A man entered an Indiana hospital on April 28th, after experiencing fever, cough and shortness of breath, the previous day, which are all symptoms of Middle East Respiratory Virus (MERS) . The man had came back from Saudi Arabia on April 24th. Because of his trip to Saudi Arabia, the health officials in Indiana tested him for MERS and sent the sample to the Center of Disease Control (CDC). The CDC tested the sample and confirmed that the patent has the virus.
Thermal senors that used in China and other countries to prevent ill travelers from entering the country are said not to be helpful. because of the virus' 14 day incubation period, so travelers will not be quarantined and stopped in time.
This has been the first case of MERS showing up in the United States, and it not be the last. The virus has a 14 day incubation period, so many will not know they have it until then and when the symptoms begin to show. The CDC doesn't know much about he virus, because the lack of cooperation with countries in the Middle East, where the virus is most prominent will not share their samples. The illness is said to come from bats and camels and passed on to humans.
Egypt also had their first case of MERS reported on April 26th, and so far since 2012 262 cases have been reported. So far researches do not know how the virus is spread, but as stated before believe there is a link between camel and human interaction. There is also no vaccine as of right now and the only way MERS can be treated is like a fever.
So stay well and wash your hands often.
Sources
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/02/us-usa-health-mers-idUSBREA410SN20140502?feedType=RSS
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/02/health/mers-5-things/?hpt=hp_t1
Sunday, May 4, 2014
War Expo
There are trade shows around the world for many things, cars, computers, video games, home appliances, you name it there is a trade show for it, even one of the most deadly things mean has created, war.
The Special Operations Forces Exhibition or SOFEX is held every two years in Jordan, hosted by the king. The most recent one in 2012 had 349 different companies, 300 delegates from 85 countries attended. The expo has high ranking military officers, like generals, form around the world attend, all seeking to look at the newest and greatest weapons and systems the world has to offer.
The expo allows these generals to look, buy and in some cases test out the new toy they have purchased. The expo has a built a training complex for any special forces to use train. They even use the training ground to hold a competition among the special forces of the world to see which one is best one of them all. To no surprise the United States has the most exhibitors present at the expo, beside the Jordan.
The companies that come to SOFEX are weapon manufactures from around the world. In the Vice documentary "The Business of War" they talk to many attenders and exhibitors at the expo. One man they talk to says that they sell not just weapons, but also kits. These kits can help mount weapons on to helicopters or planes. For example North Korea is not allowed to buy weapons because of sanctions, so instead they buy a commercial helicopter and buy a kit later to attach the weapons on.
It is very odd seeing all the worlds top generals walking around looking for new weapons to buy, while cit catting with other generals from other nations. As stated by one of the US marines attending the expo in 2012, he said that they are all their buy weapons to kill each other.
Near the end of the documentary an interesting point is brought up. Most the generals that attend are looking for homeland and border security defenses. Most of the weapons being bought are to fight a foreign power, but are to fight ones at home, like drugs gangs, terrorists, rebels, insurgents, you name it.
The next SOFEX is will be held in Jordan from May 6 - May 8 2014.
Sources
Vice Documentary- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL_3Qg-SADY
SOFEX website - http://www.sofexjordan.com/
The Special Operations Forces Exhibition or SOFEX is held every two years in Jordan, hosted by the king. The most recent one in 2012 had 349 different companies, 300 delegates from 85 countries attended. The expo has high ranking military officers, like generals, form around the world attend, all seeking to look at the newest and greatest weapons and systems the world has to offer.
The expo allows these generals to look, buy and in some cases test out the new toy they have purchased. The expo has a built a training complex for any special forces to use train. They even use the training ground to hold a competition among the special forces of the world to see which one is best one of them all. To no surprise the United States has the most exhibitors present at the expo, beside the Jordan.
The companies that come to SOFEX are weapon manufactures from around the world. In the Vice documentary "The Business of War" they talk to many attenders and exhibitors at the expo. One man they talk to says that they sell not just weapons, but also kits. These kits can help mount weapons on to helicopters or planes. For example North Korea is not allowed to buy weapons because of sanctions, so instead they buy a commercial helicopter and buy a kit later to attach the weapons on.
It is very odd seeing all the worlds top generals walking around looking for new weapons to buy, while cit catting with other generals from other nations. As stated by one of the US marines attending the expo in 2012, he said that they are all their buy weapons to kill each other.
