Extractive Industries and Development

   Last week, President Obama announced that the United States will be signing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) which means that the US will now have to comply with the rules that regulate the global transparency for oil, gas, and mining. What that means, is that from now on the governments and industries that mine, drill, or otherwise extract natural resources from certain areas of land; will have to pay the taxpayers of that area justly. And while this may seem like a step in the right direction for the United States, there are other countries who would tell us that we must still be cautious. Another event that took place last week, was the Civil Society Policy Forum which was part of the World Bank and the IMF’s Annual meeting. During the meeting, several panels met and discussed the issues of extractive industries, resource management, and economic development. 

   The article that I found for this week ,concentrated mainly on the session lead by economist Paul Collier, Karin Lissakers, and Antoine Heuty. During the session they talked about the different ways that countries and their governments go about the extraction of their natural resources. And they found that while there are countries, like the United States who are signing the EITI, there are still countries that are taking advantage of the places that are supplying their natural resources. This often creates a gap of inequality between the richer countries that are often the one’s doing the exploiting, and the poorer countries which are usually the one’s being stripped of their natural resources at a much lower price than they should be getting. I think that this is a global issue because it greatly affects our globalized economy.  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-harris/prosper-or-plunder-extrac_b_986293.html

Blog Post #5 American Soldier admits to thrill kill in Afghanistan

Yesterday September 29, 2011 a U.S. soldier confessed to a judge that firing a machine gun at unarmed civilians was wrong and that he was ashamed of his self for engaging in this cruel act. Private Andrew Holmes at age 21 plead guilty to murdering an unarmed civilian during his deployment to Afghanistan. At first Private Holmes was believed to be guilty but through further investigation the truth was found. In a court room in Seattle Holmes admitted to using drugs while serving in Afghanistan and withholding a finger from a victim as a souvenir. Evidence was proven when Private Andrew Holmes appeared on camera holding the head of a dead teenager. Five soldiers from the Army’s Joint Base Lewis-McChord have been charged with participating in these so called thrill kills. Corporal Jeremy Morlock pled guilty to three murder counts recently this past year and now is facing a sentence of 24 years behind bars. Those found guilty of engaging in these cruel acts all felt some sort of resentment for their inexcusable actions. By Private Holmes choosing to plead guilty he worked out a deal with prosecutors that protected him against serving a life sentence. He chose to take the easy route because he knew what the consequences of his actions could have in store for him. Staff Sergeant Calvin Gibbs is considered to be the cause of these young men engaging in the January 2010 incident. He also will have to go to trial and sit before a judge to await his sentence also.

http://rt.com/usa/news/us-unarmed-holmes-afghanistan-255/

Blog #5...Australia Falling Behind in Education Race

September 30, 2011

Australia an underachiever in education race
Andrew Stevenson


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/australia-an-underachiever-in-education-race-20110930-1l1hy.html#ixzz1ZShYmy8N

Summary
18 percent of students in Australia reached high levels in international tests in 2000; in 2009 this percentage had fallen to 13 percent. Australia is falling behind in education investments compared to competitor nations. Funding needs to rise by at least $10 billion a year to reach the average of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development nations. The need to increase education investments is great for Australia to reach its nations aim at reaching higher standards in order to transform. NSW Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli, said Australia needs to set more ambitious national targets and use existing data to better understand performance to address the issue of underachievement. A major strain on the budget comes from the number of students with disabilities that is increasing rapidly.

Analysis
In order for Australia to complete globally they have to rework the way they are spending their money. I recommend they start programs similar to Teach for America to go into inner city schools and teach for some years to up the teaching standard. Changing the educational focus from low performance to setting more ambitious goals, redirecting resources and investing in leaders that are ready for strategic, transformational change will benefit Australia. Again, the problem of educational inequity is a global social problem. It is social in context, people understand it is a problem, it affects a collective amount of people and all across the world we are setting up institutions, movements and organizations to combat this issue.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/australia-an-underachiever-in-education-race-20110930-1l1hy.html#ixzz1ZSlv1ALw

Blog #5: Authorities say prison guard charged with sexually abusing inmates

Harry Nicoletti, 59, was arrested Tuesday accused of sexually and physically abusing more than 20 inmates. Nicoletti, a Pennsylvania prison guard, faces 92 counts of institutional sexual assault, official oppression, terroristic threats and simple assault. According to the criminal complaint stated that Nicoletti was accused of targeting male inmate convicted of sex crimes, particularly those convicted of crimes against children. The 34-page consists of what the authorities describe as verbal abuse directed at the inmates as physical abuse and sexual abuse. In the State Criminal Institution at Pittsburgh’s “F-Block” Nicoletti allegedly raped, slapped, bribed and exposed himself to inmates. One of the inmates at the prison said that he was rewarded for assaulting 15 other inmates under Nicoletti’s orders. The inmate did not specify on what type of abuse he was talking about. Nicoletti told KDKA that all the allegations were false. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 7.

