirates hijacked a Yemeni oil tanker on Sunday while it was heading between two southern Yemeni ports. The tanker was freed Monday when the coast guard freed the ship and arrested 11 pirates. The coast guard exchanged fire with the pirates before gaining control of the tanker. This was one of four ships being escorted by Yemeni coast guard through the ports. The other three ships managed to escape the attack and make it through the ports. The tanker that was taken hostage was not carrying any oil at the time however.
These Somali pirates do not seem to be backing down despite recent captures. I feel with all countries working together to put an end to piracy, progress is being made. Even through pirates are still attacking ships, many are now being arrested and tried in a courtroom. Hopefully these pirates will begin to get the picture that any country will no longer tolerate these actions. Everyone has to continue to work together and give the harshest punishment to those pirates that are captured.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30430700/
4/27/09
1:45pm
Somali pirates hijacked a Yemeni oil tanker on Sunday while it was heading between two southern Yemeni ports. The tanker was freed Monday when the coast guard freed the ship and arrested 11 pirates. The coast guard exchanged fire with the pirates before gaining control of the tanker. This was one of four ships being escorted by Yemeni coast guard through the ports. The other three ships managed to escape the attack and make it through the ports. The tanker that was taken hostage was not carrying any oil at the time however.
These Somali pirates do not seem to be backing down despite recent captures. I feel with all countries working together to put an end to piracy, progress is being made. Even through pirates are still attacking ships, many are now being arrested and tried in a courtroom. Hopefully these pirates will begin to get the picture that any country will no longer tolerate these actions. Everyone has to continue to work together and give the harshest punishment to those pirates that are captured.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30430700/
Sunday, April 26, 2009
CO2 = Pollution. Now What?
Amanda Worley, Entry 13
It’s about time we call it official. Carbon dioxide, the bubbles in beer, is a pollutant in the context of the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed on Friday, April 17th. The long-lived heat-trapping gas, while benevolent in a bar, is deemed a threat to public health and welfare through its growing impact on climate and, in the long run, sea levels.Environmental campaigners and many climate scientists had long pressed for this action. But the question now is, will it matter?
Then there’s the global nature of global warming. Molecules of carbon dioxide spewed by a taxi cab in Beijing or a power plant in Boston mix freely in the atmosphere, adding to global-scale heating. And nearly all of the projected growth rates in emissions of carbon dioxide (and five other heat-trapping gases) in the next few decades are expected to occur in fast-growing developing countries, led by China and India. India of which is expected by midcentury to be have more people than China and even today has the population density of Japan.
Over all, carbon dioxide and climate remain a very tough fit for the legislative and legal arenas. This reality was on display during Supreme Court arguments in November 2006 that laid the legal foundation for today’s announcement. Confusion arose over which layer of the atmosphere was the repository for smokestack and tailpipe emissions of carbon dioxide. James Milkey, assistant attorney general of Massachusetts, corrected Justice Antonin Scalia, saying: “Respectfully, Your Honor, it is not the stratosphere. It’s the troposphere.”
“Troposphere, whatever,” Justice Scalia replied. “I told you before I’m not a scientist.” Over a brief flutter of laughter from observers, he added, “That’s why I don’t want to have to deal with global warming, to tell you the truth.” However to me it looks like the courts will have to deal more with global warming in the months and years to come.
What surprises me is that there’s still this debate over whether dealing with carbon dioxide, as a traditional pollutant (regulate and it will go away) is the way to make this particular emission go away. Partly why I suppose is that the transition from deeply rooted energy systems based on burning fossil fuels to new norms emitting ever less of this gas, is seen by many as requiring a sustained energy quest including much greater direct government investment on the frontiers of relevant technologies (batteries, photovoltaics, superconductivity, photosynthesis).
http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/17/co2-pollution-now-what/
Stagnation in wind energy market expected in 2009
Samuel Dalzell
Sunday, April 26, 2009
10:34 PM
Energy/Alternative Energy
Vestas, a Danish company and the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbine parks, announced on Wednesday that it expects the market for wind energy to stagnate in 2009 in comparison to last year. This comes despite the German Association of Wind Energy's recent announcement that they expect the wind market to expand by 10% this year globally. In the United States, the wind market is expected to be about half of what it was in 2008, while in Europe sales will remain relatively flat. Up to 10% growth is expected in Asia, where Vestas recently constructed new facilities in inner Mongolia. Vestas also accounts for approximately 8 percent of the total market in China, so the corporation is well positioned in many places in Asia. Despite the expected stagnation, the company still intends to follow through on its plans to invest over one billion euros in the United States in 2009 and 2010. Vestas has not yet seen, and doesn't expect any delays or cancellations as a result of the global recession; nevertheless, the company has stated that financing for new projects has become much more difficult.
This is pretty dismaying news for those advocating wind power---and somewhat surprising, too, seeing as many industrialized nations signed huge stimulus packages into law a few months ago that allocated billions of dollars to alternative energies, including wind power. Most of these provisions, however, will not officially be put in place until 2010, meaning we have to wait just that much longer to see any qualitative progress in the battle for new energy. It's fortunate that Vestas is still holding by its plan to invest in this country---we sorely need it, and I feel that now is a time when many Americans are seriously prepared to embrace new energy technologies in a much more significant way than they were in the past. Now is the time for change, and it's good that Vestas understands this. Of course, nothing is set in stone, and we may yet see expansion in this industry; however, if the company's predictions prove to be true, we can only hope that the stagnation will be but a minor setback in the larger scheme of things.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE53L49M20090422
Sunday, April 26, 2009
10:34 PM
Energy/Alternative Energy
Vestas, a Danish company and the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbine parks, announced on Wednesday that it expects the market for wind energy to stagnate in 2009 in comparison to last year. This comes despite the German Association of Wind Energy's recent announcement that they expect the wind market to expand by 10% this year globally. In the United States, the wind market is expected to be about half of what it was in 2008, while in Europe sales will remain relatively flat. Up to 10% growth is expected in Asia, where Vestas recently constructed new facilities in inner Mongolia. Vestas also accounts for approximately 8 percent of the total market in China, so the corporation is well positioned in many places in Asia. Despite the expected stagnation, the company still intends to follow through on its plans to invest over one billion euros in the United States in 2009 and 2010. Vestas has not yet seen, and doesn't expect any delays or cancellations as a result of the global recession; nevertheless, the company has stated that financing for new projects has become much more difficult.
This is pretty dismaying news for those advocating wind power---and somewhat surprising, too, seeing as many industrialized nations signed huge stimulus packages into law a few months ago that allocated billions of dollars to alternative energies, including wind power. Most of these provisions, however, will not officially be put in place until 2010, meaning we have to wait just that much longer to see any qualitative progress in the battle for new energy. It's fortunate that Vestas is still holding by its plan to invest in this country---we sorely need it, and I feel that now is a time when many Americans are seriously prepared to embrace new energy technologies in a much more significant way than they were in the past. Now is the time for change, and it's good that Vestas understands this. Of course, nothing is set in stone, and we may yet see expansion in this industry; however, if the company's predictions prove to be true, we can only hope that the stagnation will be but a minor setback in the larger scheme of things.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE53L49M20090422
Economy looking better
Cory Mattson
April 23, 2009
SOC 202
Even with everybody thinking the economy is going down hill and not stopping, there is starting to look like there will be some hope already just after the 11 weeks president Obama has been in office. With Obama’s new plans and actions he has taken, not only are the democrats behind him in his actions, but republicans two-thirds approve of his overall job performance so far. With putting more money out to the common people the economy has made an up rise. Obama says that putting money out to the common people will help them and the littler business. He’s not so concerned large corporations who still have money and still surviving. He is wanting to help the common people to help out the economy and then that will hopefully help out the larger corporations and which most Americans democratic and republic, are supporting this decision.
I know that giving the common people money to spend to try to help out the economy is putting the U.S. in even larger debt, but I think we are in such a whole in the economy that we need to start with the common people and work up. After we get back to normal we need to fix our economy so that it starts paying back our debt of the US and try to plan out that this economy down fall doesn’t happen again.
April 23, 2009
SOC 202
Even with everybody thinking the economy is going down hill and not stopping, there is starting to look like there will be some hope already just after the 11 weeks president Obama has been in office. With Obama’s new plans and actions he has taken, not only are the democrats behind him in his actions, but republicans two-thirds approve of his overall job performance so far. With putting more money out to the common people the economy has made an up rise. Obama says that putting money out to the common people will help them and the littler business. He’s not so concerned large corporations who still have money and still surviving. He is wanting to help the common people to help out the economy and then that will hopefully help out the larger corporations and which most Americans democratic and republic, are supporting this decision.
I know that giving the common people money to spend to try to help out the economy is putting the U.S. in even larger debt, but I think we are in such a whole in the economy that we need to start with the common people and work up. After we get back to normal we need to fix our economy so that it starts paying back our debt of the US and try to plan out that this economy down fall doesn’t happen again.
Britain's couch potato kids spend hours in front of the TV before going to School
Brittany Walker
4/26/09
1:00pm
Britain's couch potato kids spend hours in front of the TV before they even get to school, according to a shocking new survey. Findings show almost one in two children watch programs or play non-active video games in the early morning. When they return home from school most kids stay on the couch, with just one in five doing something active after their evening meal. Change4Life’s How Are The Kids survey is the biggest national survey of kids diet and activity levels. The survey found kids watched TV or played non-active video games before school in 45 per cent of families taking part.It also revealed that only 22 per cent of children do something active after their tea. Guidelines recommend a total of at least 60 minutes of at least moderate intensity physical activity each day, with activities to improve bone health, muscle strength and flexibility at least twice a week. The ad features the Change4Life family as they reveal that ‘sitting around doing nothing’ can lead to a build up of fat in their bodies that can cause diseases such as type two diabetes, cancer and heart disease.The family should find lots of fun ways to get their kids the 60 active minutes they need each day, activities such as playing in the park, walking to school and playing with active computer games where kids need to jump around as part of the game.
After reading this article I disagree with the parents in Britain who allow their kids to watch TV or play non-active video games every morning before going to school. I do think that it is ok to a certain point. If the TV program or the video game is educational and benefits the child in an educational way then I believe that it is ok for the child. However I do think there needs to be a time limit or the child should be restricted to watching a certain number of TV programs in the mornings because being engaged in too much television can lead to several health problems. As statistics show sitting around watching tv and doing nothing can lead to a build up of fat in their bodies that can cause diseases such as type two diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, engaging in at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each day can greatly decrease these risk factors.
