Many of these past blogs have been about just singular types of environmental problems have been taken place. This article talks about the mutlitude of environemtnal destructions and how in a group they are all affecting our planet. Humans are continually destroying natural forests and rainforests to make room for more of society. Right now, the life style is beneficial but in by removing more and more land and developinng them, we are developing more and more environmental problems as well. "The rate at which it is growing is totally unstoppable that global deforestation came to be a big impact for the survival of lives in this planet." (Global Destruction) Trees are scientifically proven to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide gases in the earth atmoshpere. If the continuation of cutting down trees continue, the amount of CO2 gases in the earths atmosphere will continue to rise. This will then lend a hand to increasin the problems we will have in accrdance to global warming. "When much of the earth is going to be removed, expect that the air that we breathe can turn out to be more than just 50% of the toxic carbon dioxide."(Global Destruction) Another effect that these problems on our earth is our water. "The green environment holds much of the responsibility in preventing floods, erosions, and other land filled problems. For example, trees seep water in case of heavy rains, thus preventing flood".(Global Destruction)
This gloabl problem is one that the public/ world cannot continue to ignore. These problems as time goes on are not only getting worse, but changing our planet from terrible to worse. We need oxegyn and water to live. However, a lot of are taking those basic nesseties for granted. We can try and give back to the earth by depelting the amount of enenergy that we use, or planting a few trees in our backyard. A little bit can go a long way.
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/global-destruction-due-to-global-deforestation-515761.html
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Vancouver and Olympic Opposition
As put to a question by the US President, "Who doesn't want the Olympics?"
Indigenous peoples who view the projects expansion as a disruption of their previously entitled land.
Environmentalists who note that over one hundred thousand trees and other wildlife habitations were destroyed for the project.
Canadian tax payers who were charged for the project with little to no input. Anti-capitalists who feel as though the primary financial supporters of the Olympics have acted in unlawful and inhumane acts such as GE (providing weapons to civilians), Mc Donald's and Coca-Cola (for it's connections with the deaths of Colombian workers and the possible connection to the trafficking of cocaine).
The poor and homeless who will be forced into shelters to provide the illusion of wealth, after their displacement due to the project itself.
Those in the opposition to the former Communist connections, and possible racism of earlier events such as in the 1940's.
Those reluctant to allow tourist violence into their city.
Citizens who do not approve of the increased police and surveillance control and immense security funds which may turn Canada into a temporary police state.
Canada is not the only location in opposition to the destructive measures caused by Olympic bids. It is a little concerning that "anti-celebratory" sentiment is banned. The persuasion of large businesses in urban development seems to lead to a rapid expansion and a post-expansion free-fall. The economy in Vancouver may improve for a while due to tourism but the long-term results may actually be detrimental when the tourists all go home. All things Olympic are not equated as innocent.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jiInvgjwOAwUkLhw3H9w8e-eFHzQ
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Games+begin+peace+pain/2161200/story.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Winter_Olympics#Opposition
Indigenous peoples who view the projects expansion as a disruption of their previously entitled land.
Environmentalists who note that over one hundred thousand trees and other wildlife habitations were destroyed for the project.
Canadian tax payers who were charged for the project with little to no input. Anti-capitalists who feel as though the primary financial supporters of the Olympics have acted in unlawful and inhumane acts such as GE (providing weapons to civilians), Mc Donald's and Coca-Cola (for it's connections with the deaths of Colombian workers and the possible connection to the trafficking of cocaine).
The poor and homeless who will be forced into shelters to provide the illusion of wealth, after their displacement due to the project itself.
Those in the opposition to the former Communist connections, and possible racism of earlier events such as in the 1940's.
Those reluctant to allow tourist violence into their city.
Citizens who do not approve of the increased police and surveillance control and immense security funds which may turn Canada into a temporary police state.
Canada is not the only location in opposition to the destructive measures caused by Olympic bids. It is a little concerning that "anti-celebratory" sentiment is banned. The persuasion of large businesses in urban development seems to lead to a rapid expansion and a post-expansion free-fall. The economy in Vancouver may improve for a while due to tourism but the long-term results may actually be detrimental when the tourists all go home. All things Olympic are not equated as innocent.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jiInvgjwOAwUkLhw3H9w8e-eFHzQ
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Games+begin+peace+pain/2161200/story.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Winter_Olympics#Opposition
Friday, October 30, 2009
Lassa Fever
Courtney Nickle
October 30,2009
7:20 p.m
Lassa Fever has been found in the lower hemisphere of China which is odd since the illness has been mostly found in West Africa. The illness affects several of the major organs and can last up to a month. The symptoms that most people in the areas where it is spreading should watch for headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and coughing. More severe cases you should watch for swelling in the face, fluid in the lungs, bleeding from the mouth, nose, and vagina (for women), seizures, tremors, low blood pressure, and shock. If you do get medical care but have come with the illness already in the serious stage then after recovery you could become deaf but it may come back within a 1 -3 month period. The best way to not catch this is to be as sanitary as possible since the only way of catching this fever is by direct contact with blood, urine, feces, or other bodily secretions of a person with Lassa fever. If you can get to a doctor and have the money to do so there is a treatment for the Lassa fever called Ribavirin; It has been very affective so far in curing people that have come in with this fever.
The only problem with this fever and having it not be spread is that it is being found in the worst parts of West Africa and China where being sanitary is not the first priority. A lot of these people don’t have the necessary tools to be sanitary and clean to not catch this and are problem not even aware on how it is being spread. I think a lot of the diseases that become serious and spread the most are because the people in the areas it starts in do not have the necessary tools to keep from catching it nor to cure it once they know.
http://www.healthmap.org/en
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs179/en/
http://www.google.com/trends?q=Fever
October 30,2009
7:20 p.m
Lassa Fever has been found in the lower hemisphere of China which is odd since the illness has been mostly found in West Africa. The illness affects several of the major organs and can last up to a month. The symptoms that most people in the areas where it is spreading should watch for headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and coughing. More severe cases you should watch for swelling in the face, fluid in the lungs, bleeding from the mouth, nose, and vagina (for women), seizures, tremors, low blood pressure, and shock. If you do get medical care but have come with the illness already in the serious stage then after recovery you could become deaf but it may come back within a 1 -3 month period. The best way to not catch this is to be as sanitary as possible since the only way of catching this fever is by direct contact with blood, urine, feces, or other bodily secretions of a person with Lassa fever. If you can get to a doctor and have the money to do so there is a treatment for the Lassa fever called Ribavirin; It has been very affective so far in curing people that have come in with this fever.
The only problem with this fever and having it not be spread is that it is being found in the worst parts of West Africa and China where being sanitary is not the first priority. A lot of these people don’t have the necessary tools to be sanitary and clean to not catch this and are problem not even aware on how it is being spread. I think a lot of the diseases that become serious and spread the most are because the people in the areas it starts in do not have the necessary tools to keep from catching it nor to cure it once they know.
http://www.healthmap.org/en
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs179/en/
http://www.google.com/trends?q=Fever
EU calls for cooperation with Libya to tackle illegal immigration
Jordan R. Gomillion
SOC 202
10/30/2009 6:34 PM
The EU leaders are calling for more help from Libya to stop illegal immigration. One idea is to share the cost it takes to repatriate immigrants with Libya. This demand came during a meeting of heads of state and government. They were looking over a plan they came up with that has the 27 member bloc jointly paying for the flights that send immigrants back to their countries of origin. Between May 6th and August 30th, Italy has said to have sent over 750 would-be immigrants back to Libya. Thousands of these would-be immigrants board boats in Libya and cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach the EU's southern shores. Leaders pledge to strengthen the borders, but needs Libya to help.
Obviously, international immigration is a huge issue to the European Union. They want to do all they can to ensure that these would-be immigrants don't make it to their shores. If I was an official Libya I would definitely think of the cost benefits to helping the EU. What do they get out of it? The 27 members already pay jointly for chartered flights, Libya shouldn't have to pay anything. It's an interesting topic, one that would garner many different perspectives an opinions.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1510423.php/EU-calls-for-cooperation-with-Libya-to-tackle-illegal-immigration
SOC 202
10/30/2009 6:34 PM
The EU leaders are calling for more help from Libya to stop illegal immigration. One idea is to share the cost it takes to repatriate immigrants with Libya. This demand came during a meeting of heads of state and government. They were looking over a plan they came up with that has the 27 member bloc jointly paying for the flights that send immigrants back to their countries of origin. Between May 6th and August 30th, Italy has said to have sent over 750 would-be immigrants back to Libya. Thousands of these would-be immigrants board boats in Libya and cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach the EU's southern shores. Leaders pledge to strengthen the borders, but needs Libya to help.
Obviously, international immigration is a huge issue to the European Union. They want to do all they can to ensure that these would-be immigrants don't make it to their shores. If I was an official Libya I would definitely think of the cost benefits to helping the EU. What do they get out of it? The 27 members already pay jointly for chartered flights, Libya shouldn't have to pay anything. It's an interesting topic, one that would garner many different perspectives an opinions.
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1510423.php/EU-calls-for-cooperation-with-Libya-to-tackle-illegal-immigration
Victims of Human Trafficking Speak Out
Jessie Lucas
October 30th 2009
5:38 PM
Three victims of human trafficking were finally able to tell their side of the story and urge governments to do something about the issue. One man Buddhi Gurung was promised work in the United States making five hundred dollars per month. However he ended up in a United States Air Base in Iraq. He was forced to work and did not receive his five hundred dollar per month salary. It was fifteen months before he was able to return home to Nepal. Charlotte Awino is another victim of human trafficking. She was abducted from her boarding school at fourteen and used as a sex slave and a human shield. The man she was given to and sexually abused by fathered her two children. Kikka Cerpa is another victim of human trafficking. She fell in love with a man who took her to the United States where she found he and his family were part of a sex trafficking ring. On her first night she was abused by ninety men. She was moved from brothel to brothel where the girls were abused, some murdered, and who had no help from the police. In fact the police also used the girls sexually when they were supposed to be there to help them. All three victims were at the United Nations sponsored Human rights event to tell their stories and ask those in charge to help prevent human trafficking and help those who are victimized. They shared their ideas on how to change things to stop this problem.
I think it is very important that they let people who have been victims share their stories with the world and especially those in charge. I believe that through actual experiences we will be able to find more ways to prevent these issues and save and rehabilitate those who become victims. These problems happen all over the world and include many different types of abuse including slavery, debt, bondage, forced labor and sexual exploitation. I’ve become more and more aware of the atrocities that people all over the world face every day and cannot for the life of me figure out why those responsible are getting away with what they are doing. We all need to get together and do something about these problems which of course is exactly what the event this article discusses is trying to do. I don’t understand why people would do this to each other although the article points out that it has gotten worse since the economic crisis began. It’s obviously about money to the traffickers but how the people who use the victims as if they are nothing can do so is completely beyond my ability to comprehend. It upsets me because it’s so obviously wrong that even a child would know not to treat another living thing badly and yet these are adults taking advantage of anyone they can.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iN0kWdgfY-mVXA_hU4zQ_ehSMISwD9BGKCTG2
October 30th 2009
5:38 PM
Three victims of human trafficking were finally able to tell their side of the story and urge governments to do something about the issue. One man Buddhi Gurung was promised work in the United States making five hundred dollars per month. However he ended up in a United States Air Base in Iraq. He was forced to work and did not receive his five hundred dollar per month salary. It was fifteen months before he was able to return home to Nepal. Charlotte Awino is another victim of human trafficking. She was abducted from her boarding school at fourteen and used as a sex slave and a human shield. The man she was given to and sexually abused by fathered her two children. Kikka Cerpa is another victim of human trafficking. She fell in love with a man who took her to the United States where she found he and his family were part of a sex trafficking ring. On her first night she was abused by ninety men. She was moved from brothel to brothel where the girls were abused, some murdered, and who had no help from the police. In fact the police also used the girls sexually when they were supposed to be there to help them. All three victims were at the United Nations sponsored Human rights event to tell their stories and ask those in charge to help prevent human trafficking and help those who are victimized. They shared their ideas on how to change things to stop this problem.
