In Miami, Michelle Obama is making an "obesity kick" across the United States, beginning with this city. 'Let's move salad bars to schools' is a collaboration made implemented at Riverside Elementary School with numerous food advocates. The goal here is to establish salad bars to at least 6,000 schools in the next three years. A new public-private partnership launched the 'Let's move salad bars to schools' (LMSB2S), the partnership is a grassroots public health collaboration that works in conjunction to Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move!' initiative.
Chef Anne Cooper and Beth Collins have worked on The Lunch Box's project and they have worked with their partner, The Whole Foods Market on The Great American Salad Bar Profect (GASP). Shoppers for Whole Foods help the two women raise money to donate over 550 salad bars for schools across the country. Their other partners are: National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance (NFVA), United Fresh Produce Association Foundation (UFF) and Food Family Farming Foundation (F3).
Michelle Obama told the children of Riverside that one of the reasons that their school was "picked" to receive the very first salad bar was because of their school garden. She believes that the children should be able to grow the food in their gardens and eat it in their salad bars as well. There are health department policies that prohibit this, but Anne Cooper hopes that Ms. Obama's words will move everyone involved beyond these unnecessary rules and regulations.
This is good news on top of more good news because not only is there the battle fought against disease in an external aspect, by means of gasing malaria mosquitoes and sterilizing needles, but internal as well by way of healthy eating. Essentially, the key to all disease prevention centers around a healthy body and what is put in it. Although there are environmental factors that contribute to the harm on our bodies, the battle can still be fought with lifestyle choices. When considering the nature of disease, that is, knowing that a choice today can effect your tomorrow, make lifestyle choices that will keep you away from disease. Even with genetic diseases, the good choices made by the parent will matter greatly with his/her conceived child in the future. The best thing about it all is that everyone can join in on saving the planet when it comes to health and disease. A lot of people at this current time might be caught up in life expenses, debt, or something that consumes most of the time in the day, but if attempts were made by every person in growing vegetable gardens or buying healthy food, and staying away from anything that puts a person at risk for disease, then the world will move closer to what we all truly desire it to be.
http://www.care2.com/causes/real-food/blog/what-i-m-thankful-for-salad-bars-in-every-school
Monday, November 29, 2010
Australian Prime Minister to Price Carbon Pollution Next Year
Shannon DeWitt
11/29/2010
Australia will decide in the year 2011 how to charge major polluters in the country for the carbon gases they emit. This will be in an attempt to curb the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Up until 2007, Australia and the United States were the only industrialized countries to refuse to accept the Kyoto targets on reducing their carbon emissions. Australia then delayed their deadline of declaring a plan for action until 2013, but a new Prime Minister Julia Gillard moved the deadline back to next year. According to the article “Australia is one of the world’s worst carbon polluters per capita because of its heavy reliance on abundant coal reserves for power generation.” Previous attempts to instill a plan of action to make polluters pay fines have been stopped in the Senate where the government does not hold a majority. The conservative opposition argued in the defense of the general population saying that it would end up being the people, not the companies, who would end up paying the fines.
Discovering that Australia has such a large contribution to the pollution in the world and that they are finally designing a plan of action to reduce their pollution brings some relief to me. In a time when our planet is clearly being affected by the pollution that the human race is producing it cannot be argued that any attempt at combating this serious global issue is not progress. Even if the attempts aren’t completely successful then simply attempting to do something about the pollution problem sets an example to the rest of the world that we are all in this together. Most of the government agencies across the world seem to be in a consensus that something needs to be done about the excessive pollution we are producing. More people are joining the fight each day. The more people we have who agree that pollution is a serious global issue then the more impact we can have combating the problem when we all take action to make more environmentally friendly changes.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131651450
11/29/2010
Australia will decide in the year 2011 how to charge major polluters in the country for the carbon gases they emit. This will be in an attempt to curb the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Up until 2007, Australia and the United States were the only industrialized countries to refuse to accept the Kyoto targets on reducing their carbon emissions. Australia then delayed their deadline of declaring a plan for action until 2013, but a new Prime Minister Julia Gillard moved the deadline back to next year. According to the article “Australia is one of the world’s worst carbon polluters per capita because of its heavy reliance on abundant coal reserves for power generation.” Previous attempts to instill a plan of action to make polluters pay fines have been stopped in the Senate where the government does not hold a majority. The conservative opposition argued in the defense of the general population saying that it would end up being the people, not the companies, who would end up paying the fines.
Discovering that Australia has such a large contribution to the pollution in the world and that they are finally designing a plan of action to reduce their pollution brings some relief to me. In a time when our planet is clearly being affected by the pollution that the human race is producing it cannot be argued that any attempt at combating this serious global issue is not progress. Even if the attempts aren’t completely successful then simply attempting to do something about the pollution problem sets an example to the rest of the world that we are all in this together. Most of the government agencies across the world seem to be in a consensus that something needs to be done about the excessive pollution we are producing. More people are joining the fight each day. The more people we have who agree that pollution is a serious global issue then the more impact we can have combating the problem when we all take action to make more environmentally friendly changes.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=131651450
London's Air Pollution Solution?
