Darfur Deception

There is a deception about the genocide taking place in Darfur. According to David Reef, “in order to get people to care, they have to oversimplify.” In other words, activists groups, such as Save Darfur have oversimplified the incident that occurs in Darfur. The deception comes down to money. Activism is usually not a desirable job because the money is scarce. To the many various activists groups out there, a heated competition for donations exists. Also, there is a difference in opinion on the incident in Darfur. American activist groups, the US Holocaust Museum, and the US Congress believe that genocide exists in Darfur. The European Union and other prominent activist groups say otherwise. The media is a major influence in how we view the world, so we must take care to understand our world and view it the correct way-the way it is originally presented.

Battling abortion

Evangelicals tend to use the same argument to defend their stance on pro-life on the case of abortion. They use the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” or they parallel an abortion with the genocide of the Jewish people in Germany, according to Garry Wills. As well, the church has no means of referring to scripture because abortion was not issue addressed in the bible. Even the pope agreed that the case of abortion should be left to the laws of nature. In other words, science and reasoning should be satisfactory methods in justifying abortion. Although, the evangelicals cannot stand to hear what scientists, philosophers, or doctors have to say about abortion. According to Garry Wills, the evangelicals say “The experts have only secular expertise, not religious conviction.” I find that to be a horrible excuse for being able to state opinions on the matter of abortion.

Protest

This protest of about thirty-thousand people in the streets of San Francisco has sparked numerous marches in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, and New York. I find this interesting because it is band of so many different types of people. Just goes to show that indignation on a serious matter, the war in Iraq, can unite all peoples. Also, on a few signs read “Drop Tuition Not Bombs”, and “Wall Street Gets Rich, Iraqis and GI’s Die.” The public demands that our government take initiative to reform our country and to stop making every issue a business deal. I believe that our war in Iraq was bound to happen even if “September 11, 2001” did not occur. The incident just pushed the date earlier. The objective was to fight terrorism, to find weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein, reform the government, and import foreign oil. From the beginning, there was no clear objective.

Education is light

Jowhar, Somalia is a nation rampant with disease, famine, flood, starvation, and civil war. During these events of hardships, the literacy rate has plummeted, which allows for lack of education amongst the majority of Jowhar’s inhabitants. Abdulkhadir Wasuge is a source of inspiration in these times of hardship. He is responsible for starting up a school and teaching. It is especially hard for younger generations to learn at time where survival is the top priority. Wasuge believes “Education is the light”, and it has been seen this way throughout mankind’s existence. He hopes to educate future generations to either get away from civil war or to help solve his nation’s conflicts with education. Wasuge states “I’ve lived with a handicap myself…Lack of education is just another handicap”, that younger generations must struggle, but eventually will overcome.

Muslim Tradition

In the Muslim Tradtion or according to the Koran, homosexuality is prohibited. The punishment can range from a long sentence to imprisonment or death. A boy and his friend were offered a ride back to their house by an unknown eighteen year old male. At first the ride seems safe, but when the driver passes the two boys' house the problems begin to emerge. The two boys are taken to the outskirts of the city and are encountered by two of the assailants friends. Both boys were raped. They reported this crime, but both boys were sentenced to fifteen years of imprisonment for performing homosexual acts. I don't see the reasoning or justice in that.

Aruba

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Aruba is a crazy place. Aruba is a democratic country with a democratic system without political parties. Aruba is a very clean country and, virtually does not have poverty. The island is 19 miles long and 6 miles wide. There was no sales tax before 2006 and there is universal health care. The country is so small that there is only a reserve military for extraneous circumstances. There is a governor, a prime minister, and a deputy prime minister of Aruba. Currently, Aruba is a commonwealth of the Netherlands, so its political roots come from the Netherlands. There is education is financed by the governement, except for private schools and is offered at all levels.

No Hugging!

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Hugging is banned in a school in Illinois. Technically, any public displays of affection are prohibited. The story: an eigth grader receives a dentention for huggung her two friends. This rule has been enacted for quite some time and is written in the parent handbook with supplementary consequences. I would understand why this kid would want to violate an outrageous rule like, no public signs of affection. I would understand a school's standpoint on the matter of physical contact amongst children, but that is ridiculous. The school main objective is to educate kids, not overbearingly protect them from anything that is constituted improper. Protection should be one of the school's main objectives, but not to the point of banning public displays of affection.