I think it is very important that they let people who have been victims share their stories with the world and especially those in charge. I believe that through actual experiences we will be able to find more ways to prevent these issues and save and rehabilitate those who become victims. These problems happen all over the world and include many different types of abuse including slavery, debt, bondage, forced labor and sexual exploitation. I’ve become more and more aware of the atrocities that people all over the world face every day and cannot for the life of me figure out why those responsible are getting away with what they are doing. We all need to get together and do something about these problems which of course is exactly what the event this article discusses is trying to do. I don’t understand why people would do this to each other although the article points out that it has gotten worse since the economic crisis began. It’s obviously about money to the traffickers but how the people who use the victims as if they are nothing can do so is completely beyond my ability to comprehend. It upsets me because it’s so obviously wrong that even a child would know not to treat another living thing badly and yet these are adults taking advantage of anyone they can.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iN0kWdgfY-mVXA_hU4zQ_ehSMISwD9BGKCTG2
Indonesian Islamists Bully Villagers Into Revoking Church Permit
Andrew Pauley
10-30-09
4:40pm
The regent of Purwakarta regency, West Java, has revoked his decision to permit construction of a Catholic worship building in Cinanka village after Islamists threatened residents into withdrawing their approval of the project. Dedi Mulyadi on October 16th revoked the permit for construction of Catholic Church of Saint Mary after Islamists threatened some of the local residents whose approval is required by Indonesian law, the priest of the church told Compass. "Those who had signed were continually terrorized by the FPI, Front Pembela Islam, or Islamic Defenders Front," the Rev. Agustinus Made said. "They became so frightened that when they were called to a meeting by the Interfaith Communications Forum, many did not attend. Also, the members of the Interfaith Communications Forum and the Department of Religion were also terrorized by the FPI, so much that they were afraid to say that they agree to the church building.” The FPI also intimidated the regent, resulting in his revoking the building permit he himself had signed two years ago, Made said. The congregation of 1,000 people has been holding services in a warehouse belonging to a steel factory located far from the proposed building site. The church has been worshipping in the warehouse since 2002. The church is preparing to bring a lawsuit in a West Java court, he said. "We are building on land that was set aside, zoned, for a house of worship, and which we have purchased," Made said. "We demand that justice be firmly enforced. Intimidation by radical groups must cease.”
Should land that was set aside for “religious” purposes be specified to a certain religion? Should someone go back on their contractual word based on a personal vendetta? I think that if a group is a non-violent group and is also not in any violation of the contract there is no lawful reason to bring any discrepancy against them. Can anyone just go back on their lawful word based on a personal feeling? If you are planning on renting an apartment to a man and who has never caused any problems according to references, has signed a contract and you both have agreed to terms, can you say no, once you find out he is gay? Is this principle not the same? You may have a personal problem with non-heterosexuals, but is that legitimate and lawful reason to void a contract? I do not think so at all.
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/11610399/
10-30-09
4:40pm
The regent of Purwakarta regency, West Java, has revoked his decision to permit construction of a Catholic worship building in Cinanka village after Islamists threatened residents into withdrawing their approval of the project. Dedi Mulyadi on October 16th revoked the permit for construction of Catholic Church of Saint Mary after Islamists threatened some of the local residents whose approval is required by Indonesian law, the priest of the church told Compass. "Those who had signed were continually terrorized by the FPI, Front Pembela Islam, or Islamic Defenders Front," the Rev. Agustinus Made said. "They became so frightened that when they were called to a meeting by the Interfaith Communications Forum, many did not attend. Also, the members of the Interfaith Communications Forum and the Department of Religion were also terrorized by the FPI, so much that they were afraid to say that they agree to the church building.” The FPI also intimidated the regent, resulting in his revoking the building permit he himself had signed two years ago, Made said. The congregation of 1,000 people has been holding services in a warehouse belonging to a steel factory located far from the proposed building site. The church has been worshipping in the warehouse since 2002. The church is preparing to bring a lawsuit in a West Java court, he said. "We are building on land that was set aside, zoned, for a house of worship, and which we have purchased," Made said. "We demand that justice be firmly enforced. Intimidation by radical groups must cease.”
Should land that was set aside for “religious” purposes be specified to a certain religion? Should someone go back on their contractual word based on a personal vendetta? I think that if a group is a non-violent group and is also not in any violation of the contract there is no lawful reason to bring any discrepancy against them. Can anyone just go back on their lawful word based on a personal feeling? If you are planning on renting an apartment to a man and who has never caused any problems according to references, has signed a contract and you both have agreed to terms, can you say no, once you find out he is gay? Is this principle not the same? You may have a personal problem with non-heterosexuals, but is that legitimate and lawful reason to void a contract? I do not think so at all.
http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/11610399/
Swiss plan controls on “suicide tourism”
Tamika Reynolds
10-30-09
4:21Pm
According to CNN News that Switzerland is creating laws to help control “suicide tourism.” Switzerland has a reputation for relaxed laws on assisted suicide. The problem is that people are traveling to Switzerland, which is not a bad thing but they are chronic ill patients who cannot legally have assisted suicide in their own country so they are traveling to Switzerland for assisted suicide. The Swiss government does not want to change their liberal laws but want to make sure those who are wanting assisted suicide are not doing it for their own self interest. One case they stress in the article is a Rugby player who become paralyzed in a game and had assisted suicide. The problem with this case is that it was a chronic condition but not a terminal one. The Swiss is getting a lot of pressure from the British Government because at least 117 Britons have traveled to Switzerland for assisted suicide.
Here is my personal opinion on the whole situation. I don’t think Britain really cares about the death of 117 people. I honestly believe that the problem is financial. In Britain there are a lot of court cases because the siblings of the ones who commit suicide are prosecuted for helping with suicide, however they keep getting off because in the country it is happening, this is legal. I think that a lot of court cost is developing because of these cases and so they want to crack down on that so they are pressuring the Swiss to change their laws. Do I think it should be legal? In Switzerland I think it should be. They are a neutral country who’s cultural identity should be left alone.
Click here for link
10-30-09
4:21Pm
According to CNN News that Switzerland is creating laws to help control “suicide tourism.” Switzerland has a reputation for relaxed laws on assisted suicide. The problem is that people are traveling to Switzerland, which is not a bad thing but they are chronic ill patients who cannot legally have assisted suicide in their own country so they are traveling to Switzerland for assisted suicide. The Swiss government does not want to change their liberal laws but want to make sure those who are wanting assisted suicide are not doing it for their own self interest. One case they stress in the article is a Rugby player who become paralyzed in a game and had assisted suicide. The problem with this case is that it was a chronic condition but not a terminal one. The Swiss is getting a lot of pressure from the British Government because at least 117 Britons have traveled to Switzerland for assisted suicide.
Here is my personal opinion on the whole situation. I don’t think Britain really cares about the death of 117 people. I honestly believe that the problem is financial. In Britain there are a lot of court cases because the siblings of the ones who commit suicide are prosecuted for helping with suicide, however they keep getting off because in the country it is happening, this is legal. I think that a lot of court cost is developing because of these cases and so they want to crack down on that so they are pressuring the Swiss to change their laws. Do I think it should be legal? In Switzerland I think it should be. They are a neutral country who’s cultural identity should be left alone.
Click here for link
Ethiopian Women Seek Improved Access to Pre-Natal Care
Aisha Crawford
Oct 29th 2009
3:20
http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2009-10-29-voa55.cfm
Every year, half a million pregnant women in third world countries die of complications during childbirth, and about six million children are stillborn or die within a week of birth. In Ethiopia, people live in very rural areas that are located far from medical facilities. Women have to travel on foot for hours just to reach the nearest clinics which only have rudimentary quality care.
The article goes on to talk about this clinic in one of the cities in Ethiopia.The hospital has a delivery room, basic equipment and trained professionals.They provided vaccinations and antenatal care to mothers. But work with only limited supplies
In Ethiopia the infant mortality rate is 86 out of every thousand.When women give labor and do not seek prenatal or postnatal care, it can cause many problems for the child and the mother including fistula. Fistula is a childbirth injury – a hole made between the bladder and the wall of the cervix or rectum through which fluids leak. many women die while giving birth, but some make it to the only fistula hospital in the country. It is huge trouble attracting educated medical officials because most of them do not want to work in the rural country side.
The government says health extension workers will help out in efforts to expand healthcare access for millions of Ethiopia's rural women. But there is no quick fix in sight -- as poor infrastructure and a high population growth remain formidable challenges.
This is a tragic scenario that plays out in many countries. The government is not providing adequate healthcare for its citizens and they are truely suffering! While watching a tv show about fistula, they showed how the women are shunned for having the disease. Which is sad because they need someone there supporting them. Another thing I found alarming about the country is the lack of hospitals and how far they are away from the people. I can not imagine walking for hours on foot just to get treatment from someone who is not even a real doctor! Truely saddening.The Abominable Mr. Dobbs
yareni De Anda
10/30/09
3:47pm
The article/newsletter talks about the news host Lou Dobbs from CNN and his extreme and false claims about undocumented immigrants that live in the US. The Author mentions that Dobbs illogically blames undocumented immigrants or as Dobbs calls them “illegal aliens” for all of U.S. problems, “from crime to disease, from the recession to the so-called erosion of American values”. Huerta says that everybody is entitled to their opinion but they are not supposed to provide inaccurate information that makes anybody, in this case the immigrant community, look bad. Huerta goes on to talk about all the false statements that Dobbs has made on TV and proves him wrong by giving the actual numbers/statistics for these claims. The author also points out and reminds us how silly it sounds when people like Dobbs and other supposedly highly educated people, claim that undocumented immigrants “present a threat to America’s economic prosperity”. It does not make sense how people who are willing to work in “service-oriented jobs that most Americans avoid”, can be harming the economy. The purpose of his article is to get people to complain and to encourage pro-immigrants advocacy groups as well as the general public to try to stop people like Dobbs from feeding anti-immigrant sentiments to the publict.
I chose this article because it is representative of a lot of the very common stereotypical and extreme views about the immigrant community. It’s these types of people who create fear and hatred among the public which leads them to believe that immigrants are nothing but a problem to the country. They do not show or even recognize any of the positive things and benefits from having an immigrant population be part of the economy. It has been done in the past, and we all should look back at our history closer to try to pick up on patterns of discriminatory behavior towards minorities. There has always been as it is now, a “scapegoat “, a disadvantaged and needy group of people that it’s taken advantage of and exploited in some way. We should always question what we hear and not overlook where such information is coming from. We tend to believe everything our preferred news source tells us but this article shows us that not always are they giving actual facts. The reasons behind this false delivery of information, we do not know, it could be racism, or that he gets something out of it as the author suggests, it could be that telling the truth will make people question and want to change things so they make things up to try to trick us and scare us. Remember that Fear is one the most effective ways to keep people from thinking critically. But then we question what are they not wanting us to realize and why are they not wanting us to think critically?
http://www.counterpunch.org/huerta10302009.html
10/30/09
3:47pm
The article/newsletter talks about the news host Lou Dobbs from CNN and his extreme and false claims about undocumented immigrants that live in the US. The Author mentions that Dobbs illogically blames undocumented immigrants or as Dobbs calls them “illegal aliens” for all of U.S. problems, “from crime to disease, from the recession to the so-called erosion of American values”. Huerta says that everybody is entitled to their opinion but they are not supposed to provide inaccurate information that makes anybody, in this case the immigrant community, look bad. Huerta goes on to talk about all the false statements that Dobbs has made on TV and proves him wrong by giving the actual numbers/statistics for these claims. The author also points out and reminds us how silly it sounds when people like Dobbs and other supposedly highly educated people, claim that undocumented immigrants “present a threat to America’s economic prosperity”. It does not make sense how people who are willing to work in “service-oriented jobs that most Americans avoid”, can be harming the economy. The purpose of his article is to get people to complain and to encourage pro-immigrants advocacy groups as well as the general public to try to stop people like Dobbs from feeding anti-immigrant sentiments to the publict.
I chose this article because it is representative of a lot of the very common stereotypical and extreme views about the immigrant community. It’s these types of people who create fear and hatred among the public which leads them to believe that immigrants are nothing but a problem to the country. They do not show or even recognize any of the positive things and benefits from having an immigrant population be part of the economy. It has been done in the past, and we all should look back at our history closer to try to pick up on patterns of discriminatory behavior towards minorities. There has always been as it is now, a “scapegoat “, a disadvantaged and needy group of people that it’s taken advantage of and exploited in some way. We should always question what we hear and not overlook where such information is coming from. We tend to believe everything our preferred news source tells us but this article shows us that not always are they giving actual facts. The reasons behind this false delivery of information, we do not know, it could be racism, or that he gets something out of it as the author suggests, it could be that telling the truth will make people question and want to change things so they make things up to try to trick us and scare us. Remember that Fear is one the most effective ways to keep people from thinking critically. But then we question what are they not wanting us to realize and why are they not wanting us to think critically?
http://www.counterpunch.org/huerta10302009.html
Unsafe Abortions in Developing Countries
Shelby Anderson
October 30, 2009
3:24 pm
In developing countries, many women do not have the chance to use a contraceptive. That is why the amount of unintended pregnancies and abortions is very high in these places. It has been found that the lowest rates of contraceptive use and the highest rates of unsafe abortions and unintended pregnancies can be found in the Sub-Saharan part of Africa. But many of these abortions are performed unsafely, resulting in death to many women. Sharon Camp of the Guttmacher Institute said, “In almost all developed countries, abortion is safe and legal, but in much of the developing world, abortion remains highly restricted, and unsafe abortion is common and continues to damage women's health and threaten their survival.” Statistics have shown that the amount of abortions taking place world wide has actually dropped recently, but forty percent of the women who get an abortion live in a developing country with strict abortion laws. These laws end up making the procedure a lot more dangerous to the women and could possibly result in death. It was estimated that 19.7 million of the 41.6 million abortions in 2003 were performed unsafely.