This month began a sixth month trial to determine whether or not London's streets will be treated with a Calcium Magnesium Acetate mixture to help reduce air pollution in the area. The idea is that the solution would cause pollutants to actually stick to the pavement, instead of being released into the air. While many are in favor of the idea, some still criticize saying it is only a quick fix or a way to offset pollution. It is not a solution to the pollution. One such person is Simon Birkett, the founder of CCAL (Campaign for Clean Air in London). He feels people need to learn to make a real change -to take public transportation, walk, etc. Air pollution in the United Kingdom is a major problem with 50,00o deaths yearly attributed to it.
I think the idea is a good one, though it is of course not perfect, While I understand Birkett's opinion, I feel something happening is better than nothing happening. Unfortunately, it seems it will take some time before a real social movement will occus to go green in our transportation. However, there is always the fear that moving pollution (having it trapped to the ground) will cause new problems -maybe with water sources, etc. It is certainly something that should be thoroughly researched before being implemented.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/19/london.pollution.sticky.roads/
I think the idea is a good one, though it is of course not perfect, While I understand Birkett's opinion, I feel something happening is better than nothing happening. Unfortunately, it seems it will take some time before a real social movement will occus to go green in our transportation. However, there is always the fear that moving pollution (having it trapped to the ground) will cause new problems -maybe with water sources, etc. It is certainly something that should be thoroughly researched before being implemented.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/19/london.pollution.sticky.roads/
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Terrorist Found In Portland.
On Friday evening, the FBI and Portland police department arrested a young 19 year-old American born citizen, Mohamed Osman Mohamud. They charged him in attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction to blow-up a van during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Pioneer Courthouse Square. The FBI says that they have been following him since early summer, which then helped them create an undercover plan to unfold his intentions. The plan was to help Mohamud believe that he was working with another terrorist but in reality he was only working with an undercover FBI operative. Mohamud was led to believe that the “his” plans were set to be carried out during the Christmas tree lighting , but little did he know that the bomb was actually a dummy that was set up by the FBI, so that no one will be in danger.
Situations like these help me feel more secure, but also more scared about the terrorism going on in the world today. This proves that terrorist are not only the ones who claim to represent Islam but also people here in our own country. On the other hand this shows how good of an FBI agency we have in our country, because they were able to help us prevent another terrible terrorist attack that helped spare the lives of many people. More and more of these attacks are going on in our world today, that keeps people more afraid of traveling and even going out to events in their own hometown.
http://www.examiner.com/muslim-in-portland/attempted-terrorist-attack-portland
Ishani Dutta, the director of "The Land of the Vanishing Lakes" documentary, believes urbanization will ruin Goa. In her documentary, she provides visual documentation of the disappearing lakes in New Delhi's periphery. "The two billion year old water bodies of the Aravallis - Surajkund, Badkhal and Damdama, have all dried up," she said while adding, ""The film explores the nexus between the bureaucracy and the construction and mining mafia. With exclusive bytes from retired forest officers, environmentalists and scientists, we piece together the whole story behind the current mess"She also mentions that there is some sunshine after the rain even in such am ecological disaster. Dutta believes that urbanization will ruin Goa if it continues to happen at such a rapid pace and is not planned.
I think I may agree with Dutta about urbanization ruining the city if it continues to go unplanned. Many cities around the world look at the big picture for the future, but fail to pay attention to the process of having a large urban population. If the population of a city is growing faster than infrastructure, then that will leave more people homeless and without jobs and thus create more crime. If cities plan and organize the rate of infrastructure, that will allow them to better plan for a growing population.
I think I may agree with Dutta about urbanization ruining the city if it continues to go unplanned. Many cities around the world look at the big picture for the future, but fail to pay attention to the process of having a large urban population. If the population of a city is growing faster than infrastructure, then that will leave more people homeless and without jobs and thus create more crime. If cities plan and organize the rate of infrastructure, that will allow them to better plan for a growing population.
Pakistan foils suicide attack on Islamabad
Makeda Young
November 28th 2010
11:00am
Friday, November 26 Pakistans security forces arrested two would-be bombers that planned to attack parliment and a mosque in Islamabad. It has been said that there were more people involved so the security forces launched a search for the others. Officials explained that the bombings could have caused an uproar in the guarded capital where in the past had been the target of Westerners. Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that they foiled the attack which one of the militants intended on carrying out a suicide attack on a mosque which is in a neighborhood of villas where Westerners and many wealthy Pakistanis live. The information about the militants was backed by Islamabad police official Bani Amin. The search for other members of the plot came about because a Amin said: "These type of groups never operate alone and there is a whole network behind them."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101126/wl_sthasia_afp/pakistanunrestislamabadarrest_20101126151613
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Cholera Epidemic Forces The Dominican Republic to Close borders with Haiti
Emily Ferland
November 27th 2010
Soc 202-01
7:37 PM
The Dominican Republic decided to close borders With Haiti this past week, it will be a good amount of time until it re-opens the borders. The biggest concern for the nation is that the Dominican does not have the resources to treat the cholera outbreak if the nation is hit with the disease, their biggest fear is that it will cross boarders and create an outbreak among the Dominican people. The current focus is reinforcing the boarders between The Dominican Republic and Haiti to be sure that Haitians do not try to sneak through the border of The Dominican. Closing boarders also means a great amount of economic loss for both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Dominican does not want to take any risks with peoples lives. Dozens of Haitians have attempted to cross boarders, but many were captured and sent back to Haiti. A popular way for the people of Haiti to cross boarders is through human trafficking, this is making it difficult for the government to spot if any illegals are crossing borders.
