Shannon Bourret
March 31, 2009
9:37 PM
The US Food and Drug administration has recently approved a vaccine to prevent Japanese encephalitis. The mosquito transmitted virus is usually found in Asia. About 50,000 people are affected each year by the virus and about 15,000 die from it. While the Japanese encephalitis virus is not normally found in the US, there have been a few cases found in people who travel between the US and Asia. The Japanese encephalitis virus can lead to mild symptoms like headache and fever because the membranes that surround the brain are affected. More severe cases, however, start out with flu-like symptoms and then lead to high fever, neck stiffness, brain damage, coma and death. On a positive note though, the virus is not known to be spread from person to person. The newly approved Ixiaro vaccine has reported symptoms of headache, muscle pain, swelling and tenderness at the injection site. This vaccine is produced by Intercell Biomedical in the United Kingdom.
I was pretty surprised by this article! First off because I didn’t even know that this virus even existed!! But, I am glad to hear that a vaccine for this has been approved! For a virus that I did not even know about, that is a pretty high number of people to have died from it, let alone to have been infected by it! It is a bit relieving to know that the virus is not common in the US. On the other hand, it is kind of concerning to find out that there have been some reported cases here, even if it is from people who travel between America and Asia. I was also happy to learn that the Japanese encephalitis virus is not known to be transmitted from person to person.
link
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Inmate Makes Daring 'Cape Fear'-Style Prison Escape
Ashlee O'Connell
March 31, 2009
4:17 p.m.
Police are searching for Frenchman Julien Chautard, 39, a convicted arsonist, who escaped from London’s Pentonville prison shortly after he was counted off the security van. Chautard copied Robert De Niro’s psychopath character Max Cady in the thriller “Cape Fear” by clinging to the underside of the van and staying there as it left the jail. The escape was undetected until prison officers searched the prison seven hours later at 2 a.m. “The van went into the prison’s secure area, then they unloaded the prisoners," a source told The Sun. “Normally as prisoners come off the vehicle and into the building there is somebody who searches and escorts them — but there wasn’t this time. When the van was checked afterwards they found foot prints and finger hold marks on the underside,” (according to foxnews.com). When CCTV footage was checked hours later, a mysterious shadow under the van appeared that had not been there before. Chautard was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court to seven years imprisonment for two counts of arson.
This crime is something that should have and could have completely been avoided. For one, there were definitely not enough precautions taken in order to prevent something like this from happening. The guards were oblivious to everything going on. Secondly, it is ridiculous that an actual person could take a scene from a movie and put it into real life action. Movies have such a big influence on every single watcher these days. The gory scenes of scary movies make everyone used to hearing about real life war and murders. The crazy scenes shot on Jackass make kids want to go out and break bones doing something that looks “cool.” Movies are full of crime and this is a prime example of that crime leading to a live investigation.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,511784,00.html
March 31, 2009
4:17 p.m.
Police are searching for Frenchman Julien Chautard, 39, a convicted arsonist, who escaped from London’s Pentonville prison shortly after he was counted off the security van. Chautard copied Robert De Niro’s psychopath character Max Cady in the thriller “Cape Fear” by clinging to the underside of the van and staying there as it left the jail. The escape was undetected until prison officers searched the prison seven hours later at 2 a.m. “The van went into the prison’s secure area, then they unloaded the prisoners," a source told The Sun. “Normally as prisoners come off the vehicle and into the building there is somebody who searches and escorts them — but there wasn’t this time. When the van was checked afterwards they found foot prints and finger hold marks on the underside,” (according to foxnews.com). When CCTV footage was checked hours later, a mysterious shadow under the van appeared that had not been there before. Chautard was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court to seven years imprisonment for two counts of arson.
This crime is something that should have and could have completely been avoided. For one, there were definitely not enough precautions taken in order to prevent something like this from happening. The guards were oblivious to everything going on. Secondly, it is ridiculous that an actual person could take a scene from a movie and put it into real life action. Movies have such a big influence on every single watcher these days. The gory scenes of scary movies make everyone used to hearing about real life war and murders. The crazy scenes shot on Jackass make kids want to go out and break bones doing something that looks “cool.” Movies are full of crime and this is a prime example of that crime leading to a live investigation.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,511784,00.html
Monday, March 30, 2009
Corrupt Kenyan Police
Gina Ponzi
March 31, 2009
10:15 PM
Hundreds of thousands of refuges are fleeing violence and turmoil in Somalia only to find that they face similar threats and dangers upon arrival in Kenya. Corrupt Kenyan police commonly extort money and exert violence on the Somalian refuges, according to human rights groups. Currently, a third of Somalia’s population exists on emergency food aid, and at least a million people have fled their homes in effort to escape the violence. There has been violence in Somalia for 18 years now; over 17,000 citizens have been killed during the past two years of fighting in Somalia. The primary impediment to peace in the country is Shabaab, a pro-al Qaeda militant group. Upon arrival, many refuges find their situation is hardly better than it was in Somalia; Kenyan police often demand bribes, and threaten refuges with violence, sexual violence, and deportation.
Obviously, the situations in both Somalia and Kenya are difficult and far from ideal, and the corruption within the Kenyan police force is disgraceful and unjust. It is absolutely necessary that the Kenyan government crack down on the corrupt police, and offer greater protection and humanitarian aid for the Somalian refugees. It is a breach of international laws to deny asylum to refugees, and there have been accusations that Kenya is under direct disobedience to these laws.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2009/03/30/AR2009033000168.html
March 31, 2009
10:15 PM
Hundreds of thousands of refuges are fleeing violence and turmoil in Somalia only to find that they face similar threats and dangers upon arrival in Kenya. Corrupt Kenyan police commonly extort money and exert violence on the Somalian refuges, according to human rights groups. Currently, a third of Somalia’s population exists on emergency food aid, and at least a million people have fled their homes in effort to escape the violence. There has been violence in Somalia for 18 years now; over 17,000 citizens have been killed during the past two years of fighting in Somalia. The primary impediment to peace in the country is Shabaab, a pro-al Qaeda militant group. Upon arrival, many refuges find their situation is hardly better than it was in Somalia; Kenyan police often demand bribes, and threaten refuges with violence, sexual violence, and deportation.
Obviously, the situations in both Somalia and Kenya are difficult and far from ideal, and the corruption within the Kenyan police force is disgraceful and unjust. It is absolutely necessary that the Kenyan government crack down on the corrupt police, and offer greater protection and humanitarian aid for the Somalian refugees. It is a breach of international laws to deny asylum to refugees, and there have been accusations that Kenya is under direct disobedience to these laws.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2009/03/30/AR2009033000168.html
Faces Of The Recession
Faces Of The Recession: "During February and March of 2009, I am driving around the United States, meeting people who have lost their jobs or have otherwise been impacted by the recession. This blog is intended to be a compilation of their stories."
What is Generation Change? — Center for Community Change
What is Generation Change? — Center for Community Change: "Generation Change seeks to recruit, train and support community organizers and emerging grassroots nonprofit professionals through large-scale internships, fellowships, and advanced leadership support for those currently working in the field. Generation Change also promotes the nonprofit and social change sector, enhancing its visibility, developing new pipelines for entering and moving within the sector, and networking organizers to advance their own careers and the field.Read more about us by clicking here."
G20 summit will test resolve on greener economy
Samuel Dalzell
Monday, March 30, 2009
10:58 AM
Energy/Alternative Energy
Later this week, leaders of 20 of the world's major developed and emerging economies will converge in London. The G-20 leaders will have much to deliberate on, with the present global economic crisis undoubtedly taking center stage in this highly anticipated meeting. Another important issue that the leaders are expected to address is that of the worsening climate crisis and how recovering economies can make room for growth in the clean energy sector. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is hosting the summit, has expressed interest in developing a coordinated plan to inject more money into fighting climate change and creating green energy. If the summit ultimately decides to widen its agenda to green spending, it will indicate that there may be increasing support to sign later this year an ambitious new pact to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. The G20 leaders may in fact confirm their commitment to this new climate treaty, and urge the stimulus spending on green energy projects. Several countries have already established their support for green spending; about $300-500 billion of stimulus money worldwide will be directed toward new energy.
This Thursday, April 2, we will know whether these nations have made the commitment to shifting the global energy paradigm. I'm hopeful that by this time next week, we can celebrate in the fact that the world's leading economic powers have fully committed themselves to setting a new example of responsible, clean, non-polluting energy creation and distribution. If it's any indication, the amount of public support for green energy measures is overwhelming at this point, a marked change from only a few years ago when there were many detractors and skeptics afraid to admit that human activities could cause any lasting damage to the environment at large. The Environmental Movement has made monumental gains and is now considered a mainstream idea; the new U.S. president has expressed his support for green energy, as has PM Gordon Brown and many other world leaders. I'm confident that the resolve of the G20 on green energy is as strong as ever; this Thursday we will know for sure. At this point, we can only hope.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE52P4NA20090326
Monday, March 30, 2009
10:58 AM
Energy/Alternative Energy
Later this week, leaders of 20 of the world's major developed and emerging economies will converge in London. The G-20 leaders will have much to deliberate on, with the present global economic crisis undoubtedly taking center stage in this highly anticipated meeting. Another important issue that the leaders are expected to address is that of the worsening climate crisis and how recovering economies can make room for growth in the clean energy sector. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is hosting the summit, has expressed interest in developing a coordinated plan to inject more money into fighting climate change and creating green energy. If the summit ultimately decides to widen its agenda to green spending, it will indicate that there may be increasing support to sign later this year an ambitious new pact to replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. The G20 leaders may in fact confirm their commitment to this new climate treaty, and urge the stimulus spending on green energy projects. Several countries have already established their support for green spending; about $300-500 billion of stimulus money worldwide will be directed toward new energy.