Nearly one half of the abortions performed around the world are unsafe. This is awful! I think there needs to be more focus on providing women with contraceptives, especially the women in developing countries. These women already lead a hard life and are not given the same chances women are in countries like the USA. If we focused on trying to prevent these pregnancies in the first place, women wouldn’t have to subject themselves to dangerous procedures that could possibly take their life.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33295584/ns/health-womens_health/
October 30, 2009
3:24 pm
In developing countries, many women do not have the chance to use a contraceptive. That is why the amount of unintended pregnancies and abortions is very high in these places. It has been found that the lowest rates of contraceptive use and the highest rates of unsafe abortions and unintended pregnancies can be found in the Sub-Saharan part of Africa. But many of these abortions are performed unsafely, resulting in death to many women. Sharon Camp of the Guttmacher Institute said, “In almost all developed countries, abortion is safe and legal, but in much of the developing world, abortion remains highly restricted, and unsafe abortion is common and continues to damage women's health and threaten their survival.” Statistics have shown that the amount of abortions taking place world wide has actually dropped recently, but forty percent of the women who get an abortion live in a developing country with strict abortion laws. These laws end up making the procedure a lot more dangerous to the women and could possibly result in death. It was estimated that 19.7 million of the 41.6 million abortions in 2003 were performed unsafely.
Nearly one half of the abortions performed around the world are unsafe. This is awful! I think there needs to be more focus on providing women with contraceptives, especially the women in developing countries. These women already lead a hard life and are not given the same chances women are in countries like the USA. If we focused on trying to prevent these pregnancies in the first place, women wouldn’t have to subject themselves to dangerous procedures that could possibly take their life.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33295584/ns/health-womens_health/
Guinea Killings were 'Organized Operation' Says HRW
Jarrod Rudd
October 30, 2009
A deadly shoot-out last month in Guinea is causing a huge stir because it is being described as an organized operation that was planned in advance by the country’s leadership. A ten day research mission interviewing victims and witnesses of last month’s military crackdown was just completed by a human rights watch group. Corinne Dufka is from the human rights advocacy group and she described the incident in which security forces opened fire at a stadium in Conakry, killing unarmed anti-government protesters. They walked straight into the stadium in which tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered there in quite a joyous atmosphere and directly opened fire on them, then after surrounding the stadium, blocked the entrances to make escape by the panicked individuals extremely difficult. More than 150 people were killed in the incident but the Guinea government put the death toll at 57, and said most of the deaths were a result of crushing by the crowd and stray bullets.
This is just absolutely crazy to me. Why would a government purposely open fire on its own citizens if they were in a stadium having a peaceful protest not really disturbing anyone? The structure of this government really needs to be examined because obviously somebody does not know how to do their jobs. I’m grateful that I live in the U.S. where that hasn’t happened yet but I really wouldn’t put it past anyone to do it. One official in the government can decide that’s what they want to do and if they have the money to do it, it will get done. This situation needs to be resolved and the truth needs to come out about what really happened.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-28-voa36.cfm
October 30, 2009
A deadly shoot-out last month in Guinea is causing a huge stir because it is being described as an organized operation that was planned in advance by the country’s leadership. A ten day research mission interviewing victims and witnesses of last month’s military crackdown was just completed by a human rights watch group. Corinne Dufka is from the human rights advocacy group and she described the incident in which security forces opened fire at a stadium in Conakry, killing unarmed anti-government protesters. They walked straight into the stadium in which tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered there in quite a joyous atmosphere and directly opened fire on them, then after surrounding the stadium, blocked the entrances to make escape by the panicked individuals extremely difficult. More than 150 people were killed in the incident but the Guinea government put the death toll at 57, and said most of the deaths were a result of crushing by the crowd and stray bullets.
This is just absolutely crazy to me. Why would a government purposely open fire on its own citizens if they were in a stadium having a peaceful protest not really disturbing anyone? The structure of this government really needs to be examined because obviously somebody does not know how to do their jobs. I’m grateful that I live in the U.S. where that hasn’t happened yet but I really wouldn’t put it past anyone to do it. One official in the government can decide that’s what they want to do and if they have the money to do it, it will get done. This situation needs to be resolved and the truth needs to come out about what really happened.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-10-28-voa36.cfm
Police search for lost parents of China's stolen children
Teenia Harmon
10-30-09
3:20
Chinese Police have a new website that is aimed at returning thousands of children who were abducted from their parents as a result of a recent crackdown on child trafficking in the country. More than 2000 missing children have been rescued since April. Of the 2000 children that have been rescued around 60 have still not been reunited with their families, and that is why the site was created. But they still have a long way to go- the 2000 recovered children is a small number compared to the reported 30,000 to 60,000 children reported missing every year. The children vary in ages, gender and reasons they were abducted. Many are boys who were taken because there is a huge market for them with China’s one child rule. They are often sold to families who cannot have a child or have had a daughter but want a son. Some of the boys were sold into illegal labor, working with dangerous brick kilns. The girls that were taken were sold as brides or sold into the labor force. Some of the girls were even sold so their parent could try again for a son. Some women were also found that had been sold for labor or prostitutes. The task of finding the children’s homes is difficult because they often “do not know where they come from, or the names of their parents, and in many cases the children have formed bonds with their new parents, further complicating the task of reuniting them with their families.”
This is such a heartbreaking story. I cannot believe that so many kinds taken from their families forcible and so little has been done about it in the past. The website is no doubt a good start but I wish there was more they could do to prevent such massive numbers of abductions. I also hate to hear what the children are being forced into sometimes; I do not understand how people can make children do such back breaking work. I also do not understand how people can buy a son when they know it had to come from somewhere, and that somewhere the people who love that child are crushed at their loss. And the fact that their children may not want to come back to them because they have bonded with their new families is so sad, I cannot imagine what those parents must go through, worrying about their child for years, hoping they will get them back, and then when they are found , the child does not even remember them. It is so unfathomably sad.
source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/police-search-for-lost-parents-of-chinas-stolen-children-1811731.html
10-30-09
3:20
Chinese Police have a new website that is aimed at returning thousands of children who were abducted from their parents as a result of a recent crackdown on child trafficking in the country. More than 2000 missing children have been rescued since April. Of the 2000 children that have been rescued around 60 have still not been reunited with their families, and that is why the site was created. But they still have a long way to go- the 2000 recovered children is a small number compared to the reported 30,000 to 60,000 children reported missing every year. The children vary in ages, gender and reasons they were abducted. Many are boys who were taken because there is a huge market for them with China’s one child rule. They are often sold to families who cannot have a child or have had a daughter but want a son. Some of the boys were sold into illegal labor, working with dangerous brick kilns. The girls that were taken were sold as brides or sold into the labor force. Some of the girls were even sold so their parent could try again for a son. Some women were also found that had been sold for labor or prostitutes. The task of finding the children’s homes is difficult because they often “do not know where they come from, or the names of their parents, and in many cases the children have formed bonds with their new parents, further complicating the task of reuniting them with their families.”
This is such a heartbreaking story. I cannot believe that so many kinds taken from their families forcible and so little has been done about it in the past. The website is no doubt a good start but I wish there was more they could do to prevent such massive numbers of abductions. I also hate to hear what the children are being forced into sometimes; I do not understand how people can make children do such back breaking work. I also do not understand how people can buy a son when they know it had to come from somewhere, and that somewhere the people who love that child are crushed at their loss. And the fact that their children may not want to come back to them because they have bonded with their new families is so sad, I cannot imagine what those parents must go through, worrying about their child for years, hoping they will get them back, and then when they are found , the child does not even remember them. It is so unfathomably sad.
source: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/police-search-for-lost-parents-of-chinas-stolen-children-1811731.html
Men in Biker Gang found guilty of 8 murders
GENNA SHERWOOD
Blog from: October 23th, 2009
from time: 1:05 pm
In Ontario this past week six guys from the biker gang "Bandidos" were found guilty of murdering eight men. This was the worst mass slaying in Ontario history. The leader, Wayne Kellestine, and his five other co-accused gang members were found guilty for four manslaughter convictions and on 44 counts of murder. The men who were murdered were found on April 8, 2006. Their eight bloodied bodies were found in a farmer’s field, in southwestern Ontario, stuffed into four vehicles. the jury began deliberations earlier this week. In the past six months they heard from over 70 witnesses.
Once again my reflection is based on how sick in the head people are. There needs to be more laws about gang violence everywhere in the world; or maybe at least some mental institutions on every block. I know to think that the worlds ways will ever change is out of the question and peace will never come between everyone, but seriously murder is the worst crime in the world. Its gross to think that there is someone getting killed everyday by someone with no heart or care in the world about the other persons family or life in general.
Blog from: October 23th, 2009
from time: 1:05 pm
In Ontario this past week six guys from the biker gang "Bandidos" were found guilty of murdering eight men. This was the worst mass slaying in Ontario history. The leader, Wayne Kellestine, and his five other co-accused gang members were found guilty for four manslaughter convictions and on 44 counts of murder. The men who were murdered were found on April 8, 2006. Their eight bloodied bodies were found in a farmer’s field, in southwestern Ontario, stuffed into four vehicles. the jury began deliberations earlier this week. In the past six months they heard from over 70 witnesses.
Once again my reflection is based on how sick in the head people are. There needs to be more laws about gang violence everywhere in the world; or maybe at least some mental institutions on every block. I know to think that the worlds ways will ever change is out of the question and peace will never come between everyone, but seriously murder is the worst crime in the world. Its gross to think that there is someone getting killed everyday by someone with no heart or care in the world about the other persons family or life in general.
Italian man gang-style murdered
GENNA SHERWOOD
10/30/09
3:02 p.m.
In Rome, a video surveillance camera showed a man killing another on the streets of Naples. Just this past week Italian prosecutors have released the video of the gang-style slaying hoping it may find the killer. The killer fired shots into the back of the man’s head while he was outside of a coffee shop smoking a cigarette. There was an unidentifiable man leaving the scene just before the killer, possibly a lookout. After the slaying the shooter, face uncovered, gets into the car and drives away; all of the passengers seemed unfazed. Mara Carfagna, a government minister, says this must be the work of the Camorra organized crime members.
I am really dead set on wanting to move to Italy but I’m not trying to have a bullet in the back of my head outside of a coffee shop. I mean I know that my chances are pretty slim of that; but damn people are messed up. There is no reason in the world that someone should ever commit an act of violence like that. There is no excuse.
10/30/09
3:02 p.m.
In Rome, a video surveillance camera showed a man killing another on the streets of Naples. Just this past week Italian prosecutors have released the video of the gang-style slaying hoping it may find the killer. The killer fired shots into the back of the man’s head while he was outside of a coffee shop smoking a cigarette. There was an unidentifiable man leaving the scene just before the killer, possibly a lookout. After the slaying the shooter, face uncovered, gets into the car and drives away; all of the passengers seemed unfazed. Mara Carfagna, a government minister, says this must be the work of the Camorra organized crime members.
I am really dead set on wanting to move to Italy but I’m not trying to have a bullet in the back of my head outside of a coffee shop. I mean I know that my chances are pretty slim of that; but damn people are messed up. There is no reason in the world that someone should ever commit an act of violence like that. There is no excuse.
Breaking a Conspiracy of Silence
Leah Forchheimer
10-30-09
2:36
This article is about a twenty eight year old women who was kid napped and has not been fond yet. Her name is Taraneh Mousavi and she is a beautician from Tehran. Taraneh Mousavi had been missing for two weeks now. The last place this young woman had been seen was when she attended a post election rally at the Ghoba mosque. Some leads of her whereabouts point to her being held captive by Basiji militiamen. One night, Taraneh Mousavi’s parents received a call from an anonymous. The caller told the parents that their daughter, Taraneh Mousavi, was being held in a local hospital because of “an accident” she had encountered. They continued to tell the parents that she was in the hospital with “tears in her womb and he anus.” Her parents went to the place where they thought their daughter was going to be as fast as they could. Yet, when they arrived, they did not see Taraneh or her body.