4/26/09
1:00pm
Britain's couch potato kids spend hours in front of the TV before they even get to school, according to a shocking new survey. Findings show almost one in two children watch programs or play non-active video games in the early morning. When they return home from school most kids stay on the couch, with just one in five doing something active after their evening meal. Change4Life’s How Are The Kids survey is the biggest national survey of kids diet and activity levels. The survey found kids watched TV or played non-active video games before school in 45 per cent of families taking part.It also revealed that only 22 per cent of children do something active after their tea. Guidelines recommend a total of at least 60 minutes of at least moderate intensity physical activity each day, with activities to improve bone health, muscle strength and flexibility at least twice a week. The ad features the Change4Life family as they reveal that ‘sitting around doing nothing’ can lead to a build up of fat in their bodies that can cause diseases such as type two diabetes, cancer and heart disease.The family should find lots of fun ways to get their kids the 60 active minutes they need each day, activities such as playing in the park, walking to school and playing with active computer games where kids need to jump around as part of the game.
After reading this article I disagree with the parents in Britain who allow their kids to watch TV or play non-active video games every morning before going to school. I do think that it is ok to a certain point. If the TV program or the video game is educational and benefits the child in an educational way then I believe that it is ok for the child. However I do think there needs to be a time limit or the child should be restricted to watching a certain number of TV programs in the mornings because being engaged in too much television can lead to several health problems. As statistics show sitting around watching tv and doing nothing can lead to a build up of fat in their bodies that can cause diseases such as type two diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, engaging in at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each day can greatly decrease these risk factors.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Mining Accountability
Matthew Supple
SOC 202
Canadian mining companies have enjoyed a legal loophole that all other industries don’t; having to reveal the tracking their pollution they cause to the fullest extent. It was released on Thursday that the Federal Court ruled to enforce the long standing law. Environment Canada will be collecting and divulging information about the amount of toxic compounds in the mining’s waste from every mine in the country. This comes after more than sixteen years of fighting for this exact bill. The current thought is that the information released will reveal that the industry is the most toxic, releasing arsenic and mercury and sulfur. The data will be available to the public and thus force them to be accountable for what they put out into their environment. As it is now the waste of the mines are left lying around the mine sites.
It’s an important move to enforce accountability of leading industries to the public. It’s essential groundwork to ensure sustainability being an actual possibility in the near future. This marks another huge gain for the environmental world because as environmentally devastating companies go, mining is one of the worst, if not the worst. The only real problem with this is that it took almost two decades
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090425.MINING25ISLART2118/TPStory/Environment
SOC 202
Canadian mining companies have enjoyed a legal loophole that all other industries don’t; having to reveal the tracking their pollution they cause to the fullest extent. It was released on Thursday that the Federal Court ruled to enforce the long standing law. Environment Canada will be collecting and divulging information about the amount of toxic compounds in the mining’s waste from every mine in the country. This comes after more than sixteen years of fighting for this exact bill. The current thought is that the information released will reveal that the industry is the most toxic, releasing arsenic and mercury and sulfur. The data will be available to the public and thus force them to be accountable for what they put out into their environment. As it is now the waste of the mines are left lying around the mine sites.
It’s an important move to enforce accountability of leading industries to the public. It’s essential groundwork to ensure sustainability being an actual possibility in the near future. This marks another huge gain for the environmental world because as environmentally devastating companies go, mining is one of the worst, if not the worst. The only real problem with this is that it took almost two decades
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090425.MINING25ISLART2118/TPStory/Environment
Brain-Twitter project offers hope to paralyzed patients
PGibson
25 Apr 09
12:21pm
The first twitters of a new era have been deemed successful. Adam Wilson, a biomedical engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison confirmed that he and his supervisor Justin Williams were able to send a message on Twitter using thought generated electrical impulses. The process was facilitated using a cap fitted with electrodes to monitor brain activity which interacted with the computer. Wilson concentrated on the letters that flashed on his screen to spell words and then concentrated to send the message. Williams has been working on brain-computer interface technology for years, but the complex projects currently underway are years from completion. The format of Twittering could make such interactive technology available much earlier than other processes such as email.
The importance of such a brain-computer interface is the potential communication capability it makes available to people that suffer from locked-in syndrome, those that suffer from physical paralysis but maintain complete brain function.
The empowerment that such physically hindered individuals could have with such interactive technology is incredible. It would open up an entire new world to them by allowing them to interact socially with others (if they don't already have an avenue available to them). Although Wilson and Williams couldn't comment on when the new technology would be available, it is certainly a sign of what will be available in the near future, and evidence of even greater achievements to come. The ability to communicate is crucial to people's well being, and the ability to have some type of social community to interact in is also important. While some research suggests the negative aspects of social interaction taking place electronically, this is surely another example of the potential benefits of such electronic communication.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/22/twitter.locked.in/index.html#cnnSTCText
25 Apr 09
12:21pm
The first twitters of a new era have been deemed successful. Adam Wilson, a biomedical engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison confirmed that he and his supervisor Justin Williams were able to send a message on Twitter using thought generated electrical impulses. The process was facilitated using a cap fitted with electrodes to monitor brain activity which interacted with the computer. Wilson concentrated on the letters that flashed on his screen to spell words and then concentrated to send the message. Williams has been working on brain-computer interface technology for years, but the complex projects currently underway are years from completion. The format of Twittering could make such interactive technology available much earlier than other processes such as email.
The importance of such a brain-computer interface is the potential communication capability it makes available to people that suffer from locked-in syndrome, those that suffer from physical paralysis but maintain complete brain function.
The empowerment that such physically hindered individuals could have with such interactive technology is incredible. It would open up an entire new world to them by allowing them to interact socially with others (if they don't already have an avenue available to them). Although Wilson and Williams couldn't comment on when the new technology would be available, it is certainly a sign of what will be available in the near future, and evidence of even greater achievements to come. The ability to communicate is crucial to people's well being, and the ability to have some type of social community to interact in is also important. While some research suggests the negative aspects of social interaction taking place electronically, this is surely another example of the potential benefits of such electronic communication.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/22/twitter.locked.in/index.html#cnnSTCText
Green Zone is shelled
Keyanna Spears
4/25/09
www.azstarnet.com
11:08
Green Zone is Shelled; Iraqi troops raid weapons area
The Green Zone which is supposed to be the safe area in Iraq was recently hit by two “indirect fire rounds.” In spite of this surprise attack there were no casualties reported. January 15th was the last time the Green Zone came under attack with one person injured. These types of attacks on the Green Zone are usually blamed on the Shiite militia. The Green Zone is the area in which most U.S civilians, British Embassies, and key Iraqi government agencies are located. Iraq forces launched raids in Fallujah looking for Sunni insurgents who may be seeking to re-gain control of former areas. However, they did not find any signs that Al-Qaeda or its allies were trying to re-establish their selves in Fallujah. During a sweep of the area police and the military found buried weapons and explosives, but no arrest have been made. U.S Marines have joined the Iraqi forces on the search for weapons in a village east of Fallujah. Security forces have been capturing suspected insurgents from Saudi Arabia and in mud hut 15 miles from Basra. Although violence in Iraq has declined in the past years, there has been a peak in the recent weeks. These peaks in violence have instilled fear into the civilians of Baghdad, and are slowing down the night life and commerce in Baghdad.
4/25/09
www.azstarnet.com
11:08
Green Zone is Shelled; Iraqi troops raid weapons area
The Green Zone which is supposed to be the safe area in Iraq was recently hit by two “indirect fire rounds.” In spite of this surprise attack there were no casualties reported. January 15th was the last time the Green Zone came under attack with one person injured. These types of attacks on the Green Zone are usually blamed on the Shiite militia. The Green Zone is the area in which most U.S civilians, British Embassies, and key Iraqi government agencies are located. Iraq forces launched raids in Fallujah looking for Sunni insurgents who may be seeking to re-gain control of former areas. However, they did not find any signs that Al-Qaeda or its allies were trying to re-establish their selves in Fallujah. During a sweep of the area police and the military found buried weapons and explosives, but no arrest have been made. U.S Marines have joined the Iraqi forces on the search for weapons in a village east of Fallujah. Security forces have been capturing suspected insurgents from Saudi Arabia and in mud hut 15 miles from Basra. Although violence in Iraq has declined in the past years, there has been a peak in the recent weeks. These peaks in violence have instilled fear into the civilians of Baghdad, and are slowing down the night life and commerce in Baghdad.
Sudan Gitmo detainee families
Adonya Douglas
April 25, 2009
11:10 am
Families
U.S. Lawyers to meet Sudan Gitmo detainee families
Lawyers from the Pentagon's legal office will meet with families of Sudanese Guantanamo detainees to discuss how they might be released, a Sudanese foreign ministry official said Friday."They are here to collect information for their (the prisoners') civil defense to facilitate their release," said Mohammed Omar, who heads the consulates and expatriates section at the foreign ministry. Since taking office in January, U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered the closing down of the prison camp at the Guantanamo military base in Cuba. The United States imposed economic sanctions on Sudan in 1997 and labeled it a "state sponsor of terrorism." Ties were strained further by the conflict in Darfur, which both Obama and his predecessor George W. Bush have called genocide, a description Sudan's government rejects.Obama has said the United States will seek a way to restart talks between rebels in Darfur and the Khartoum government.
Cuba and the U.S. really have issues that they need to work out. I feel like they need to talk to everyone and come up with a plan that not only discusses how they might be released but what happens after they are released.
Space Solar: The New Frontier
Robert McKnight
4-25-09
10:10
Space solar is also much more efficient than Earth solar, isn't subject to atmospheric conditions such as cloud cover, and can "soak up the sun" day and night, as there is usually no difference between the two in space. One study found that "a single kilometer-wide band of geosynchronous Earth orbit experiences enough solar flux in one year to nearly equal the amount of energy contained within all known recoverable conventional oil reserves on Earth today."
Power is to be generated by 2016. 200 megawatts of space solar energy have already been purchased, which enough to power 200,000 homes for a year.
Makes perfect sense to me. Get a satellite all up in that flux... Sounds great. It reminds me of those offshore wind power arrays. It's not as if the littering of oceans with wind turbines or Earth's orbit with solar satellites is great, but if we've got to do something to ween ourselves from oil (and we do), and if we're going to put these things somewhere, it seems logical to put them in places where they'll be least conspicuous. While the coastal sea creatures are getting put out by giant pillars, they aren't getting decimated by climate change.
Friday, April 24, 2009
International Discussion of Turkmenistan
Michael Bass
Soc. 202 Current Event
Stephen Sills
10:39
4/24/09
US Urges opening of Central Asian Gas Markets
Gas reserves under Turkmenistan have been sought after by western powers since the death of its dictator, Saparmarat Niyazov in 2006. George Krol, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State said that president Obama’s agenda included high aspects of cooperation with the Central Asian states.
“ We strongly support the diversification of energy markets and transit routes, both among Central Asian states and between this region and broader international markets,” he said.