Near the end of the documentary an interesting point is brought up. Most the generals that attend are looking for homeland and border security defenses. Most of the weapons being bought are to fight a foreign power, but are to fight ones at home, like drugs gangs, terrorists, rebels, insurgents, you name it.
The next SOFEX is will be held in Jordan from May 6 - May 8 2014.
Sources
Vice Documentary- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL_3Qg-SADY
SOFEX website - http://www.sofexjordan.com/
Will the Future Understand the Past
Scientist may have found out how the ancient Egyptians moved large stones across the dessert. They theorize that the ancient Egyptians put the stones on a sled and dragged across the sand and had one man in front of the sled pours water in front of it so that the sled can glide across. Scientist have tested this on small scale and it works well, but there is another thing that helps prove their theory true. There is a hieroglyph made by the ancient Egyptians that depicts this process, and not until now do we think we know what it means. The hieroglyph shows a statue on a sled begin pulled, with a man in front of it pouring water out of a jug.
The ancient Egyptians left all types of messages and for the hope that the future could understand them, but as seen in the recent discovery it is hard to interpret the messages of the past. All ancient civilizations have left messages, and we today struggle to interpret what they mean. So could this happen to our current modern civilization, could our messages today become hard for the future to understand.
Scientists have found a problem when it comes to our nuclear waste storage and its not how we store, but how we label it. How do we label it to make sure that future generations understand it is dangerous. In 1991 Sandia National Laboratories hired 13 linguists, scientists, and anthropologists to create a system of makers that would last 10,000 years. One of the first things they ruled out was the use of a "keep out Sign, or any sign that used written language, because even if English survives 10,000 years into the future, there is no way it will be spoken the same then as it is now. We today know what the radiation symbol means, but in the future will it still have the same meaning and be understood. Even using the skull and crossbones could be troublesome. Most people would agree that the skull and crossbones would be the universal symbol of death, but it can still be misunderstood today. In Latin America the symbol is used to celebrate the day of the dead. The symbol is also used to repentant the stereotypical pirates to many small children today, and many would associate the symbol with treasure.
But whatever symbol or writing is used to communicate to the trespassers to keep out, and they understand the message, they probably will not follow the directions. Many ancient Egyptian tombs had an equivalent to keep out signs, some describing the horrible actions the gods would inflict on the trespasser if they were to continue on. But the archaeologist that found this tombs did not have the same faith as the ancient Egyptians and so they did not believe the warning, took it as superstition and carried on with their venture. So if in 10,000 years from, who knows what the future generations will know, will they believe the warnings of the past, or just shrug it off and continue their exploration of possibly dangerous sites.
Sources
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/solved-how-ancient-egyptians-moved-massive-pyramid-stones-n95171
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/green_room/2009/11/atomic_priesthoods_thorn_landscapes_and_munchian_pictograms.html
The ancient Egyptians left all types of messages and for the hope that the future could understand them, but as seen in the recent discovery it is hard to interpret the messages of the past. All ancient civilizations have left messages, and we today struggle to interpret what they mean. So could this happen to our current modern civilization, could our messages today become hard for the future to understand.
Scientists have found a problem when it comes to our nuclear waste storage and its not how we store, but how we label it. How do we label it to make sure that future generations understand it is dangerous. In 1991 Sandia National Laboratories hired 13 linguists, scientists, and anthropologists to create a system of makers that would last 10,000 years. One of the first things they ruled out was the use of a "keep out Sign, or any sign that used written language, because even if English survives 10,000 years into the future, there is no way it will be spoken the same then as it is now. We today know what the radiation symbol means, but in the future will it still have the same meaning and be understood. Even using the skull and crossbones could be troublesome. Most people would agree that the skull and crossbones would be the universal symbol of death, but it can still be misunderstood today. In Latin America the symbol is used to celebrate the day of the dead. The symbol is also used to repentant the stereotypical pirates to many small children today, and many would associate the symbol with treasure.
But whatever symbol or writing is used to communicate to the trespassers to keep out, and they understand the message, they probably will not follow the directions. Many ancient Egyptian tombs had an equivalent to keep out signs, some describing the horrible actions the gods would inflict on the trespasser if they were to continue on. But the archaeologist that found this tombs did not have the same faith as the ancient Egyptians and so they did not believe the warning, took it as superstition and carried on with their venture. So if in 10,000 years from, who knows what the future generations will know, will they believe the warnings of the past, or just shrug it off and continue their exploration of possibly dangerous sites.