This Thursday, April 2, we will know whether these nations have made the commitment to shifting the global energy paradigm. I'm hopeful that by this time next week, we can celebrate in the fact that the world's leading economic powers have fully committed themselves to setting a new example of responsible, clean, non-polluting energy creation and distribution. If it's any indication, the amount of public support for green energy measures is overwhelming at this point, a marked change from only a few years ago when there were many detractors and skeptics afraid to admit that human activities could cause any lasting damage to the environment at large. The Environmental Movement has made monumental gains and is now considered a mainstream idea; the new U.S. president has expressed his support for green energy, as has PM Gordon Brown and many other world leaders. I'm confident that the resolve of the G20 on green energy is as strong as ever; this Thursday we will know for sure. At this point, we can only hope.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE52P4NA20090326
FINALLY!
Alex Sayre
9:01 AM
March 30, 2009
White House Announces International Meetings to Address Energy and Climate Issues
The white house has announced that they are taking an initiative, finally, in talking with the rest of the world about what to do about energy and the climate. After ignoring the multitude of projects other countries have started the leaders of the United States have read my blog and decided to act upon it. I of course take no credit in this simply because I am a very humble, and good-looking, patriot of the United States.
Why has the America just now joined in the global talks? After ignoring many other treaties such as the Kyoto protocol and IRENA, both things I have already talked about, they have decided to create their own meeting called (trumpets and drumroll) the Major Economies Meetings on Energy Security and Climate Change! In it they are planning to meet with many of the greatest emitters of heat trapping gases including india and china, to find a way for all of the world to connect on solving the energy crisis.
These meetings have already occurred many of which the U.S. have been absent at or where some random ambassador who probably could care less and doodled little tanks and army men on his notepad attended. I just don’t understand why we couldn’t join other countries efforts to help climate change and why we have the need to plan everything when there are already great ingenious plans already floating around.
BUT ANYWAY, congrats America.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/39525
9:01 AM
March 30, 2009
White House Announces International Meetings to Address Energy and Climate Issues
The white house has announced that they are taking an initiative, finally, in talking with the rest of the world about what to do about energy and the climate. After ignoring the multitude of projects other countries have started the leaders of the United States have read my blog and decided to act upon it. I of course take no credit in this simply because I am a very humble, and good-looking, patriot of the United States.
Why has the America just now joined in the global talks? After ignoring many other treaties such as the Kyoto protocol and IRENA, both things I have already talked about, they have decided to create their own meeting called (trumpets and drumroll) the Major Economies Meetings on Energy Security and Climate Change! In it they are planning to meet with many of the greatest emitters of heat trapping gases including india and china, to find a way for all of the world to connect on solving the energy crisis.
These meetings have already occurred many of which the U.S. have been absent at or where some random ambassador who probably could care less and doodled little tanks and army men on his notepad attended. I just don’t understand why we couldn’t join other countries efforts to help climate change and why we have the need to plan everything when there are already great ingenious plans already floating around.
BUT ANYWAY, congrats America.
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/39525
FOREX-Dollar up as euro pressured by fiscal, ECB jitters
Sandra Fickweil
03-30-2009
9:45
The article says that compared to other currencies, the dollar rose on Monday, due to the comments about the weak economies in
After the German finance minister said that "it could one day face trouble in terms of stability and credibility if the euro zone's fiscal responsibility pact was not taken seriously", the Euro had its biggest downturn. As the Dollar also had a great decrease, this month is tougher than analysts have thought it is.
After the Euro fell more than 1.5 % on last Friday, it slipped 0.2 % to $ 1.37< st="on">
In
Sue Trinh, a currency strategist said: "The market will be on high alert for any comments that the ECB may be moving further into the realm of unorthodox monetary policy.".
On April 2nd a new G20 meeting is scheduled where measures will be discussed to fight the global economic crisis. They hope to spend more money for the IMF in order to lift the world economy out of the recession by 2010.
Even in
On Friday the Yen fell 1 %, but is still very high compared to before.
As
I think this article is very interesting as it illustrates the effects of the worldwide economy downturn. The article shows that the currencies around the world are getting weaker and weaker in picking several examples in order to point this out.
I was really surprised that the G20 scheduled again a meeting this week. They already met last week and this week's meeting was actually not planned. But this shows in my opinion that each single member of the G20 tries to do their best in order to help economy.
I am really curios if they make it and lift the economy out of recession until 2010.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Brittany Walker
3/29/09
9:12 p.m.
A 17-year-old gunman opened fire at his former high school in southwestern Germany on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people before police shot him to death. Nine students and three teachers were among the dead. It was Germany's worst shooting since another teenage gunman killed 16 people and himself in another high school in 2002. Police said the former student at the school in Winnenden, about 12 miles northeast of Stuttgart, entered it at 9:30 a.m. and opened fire, shooting at random. Witnesses said students jumped from the windows of the building to safety after the gunman opened fire. About 1,000 children attend the school. After the attack, the suspect fled the Albertville high school toward the center of the town of 28,000, police said.
Whenever I hear about an act of violence such as this one involving a school, I am deeply saddened. Several questions come to mind, why wasn’t there more security involved on school grounds? What steps could the school have taken to prevent such acts, and were there any warning signs that should have been noticed before the incident occurred? I definitely think that schools not just in Germany but all over the world should boost the security on school grounds. Parents should send there children to school to receive a good education and should not have to worry about the safety of their children.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/03/11/252370eugermanyschoolttack_ap.html
3/29/09
9:12 p.m.
A 17-year-old gunman opened fire at his former high school in southwestern Germany on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people before police shot him to death. Nine students and three teachers were among the dead. It was Germany's worst shooting since another teenage gunman killed 16 people and himself in another high school in 2002. Police said the former student at the school in Winnenden, about 12 miles northeast of Stuttgart, entered it at 9:30 a.m. and opened fire, shooting at random. Witnesses said students jumped from the windows of the building to safety after the gunman opened fire. About 1,000 children attend the school. After the attack, the suspect fled the Albertville high school toward the center of the town of 28,000, police said.
Whenever I hear about an act of violence such as this one involving a school, I am deeply saddened. Several questions come to mind, why wasn’t there more security involved on school grounds? What steps could the school have taken to prevent such acts, and were there any warning signs that should have been noticed before the incident occurred? I definitely think that schools not just in Germany but all over the world should boost the security on school grounds. Parents should send there children to school to receive a good education and should not have to worry about the safety of their children.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/03/11/252370eugermanyschoolttack_ap.html
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Freedom of Voice
Trey Brown
3/28/09
10:45 am
Since Monday the video sharing site known as YouTube has been blocked in the country of China. It was reported that the block was put into place by the Chinese government after a video showing Chinese soldiers swarming a Tibetan monastery was posted up onto the site. The soldiers identified as Chinese by their uniforms were shown brutalizing a group of men including a monk. The official Chinese news agency Xinhua has accused the Tibetan government of faking the wounds seen in the video that were left by the Chinese soldiers. Google, the owners of YouTube, say that the slowdown of traffic to China became noticeable on Monday and came to a complete halt on Tuesday morning. There has been a largely critical response from the rest of the global community. The blocking of video sites isn't a totally unusual occurrence around the world though; countries such as Turkey and Bangladesh have also been known to block "sensitive" information from the public.
As if the world’s economic crisis weren’t worrisome enough, old problems resurface as well. It’s not surprising to still hear about freedom of speech violations around the world, but it would seem more advantageous to solve the countries monetary problems instead and not try to hush something embarrassing up in a way that will only leave you looking more sinister. The lengths many governments are willing to go to in order not to lose face can be surprising to say the least. But with the amount of power some wield it should mean that many more eyes watching them.
Link to Article
3/28/09
10:45 am
Since Monday the video sharing site known as YouTube has been blocked in the country of China. It was reported that the block was put into place by the Chinese government after a video showing Chinese soldiers swarming a Tibetan monastery was posted up onto the site. The soldiers identified as Chinese by their uniforms were shown brutalizing a group of men including a monk. The official Chinese news agency Xinhua has accused the Tibetan government of faking the wounds seen in the video that were left by the Chinese soldiers. Google, the owners of YouTube, say that the slowdown of traffic to China became noticeable on Monday and came to a complete halt on Tuesday morning. There has been a largely critical response from the rest of the global community. The blocking of video sites isn't a totally unusual occurrence around the world though; countries such as Turkey and Bangladesh have also been known to block "sensitive" information from the public.
As if the world’s economic crisis weren’t worrisome enough, old problems resurface as well. It’s not surprising to still hear about freedom of speech violations around the world, but it would seem more advantageous to solve the countries monetary problems instead and not try to hush something embarrassing up in a way that will only leave you looking more sinister. The lengths many governments are willing to go to in order not to lose face can be surprising to say the least. But with the amount of power some wield it should mean that many more eyes watching them.
Link to Article
An hour for Earth
Juan Miranda
Sat, March 28
3:25pm
Beginning at 8:30pm today the world is supposed to turn off the lights for the Earth hour, “an annual international event to raise awareness of climate change.” This event that is promoted by the WWF has already begun in places like Australia due to the planet’s different time zones. It is estimated that about 90 countries from all twenty-four time zones are taking part in this and hopefully more will join. This is very important because it serves to teach a lesson, people tend to believe that because the world is so big and a person is so small, they feel like its impossible for them to make a difference. The truth is that just by turning the lights for one hour of the 365 days of the year, they can have such a positive impact in the environment. The mission of this event is to inform people about the global warming issue as well as to promote action and inspire people to strive for change. The even started in 2007, just with Sydney and it went global, and today a big portion of the world wants to get involved. “As the hour approached, many counted down the seconds, then, when the world blinked out, they cheered and gasped as they would at New Year’s Eve fireworks. The floodlights snapped off on the Harbour Bridge, Anzac Bridge, Opera House and other landmarks, and lights went out in public buildings, commercial towers and apartment blocks throughout the city.” I believe this is great. Im taking part in it myself, the world can learn so much from just doing this from an hour, hopefully it will carry on and it will be inscribed in our brains so that we do it everyday and with this help heal our planet.