Sexual abuse in prisons between inmates is one of the most unreported kinds of abuse and the abuse between guards and prisoners is even more unreported. This is mostly because everyone seems to turn their head when it comes to those kinds of crimes in prison. Some people may think that just because these inmates are criminals that they deserve whatever come their way while they are incarcerated. This is not so, inmates received their justice one the judge gave them their sentence. This is a prime example of people taking advantage of their authority. Hopefully this type of criminal action will cease to exist one day.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/28/justice/pennsylvania-prison-guard-abuse/index.html?hpt=ju_c2

Nokia Cuts Large Amount of Jobs in Factories Everywhere

Nokia plans to get rid of another 3,500 jobs! 2,220 jobs will be lost in Romania due to the factory closure in Cluj.  Back in April Nokia stated they would cut out 4,000 jobs! That is a lot of families going without money. To top it off the NEW cut cost plan got rid of 10,500 jobs! Chief executive Stephen Elop claims, “We are seeing solid progress against our strategy, and with these planned changes we will emerge as a more dynamic, nimble and efficient challenger”.  Nokia had R&D (research and development) sites in Europe, Finland, and Germany. The company had a net loss of 368 million dollars in three months. Net sells fell by 7 percent to 9.3 billion dollars.

As if it was not hard enough to find jobs there will now be even more job losses, not only in America, but in Romania, Europe, Finland, and Germany. There are going to be a lot of families who are going to have to struggle for a while. Any time a major company decides to cut cost many people are left without jobs. This is a global crisis because it affects many people and their families in many different places. After these people lose their jobs they are going to feel the full effect of the economy going down. Nokia is not able to keep up with other major companies so this is why they have to cut cost and fire many individuals. So because of these competitions between major phone companies many people will suffer.

NYPD Profiling Specific Citizens Ethnic Group

              Recently in New York, the police have been using video surveilence to monitor specific ethnic groups behavior. The Associated Press obtained months worth of police documents. The NYPD has a program that has been documenting the daily life of possible terrorist based on ethnicity. The documents showed where people worked, prayed, and even got their hair cut. Police have been photographing Moroccans specifically. Police have photos of restaurants and grocerie stores that serve Moroccans. The purpose of this operation is to only followed leads when investigating terrorism. Police officers have violated the code because now peoples daily activities are being stalked and specific locations are targeted by police.
              This situation is very similar to our group discussion board. We examined how black people were treated when shopping, and how a severly beaten hispanic was completely ignored. I understand that the police are trying to stay ahead of terrorism but there is regulations that need to be followed. Moroccans also have personal freedoms and not all of them are terrorist. This is an issue because of the 9,000 Moroccan citizens of New York are being wrongfully profiled based on their race. The police are stalking them and they can no longer peacefully live their lives. I think that police should just stick to the leads on terrorism and not the daily lives of individuals. Following people to the gym and targeting areas based on where ethnicities hang out is a violation of personal freedom. This is an reoccuring issue in the U.S.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9863130

Blog5- Amanda Knox

The United States has often been known as one of the elite nations of the world yet one of our citizens is standing trial for a murder that has no evidence that she committed. This week I will be discussion the appeal that is currently going on for the trial for Amanda Knox, an American born citizen who went to college in Italy and is now facing charges for the murder of her roommate.
When Amanda Knox was seventeen she went away to school without expecting that she was be center of a murder trial a few months later. Amanda’s roommate was murdered not long after she arrived in Italy. Though this is a horrific event, it is also evident that Amanda was not the murderer—which leaves one to wonder how she is standing trial and has been imprisoned for the past four years for a crime that was impossible for her to commit.
When the trial first began many people said that if Amanda Knox had been Italian instead of American there would be no way that she would be locked up, which is a very reasonable assumption. Around the world there shouldn’t be different laws or justice systems depending on your nationality. Just like there is racial discrimination, we now see that discrimination can also be based upon your nationality. It is obvious that Amanda Knox is not receiving a fair or equal compared to what her Italian counterpart would receive. This isn’t the first time that this issue has come up though; yes it may have been an issue of national security (at first) but for the American born hikers in Iran to be jailed for several months is also evidence of inequality on a global scale.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/09/29/amanda.knox.profile/index.html