I think that because Taraneh Mousavi went to a post election rally at the Ghoba mosque, she was targeted as a women with a mind of her own. I believe people do not want women to be able to attend rallies, especially rallies that have to do with electing people for higher power. Men from Tehran think that women should not be out at rallies, but rather stay at home and cook them dinner. Yet, women are changing and becoming more independent every day, which can scare some men. In Taraneh Mousavi’s case, men were afraid that she had an opinion, but they felt they should keep it to herself instead of expressing them to others. Since she was at a post election rally, Taraneh was trying to express her ideas, yet because men do not approve it this, she is now unable to be found.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/29/ihalf-the-skyi-fighting-g_n_337166.html
Targeting Violence Aimed at Women in Conflicts
Lauren Auton, 10/30/09, 2:24 PM
This article talked about how there is going to now be a new agency under the United Nations that will focus on women's issues. Four agencies and offices already in place will be combined to make this the United Nations Development Fund for Women, or UNIFEM. The addition of this new agency comes at just the right time because of all the publicity that violence against women is getting right now. Nicole Kidman had gone before the House asking that they help with the issue by making it a priority. Hillary Clinton too has tried to help with this issue by promising money from the United States, seventeen million dollars, to help combat sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
I really was glad that I found this article, especially after watching the video "Rape in the Congo" in class a while back. Once you see how real the sexual violence really is and you are able to see how it really effects actual people, you cannot help but want something to be done about it. There was also mention of a woman in this article who was a victim herself. She had been attacked by rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, just as women from the video. They raped her in front of her sons, took her clothes, and then burned her house down. And the saddest part about her story is that she is now too embarrassed to even go back. But hopefully with all of the publicity that violence against women has been getting lately, there will be less stories like hers.
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2009-10-23-voa2.cfm
This article talked about how there is going to now be a new agency under the United Nations that will focus on women's issues. Four agencies and offices already in place will be combined to make this the United Nations Development Fund for Women, or UNIFEM. The addition of this new agency comes at just the right time because of all the publicity that violence against women is getting right now. Nicole Kidman had gone before the House asking that they help with the issue by making it a priority. Hillary Clinton too has tried to help with this issue by promising money from the United States, seventeen million dollars, to help combat sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
I really was glad that I found this article, especially after watching the video "Rape in the Congo" in class a while back. Once you see how real the sexual violence really is and you are able to see how it really effects actual people, you cannot help but want something to be done about it. There was also mention of a woman in this article who was a victim herself. She had been attacked by rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, just as women from the video. They raped her in front of her sons, took her clothes, and then burned her house down. And the saddest part about her story is that she is now too embarrassed to even go back. But hopefully with all of the publicity that violence against women has been getting lately, there will be less stories like hers.
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2009-10-23-voa2.cfm
China Executes Four Tibetans In Lhasa Over Spring 2008 Protest
Nicholas Salmons
10/30/09
1:19 pm
It has been confirmed by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) that 4 Tibetans were executed on October 20, 2009 for "alleged involvement in last year's mass protest in the Tibetan capital." No information regarding the executions has been reported in the Chinese state media. According to the article, only one man's body has been accounted for, as apparently it was returned to his family and then "immersed in Kyichu River." The TCHRD opposes the death penalty in all cases as it violates the "fundamental right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." The TCHRD also notes that the death penalty holds no special deterrent effect, and can by no means justify the wrongs committed by the accused, particularly when the justification offered by the state for the executions is that the men "have to be executed to assuage the people's anger."
I think this article made a good point that the death penalty inherently violates the notion that all people are granted the right to life. For some reason it made me think of abortion and all the conflicts therein. Then it made me think of how gorillas, when changing hands in alpha male status, kill off the old male's offspring. All of this stems from and leads me to the question "where then do human rights come from, and what then are they?" Somewhat unrelated, but when we talked in class about growing up in a combat zone, and how that would frame a child's mind to think wide-scale, real and daily violence was nothing less than commonplace; it made me wonder if because I have grown up in a country that uses wide-scale, virtual (and also real) and daily violence primarily to entertain itself, I might have the disfigured notion that violence isn't the norm.
http://www.tchrd.org/press/2009/pr20091022.html
UN panel faults Russia's support for human rights
Nicholas Neighbors
1:21 pm
10/30/09
A new UN Human Rights Committee report on Russia called for a series of sweeping legal reforms, stating that the country is still struggling to guarantee basic rights such as a fair trail, freedom of speech, and freedom of press. "It is marginalizing the human rights movement," Lev Ponomaryov, director of the group for Human Rights, said. The report as states that Russia still fails to protect journalist, activist, prison inmates, and others from a wide range of abuses, including torture and murder. The panel cited reports of torture, forced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, and extrajudicial killing, allegedly committed by the military and security services. A reporter, Natayla Estemirova, was kidnapped in front of her apartment building by four men, and her body was later found with in a field. She was the 18th journalist murdered in Russia. The panel was also concerned about violence against gay, lesbian, and bisexuals, which was decriminalized in the 1990's in Russia, but many Russians are opposed to the expansion of gay rights.
Russia does not seem to be support their human rights and it seems there is a lot of crime in Russia, even more so towards those with opinions who speak out against something. The fact that they do not have freedoms that we do in America is upsetting because I couldn't imagine not having those same rights. If I were to ever speak out against something and got killed for it, I am sure someone would take notice, but for these people, it doesn't seem like much is happening to protect them. It said in the article that police were even attacking civilians who protested or marched and it doesn't seem right. The police are there to uphold the law but a small protest or freedom of speech would not give me any feelings of hostile to hurt someone else. The gay rights hate just shows that it will take some time for people to get used to the idea of change.
http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=11413102
1:21 pm
10/30/09
A new UN Human Rights Committee report on Russia called for a series of sweeping legal reforms, stating that the country is still struggling to guarantee basic rights such as a fair trail, freedom of speech, and freedom of press. "It is marginalizing the human rights movement," Lev Ponomaryov, director of the group for Human Rights, said. The report as states that Russia still fails to protect journalist, activist, prison inmates, and others from a wide range of abuses, including torture and murder. The panel cited reports of torture, forced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, and extrajudicial killing, allegedly committed by the military and security services. A reporter, Natayla Estemirova, was kidnapped in front of her apartment building by four men, and her body was later found with in a field. She was the 18th journalist murdered in Russia. The panel was also concerned about violence against gay, lesbian, and bisexuals, which was decriminalized in the 1990's in Russia, but many Russians are opposed to the expansion of gay rights.
Russia does not seem to be support their human rights and it seems there is a lot of crime in Russia, even more so towards those with opinions who speak out against something. The fact that they do not have freedoms that we do in America is upsetting because I couldn't imagine not having those same rights. If I were to ever speak out against something and got killed for it, I am sure someone would take notice, but for these people, it doesn't seem like much is happening to protect them. It said in the article that police were even attacking civilians who protested or marched and it doesn't seem right. The police are there to uphold the law but a small protest or freedom of speech would not give me any feelings of hostile to hurt someone else. The gay rights hate just shows that it will take some time for people to get used to the idea of change.
http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=11413102
Is one shot enough?
The World Health Organization (WHO) believes strongly that the vaccination for the H1N1 virus proves enough for only one shot for everyone older than the age of 10. One dose of vaccine is sufficient to provoke a strong immune response against the swine flu virus according to Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny, The sole exception to the new recommendation is young children, who should continue to receive two doses, and the reason why is because of the immune system of the young kids. Another thing that is great to learn is that it was safe to vaccinate against both seasonal and swine flu simultaneously, as long as at least one of the vaccines is the injectable form.
I think that this is good. H1N1 is a big scare to everywhere around the world, and now that a vaccination has been discovered is a big step. For the adults one dose does the trick and kids have to do two. The fact that you can have seasonal flu shots and the swine flu shots is great news as well. You don't have to limit yourself to one or the other.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/10/who-swine-flu-shot-vaccine-children-kids.html
I think that this is good. H1N1 is a big scare to everywhere around the world, and now that a vaccination has been discovered is a big step. For the adults one dose does the trick and kids have to do two. The fact that you can have seasonal flu shots and the swine flu shots is great news as well. You don't have to limit yourself to one or the other.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/10/who-swine-flu-shot-vaccine-children-kids.html
Suicide Tourism
Ayanna Haskell
October 30, 2009
1:00 pm
Switzerland is coming up with a law that will limit or ban the practice of assisted suicide to the terminally ill. It has been called “suicide tourism”. People travel to Switzerland from their homes to have help in committing suicide. Those suffering from chronic disease or a mental illness will no longer be able to have someone assist them in committing suicide. The Federal Council opposes. They believe if it is in the interest of the patient then assisted suicide is okay. But the Council also says that the increased assisted suicides are pushing the boundaries of the law and now the government needs to step in and give further instruction has to how the rules and guidelines should work. A man age 23 ended his life because he was paralyzed from the neck down after an accident. He had a chronic illness, but not something he would die from. There will be two proposals: one being the the person committing suicide is doing it for themselves and the person helping them is not doing it for personal gain; two being the person must be suffering from a terminal illness not chronic or mental. Without these two proposals, one can not commit assisted suicide or else you will be prosecuted.
Assisted suicide is usually done my doctors, usually not in current practice. They provide those who want to commit suicide with drugs to stop the heart but make it easy and painless. I saw a case like this on Law and Order. The nurse who helped her former patient commit suicide was prosecuted and found guilty of manslaughter. They said she had something to gain from the death. I believe if someone is truly terminally ill, then let the disease or illness take its course and look like a champion for going through it. Suicide to me is an easy way out, there are other ways to solve problems.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/29/assisted.suicide.switzerland/index.html
October 30, 2009
1:00 pm
Switzerland is coming up with a law that will limit or ban the practice of assisted suicide to the terminally ill. It has been called “suicide tourism”. People travel to Switzerland from their homes to have help in committing suicide. Those suffering from chronic disease or a mental illness will no longer be able to have someone assist them in committing suicide. The Federal Council opposes. They believe if it is in the interest of the patient then assisted suicide is okay. But the Council also says that the increased assisted suicides are pushing the boundaries of the law and now the government needs to step in and give further instruction has to how the rules and guidelines should work. A man age 23 ended his life because he was paralyzed from the neck down after an accident. He had a chronic illness, but not something he would die from. There will be two proposals: one being the the person committing suicide is doing it for themselves and the person helping them is not doing it for personal gain; two being the person must be suffering from a terminal illness not chronic or mental. Without these two proposals, one can not commit assisted suicide or else you will be prosecuted.
Assisted suicide is usually done my doctors, usually not in current practice. They provide those who want to commit suicide with drugs to stop the heart but make it easy and painless. I saw a case like this on Law and Order. The nurse who helped her former patient commit suicide was prosecuted and found guilty of manslaughter. They said she had something to gain from the death. I believe if someone is truly terminally ill, then let the disease or illness take its course and look like a champion for going through it. Suicide to me is an easy way out, there are other ways to solve problems.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/10/29/assisted.suicide.switzerland/index.html
Oil Is Not Always Good.
Matthew kenney
10/30/09
12:40 pm
Apparently, Iran is in the top 10 of a list of countries that have caused the most environmental destruction in the world. Increasing population and the advancement of technology has been the main factors in this environmental problem. If the Iranians don’t devise a alternative plan that keeps the environment in mind, there will be no more trees left in the country in 100 years if they keep up their normal course. This would be a huge problem for the next generation if not regulated and somewhat out under control. Iran has to take into consideration the 30000 vessels that provide 60 percent of the oil to the world. They also have to look at pond and water management. This environmental concert first arose when an oil company cut down 4000 trees to make way for a pipeline. Their compensation for these atrocities to the trees, 700000 dollars.
What do I think about this article? I am not surprised that Iran is one of the biggest polluters of the world. What with all their oil and people, it should come as no surprise. Then, the Iranian government was bought out for seven hundred thousand dollars from a super right oil company to cut down basically most of what’s left of trees in this country. There will have to be some very passionate and strong government people to start to control what is going on in this very time. In a society that is so centered on oil, government regulation of environmental concerns will have to walk a thin line if even present.
http://www.haber27.com/news_detail.php?id=43534
10/30/09
12:40 pm
Apparently, Iran is in the top 10 of a list of countries that have caused the most environmental destruction in the world. Increasing population and the advancement of technology has been the main factors in this environmental problem. If the Iranians don’t devise a alternative plan that keeps the environment in mind, there will be no more trees left in the country in 100 years if they keep up their normal course. This would be a huge problem for the next generation if not regulated and somewhat out under control. Iran has to take into consideration the 30000 vessels that provide 60 percent of the oil to the world. They also have to look at pond and water management. This environmental concert first arose when an oil company cut down 4000 trees to make way for a pipeline. Their compensation for these atrocities to the trees, 700000 dollars.
What do I think about this article? I am not surprised that Iran is one of the biggest polluters of the world. What with all their oil and people, it should come as no surprise. Then, the Iranian government was bought out for seven hundred thousand dollars from a super right oil company to cut down basically most of what’s left of trees in this country. There will have to be some very passionate and strong government people to start to control what is going on in this very time. In a society that is so centered on oil, government regulation of environmental concerns will have to walk a thin line if even present.
http://www.haber27.com/news_detail.php?id=43534
Veggies in Pregnancy Lowers Child's Diabetes Risk
Chelsea Parris
Oct 30 2009
1:06pm
This article discusses how children born to mothers who ate plenty of vegetables during pregnancy are less likely to have type 1 diabetes. It was the first study to show a link between vegetable intake during pregnancy and the risk of the child subsequently developing type 1 diabetes. However more studies of various kinds will be needed before they can say anything definitive. Researchers studied 6,000 5-year-olds and found that 3 percent either had fully developed type 1 diabetes or had elevated levels of antibodies that indicate a risk of developing the disease. The risk was twice as high in children whose mothers rarely ate vegetables during pregnancy, and lowest among children whose mothers ate vegetables every day of their pregnancy. It's not known what actually causes type 1 diabetes; factors believed to play a role include immunological mechanisms, environmental toxins and genetic variations.