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/03/28/turn-out-the-lights-not-everyones-on-board-earth-hour/
Sat, March 28
3:25pm
Beginning at 8:30pm today the world is supposed to turn off the lights for the Earth hour, “an annual international event to raise awareness of climate change.” This event that is promoted by the WWF has already begun in places like Australia due to the planet’s different time zones. It is estimated that about 90 countries from all twenty-four time zones are taking part in this and hopefully more will join. This is very important because it serves to teach a lesson, people tend to believe that because the world is so big and a person is so small, they feel like its impossible for them to make a difference. The truth is that just by turning the lights for one hour of the 365 days of the year, they can have such a positive impact in the environment. The mission of this event is to inform people about the global warming issue as well as to promote action and inspire people to strive for change. The even started in 2007, just with Sydney and it went global, and today a big portion of the world wants to get involved. “As the hour approached, many counted down the seconds, then, when the world blinked out, they cheered and gasped as they would at New Year’s Eve fireworks. The floodlights snapped off on the Harbour Bridge, Anzac Bridge, Opera House and other landmarks, and lights went out in public buildings, commercial towers and apartment blocks throughout the city.” I believe this is great. Im taking part in it myself, the world can learn so much from just doing this from an hour, hopefully it will carry on and it will be inscribed in our brains so that we do it everyday and with this help heal our planet.
http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/03/28/turn-out-the-lights-not-everyones-on-board-earth-hour/
Prison Closes in Iraq
Keyanna Spears
3/28/2009
1:32pm
www.washingtonpost.com
In Iraq, Chaos Feared as U.S Closes Prison
Camp Bucca, a U.S ran prison is scheduled to shut down hence releasing hundreds of prisoners. According to intelligence officers, the release of the prisoners will cause a revival of Shiite militias and Sunni insurgents. It is believed that these groups could be preparing for the withdrawal of U.S military. Amongst the freed detainees and prospect freed detainees there is talk of revenge. These men plan to seek revenge by becoming insurgents and forming up with anti-American militias. Preparing for the arrival of these men is a thought that is overwhelming for the police chief, who has to be sure that his men are fully prepared for any attacks that may occur. Since April of 2003, the U.S detained about 100,000 people and 26,000 of them served their time at Camp Bucca. As of January 1, 2,000 of these men have been released and this number is expected to rise due to the closing of the camp this summer. During the release of the detainees there were ambivalent reactions. There were some tears of joy amongst the family members since most detainees feel that they were unjustly sentenced, and there was fear in the hearts of many citizens as they feared for more attacks. It is evident that the regions surrounding Garma will be dangerously affected by the releasing of these detainees. They plan on joining Al Qaeda and moving to southern Iraq where Garma is located to stage a revolution.
In light of these recent events I feel that the Iraqi government has a lot of work to do. Their military and police force has been trained by U.S troops so hopefully they will be able to handle what events may take place once we withdraw. I also believe that these detainees should still be in a prison and serve time just like we do in the U.S. Once Camp Bucca closes these men plan to take over the streets and terrorize anyone in their way.
3/28/2009
1:32pm
www.washingtonpost.com
In Iraq, Chaos Feared as U.S Closes Prison
Camp Bucca, a U.S ran prison is scheduled to shut down hence releasing hundreds of prisoners. According to intelligence officers, the release of the prisoners will cause a revival of Shiite militias and Sunni insurgents. It is believed that these groups could be preparing for the withdrawal of U.S military. Amongst the freed detainees and prospect freed detainees there is talk of revenge. These men plan to seek revenge by becoming insurgents and forming up with anti-American militias. Preparing for the arrival of these men is a thought that is overwhelming for the police chief, who has to be sure that his men are fully prepared for any attacks that may occur. Since April of 2003, the U.S detained about 100,000 people and 26,000 of them served their time at Camp Bucca. As of January 1, 2,000 of these men have been released and this number is expected to rise due to the closing of the camp this summer. During the release of the detainees there were ambivalent reactions. There were some tears of joy amongst the family members since most detainees feel that they were unjustly sentenced, and there was fear in the hearts of many citizens as they feared for more attacks. It is evident that the regions surrounding Garma will be dangerously affected by the releasing of these detainees. They plan on joining Al Qaeda and moving to southern Iraq where Garma is located to stage a revolution.
In light of these recent events I feel that the Iraqi government has a lot of work to do. Their military and police force has been trained by U.S troops so hopefully they will be able to handle what events may take place once we withdraw. I also believe that these detainees should still be in a prison and serve time just like we do in the U.S. Once Camp Bucca closes these men plan to take over the streets and terrorize anyone in their way.
Friday, March 27, 2009
How will President Obama's New Policy Tackle Terror?
Adonya Douglas
March 27, 2009
8:07pm
Family
Terror? Troops? Afaghanistan? Iraq?
President Obama has not been in office a 100 days yet and is already putting various plans into motion. For years Pakistanis and Afghans -- particularly the Pashtuns living along the border -- have been looking for their lives to improve, their children's education to increase and their vision of the future to change.
And so they latched onto Obama's call today for a tripling of economic aid to Pakistan.
"A campaign against extremism will not succeed with bullets or bombs alone," Obama said. "Al Qaeda offers the people of Pakistan nothing but destruction. We stand for something different."
I have mixed emotions about the war, terriorism, and the decsions Obama is making about them. I just want the troops to return hime safely I have numerous friends that are already in both Iraq and Afganistan and one that is getting ready to be deployed with this new goal.
Canada to Help Families
Trisha Butterworth
March 27th
6:00 pm
In Toronto Canada, the government is sending one thousand dollars to all households in the area that make less than $160,000 a year. To also help they are not going to add the 8% PST tax to children’s clothing, car seats, feminine products, diapers, and homes under 400,000 thousand dollars. The goal is to help the families of the area, especially those who have been struggling due to the economy. The hope with the thousand dollar bonus is that families will go out and spend the money to help boost the economy. To add to this provision, they are going to accelerate the Ontario Child Benefit to a max of $1100 per child. The only downside to the provisions and trying to harmonize PST and GST taxes, the taxes on such things as home heating and energy will have to be increased. Also, if you do buy a house over $400,000 , the taxes are going to be over $30,000 due to the tax increases. It’s bad timing say many people.
I think the idea of helping families and the economy is good, but they way Toronto is going about it may not be the best way. A thousand dollars is also not the much, especially if families are struggling that much. Also, with the benefits come the increases in other taxes which are not going to help anyone. I just wonder how much damage this is going to do to all the families in Toronto. Hopefully it will work out better than it seems and actually help families get out of the debt hole.
March 27th
6:00 pm
In Toronto Canada, the government is sending one thousand dollars to all households in the area that make less than $160,000 a year. To also help they are not going to add the 8% PST tax to children’s clothing, car seats, feminine products, diapers, and homes under 400,000 thousand dollars. The goal is to help the families of the area, especially those who have been struggling due to the economy. The hope with the thousand dollar bonus is that families will go out and spend the money to help boost the economy. To add to this provision, they are going to accelerate the Ontario Child Benefit to a max of $1100 per child. The only downside to the provisions and trying to harmonize PST and GST taxes, the taxes on such things as home heating and energy will have to be increased. Also, if you do buy a house over $400,000 , the taxes are going to be over $30,000 due to the tax increases. It’s bad timing say many people.
I think the idea of helping families and the economy is good, but they way Toronto is going about it may not be the best way. A thousand dollars is also not the much, especially if families are struggling that much. Also, with the benefits come the increases in other taxes which are not going to help anyone. I just wonder how much damage this is going to do to all the families in Toronto. Hopefully it will work out better than it seems and actually help families get out of the debt hole.
The Whole World is Watching
Richard Gregory
March 27, 2009
4:58
The whole world is watching as Obama lifts restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. Therapy using stem cells have been tested on partially paralyzed rats and they were able to make the rats recover and walk again. This summer there going to start to use the same kind of embryonic stem cell therapy on humans. There main target will be people with spinal cord injuries. The reason why this is a global concern because physicians, scientists, doctors, and bio-technicians from all around the world are going to be watching in amazement to see what the results will be.
I think this is a great thing considering that there seems to be a lot of science behind stem cell research that says they will do magnificent things such as making paralyzed people able to walk again. I see it as the future is actually coming. The economy is bad and when I think about the future the economy should be booming. So when I think about the future considering health technology, I think of things getting better rather than worse which I believe stem cells will help do.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/190376/page/1
March 27, 2009
4:58
The whole world is watching as Obama lifts restrictions on embryonic stem cell research. Therapy using stem cells have been tested on partially paralyzed rats and they were able to make the rats recover and walk again. This summer there going to start to use the same kind of embryonic stem cell therapy on humans. There main target will be people with spinal cord injuries. The reason why this is a global concern because physicians, scientists, doctors, and bio-technicians from all around the world are going to be watching in amazement to see what the results will be.
I think this is a great thing considering that there seems to be a lot of science behind stem cell research that says they will do magnificent things such as making paralyzed people able to walk again. I see it as the future is actually coming. The economy is bad and when I think about the future the economy should be booming. So when I think about the future considering health technology, I think of things getting better rather than worse which I believe stem cells will help do.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/190376/page/1
"Unafraid" China apparently fears YouTube
PGibson
27Mar 09
4:50pm
Internet access in China is tauted by officials as being allowed. They also site having 300 million internet users as well as 100million blogs as proof. They fail however to acknowledge the government’s censoring and blockage of specific sites and material. Chinese leaders dismiss such claims as necessary legal regulation to prevent the spread of harmful information and for national security reasons. It has not yet been determined if the blockage is due to direct actions by the Chinese government or merely a technical problem, but fear of upcoming twenty year anniversaries of events such as the Tiananmen Square protests (1989) may be reason enough for China to filter internet content to protect the Communist Party.