A meeting was held at the nation’s capital to discuss energy policy with central Asia and the European Union. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has recently expressed his wishes to open up more to the west, a comment that has been seen by some as snubbing Russia, who holds an almost-monopoly over Turkmenistan gas exports. Russian negotiations have soured due to a pipeline explosion that exports gas from Turkmenistan to Russia: Russia is accused of having unexpectedly cutting its imports of natural gas. A U.S official comments, “I believe this explosion, this accident, this phenomenon is one more argument in support of diversification of routes…” in support of his desire of alternative routes. On Wednesday, the EU reached an agreement with the Central Asian country ending an eleven-year stalemate.
The growth of the international relations between Turkmenistan in recent years, gives many hope in the business of international trade. The possibility of massive natural gas reserves under the country is attractive to the western eye in their need for energy. The ongoing struggle for cleaner energy worldwide begins with healthier negotiations between countries.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jD8OCl6RwzWGdNTvZhzdpZThESFA
Iraq working to Improve Life for Women
Gabby Martino
10:30 PM
Friday, April 24th
The war in Iraq has caused many families to be broken due to death. It is estimated that there is between one and three million Iraqi women widows. This has caused a lot of financial burden for these women who relied on their husbands to make all of the money. The women have been recieving money from the government to help support themselves and their children, but it is not enough. The women are claiming that that want to work to support their families and that the government is not doing enough in this crisis.
I think that even though this is a very sad story, I think that this will help in the movement for equal rights for women in the middle east. Women did not have to work before, but now that they do, they will have more opportunites and will eventually start to be looked at differently by others. When the US began fighting in World War II, this was also seen when many women began to enter the work force. It set the women's movement in motion and women have been working ever since. While there will be many years of hardship for the Iraqi women, if they do begin working then hopefully their rights will be soon to follow.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-22-voa18.cfm
10:30 PM
Friday, April 24th
The war in Iraq has caused many families to be broken due to death. It is estimated that there is between one and three million Iraqi women widows. This has caused a lot of financial burden for these women who relied on their husbands to make all of the money. The women have been recieving money from the government to help support themselves and their children, but it is not enough. The women are claiming that that want to work to support their families and that the government is not doing enough in this crisis.
I think that even though this is a very sad story, I think that this will help in the movement for equal rights for women in the middle east. Women did not have to work before, but now that they do, they will have more opportunites and will eventually start to be looked at differently by others. When the US began fighting in World War II, this was also seen when many women began to enter the work force. It set the women's movement in motion and women have been working ever since. While there will be many years of hardship for the Iraqi women, if they do begin working then hopefully their rights will be soon to follow.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-22-voa18.cfm
Man Admits Kidnapping, Locking U.K. Nurse in Car Trunk for 10 Days
Ashlee O'Connell
4:54 PM
April 24, 2009
In Edinburgh, Scotland, a south African man pleded guilty Friday to kidnapping a nurse in Scotland and keeping her locked in the trunk of a car for 10 days. Justice Ngema, 35, pleaded guilty to 14 charges including assault, abduction and robbery, as well as several thefts. He faces sentencing in July. Magdeline Makola, 38, also from South Africa, was rescued by police who found her in a car trunk in December. "When I was taken I did not think I was going to survive and the experience of being trapped is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life," Makola said in a statement read outside the court by Detective Constable Kevin Huliston. "I am pleased that Justice Ngema has pleaded guilty today and I want people to know that I feel no anger towards him, only pity. I wish him well in the future and I will pray for him," she added. Prosecutors said Ngema had invited himself into her home and asked for a drink, then grabbed her neck with both hands. "I'm a professional in this job, I kill people. You shut up right now," prosecutors quoted him as saying. He punched her and used force to obtain her bank codes, prosecutors said, then carried her out and put her in the trunk of her own car. Prosecutors said Ngema used Makola's bank card to go Christmas shopping, in some cases with his girlfriend. When police found Makola, she was severely dehydrated and had suffered kidney failure, prosecutor Alex Prentice said. "She would not have survived a further two days," he said. Detective Inspector Alan Sommerville, who led the investigation, praised Makola "for the strength and courage she has shown both during her ordeal and throughout her recovery." "She is a remarkable individual," he said.
4:54 PM
April 24, 2009
In Edinburgh, Scotland, a south African man pleded guilty Friday to kidnapping a nurse in Scotland and keeping her locked in the trunk of a car for 10 days. Justice Ngema, 35, pleaded guilty to 14 charges including assault, abduction and robbery, as well as several thefts. He faces sentencing in July. Magdeline Makola, 38, also from South Africa, was rescued by police who found her in a car trunk in December. "When I was taken I did not think I was going to survive and the experience of being trapped is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life," Makola said in a statement read outside the court by Detective Constable Kevin Huliston. "I am pleased that Justice Ngema has pleaded guilty today and I want people to know that I feel no anger towards him, only pity. I wish him well in the future and I will pray for him," she added. Prosecutors said Ngema had invited himself into her home and asked for a drink, then grabbed her neck with both hands. "I'm a professional in this job, I kill people. You shut up right now," prosecutors quoted him as saying. He punched her and used force to obtain her bank codes, prosecutors said, then carried her out and put her in the trunk of her own car. Prosecutors said Ngema used Makola's bank card to go Christmas shopping, in some cases with his girlfriend. When police found Makola, she was severely dehydrated and had suffered kidney failure, prosecutor Alex Prentice said. "She would not have survived a further two days," he said. Detective Inspector Alan Sommerville, who led the investigation, praised Makola "for the strength and courage she has shown both during her ordeal and throughout her recovery." "She is a remarkable individual," he said.
This is incredibly crazy to think it could really happen. This is something you hear about in movies and stuff and never think could really happen. How could someone even think to put someone through torture like this? It is a miracle that the woman truly did survive. The statement made by Ngema saying "I kill people" is truly disguisting. How anyone could actually say that blows my mind. People have honestly gone off their rocker lately and do not know how to really treat anyone.
British Plan to Raise Taxes and Debt Sets Off Political Sparring
Kelsey Walker
April 24, 2009
4:27 PM
Currently the worst recession within Industrial Nations is occurring within Britain. The Prime Minister laid out a plan for more than $1 trillion in deficit spending over the next five years, a scale of public debt that critics say is without precedent in Britain, and ordered a 5-percentage-point increase, to 50 percent, in the top marginal rate of income tax for the country’s highest earners. Some say this is good, some say this will worsen the economic downturn upon Britain. My Darling, the chancellor of the Exchequer predicts that the economy will shrink by 3.5 percent. The International Monetary Fund predicts that Britain’s economical recession will continue into 2010 but, But the British finance minister acknowledged that the government was not expecting the years of deficit spending to end before 2018. Some have warned that if the recession is longer and deeper than the government is predicting, the level of debt could lead to Britain’s facing a run on the pound and the possibility of having to turn to the monetary fund for emergency loans, a contingency last resorted to by a Labor government in the 1970s. The government has suspected to raise the taxes 50 percent on all that earn more than £150,000 a year, about $216,750. This will be the highest tax raise within the developing countries.
I don’t think that Britian is taking the right steps with the deficit spend however I do believe that the 50 percent tax raise on those that are uber wealthy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/world/europe/23britain.html?_r=1&ref=world
April 24, 2009
4:27 PM
Currently the worst recession within Industrial Nations is occurring within Britain. The Prime Minister laid out a plan for more than $1 trillion in deficit spending over the next five years, a scale of public debt that critics say is without precedent in Britain, and ordered a 5-percentage-point increase, to 50 percent, in the top marginal rate of income tax for the country’s highest earners. Some say this is good, some say this will worsen the economic downturn upon Britain. My Darling, the chancellor of the Exchequer predicts that the economy will shrink by 3.5 percent. The International Monetary Fund predicts that Britain’s economical recession will continue into 2010 but, But the British finance minister acknowledged that the government was not expecting the years of deficit spending to end before 2018. Some have warned that if the recession is longer and deeper than the government is predicting, the level of debt could lead to Britain’s facing a run on the pound and the possibility of having to turn to the monetary fund for emergency loans, a contingency last resorted to by a Labor government in the 1970s. The government has suspected to raise the taxes 50 percent on all that earn more than £150,000 a year, about $216,750. This will be the highest tax raise within the developing countries.
I don’t think that Britian is taking the right steps with the deficit spend however I do believe that the 50 percent tax raise on those that are uber wealthy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/world/europe/23britain.html?_r=1&ref=world
Ethnic Conflict Fears After Iraq War
Lauren DiCiaccio
April 24, 2009
4:45pm
Officials in the European Union warn that the US and UK must be prepared for further conflict in Iraq. They are worried about continued ethnic violence in the area of Iraq known as Kurdistan. The US-led invasion of Iraq has caused an increase of the influx of refugees from the region, which could cause more ethnic divides and violence in the region. The Kurdish area of the country has experienced ethnic violence for the past several decades. The refugee situation could create crises involving access to clean water and food sources, as well as safe places for habitation. With a shortage in resources, conflict between groups has the potential to increase. There has historically been conflict between the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds, with an escalation against the Kurds in the 1990's chemical attacks carried out on the region by the Saddam Hussein regime.
This article is an important point of consideration in the United States' Iraq War policy. If the US does not consider the Kurdish population, it could be setting the region up for further conflict. Historically, there have been regional conflicts between the groups, but under Saddam Hussein, there was relative peace among the groups, with the exception of Kurdish outbreaks of violence. I think that colonialism, around the world, has caused much of the ethnic conflict that exists in the modern world. Because of the lines drawn for the political borders in Iraq, three unlikely groups are together, and democracy will be hard to achieve.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2842941.stm
April 24, 2009
4:45pm
Officials in the European Union warn that the US and UK must be prepared for further conflict in Iraq. They are worried about continued ethnic violence in the area of Iraq known as Kurdistan. The US-led invasion of Iraq has caused an increase of the influx of refugees from the region, which could cause more ethnic divides and violence in the region. The Kurdish area of the country has experienced ethnic violence for the past several decades. The refugee situation could create crises involving access to clean water and food sources, as well as safe places for habitation. With a shortage in resources, conflict between groups has the potential to increase. There has historically been conflict between the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds, with an escalation against the Kurds in the 1990's chemical attacks carried out on the region by the Saddam Hussein regime.