Even though researchers aren't entirely sure that vegetables themselves have this protective effect, but other factors related to vegetable intake, it still good to be aware of this information. Vegetable intake no matter what is a positive thing, so there isn't harm in eating more when pregnant. I feel as though all pregnant women should try to increase their vegetable intake because there are chances of preventing diabetes. I just wonder how they came to the conclusion that vegetable intake could specially prevent diabetes type 1. Does it only prevent diabetes type 1 or could it prevent something else. It is clear that this research is in its early stages.
http://www.fairness.com/search/?s=Veggies+in+Pregnancy&a=t&geo=1042&cat=0
Oct 30 2009
1:06pm
This article discusses how children born to mothers who ate plenty of vegetables during pregnancy are less likely to have type 1 diabetes. It was the first study to show a link between vegetable intake during pregnancy and the risk of the child subsequently developing type 1 diabetes. However more studies of various kinds will be needed before they can say anything definitive. Researchers studied 6,000 5-year-olds and found that 3 percent either had fully developed type 1 diabetes or had elevated levels of antibodies that indicate a risk of developing the disease. The risk was twice as high in children whose mothers rarely ate vegetables during pregnancy, and lowest among children whose mothers ate vegetables every day of their pregnancy. It's not known what actually causes type 1 diabetes; factors believed to play a role include immunological mechanisms, environmental toxins and genetic variations.
Even though researchers aren't entirely sure that vegetables themselves have this protective effect, but other factors related to vegetable intake, it still good to be aware of this information. Vegetable intake no matter what is a positive thing, so there isn't harm in eating more when pregnant. I feel as though all pregnant women should try to increase their vegetable intake because there are chances of preventing diabetes. I just wonder how they came to the conclusion that vegetable intake could specially prevent diabetes type 1. Does it only prevent diabetes type 1 or could it prevent something else. It is clear that this research is in its early stages.
http://www.fairness.com/search/?s=Veggies+in+Pregnancy&a=t&geo=1042&cat=0
Iraq: Swine flu panic shuts down 2,000 schools
Ana Cole
Blog #9
10/30/2009
11:28am
Summary
In Iraq, there have been four causes that were diagnosed as H1N1 influenza last week which was among school students in southern province of Kut. Then this number increased to 25 cases. This made officials to quarantine and shut down the school where the cases were detected. There were also other cases in which six schools in Baghdad were closed because of the Swine flu. Also in the southern provinces of Thi Qar and Kut, local officials have closed nearly 2,500 schools and kindergartens in order to prevent the disease from spreading. If a teacher and two to three students have the disease then schools should be closed for a week. The total number of confined cases of H1N1 in Iraq is 523 according to the Health Ministry. Out of the 523, 113 are Iraqis and the rest are foreigners, which include members of the U.S. forces. There have only been three deaths related to the disease so far.
Reaction
I did not realize that the Swine flu would be something to worry about. It makes me realize that it could happen to me or someone in my family. I also did not realize that people in Iraq were becoming infected with this dangerous disease. It scares me to know that schools are being closed for the infection of H1N1. This could happen here in the United States. I am glad to see that the Health Ministry in Iraq is closing schools in order to prevent the spread of the Swine flu. I hope that did not spread anymore and that the people infected with it would be able to recover fast from the disease.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86693
Blog #9
10/30/2009
11:28am
Summary
In Iraq, there have been four causes that were diagnosed as H1N1 influenza last week which was among school students in southern province of Kut. Then this number increased to 25 cases. This made officials to quarantine and shut down the school where the cases were detected. There were also other cases in which six schools in Baghdad were closed because of the Swine flu. Also in the southern provinces of Thi Qar and Kut, local officials have closed nearly 2,500 schools and kindergartens in order to prevent the disease from spreading. If a teacher and two to three students have the disease then schools should be closed for a week. The total number of confined cases of H1N1 in Iraq is 523 according to the Health Ministry. Out of the 523, 113 are Iraqis and the rest are foreigners, which include members of the U.S. forces. There have only been three deaths related to the disease so far.
Reaction
I did not realize that the Swine flu would be something to worry about. It makes me realize that it could happen to me or someone in my family. I also did not realize that people in Iraq were becoming infected with this dangerous disease. It scares me to know that schools are being closed for the infection of H1N1. This could happen here in the United States. I am glad to see that the Health Ministry in Iraq is closing schools in order to prevent the spread of the Swine flu. I hope that did not spread anymore and that the people infected with it would be able to recover fast from the disease.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86693
Policy Makers Lobby For More Health Funding
Abigail Lucas
10/30/09
11:11
The population growth in Africa has outpaced the rate that both governments are investing in new health care facilities. Because of this Africa’s health policy makers hope to use the global conference on health promotion to get governments to increase funding in efforts to provide adequate healthcare to poor citizens. The goal of this health conference is to seek innovative ways for the rich and poor countries to work together to bridge the gaps in implementation of global campaigns aimed at providing quality healthcare to all. The Medical services minister, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and public health minister Beth Mungo are asking that the government increase the budgetary allocation to the health sector in the next fiscal year. This would be one way of providing quality health care for a larger majority of the population who are unable to afford health services. A recent WHO study identified Kenya as one of the countries with the lowest budgetary allocations on health. Government statistics indicate that Kenya has managed to reduce the under-five mortality rate by forty percent in the last five years. However this has been achieved more because of the increase in immunization coverage and the use of unsecticide treated bed nets to control malaria rather than increased investment in health institutions. President Kibaki says that funding health sector in Africa was constrained by challenges such as poverty, housing, food security, and providing affordable education.
While poverty does play a part in what the government is able to do with its budget I think that it is kind of interesting that housing, food security, and affordable education seem to be placed at a higher priority than health. It seems like housing, food security, and health should be more equal, and maybe even above affordable education. While education is extremely important what good is the affordable education going to do if you do not adequate health care so that you are well enough to attend school to get that education.
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/-/539550/677696/-/item/1/-/159urnaz/-/index.html
10/30/09
11:11
The population growth in Africa has outpaced the rate that both governments are investing in new health care facilities. Because of this Africa’s health policy makers hope to use the global conference on health promotion to get governments to increase funding in efforts to provide adequate healthcare to poor citizens. The goal of this health conference is to seek innovative ways for the rich and poor countries to work together to bridge the gaps in implementation of global campaigns aimed at providing quality healthcare to all. The Medical services minister, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and public health minister Beth Mungo are asking that the government increase the budgetary allocation to the health sector in the next fiscal year. This would be one way of providing quality health care for a larger majority of the population who are unable to afford health services. A recent WHO study identified Kenya as one of the countries with the lowest budgetary allocations on health. Government statistics indicate that Kenya has managed to reduce the under-five mortality rate by forty percent in the last five years. However this has been achieved more because of the increase in immunization coverage and the use of unsecticide treated bed nets to control malaria rather than increased investment in health institutions. President Kibaki says that funding health sector in Africa was constrained by challenges such as poverty, housing, food security, and providing affordable education.
While poverty does play a part in what the government is able to do with its budget I think that it is kind of interesting that housing, food security, and affordable education seem to be placed at a higher priority than health. It seems like housing, food security, and health should be more equal, and maybe even above affordable education. While education is extremely important what good is the affordable education going to do if you do not adequate health care so that you are well enough to attend school to get that education.
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Company%20Industry/-/539550/677696/-/item/1/-/159urnaz/-/index.html
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Nazi hit man goes on trial for 3 murders
Caitlin Adams
10/29/09
11:20 pm
Nazi hit man goes on trial for 3 murders.
This article is about a former member of Hitler’s obsessive Warren SS who went on trial this week on three counts of murder for the war time hit-style killings of three Netherland citizens in 1944. Boere escaped from the Netherlands before being brought to trial and ever since has managed to avoid prosecution. Teun de Groot, the son of one the victims, was present at the trial. Protestors were outside the courthouse saying Boere should not receive any peace. “Don’t forget, and don’t forgive.” He is facing the rest of his life in prison. Boere’s attorneys are not giving any statements on their strategy and this trial is going to take place over the span of 13 days, longer if needed.
It is so crazy to me that this crime took place in 1944 and is just not going to court. This man is 88 years old and to be honest, facing the rest of his life in prison does not seem like a fit punishment. What he did was wrong. Boere has been living in the past and has refused to let go of his hatred towards Jews. This event as stirred up emotions in the community but it seems like it’s a little too. Something could have been done to stop the hate crimes and lives could have been saved.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33504533/ns/world_news-europe/
10/29/09
11:20 pm
Nazi hit man goes on trial for 3 murders.
This article is about a former member of Hitler’s obsessive Warren SS who went on trial this week on three counts of murder for the war time hit-style killings of three Netherland citizens in 1944. Boere escaped from the Netherlands before being brought to trial and ever since has managed to avoid prosecution. Teun de Groot, the son of one the victims, was present at the trial. Protestors were outside the courthouse saying Boere should not receive any peace. “Don’t forget, and don’t forgive.” He is facing the rest of his life in prison. Boere’s attorneys are not giving any statements on their strategy and this trial is going to take place over the span of 13 days, longer if needed.
It is so crazy to me that this crime took place in 1944 and is just not going to court. This man is 88 years old and to be honest, facing the rest of his life in prison does not seem like a fit punishment. What he did was wrong. Boere has been living in the past and has refused to let go of his hatred towards Jews. This event as stirred up emotions in the community but it seems like it’s a little too. Something could have been done to stop the hate crimes and lives could have been saved.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33504533/ns/world_news-europe/
Mexicans turn to the lynch mob as crime spirals out of control
Brittany McGregor
10/29/09 8:54PM
Imagined being taking to a dark abandoned house, having your head shaved, being beat with fists and rifle butts and being threatened at gunpoint, all while being recording. This was the case with five boys in Mexico City, who are accused of robbing a house. The video was placed on YouTube but was abruptly removed. The five boys, who are all high school students, were forced to perform sex acts and kiss each other while on camera, so that they would face humiliation. The boys were held for an entire night and the next day they were dropped off in the middle street, then transported to the hospital for severe injuries including broken ribs. Many were outraged by the video, so the police arrested four building workers for the torture of the boys. One of the boys said that they were first arrested by the police then turned over to the torturers.
This is a sad and disturbing story. Did the five boys really deserve the humiliation and torture they faced just for breaking into someone’s house? They did not have the right to break into that man house but they did not deserve the right to receive that type of torture. Is your personal property worth the torture of someone else? I do not believe so. What the boys did was wrong but they did not deserve the amount of torture they received.
http://www.minnpost.com/globalpost/2009/10/29/12960/mexicans_turn_to_the_lynch_mob_as_crime_spirals_out_of_control
10/29/09 8:54PM
Imagined being taking to a dark abandoned house, having your head shaved, being beat with fists and rifle butts and being threatened at gunpoint, all while being recording. This was the case with five boys in Mexico City, who are accused of robbing a house. The video was placed on YouTube but was abruptly removed. The five boys, who are all high school students, were forced to perform sex acts and kiss each other while on camera, so that they would face humiliation. The boys were held for an entire night and the next day they were dropped off in the middle street, then transported to the hospital for severe injuries including broken ribs. Many were outraged by the video, so the police arrested four building workers for the torture of the boys. One of the boys said that they were first arrested by the police then turned over to the torturers.
This is a sad and disturbing story. Did the five boys really deserve the humiliation and torture they faced just for breaking into someone’s house? They did not have the right to break into that man house but they did not deserve the right to receive that type of torture. Is your personal property worth the torture of someone else? I do not believe so. What the boys did was wrong but they did not deserve the amount of torture they received.
http://www.minnpost.com/globalpost/2009/10/29/12960/mexicans_turn_to_the_lynch_mob_as_crime_spirals_out_of_control
Official warns against heavy metal pollution
Charity Davenport
10/29/09
5:57pm
According to an article from China Daily, Environmental protection officials have urged local governments to ward off heavy-metal pollution. This is in an attempt to ensure the safety of drinking water. One-fifth of China’s drinking water sources did not reach the national standards. This resulted in 90 million people without access to clean water. Tap water comes from centralized water sources, such as rivers and lakes. However, this is not the first time that China has had problems with pollution. There has been an increasing number of heavy-metal pollution incidents—including several lead poisoning cases. Furthermore, local governments are still putting more emphasis on growing economically rather than focusing on the well-being of the environment and people.