The attempts for governmental control of its population by restricting information and communication exchange reeks of fear. Fear that knowledge could create a loss of power and control is an obvious reason for such repression of its citizens. Knowledge is vital for social growth and attempts at control through fear and ignorance say little for the wisdom and sophistication of a country’s leaders. The fact that they even filter certain sites further exhibits their attempts to control and manipulate their population. This is simply an indication that the government’s intentions are not necessarily focused on the best interest of their people. The fact that they react in such a closed fisted manner to historical anniversary dates are evidence of control through repression, not an open society promoting the best interests of its people through an exchange of open communication which could further heal the wounds of past woes and promote a greater future for everyone.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE52N1VN20090324
27Mar 09
4:50pm
Internet access in China is tauted by officials as being allowed. They also site having 300 million internet users as well as 100million blogs as proof. They fail however to acknowledge the government’s censoring and blockage of specific sites and material. Chinese leaders dismiss such claims as necessary legal regulation to prevent the spread of harmful information and for national security reasons. It has not yet been determined if the blockage is due to direct actions by the Chinese government or merely a technical problem, but fear of upcoming twenty year anniversaries of events such as the Tiananmen Square protests (1989) may be reason enough for China to filter internet content to protect the Communist Party.
The attempts for governmental control of its population by restricting information and communication exchange reeks of fear. Fear that knowledge could create a loss of power and control is an obvious reason for such repression of its citizens. Knowledge is vital for social growth and attempts at control through fear and ignorance say little for the wisdom and sophistication of a country’s leaders. The fact that they even filter certain sites further exhibits their attempts to control and manipulate their population. This is simply an indication that the government’s intentions are not necessarily focused on the best interest of their people. The fact that they react in such a closed fisted manner to historical anniversary dates are evidence of control through repression, not an open society promoting the best interests of its people through an exchange of open communication which could further heal the wounds of past woes and promote a greater future for everyone.
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE52N1VN20090324
Obama Sounds Cautious Note as He Sets Out Afghan Plan
By Matt Northrup
3/27/09
4:24 PM
President Obama announced on Friday that he plans to further bolster American forces in Afghanistan. The announcement follows news of a suicide bombing near the Khyber Pass, but this event only underscored the president’s tone. The plan in Afghanistan is to boost American forces in Afghanistan, increase aid to Pakistan, and set strict standards for measuring progress in fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban in both chaotic countries. Obama warned of intelligence estimates that al Qaeda “is actively planning attacks on the U.S. homeland from its safe haven in Pakistan.” One of the main goals of the strategy is to eliminate dismantle al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
If there is one aspect of President Obama that I respect more than anything else, it’s that he is always very clear in detailing his plans. In the speech he gave about his plan, he cited many specific details of the surge, and also offered an exit strategy if his plan doesn’t succeed. It’s especially nice to see Obama combat al Qaeda so soon after former vice president Dick Cheney claimed that he was making America less safe. Overall, Obama has convinced me that this plan could work, which is something that George Bush never did.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/washington/28prexy.html?_r=1&hp
3/27/09
4:24 PM
President Obama announced on Friday that he plans to further bolster American forces in Afghanistan. The announcement follows news of a suicide bombing near the Khyber Pass, but this event only underscored the president’s tone. The plan in Afghanistan is to boost American forces in Afghanistan, increase aid to Pakistan, and set strict standards for measuring progress in fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban in both chaotic countries. Obama warned of intelligence estimates that al Qaeda “is actively planning attacks on the U.S. homeland from its safe haven in Pakistan.” One of the main goals of the strategy is to eliminate dismantle al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
If there is one aspect of President Obama that I respect more than anything else, it’s that he is always very clear in detailing his plans. In the speech he gave about his plan, he cited many specific details of the surge, and also offered an exit strategy if his plan doesn’t succeed. It’s especially nice to see Obama combat al Qaeda so soon after former vice president Dick Cheney claimed that he was making America less safe. Overall, Obama has convinced me that this plan could work, which is something that George Bush never did.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/washington/28prexy.html?_r=1&hp
8 Police Charged in Synagogue Vandalism
Katy Greene
March 27th, 2009
4:31 PM
In Venezuela, eight police officers, along with three other people, have been charged with vandalizing a synagogue in Caracas in January. Venezuelan prosecutors filed the charges on Thursday. They will be charged with robbery, acts of contempt against a religion, concealing firearms. Interestingly, one of the police officers charged was a former bodyguard to a prominent rabbi, while another one of the suspects was one of the two security guards that were guarding the synagogue that evening. The prosecutors believe that the guard deactivated the security alarm and the electric fence around the synagogue.
The police officers broke into the synagogue on January 3oth, where they proceeded to break religious objects, spray paint anti-Semitic messages on the walls, and steal a computer that has a list containing the names and addresses of all the Jewish people living in Venezuela. Some investigators believe that the true motive of the officers was to steal money that they believed was inside the synagogue, and that the anti-Semitic messages were merely to cover up the true motive of their crime. There are nearly fifteen thousand Jewish people living in Venezuela, and this outbreak of violence has concerned many that the country is becoming more blatantly anti-Semitic.
I think that these crimes are particularly heinous in that they were committed by police officers, who are supposed to repress and prevent violence such as this. The government of Venezuela needs to take special care to ensure that their Jewish citizens feel safe and secure within their country.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29901939/
March 27th, 2009
4:31 PM
In Venezuela, eight police officers, along with three other people, have been charged with vandalizing a synagogue in Caracas in January. Venezuelan prosecutors filed the charges on Thursday. They will be charged with robbery, acts of contempt against a religion, concealing firearms. Interestingly, one of the police officers charged was a former bodyguard to a prominent rabbi, while another one of the suspects was one of the two security guards that were guarding the synagogue that evening. The prosecutors believe that the guard deactivated the security alarm and the electric fence around the synagogue.
The police officers broke into the synagogue on January 3oth, where they proceeded to break religious objects, spray paint anti-Semitic messages on the walls, and steal a computer that has a list containing the names and addresses of all the Jewish people living in Venezuela. Some investigators believe that the true motive of the officers was to steal money that they believed was inside the synagogue, and that the anti-Semitic messages were merely to cover up the true motive of their crime. There are nearly fifteen thousand Jewish people living in Venezuela, and this outbreak of violence has concerned many that the country is becoming more blatantly anti-Semitic.
I think that these crimes are particularly heinous in that they were committed by police officers, who are supposed to repress and prevent violence such as this. The government of Venezuela needs to take special care to ensure that their Jewish citizens feel safe and secure within their country.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29901939/
Fake $28 Million
Peruvian police arrested five suspects who allegedly were planning to print up to $28 million in counterfeit United States $100 bills. The counterfeiters were using two printing presses in Peru’s capital to produce the fake money according to Interior Minister Mercedes Cabanillas. The presses were raided on Thursday by police when they discovered illegitimate bills at the scene. Authorities did not say how many bills were found. Cabanillas stated that $28 million could have been printed in counterfeit bills if the suspects were not caught.
It is crazy to think something like this could actually happen. You never hear about stories like this happening and people getting away with it. You would think that people would understand they are going to get caught and not going to get away with it. Instead of going out and making real money, these people would rather just try to make fake money. Typically when we think of crime, we think of violent acts rather than counterfeit, but it is just as much of a crime.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,511100,00.html
It is crazy to think something like this could actually happen. You never hear about stories like this happening and people getting away with it. You would think that people would understand they are going to get caught and not going to get away with it. Instead of going out and making real money, these people would rather just try to make fake money. Typically when we think of crime, we think of violent acts rather than counterfeit, but it is just as much of a crime.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,511100,00.html
Is It Too Much to Deal With?
Michael Bass
Soc. 202
The Triple Threat
3/27/09
4:18
Problems With Recession, Oil, and Greenhouse
The three main problems for many economic experts are all intertwined in a way. The ideas of oil peaking and driving prices up, the global economic recession, and global warming are all things many are focusing on getting away from. Concerns with peak oil driving prices up, if it should happen, will develop a strangle hold over the opportunity of an economic rebound. If these costly fossil fuels should exceed the “tipping point” of global warming, the Antarctic ice caps will melt, causing the ocean level to raise the ocean level in a way that will destroy many cities near the coasts. Many are beginning to develop ways to think in preparation for future problems to possibly avoid it.
Many are looking to the future in a bleak fashion in an attempt to lower greenhouse gases and encourage the economy to not raise cause the peaking of oil. In my opinion, it is clear that, while this goal seems improbable, it is not impossible. With the three things necessary to lead the Earth to a brighter future, the most obvious goal appears to be the necessity to relieve ourselves of reliance to oil and other fossil fuels. The demand for oil will lower, causing the chance of peaking oil to lower as well as lower the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The third goal may be achieved upon the development of new innovative technology including wind power and hybrid energy. People will began to invest in these new inventions to save themselves from paying for the astronomical prices of oil. With the future in dire need of change, getting used to living in a poor fashion is ridiculous to think about as long as we make the necessary actions sooner rather than later.
http://www.fcnp.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4283:the-peak-oil-crisis-pondering-the-near-future&catid=17:national-commentary&Itemid=79
Group Presses for Action to Improve Human Rights in Thailand
Kelsey McGalliard
March 27, 2009
3:45
Human Rights Watch says Thailand is showing signs of progress in its human rights performance, but the government needs to begin prosecuting rights abusers, including those in state security forces. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva government says it remains committed to improving human rights. The group Human Rights Watch is calling for the Thai government to take "symbolic steps" towards addressing human rights problems in Thailand by beginning prosecutions of rights violators. The group says the government needs to focus on reform of the judicial system and police to raise public confidence in the institutions. Human Rights Watch Asia Director Brad Adams told VOA the moves would be a clear sign of progress in the country's rights performance."We want to see prosecutions of human rights abusers," said Adams. "There are so many cases where the evidence is quite clear, where a government with the political will could ensure prosecutions start." Human Rights Watch says the Abhisit government remains heavily dependent on support from the military, which is restricting reform efforts. The group has been closely monitoring a five-year insurgency that has killed more than 3,500 people in the Muslim-populated provinces of Southern Thailand. It points to a "failure to address local resentment and frustration over abuses by security forces and injustice". Human Rights Watch wants more civilian control over the Thai military.