This article is an important point of consideration in the United States' Iraq War policy. If the US does not consider the Kurdish population, it could be setting the region up for further conflict. Historically, there have been regional conflicts between the groups, but under Saddam Hussein, there was relative peace among the groups, with the exception of Kurdish outbreaks of violence. I think that colonialism, around the world, has caused much of the ethnic conflict that exists in the modern world. Because of the lines drawn for the political borders in Iraq, three unlikely groups are together, and democracy will be hard to achieve.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/2842941.stm
Pakistani Taliban pulls Out of Stronghold
On Friday TV images showed Taliban militants emerging from a high walled villa that served as their headquarters in Buner. Buner is a rural area in the foothills of the Karakoram Mountains. The militants had seized a district sixty miles from Pakistan’s capital. The government warned the militants if they did not leave, force would be used to evict them. The militants, most of them masked with black scarves and carrying automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, escaped the area by using many pickup trucks and minibuses. This situation is the biggest and most immediate threat to the peace agreement of the militant held Swat Valley. This peace agreement halted nearly two years of bloody fighting between militants and Pakistani security forces. "We told them that we have a deal, we have a peace agreement. We told them not to become a tool in the hands of someone aiming at sabotaging the peace in the region," said Syed Mohammed Javed, the top government administrator in the region. Taliban commanders insisted their fighters had been preaching peacefully for Islamic law in Buner and said they were leaving "of their own accord, not under any pressure." Others say that their stronghold in Buner put them within striking distance of the capital and key roads leading to the main northwestern city of Peshawar.
I have many mixed feelings about this article. On one account I am glad peace was kept because of the peace agreement. On the other hand I am completely amazed they let such militants knowingly escape. This problem will never be solved until militant forces, such as this situation, are resolved. I am very displeased about their actions, or lack of actions on this situation. These militants could have been eliminated, which would possibly solve further problems in the future. I would hope the United States would make better decisions than what has happened here.
Randy Williams
I have many mixed feelings about this article. On one account I am glad peace was kept because of the peace agreement. On the other hand I am completely amazed they let such militants knowingly escape. This problem will never be solved until militant forces, such as this situation, are resolved. I am very displeased about their actions, or lack of actions on this situation. These militants could have been eliminated, which would possibly solve further problems in the future. I would hope the United States would make better decisions than what has happened here.
Randy Williams
"Recession threatens Africa charities"
Jacob Nord
Current Events
Sociology
2:44 P.M.
24 April 2009
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/20/charity.troubles/index.html#cnnSTCText
In a recent article by CNN, it seems that not only is the recession hitting hard the businesses and corporations of America and the global west, but it is also hitting hard the nations of the periphery and the non-profit organizations that were formed to aid and assist the said periphery nations. Among some of the organizations that have been hurt with this economic downfall are the organizations responsible for providing charitable education to underprivileged children in these periphery nations. Not only is the educational opportunity being taken away from the students in Eastern Africa, but most students at these schools probably could not afford to eat if meals were not served at school, thus a two-pronged attacked on the well being of these people. Philanthropists say that these days it is not that they are not willing to do donate more to these charities, but their money is limited and thus they have other organizations that take priority.
I think that it is very awful that this has to happen to these countries at this time. At the best of times, these organizations are underfunded and are not able to reach out to all of the men women and children who need help the most. This economic catastrophe has only made things worse for these countries and organizations and it will make it even harder to bring these people out of an already messy situation.
Taliban leave district near Pakistan's capital
Friday, April 24
2:30 PM
On Friday, Pakistani officials announced that Taliban militants have completely withdrawn from the Buner district outside Pakistan's capital. The Taliban seized control earlier this week raising international concerns. This seizure violated a peace agreement that had been set up two months ago. Earlier in the day, a spokesman from the Taliban stated that they would pull out of the district. The events that took place in Pakistan have raised global concern for the state of Pakistan, which is now beginning to seem like a hotbed for terrorism. A concern that is still high, due to the fact that the Taliban forces leaving Buner are non-local ones, leaving local forces stationed in the city.
This is a perfect example of the problem that Pakistan poses to the world. With such a weak government, it is very easy for terrorist groups to take control. In a country where there is a weak government, and a terrorist group trying to seize power, the government is going to need assistance. President Barack Obama has stated that he will provide aid to Pakistan, in an effort to stop global terrorism. With things like this happening in Pakistan, it's probably a good thing that he's making preemptive actions to stop terrorism.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/24/pakistan.taliban.control.gilani/?iref=hpmostpop
2:30 PM
On Friday, Pakistani officials announced that Taliban militants have completely withdrawn from the Buner district outside Pakistan's capital. The Taliban seized control earlier this week raising international concerns. This seizure violated a peace agreement that had been set up two months ago. Earlier in the day, a spokesman from the Taliban stated that they would pull out of the district. The events that took place in Pakistan have raised global concern for the state of Pakistan, which is now beginning to seem like a hotbed for terrorism. A concern that is still high, due to the fact that the Taliban forces leaving Buner are non-local ones, leaving local forces stationed in the city.
This is a perfect example of the problem that Pakistan poses to the world. With such a weak government, it is very easy for terrorist groups to take control. In a country where there is a weak government, and a terrorist group trying to seize power, the government is going to need assistance. President Barack Obama has stated that he will provide aid to Pakistan, in an effort to stop global terrorism. With things like this happening in Pakistan, it's probably a good thing that he's making preemptive actions to stop terrorism.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/04/24/pakistan.taliban.control.gilani/?iref=hpmostpop
Boris Johnson vows to 'eradicate' violence against women in London
Shermunda Lawrence
4/24/09
1:55pm
London mayor Boris Johnson launches new strategy to combat violence but critics accuse him of failing to honour pledge to fund four rape crisis centres in the capital. He vowed to "eradicate" violence against women and promised to take a "united fight to end violence against women in London", including sex trafficking and the growing use of sexual violence as a weapon used by gangs in London.But critics accused the mayor of failing to honour a manifesto pledge to fund four rape crisis centres in the capital.
The number of reported rapes in the capital increased by 14.5% last year, while domestic violence incidents rose by 4.4%. Yet only an estimated 10% of women who have been raped or sexually assaulted report it to the police and only 6% of all rape cases end in a conviction. Johnson accused the government of a "piecemeal approach" to protecting women from violence. He said: "There are a significant number of women in London whose lives are blighted by the violence of men, something which is wholly unacceptable." Basing his calculations on the cost of London's only rape crisis centre in Croydon, Johnson said last year that securing funding for this centre and three others would require ring-fencing of around £744,000 annually. But opposition members of the London assembly insist that he has only budgeted £233,000. Joanne McCartney, a Labour member of the London assembly, said: "The mayor is presenting himself as a defender of women's rights but the reality is he's betraying them by breaking another key promise. To be honest it was pretty cheap to suggest that London's urgent need for more rape crisis provision could be solved by sacking a few press officers. Plans outlined in the strategy include working closely with boroughs to "enhance" frontline service such as rape crisis centres, and working with the Met police to get tough on trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women.
London, England
Hélène Mulholland
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/apr/21/boris-johnson-violence-against-women
4/24/09
1:55pm
London mayor Boris Johnson launches new strategy to combat violence but critics accuse him of failing to honour pledge to fund four rape crisis centres in the capital. He vowed to "eradicate" violence against women and promised to take a "united fight to end violence against women in London", including sex trafficking and the growing use of sexual violence as a weapon used by gangs in London.But critics accused the mayor of failing to honour a manifesto pledge to fund four rape crisis centres in the capital.
The number of reported rapes in the capital increased by 14.5% last year, while domestic violence incidents rose by 4.4%. Yet only an estimated 10% of women who have been raped or sexually assaulted report it to the police and only 6% of all rape cases end in a conviction. Johnson accused the government of a "piecemeal approach" to protecting women from violence. He said: "There are a significant number of women in London whose lives are blighted by the violence of men, something which is wholly unacceptable." Basing his calculations on the cost of London's only rape crisis centre in Croydon, Johnson said last year that securing funding for this centre and three others would require ring-fencing of around £744,000 annually. But opposition members of the London assembly insist that he has only budgeted £233,000. Joanne McCartney, a Labour member of the London assembly, said: "The mayor is presenting himself as a defender of women's rights but the reality is he's betraying them by breaking another key promise. To be honest it was pretty cheap to suggest that London's urgent need for more rape crisis provision could be solved by sacking a few press officers. Plans outlined in the strategy include working closely with boroughs to "enhance" frontline service such as rape crisis centres, and working with the Met police to get tough on trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women.
London, England
Hélène Mulholland
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/apr/21/boris-johnson-violence-against-women
Religious Rift Tears at Orissa Communities
Katy Greene
April 24th, 2009
1:00
In Kandhamal, which is located in the Indian state of Orissa, the Christian community has been on the recieving end of a huge outburst of violence. They say that it is the worst anti-Christian riot to occur since India gained its independence. In the riots last year, over a dozen people were killed, and many homes and churches were destroyed.
Since these traumatic riots, many familes who lost their homes are now living in with several other families in tents and shacks. No one will hire the Christians a day-laborers, and their children are not able to go to school. They live in constant fear of being attacked, and sleep during the day so that they may stay up to guard their families at night. They have recieved no help from the government, and do not have the proper resources to feed everyone. The Christians are not allowed to return to their homes, as their neighbors will not allow it. The only way they can go home is if they renounce their faith, convert to Hinduism, and drop the charges against those who attacked them.
Peace committees have been founded, however they are full of the people who committed the violence. A lot of international attention has been given to this situation, yet still nothing has been done to help the people. I think that the government of India needs to consider itself responsible for all of its citizens, not just the ones who agree with their views. They have a duty to enforce justice, and allow the Christian Indians to safely return home, as well as prosecute those who committed the violence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7996827.stm
April 24th, 2009
1:00
In Kandhamal, which is located in the Indian state of Orissa, the Christian community has been on the recieving end of a huge outburst of violence. They say that it is the worst anti-Christian riot to occur since India gained its independence. In the riots last year, over a dozen people were killed, and many homes and churches were destroyed.
Since these traumatic riots, many familes who lost their homes are now living in with several other families in tents and shacks. No one will hire the Christians a day-laborers, and their children are not able to go to school. They live in constant fear of being attacked, and sleep during the day so that they may stay up to guard their families at night. They have recieved no help from the government, and do not have the proper resources to feed everyone. The Christians are not allowed to return to their homes, as their neighbors will not allow it. The only way they can go home is if they renounce their faith, convert to Hinduism, and drop the charges against those who attacked them.
Peace committees have been founded, however they are full of the people who committed the violence. A lot of international attention has been given to this situation, yet still nothing has been done to help the people. I think that the government of India needs to consider itself responsible for all of its citizens, not just the ones who agree with their views. They have a duty to enforce justice, and allow the Christian Indians to safely return home, as well as prosecute those who committed the violence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7996827.stm
Human Rights: Porn Acts in Mexico
Taylor Westlake
April 24, 2009
12:00
In Mexico City, Mexico there has been film on DVD's and CD's that have been recovered that have pictures of children in sexual acts. Seven people were arrested for these acts, including someone you never thought would do such a thing, a Roman Catholic Priest. They were all arrested for this child pornography ring that they had going on. The seven people who were arrested are being charged for "distribulting a hundred thousand pictures and videos to people around the globe, and the pictures and videos are from children all around the world" said Mexico's Attorney General, Miguel Angel Mancera. There had to have been a huge number of child victims in the act but the number was not released but, the Attorney General, Miguel did say that the children were all under the age of ten. He also said that all the DVD's, CD's and the computer have been taken from all seven of the people that were involved and arrested.