Through my research, I have noticed that China has been the talk of plenty of pollution incidents. It’s really sad that this country has to endure such an unhealthy environment. I was amazed that so many people (90 million), were being left without clean drinking water. However, the part that disgusted me the most was the fact that the local government would rather focus on getting more money rather than caring about the health of their people and their environment. I think it’s terrible that they would be willing to put the health of their people on the back burner just to earn a little more cash. I really hope that the Environmental Protection will be able to step in and help take care of the problem, before it becomes too much to handle.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/90872/6796544.html
10/29/09
5:57pm
According to an article from China Daily, Environmental protection officials have urged local governments to ward off heavy-metal pollution. This is in an attempt to ensure the safety of drinking water. One-fifth of China’s drinking water sources did not reach the national standards. This resulted in 90 million people without access to clean water. Tap water comes from centralized water sources, such as rivers and lakes. However, this is not the first time that China has had problems with pollution. There has been an increasing number of heavy-metal pollution incidents—including several lead poisoning cases. Furthermore, local governments are still putting more emphasis on growing economically rather than focusing on the well-being of the environment and people.
Through my research, I have noticed that China has been the talk of plenty of pollution incidents. It’s really sad that this country has to endure such an unhealthy environment. I was amazed that so many people (90 million), were being left without clean drinking water. However, the part that disgusted me the most was the fact that the local government would rather focus on getting more money rather than caring about the health of their people and their environment. I think it’s terrible that they would be willing to put the health of their people on the back burner just to earn a little more cash. I really hope that the Environmental Protection will be able to step in and help take care of the problem, before it becomes too much to handle.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/90872/6796544.html
UK Plans Zimbabwe Asylum Removal
Kelley Carter
5:19 p.m.
29 October 2009
The United Kingdoms Home Office recently announced that within the year it will begin moving Zimbabwean refugees back into the country. This is against the wished of many people that claim it is nowhere near safe enough for them to return to Zimbabwe. Nearly 28,000 Zimbabweans have sought asylum in the last decade and most are still living across the border from their mother country. They plan to return the refugees after a power sharing government between two opposition parties takes power. While there have been improvements in the amount of violence, the UK perhaps understates what is left. Refugees will be forcibly removed when the time comes. However, for those willing the UK plans to offer 2,000 Euros and up to 4,000 more for education or to start a small business. Many spokespeople claim there is too much violence to even consider reinstalling people in the region.
I think it is impossible to know whether the situation in Zimbabwe is reasonable for a family to live in without actually being able to try it yourself. I think that offering monetary reward is a good way to help the people of the region, and that small business and education incentives are important. However, I suspect that if you have to force someone to leave the squalor of refugee camps to return to their home, then there must be something seriously wrong with their home. The fact that the refugees don’t feel safe to return home yet seems to be the best indicator that the region is highly unstable and unsafe for families.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8331731.stm
Dieting 'keeps diabetes at bay'
Alexa Williams
10/29/09
2:54PM
Research has found that a healthy diet and exercise can keep diabetes for showing up for at least a full extra decade. The researched was conducted by following three thousand over-weight diabetics and treating them with either metformin or a placebo and having a certain number of them stick to a strictly regimented diet and exercise program. They found that the people dieting and exercising benefited the most from their treatment. Given a diet aimed at getting 7 percent weight lose and exercising half an hour five times a week, reduced the chances of developing Type II Diabetes by 58 percent.
This is not very shocking to me given that diabetes runs in my dad’s side of the family. The people that do not exercise or eat well and are significantly overweight are the ones who have the worst cases of diabetes. It is amazing the kind of health risks you can eliminate simply by eating right and staying physically fit and active for at least half a hour three to five times a week. Even people I know that already have Type II Diabetes will use their insulin shots as an excuse to eat deserts and unhealthy carbohydrates during a meal. This is absurd given this type of research proving that lifestyle to be directly correlated with an increased risk of Type II Diabetes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8330077.stm
10/29/09
2:54PM
Research has found that a healthy diet and exercise can keep diabetes for showing up for at least a full extra decade. The researched was conducted by following three thousand over-weight diabetics and treating them with either metformin or a placebo and having a certain number of them stick to a strictly regimented diet and exercise program. They found that the people dieting and exercising benefited the most from their treatment. Given a diet aimed at getting 7 percent weight lose and exercising half an hour five times a week, reduced the chances of developing Type II Diabetes by 58 percent.
This is not very shocking to me given that diabetes runs in my dad’s side of the family. The people that do not exercise or eat well and are significantly overweight are the ones who have the worst cases of diabetes. It is amazing the kind of health risks you can eliminate simply by eating right and staying physically fit and active for at least half a hour three to five times a week. Even people I know that already have Type II Diabetes will use their insulin shots as an excuse to eat deserts and unhealthy carbohydrates during a meal. This is absurd given this type of research proving that lifestyle to be directly correlated with an increased risk of Type II Diabetes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8330077.stm
Tight pants a no-no for women in Indonesia's Aceh
Addie Davis
Oct. 29, 2009
SOC 202
2:22 pm
An Islamic district of Indonesia’s Aceh province has proposed a strict dress code to take effect on January 1, 2010. Muslim women will be banned from wearing tight pants in effort to promote strict moral values in the world’s most populous Muslim-practicing nation. Shorts are also prohibited for men and violators of the dress code will be asked to wear government-issued full-length skirts or loose pants. Islamic law also bans drinking alcohol, gambling and kissing in public, among other activities. Stoning remains a punishment in fifty-two Muslim-majority countries worldwide including Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Somalia and parts of Nigeria. These punishments are cruel, morally unacceptable, and human rights groups should ban together in order to help underrepresented nations.
It amazes me that religion can have a dress code. Why must your daily practices and lifestyle be dictated by your faith? How is it lawful to stone adulterers to death and why are homosexuals punished because of their sexual orientation? The majority of Indonesians oppose the restrictions on dress and behavior, making it wrong for the conservative government to pass these strict laws. I believe that these laws violate international human rights and that steps should be taken to help the Muslims of Indonesia retrieve their freedom.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gK0RWvMC1ek7iPcGie964cGJYJdwD9BJU2KO0
http://blog.taragana.com/n/new-law-in-indonesias-aceh-province-makes-adultery-punishable-by-stoning-to-death-167894/
Prepare for the worst in Guinea
Zeina Mvemba
1:12 PM
10/29/09
After the death of Guinea’s President Lansana Conté, many attacks and terror on the people of Guinea have followed. Although initial thought after the death of Conté was that the people of Guinea’s life would become easier, many people have suffered a different outcome. Starting with an attack on a peace rally that killed at least 150 people, many people who support an official named Camara have turned to violence. However, the people of Guinea are starting to believe the reason for violence is because of ethnic divisions. Most of the people who were attacked at the peace rally were of the ethnicity group Puehl, most of which who are Muslim. Camara and his supporter’s including the military junta practice Christianity. One victim quotes her attacker in saying, “were going to finish all the Puehl”.
The scare of ethnic conflict is the potential of how brutal ethnic conflicts can become. Many countries in Africa have history of genocide’s based on ethnicity. The people of Guinea are already suffering by gang rapes and killings, which is the worst outcome possible. Also, the scare following the conflicts in Guinea is that the violence will transfer over to neighboring countries such as Sierra Leone and Liberia. I can’t help but to be saddened by the events in Guinea. Especially after the people thought they would be liberated because of the death of Conté, when actually the violence increased. The irony of the situation although it is not a light matter is that the people were attacked at a peace rally of all places. It is astonishing that solely because of a different opinion/ethnicity people are attacked.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/28/attack-protesters-guinea-ethnic-conflict
5 U.N. staffers killed in Kabul
Joy Weems 10,29,09 11:30am
It seems the Taliban have a real interest in preventing the upcoming elections from taking place. They seem to stop at nothing to distract the attention from the upcoming elections. 5 people were killed in Kabul when gunmen disguised as police officers entered a guesthouse. There was a battle between the gunmen and U.N. security forces, and Afghan police. The Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said three brave holy warriors carried out the attack. He claims there will be many more to come, which seems that they will stop at nothing to prevent the elections. During the first round of voting some of the polling places had rockets launched at it, and the voting was disrupted. Some people even had their fingers cut off after leaving the polls. In some areas in Afghanistan it is too dangerous for voting to even take place so the polls will not open in those areas. Some officials say that the second set of voting will have much more security and the attempts will not succeed like the first time. It seems that security measures need to peak at a all time high to avoid any more innocent lives from being lost.
The Taliban seem to stop at nothing to succeed in their mission of ruining the elections. These people care nothing about human lives or any other causalities as they strike prominent areas that are heavily populated. Fortunately enough that only 5 lives were lost on this attack instead of more. Although any life lost recklessly is unfortunate. These upcoming elections will prove to be historic in many different ways. Hopefully the security will try to be one step ahead of the Taliban who seem to already have their dooms day plan into affect. The people of this country are suffering in more ways than one. Hopefully things will get better instead of worse.
It seems the Taliban have a real interest in preventing the upcoming elections from taking place. They seem to stop at nothing to distract the attention from the upcoming elections. 5 people were killed in Kabul when gunmen disguised as police officers entered a guesthouse. There was a battle between the gunmen and U.N. security forces, and Afghan police. The Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said three brave holy warriors carried out the attack. He claims there will be many more to come, which seems that they will stop at nothing to prevent the elections. During the first round of voting some of the polling places had rockets launched at it, and the voting was disrupted. Some people even had their fingers cut off after leaving the polls. In some areas in Afghanistan it is too dangerous for voting to even take place so the polls will not open in those areas. Some officials say that the second set of voting will have much more security and the attempts will not succeed like the first time. It seems that security measures need to peak at a all time high to avoid any more innocent lives from being lost.
The Taliban seem to stop at nothing to succeed in their mission of ruining the elections. These people care nothing about human lives or any other causalities as they strike prominent areas that are heavily populated. Fortunately enough that only 5 lives were lost on this attack instead of more. Although any life lost recklessly is unfortunate. These upcoming elections will prove to be historic in many different ways. Hopefully the security will try to be one step ahead of the Taliban who seem to already have their dooms day plan into affect. The people of this country are suffering in more ways than one. Hopefully things will get better instead of worse.
Trucking in the Future
A recent article has come out that is about how trucking will be very different in the near future. Not only will trucking change but the actual truck itself will too, as we have seen happening lately. The biggest issue trying to be solved by changing the truck is eliminating the exhaustion produced by this heavy machine. Scientists and engineers hope that by changing the way the truck is designed will help reduce or eliminate the exhaustion that is now produced by the truck.
Also, some CEO's and economists are worried that the reasons for all of the changes happening to these trucks is because the industry is about to change because of globalization. They are scared that because of new technology, the trucking industry will not be needed or depended on to much longer unless something is done to try to change them. Globalization is the biggest challenge and worry for the industry. New developments of all types of machines are being made everyday to "improve" the product. They hope that by changing the truck will improve its standing, as far as globalization goes, and continue to be as important as the industry is today.
Sustainability and technology are also big factors in this problem. The new standards for the enviroment and fuel efficiency is thought to be some of the biggest issues that will force the industry to change. Technology will be brought into the scene when it comes to, not only the trcuks, but the roads, and signs also. It is thought that by changing all of these issues that trucks will be greater help and more capable and strong in the near future.
I think that this article sheds light on how much our world is changing as we know it. With new technologies and ways of life, we will soon be lost when we walk outside. I do think that it is very important for people an machines to change with time and that these improvements will be beneficial to everyone involved.
Kaycey Cook
11:11 am
10-29-09
http://blog.fleetowner.com/trucks_at_work/2009/10/29/trucking-in-the-future/
Also, some CEO's and economists are worried that the reasons for all of the changes happening to these trucks is because the industry is about to change because of globalization. They are scared that because of new technology, the trucking industry will not be needed or depended on to much longer unless something is done to try to change them. Globalization is the biggest challenge and worry for the industry. New developments of all types of machines are being made everyday to "improve" the product. They hope that by changing the truck will improve its standing, as far as globalization goes, and continue to be as important as the industry is today.
Sustainability and technology are also big factors in this problem. The new standards for the enviroment and fuel efficiency is thought to be some of the biggest issues that will force the industry to change. Technology will be brought into the scene when it comes to, not only the trcuks, but the roads, and signs also. It is thought that by changing all of these issues that trucks will be greater help and more capable and strong in the near future.
I think that this article sheds light on how much our world is changing as we know it. With new technologies and ways of life, we will soon be lost when we walk outside. I do think that it is very important for people an machines to change with time and that these improvements will be beneficial to everyone involved.