Sources
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/solved-how-ancient-egyptians-moved-massive-pyramid-stones-n95171
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/green_room/2009/11/atomic_priesthoods_thorn_landscapes_and_munchian_pictograms.html
Sunday, April 27, 2014
US back in the Philippines
The United States and the Philippines have been intertwined since before the turn of the 19th century and have a colorful history. From the Philippines being a colony of Spain, to a colony of the United States, to now a independent nation and close ally of the United States. Now the Philippines and the United States singed a 10 year agreement to have United States military bases back in the Philippines.
The United States had bases in the Philippines up to 1991, when the Philippine government voted to have the bases removed. But now tensions are heating up in the South Pacific. Over the past couple years the China and Philippines have had increased tensions between each other over the territorial sea dispute, with islands that may be oil and gas rich. The two have had small skirmish, and tension is high. Any body could tell you if the war to actually break out over the islands that China would annihilate any Philippine military resistance. Because of the recent build up of tension, the Philippines is letting the United States Military bases to come back for 10 years. This is being done to deter China from the Philippines, because the last thing China would want is a war with the United States.
China of course is in opposition to this and has the told the United States to stay out of Asian affairs. But American military forces haven't been gone completely after 1991. Hundreds of American troops have been stationed in the Philippines since 2002, to fight Al-Qaeda sponsored groups in the south Philippines.
American troops in the Philippines has been a sensitive issue, because of the history of Philippines being an American colony, especially with the horrible events that took place during the Philippine–American War. After that war the country became a colony of the United States.
Many Americans would argue why should we send troops to the Philippines and possible get involved in something that does not concern us. This feeling has definitely increased after the United States' involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I feel that is a different case.
Even though for many years the United States occupied the Philippines, today most Filipinos see the United States as close allies and liberators after the United States ended Japanese occupation in World War II. Also there is the colony factor. American troops did terrible things during the Philippine-American War, and had occupied the country till 1935, and it is only the right thing to do is to help defend the former colony they ask for help. The United Kingdom would most likely step in help India or South Africa, if they asked for it, and why shouldn't the United States do the same. Granted I probably have a biased view, as my mom is from the Philippines.
If all things go well nothing of significance will happen during these next 10 years between the Philippines and China, and the the United States will not have to get involved further than what it is now.
More Info
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PHILIPPINES_US_MILITARY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-04-27-02-16-37
http://www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/2013/10/27/south-china-sea/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine%E2%80%93American_War
The United States had bases in the Philippines up to 1991, when the Philippine government voted to have the bases removed. But now tensions are heating up in the South Pacific. Over the past couple years the China and Philippines have had increased tensions between each other over the territorial sea dispute, with islands that may be oil and gas rich. The two have had small skirmish, and tension is high. Any body could tell you if the war to actually break out over the islands that China would annihilate any Philippine military resistance. Because of the recent build up of tension, the Philippines is letting the United States Military bases to come back for 10 years. This is being done to deter China from the Philippines, because the last thing China would want is a war with the United States.
China of course is in opposition to this and has the told the United States to stay out of Asian affairs. But American military forces haven't been gone completely after 1991. Hundreds of American troops have been stationed in the Philippines since 2002, to fight Al-Qaeda sponsored groups in the south Philippines.
American troops in the Philippines has been a sensitive issue, because of the history of Philippines being an American colony, especially with the horrible events that took place during the Philippine–American War. After that war the country became a colony of the United States.
Many Americans would argue why should we send troops to the Philippines and possible get involved in something that does not concern us. This feeling has definitely increased after the United States' involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I feel that is a different case.
Even though for many years the United States occupied the Philippines, today most Filipinos see the United States as close allies and liberators after the United States ended Japanese occupation in World War II. Also there is the colony factor. American troops did terrible things during the Philippine-American War, and had occupied the country till 1935, and it is only the right thing to do is to help defend the former colony they ask for help. The United Kingdom would most likely step in help India or South Africa, if they asked for it, and why shouldn't the United States do the same. Granted I probably have a biased view, as my mom is from the Philippines.
If all things go well nothing of significance will happen during these next 10 years between the Philippines and China, and the the United States will not have to get involved further than what it is now.