I personally can't believe that this happened. Children all under the age of ten? This is horrible! I think that it's definitely a good thing that these seven people were caught and arrested. I think what suprised me the most was that a Roman Catholic priest took part in all of this. It's suprising to me in an upsetting way that this happen to these children, and that these video's and pictures have been released to who knows how many different people around the world. Why do people do such things, why do they think that what they were doing is okay? I will never know the answer to these questions but what I do know is, it's wrong, and not right, illegal. Why can this people think that they can just go against what is right in the world and do something as wrong as this?
http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/22/mexico-7-arrested-in-suspected-child-porn-ring/
April 24, 2009
12:00
In Mexico City, Mexico there has been film on DVD's and CD's that have been recovered that have pictures of children in sexual acts. Seven people were arrested for these acts, including someone you never thought would do such a thing, a Roman Catholic Priest. They were all arrested for this child pornography ring that they had going on. The seven people who were arrested are being charged for "distribulting a hundred thousand pictures and videos to people around the globe, and the pictures and videos are from children all around the world" said Mexico's Attorney General, Miguel Angel Mancera. There had to have been a huge number of child victims in the act but the number was not released but, the Attorney General, Miguel did say that the children were all under the age of ten. He also said that all the DVD's, CD's and the computer have been taken from all seven of the people that were involved and arrested.
I personally can't believe that this happened. Children all under the age of ten? This is horrible! I think that it's definitely a good thing that these seven people were caught and arrested. I think what suprised me the most was that a Roman Catholic priest took part in all of this. It's suprising to me in an upsetting way that this happen to these children, and that these video's and pictures have been released to who knows how many different people around the world. Why do people do such things, why do they think that what they were doing is okay? I will never know the answer to these questions but what I do know is, it's wrong, and not right, illegal. Why can this people think that they can just go against what is right in the world and do something as wrong as this?
http://cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/22/mexico-7-arrested-in-suspected-child-porn-ring/
Global Treasures Online
Trey Brown
4/24/09
11:10
The UN's cultural agency is launching a website called The World Digital Library and its sole-purpose is the digitization and display of world treasures. The site will be host to manuscripts, maps, books, and films for the world population to view. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) believes that this site will help to peak cultural curiosity around the world and promote understanding across cultures as a result. So far there are about 1,200 exhibits up and running on the site with a majority of them being items from Europe and other Western nations. Diversity is present though with about a tenth of the exhibits coming from Africa. The World Digital Library is still in its beginning stages and the number of exhibits and the number of cultures they are from is expected to quickly grow.
Utilizing tools to their full potential isn't always the easiest to do because of the myriad things that are possible with some. That is especially true when that tool is the internet. Cultural mixing has been happening since the internet’s creation but dedicating some of it to that purpose is genius. Having a specific place to visit and be able to learn about a people you may never see or that you just don't understand would be an invaluable experience. Also the digitization of culturally important artifacts and items means that once they are on the World Wide Web there will almost always be a copy of them somewhere. This means that even if the physical original is destroyed that digital copy will always exist for future generations to see and study for their own benefit. So in the end not only is UNESCO helping to promote cultural curiosity and understanding they are saving culturally important items almost indefinitely.
Link to Article
4/24/09
11:10
The UN's cultural agency is launching a website called The World Digital Library and its sole-purpose is the digitization and display of world treasures. The site will be host to manuscripts, maps, books, and films for the world population to view. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) believes that this site will help to peak cultural curiosity around the world and promote understanding across cultures as a result. So far there are about 1,200 exhibits up and running on the site with a majority of them being items from Europe and other Western nations. Diversity is present though with about a tenth of the exhibits coming from Africa. The World Digital Library is still in its beginning stages and the number of exhibits and the number of cultures they are from is expected to quickly grow.
Utilizing tools to their full potential isn't always the easiest to do because of the myriad things that are possible with some. That is especially true when that tool is the internet. Cultural mixing has been happening since the internet’s creation but dedicating some of it to that purpose is genius. Having a specific place to visit and be able to learn about a people you may never see or that you just don't understand would be an invaluable experience. Also the digitization of culturally important artifacts and items means that once they are on the World Wide Web there will almost always be a copy of them somewhere. This means that even if the physical original is destroyed that digital copy will always exist for future generations to see and study for their own benefit. So in the end not only is UNESCO helping to promote cultural curiosity and understanding they are saving culturally important items almost indefinitely.
Link to Article
18 shabby pirate suspects appear in court
Meagan Flood
4/24/09
11:15am
18 Somali men appeared in a Mombasa courthouse on Thursday facing piracy charges that could put them behind bars for life. This was the first court appearance for the men tracked down by French commandos on April 14th. The French also gave over their captured equipment. The pirates showed to court wearing shabby clothing and some even without shoes. There was also a hearing in a U.S. court this week charging a Somali teenager with attacking an American cargo ship. This was the first piracy case brought to court in over a century in the US. Due to the U.N. Convention of the Law of the Sea, any country can try a piracy case irrespective of the pirates’ nationalities of the vessel they hijacked. The Idea of an international piracy tribunal is continuing to gain traction. Kenya is currently striking deals with the European Union and the U.S. that would allow Kenya to try more suspected pirates captured.
Cooperation between the states continues to grow but there are doubts that Kenya can handle the costly and complicated task of trying cases that emerge from exploding piracy crisis, due to its own huge backlog of criminal and civil cases. I’m not sure that Kenya would be the best place to try these pirates but I think it’s a step in the right direction how these countries are working together to put a stop to piracy.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30371808/page/2/
4/24/09
11:15am
18 Somali men appeared in a Mombasa courthouse on Thursday facing piracy charges that could put them behind bars for life. This was the first court appearance for the men tracked down by French commandos on April 14th. The French also gave over their captured equipment. The pirates showed to court wearing shabby clothing and some even without shoes. There was also a hearing in a U.S. court this week charging a Somali teenager with attacking an American cargo ship. This was the first piracy case brought to court in over a century in the US. Due to the U.N. Convention of the Law of the Sea, any country can try a piracy case irrespective of the pirates’ nationalities of the vessel they hijacked. The Idea of an international piracy tribunal is continuing to gain traction. Kenya is currently striking deals with the European Union and the U.S. that would allow Kenya to try more suspected pirates captured.
Cooperation between the states continues to grow but there are doubts that Kenya can handle the costly and complicated task of trying cases that emerge from exploding piracy crisis, due to its own huge backlog of criminal and civil cases. I’m not sure that Kenya would be the best place to try these pirates but I think it’s a step in the right direction how these countries are working together to put a stop to piracy.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30371808/page/2/
Double Suicide Bombing Hits Iraq
Jessica Rogers
April 24, 2009
10:49 am
Two female suicide bombers have attacked Baghdad's main Shia shrine, killing at least 60 people and injuring 125 others. The bombers detonated their explosives within minutes of one another, near a large crowd of worshiping Iranian pilgrims. The shrine has been a target of insurgents in the past. This event came the day after another suicide bombing that had killed 84 Iranian pilgrims. And on the same day, a suicide bomber infiltrated a group of families in Baghdad, killing 28 people. "The incident yesterday was a very, very hateful example of those who harm religion in the name of religion." Since 2005, when violence became a major problem in Iraq, 87,000 Iraqis have been killed.
Murder is condemned in every religion, and yet people STILL think that it is okay to kill people in the name of their religion. In my eyes that is just sheer hypocrisy. Did our world not learn it's lesson after the Crusades? There are so many different kinds of people in the world and so many different religious beliefs, that, while it doesn't surprise me that there are those that think that their religion is the better, it doesn't take away the fact that people are dying everyday because of one of the most beautiful things about our world: diversity. Everyone at some point or another is going to think that their beliefs are better than those of someone who thinks differently than them. The difference lies in whether or not you can accept the difference.
April 24, 2009
10:49 am
Two female suicide bombers have attacked Baghdad's main Shia shrine, killing at least 60 people and injuring 125 others. The bombers detonated their explosives within minutes of one another, near a large crowd of worshiping Iranian pilgrims. The shrine has been a target of insurgents in the past. This event came the day after another suicide bombing that had killed 84 Iranian pilgrims. And on the same day, a suicide bomber infiltrated a group of families in Baghdad, killing 28 people. "The incident yesterday was a very, very hateful example of those who harm religion in the name of religion." Since 2005, when violence became a major problem in Iraq, 87,000 Iraqis have been killed.
Murder is condemned in every religion, and yet people STILL think that it is okay to kill people in the name of their religion. In my eyes that is just sheer hypocrisy. Did our world not learn it's lesson after the Crusades? There are so many different kinds of people in the world and so many different religious beliefs, that, while it doesn't surprise me that there are those that think that their religion is the better, it doesn't take away the fact that people are dying everyday because of one of the most beautiful things about our world: diversity. Everyone at some point or another is going to think that their beliefs are better than those of someone who thinks differently than them. The difference lies in whether or not you can accept the difference.
Hold the Cheers for China’s Human Rights Action Plan
Kelsey McGalliard
April 25, 2009
9:20 am
Project 6521
When the Chinese communist regime appears to take a step forward in honoring human rights, congratulations have been offered by many around the world for the regime’s National Human Rights Action Plan. Perhaps these observers have forgotten that the regime has already guaranteed its citizens’ human rights in China’s Constitution. A look at how that document is honored gives a clue as to the meaning of the Action Plan. Forced labor camps are a simple example of how the regime violates the constitution. In these camps prisoners of conscience can be deprived of freedom for up to 4 years without any trial. Yet, Article 37 of China’s Constitution states that “No citizen may be arrested except with the approval or by the decision of a people’s procuratorate or of a people’s court.” The forced labor camp was established by Mao Zedong in 1957 for political purposes, to detain the “rightists”—in practice anyone whom the Party considered disloyal. The labor camps are still filled with those the Party wishes to suppress. According to a United Nations report, more than 100,000 peaceful Falun Gong adherents are detained and tortured in the labor camps. Other detainees include dissidents, independent writers, underground Catholics and house church Christians. Each year, when the National People’s Congress has its regular meeting, abolishment of forced labor camps is never put on the floor for discussion—even though the Chinese people have pressed hard on this issue.