“The mental illness industry is medicalising normality”

According to the World Health Organization, the fourth leading contributor to the global burden of disease is depression. Unfortunately, by 2020 depression may rise to second place. The European College of Psychopharmacology, found that 164.8 million (38.2%) Europeans suffer from a mental disorder, neural disorder, chronic disorder and or conduct disorder. Also, anxiety disorders including panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Studies have found that depression and anxiety are linked mostly to women, and men seem to become alcoholics. Alcoholism is seen to be a determinant of depression. This global problem has drawn a lot of attention. Many people are suffering without a cure. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, more and more disorders are being “invented.” This shows how mental health is being categorized into a scale of what is normal and what is not.

Mental illness surrounds each and every one of us. I have many people in my family who have depression, along with chronic diseases. Obviously, medicine has played a huge role in helping us cope with the negative effects of diseases. However, the more mental illness’ are expanded the more big pharmacy companies have control over our mental and emotional well-being. This article has taught me that mental illness has become normalized for profit. Many people view their unhappiness into the category of a mental disorder-when in reality it is not. Although I know many patients with severe disorders and chronic illness’ need medicine, I feel more energy needs to go into offering alternatives to medical treatment. For instance, in the article it is suggested an increase in childcare be given, after-school clubs and more days off work. People around the world are struggling to make their voices heard. There needs to be a change in structure to show those suffering with depression can be leaders towards equality. In class we learn that change comes with everyone being involved. If women are empowered and realize they are the majority in this fight against depression, it will in turn advantage men to do more. This will create more community effort and better culture for care. Education is key to solving this global problem on suppressing unhappiness with drugs. Healthcare is a human right, therefore more funding needs to go into focus groups. There is a stigma attached to depression and the focus needs to go into eliminating that. I wish we heard more about primary prevention with depression. We hear so much of people getting cocktails of different medicines. We should support those who also may have a genetic/environmental link to depression and prevent and extend the quality of life for those needing it. All levels: primary, secondary and tertiary need to work cohesively for progress.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/06/mental-illness-medicalising-normality

Blog #5: Pakistanis fault U.S.

Pakistan has become a direct target for suicide bombers due to their ties with the United States. Since 2001 there has been 335 suicide bombings whereas there was only one before. Many families, such as Muhammad Malik, have dealt with loses due to these bombings and blame it not only on the United States but also on Pakistan’s failure to confront Islammist militants. A large majority of Pakistanis view Washington as the enemy and believe that if Pakistan never allied with the US, that these bombings would have never occurred. More than 10,000 civilians have been killed and Pakistanis no longer feel safe due to this increase.


While reading this article, a student asked a very good question, why does the American government interfere in every country? Since 1890, the United States has been interfering in other countries and we are currently involved with 9 countries with the most recent being Libya. I’m not much into politics but it seems that the US invades for minimal reasons. It seems to me that the United States wants to show its strength without thinking of the affects on both sides. These intrusions have caused wide state terror and the government constantly fears terrorism. We fail to see that a weakness of terror is it inability to make lasting changes and that repercussions do happen. Maybe if the United States minded their business, September 11 would have never happened. Maybe we would not be in wars over the globe and maybe we would not be in so much debt and have such as bad economy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/shaken-by-increase-in-attacks-since-2001-many-pakistanis-fault-us/2011/09/19/gIQAFe9D0K_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend

Blog 5; Migrant Women in China to Receive More Contraceptive Education

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-09/26/content_13789167.htm

This article addresses abortions that are occurring in migrant women in China. In 2008, there were about 50,000 abortions in mainland China and out of those, 70 percent were migrant women. This issue is mostly by poor information on contraceptives. This issue was also brought to more light because of World Contraceptive Day, September 26. The article states that talking about sex and sex education is not common in Asian societies. This faltering of the government and public is the main cause for misinterpreted contraception information or no information at all. China is however implementing new programs to help its citizens and migrants who do receive abortions to receive more care. This program is a German one called PAC (post-abortion care). This is vital to China because such a big percentage of its citizens and migrants are getting abortions and then needing subsequent surgeries to fix things. These subsequent surgeries are costing the state a lot of money; 470 million US dollars. The PAC program makes sure women receive care from trained nurses to monitor their health after procuring an abortion. This program hopes to not only improve the health of women who get abortions but to also stop recurrent abortions in the same women.