More Info
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PHILIPPINES_US_MILITARY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-04-27-02-16-37
http://www.nytimes.com/newsgraphics/2013/10/27/south-china-sea/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine%E2%80%93American_War
Unitary vs Federal
Through the many nations that inhabit earth, there are two types of government structures that have become dominate in the world. A nation today will either be structured as a unitary state or a federation. The two have different ways on how the power of the government is structured.
Unitary states have most of the power of the in one central government, while smaller administrative regions will rule according to what the central government. Most nations of the world today are structured in as a unitary state. Most of Africa, Asia, Europe are structured this way, same with most countries in Latin America. Not all unitary states require their regions to be completely submissive. Most unitary states tend to have a similar ethnicity among the people, like Japan. For example before Crimea was annexed by Russia, it was an autonomous government that was part of Ukraine, which is a unitary state. Another example is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom is composed of 4 different regions, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and each region has some degree of autonomy, but over all have to follow what the central government passes.
The other type of government structure is a federation, which here in the US we should be familiar with. These include countries like the United States, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Russia, Ethiopia, Somalia, India, Malaysia, and much more. This type of government structure have the power split between local governments and the central government or the Federal government. The two governments have to balance each other. Most federations tend to have a wide range of ethnicity within them like India, and the US.
As time continues it can be easy to say that more and more nations might be moving to federations to run for their government structure. This is because people in certain regions that feel like they do not fit with the rest of the nation and want more autonomy and to make their own decisions. But the degree on how much power local governments have in a federation can be debated. For example looking at United States history, it can be seen that over time the federal government received more power.
More Info
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
On 12 June the World Cup will kick off in Brazil and the all of the world will watch their teams compete to win it all, but before that can happen the Brazilian government has problem to tackle so that the players and fans can enjoy the beautiful country that is Brazil. The host country has been facing an increasing outbreak of Dengue fever.
Dengue fever is a very dangerous illness that is transported by mosquitoes to humans and is very common in tropical countries like Brazil. Dengue is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The mosquito has become resistant to insecticides, lives in homes and is most active during the day, which will makes bed nets useless.
To fight these bugs the Brazilian government has decided to use the mosquito against itself, by starting a two year trail of releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild population. These genetically modified mosquitoes have gene that causes them to die young. The government sends pick trucks full of the short lived male mosquitoes with the hopes that they will mate with the female mosquito, which is the one that bites and transfers Dengue fever, and after they mate their offspring will have a short live and help control the spread of the disease.
The Florida Keys is also conducting a similar trail to get rid of Dengue fever and control the mosquito population by using a similar method, but with some slight differences. The Florida Keys is using the The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which can be best described as birth control for insects. These Genetically modified mosquitoes are born infertile. They release the infertile male mosquitoes into the wild and the males will compete with the wild males to mate. The hope is that the infertile male mosquitoes will kill the wild male mosquitoes and mate with the female mosquitoes and they won't be able to reproduce.
However many ecologist agree that if we were to kill of the mosquito, that it would not be missed. Many have looked at the environmental impact of killing of the mosquito, because as many might think, killing off entire species could cause some significant damage to the environment. But the mosquito has been shown to only have little impact if it were to disappear. Bird and bats hardly rely on the mosquito as prey, as shown that only 2% of a bat's diet consist of mosquito. And the pollination that many insects contribute in, if the mosquito were to disappear, then something else will step up to the task.
Who knows if getting rid of the mosquito will not be damaging, but controlling it won't be.
Sources and More info
http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-04-25/brazilians-welcome-genetically-modified-mosquito-help-fight-dengue-fever
http://keysmosquito.org/modified-mosquito-release/
http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100721/full/466432a.html
Dengue fever is a very dangerous illness that is transported by mosquitoes to humans and is very common in tropical countries like Brazil. Dengue is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The mosquito has become resistant to insecticides, lives in homes and is most active during the day, which will makes bed nets useless.
To fight these bugs the Brazilian government has decided to use the mosquito against itself, by starting a two year trail of releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild population. These genetically modified mosquitoes have gene that causes them to die young. The government sends pick trucks full of the short lived male mosquitoes with the hopes that they will mate with the female mosquito, which is the one that bites and transfers Dengue fever, and after they mate their offspring will have a short live and help control the spread of the disease.