It is very important that both countries try their best to keep Haitians in Haiti. The Dominican is working hard to keep Haitians in their own country. It is a huge concern if they do cross borders because the disease will spread, The Dominican is not prepared for a Cholera outbreak. If an outbreak occurred in the Dominican it would be similar to an outbreak in Haiti. Controlling the borders will not be an easy fix, they will need to be consistently controlled by the government for a long period of time. The outbreak in Haiti will last longer than anticipated, the most important aspect of this outbreak is to keep it confined to prevent further spread of the disease.
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1759-haiti-cholera-epidemic-border-closed-important-dominican-military-device.html
November 27th 2010
Soc 202-01
7:37 PM
The Dominican Republic decided to close borders With Haiti this past week, it will be a good amount of time until it re-opens the borders. The biggest concern for the nation is that the Dominican does not have the resources to treat the cholera outbreak if the nation is hit with the disease, their biggest fear is that it will cross boarders and create an outbreak among the Dominican people. The current focus is reinforcing the boarders between The Dominican Republic and Haiti to be sure that Haitians do not try to sneak through the border of The Dominican. Closing boarders also means a great amount of economic loss for both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Dominican does not want to take any risks with peoples lives. Dozens of Haitians have attempted to cross boarders, but many were captured and sent back to Haiti. A popular way for the people of Haiti to cross boarders is through human trafficking, this is making it difficult for the government to spot if any illegals are crossing borders.
It is very important that both countries try their best to keep Haitians in Haiti. The Dominican is working hard to keep Haitians in their own country. It is a huge concern if they do cross borders because the disease will spread, The Dominican is not prepared for a Cholera outbreak. If an outbreak occurred in the Dominican it would be similar to an outbreak in Haiti. Controlling the borders will not be an easy fix, they will need to be consistently controlled by the government for a long period of time. The outbreak in Haiti will last longer than anticipated, the most important aspect of this outbreak is to keep it confined to prevent further spread of the disease.
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1759-haiti-cholera-epidemic-border-closed-important-dominican-military-device.html
Buy a Real Christmas Tree
Erin Lankford
4:10 PM
11/27/2010
4:10 PM
11/27/2010
This holiday season consumers are being persuaded by scientific researches to purchase a real Christmas tree over an artificial one. Doing so can have a large impact on the environment as well as the national economy. By purchasing a live tree you are encouraging Christmas tree farms to stay in business as well as being more environmentally friendly. The rate of greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere can be slowed from trees. Other benefits include offering habitats for birds and maintaining undeveloped land. Since real trees are biodegradable and can be used for mulch you will be helping to keep artificial trees, which are made of nonrenewable resources such as petroleum, out of landfills. The majority of artificial trees are produced in China whereas buying a real tree would help support one of the many thousands of people that are employed in the US that work on tree farms. Your carbon footprint will also decrease since you would no longer be supporting a tree that is transported all the way from China, consuming gas and energy. Being environmentally aware this season can be easily achieved by supporting the purchase of a real tree.
While this article does not solely focus on environmental destruction the underlying message is advice for how to prevent more damage from happening by taking one simple step this season. Americans have a major issue with over-consumption so I thought that this seemed like an appropriate topic to cover. Instead of supporting an item that uses non-renewable resources we can take advantage of a resource that actually gives back to the environment. I thought a good message was that by not buying a fake tree from China (or elsewhere in the world they are manufactured) you are also reducing carbon emissions and the use of nonrenewable resources. Buying a real tree also helps support our local economy and their tree farms, which according to the article on average plant three seedlings for every one tree that is harvested. This is giving back to our economy as well as helping to sustain the environment, which is very important when we think about over-consumption.
Three Million Mosquito Nets to be Distributed in Sierra Leone Read more: Three Million Mosquito Nets to be Distributed in Sierra Leone
Brandon El
Nov. 27, 2010
Soc 202
Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa that is suffering severely from the deadly mosquito driven disease called malaria. According to health ministry statistics, the average Sierra Leonean suffers three to four bouts with malaria each year. Throughout the continent of Africa people battle with this disease being it is on the equatorial belt where it stays pretty warm year round mosquitoes who carry this disease can survive easily. In Sierra Leone specifically during another study performed by the health ministry and found malaria ranked as the number one cause of outpatient visits to hospitals throughout the country in a 2009 epidemiological report. To combat this terrible issue that has been steadily brewing in this country UNICEF has proposed a plan to place one to three mosquito nets in every home depending on the size of the family. These long-lasting, insecticide treated nets costs some six dollars and lasts up to five years. In total cost to create and distribute these nets cost $20 million funded by the World Bank, the British Department for International Development (DFID), the Federation of the International Red Cross, the United Methodist Church and other health partners. This plan maybe able to cut malaria rates by up to 40 percent in the country of six million people.