This has been identified as a social problem in China and the government is on their way to implementing ways to fix it. However, it became a problem because Chinese women and migrants to the country are not informed in sex education and contraceptive forms. The article states that Chinese are shy to talk about sex. Shyness is not a sufficient excuse. Talking about contraceptives should be the number one health issue in China because of the population boom. Also, it should be the number one topic since the literal abortions are not 100 percent safe and often require subsequent surgeries.
From the video we watched in class on Japan, maybe the Chinese are similar in their feelings of immigrants. If this is the case, it would make even more sense for contraceptive knowledge and safer abortions to be in place by the government.

Blog 5;

Blog #5: Lawyers argue evidence in Knox murder trial.

Keyvette Oliver
September 30, 2011
3:45

Lawyers argue evidence in Knox murder trial

US citizen, Amanda Knox is currently on trial in Perugia, Italy for the 2009 murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. Kercher's "body was found half-naked with her throat slashed on November 2, 2007." Prosecutors in Knox's case are saying she's guilty, "regardless of logic or reason." Knox and her boyfriend have both been charged with the murder of Kercher, while Knox was studying abroad in Italy. Prosecutors are sure that the evidence they have against Knox is enough for a guilty verdict. There are bloody footprints, and the knife, which is believed the be the murder weapon, has a trace of Knox's DNA. Prosecutors are saying regardless of age, or how long ago this took place, Knox and her boyfriend "killed for nothing" and "must be condemned to the maximum sentence. Knox's attorney, Maria Del Grosso, says that Knox is a victim to the harsh claims being cast against her by the prosecution. She says that the prosecution needs "proofs, proofs, proofs" and that her clients are "only strangers to this crime." Knox and her boyfriend are scheduled to give final statements on Monday, when the ruling is due. As of right now, Knox has been sentenced to 26 years. Her attorney, Del Grosso argues that she was misguided by police by being denied a translator and was discourage from getting a lawyer when she was arrested. Her attorney is also arguing that the DNA found on the evidence should be excluded because both women lived in the house, sharing everything.

This case is very unfortunate for both girls. They both have lost the right to be free. Every action has a consequence, but I believe it is wrong to punish someone without absolute certainty. It is vry important to know your limits, and especially the limits of those you are sharing a living space with. People should learn how to chose their fights wisely, and learn how to win those battles ina mature way. I cannot imagine the hurt their families are going through. I pray justice is served for both girls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Meredith_Kercher#Amanda_Knox

Blog Post #5 - U.S, Ambassador safe after Syrian Attack

Robert Ford , a U.S. ambassador was safe Thursday after being attacked by a pro-government group. An official reported that it was an attack by an armed mob but he is OK. Ford has always been outspoken against the Syrian government and their use of violence against protestors and has been seen as more of an activist than a diplomat. In July when he traveled to the restive city of Hama to express support for demonstrators, he sparked a diplomatic firestorm. He was gracefully welcomed with open arms. A crowd tried to assault Ford and embassy colleagues. The mob was violent and it tried, unsuccessfully, to attack but only seriously damaged the vehicles. At the time of the attack, Ford was visiting Hassan Abdul Azim, head of the opposition Arab Socialist Democratic Union. A crowd begin to gather and chant loudly, the crowd protested rowdily for more than two hours.

This goes to show you that no one, not even U.S. ambassadors are safe from religious attacks. During a meeting that they had Azim explained to Ford that his party doesn't want outside intervention in Syria's unrest, but it does want freedom, democracy and peaceful coexistence among all religious groups. That is truly necessary to a country. People should feel safe in the religion they're in knowing that they have the right to believe in what they want to believe in and not have to worry about being attacked or killed. The Muslims are the main ones that cause all the problems because they want everyone to believe in their religion, but everyone is entitled to the right to pick their religion and stuck with it. 'Religious Bullying' has to stop and everyone needs to be accepted for who and what they are. We are all one people, no matter what religion we decide confide in.


http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/29/world/meast/syria-us-ambassador/index.html?iref=allsearch