The Florida Keys is also conducting a similar trail to get rid of Dengue fever and control the mosquito population by using a similar method, but with some slight differences. The Florida Keys is using the The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which can be best described as birth control for insects. These Genetically modified mosquitoes are born infertile. They release the infertile male mosquitoes into the wild and the males will compete with the wild males to mate. The hope is that the infertile male mosquitoes will kill the wild male mosquitoes and mate with the female mosquitoes and they won't be able to reproduce.
However many ecologist agree that if we were to kill of the mosquito, that it would not be missed. Many have looked at the environmental impact of killing of the mosquito, because as many might think, killing off entire species could cause some significant damage to the environment. But the mosquito has been shown to only have little impact if it were to disappear. Bird and bats hardly rely on the mosquito as prey, as shown that only 2% of a bat's diet consist of mosquito. And the pollination that many insects contribute in, if the mosquito were to disappear, then something else will step up to the task.
Who knows if getting rid of the mosquito will not be damaging, but controlling it won't be.
Sources and More info
http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-04-25/brazilians-welcome-genetically-modified-mosquito-help-fight-dengue-fever
http://keysmosquito.org/modified-mosquito-release/
http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100721/full/466432a.html
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Down with the Ship
The ship's hull breached. Water pouring in and the crew struggles to keep the water out. Passengers are taking life rafts, life savers, and any thing that can help them keep afloat in the ocean. And the captain stays at the helm trying to keep the ship stable and make sure every one gets out alive, and no matter what happens to him or the ship, he goes down with the ship. Well, that's how it should be.
On April 16th, a South Korean ferry sank and has left at least 29 dead and hundreds of others missing. The captain however left the ship on a rescue boat, while hundreds of other passengers on board were still left. The captain left a junior officer in charge who had one year of expedience to take control of the wheel. Since the accident of the 475 on board only 179 have been rescued, many of the passengers were high school students. And the former captain has been arrested for his actions by the police. The captain will have a hard time wining the respect of his peers. There are codes that should be never be broken and the captain going down with the ship is one of them.
After seeing the story that happened in South Korea, I remembered the cruise ship that sank off the coast of Italy, back in January 13th of 2012. And a similar thing happened, the captain of the ship abandoned it while it went down. The captain was arrested and put on trial for 32 charges of manslaughter, for leaving his sinking vessel while others were on board.
But what has happened to the captain going down with the ship. Captain Edward Smith, the captain of the most famous ship disaster in history, over 100 years ago, went down with the RMS Titanic. And because of his honor and loyalty to the ship, he has gone down into history, and even has his own statue made in his honor because of his actions.
I just find it weird that the most recent ship disasters, that the captain has broke his code to look out for himself.
Patriotism
Americans have received the stereotype of begin very patriotic compared to any other nationality. Patriotism is seen in our culture almost every day, commercials, at sporting events, schools, and almost any public place. There is nothing wrong with patriotism, but why is it that the United States seems to have higher amounts of patriotism compared to other countries around the world.
Patriotism is being proud of ones country and proud of being citizen, and that is clear to see in the United States that feeling is widespread. When Comparing the United States, to lets say France, it can be said that United States overall celebrates its nationality more than France. Nations can be united by many things like common, ethnicity, religion, language, history, and ideals, and looking at that list the United States at most has history and ideals, down, while a country like France has more on that list. The United States has many different races, religions, and languages mixed into it, it would be impossible to unite under these banners. There is no official language in the United States, even would like there to be. Many Americans can get behind a common history of immigrating to the States and believing in freedom and democracy. But if you look at France they have more things to unite under. Most French citizens have had that citizenship passed down from their parents, who had it passed down from their parents and so on. For many years France has followed the Catholic church and French, to no surprise it the official language of France.
Since many Americans can't unite under race, language, or religion, that leaves national pride and patriotism is the force to unite under. There is no American ethnicity, all Americans can trace their ancestry from a different nation, whether it be American Indian tribe, from Europe, Asia, or Africa, they all come some other nation. Comparing it to France, most French can trace their ancestry to France and at most Europe as a whole.
Another thing I have noticed when it comes to national pride in the United States is the act of becoming a citizen. Becoming an American citizen is in my opinion a highly celebrated act, parties are held, tears are shed, and they want to share that they are now a citizen of the United States of America. My Grandmother became a citizen years ago and when she was done, she cried because now she was a citizen.
Americans' national pride is the one thing that keeps the nation together, and it doesn't matter if your part black, white, or Asian, you are full American.