Kaycey Cook
11:11 am
10-29-09
http://blog.fleetowner.com/trucks_at_work/2009/10/29/trucking-in-the-future/
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
China rescues kidnapped children
Jasmine Anderson
10/28/2009
8:30pm
Hundreds or even thousands of children living in China go missing each year. But so far there have been 2,008 children from across China rescued. To increase this number, the Ministry of Public Security has set up a website with the pictures of these missing children; but this website only has pictures of 60 children. Some of these children have been kidnapped years ago. These children are kidnapped by gangs and sold to childless couples. Recently there have been some arrests; 42 suspects were picked up last week for allegedly selling 52 children in the north of China. Since boys are prized in China they sell for about $6,000 where girls are only sold for about $500. The targets of these kidnappings are children of migrants or poor farmers. Human trafficking is an increasing problem in China because of the increased wealth and freedom; making this trafficking more profitable and easier. Some families buy women or children for extra labor or household servants. Beijing has promised to do more about these kidnappings; a national DNA database was set up last year to help trace missing children.
I picked this article because we were just talking about this in class. I think it’s good that some of these children are being rescued, it’s a shame that it happened to them in the first place. These kidnappers are giving the children to childless families…ummm, there are thousands (maybe more) of parentless children out there wanting to be adopted. You can go adopt one yourself, pick whichever child you like; you can even go out of the country. Why steal someone else’s child? That just doesn’t make any sense to me. As if giving the kidnapped child to a childless family makes it right? No! I think this is absolutely crazy. Also, just because the children that’re being kidnapped come from poor families doesn’t mean they should be stolen. Oh wait, are they getting a better life with whomever the kidnappers give them too? Possibly, but it still doesn’t make it right. Luckily they have set up the online database, but there are only 60 pictures up there. What about the rest of the children? Have they not been reported as kidnapped? Because obviously there a thousands of children missing on that website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8329172.stm
10/28/2009
8:30pm
Hundreds or even thousands of children living in China go missing each year. But so far there have been 2,008 children from across China rescued. To increase this number, the Ministry of Public Security has set up a website with the pictures of these missing children; but this website only has pictures of 60 children. Some of these children have been kidnapped years ago. These children are kidnapped by gangs and sold to childless couples. Recently there have been some arrests; 42 suspects were picked up last week for allegedly selling 52 children in the north of China. Since boys are prized in China they sell for about $6,000 where girls are only sold for about $500. The targets of these kidnappings are children of migrants or poor farmers. Human trafficking is an increasing problem in China because of the increased wealth and freedom; making this trafficking more profitable and easier. Some families buy women or children for extra labor or household servants. Beijing has promised to do more about these kidnappings; a national DNA database was set up last year to help trace missing children.
I picked this article because we were just talking about this in class. I think it’s good that some of these children are being rescued, it’s a shame that it happened to them in the first place. These kidnappers are giving the children to childless families…ummm, there are thousands (maybe more) of parentless children out there wanting to be adopted. You can go adopt one yourself, pick whichever child you like; you can even go out of the country. Why steal someone else’s child? That just doesn’t make any sense to me. As if giving the kidnapped child to a childless family makes it right? No! I think this is absolutely crazy. Also, just because the children that’re being kidnapped come from poor families doesn’t mean they should be stolen. Oh wait, are they getting a better life with whomever the kidnappers give them too? Possibly, but it still doesn’t make it right. Luckily they have set up the online database, but there are only 60 pictures up there. What about the rest of the children? Have they not been reported as kidnapped? Because obviously there a thousands of children missing on that website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8329172.stm
Psychiatric Meds Can Bring on Rapid Weight Gain in Kids
Brittany Harris
10/28/09
Sills
A recent study has found that many young children and adolescents who have been prescribed drugs due to severe psychiatric problems are gaining a substantial amount of weight. In some cases, this also links to an increase in LDL cholesterol levels as well. The information and thus results found in this study have been known for some time now. However, it doesn’t seem as though the problem is going to cease or go away. With the increasing weight gain among our American youth, researchers find themselves back at square one. In fact, psychiatrist Zucker Hillside says, “We are between a rock and a hard place here.”
This is definitely not an easy issue to resolve because one literally feeds off the other. Severe disorders and mental problems such as those which call for medication cannot go without medical attention. However, those medications used to control and keep these young patients alive are adding to the ongoing American problem of obesity and excessive weight gain. The recent study monitored a total of 272 children between the ages of 4 and 19. Almost all of the children were receiving meds for the first time and the 15 who were left, refused to take the drugs (but agreed to see the doctor). After only, 11 weeks the patients had gained anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds depending on the drug. The biological reasoning for the weight gain remains obscure, however some effects are evident. Carbohydrate cravings are obvious and this is something that we already know. As mentioned in the article, “The appetite of these youngsters dramatically goes up” while “they’re not out running around, expending calories”.
Reaction: Overall, I think this is a very unfortunate case to try and resolve. If a child or adolescent is suffering from a severe psychological disorder or issue, it is essential that he or she seek and receive treatment. However, with the increasing severe issue of obesity and excessive weight gain among Americans there must be some kind of resource to help keep the problem under control. As mentioned in the last sentence of the article summary, these patients are not exercising and thus working off those excess calories. If this is a known fact, I would think that a part of “treatment” from psychiatrist, etc. would be to order some of exercises for their patients. If that means referring them to some type of physical training then so be it but we have to also help our younger generations stay as healthy as possible.
http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2009/10/27/psychiatric-meds-can-bring-on-rapid-weight-gain-in-kids.html
10/28/09
Sills
A recent study has found that many young children and adolescents who have been prescribed drugs due to severe psychiatric problems are gaining a substantial amount of weight. In some cases, this also links to an increase in LDL cholesterol levels as well. The information and thus results found in this study have been known for some time now. However, it doesn’t seem as though the problem is going to cease or go away. With the increasing weight gain among our American youth, researchers find themselves back at square one. In fact, psychiatrist Zucker Hillside says, “We are between a rock and a hard place here.”
This is definitely not an easy issue to resolve because one literally feeds off the other. Severe disorders and mental problems such as those which call for medication cannot go without medical attention. However, those medications used to control and keep these young patients alive are adding to the ongoing American problem of obesity and excessive weight gain. The recent study monitored a total of 272 children between the ages of 4 and 19. Almost all of the children were receiving meds for the first time and the 15 who were left, refused to take the drugs (but agreed to see the doctor). After only, 11 weeks the patients had gained anywhere from 10 to 20 pounds depending on the drug. The biological reasoning for the weight gain remains obscure, however some effects are evident. Carbohydrate cravings are obvious and this is something that we already know. As mentioned in the article, “The appetite of these youngsters dramatically goes up” while “they’re not out running around, expending calories”.
Reaction: Overall, I think this is a very unfortunate case to try and resolve. If a child or adolescent is suffering from a severe psychological disorder or issue, it is essential that he or she seek and receive treatment. However, with the increasing severe issue of obesity and excessive weight gain among Americans there must be some kind of resource to help keep the problem under control. As mentioned in the last sentence of the article summary, these patients are not exercising and thus working off those excess calories. If this is a known fact, I would think that a part of “treatment” from psychiatrist, etc. would be to order some of exercises for their patients. If that means referring them to some type of physical training then so be it but we have to also help our younger generations stay as healthy as possible.
http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2009/10/27/psychiatric-meds-can-bring-on-rapid-weight-gain-in-kids.html
New way to 'stop' premature birth
Health/ Disease Blog Entry Nine
Azrealle McClain
Sociology 202-01
October 28th 2009
11:57am
Azrealle McClain
Sociology 202-01
October 28th 2009
11:57am
Summary:
The drug Trichostatin A has been under high scrutiny for a while now. However not for anything bad, Trichostatin A has shown some surprising results when it comes to preventing premature birth. Originally linked to fighting cancer, Trichostain A therapy works by increasing the levels of a protein that controls muscle relaxation. This in turn reduces contractions and helps against premature birth. However testing is still in its early stages and prevention isn’t completely achieved. We are currently looking into testing this drug more hevily because of our minimal options. A protein called Kinase A (PKA) is involved in controlling the relaxation of the uterus during pregnancy and has been used with less than desired results. As well as Oxytocin could be a remedy for reducing contractions. Although effective the results are short lived. Most women end up having the child just two days after the initial onset of a premature labor which is relatively nothing.
Reactions:
I have always been interested in the welfare of children and hearing this information is very promising. I wasn’t a premature child by traditional definition but by weight and I’m very sympathetic to the implications it can entail. Premature children have a harder time to survive due to the undeveloped organs they must rely on outside of the womb. If there was any way to keep children to full term I’m 100% for it and I highly appreciate the investigation that these researchers are conducting. I think it is imperative that further studies are done as well as exploring new options for treatment.
Web Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8320689.stm
Curry spice 'kills cancer cells'
Health/ Disease Blog Entry Eight
Azrealle McClain
Sociology 202-01
October 28th 2009
11:25am
Azrealle McClain
Sociology 202-01
October 28th 2009
11:25am
Summary:
When thinking about a cure to cancer many things can come to mind. The traditional proposed treatment for cancer is chemotherapy, surgical removal or radiology. Yet I’m certain you never thought about curry spice. Yes, curry! Studies have shown a positive correlation with curry and the elimination of cancer cells. The chemical Curcumin which is found within the curry root has been studied and tested at the Cork Cancer Research Center. They have found that it in fact it can destroy gullet cancer cells. The chemical does this by initiating lethal cell digestion eradicating that cancerous cells altogether. This research would best be applied to the treatment of Oesophageal Cancer which has been known to be an indicator for obesity. Although tests are still being done on this wondrous healing agent, the outlook seems hopeful and has the potential to cure thousands.
Reaction:
I thought this would be an interesting read for my fellow bloggers as well as me. When I think about cancer I immediately think of harsh treatments, pain and suffering. Yet, there could be a common food that could treat something as deadly as cancer. This article makes me want to do more research on the subject because frankly it’s hard to believe. I would also like to know if this chemical is exclusively for the cure of Oesophageal Cancer because the article doesn’t do into broader detail. Either way, knowing that common items can supposedly cure cancer it makes me curious on what other elements could be factors in curing diseases
Web Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8328377.stm
Extra Credit - 2009 Latin American Film Festival
There will be three screenings at UNCG: Jarrell Lecture Hall (Jackson Library)
November 5 th : Suite Havana (Fernando Pérez, Cuba, 2003). 84 minutes.
This documentary was filmed with fictional cinema techniques depicting a day in the life of 13 real people, from a 10-year-old child with Down syndrome to a 79-year-old lady who sells peanuts in the streets. The film has no dialogue, using sound and image to evoke emotional effect. Several stories are juxtaposed to convey the plot points, an unusual approach in Cuban cinema, where spoken words are often used extensively.
After the film’s premiere in Cuba, National critics named it one of the best Cuban films in decades. The film gathered several international awards at film festivals.
Spanish with English subtitles.
November 12 th : Chevolution ( Luis López & Trisha Ziff (Germany – Cuba, 2008). 90 min.
In 1960, Cuban photographer Alberto Korda captured a photo of Ernesto "Che" Guevara during a mass funeral for the victims of an explosion in Havana harbor - a watershed moment in the emerging new Cuba. The photograph was only published once in the first year after it was taken. In fact, for the subsequent 7 years, it existed as a simple cropped print, pinned on Korda's studio wall, seen only by those who visited his studio. But history conspired to enable this dynamic portrait to explode on the world scene in 1968 throughout Europe and Latin America, when it became the symbolof protest and dissent. Almost 50 years later, the image remains one of the most dominant icons of the twentieth century. In the last decade, with the establishment of the internet, the image has once again traveled the globe in many forms. From protest to commerce, it is constantly transformed and reinvented. Worn by millions, in various incarnations throughout the globe, the image resonates beyond the memory of the man and has come to signify a more general notion of rebellion for those who think outside the mainstream. From radical chic to radical politics, Korda's Che image is saint, guerrilla and fashion statement. It is considered to be the most reproduced image in the history of photography. Why and how did this photograph become so important?
Chevolution is a film about a photograph. It explores how the Che image traveled from Korda's studio in Havana to the streets of Europe and beyond. We investigate how this portrait with its enigmatic gaze became a symbol for countless visions for change. Today many people learn about Che Guevara from first seeing the image on a t-shirt - the iconic image preceding the man and his vision.
Spanish and English (English and Spanish subtitles)
Q&A to follow the screening.
November 19 th : Tumaco Pacífico (Samuel Córdoba, Colombia, 2008). 90 minutes.
This remarkable film portrays daily life in an underdeveloped and overpopulated city that has been struck by a tsunami of violence. Tumaco is a city inhabited mainly by Afro-Colombians, where thousands live in houses standing on stilts over the ocean, with no proper water or sanitation systems. It is a symbol of marginality. However, Tumaco natives Junior, Carmen Julia, Doña Eduarda, and Don Carlos share their life stories and their most profound reflections, revealing their struggles to survive in an endangered environment. Absurd and beautiful at same time, the city grows over an ocean full of trash… and dreams.