Blog #4-Anwar al-Awlaki's extrajudicial murder

    In this article a man named Anwar al-Awlaki how he was targeted and viciously murdered. Awlaki was outside of a war zone, as Awlaki was lethal force can only be employed in the narrowest and the very slim circumstances and when the opposite opponent is seen as an immediate threat. Therefore officials had no right to viciously target and kill him seeing how no crime was committed by Awlaki. The President however, seems to think different and he believes that Awlaki was an "operational terriorist" and that he would've harmed the US if he wasn't killed. However, unless Awlaki's alleged terrorists actions were imminent and unless deadly force employed as a last resort, this killing in the eyes of the ACLU and his family constitutes murder. They felt so strongly about this senseless killing, that they decided to take it to the courts but sadly they lost due to the lack of evidence and on the procedural grounds. However this case has raised eyebrowns and stired out a controversy debating whether or not do executive have the right to order the assassination of a US citizen without first affording him any form of judicial process? Many believe that this case went against the total human rights act because he was viciously killed on no grounds whatsoever and with no substantial evidence that he was even a immediate threat to the United States. The Government however, doesn't believe this act breaks any part of the human rights act and still believes that Awlaki was a threat. His family however are left to mourn with the sudden lost of Awlaki without so much as an apology or anything.
   I do agree with Awlaki's family that justice was indeed NOT served. It is still unclear whether or not that Awlaki was indeed a terriorist, the fact of the matter is that his human rights were simply ignored and his life was so senselessly taken from him. We can becker back and forth all day about if he was a suspected terriorist, but the truth is we're wrong for taking a life seeing how that was simply NO evidence that he was an immediate threat to the United States. Therefore you have to answer this question, on what grounds really did the United States have to kill this man? I definitely think this case should be retried and government should stand up and take responsibility for their actions.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/sep/30/anwar-awlaki-extrajudicial-murder

Blog #5 (Health/Disease)

“Mexico Supreme Court upholds abortion stance.”

Amber Kocher

In Mexico, the Supreme Court decided to keep its amendment that says life begins at conception, and that abortions are unlawful.  This movement was fueled by anti-abortion campaigners and protesters.  The amendment was voted unconstitutional by 7 of 11 justices, but it needed 8 votes for the amendment to be overturned.  The issue is that Mexico City allows abortions with a time limit, as well as some other Mexican States having their own dictations.  Women’s rights activists and health workers fear that the individualized rules between the states will create a divide and will prevent some people from being able to go to Mexico City and other places for legal abortions.  They believe that women from states where abortions are heavily restricted will not have the opportunity or be allowed to travel where it is legal.  The article says that all Mexican states allow abortions in cases of rape and mortality risk to the mother, but pro-choice campaigners believe that this practice doesn’t always happen, and with the laws staying in place, it will be even less frequent.

This article is focused more on the legal aspect of this issue than the health side.  But I believe that it is and could become even more of a health problem.  If women can’t find a way to get an abortion, and desperately want to have one, they could be more likely to find a less safe and sanitary way to have one.  Another thing is that people will go to extreme lengths to find somewhere to get one, and they could travel into the US or other neighboring countries where the practice of abortion is legal.  Since Mexico has kept this conservative law in place, this could also influence other countries to make the same decision.  While I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I think that the decision to have or not have a child is up to each individual.  It’s their body and their child, and involving laws and politics is wrong.  And when something like this could encourage women to resort to desperate measures, it becomes a health issue.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15104022

Blog #4- Caffeine chases away women's depression

Many studies in the past have shown that women you drink a lot of coffee which contains the highest levels of caffeine in any drink have higher rates of heavy smoking and alcoholism. This research and the belief that drinking caffeine is a harmful thing for one's body has made people question if it is safe to continue drinking. A recent study however, has shown that women who drink more coffee on a regular basis are less likely to develop depression later on in life. The caffeine in the coffee actually improved mental health and allowed for less physical aging. The study tracked women and showed that not only did it help with the women remaining less depressed, it also lowered the risk of Parkinson's disease as well as being less likely to be obese. With the obesity comes high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which these women in the study were less likely to develop thanks to their intake of coffee regularly. Coffee is one of the most popular drinks known around the world and so this study can impact many women. This study also puts aside the rumors that drinking coffee is bad for your health. Granted, one must not overdo the coffee because too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Women should keep their coffee intake around 4 cups a day. The medical risks for women all over the world would improve if each woman would drink at least a few cups of coffee a day and women could have longer and healthier lives.