Patriotism is being proud of ones country and proud of being citizen, and that is clear to see in the United States that feeling is widespread. When Comparing the United States, to lets say France, it can be said that United States overall celebrates its nationality more than France. Nations can be united by many things like common, ethnicity, religion, language, history, and ideals, and looking at that list the United States at most has history and ideals, down, while a country like France has more on that list. The United States has many different races, religions, and languages mixed into it, it would be impossible to unite under these banners. There is no official language in the United States, even would like there to be. Many Americans can get behind a common history of immigrating to the States and believing in freedom and democracy. But if you look at France they have more things to unite under. Most French citizens have had that citizenship passed down from their parents, who had it passed down from their parents and so on. For many years France has followed the Catholic church and French, to no surprise it the official language of France.
Since many Americans can't unite under race, language, or religion, that leaves national pride and patriotism is the force to unite under. There is no American ethnicity, all Americans can trace their ancestry from a different nation, whether it be American Indian tribe, from Europe, Asia, or Africa, they all come some other nation. Comparing it to France, most French can trace their ancestry to France and at most Europe as a whole.
Another thing I have noticed when it comes to national pride in the United States is the act of becoming a citizen. Becoming an American citizen is in my opinion a highly celebrated act, parties are held, tears are shed, and they want to share that they are now a citizen of the United States of America. My Grandmother became a citizen years ago and when she was done, she cried because now she was a citizen.
Americans' national pride is the one thing that keeps the nation together, and it doesn't matter if your part black, white, or Asian, you are full American.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Putin denying Spying on their Citiznes
Edward Snowden leaked information about the United States' intelligence agency in June of 2013 and reveled that the NSA collects data on all Americans. Snowden fled the United States and went to seek asylum in a different country, one option was Venezuela, but Snowden got trapped in the Moscow airport when he was switching planes and the United States revoked his passport. Since then he has been granted one year of temporary asylum in Russia, but it is not the ideal place for a whistle blower to be staying at.
Russia, under Vladimir Putin, president of Russia and his administration are notorious for using internet and telephone networks to spy on their own citizens.
Every year Putin holds a call-in meeting with, where the nation gets to ask the president of Russia their questions. The meeting happened this year on the 17th of April and a special guest popped up to ask the president a question. Edward Snowden called in to ask Putin if the Russian government collects the communication data of its citizens, like the United States does. Putin quickly dined the accusation, by saying that their special services are restricted by law and that Russia does not have to money to conduct these operations, like the United States does.
These statements are not true, as pointed out by Andrei Soldatov, a investigative journalist and an expert on Russia's security services. According to Soldatov, Russia has had a program like PRISM, since 1995, called SORM. Putin said that the FSB, the successor to the KGB, needs a warrant from the court in order to preform surveillance, but the warrants don't need to be shown and internet and phone providers can not view the warrants.
Putin does a very good job of keeping up his persona of a cold and cut throat man, but he is not the best at hiding the things his government does when asked the tough questions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/edward-snowden-asks-vladimir-putin-about-russian-spying-on-its-citizens/2014/04/17/bdbdcbdc-c62b-11e3-9f37-7ce307c56815_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/04/17/putin-told-edward-snowden-that-russia-doesnt-use-mass-surveillance-on-its-citizens-heres-a-reality-check/
Russia, under Vladimir Putin, president of Russia and his administration are notorious for using internet and telephone networks to spy on their own citizens.
Every year Putin holds a call-in meeting with, where the nation gets to ask the president of Russia their questions. The meeting happened this year on the 17th of April and a special guest popped up to ask the president a question. Edward Snowden called in to ask Putin if the Russian government collects the communication data of its citizens, like the United States does. Putin quickly dined the accusation, by saying that their special services are restricted by law and that Russia does not have to money to conduct these operations, like the United States does.
These statements are not true, as pointed out by Andrei Soldatov, a investigative journalist and an expert on Russia's security services. According to Soldatov, Russia has had a program like PRISM, since 1995, called SORM. Putin said that the FSB, the successor to the KGB, needs a warrant from the court in order to preform surveillance, but the warrants don't need to be shown and internet and phone providers can not view the warrants.