When reading the rest of the article it really made me think why China is trying to prove to everyone that it is changing its human rights but I have a feeling that nothing is going to change. Looking at the situations with labor camps and how they are still practiced and in China’s constitution it clearly states that they cannot be arrested or punished unless they go through the people’s court. Project 6521 to me seems like it will go nowhere it is just created to make it look like they want to change the way they treat people even though this will never stop.
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15804/
April 25, 2009
9:20 am
Project 6521
When the Chinese communist regime appears to take a step forward in honoring human rights, congratulations have been offered by many around the world for the regime’s National Human Rights Action Plan. Perhaps these observers have forgotten that the regime has already guaranteed its citizens’ human rights in China’s Constitution. A look at how that document is honored gives a clue as to the meaning of the Action Plan. Forced labor camps are a simple example of how the regime violates the constitution. In these camps prisoners of conscience can be deprived of freedom for up to 4 years without any trial. Yet, Article 37 of China’s Constitution states that “No citizen may be arrested except with the approval or by the decision of a people’s procuratorate or of a people’s court.” The forced labor camp was established by Mao Zedong in 1957 for political purposes, to detain the “rightists”—in practice anyone whom the Party considered disloyal. The labor camps are still filled with those the Party wishes to suppress. According to a United Nations report, more than 100,000 peaceful Falun Gong adherents are detained and tortured in the labor camps. Other detainees include dissidents, independent writers, underground Catholics and house church Christians. Each year, when the National People’s Congress has its regular meeting, abolishment of forced labor camps is never put on the floor for discussion—even though the Chinese people have pressed hard on this issue.
When reading the rest of the article it really made me think why China is trying to prove to everyone that it is changing its human rights but I have a feeling that nothing is going to change. Looking at the situations with labor camps and how they are still practiced and in China’s constitution it clearly states that they cannot be arrested or punished unless they go through the people’s court. Project 6521 to me seems like it will go nowhere it is just created to make it look like they want to change the way they treat people even though this will never stop.
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/15804/
Casey Berry
4/24/09
Job lost worst since 1974 as downturn deepens
By Alister Bull
The team that met last week in Washington said that the U.S. has gotten rid of 533,000 jobs from the payrolls just in the month of November. This one year old recession is the worst one in 34 years. The unemployment rate is up 6.7 percent, which is the highest it’s been since the early 90’s. At this time 10.3 million people are out of a job and are probably struggling to pay their bills. Richard Yamarone said “you can’t get much uglier than this. The economy has just collapsed and has gone into a free fall.” Due to a recent collapse in the U.S. housing market this economy situation has turned into a global “credit crisis”. A number of large companies are making job cuts, including, AT&T, General Motors Inc., and Legg Mason Inc. Our jobless rate stands at 6.5 percent but experts are saying that they predict it to reach 8 percent in the near future. Obama stepped in and put out a $700 billion tax plan but so far the jobs are still being lost. People are going for interviews but the employers are telling them that there’s just simply not enough money in the budget to hire anyone new at this time
This whole jobless situation in terrifying and if people can’t afford to hire anyone then no one is going to get a job anytime soon. Some people are trying to file for unemployment and some are losing their homes due to foreclosures. But if everyone tries to file for unemployment then eventually we will run out of money there too. It’s so scary and I never expected to see this kind of thing happen to our economy in my lifetime. Obama said that things would have to continue to worsen before they could get better, but I don’t honestly see how things could get any worse than they already are.
4/24/09
Job lost worst since 1974 as downturn deepens
By Alister Bull
The team that met last week in Washington said that the U.S. has gotten rid of 533,000 jobs from the payrolls just in the month of November. This one year old recession is the worst one in 34 years. The unemployment rate is up 6.7 percent, which is the highest it’s been since the early 90’s. At this time 10.3 million people are out of a job and are probably struggling to pay their bills. Richard Yamarone said “you can’t get much uglier than this. The economy has just collapsed and has gone into a free fall.” Due to a recent collapse in the U.S. housing market this economy situation has turned into a global “credit crisis”. A number of large companies are making job cuts, including, AT&T, General Motors Inc., and Legg Mason Inc. Our jobless rate stands at 6.5 percent but experts are saying that they predict it to reach 8 percent in the near future. Obama stepped in and put out a $700 billion tax plan but so far the jobs are still being lost. People are going for interviews but the employers are telling them that there’s just simply not enough money in the budget to hire anyone new at this time
This whole jobless situation in terrifying and if people can’t afford to hire anyone then no one is going to get a job anytime soon. Some people are trying to file for unemployment and some are losing their homes due to foreclosures. But if everyone tries to file for unemployment then eventually we will run out of money there too. It’s so scary and I never expected to see this kind of thing happen to our economy in my lifetime. Obama said that things would have to continue to worsen before they could get better, but I don’t honestly see how things could get any worse than they already are.
Two problems with one solution
Juan Miranda
04/24/09
3:37 am
On Monday president brought up the green energy issue again after many suspected that it was moving down his political agenda. Obama’s plan consists in investing money, approximately 150 billion dollars in taxpayer money, to assure that at least twenty five percent of the nation is ran on green energy. This will Also create jobs that will at the same time boost the economy. Like Obama states, "By repowering our nation with clean energy, we will create millions of jobs that can't be sent overseas. By harnessing the energy of the sun and wind, we can refuel our nation and end our addiction to oil”. This is is a very ambitious plan but it just might work according to environmental scholars, even though they also agree that it wont be easy. Many argue that this will take severe investments and that Obama cant focus too much in the long run and invest to much money in it, while the present state of the economy is in terrible conditions. Many oppose saying, that it will be too expensive and that it is a bad idea to create jobs by switching energy sources.
I In my opinion this is a great idea, this plan needs to be pushed and put into action as soon as possible, we cant wait any longer, because the economy will only worsen and so will the state of our planet. Like Al Gore said to the Committee of Foreign Affairs, “For years our efforts to address the climate crisis have been undermined by the idea that we must chose between our planet and our way of life, between our moral duty and economic well-being these are false choices," It is time to take action now and not wait until its too late.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/01/30/obama.climate.change/index.html#cnnSTCText
04/24/09
3:37 am
On Monday president brought up the green energy issue again after many suspected that it was moving down his political agenda. Obama’s plan consists in investing money, approximately 150 billion dollars in taxpayer money, to assure that at least twenty five percent of the nation is ran on green energy. This will Also create jobs that will at the same time boost the economy. Like Obama states, "By repowering our nation with clean energy, we will create millions of jobs that can't be sent overseas. By harnessing the energy of the sun and wind, we can refuel our nation and end our addiction to oil”. This is is a very ambitious plan but it just might work according to environmental scholars, even though they also agree that it wont be easy. Many argue that this will take severe investments and that Obama cant focus too much in the long run and invest to much money in it, while the present state of the economy is in terrible conditions. Many oppose saying, that it will be too expensive and that it is a bad idea to create jobs by switching energy sources.
I In my opinion this is a great idea, this plan needs to be pushed and put into action as soon as possible, we cant wait any longer, because the economy will only worsen and so will the state of our planet. Like Al Gore said to the Committee of Foreign Affairs, “For years our efforts to address the climate crisis have been undermined by the idea that we must chose between our planet and our way of life, between our moral duty and economic well-being these are false choices," It is time to take action now and not wait until its too late.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/01/30/obama.climate.change/index.html#cnnSTCText
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Children Caught Up in Illegal Immigration
Blog 13
Gina Ponzi
April 23, 2009
2:28 PM
Children Caught Up in Illegal Immigration
Encarnacion Bail Romero, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arrested nearly 2 years ago when police raided a processing plant where she worked. At the time, Ms. Bail’s son Carlos (born on American soil) was only 6 months old. Ms. Bail was unable to be released due to her charges of identity theft; she had falsified an identification card. Now her son Carlos is two, and he lives with his adopted parents. Ms. Bail, on the other hand, has been incarcerated for the past year and a half, and is on the verge of deportation. A legal battle is now taking place: who has custody of Carlos? A judge has ruled that Ms. Bail must relinquish her rights to her child, because “Her lifestyle, that of smuggling herself into the country illegally and committing crimes in this country, is not a lifestyle that can provide stability for a child. A child cannot be educated in this way, always in hiding or on the run.”
The Judge makes a good point, however, I believe he is over simplifying a very complex issue. It is an issue that unfortunately involves the emotional and physical wellbeing of a child. In Carlos’s case, he either stays with his adopted parents despite his mother’s wishes, or his adoptive parents lose him to his mother, who might not be able to provide as comfortable a lifestyle as they could. The judge denied Ms. Bail rights to her son on the grounds that she cannot provide for him as well as his adoptive parents could, but I don’t believe that he is entitled to deny a mother her son based on a proportion of income. Furthermore, Ms. Bail was not guilty of a domestic violation, so whether or not she can provide a comfortable life for Carlos is irrelevant. Illegal Immigrants are guilty of committing a crime, but not a crime worthy of such extreme punishment.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/us/23children.html?_r=1&hp
Gina Ponzi
April 23, 2009
2:28 PM
Children Caught Up in Illegal Immigration
Encarnacion Bail Romero, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arrested nearly 2 years ago when police raided a processing plant where she worked. At the time, Ms. Bail’s son Carlos (born on American soil) was only 6 months old. Ms. Bail was unable to be released due to her charges of identity theft; she had falsified an identification card. Now her son Carlos is two, and he lives with his adopted parents. Ms. Bail, on the other hand, has been incarcerated for the past year and a half, and is on the verge of deportation. A legal battle is now taking place: who has custody of Carlos? A judge has ruled that Ms. Bail must relinquish her rights to her child, because “Her lifestyle, that of smuggling herself into the country illegally and committing crimes in this country, is not a lifestyle that can provide stability for a child. A child cannot be educated in this way, always in hiding or on the run.”
The Judge makes a good point, however, I believe he is over simplifying a very complex issue. It is an issue that unfortunately involves the emotional and physical wellbeing of a child. In Carlos’s case, he either stays with his adopted parents despite his mother’s wishes, or his adoptive parents lose him to his mother, who might not be able to provide as comfortable a lifestyle as they could. The judge denied Ms. Bail rights to her son on the grounds that she cannot provide for him as well as his adoptive parents could, but I don’t believe that he is entitled to deny a mother her son based on a proportion of income. Furthermore, Ms. Bail was not guilty of a domestic violation, so whether or not she can provide a comfortable life for Carlos is irrelevant. Illegal Immigrants are guilty of committing a crime, but not a crime worthy of such extreme punishment.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/us/23children.html?_r=1&hp
Pirate Trials
Michelle Commiskey
Apr. 23, 2009
2:10pm
This Thursday eighteen Somali men face piracy charges. The men were captured at see and hauled to shore by various European Navies. All eighteen men wore solemn expressions on their faces. All were shabbily dressed, wearing faded sarongs, old jackets, and cheap sandals. Two had no shoes at all.