I personally think this plan is a very good and sustainable one. When you look at a worldwide spectrum the idea itself isn't super expensive, it has the potential to significantly lower potential rates of malaria throughout the country even if it's just a small amount there will be a change. If it does work and there is a large decrease in malaria case in Sierra Leone other African nations will follow suit and the disease will come to a slow or standstill at least. This is important because the Earth is rapidly heating up and more of the world will reach high, muggy and dry climates and mosquitoes will have new places to migrate and make there habitat which means this problem will move from not just Africa but other continents. If this disease gets worse and rates continue to grow it can spread and harm many others. We need more ideas and strategies like this to at least prevent this problem, until we find a way to truly combat it.
http://www.medindia.net/news/Three-Million-Mosquito-Nets-to-be-Distributed-in-Sierra-Leone-77314-1.htm
Nov. 27, 2010
Soc 202
Sierra Leone is a country in West Africa that is suffering severely from the deadly mosquito driven disease called malaria. According to health ministry statistics, the average Sierra Leonean suffers three to four bouts with malaria each year. Throughout the continent of Africa people battle with this disease being it is on the equatorial belt where it stays pretty warm year round mosquitoes who carry this disease can survive easily. In Sierra Leone specifically during another study performed by the health ministry and found malaria ranked as the number one cause of outpatient visits to hospitals throughout the country in a 2009 epidemiological report. To combat this terrible issue that has been steadily brewing in this country UNICEF has proposed a plan to place one to three mosquito nets in every home depending on the size of the family. These long-lasting, insecticide treated nets costs some six dollars and lasts up to five years. In total cost to create and distribute these nets cost $20 million funded by the World Bank, the British Department for International Development (DFID), the Federation of the International Red Cross, the United Methodist Church and other health partners. This plan maybe able to cut malaria rates by up to 40 percent in the country of six million people.
I personally think this plan is a very good and sustainable one. When you look at a worldwide spectrum the idea itself isn't super expensive, it has the potential to significantly lower potential rates of malaria throughout the country even if it's just a small amount there will be a change. If it does work and there is a large decrease in malaria case in Sierra Leone other African nations will follow suit and the disease will come to a slow or standstill at least. This is important because the Earth is rapidly heating up and more of the world will reach high, muggy and dry climates and mosquitoes will have new places to migrate and make there habitat which means this problem will move from not just Africa but other continents. If this disease gets worse and rates continue to grow it can spread and harm many others. We need more ideas and strategies like this to at least prevent this problem, until we find a way to truly combat it.
http://www.medindia.net/news/Three-Million-Mosquito-Nets-to-be-Distributed-in-Sierra-Leone-77314-1.htm
Indiana lagging on renewable energy plan
While one state is making a substantial imprint in moving to alternative energy it is leaving its neighboring state in the dust. Since 2008 Michigan started passing laws requiring to get 10 percent of their energy from renewable sources and energy efficiency by 2015. Michael Shore, a spokesman for a Michigan Economic Development Corp, said “ Since the adoption of the renewable energy standard in Michigan, we have attracted more than $9 billion in new investment in new alternative energy manufacturing business." Those $9 billion dollars will create more than 9,000 job all over the state in the next 10 years. Michael Shore has targeted on alternative energy such as solar, wind, biofuels and as well as advanced batteries because they believe that those are energy source for the future. While this strategy isn’t a secret Michigan doesn’t talk much about it because if they do they won’t have much of a competitive advantage. Indiana is one of 14 states nationwide without any kind of renewable energy standard, according to the Pew Center of Global Climate Change. One of the reasons why Indiana hans’t passed any laws is because their houses couldn't agree on a compromise because one senator wanted to include a nuclear energy among the renewables. They also felt that if a certain amount of electricity had from a alternative energy source they would have to increase the rate of electricity because it isn’t as cheap as coal.
These is how Indiana compares to its surrounding states:
Illinois: 25 percent of energy from renewables by 2025 (75 percent of that from wind.) Adopted in 2007.
Indiana: None.
Michigan: 10 percent renewable energy portfolio by 2015 (some may be from energy efficiency.) Adopted in 2008.
Ohio: 25 percent of all electricity sold in 2025 must come from alternative energy (12.5 percent from renewables, half of that must be produced in state. The alternative energy may be energy efficiency and clean coal.) Adopted in 2008.
Wisconsin: 10 percent by 2015. Adopted in 2006.
There shouldn’t be any reason why any state doesn’t have a laws to adopt a certain amount of renewable or alternative energy by a certain date, especially because they couldn’t agree because a senator wanted to include nuclear energy. Nuclear energy itself isn’t possible without effecting the environment at a high cost. At this day and age all 50 states should have some sort of goal to become self sufficient in the upcoming years.
These is how Indiana compares to its surrounding states:
Illinois: 25 percent of energy from renewables by 2025 (75 percent of that from wind.) Adopted in 2007.
Indiana: None.
Michigan: 10 percent renewable energy portfolio by 2015 (some may be from energy efficiency.) Adopted in 2008.
Ohio: 25 percent of all electricity sold in 2025 must come from alternative energy (12.5 percent from renewables, half of that must be produced in state. The alternative energy may be energy efficiency and clean coal.) Adopted in 2008.
Wisconsin: 10 percent by 2015. Adopted in 2006.
There shouldn’t be any reason why any state doesn’t have a laws to adopt a certain amount of renewable or alternative energy by a certain date, especially because they couldn’t agree because a senator wanted to include nuclear energy. Nuclear energy itself isn’t possible without effecting the environment at a high cost. At this day and age all 50 states should have some sort of goal to become self sufficient in the upcoming years.