I think that this is a good idea to press action on Thailand and their human rights. I hope that the Human Rights Watch will stick to monitoring Thailand and their military whom are the cause of the deaths in Thailand that are no accounted for. It looks like the Thai government is willing to listen and to try to change the way they go about handling problems. In a recent address to foreign correspondents, Prime Minister Abhisit pointed to "encouraging signs" in human rights cases in the south. "A religious leader was killed while in custody. Subsequently, the Narathiwat provincial court actually sentenced the officials involved," said Mr. Abhisit. "And the Army chief has stated very clearly that his men should not abuse the law and if they do they will have to be charged and they will have to go through due process." They are making or seem to be making small steps to change hopefully they keep up with what they say they are doing.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-26-voa55.cfm
March 27, 2009
3:45
Human Rights Watch says Thailand is showing signs of progress in its human rights performance, but the government needs to begin prosecuting rights abusers, including those in state security forces. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva government says it remains committed to improving human rights. The group Human Rights Watch is calling for the Thai government to take "symbolic steps" towards addressing human rights problems in Thailand by beginning prosecutions of rights violators. The group says the government needs to focus on reform of the judicial system and police to raise public confidence in the institutions. Human Rights Watch Asia Director Brad Adams told VOA the moves would be a clear sign of progress in the country's rights performance."We want to see prosecutions of human rights abusers," said Adams. "There are so many cases where the evidence is quite clear, where a government with the political will could ensure prosecutions start." Human Rights Watch says the Abhisit government remains heavily dependent on support from the military, which is restricting reform efforts. The group has been closely monitoring a five-year insurgency that has killed more than 3,500 people in the Muslim-populated provinces of Southern Thailand. It points to a "failure to address local resentment and frustration over abuses by security forces and injustice". Human Rights Watch wants more civilian control over the Thai military.
I think that this is a good idea to press action on Thailand and their human rights. I hope that the Human Rights Watch will stick to monitoring Thailand and their military whom are the cause of the deaths in Thailand that are no accounted for. It looks like the Thai government is willing to listen and to try to change the way they go about handling problems. In a recent address to foreign correspondents, Prime Minister Abhisit pointed to "encouraging signs" in human rights cases in the south. "A religious leader was killed while in custody. Subsequently, the Narathiwat provincial court actually sentenced the officials involved," said Mr. Abhisit. "And the Army chief has stated very clearly that his men should not abuse the law and if they do they will have to be charged and they will have to go through due process." They are making or seem to be making small steps to change hopefully they keep up with what they say they are doing.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-26-voa55.cfm
Suicide attack kills 48 at Pakistani mosque
As reported by the Associated Press on Friday March 27, 2009, forty eight people were killed by a suicide bomber in Peshawar, Pakistan. The people were killed inside of a mosque that was packed with hundreds of worshippers. The bomber hit the mosque when about 250 people were attending Friday prayers near the Afghan border. At least 48 people were identified to be killed and numerous more were injured. This was the bloodiest attack in Pakistan this year. Witnesses said the bomber struck at the climax of the service, as the mosque leader was starting the communal prayer. "As the prayer leader said 'God is Great', the bomb went off with a big bang. I felt it was the end of everything. Sometime later when I opened my eyes, I was lying among dead bodies,” said Nadir Shah, a local paramilitary solider attending the mosque. The bomber struck hours before President Barack Obama stated his new plan to "disrupt, defeat and dismantle" the al-Qaida terrorist organization. Supposedly the attack was done as revenge by Islamist militants because of recent offensive attacks. The attack was also done to slow or stop a major supply route that passes in front of the mosque. Several of the dead were local security officers who were praying there. Rising violence in Pakistan is making doubts about the pro-Western government's ability to counter Taliban and al-Qaida militants.
I do not see the reasoning for such attacks as these. To me this does not accomplish anything but creating fear. Evidently that’s what they want to do and it looks as if to be working. I couldn’t imagine living in an environment where everyday attacks such as this take place. We can thank our troops that are fighting for us each and every day for our safety and security. Because of them attacks like this hopefully will never come over here to the United States. This also shows why this war is so hard to fight because you cant tell who the enemies are and who you can trust. How do you pick the bad guy out of 250 people in a church?? You can’t!
-Randy Williams
I do not see the reasoning for such attacks as these. To me this does not accomplish anything but creating fear. Evidently that’s what they want to do and it looks as if to be working. I couldn’t imagine living in an environment where everyday attacks such as this take place. We can thank our troops that are fighting for us each and every day for our safety and security. Because of them attacks like this hopefully will never come over here to the United States. This also shows why this war is so hard to fight because you cant tell who the enemies are and who you can trust. How do you pick the bad guy out of 250 people in a church?? You can’t!
-Randy Williams
Malaysian Loan Sharks Hire Women to Shame Defaulting Debtors
Shermunda Lawrence
3-27-09
3:05pm
Loan sharks in Malaysia and South Korea had started using women as a strategy in a way to get borrowers to pay money. What the women do is sit or stand near the borrowers to make them feel ashamed. A loan shark named Loh stated the collecting money was getting harder because of the slump. The shortage of bank credit gives the loan sharks more people to tend to since job losses are up at 67 percent. “We are aware what the loan sharks are doing,” Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan said in an interview. “The problem is the people are still going to seek help from them.” Borrowers include owners of small businesses, contractors, doctors, lawyers, gas-station owners, politicians, former senior civil servants and even the police.
Now I understand the economy is not up to par right now and people and small businesses are struggling to make it in the world. But why do loan sharks need to use “women” for their bait to get people to pay up? I think this is inappropriate and needs to be demolished. Its like they’re using beautiful women to get what they want, so what are they giving the women in return? And is the women strategy really working? And why use women? I know they are some other idea or strategy that will work better. I wonder what happens when the borrowers is a female; how can a women help that?
Chan Tien Hin
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aAnBviwQjxr4&refer=uk
3-27-09
3:05pm
Loan sharks in Malaysia and South Korea had started using women as a strategy in a way to get borrowers to pay money. What the women do is sit or stand near the borrowers to make them feel ashamed. A loan shark named Loh stated the collecting money was getting harder because of the slump. The shortage of bank credit gives the loan sharks more people to tend to since job losses are up at 67 percent. “We are aware what the loan sharks are doing,” Inspector General of Police Musa Hassan said in an interview. “The problem is the people are still going to seek help from them.” Borrowers include owners of small businesses, contractors, doctors, lawyers, gas-station owners, politicians, former senior civil servants and even the police.
Now I understand the economy is not up to par right now and people and small businesses are struggling to make it in the world. But why do loan sharks need to use “women” for their bait to get people to pay up? I think this is inappropriate and needs to be demolished. Its like they’re using beautiful women to get what they want, so what are they giving the women in return? And is the women strategy really working? And why use women? I know they are some other idea or strategy that will work better. I wonder what happens when the borrowers is a female; how can a women help that?
Chan Tien Hin
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aAnBviwQjxr4&refer=uk
Data: U.S. Teachers Contracted to Work Longer Than G-8 Counterparts
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/25/group.of.eight.education/index.html#cnnSTCText
3/27/09
2:22 P.M.
According to this article by CNN, Japanese and German teachers are contracted to work longer than U.S. teachers. German teachers are paid more than U.S. teachers and Japanese teachers are paid less than U.S. teachers. Also, according to this article Japanese students have the highest performance records on science tests by the 4th and 8th grades. Russian 4th graders scored highest in literacy and U.S. 4th graders scored mid level in reading and math and scored at a low end on science. In addition, President Obama is to have said to advocate for longer school days and school years to increase academic performance across the nation, basically to follow the ideal of Japan and Germany, whose teachers are contracted to work longer.
My opinion on improving the academic performance of our country has not changed, there is more to do than force people to stay in school longer and raise the academic bar to higher expectations, though those are all a step in the right direction. In order to truly become the most educated nation in the world, we must have a paradigm shift that allows us to see intellectualism as a good thing and no longer pander to the idea that intelligence must be feared; in other words we must let loose of our jock mentality if we truly wish to succeed in this arena. Not only that must be done but we must also encourage academic integrity and ethical behavior among students and take harsher stances towards academic dishonesty.
3/27/09
2:22 P.M.
According to this article by CNN, Japanese and German teachers are contracted to work longer than U.S. teachers. German teachers are paid more than U.S. teachers and Japanese teachers are paid less than U.S. teachers. Also, according to this article Japanese students have the highest performance records on science tests by the 4th and 8th grades. Russian 4th graders scored highest in literacy and U.S. 4th graders scored mid level in reading and math and scored at a low end on science. In addition, President Obama is to have said to advocate for longer school days and school years to increase academic performance across the nation, basically to follow the ideal of Japan and Germany, whose teachers are contracted to work longer.
My opinion on improving the academic performance of our country has not changed, there is more to do than force people to stay in school longer and raise the academic bar to higher expectations, though those are all a step in the right direction. In order to truly become the most educated nation in the world, we must have a paradigm shift that allows us to see intellectualism as a good thing and no longer pander to the idea that intelligence must be feared; in other words we must let loose of our jock mentality if we truly wish to succeed in this arena. Not only that must be done but we must also encourage academic integrity and ethical behavior among students and take harsher stances towards academic dishonesty.
Human Rights: One Million People At Risk in Darfur
Taylor Westlake
March 27, 2009
2:20pm
Since the latest episodes in Darfur people are getting less and less food supplies, clean water, and healthcare support. Because they are not able to have numerous amounts of these things there are a million people who are at risk for dying either of starvation, or health problems. It is said that there are "1.5 million people who are dependent for health care, 1.1 million who need regular food aid, and 1 million who need clean water" this is estimated by the United Nations. Since they are so many people who are in need of all these things, and they are not able to get it they are now at risk for sickness or eventually death. Not only are people sufuring people are also commiting crimes due to this. War crimes have broken out in Darfur with it starting with Bashir acting out. Due to war crimes and to health problems and lack of food the humanitarianism is reducing drasticly. The percentage has reduced down to just 50 percent this year.