Award winner, 26 th Latin American Film Festival, Bordeaux, France (public award)
Spanish with English subtitles
Presented by Jeanine Costa, UNC-G Dept. of Romance Languages
Introduced by Director Samuel Cordoba
Complete Festival information may be found at WEB PAGE:http://latinfilmfestivalnc.com
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tackling global health risks prevents premature deaths
Melanie Lofgren
10/27/09
9:32 p.m.
The World Health Organization released a report stating that one quarter of the 60 million premature deaths of infants can be prevented if everyone simply ensures adequate care of five health issues: childhood underweight, unsafe sex, alcohol use, lack of safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and high blood pressure. The report also goes on to say that premature death and disease are often caused by more than one risk factor. The leading cause of death (worldwide) is coronary disease. Eight risk factors count for more than 75% of these cases: alcohol consumption, high blood glucose, tobacco use, high blood pressure, high body mass index, high cholesterol, low fruit and vegetable intake and physical inactivity. "More than a third of the global child deaths can be attributed to a few nutritional risk factors such as childhood underweight, inadequate breastfeeding and zinc deficiency," says Colin Mathers, Coordinator for Mortality and Burden of Disease at WHO. A majority of these worldwide deaths happen in developing countries.
I think that in developed countries, where resources (such as contraceptives) and help are abundant and plentiful, if someone gets pregnant then they should absolutely abstain from these health risks. Some of the health risks cannot be prevented if the mother already has the conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood glucose or high cholesterol. However, the other items listed are controllable and it is the mother’s duty to her unborn child to be as healthy as she can during its critical time of development. On the other hand, it is more difficult for those in developing countries for they do not have the same kind of available resources as those in developed countries. This can tie back to my last article stating that we need to overcome the poor-rich divide and help those overseas. The government also needs to step in and address health issues in their country.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2009/health_risks_report_20091027/en/index.html
10/27/09
9:32 p.m.
The World Health Organization released a report stating that one quarter of the 60 million premature deaths of infants can be prevented if everyone simply ensures adequate care of five health issues: childhood underweight, unsafe sex, alcohol use, lack of safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and high blood pressure. The report also goes on to say that premature death and disease are often caused by more than one risk factor. The leading cause of death (worldwide) is coronary disease. Eight risk factors count for more than 75% of these cases: alcohol consumption, high blood glucose, tobacco use, high blood pressure, high body mass index, high cholesterol, low fruit and vegetable intake and physical inactivity. "More than a third of the global child deaths can be attributed to a few nutritional risk factors such as childhood underweight, inadequate breastfeeding and zinc deficiency," says Colin Mathers, Coordinator for Mortality and Burden of Disease at WHO. A majority of these worldwide deaths happen in developing countries.
I think that in developed countries, where resources (such as contraceptives) and help are abundant and plentiful, if someone gets pregnant then they should absolutely abstain from these health risks. Some of the health risks cannot be prevented if the mother already has the conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood glucose or high cholesterol. However, the other items listed are controllable and it is the mother’s duty to her unborn child to be as healthy as she can during its critical time of development. On the other hand, it is more difficult for those in developing countries for they do not have the same kind of available resources as those in developed countries. This can tie back to my last article stating that we need to overcome the poor-rich divide and help those overseas. The government also needs to step in and address health issues in their country.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2009/health_risks_report_20091027/en/index.html
Samantha Levine Current Event Nine
Samantha Levine
10/26/09
Current Event Nine
On Wednesday, October 21th, 2009 in the Irish Independent, based in Dublin UK, the article: Should Irish classrooms be open for business? Principals are clamping down on marketing aimed at commercially exploiting pupils was published. Irish schools do not supply a national code of practice covering marketing activity in schools. Since there is no code, there are differing opinions and ideas about marketing within various levels of schooling. Many companies market to schools allowing opportunities for parents to see what their children can have. For example, parents are busily collecting Tesco vouchers in the hope that their child's school will be able to acquire a computer.
INTO drew up guidelines for the issue of marketing which have been circulated to schools. According to INTO, the guidelines state the "relationships between schools and commercial enterprises, if based on sound principles, can contribute to the education of children in primary schools…” “However, it is essential to ensure that pupils are not exploited for commercial ends in schools.” Also, “…commercially driven schemes which seek to promote brands, increase sales and direct purchasing decisions of children and their families should be discouraged. The INTO guidelines, which have been implemented in a number of schools, discourage vouchers schemes such as Tesco's Computers in Schools.” On the contrary, spokesman Seamus Bannon states that “the scheme is discretionary and the vouchers are being issued to shoppers anyway. So far, 2,300 schools have taken part.''
So the question that is presented without a simple answer is if schools should side with Joseph Fogarty of the lobby group, The Campaign for Commercial-Free Education, (stating that “marketing-driven schemes aimed at children and families should not be allowed in schools”), or with Germaine Noonan of the Schools Business Partnership (who believes that “there is a danger that schools will throw the baby out with the bathwater if they are encouraged to ban all commercial links”), or with Sheena Horgan, a specialist in marketing ethics at public relations company Insight PR, (who believes that there is a need for a code for schools and companies throughout the country)?
I believe that Sheena Horgan is right and as long as there is a code for companies and schools to follow all will be okay.
http://www.independent.ie/education/features/should-irish-classrooms--be-open-for-business-1919297.html
10/26/09
Current Event Nine
On Wednesday, October 21th, 2009 in the Irish Independent, based in Dublin UK, the article: Should Irish classrooms be open for business? Principals are clamping down on marketing aimed at commercially exploiting pupils was published. Irish schools do not supply a national code of practice covering marketing activity in schools. Since there is no code, there are differing opinions and ideas about marketing within various levels of schooling. Many companies market to schools allowing opportunities for parents to see what their children can have. For example, parents are busily collecting Tesco vouchers in the hope that their child's school will be able to acquire a computer.
INTO drew up guidelines for the issue of marketing which have been circulated to schools. According to INTO, the guidelines state the "relationships between schools and commercial enterprises, if based on sound principles, can contribute to the education of children in primary schools…” “However, it is essential to ensure that pupils are not exploited for commercial ends in schools.” Also, “…commercially driven schemes which seek to promote brands, increase sales and direct purchasing decisions of children and their families should be discouraged. The INTO guidelines, which have been implemented in a number of schools, discourage vouchers schemes such as Tesco's Computers in Schools.” On the contrary, spokesman Seamus Bannon states that “the scheme is discretionary and the vouchers are being issued to shoppers anyway. So far, 2,300 schools have taken part.''
So the question that is presented without a simple answer is if schools should side with Joseph Fogarty of the lobby group, The Campaign for Commercial-Free Education, (stating that “marketing-driven schemes aimed at children and families should not be allowed in schools”), or with Germaine Noonan of the Schools Business Partnership (who believes that “there is a danger that schools will throw the baby out with the bathwater if they are encouraged to ban all commercial links”), or with Sheena Horgan, a specialist in marketing ethics at public relations company Insight PR, (who believes that there is a need for a code for schools and companies throughout the country)?
I believe that Sheena Horgan is right and as long as there is a code for companies and schools to follow all will be okay.
http://www.independent.ie/education/features/should-irish-classrooms--be-open-for-business-1919297.html
October deadliest month for US in Afghan war
Sarah Creech
10/27/09
6:37
October 2009 has been the deadliest month for American soldiers, in the war in Afghanistan, thus far. The article states that road side bombs are currently the biggest killer of U.S. soldiers. Eight more American soldiers died on Tuesday because of this reason. Because the war has recently become even more deadly there has have been more and more people debating if the conflict is actually worth the loss of these men. Obama is now debating about whether to send tens of thousands more troops to Afghanistan. The casualties for the month of October have now reached 55, with many more being injured. These eight deaths came one day after 11 American soldiers were killed in separate helicopter crashes.
The loss of these soldiers is so sad for everyone but especially for the families of the victims. I feel like America is in such a predicament right now, that I’m not even sure how I feel about the whole thing. I think it is probably best if we stick this war out. After all we have come this far and invested so much time and money. I feel like if we pull out now, so many soldiers will have died in vain. It is such a complicated issue though because on the other hand, I of course don’t want to see any more American lives lost. In the end I’m glad that I am not the one who has to make the judgment call. I’m not sure what should be done, but the fact that there is a growing number of lives lost each month tells me that something needs to change.
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/october-deadliest-month-for-175084.html
Rights group urges Kenya to stop military recruitment of refugees
Kara Weinacht
10/27/2009
4:18 PM
This article unveils a shocking phenomenon occuring in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya- as the title says- Somali recruiters are trying to enlist the displaced population living in the refugee camp. The refugee camps supposed to be places of refuge, not a quick way to send people back into the warfare they're most likely fleeing. The Kenyan government claims no involvement, and that the government will not allow the recruitment of anyone for any work outside of Kenya, but the reporter claims that the recruiters do it openly- in markets, tea tents, the camps...promising money and that the U.N. is behind everything. However these promises aren't too promising because both sides of involvement in the Somali war are trying to recruit- not only is Somalia's Transitional Federal Government recruiting, but so are the Al Shabaab, the terrorist group opposing the Somalian government. Lastly, this is a fairly new/recent issue. The article notes that recruiters began circulating in the camps in early October.
In response to this article, I feel in awe of how desperate the Somalian government is for military forces. Realistically, we should keep in mind that the government is still in transition, but recruiting vulnerable people to go get killed is pretty manipulative for a political policy. I think it's very cunning of the Al Shabaab to recruit at the same time while this issue is still new and no one really know what's really going on. I also think that there could be a very simple solution- for the Kenyan government to get these people out of their camps- especially since it just started, and they are recruiting openly. I think that since all of this is happening in Kenya, and the article talks about the Somalian refugees like they are Kenyans, because they are residing in Kenya, that this issue is Kenya's responsibility to resolve, instead of reciting the laws and then turning a shoulder on the whole thing. A month is too long, the Kenyan government needs to get with the program and start enforcing their laws.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/25/intl.kenya.refugee.recruitment/
10/27/2009
4:18 PM
This article unveils a shocking phenomenon occuring in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya- as the title says- Somali recruiters are trying to enlist the displaced population living in the refugee camp. The refugee camps supposed to be places of refuge, not a quick way to send people back into the warfare they're most likely fleeing. The Kenyan government claims no involvement, and that the government will not allow the recruitment of anyone for any work outside of Kenya, but the reporter claims that the recruiters do it openly- in markets, tea tents, the camps...promising money and that the U.N. is behind everything. However these promises aren't too promising because both sides of involvement in the Somali war are trying to recruit- not only is Somalia's Transitional Federal Government recruiting, but so are the Al Shabaab, the terrorist group opposing the Somalian government. Lastly, this is a fairly new/recent issue. The article notes that recruiters began circulating in the camps in early October.
In response to this article, I feel in awe of how desperate the Somalian government is for military forces. Realistically, we should keep in mind that the government is still in transition, but recruiting vulnerable people to go get killed is pretty manipulative for a political policy. I think it's very cunning of the Al Shabaab to recruit at the same time while this issue is still new and no one really know what's really going on. I also think that there could be a very simple solution- for the Kenyan government to get these people out of their camps- especially since it just started, and they are recruiting openly. I think that since all of this is happening in Kenya, and the article talks about the Somalian refugees like they are Kenyans, because they are residing in Kenya, that this issue is Kenya's responsibility to resolve, instead of reciting the laws and then turning a shoulder on the whole thing. A month is too long, the Kenyan government needs to get with the program and start enforcing their laws.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/10/25/intl.kenya.refugee.recruitment/
Bombing kills at least 29, Iranian media report
Catherine Maynard
27 October 2009
.:Summary:.
Jundallah, the People's Resistance Movement of Iran, claims responsibility for a suicide bombing in southeastern Iran last Sunday. The Iranian media reported at least 29 people dead, and another 28 wounded. Among the dead were 5 senior officers in the Revolutionary Guard. This was one of the largest against the Guard. The group claiming responsibility says its fighting for the rights of the Sunni Muslims in Iran. The region is pointing their fingers toward the U.S. saying that they fund the group and that these terrorist acts are “A result of the U.S. actions and this is a sign of their enmity.” Of course the United States denies these claims saying that they do not condone any terrorist activity. There are other accusations saying that there are agents in the Pakistan government that make allowances for and assist the terrorists and their attacks.
.:Reaction:.
As in many of my other current event reports I am appalled by the way this situation is being handled. Instead of pointing fingers and assigning blame to whomever governments should be working towards finding the actual culprit and punishing them. Given it was a suicide bombing they must go at the source, which could be more then the Iranian government may be willing to sign up for, but in my opinion it is the only way to defeat terrorism. I believe the fighting between the Sunni and Shiite Muslims is the true source to blame. If they would compromise then there wouldn’t, as many issues between these groups of people and the numbers of attacks would go down. This is the way it has been and probably always will be, as with many issues in the world.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/10/18/iran.suicide.attack/index.html
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