The Warming of Antarctica: A Citadel of Ice Begins to Melt
Felicia Jenkins
11/27/10
9:30 AM
11/27/10
9:30 AM
The Warming of Antarctica: A Citadel of Ice Begins to Melt
In 1978 John H. Mercer had already speculated about the warming of Antarctica and the melting of ice caps long before most other scientists were concerned with the affects of global warming. His predictions about Antarctica came true far sooner than expected at least by a few decades. The Arctic Peninsula has warmed faster than any other location on earth and at least 8 arctic shelves have also melted. This increase in temperature is wreaking havoc on local food chain. There are declines in population in all levels of the ecosystem from plankton to the penguins. Also local wildlife is out of sync with the melting of the ice. Our planet will have even harder time coping with these changes if things continue.
Just like most things, there is a reaction for every action. The amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is causing a change in the Arctic Circle. With the increase in melting we can expect the sea level to rise. Sure, it doesn’t sound that much of a change, but with a rise our lives will be affected. With just a few inches of increase cities can be underwater, there can be a change in climate, there will be an increase of storms and flooding and changes in our water supply because more of the earth’s water will be salt water. None of these things are good but all of these things will affect everyone on the planet. We will have to use our innovation to rethink our daily lives as we know it. Of course this rise in temperature is not completely reversible; but we can do things to slow warming up of the Arctic Circle. Consuming less and being more conscious are always good places to start.
http://e360.yale.edu/feature/the_warming_of_antarctica_a_citadel_of_ice_begins_to_melt_/2342/Pakistan Denies US Drone Expansion
Some senior Pakistani military officials said that Pakistan has denied the United States’ request to expand their drone attack farther into the country. One of the officials said that neither the government nor the military want to risk the possibility of domestic pressure on the expansion of the drones. A senior NATO military official said that the United States requested to expand the drones in western city Quetta and other tribal regions on the Afghan border. Though they have denied their expansion, they agreed to expand their intelligence. They Pakistani governments have given the green light to enhance the intelligence with using some intelligence CIA officials in the country. The officials that talked to the media weren’t authorized to do so, so they asked to not be named because of the sensitivity of the situation.
This goes to show that even though the drone attacks are having success, the Pakistani people still are not very fond of the drones. This is understandable, because if another country was attacking United States soil to take out terrorist, the United States would not be happy at all. Though the Pakistan military and government denied the expansion, they are offering help by giving so more intelligence. Since they are helping the United States with more intelligence, the US should be able to still take out even more of the terrorist over seas.
This could also show that the people of Pakistan are getting tired of the drone attacks. The drone attacks usually take out the terrorist group militants and insurgents, but on occasion may take out some innocent bystanders as well. When these innocent lives are taken, people get upset and will blame these attacks for killing the wrong people. Some people may believe that the drone attacks are too dangerous, and that the US needs to find another way to take out the terrorist groups.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/22/pakistan.us.drones/?hpt=T2
Friday, November 26, 2010
Nicaragua must put an end to rape and sexual abuse of girls
and Amnesty International has released a new report stating that the Nicaraguan authorities must eradicate rape and sexual abuse of girls. Their report is aimed to stop the rape and sexual abuse of girls in Nicaragua and follows the experiences of survivors as they try to overcome barriers that obstruct their recovery. Amnesty International's campaign reveals how the state does not help survivors to rebuild their lives follwing sexual violence. Amnesty International researcher states, "Every day girls in Nicaragua are suffering the horror of sexual violence in silence, rather than risk the rejection that many suffer when they speak out."
According to police statistics, more than fourteen thousand cases were reported in Nicaragua between 1998 and 2008. Two thirds of the victims were under the age of seventeen. The report was launched to coincide with International day fr the Elimination of Violence against Women. It documents how Nicaraguan society stigmatizes victims of sexual abuse, prohibiting them from speaking out about their ordeals. Sex is seen as somewhat of a taboo subject.
The home is a dangerous place due to relatives being the most commonly reported perpetrators of sexual violence. This even further adds pressure to girls to remain silent. Instead of giving aid to victims, most often they are the ones blamed. Girls who are brave enough to report rape and sexual abuse often encounter police officers, prosecutors, and judges who do not adhere to international rules governing the treatment of victims of sexual abuse.
Another problem these girls face is funding. Many lack the money to travel to and from court apointments and hospital appointments. Researcher Esther Major said that, "Nicaraguan justice should serve all people-- not just those with money and power. the government must send a clear message that sexual violence is never the fault of the rape victim; that perpetrators will be brought to justice and that survivors will be given the support they need to heal." Reports show that many of these girls are dropping out of school, giving up on work, or even attempting suicide.
This article explains the problem with sexual violence perfectly. Not only do these young girls have to experience the ordeal itself, then they have to deal with the government restricting them from speaking out. I personally believe that rape and sexual violence contribute the largest numbers to the "dark figure of crime." Women are so often ashamed or feel as if they have done something wrong and the government doesn't seem to be helping any. This is not just an issue in Nicaragua either. All over the world, women are silenced when it comes to sexual abuse. Instead of blaming the victim, the government should be aiding in the recovery of these women. They need support to overcome and rebuild and the government isn't doing its part in that process.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGPRE201011221967&lang=e&rss=recentnews
According to police statistics, more than fourteen thousand cases were reported in Nicaragua between 1998 and 2008. Two thirds of the victims were under the age of seventeen. The report was launched to coincide with International day fr the Elimination of Violence against Women. It documents how Nicaraguan society stigmatizes victims of sexual abuse, prohibiting them from speaking out about their ordeals. Sex is seen as somewhat of a taboo subject.