To me this article is sad for many reasons. The fact that the people in Darfur are lacking food, clean water and healthcare means that more and more are getting closer to death everyday. Those who need treatment are not able to get the treatment they need, or they are not able to get any treatment at all. I wish that there was something more that the United States could do for them. The fact that Bashir started a war does not help anything either. It is just another way that more and more people are getting closer to their death and Darfur does not need all of these issues going on. Having one thing go wrong is already enough.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/03/24/un.sudan/index.html
March 27, 2009
2:20pm
Since the latest episodes in Darfur people are getting less and less food supplies, clean water, and healthcare support. Because they are not able to have numerous amounts of these things there are a million people who are at risk for dying either of starvation, or health problems. It is said that there are "1.5 million people who are dependent for health care, 1.1 million who need regular food aid, and 1 million who need clean water" this is estimated by the United Nations. Since they are so many people who are in need of all these things, and they are not able to get it they are now at risk for sickness or eventually death. Not only are people sufuring people are also commiting crimes due to this. War crimes have broken out in Darfur with it starting with Bashir acting out. Due to war crimes and to health problems and lack of food the humanitarianism is reducing drasticly. The percentage has reduced down to just 50 percent this year.
To me this article is sad for many reasons. The fact that the people in Darfur are lacking food, clean water and healthcare means that more and more are getting closer to death everyday. Those who need treatment are not able to get the treatment they need, or they are not able to get any treatment at all. I wish that there was something more that the United States could do for them. The fact that Bashir started a war does not help anything either. It is just another way that more and more people are getting closer to their death and Darfur does not need all of these issues going on. Having one thing go wrong is already enough.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/03/24/un.sudan/index.html
Fugitive U.S. marshal found dead in Mexico
Meagan Flood
11:15am
3/27/09
A U.S. marshal, accused for stealing government weapons, was found shot dead in Mexico on Wednesday. Deputy Bustamante had been declared a fugitive since March 18th when he failed to show up to trail in El Paso, Texas. Bustamante was found dead on Wednesday with several traumas to the head including a gunshot. The owner of a pawnshop called to report that a government shotgun had been sold to him. The Deputy was placed on modified duty status after being accused for stealing government property. So far there is no news on who could have shot him.
It really seems that there are no honestly people in the world anymore. The ones that are supposed to protect us are busy doing their own shady things for whatever reasons. It makes you wonder just how many others are stealing government property and selling it on the streets or shipping it to other countries. This aids in the problem of arms trafficking and what not. It’s hard to get that under control when we continue to hear how government officials are stealing guns among other things.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29902475/
11:15am
3/27/09
A U.S. marshal, accused for stealing government weapons, was found shot dead in Mexico on Wednesday. Deputy Bustamante had been declared a fugitive since March 18th when he failed to show up to trail in El Paso, Texas. Bustamante was found dead on Wednesday with several traumas to the head including a gunshot. The owner of a pawnshop called to report that a government shotgun had been sold to him. The Deputy was placed on modified duty status after being accused for stealing government property. So far there is no news on who could have shot him.
It really seems that there are no honestly people in the world anymore. The ones that are supposed to protect us are busy doing their own shady things for whatever reasons. It makes you wonder just how many others are stealing government property and selling it on the streets or shipping it to other countries. This aids in the problem of arms trafficking and what not. It’s hard to get that under control when we continue to hear how government officials are stealing guns among other things.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29902475/
World War "G(reen)"
Robert McKnight
3-27-09
11:31
Apparently, it's entirely possible for both sides to get what they want. According to the U.S. Energy Department, "enough sunlight hits a 100-square-mile portion of the Nevada desert to power the entire country, if it could be harnessed." It's all a matter of determining what parts of the enormous Southwestern desert region contain habitat areas vital to indigenous species of plants and animals. Those parts that do, should be left alone, those parts that don't, should have gigantic renewable energy facilities. The circle of life...
Quite an interesting confrontation, here. In these times of earth-crippling-urban-sprawl, thousands of square-miles of uninhabited land (particularly in California) is very rare and very precious, but we're also in a time of earth-crippling-carbon-based-self-destruction. We need to transition to renewable energy and we need land to do it on. The greater good seems fairly obvious here (the planet over a portion of the California desert), but it's certainly worth thinking about.
Trade barriers could threaten global economy
Casey Berry
03/25/2009
10:00 am
By: Anthony Faiola
Trade barriers could threaten global economy
A new report claims that 17 out of 20 nations are trying to avoid protectionist steps that could cause a global trade war. Some of these countries include China, Russia, and The United States. The World Bank said that these countries are trying to limit their flow of imported goods. This report said this is “a worrying trend toward protectionism as countries rush to shield their ailing domestic industries during the global economic crisis.” What’s even worse is that this report came out one day after Mexico put “new” restrictions on up to 90 U.S. products. In April they are having a meeting in London where all the heads of each state will come together and try to get a response about the economic crisis. The heads of the 17 nations avoiding the protectionist steps will be present at the meeting. The World Bank said that global trade is in its biggest decline in 80 years. World Bank president Robert Zoellick said “leaders must not heed the siren-song of protectionist fixes, whether for trade stimulus packages or bailouts.” He said that “economic isolationism” can make things be like they were during the Great Depression. Some countries are putting new requirements on their exports and it is costing other countries a lot more to receive imports.
In my opinion all these countries are just looking out for themselves. It’s not just about each country anymore, our whole entire world is economically screwed. We need to stop trying to just help ourselves and start looking at the big picture. If we could start doing this then I think that we could beat this economic slump that we’re in. We’re definitely not going to get out by trying to cut each other’s throats with higher restrictions. In the end we all need to improve our economics so why not try to work together to improve as a world instead of just focusing on each individual country.
03/25/2009
10:00 am
By: Anthony Faiola
Trade barriers could threaten global economy
A new report claims that 17 out of 20 nations are trying to avoid protectionist steps that could cause a global trade war. Some of these countries include China, Russia, and The United States. The World Bank said that these countries are trying to limit their flow of imported goods. This report said this is “a worrying trend toward protectionism as countries rush to shield their ailing domestic industries during the global economic crisis.” What’s even worse is that this report came out one day after Mexico put “new” restrictions on up to 90 U.S. products. In April they are having a meeting in London where all the heads of each state will come together and try to get a response about the economic crisis. The heads of the 17 nations avoiding the protectionist steps will be present at the meeting. The World Bank said that global trade is in its biggest decline in 80 years. World Bank president Robert Zoellick said “leaders must not heed the siren-song of protectionist fixes, whether for trade stimulus packages or bailouts.” He said that “economic isolationism” can make things be like they were during the Great Depression. Some countries are putting new requirements on their exports and it is costing other countries a lot more to receive imports.
In my opinion all these countries are just looking out for themselves. It’s not just about each country anymore, our whole entire world is economically screwed. We need to stop trying to just help ourselves and start looking at the big picture. If we could start doing this then I think that we could beat this economic slump that we’re in. We’re definitely not going to get out by trying to cut each other’s throats with higher restrictions. In the end we all need to improve our economics so why not try to work together to improve as a world instead of just focusing on each individual country.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Child Soldiers Return Home
Gina Ponzi
March 26th, 2009
9:17 PM
In the past few weeks, hundreds of former child soldiers in the eastern Congo have been returning to their hometowns, according to recent reports. These children, most often captured by rebel forces and forced into battle, labor, and sex, are now struggling to re-accustom themselves to experiencing life without the daily violence of war. Many of these children were involved in the slaughter of civilians in their own hometowns; just in November, over 150 civilians in Kiwanja, (now home to an aid relief facility) were murdered in a two-day massacre. The current sufferings of these children are diverse: some beat their heads and hands against walls, some suffer from drug withdrawal (children are given drugs to reduce inhibitions about killing), some refuse to speak, some are disowned by their families, and even deny being coerced into the army. (Rebel officers encourage children to lie about their age, and their involuntary involvement in battle). Many have scares and injuAid workers have established refuges and rehabilitation programs for the children, and UNCEF has estimated that in the past 5 years, about 30,000 children have been reintegrated into their communities. Currently there are believed to be around 3,500 children still fighting with rebel units.
The use of children in war is a despicable, heartless practice that should be condemned and prosecuted. These children have affectively been robbed not only of their childhoods, but in the case of many, of their adulthood as well. And while these children have an undeniably difficult journey ahead of them, it is one that is certainly less painful than the life they leave behind. The work of aid relief organizations is an admirable cause worth being championed by anyone who believes in a child’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/07/world/main4851543.shtml
March 26th, 2009
9:17 PM
In the past few weeks, hundreds of former child soldiers in the eastern Congo have been returning to their hometowns, according to recent reports. These children, most often captured by rebel forces and forced into battle, labor, and sex, are now struggling to re-accustom themselves to experiencing life without the daily violence of war. Many of these children were involved in the slaughter of civilians in their own hometowns; just in November, over 150 civilians in Kiwanja, (now home to an aid relief facility) were murdered in a two-day massacre. The current sufferings of these children are diverse: some beat their heads and hands against walls, some suffer from drug withdrawal (children are given drugs to reduce inhibitions about killing), some refuse to speak, some are disowned by their families, and even deny being coerced into the army. (Rebel officers encourage children to lie about their age, and their involuntary involvement in battle). Many have scares and injuAid workers have established refuges and rehabilitation programs for the children, and UNCEF has estimated that in the past 5 years, about 30,000 children have been reintegrated into their communities. Currently there are believed to be around 3,500 children still fighting with rebel units.
The use of children in war is a despicable, heartless practice that should be condemned and prosecuted. These children have affectively been robbed not only of their childhoods, but in the case of many, of their adulthood as well. And while these children have an undeniably difficult journey ahead of them, it is one that is certainly less painful than the life they leave behind. The work of aid relief organizations is an admirable cause worth being championed by anyone who believes in a child’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/07/world/main4851543.shtml
Ethnic division and populism of the Dutch Labour Party
Kirstie Stofanik
Thursday March 26th
8:12p.m
The Executive Board of the Labour Party presented its note in integration entitled “Divided Past, Shared Future”. It seems that Dutch political parties periodically present a new or renewed note on the integration of immigrants. Many found it striking that politicians increasingly use a harsher tone when referring to the position of immigrants in society as the most important social problem in the country. The note seemed to focus on the fact that the integration process has completely failed. Departing from this focus the note can be characterized as populist and presenting social division as it lacks calculated analyses, worth mentioning figures, or concrete and justifiable objectives. The note clearly shows a socially dividing perspective. The note seems to indicate that the executive board up to now does not consider immigrants as an inextricable component of Dutch society and does not wish to consider Islam to be part of Dutch religions as well. This note expresses tough language concerning the integration of migrants and especially Moslems will not come to an end in the near future. Their ethnic, religious and social diversity and the lack of organizational structure make them ineffective in forcing political parties to take a more realistic approach.