This is the pirates’ first court appearance after being captured by French commandos on the 14th. The case has been adjourned until their bail hearing on May 27. Until then, all eighteen men will remain in a Mombasa jail. The Magistrate also ordered to court officials that the men be properly dressed for their bail hearings.
“Experts believe the underlying causes of piracy — unemployment, few options and insecurity on land — drive young men into a life of seafaring crime.”
Piracy can be seen as a direct correlation to the state of the economy. As of recent there have been more and more pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia, and I believe that it has a lot to do with the faltering economy. The problems in our economy and the economies of the global north directly affect the economies of the global south.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090423/ap_on_re_af/piracy;_ylt=AkPMLfZktjjSJDYxwluDYgJvaA8F
Apr. 23, 2009
2:10pm
This Thursday eighteen Somali men face piracy charges. The men were captured at see and hauled to shore by various European Navies. All eighteen men wore solemn expressions on their faces. All were shabbily dressed, wearing faded sarongs, old jackets, and cheap sandals. Two had no shoes at all.
This is the pirates’ first court appearance after being captured by French commandos on the 14th. The case has been adjourned until their bail hearing on May 27. Until then, all eighteen men will remain in a Mombasa jail. The Magistrate also ordered to court officials that the men be properly dressed for their bail hearings.
“Experts believe the underlying causes of piracy — unemployment, few options and insecurity on land — drive young men into a life of seafaring crime.”
Piracy can be seen as a direct correlation to the state of the economy. As of recent there have been more and more pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia, and I believe that it has a lot to do with the faltering economy. The problems in our economy and the economies of the global north directly affect the economies of the global south.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090423/ap_on_re_af/piracy;_ylt=AkPMLfZktjjSJDYxwluDYgJvaA8F
Rwanda will immunize 395,000 infants against pneumococcal disease
Amanda O'Donnell
April 23, 2008
1:46pm
Immunization in Rwanda
It has been announced that Rwanda, a developing nation in Africa, will launch a new vaccine program to immunize 395,000 infants by the end of the year against pneumococcal disease. The announcement was made by the GAVI Alliance, with the hopes of preventing many deaths from the disease. Pneumococcal disease is very dangerous, causing the deaths of children each and every year.
Thankfully, there is a vaccine out there that can actually prevent the disease, and the hope is that it can work wonders in Rwanda. This new program marks the first of its kind for a developing country. By immunizing the children, they believe that they will be able to prevent the deaths of thousands of kids each year in Rwanda. The vaccine will protect them against pneumoccal meningitis, and will allow the kids to live healthier lives.
The GAVI Alliance is made up of many different organizations around the world, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
As the semester has gone on I have found more articles that are actually dealing with the problems at hand. For the most part all the articles are informing us of all these horrible diseases and how they are becoming epidemics and killing so many people but nothing is ever being done about it. People don't realize that a little bit can go a long way. This organization is helping a developing country so their children can be healthy children and live their lives to the fullest. This will hopefully create a some what of a healthy society which will improve their overall health and life of their country. Its all a cycle and this one country being helping out is going to have long lasting affects.
http://www.dbtechno.com/health/2009/04/23/rwanda-to-immunize-395000-infants-against-pneumococcal-disease/
Colorado Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder of Transgender Woman
Kelly McKee
4/23/2009
10:31 a.m.
4/23/2009
10:31 a.m.
A man named Allen Andrade was charged with first degree murder after killing a transgender woman. Andrade met Angie Zapata hours before he murdered her by beating her to death. He said he lashed out without thinking; he just wanted to get another transgender person off the streets. He states “it wasn't as if I "killed a straight, law-abiding citizen." He considered Angie Zapata has being gay and got upset when he found out. While in jail waiting for his hearing he referred to her as “it” to his jail mates. The girl was only 18 years old and was born into the world as Justin Zapata, but after becoming transgender he became Angie.
I have always believed that a person can live the life that they want to live and Angie did not get to live the life she wanted to live. If she wanted to be a girl then so be it, I look down on people who judge others for something they strongly believe in. I know that homosexuality is looked down in this society but if that is how a person wants to live then let it be. Allen Andrade could have just walked away when he found out she was a transgender woman, and that is what he should have done, not beat a young woman to death. It is said to think that someone in this world cannot be who they want to be. That is one thing that I was always taught as a little girl, to always be who and what you want and don’t let anybody change that in you.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517501,00.html
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Scientists discover a nearly Earth-sized planet
PGibson
22APR 09
11:15pm
European researchers have identified two planets which give them great hopes of finding a life supporting planet in the future. Most known planets are of the large exoplanet variety which are usually too big and too hot. Gliese 581e is the smallest exoplanet found thus far and is roughly about 1.9 times the size of Earth. Unfortunately it is positioned close to a nearby star which would make it too hot to support life. Its neighbor, Gliese 581d, was found to be located within a prime habitable zone but will most likely be too large, and lacking the rocky earth like features desired. A habitable zone is a region around a sun-like star that would allow water to maintain its liquid phase on the planet’s surface. Approximately 350 planets have been discovered outside our solar system but most are either too hot or too cold to harbor life. The detection method should also be noted, a special instrument on a telescope that splits light to find wobbles in different wavelengths, which ultimately reveal the existence of other planets.
The detection of earth-like planets that may have the potential to sustain life is very exciting news. The implications of finding another life supporting planet could offer us a future that was once only possible in the science fictions comics of yesterday. Although neither of these two planets are exactly what we would expect for a new human sprawling grounds, it does lead to the expectation that there will be many more planets that might be an earth like equivalent. Finding a new planet to occupy would certainly be one solution for an ever expanding population but the apparent negative potential should also be considered. It could be the joining force to unite all nations with a common goal, or the next new land to conquer, pitting nations against each other (to win). It could also be the next new world monopoly. One can only hope if a life sustaining planet is discovered that all the wisdom gained during Earth’s history will guide an intelligent occupation based on social well being.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090422/ap_on_sc/eu_britain_new_planet;_ylt=At0crdRuiBn3RAW6GBSnxREPLBIF
22APR 09
11:15pm
European researchers have identified two planets which give them great hopes of finding a life supporting planet in the future. Most known planets are of the large exoplanet variety which are usually too big and too hot. Gliese 581e is the smallest exoplanet found thus far and is roughly about 1.9 times the size of Earth. Unfortunately it is positioned close to a nearby star which would make it too hot to support life. Its neighbor, Gliese 581d, was found to be located within a prime habitable zone but will most likely be too large, and lacking the rocky earth like features desired. A habitable zone is a region around a sun-like star that would allow water to maintain its liquid phase on the planet’s surface. Approximately 350 planets have been discovered outside our solar system but most are either too hot or too cold to harbor life. The detection method should also be noted, a special instrument on a telescope that splits light to find wobbles in different wavelengths, which ultimately reveal the existence of other planets.
The detection of earth-like planets that may have the potential to sustain life is very exciting news. The implications of finding another life supporting planet could offer us a future that was once only possible in the science fictions comics of yesterday. Although neither of these two planets are exactly what we would expect for a new human sprawling grounds, it does lead to the expectation that there will be many more planets that might be an earth like equivalent. Finding a new planet to occupy would certainly be one solution for an ever expanding population but the apparent negative potential should also be considered. It could be the joining force to unite all nations with a common goal, or the next new land to conquer, pitting nations against each other (to win). It could also be the next new world monopoly. One can only hope if a life sustaining planet is discovered that all the wisdom gained during Earth’s history will guide an intelligent occupation based on social well being.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090422/ap_on_sc/eu_britain_new_planet;_ylt=At0crdRuiBn3RAW6GBSnxREPLBIF
Is Earth Day Also a Religious Duty?
Meredith Hodge
4/22/09
7:00 pm
For many people today is simply earth day. However, when the religious think about the true meaning of the day, they may begin to ask themselves if this is more than simply a day used to raise awareness for the planet. Many religious leaders have brought this thought into the light by saying things such as “God will not save mankind from the "stupidity" and "corporate folly" that has us facing a "range of doomsday prospects" from global warming to bio-terrorism.” On the other hand, a survey that included around 2,000 participant’s responses showed that 67 percent agreed that with no change then the end would be devastating. An interesting thing the survey shows is that evangelical Protestants were far less worried about climate change. They were also much less likely to predict the extinction of life as a whole.
So is earth day a day just to wear shirts with recycle symbols and earths on them? Is it a day to recycle for once? Or is it a religious obligation to believers? The issue obviously varies from person to person depending on what they believe in. However, it is interesting to look at people who share the same beliefs because they tend to rank issues with about the same importance as their fellow believers would.
4/22/09
7:00 pm
For many people today is simply earth day. However, when the religious think about the true meaning of the day, they may begin to ask themselves if this is more than simply a day used to raise awareness for the planet. Many religious leaders have brought this thought into the light by saying things such as “God will not save mankind from the "stupidity" and "corporate folly" that has us facing a "range of doomsday prospects" from global warming to bio-terrorism.” On the other hand, a survey that included around 2,000 participant’s responses showed that 67 percent agreed that with no change then the end would be devastating. An interesting thing the survey shows is that evangelical Protestants were far less worried about climate change. They were also much less likely to predict the extinction of life as a whole.
So is earth day a day just to wear shirts with recycle symbols and earths on them? Is it a day to recycle for once? Or is it a religious obligation to believers? The issue obviously varies from person to person depending on what they believe in. However, it is interesting to look at people who share the same beliefs because they tend to rank issues with about the same importance as their fellow believers would.
'Deeper' recession ahead says IMF
Jared Hance
12:51 Apr. 22nd
The IMF had predicted back in January that world output would decrease by .5% in 2009; an estimate that they now say was too low of an estimate, with 1.3% appearing to be a more accurate measure at the end of this year. Along with this, several prominent countries, UK, Germany, Japan, are expected to see significant economic downfalls that range to an upward of 6.2% of GDP shrinkage. The forecast for next year are not much better, with no growth forecasted at all. The IMF has dubbed the current situation the worst post WWII recession and that the only way out will arise out of the developing countries of the world and their recovery from the recession. The U.K. will face challenges in this economic environment, with their unemployment rising to 10% by the end of 2009 and the estimated growth in deficit to match nearly 11% of their GDP.
It’s rather interesting to see how people react to the economic downturn, especially in their tendency to believe that it is a situation that should be quickly remedied by the President of the U.S., especially given how global the problem is. There will be no easy road to recovery for this recession, nor will it be a fast one. Rather, we as a people are going to have to go through a period of economic strife and struggle in order to get back to the level of prosperity that we used to know.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Many Students Experience Hazing in High School, Study Says
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/on-education/2009/04/17/many-students-experience-hazing-in-high-school-study-says.html
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
11:24 P.M.