The home is a dangerous place due to relatives being the most commonly reported perpetrators of sexual violence. This even further adds pressure to girls to remain silent. Instead of giving aid to victims, most often they are the ones blamed. Girls who are brave enough to report rape and sexual abuse often encounter police officers, prosecutors, and judges who do not adhere to international rules governing the treatment of victims of sexual abuse.
Another problem these girls face is funding. Many lack the money to travel to and from court apointments and hospital appointments. Researcher Esther Major said that, "Nicaraguan justice should serve all people-- not just those with money and power. the government must send a clear message that sexual violence is never the fault of the rape victim; that perpetrators will be brought to justice and that survivors will be given the support they need to heal." Reports show that many of these girls are dropping out of school, giving up on work, or even attempting suicide.
This article explains the problem with sexual violence perfectly. Not only do these young girls have to experience the ordeal itself, then they have to deal with the government restricting them from speaking out. I personally believe that rape and sexual violence contribute the largest numbers to the "dark figure of crime." Women are so often ashamed or feel as if they have done something wrong and the government doesn't seem to be helping any. This is not just an issue in Nicaragua either. All over the world, women are silenced when it comes to sexual abuse. Instead of blaming the victim, the government should be aiding in the recovery of these women. They need support to overcome and rebuild and the government isn't doing its part in that process.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGPRE201011221967&lang=e&rss=recentnews
Women, Girls And HIV/AIDS: A Time For Action
Jordan Wilson
The United Nations has made HIV/AIDS and gender inequality a priority and has put into action some programmes and agendas that will help educate the women and girls around the world to prevent the AIDS pandemic to spread any further. The foundation of these agendas is recognition of basic human rights that belong to women. Women and girls have been victims of “power imbalances, unequal opportunities, discrimination and violation of human rights, and violence inside and outside of the home.” Therefore, the UN must first address the issues that have been caused by these violations by talking to women and girls, educating them about sexual and reproductive health care, and making sure that they know what could happen when they have sex.
Finally! There is some kind of proposed solution, or at least an idea of how to go about making life more equal for someone.
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20101121/focus/focus6.html
Drug Tunnel Found at U.S.- Mexico border
Jordan Saunders
November 26, 2010
5:03 p.m.
There was an underground drug tunnel found at the United States and Mexico Mexico Mexico , it has become clear that the drug war is closely affecting the United States United States Arizona and California United States already has a drug problem of their own, and with tunnels such as this one coming from Mexico
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101126/ts_nm/us_drug_tunnel_3;_ylt=AiHQaaRL.ZyIbBPoaZ3KgGr9SpZ4
For China’s Women, More Opportunities, More Pitfalls
Victoria Phillips
11/26/2010
4:32 pm
China still lags behind in gender equality. Women have came a long way as far as making personal decisions. They now are more or less given the choice to choose their own careers and who they marry. These choices were not given to their ancestors. However, they still have to apply for permission to have a child. And when they do apply for jobs, they are usually asked questions like “have you had a child yet?” If the woman has not, they tend to not be hired because the employer does not want to give out time off for having the baby. Also, the employer has to help in covering the costs for childbirth. Most women have to choose between having a career or having a family. It is almost impossible to have both. China has established women’s rights at least on paper. These rights outlawed sexual harassment which was the first time in China’s history that that has happened.
I think that China as well as places like India have the stigma of having oppressed women and to some extent that may be true, at least to spectators. To China and her people, this is part of their culture. It seems as if they are starting to make women’s rights more of a priority, but it’s obvious that they still have a long way to go. To employers, women are seen more as a financial burden because of the belief that women should care for the children. If men were seen as equal caretakers, then maybe women wouldn’t have such a hard time being hired because time off to take care of children would be equal for both genders.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/26/world/asia/26iht-china.html?pagewanted=2&%2339;s rights&_r=1&sq=women&st=cse&scp=1
11/26/2010
4:32 pm
China still lags behind in gender equality. Women have came a long way as far as making personal decisions. They now are more or less given the choice to choose their own careers and who they marry. These choices were not given to their ancestors. However, they still have to apply for permission to have a child. And when they do apply for jobs, they are usually asked questions like “have you had a child yet?” If the woman has not, they tend to not be hired because the employer does not want to give out time off for having the baby. Also, the employer has to help in covering the costs for childbirth. Most women have to choose between having a career or having a family. It is almost impossible to have both. China has established women’s rights at least on paper. These rights outlawed sexual harassment which was the first time in China’s history that that has happened.
I think that China as well as places like India have the stigma of having oppressed women and to some extent that may be true, at least to spectators. To China and her people, this is part of their culture. It seems as if they are starting to make women’s rights more of a priority, but it’s obvious that they still have a long way to go. To employers, women are seen more as a financial burden because of the belief that women should care for the children. If men were seen as equal caretakers, then maybe women wouldn’t have such a hard time being hired because time off to take care of children would be equal for both genders.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/26/world/asia/26iht-china.html?pagewanted=2&%2339;s rights&_r=1&sq=women&st=cse&scp=1
Nigeria tells two European countries to get the proverbial plank out of their own eye before noticing the dust in someone else's
The Edo State government in Benin City, Nigeria is urging Italy and Germany to get strict with the laws in their respective countries on human trafficking. Visits from Italian and German officials to Edo State have made the local government lash out at the two countries basically saying that Nigeria should not be stigmatized without some of the blame being put squarely back on the two European countries, in which human trafficking "runs rampant." Officials said the war on human trafficking needs to begin in Italy and Germany, which have the full support of Edo State.