US Dollar Fallling Short

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The US Dollar once reigned supreme in the world of currency. Now, it begins to slip further down the value list as the Euro heads to the top. In India, the exchange rate used to be one US dollar for 50 rupees. Now, one US dollar for every 39 rupees. Not a good reflection on the US economy. Any US tourists that go to India and end up visiting a grand monument that requries cash, they have to pay at a fixed rupee price rather than in dollars to keep the status quo as the dollar fall short of other major currencies.

Fresh Air

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Tehran is a major city in Iran containing up to 12 million people and many more cars. Downside, the city contains so much pollution that they can barely see the mountains that surround them during the day. Before the Air Quality Control Co. was established there was a lack of pollution control, but more importantly there were many health issue and Iranians dying from the carbon monoxide poisoning. Everyday, pedestrians and even people in cars had to wear mask to protect their lungs from the rising levels of carbon monoxide. Tehran exceeded the World Organization’s standards by 40 percent to 340 percent. In other words, there were many days when schools were closed and those incapable of enduring the carbon monoxide with a mask on were urged to stay inside. At one point, all citizens were asked to stay inside their houses because the carbon monoxide concentrations were at emergency levels. In present day Tehran, there have been many significant changes that are making the lives of those who live in Tehran healthier. For example, they have outlawed cars that do not have the required natural gasoline engine or pollution-reducing catalytic converters. Many citizens are thankful because they do not have to wear masks anymore, and so is the rest of the world.

A Little Acceptance

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There is a religious divide in the US concerning the acceptance of homosexuals. The article focuses more on the conflict between the Episcopalians and Anglicans. The Episcopalians are taking the heat for being one of the first religious groups to accept homosexuals as members of the church. They are allowed to become priests and bishops, and participate as members of the church. On the other hand, Anglicans are completely against the idea of inducting homosexuals into their religion. It all started when the Episcopalian church ordained a gay priest, V. Gene Robinson as the bishop of New Hampshire. A group of the communion’s top leaders, the primates, had given the Episcopalian Church an ultimatum: to declare the end the consecration of gay priests and yield official blessings for same-sex couples. The Episcopalian Church formulated a crafty speech to please the primates, while holding true to their belief of including same-sex couples and ordained homosexuals. In the end, they agreed to the terms set forth by the primates: to refrain from using official blessings on same-sex couples and think twice before ordaining a gay priest. The conflict expands throughout all denominations in America, which include conservative and liberal church members. The common consensus among the denominations that are slowly including homosexuals into their community is the practice of restraint. But the movement of accepting homosexuals is beginning and at least there is starting point: the Episcopalian Church.

Drought

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The Southwest regions and Southeat regions of the United States are experiencing major drought issues. For example, Southern California is experiencing extreme to exceptional drought. First, I think extreme outweighs the level of description exceptional does. If there were a tornado coming your way, I don't think you would be describing the tornado as exceptional. Seriously, the Southeast is taking more heat as it experiences what the National Drought Mitigation Center would classify as the highest level of drought, D4. Right now, the people of the Southeat regions of the US are experiencing water rations, banning of outdoor water use, etc. Many businesses that incorporate water as a major component in the success of their business are going to experience a decrease in revenue. Many people still have not adapted to the issued water rationing. Some people believe that we have consumed our way into drought. I believe that our lack of water can be attributed more to the drought, yet still towards our daily mass consumations of water. Also, the drought could have been caused by the overwhelming dilemma: global warming. I am not saying it is a true factor, but it could be. According to Carol Couch, we should address the matter with reservoirs and strict enforcement on water use. Possibly, we can find alternative water sources, enforce a tight water ration, build more reservoirs, but more importantly grow more trees. Sounds redundant to say that growing more trees during a drought, but it is true. Trees contribute to more precipitation because of the moisture given off . In the end, this drought sucks!

Stupid!