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershot/la-heb-caffeine-women-depression-20110926,0,3909206.story

Lenahan #5- Terror turned to Crime

Devin Lenahan
9/30/11
2:48 pm
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-bc-us--us-iraq,0,4839606.story

In the American war on terror, a major force of opposition in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the terrorist group Al-Qaida. They have had a major hand in many deaths of American soldiers, with the use of suicide bombers, and I.E.Ds. However recently the group has been suffering from shortages of new recruits and willing participants in suicide attacks. Also due to increased efforts by the military and Iraqi police working together, there has been less money flowing into the groups coffers. This has caused the organization to turn to more traditional criminal activities. These activities include a wide range from petty larceny to extortion rackets. This has caused al-Qaida to focus more on criminal activities rather than terrorist attacks, also they are resorting more to remote detonated attacks rather than the suicide bombers. It is believed that since there has been a lack of recruits in recent months, al-Qaida can no longer afford to use its true devotees in suicide attacks. These effects so far are only being felt in the Iraq, due to heavy crack downs.

This is both good and bad news for the country of Iraq, since there have been less attacks. However since al-Qaida is switching motives in the country, we could see a rise of a new powerful organized crime syndicate. The recent activities have already caused many social problems, since the police and army are more focused on stopping terrorist activities, and aren’t looking into theft crimes as much. They are also lacking man power to stop all the minor crimes. But if al-Qaida becomes a major crime syndicate, their influence could spread further then the Middle East and establish contacts with other criminal organizations through drug and arms trade. This could lead to a stronger branch of al-Qaida in Iraq, who would possibly have a much larger income due to religious supporters, and illegal crimes income.

Blog#5 - French Feminists Say 'Non' to 'Mademoiselle'

Katherine Gottsegen

9/30/2011

French Feminists say ‘Non’ to ‘Mademoiselle’

Women in France are starting to confront the sexist culture they have imbedded into their lives for a long time. The article addresses the issue that there is no French equivalent to the ‘Ms.’ Marie-Noelle Bas, the president of a feminist group called Watchdog, has been trying to change this. Many women are agreeing that leaving this term out will cut down on discrimination or harassment, especially in the work place. Bas states it seems normal to the French women that men are more important than themselves. A good example of this would be referring to a younger girl as ‘mademoiselle’, and then when they are married, becoming ‘madame’ – while men, are referred to as ‘monsieur’ regardless of whether they are married or not. Bas even breaks down the word ‘mademoiselle’, stating that oiselle (oiseau) means virgin, or someone who needs to be married.

I think this is a wonderful example of a social problem happening in France. There are a lot of women making this a social movement and care a lot about how they are labeled. It seems to me it is almost a demeaning term, looking down on the women who don’t have a partner to “protect” them. I’ve become more aware of the women who are no longer quick to settle down and have children these days. They are beginning to realize they can do whatever they want, and don’t have to depend on a partner for their happiness. The video we watched in class about Japan focuses on almost the same kind of social dynamic: women are independent, and don’t have to have children to make themselves significant. I’ve never really felt like I needed someone to protect me, or support me. I am fully aware of my capabilities as a woman, and they are no different from those of a man. Gender equality is a huge social problem and the labels associated with each gender have a huge effect on how a person is perceived.

http://www.npr.org/2011/09/29/140931817/french-feminists-say-non-to-mademoiselle

Blog #5: Listeria outbreak in cantaloupes

There has been a terrible outbreak in the world dealing with cantaloupe. Cantaloupes grown on Jenson farm have been recalled because of listeria found in them. Listeria is more deadly, yet less known, than pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli. Symptoms of listeria include fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal issues, and could even cause the victim to be unable to speak. Listeria is usually not found in produce, however, in the past two years there have been outbreaks in sprouts and celery. So far, there has been 72 illnesses and 16 deaths reported as a result of this outbreak. Officials say that even though these cantaloupes have been recalled and are no longer being sold, the count of deaths from this outbreak could keep increasing. The reason for that being is because you could get contaminated with listeria but not show symptoms until weeks later. Many of these deaths have been in older people. Listeria usually kills the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weak immune symptoms while giving most healthy adults no ill effects. FDA said these contaminated cantaloupes were shipped from Jenson farms from July 29^th through September 10^th to many different states. The FDA is not saying how this contamination happened. They are still investigating.