I can understand where the Edo State officials are coming from. They don't want fingers pointed at their country by people whose own country is faring no better in terms of the same situation. I think that Nigeria is feeling defensive since they don't want to be stigmatized by the West while the West has major sex trafficking problems, too. While I feel Nigeria needs to put on their big boy pants and tackle the problem head on and not just point fingers, I also think the same thing about Italy and Germany. Italy and Germany are developed countries with a lot of clout in the global community. Developed countries are looked to as leaders in the war against human trafficking, and all human rights issues, and they need to take that leadership role seriously. The world is watching.
Nigerian Observer Online
I can understand where the Edo State officials are coming from. They don't want fingers pointed at their country by people whose own country is faring no better in terms of the same situation. I think that Nigeria is feeling defensive since they don't want to be stigmatized by the West while the West has major sex trafficking problems, too. While I feel Nigeria needs to put on their big boy pants and tackle the problem head on and not just point fingers, I also think the same thing about Italy and Germany. Italy and Germany are developed countries with a lot of clout in the global community. Developed countries are looked to as leaders in the war against human trafficking, and all human rights issues, and they need to take that leadership role seriously. The world is watching.
Nigerian Observer Online
M.B.A. in Japan Struggle for Respect
Keisha McNeil
November 26, 2010
4:05pm
In Tokyo, many businesspeople are looking to re-invent themselves in the economy by getting a M.B.A. One question has come to the mind for these businesspeople "How much will I be worth after I receive my degree?" In Japan, sometimes these businesspeople do not know if their value will increase at all in the economy. Most companies have been known to look doubtfully at such an accomplishment, and sometimes places M.B.A. recipients in unrelated fields, or trying to re-acclimate their Japanese employees who have been overseas for many years earning a degree. There are two major facts that have made people in Japan seek for a better degree: A weak economy has pushed more professional to seek degrees and certificates to improve their job prospects and big Japanese companies have stop sponsoring expensive overseas degrees the way they once did for their employees. Some companies believe that you can learn more and have more knowledge of the business by working the business then you can by begin in a classroom.
As I read this article, I felt as though the country should look at its businesspeople who are trying to receive a higher degree as a gain for the economy. These businesspeople could be an asset to many of these companies global, by having knowledge of another countries business could help bring in more business for this companies within Japan. I am happy to know that some business schools are working to make their M.B.A. degrees more relevant to those companies' perceptions. These business schools are coming to realize that it does take more than a degree to have knowledge of a particular business. Having hands on experience gives these business professional more in site and the companies can see if they have what it takes to get the job done.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/education/25iht-RieducJapan.html?pagewanted=1&ref=education
November 26, 2010
4:05pm
In Tokyo, many businesspeople are looking to re-invent themselves in the economy by getting a M.B.A. One question has come to the mind for these businesspeople "How much will I be worth after I receive my degree?" In Japan, sometimes these businesspeople do not know if their value will increase at all in the economy. Most companies have been known to look doubtfully at such an accomplishment, and sometimes places M.B.A. recipients in unrelated fields, or trying to re-acclimate their Japanese employees who have been overseas for many years earning a degree. There are two major facts that have made people in Japan seek for a better degree: A weak economy has pushed more professional to seek degrees and certificates to improve their job prospects and big Japanese companies have stop sponsoring expensive overseas degrees the way they once did for their employees. Some companies believe that you can learn more and have more knowledge of the business by working the business then you can by begin in a classroom.
As I read this article, I felt as though the country should look at its businesspeople who are trying to receive a higher degree as a gain for the economy. These businesspeople could be an asset to many of these companies global, by having knowledge of another countries business could help bring in more business for this companies within Japan. I am happy to know that some business schools are working to make their M.B.A. degrees more relevant to those companies' perceptions. These business schools are coming to realize that it does take more than a degree to have knowledge of a particular business. Having hands on experience gives these business professional more in site and the companies can see if they have what it takes to get the job done.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/education/25iht-RieducJapan.html?pagewanted=1&ref=education
Pentagon report: Afghans believe Taliban victory inevitable
Kristina Reid
3:26 pm
11-26-2010
A new Defense Department report says that increased fighting against the Taliban has failed to explain to the population that the government of Afghan and coalition forces will succeed. The report states that the "Taliban's s strenth lies in the belief of the population of Afghanistan that the coalition forces will soon leave."This statement gives credence to the belief that a victory is inevitable. The section of the report focused on progress toward security and stability in Afghanistan, commonly reffered to as the 12-30 report; is a manditory update to congress that monitors the progression of security and stabitilty practices in Afganistan over a period of months. The report goes on to mention that though the Taliban is not popular, it manages to exercise its frustraitions with the weak system of Afghanistan's government. Depite public polling that displayed the lack of support for the Taliban, Afghan nationals are fond of remaining non-committal while the Afghan Government and Coalition forces strive to provide security, government, and economic opportunities. The Taliban have a surplus organizational adequacy and support to pose a threat to the government's liveliness, mainly in the south. If the security situation erodes, regional stability will vastly deteriorate as well. During the Pentagon report characterizes "uneven" progress along with "modest gains" in security and actualizing a stable governemnt, is also goes on to say that the current strategy is displaying "some aspects of progress." At a Pentagon hearing, a senior Defense Department official dicussed how the report did not cover what he called "encouraging signs," during the past six weeks against Taliban forces in Southern Afghanistan."This is an extraordinarily dynamic situation," he said. "Even the progress we've seen in the past seven weeks since this report came out is something that is changing the reality on the ground. But in no way, shape or form is anybody guaranteeing success, saying it's 100-percent certain."