Jacob Nord
Recently, a survey was conducted that suggests that high schools are not doing enough about hazing in schools. In the survey conducted by researchers at the University of Maine, 48 percent of college freshman reported that they experienced hazing in high school. The activities of said hazing ranged from “silly pranks” to fully blown drinking competitions to restrictions of social interaction. Singing and chanting in public were also mentioned as hazing activities conducted in high school. The previous survey conducted by presumably the same researchers stated that 47 percent of those surveyed experienced hazing in their high school career, not significantly different than this year’s findings meaning that either the schools have not spent enough attention on hazing and bullying or their programs are not working.
Any sane, rational person should realize that hazing is extremely amoral and should not be tolerated; the question is is how to deal with the problem. Hazing not only psychologically damages students but is counterproductive to the learning environment of schools. Many solutions have been proposed and many have failed and hazing has never entirely been able to be eradicated from schools and never will be, that however does not mean that we should not focus any energy on eradicating hazing, by all means we should focus even more energy on this problem. As somebody who has been hazed before, I think that the best solution to combat this problem is to teach students how to recognize hazing; when they are being hazed, when someone else is being hazed and when they are hazing other students. In order for us to compete in the global world, we need to make sure that we have people who are as little psychologically damaged as possible.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
11:24 P.M.
Jacob Nord
Recently, a survey was conducted that suggests that high schools are not doing enough about hazing in schools. In the survey conducted by researchers at the University of Maine, 48 percent of college freshman reported that they experienced hazing in high school. The activities of said hazing ranged from “silly pranks” to fully blown drinking competitions to restrictions of social interaction. Singing and chanting in public were also mentioned as hazing activities conducted in high school. The previous survey conducted by presumably the same researchers stated that 47 percent of those surveyed experienced hazing in their high school career, not significantly different than this year’s findings meaning that either the schools have not spent enough attention on hazing and bullying or their programs are not working.
Any sane, rational person should realize that hazing is extremely amoral and should not be tolerated; the question is is how to deal with the problem. Hazing not only psychologically damages students but is counterproductive to the learning environment of schools. Many solutions have been proposed and many have failed and hazing has never entirely been able to be eradicated from schools and never will be, that however does not mean that we should not focus any energy on eradicating hazing, by all means we should focus even more energy on this problem. As somebody who has been hazed before, I think that the best solution to combat this problem is to teach students how to recognize hazing; when they are being hazed, when someone else is being hazed and when they are hazing other students. In order for us to compete in the global world, we need to make sure that we have people who are as little psychologically damaged as possible.
Battered Women Seek Stimulus Check
Shermunda Lawrence
4/21/09
4:20PM
Two women who fled their homes because of domestic violence say they want courts in Japan to prevent their husbands from receiving family stimulus checks. These stimulus checks are sent to the registered head of a household. The women said they could not update their residency information and register as heads of their households because they are afraid their husbands would find out where they live. One woman from Yokohama left her husband 6 months ago after a domestic violence act which resulted in some of her teeth being broken. A stimulus check for her and her two children would come to $424. The other woman from Kawasaki left her husband when she was pregnant because of a similar situation. The stimulus check for her and her baby would come to $323.
These have been scarred both physically and mentally. Now I don’t know how Japanese government work, I would think they are sending the stimulus checks to not only the head of the household, but to the one who has custody of the children. What do you all think? I think the women should have left because of the situation they are in but what about the children. If they would have taken the children with them, I would agree that the husband should not get the stimulus checks if that was the case.
YOKOHAMA, Japan
United Press International
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/04/20/Battered-women-seek-stimulus-checks/UPI-68451240235539/
4/21/09
4:20PM
Two women who fled their homes because of domestic violence say they want courts in Japan to prevent their husbands from receiving family stimulus checks. These stimulus checks are sent to the registered head of a household. The women said they could not update their residency information and register as heads of their households because they are afraid their husbands would find out where they live. One woman from Yokohama left her husband 6 months ago after a domestic violence act which resulted in some of her teeth being broken. A stimulus check for her and her two children would come to $424. The other woman from Kawasaki left her husband when she was pregnant because of a similar situation. The stimulus check for her and her baby would come to $323.
These have been scarred both physically and mentally. Now I don’t know how Japanese government work, I would think they are sending the stimulus checks to not only the head of the household, but to the one who has custody of the children. What do you all think? I think the women should have left because of the situation they are in but what about the children. If they would have taken the children with them, I would agree that the husband should not get the stimulus checks if that was the case.
YOKOHAMA, Japan
United Press International
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/04/20/Battered-women-seek-stimulus-checks/UPI-68451240235539/
WIND! BUT NOT THAT CAPTAIN PLANET KIND!
Alex Sayre
2:38
4.21.2009
First Wind, a wind power company, recently filed a permit to begin construction on a large number of wind turbines, by General Electric, in the state of Maine, more specifically in Oakfield of Aroostook County. First Wind plans on building 34 wind turbines which would create enough power to heat 20,000 homes, about 51 megawatts of energy. Maine has been employing renewable energy across the state and First Wind already has another Wind Farm which produces 42 megawatts.
These plans have assisted the local community greatly with including them in the engineering and design of the projects as well as lowering taxes for these small towns. Many other wind projects have already been completed in Maine and are in possibly in sight for an expansion.
I think this is really great! Wind power is a plus but the fact that the local community is being allowed benefits as well as being included in planning is awesome. If people knew that they could gain from having renewable energy I think they might accept them more and even push for it in some cases. Having support locally could create a surge up the ladder for even more renewable energy resources to be created.
2:38
4.21.2009
First Wind, a wind power company, recently filed a permit to begin construction on a large number of wind turbines, by General Electric, in the state of Maine, more specifically in Oakfield of Aroostook County. First Wind plans on building 34 wind turbines which would create enough power to heat 20,000 homes, about 51 megawatts of energy. Maine has been employing renewable energy across the state and First Wind already has another Wind Farm which produces 42 megawatts.
These plans have assisted the local community greatly with including them in the engineering and design of the projects as well as lowering taxes for these small towns. Many other wind projects have already been completed in Maine and are in possibly in sight for an expansion.
I think this is really great! Wind power is a plus but the fact that the local community is being allowed benefits as well as being included in planning is awesome. If people knew that they could gain from having renewable energy I think they might accept them more and even push for it in some cases. Having support locally could create a surge up the ladder for even more renewable energy resources to be created.
Accusations of Hamas in Palestinian Deaths
Carina Gibson
April 21 2009
12:45 PM
During Israel’s military assault in January, many people have been killed and harmed. At least thirty two Palestinians have been killed. Hamas militant group which controls Gaza of targeting People thought to be associated with Israel and members of the rival group Fatah, were targeted by the Hamas Militant group. The Human Rights Watch made these accusations, but Hamas has denied that its forces have been involved in any of these killings. Since January, another 14 people have been killed. Joe Stork, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa division, said "Hamas moved violently against its political opponents and those deemed collaborators with Israeli forces". A report indicated that many shootings have been made with the intent only to maim the person or cause extreme pains. Shootings in legs and arms have been made, with no intent to necessarily kill the person. “Between the start of the conflict, on 27 December, and the end of January, 49 people were shot in the legs and 73 Gazan men had their legs and arms broken,” the report said. The Human Rights Watch has continuously held concerns of the abuses and torture by the Hamas in Gaza. However,
Taher al-Nono, the Hamas spokesman, has denied all claims to this accusation. He said several policeman have been dismissed, but on cases of drug usage.
In many of these war crime cases, it is hard for organizations (such as HRW) to pinpoint specific cases and bring about charges because in war time, deaths are inevitable. Accusations can be made, but many groups deny these charges. But despite the obstacle, I think it still important to push through these difficulties in order to try and preserve human rights as much as possible.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8007756.stm
April 21 2009
12:45 PM
During Israel’s military assault in January, many people have been killed and harmed. At least thirty two Palestinians have been killed. Hamas militant group which controls Gaza of targeting People thought to be associated with Israel and members of the rival group Fatah, were targeted by the Hamas Militant group. The Human Rights Watch made these accusations, but Hamas has denied that its forces have been involved in any of these killings. Since January, another 14 people have been killed. Joe Stork, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Middle East and North Africa division, said "Hamas moved violently against its political opponents and those deemed collaborators with Israeli forces". A report indicated that many shootings have been made with the intent only to maim the person or cause extreme pains. Shootings in legs and arms have been made, with no intent to necessarily kill the person. “Between the start of the conflict, on 27 December, and the end of January, 49 people were shot in the legs and 73 Gazan men had their legs and arms broken,” the report said. The Human Rights Watch has continuously held concerns of the abuses and torture by the Hamas in Gaza. However,
Taher al-Nono, the Hamas spokesman, has denied all claims to this accusation. He said several policeman have been dismissed, but on cases of drug usage.
In many of these war crime cases, it is hard for organizations (such as HRW) to pinpoint specific cases and bring about charges because in war time, deaths are inevitable. Accusations can be made, but many groups deny these charges. But despite the obstacle, I think it still important to push through these difficulties in order to try and preserve human rights as much as possible.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8007756.stm
Monday, April 20, 2009
Dollar May Extend Gain as Bank Losses Spur Demand for Safety
Sandra Fickweil
04-20-2009
10:57
The article talks about the rise and fall of several currencies in different countries compared to the American dollar.
According to the article, the yen has risen to the highest level in more than two weeks, and the euro has dropped against the dollar on speculation disagreement. Benedikt Germanier who is a strategist in
The highest level of the dollar since March 16 was in the morning in
According to the article, the Swedish krona fell also for a fourth day versus the euro, decreasing 1.9 percent, to the lowest level since March 12.
The UBS recommended its clients to sell the Swedish currency against the dollar, as they predicted a decline.
Concerning bank shares, Bank of America dropped 24 percent the day before the article was issued because rising charge-offs for uncollectible loans overshadowed better-than- estimated earnings; and the Citigroup decreased about 20 percent after Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said that the bank’s credit losses were growing very fast.
The euro is still dropping and according to
Furthermore, not only the euro-dollar pair but also the S&P 500 Index had a correlation of minus 0.37 over the past month. According to Ruskin, investors should sell the euro on "upticks" because the ECB will abandon "monetary orthodoxy" and use unconventional measures to spur growth.
The text talks a lot about the effects of the global downturn and how this can be seen at the different currencies. I think it is very interesting to get an insight of the ups and downs of countries' currencies instead of only looking at the numbers of export, import, or GDP. The article illustrates the effects of the economic difficulties affecting the Japanese yen, the European euro, the American dollar, as well as the Swedish krona. Although the article was quite hard to read—due to the many numbers and figures—it provides a brief overview of the actual situation of the most important currencies worldwide.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aV60sP7N.6Bg&refer=home
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