Coming from a family that loves to eat cantaloupe, this is just very shocking because cantaloupe is one of the last things you would expect to be killing people. I would really like to know how the contamination even started, where they went wrong. Also, if they were grown on a farm that sells other things, wouldn’t there be a high chance that everything else or some other things grown on that farm are contaminated as well? It’s very disturbing knowing that so many people are dying from eating cantaloupes right now.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/28/ap/health/main20113075.shtml?tag=re1.channel

Blog #5 Women in Combat

This event is not a current social problem, but is a social problem in one country that has been solved. This week it has been declared in Australia that women will now be allowed to be in a combat role in the Australian army. They will get jobs that are usually done by men, and will not be discriminated against because of their gender. “Women will be allowed to apply to serve as Navy ordnance disposal divers, airfield and ground defense guards, and in infantry, artillery, and armored units, according to the Australian Defence Ministry.” Government officials claim that the women will not be judged because of their gender but by the way they perform their job.

It is unfortunate that women, who serve in the military in the United States, are still not officially allowed to be in combat roles, although during war, many are told to do so. However, Lory Manning of the Washington-based Women's Research and Education Institute, states that will soon change and that the U.S. will also change their policy and lift restrictions for women in combat roles. I believe that Australia will be a great example for many other countries to follow because they will see that it is possible for women to be in combat. It is great to see Australians are recognizing the fact that women can do the same jobs as men can. This is a great way to push towards gender equality, and show that women are capable to be on the same level as men.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/27/world/asia/australia-women-combat/index.html?hpt=wo_bn

September 30th, 2011 1:30pm

Blog Post #5 More than 7,200 Indian Jews to immigrate to Israel

            According to a media report, 7,200 Indian Jews are going to be allowed by the Israeli government to immigrate to Israel in the following weeks. Avigdor Lieberman, the head of the ministerial committee of immigration and absorption made the decision about three months ago to allow this group to immigrate to the Jewish state of Israel. This group of Indian Jews is a part of the Bnei Menashe tribe who have been immigrating to Israel over the past decades however in 2007 it was stopped because their “Jewishness” was questioned although the Israeli Chief Rabbinate had previously stated that they were in fact “descendants of Israel”. The Bnei Menashe tribe says that their people were exiled over 27 centuries ago and eventually settled in the northeastern part of India. Several religious groups are excited to find out the news that this group of Indian Jews is going to return to their home; one Christian Evangelical group sees it as a “biblical prophecy”. They are reported to be funding the move of more than 7,200 Indian Jews to Israel.

            This article shows how the geographical location of the original home of the Bnei Menashe tribe in Israel is so important to their racial/ethic identity. It also points out the fact that even after thousands of years this group of Indian Jews still very much identifies with Zion being their home even after living much time in India. On the other hand it demonstrates how the authenticity of being Jewish was questioned so much that the immigration had been stopped since 2007 which shows that there are some people who don’t identify them as being truly Jewish. It is clear that the Bnei Menashe tribe has a strong sense of their Jewish ethnic identity however at the same time there are those that don’t fully accept them as such.

           

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/More-than-7200-Indian-Jews-to-immigrate-to-Israel/articleshow/10140827.cms

New Step to Fighting Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity affect many children in the world today, seventy percent of children who are obese will stay obese in their adult years. Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH stated “Over the last three decades, obesity rates among children and adolescents have nearly tripled. Obese children are more likely to have asthma, depression, diabetes, and other serious and costly health problems”. These are serious health problems that a child should not have. Most children who are obese are minorities and from low income families. In the family if the mother and/or father doesn’t have a stable income then the child will be more than likely eaten junk food or fast food rather than healthy balanced meals. Many diseases linked to childhood obesity can be prevented as a result of being educated on the matter, and giving a child healthy food alternatives. Today the Center for Disease Control (CDC) made new efforts in fighting childhood obesity by launching successful elements of primary and public care. The Affordable Care Act made twenty-five million dollars available for the CDC to work on the four-year Childhood Obesity Demonstration Project. This four year project is meant to support children's healthy eating and active living and help combat childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is a major health problem and should not be taken lightly. Many parents buy their children countless junk food, which will give that child the satisfaction at that moment. In the long run it could harm the kid’s health if too much is consumed. Nothing is healthy for anyone if done in large amounts. Everything should be done in moderation. That goes for food as well, if children continue to overeat and constantly junk on snack they will become that much closer to childhood obesity.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/235311.php