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There was a comment made on the ABC show "Desperate Housewives" that sparked controversey amongst Filipinos all over the US. Terry Hatcher made a comment regarding credentials, which ended with her contradicting the eligibilty of a person receiving their diploma from a medical school in the Philippnes. I don't know how that line was even aired on national television. I don't understand how someone could write that and allow it to be aired without thinking about the consequences and the negative feedback ABC would be getting. First, IT WAS JUST PLAIN OUT WRONG! The producer or writer's intention could be racial or bashing a third world country; I don't know. All I know is that, a great percentage of filipinos fill the nursing positions and other various medical professions. I would say there doing a pretty good job seeing as America is in high demand of their services. As a filipino myself, I found it very offensive because whatever his slander meant it was just not a credible assumption. It hurt. Check your resources, but more importanly "check your motives and thoughts" (Lauryn Hill).

Dual Leadership

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Vladimir Putin's term as president of Russia is about to terminate, but he has a tough decision. An influential and powerful leader, such as himself, is not fully ready to pass on the title. He has two options. First, to nominate a weak leader and pull the strings. Second, he can nominate a strong leader and totally forfeit, yet entrust his powers and legitimacy to the next president. It is up to Putin whether he still wants to be an influence or leave his people in good hands. Right now, he is leaning towards the option one (weaker leader, and he pulls the strings). In nominating the weaker leader he allows himself to be re-elected in 2012. In other words, he is power hungry, but has good intentions in keeping balance and peace in his country.

How many races are on Earth?

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Brown vs. the Board of Education led the way for people of color to receive the same quality of education as whites did and to abolish segregation indefinantely. Thus, the learning gap between those of color and those that are white began to decrease. But now were back to a large gap and it's not improving. People say we need to accomodate Latinos and African-Americans or browns and blacks with a special education system with their color in mind. I pretty much say BS! The article did bring up a good point that poor teachers parallel the low reading and math scores, as well as over-populated schools. Just another excuse for covering up the real problem in the education system. It has nothing to do with race. It is more an economic issue and proper guidance from the older generations. Professionals that earned their degrees at a college to be a teacher are not being teachers. The reason why one blames the wide education gap on race because most schools of poor composition contain "minorities." People of color are labelled as minorities because they are under-represented in Congress. In order to gain support from "minorities" we must have a say in congress. Better education equals a good deal of money. A bad education equals insufficent funds or tax dollars directed towards learning. In the end, it comes down to an economic issue. What if Beverly Hills was made up of poor white trash (no offence) and Compton was compromised of rich, well-educated brown and black people? Would color be the problem or would it be economic? We call ourselves the human race, but we hardly act like it. We divide humans by the melatonin levels in their system ( body color) and call them races. We are one race: human. When we understand this, we understand what a support system means and how it works. Instead, of making excuses to avoid taking responsibility for something that really matters: education.

COMING OUT OF THE STALL

by: Jack Ohman Portland Oregonian

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Turns out that Senator Vitter was part of the D.C. Madam scandal and Representative Foley was an internet predator, not myspace, but via e-mail. He sent "dirty" messages to an underaged male. What happened to girls? Just kidding. I could go further with the church, but I am not hear to offend. Politically speaking, the cartoon points out Senator Craig's hypocrisy and denial. Back when he was running for the senator position, he had denied many allegations that he was homosexual; he did not even like gays. We'll just say he's making up for the all the experimenting he did not do in college. He wants live without lies! Good for him. Regardless of his service to the Republicans, many "reds" do not take kindly to homosexuals, so he was forced to resign his position. Although, it is absolutley okay for Senator Vitter and Representative Foley to get away with their tomfoolery. Of course, this specific sacndal makes the Republican vulnerable to losing the 2008 elections, but why just Senator Craig's scandal? Turns out that the Republican Party is using these three scandals to raise their popularity and increase their chances of getting a different demographic to vote: homosexuals; a.k.a "Spawn of Satan." Dirty tactics, but also a technique Chris Matthews would call "shedding light on the situation" then "spinning it" to win. The question to ask is why I posted the political cartoon? Simple, to show that there are always different perspectives on anything and everything, in this case the Senator Craig scandal. The cartoon shows a satirical tone, but who is playing who? Are the Republicans really executing this tactic to win or are they just using the word tactic as an excuse to cover up these embarassing scandals? Enough questions. I think we need to consider that because members of a certain party are gay, then forcing that person to resign really does not show acceptance towards homosexuals.