I feel that a better name for this note would have been a socially divided past and an even larger social division in the future. The politicians are wrong for picking a side and especially wrong for pushing away other citizens because of their religion, culture or any ethnic diversity. It amazes me how people are still immature about problems in a society. This problem in the Dutch society has been labeled as a social problem therefore people should do something to help.
Thursday March 26th
8:12p.m
The Executive Board of the Labour Party presented its note in integration entitled “Divided Past, Shared Future”. It seems that Dutch political parties periodically present a new or renewed note on the integration of immigrants. Many found it striking that politicians increasingly use a harsher tone when referring to the position of immigrants in society as the most important social problem in the country. The note seemed to focus on the fact that the integration process has completely failed. Departing from this focus the note can be characterized as populist and presenting social division as it lacks calculated analyses, worth mentioning figures, or concrete and justifiable objectives. The note clearly shows a socially dividing perspective. The note seems to indicate that the executive board up to now does not consider immigrants as an inextricable component of Dutch society and does not wish to consider Islam to be part of Dutch religions as well. This note expresses tough language concerning the integration of migrants and especially Moslems will not come to an end in the near future. Their ethnic, religious and social diversity and the lack of organizational structure make them ineffective in forcing political parties to take a more realistic approach.
I feel that a better name for this note would have been a socially divided past and an even larger social division in the future. The politicians are wrong for picking a side and especially wrong for pushing away other citizens because of their religion, culture or any ethnic diversity. It amazes me how people are still immature about problems in a society. This problem in the Dutch society has been labeled as a social problem therefore people should do something to help.
NATO Resuming Anti-Piracy Mission
Kelsey Walker
March 26, 2009
6:11PM
Pirating attacks occur in heavy doses around the busy sea lanes off the coast of Somalia. Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991 and nearly half of their population is dependent on the aid that ships are bringing in. NATO countries have stepped in and developed the NATO flotilla, which are ships that go in to stop and monitor pirating within these areas. Ships from Portugal, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States all have ships moving in under Portugal command. It was the trans-Atlantic alliance's first naval deployment in the Indian Ocean, and officials cited it as a good example of how the alliance was responding to rapidly changing security challenges. The NATO flotilla ships have now been replaced by European Union flotilla and warships from other countries such as China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea have all joined in to help combat pirating. Pirate ships this week have been attacking Greek and Hong Kong cargo ships.
I think that this is a prime example of the issues that many countries face when trying to trade through seas. Maybe not to this extend but trade issues have always occurred sometimes resulting in violence. I think that it is a good sign that many countries that would usually not work together, are stepping in and helping each other out to combat pirating for this one country who is in need of goods and supplies.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/03/26/world/AP-EU-NATO-Piracy.html?_r=1&ref=world
March 26, 2009
6:11PM
Pirating attacks occur in heavy doses around the busy sea lanes off the coast of Somalia. Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991 and nearly half of their population is dependent on the aid that ships are bringing in. NATO countries have stepped in and developed the NATO flotilla, which are ships that go in to stop and monitor pirating within these areas. Ships from Portugal, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States all have ships moving in under Portugal command. It was the trans-Atlantic alliance's first naval deployment in the Indian Ocean, and officials cited it as a good example of how the alliance was responding to rapidly changing security challenges. The NATO flotilla ships have now been replaced by European Union flotilla and warships from other countries such as China, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea have all joined in to help combat pirating. Pirate ships this week have been attacking Greek and Hong Kong cargo ships.
I think that this is a prime example of the issues that many countries face when trying to trade through seas. Maybe not to this extend but trade issues have always occurred sometimes resulting in violence. I think that it is a good sign that many countries that would usually not work together, are stepping in and helping each other out to combat pirating for this one country who is in need of goods and supplies.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/03/26/world/AP-EU-NATO-Piracy.html?_r=1&ref=world
Somali Pirates Hijack 2 Tankers in 24 Hours
Michelle Commiskey
Mar. 26, 2009
3:40pm
Somali pirates have struck again! Pirates armed with machine guns captured a Norwegian chemical tanker less than 24 hours after capturing a smaller Greek tanker. Both ships were attacked outside of the Gulf of Aden, which has now become one of the world’s most treacherous sea lanes.
The Norwegian Bow Asir was attacked 250 miles from the coast while the smaller Greek Nipayia was 450 miles off the coast.
At 0729GMT, the owner of the Bow Asir received a security alert saying two small boats were chasing the ship with suspected pirates on board. 25 minutes later he received an alert that the pirates had boarded the ship. Three hours afterwards, the ships owner received a confirmation that 18 machine gun clad pirates and taken control of the Bow Asir. There have been no reports of injuries to the crew.
Oh…those pirates. The waters around Somalia seem be increasing with danger. In 2008, there were 111 attacks and 42 ships were captured (most of these occurring in the Gulf of Aden area). Since the New Year, 7 ships have been seized so far with 10 times as many attacks in January and February than in those months last year. Since the beginning of March, attacks are happening almost daily. During one incident, a sailor received a bullet to the head.
If this trend continues, more and more cargo ships will be lost to these pirates. This can very harshly affect economies the world over. One big “duh” to the reason for these increasing attacks could be that Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090326/ap_on_re_af/piracy;_ylt=AvU6n8rXch8BlykDhPvteQZvaA8F
Mar. 26, 2009
3:40pm
Somali pirates have struck again! Pirates armed with machine guns captured a Norwegian chemical tanker less than 24 hours after capturing a smaller Greek tanker. Both ships were attacked outside of the Gulf of Aden, which has now become one of the world’s most treacherous sea lanes.
The Norwegian Bow Asir was attacked 250 miles from the coast while the smaller Greek Nipayia was 450 miles off the coast.
At 0729GMT, the owner of the Bow Asir received a security alert saying two small boats were chasing the ship with suspected pirates on board. 25 minutes later he received an alert that the pirates had boarded the ship. Three hours afterwards, the ships owner received a confirmation that 18 machine gun clad pirates and taken control of the Bow Asir. There have been no reports of injuries to the crew.
Oh…those pirates. The waters around Somalia seem be increasing with danger. In 2008, there were 111 attacks and 42 ships were captured (most of these occurring in the Gulf of Aden area). Since the New Year, 7 ships have been seized so far with 10 times as many attacks in January and February than in those months last year. Since the beginning of March, attacks are happening almost daily. During one incident, a sailor received a bullet to the head.
If this trend continues, more and more cargo ships will be lost to these pirates. This can very harshly affect economies the world over. One big “duh” to the reason for these increasing attacks could be that Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090326/ap_on_re_af/piracy;_ylt=AvU6n8rXch8BlykDhPvteQZvaA8F
India Joines IREA: Five Me.
Alex Sayre
2:29
March, 26th 2009
Recently India has joined the IRENA the International Renewable Energy Agency an international agency which focuses on spreading the use of renewable energy to the globe. IRENA has 77 states as a part of its pantheon which will decide the future of their countries as well as the earth. With the recruitment of India being the 5th largest consumer of energy in the world hopefully larger and more industrialized countries will also join. Already IRENA has Germany, Denmark, Sweden and many other big European powers. Sadly the United States continues to play a small part in the environmental assistance. Other countries which still are considering joining are the UK, Japan, China, and Australia.
Under IRENA many changes have occurred including the basic mobility of many changes which could not occur without the push of this company. An interesting project is occurring the Arab United Emirate called the Masdar City Project. This project is occurring in an area with high output of oil exports and the projects goal is to create carbon-neutral, zero-waste city.
Along with these projects come the large addition of wind solar and geothermal power whose statistics number as the following:
- 12,000 megawatts wind power capacity
o Bringing the world total to 106,100 mW
- 9,740 mW of solar energy
- 6000 mw of geothermal
These projects are either planned, in construction or completed with more on the minds of those working and cooperating with the IREA.
Where you at America? This seems to be the bandwagon no one will pick on your for jumping on so let’s see some hustlin’.
Religious division Concerning Gay-Marriage.
Meredith Hodge
3/26/09
2:13 pm
This article is explores the fact that there are more same-sex proposals in less religious places. The place this article looks at in specific are less religious New England states. Many suggest that the primary reason these places have so many more same-sex proposals are because of the lack of organized religious opposition in these areas. Throughout the article, people who say they have no religion are referred to as “nones.” The reasoning presented in this article is that if the percentage of “nones” in a state is at the national average of fifteen percent then they are “more likely to push expanding the scope of marriage.”
Although these facts and the reasoning presented in the article make sense, there continue to be instances where people who are predicted to support gay marriages don’t. I feel that the issue of same sex marriage not only creates divides in people based strictly on religion, but it also divides the “nones” into separate groups as well. This is not only a religious issue, but it also is a test of many people’s moral and personal beliefs. When looking at the division in opinions, the divides are primarily between the religious and the non- religious but also smaller divides which create groups within groups.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-03-25-gay-vermont_N.htm
3/26/09
2:13 pm
This article is explores the fact that there are more same-sex proposals in less religious places. The place this article looks at in specific are less religious New England states. Many suggest that the primary reason these places have so many more same-sex proposals are because of the lack of organized religious opposition in these areas. Throughout the article, people who say they have no religion are referred to as “nones.” The reasoning presented in this article is that if the percentage of “nones” in a state is at the national average of fifteen percent then they are “more likely to push expanding the scope of marriage.”