Putin does a very good job of keeping up his persona of a cold and cut throat man, but he is not the best at hiding the things his government does when asked the tough questions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/edward-snowden-asks-vladimir-putin-about-russian-spying-on-its-citizens/2014/04/17/bdbdcbdc-c62b-11e3-9f37-7ce307c56815_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/04/17/putin-told-edward-snowden-that-russia-doesnt-use-mass-surveillance-on-its-citizens-heres-a-reality-check/
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Vaccines
Do to medical advances we have been able to wipe entire diseases like small pox and soon enough polio. But because of misinformation across the world it becomes hard to wipe out these dangerous diseases. This misinformation is from ignorance to learn what the vaccines do. From groups that believe that vaccines cause other disabilities, like autism, or that people believe that the vaccines would taint them. Many groups in the world believe we should not use vaccines, from small villages in India to even celebrities like Jenny McCarthy here in the United States. Because of people spreading misinformation like Jenny McCarthy or people not educated about vaccines. Many countries across the world require that school children are vaccinated before enrolling into the school. Vaccinate young so that it can be stopped sooner and to stop of what ever disease it is.
Recently in Western Canada has been facing an outbreak of measles, which is a illness that can be prevented by getting a vaccination. The school board has asked more than 100 students and a few teachers to stay home because they have not received the measles shot. Because they have not received the measles vaccine they are very vulnerable to catching measles. If everyone was vaccinated there wouldn't need to worry about people catching an easily avoidable illness.
Making sure the world is vaccinated to preventable diseases is goal that should be easy to achieve. Children who are vaccinated have a 90% to 100% chance of acquiring immunity to the disease. The measles vaccine was listened in 1962 and since then the number of cases in the United States has dropped from 400,000 cases a year in 1962 to below one thousand in 2007.
Polio has almost been eradicated in the world do to the hard work of many organizations informing people and providing help like the WHO (World Health Organization). And we need to continue to this effort to on many other diseases so that they can go the way of smallpox and no longer be a threat to humanity.
Jenny McCarthy on Vaccines
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/03/17/3414061/vaccine-truthers-autism/
Vaccination Policy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccination_policy
Measles in Canada
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/04/07/measles-calgary_n_5094004.html?1396889949
Vaccines
http://www.vaccines.gov/basics/effectiveness/
Recently in Western Canada has been facing an outbreak of measles, which is a illness that can be prevented by getting a vaccination. The school board has asked more than 100 students and a few teachers to stay home because they have not received the measles shot. Because they have not received the measles vaccine they are very vulnerable to catching measles. If everyone was vaccinated there wouldn't need to worry about people catching an easily avoidable illness.
Making sure the world is vaccinated to preventable diseases is goal that should be easy to achieve. Children who are vaccinated have a 90% to 100% chance of acquiring immunity to the disease. The measles vaccine was listened in 1962 and since then the number of cases in the United States has dropped from 400,000 cases a year in 1962 to below one thousand in 2007.
Polio has almost been eradicated in the world do to the hard work of many organizations informing people and providing help like the WHO (World Health Organization). And we need to continue to this effort to on many other diseases so that they can go the way of smallpox and no longer be a threat to humanity.
Jenny McCarthy on Vaccines
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/03/17/3414061/vaccine-truthers-autism/
Vaccination Policy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccination_policy
Measles in Canada
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/04/07/measles-calgary_n_5094004.html?1396889949
Vaccines
http://www.vaccines.gov/basics/effectiveness/
Who are the Bad Guys?
When watching action movies or playing a video game with its setting in modern times there needs to be a bad guy for our heroes to compete with. An American movie or video game set in the Second World War will have our heroes facing the Nazis and Imperial Japan. Move into the cold war and the arch villain of the hero will be the Soviet Union. Now in post-9-11 America the primary enemies in movies and games are terrorist organizations. But are these movies and games reflective of who are actually are enemies or do they just re enforce that idea.
It is not a question that Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, the Soviet Union, and terrorists organizations were and are enemies to the United States. The Soviet Union and Russians in general have been used in numerous games, movies, and books as the arch enemy of the United States even after the fall of the Soviet Union. Most military video games today use Russia as the counter to the United States. Many might see Russia as the bad guy today, especially with the chaos happening in Ukraine. But entertainment has been using Russia as the villain years before this event. I have personally don't see the United States and Russia going to war, but because of the movies and games I have experienced that take place in our modern world, I can't imagine any other generic bad guy to use.
There is another generic bad guy that is rising, China. If the Russia is used in a game or movie as the villain, the next candidate is China. Tensions between China and the United States have had some strong tensions in the past and in recent times, but act more like competitors then arch enemies. Many are fascinated by China's large army and aggressive attitude toward their neighbors and outside influence from the internet and it makes them easy to paint as the main aggressor staring the United States in a game or movie.