I chose to write about this article because it shows how terrorist thrive on the fear of the people.The war against terroism in Afganistan has been going on for sometime now, and it seems that all the fighting has done little to help get the issuse of terrism under control. I think that the current way of doing things in Afganistan needs to be improved so that the people can see more postive results come out of all the fighting. I know that the words "war" and "positive" dont really seem to fit togethr well, but something needs to be done to change to moral of the people. As long as the people feel that their lives are going to be controlled by the terrorist actions then the terrroist are going to have the upper hand in the fight. If the people we are fighting to protect don't believe in the good guys then, the good guys might also start to loose faith in themselves as well.
href="http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/24/pentagon-report-afghans-believe-taliban-victory-inevitable/">
3:26 pm
11-26-2010
A new Defense Department report says that increased fighting against the Taliban has failed to explain to the population that the government of Afghan and coalition forces will succeed. The report states that the "Taliban's s strenth lies in the belief of the population of Afghanistan that the coalition forces will soon leave."This statement gives credence to the belief that a victory is inevitable. The section of the report focused on progress toward security and stability in Afghanistan, commonly reffered to as the 12-30 report; is a manditory update to congress that monitors the progression of security and stabitilty practices in Afganistan over a period of months. The report goes on to mention that though the Taliban is not popular, it manages to exercise its frustraitions with the weak system of Afghanistan's government. Depite public polling that displayed the lack of support for the Taliban, Afghan nationals are fond of remaining non-committal while the Afghan Government and Coalition forces strive to provide security, government, and economic opportunities. The Taliban have a surplus organizational adequacy and support to pose a threat to the government's liveliness, mainly in the south. If the security situation erodes, regional stability will vastly deteriorate as well. During the Pentagon report characterizes "uneven" progress along with "modest gains" in security and actualizing a stable governemnt, is also goes on to say that the current strategy is displaying "some aspects of progress." At a Pentagon hearing, a senior Defense Department official dicussed how the report did not cover what he called "encouraging signs," during the past six weeks against Taliban forces in Southern Afghanistan."This is an extraordinarily dynamic situation," he said. "Even the progress we've seen in the past seven weeks since this report came out is something that is changing the reality on the ground. But in no way, shape or form is anybody guaranteeing success, saying it's 100-percent certain."
I chose to write about this article because it shows how terrorist thrive on the fear of the people.The war against terroism in Afganistan has been going on for sometime now, and it seems that all the fighting has done little to help get the issuse of terrism under control. I think that the current way of doing things in Afganistan needs to be improved so that the people can see more postive results come out of all the fighting. I know that the words "war" and "positive" dont really seem to fit togethr well, but something needs to be done to change to moral of the people. As long as the people feel that their lives are going to be controlled by the terrorist actions then the terrroist are going to have the upper hand in the fight. If the people we are fighting to protect don't believe in the good guys then, the good guys might also start to loose faith in themselves as well.
href="http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/24/pentagon-report-afghans-believe-taliban-victory-inevitable/">
U.N. Reports Decrease in New H.I.V. Infections
U.N. Reports Decrease in New H.I.V. Infections
By: Donald G. McNeil Jr.
Summary:
In the new report on epidemics, the UN reports that the number of people infected with HIV have decrease. UNaids said 2.6 million people became newly infected with H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS, in 2009 — almost 20 percent fewer than in the late 1990s. South Africa, which has the world’s worst epidemic, has seen progress due to a turnover in presidency, but they still see about 350,000 to 500,000 new infections annually. The progress according to UNaids is due to, giving antiviral drugs to mothers during birth and those who breastfeed so they do not pass the virus to their children; also passing condoms to citizens like in Iran, and the attitude towards gay men in countries like Senegal and Malawi. There are places in Eastern Europe and Central Asia where the rate infections are worse because of heroin-injectors and their sexual partners.
Although many people are getting educated and parents are more open to talking to their children about sex, there is still bad news when it comes to fighting the AIDS epidemic. Some people are now becoming resistant to the first line of drugs and there is not enough money to provide them with the second and third lines of drugs.
Analysis:
It is encouraging to hear that HIV infections are decreasing, even if it is slightly. HIV/AIDS is so widespread and almost every country in the world is affected by the devastation that comes with the virus. HIV/AIDS not only affect the individual, but their family, friends and the economy of that country because that less people in the workplace. Education plays an important role in the fight against this disease, and it good to hear that parents are talking to their children about sex. I think the best parents can do for their children is not to be naïve about their activities regarding sex, and to educate them, and to have an open door policy where kids feel comfortable to discuss safe sex.
It not surprising to me that some people are becoming resistant to the first line of drugs against HIV, but it is sad. Viruses are smart and their goal is to kill the helper T-cells and weaken the individual, so it’s normal that they would grow resistant. I hope that donors will continue to give so people who cannot afford drugs on their own will be able to get them.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/world/africa/24infect.html?ref=health
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