Although these facts and the reasoning presented in the article make sense, there continue to be instances where people who are predicted to support gay marriages don’t. I feel that the issue of same sex marriage not only creates divides in people based strictly on religion, but it also divides the “nones” into separate groups as well. This is not only a religious issue, but it also is a test of many people’s moral and personal beliefs. When looking at the division in opinions, the divides are primarily between the religious and the non- religious but also smaller divides which create groups within groups.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-03-25-gay-vermont_N.htm
British Man Arrested at Raid on Orphanage Used as Islamist Training Facility
Kelly McKee
March 26th, 2009
2:12 p.m.
Police in
I was not surprised when I read this article. There are many businesses in
Pharmaceuticals Fish
Matthew Supple
Soc 202
American fish are drugged. That is, the drugs that American's take run their course and end up in the sewers and thus, in the fish. Studies have reveal numerous pharmaceuticals that treat depression, blood pressure, high cholesterol allergies and bipolar disorder, just to name a few. The filtering systems we use don't remove ALL of the chemicals in the sewage and so it cycles into the fish, into people, and back into the sewer. This cycle my lead it to increase as the years go on. Fortunately for humans, the concentrations aren't nearly high enough to have an effect on us but the effects on the wildlife is yet unknown. Smaller creatures are effected by small concentrations of the chemicals so it won't take long for enough to build up to cause problems. Not only are the chemicals building up in the fish but it's also polluting the water.
There should really be more testing done on the potential consequences and the possible courses of action. There also needs to be more research on how to better filter the pharmaceuticals out of the water more thoroughly. This study also points out the secondary issue of American reliance on medication, to the extent it's building up in river fish and frogs, potentially poisoning other Americans. The other implications can't be known with this because there is insufficient data on the true spread of the chemicals and the concentration in different areas.
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/26/fish-are-on-anti-depressants-allergy-meds-and-a-host-of-other-pharmaceuticals/
Soc 202
American fish are drugged. That is, the drugs that American's take run their course and end up in the sewers and thus, in the fish. Studies have reveal numerous pharmaceuticals that treat depression, blood pressure, high cholesterol allergies and bipolar disorder, just to name a few. The filtering systems we use don't remove ALL of the chemicals in the sewage and so it cycles into the fish, into people, and back into the sewer. This cycle my lead it to increase as the years go on. Fortunately for humans, the concentrations aren't nearly high enough to have an effect on us but the effects on the wildlife is yet unknown. Smaller creatures are effected by small concentrations of the chemicals so it won't take long for enough to build up to cause problems. Not only are the chemicals building up in the fish but it's also polluting the water.
There should really be more testing done on the potential consequences and the possible courses of action. There also needs to be more research on how to better filter the pharmaceuticals out of the water more thoroughly. This study also points out the secondary issue of American reliance on medication, to the extent it's building up in river fish and frogs, potentially poisoning other Americans. The other implications can't be known with this because there is insufficient data on the true spread of the chemicals and the concentration in different areas.
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2009/03/26/fish-are-on-anti-depressants-allergy-meds-and-a-host-of-other-pharmaceuticals/
Extra Credit
Laurie Garrett
Posted 3-09-09
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Pulitzer winner Laurie Garrett, author of the bestseller “The Coming Plague,” will speak at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in the Sullivan Science Building.
Sponsored by the UNCG Institute for Community and Economic Engagement, Garrett’s appearance is free, open to the public, and part of the university’s Science and Society Lecture Series. Seating will be available on a first-come basis with parking available in the McIver Street deck.
Garrett will speak in the 300-seat Jaylee Montague Mead Auditorium. A reception and book signing will follow in the adjacent Mead Gallery.
To learn more, visit scienceandsociety.uncg.edu, email researchpartners@uncg.edu or call (336) 334-4623.
As a medical and science writer for Newsday, in New York City, Laurie Garrett became the only writer ever to have been awarded all three of the Big “Ps” of journalism: The Peabody, The Polk (twice) and The Pulitzer.
She is the best-selling author of “The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance” (1995) and “Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health” (2001).
Since March 2004, Garrett has been a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations. She is an expert on global health with a particular focus on newly emerging and re-emerging diseases and their effects on foreign policy and national security. Her website is http://lauriegarrett.com.
Garrett was born in Los Angeles, a fifth generation Los Angeleno. She earned a bachelor’s in biology with honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and attended graduate school in the Department of Bacteriology and Immunology at UC Berkeley and did research at Stanford University.
She started reporting on science news at local radio station KPFA while a graduate student and soon took a leave of absence to explore journalism. She never completed her PhD.
At KPFA, Garrett worked in management, news and radio documentary production. A documentary series she co-produced with Adi Gevins won the 1977 George Foster Peabody Award in Broadcasting, and other KPFA production efforts by Garrett won the Armstrong and Corporation for Public Broadcasting awards.
After leaving KPFA, Garrett worked briefly in the California Department of Food and Agriculture, assessing the human health impacts of pesticide use. She then went overseas, living and working in southern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, freelance reporting for Pacifica Radio, Pacific News Service, BBC-Radio, Reuters, the Associated Press and others.
She joined National Public Radio in 1980, working out of the network’s San Francisco and Los Angeles bureaus as a science correspondent. She left NPR in 1988 to join the science writing staff of Newsday, where she remained until 2004. She was a visiting fellow in the Harvard University School of Public Health during the 1992-93 academic year.
She has contributed chapters to numerous books, including “AIDS in the World” (1993) and “Disease in Evolution: Global Changes and Emergence of Infectious Diseases” (1994). Her work has been published in Foreign Affairs, Esquire, Vanity Fair, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and Current Issues in Public Health.
She has appeared frequently on national television programs, including ABC Nightline, The Jim Lehrer NewsHour, The Charlie Rose Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dateline, The International Hour (CNN) and Talkback (CNN).
Garrett is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and served as the organization’s president during the mid-1990s. She lives in Brooklyn Heights, New York City.
Posted 3-09-09
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Pulitzer winner Laurie Garrett, author of the bestseller “The Coming Plague,” will speak at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in the Sullivan Science Building.
Sponsored by the UNCG Institute for Community and Economic Engagement, Garrett’s appearance is free, open to the public, and part of the university’s Science and Society Lecture Series. Seating will be available on a first-come basis with parking available in the McIver Street deck.
Garrett will speak in the 300-seat Jaylee Montague Mead Auditorium. A reception and book signing will follow in the adjacent Mead Gallery.
To learn more, visit scienceandsociety.uncg.edu, email researchpartners@uncg.edu or call (336) 334-4623.
As a medical and science writer for Newsday, in New York City, Laurie Garrett became the only writer ever to have been awarded all three of the Big “Ps” of journalism: The Peabody, The Polk (twice) and The Pulitzer.
She is the best-selling author of “The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance” (1995) and “Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health” (2001).
Since March 2004, Garrett has been a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations. She is an expert on global health with a particular focus on newly emerging and re-emerging diseases and their effects on foreign policy and national security. Her website is http://lauriegarrett.com.
Garrett was born in Los Angeles, a fifth generation Los Angeleno. She earned a bachelor’s in biology with honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and attended graduate school in the Department of Bacteriology and Immunology at UC Berkeley and did research at Stanford University.
She started reporting on science news at local radio station KPFA while a graduate student and soon took a leave of absence to explore journalism. She never completed her PhD.
At KPFA, Garrett worked in management, news and radio documentary production. A documentary series she co-produced with Adi Gevins won the 1977 George Foster Peabody Award in Broadcasting, and other KPFA production efforts by Garrett won the Armstrong and Corporation for Public Broadcasting awards.
After leaving KPFA, Garrett worked briefly in the California Department of Food and Agriculture, assessing the human health impacts of pesticide use. She then went overseas, living and working in southern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa, freelance reporting for Pacifica Radio, Pacific News Service, BBC-Radio, Reuters, the Associated Press and others.
She joined National Public Radio in 1980, working out of the network’s San Francisco and Los Angeles bureaus as a science correspondent. She left NPR in 1988 to join the science writing staff of Newsday, where she remained until 2004. She was a visiting fellow in the Harvard University School of Public Health during the 1992-93 academic year.
She has contributed chapters to numerous books, including “AIDS in the World” (1993) and “Disease in Evolution: Global Changes and Emergence of Infectious Diseases” (1994). Her work has been published in Foreign Affairs, Esquire, Vanity Fair, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and Current Issues in Public Health.
She has appeared frequently on national television programs, including ABC Nightline, The Jim Lehrer NewsHour, The Charlie Rose Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dateline, The International Hour (CNN) and Talkback (CNN).
Garrett is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and served as the organization’s president during the mid-1990s. She lives in Brooklyn Heights, New York City.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
TB in Liberia
Amanda O’Donnell
March 25, 2009
11:50pm
Tuberculosis on the Rise in Liberia
World health officials meeting in Brazil this week say more people are dying from tuberculosis than ever before. Nearly half of the countries most affected are in Africa. In Liberia where treatment for tuberculosis is limited by a shortage of funds.
Of the 22 countries responsible for 80 percent of the world's tuberculosis cases, health officials say nine of them are in Africa.
The disease is particularly hard to fight because of the emergence of multi drug resistant and extensively drug resistant strains that are more expensive to treat. There is a generally lower level of primary health care and less access to that care in rural areas.
Africa is also home to more than 22 million people who have the virus that leads to AIDS, and the World Health Organization says death rates among TB patients with HIV have doubled since 2007, now accounting for at least one in four TB deaths. Tuberculosis kills nearly 5,000 people a day and is the leading cause of death for people living with HIV/AIDS.
All of these issues that have to do with health issues in other countries all end up going back to money as the main issue. These people do not have enough money of supplies to treat this disease. There are millions of people that die yearly because of TB but they only have enough supplies to treat about 5,000 people for the disease yearly.
This frustrates me beyond belief for these people. Mostly because I hear and see what people are talking about what’s going on in the US right now and we are complaining but yet we have more than enough doctors to treat us and we don’t have diseases killing millions of people. Even if there were a epidemic of the disease I can guarantee that the United States would have enough medicine and treatment for every single person. My heart just breaks for these people and really puts a lot of things into perspective for me. I mean we are very lucky people yet we complain about gas prices... come on, give me a break! Complain about something when we have millions of people dying of the same disease and cant afford medicine to treat it.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-25-voa39.cfm
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