The last main enemy of our nation that many movies or games use are terrorists organizations. The heroes of the story fight these groups all across the globe and try to stop the spread of fear in the world. These groups will be found in some developing nation that most people don't know where they are on the map.
Looking at the generic video game and movie bad guys of one nations entertainment, it is interesting, and you can see what a majority of a population sees as our "enemies" and what they might be in the future.
It is not a question that Nazi Germany, Imperial Japan, the Soviet Union, and terrorists organizations were and are enemies to the United States. The Soviet Union and Russians in general have been used in numerous games, movies, and books as the arch enemy of the United States even after the fall of the Soviet Union. Most military video games today use Russia as the counter to the United States. Many might see Russia as the bad guy today, especially with the chaos happening in Ukraine. But entertainment has been using Russia as the villain years before this event. I have personally don't see the United States and Russia going to war, but because of the movies and games I have experienced that take place in our modern world, I can't imagine any other generic bad guy to use.
There is another generic bad guy that is rising, China. If the Russia is used in a game or movie as the villain, the next candidate is China. Tensions between China and the United States have had some strong tensions in the past and in recent times, but act more like competitors then arch enemies. Many are fascinated by China's large army and aggressive attitude toward their neighbors and outside influence from the internet and it makes them easy to paint as the main aggressor staring the United States in a game or movie.
The last main enemy of our nation that many movies or games use are terrorists organizations. The heroes of the story fight these groups all across the globe and try to stop the spread of fear in the world. These groups will be found in some developing nation that most people don't know where they are on the map.
Looking at the generic video game and movie bad guys of one nations entertainment, it is interesting, and you can see what a majority of a population sees as our "enemies" and what they might be in the future.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Overlooked News
Following the news is how people keep up with current events happening in our local community, in the country and around the world. But a lot news tends to get overlooked by the media here in the US if it doesn't concern the country directly. Last year the Syrian Civil War was a hot topic in the US, because of the possibility of chemical weapons being used and the news outlets in the US were constantly reporting on it. Stories from witness and the UN investigators. When the investigators were done, most of the news outlets switched to other hot topics and would barely mention the civil war happening in Syria, which still is going on to this day. Another example is Ukraine and Thailand. For the past couple months the world has been watching if Russia and Ukraine will exchange blows over the Russian occupation of Crimea, but at the same time the nation of Thailand is split between those who want to expel the current prime minster and those who want to hold and election instead. Most know of the situation in Ukraine, but it seems the news here has covered very little on the situation in Thailand. News outlets like CNN right now are hopping all over the report about the missing Malaysian airplane, but what about the various civil wars happening around the world.
I'm not saying that we need to be constantly getting news everyday about the civil war in Syria, or cover every corner of the world in popular news, because that would be very hard task to accomplish. But it does seem that the news tends to jump all over one subject while, also important issues get ignored. There is also an effect if you only have a few sources of news. After the chemical weapons issue in Syria disappeared from the news, and no major news outlet continued reporting, it felt as if the war in Syria was over.
Important events are always happening around the world and since we are not there it has little relevance to us.
Important events are always happening around the world and since we are not there it has little relevance to us.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Maintenance to Live
Living in 21st century United States of America costs a lot of money to maintain an decent life. Most people would agree to live comfortably you need food, water, shelter, clothes and some other basic hygiene products, but now to live to most peoples standard of being comfortable you will need much more. Getting running water is essential to most Americans, but since the 20th century electricity has also entered the mix. Most of us would not be able to live with out electricity in our homes and has become another thing we must pay for in order live well.
Most American houses will have 2 big ticket items that are considered essential. First is the home, this is undisputed, and any one is okay with paying monthly rent or payment till it is payed off in order to have shelter. The second is the car. Most American homes will at least have one car, that they use to get work, school, or just to go out. We pay for our cars monthly too, but on top of that we have gas to worry about.
Products and goods have also entered in our sphere of items we need in order to live comfortably. Many Americas own a TV to watch shows and the news and many would consider it an essential item in the home. You could just keep the basic 2,7,9 channels but that is not the way to live. You need more channels, the sport channels, the dramas, the reality TV, and now this adds up to what we need to live our definition of well. Computers have also entered the scene, as most Americans need them to work, for school or to entertain themselves. Having no internet or TV means being disconnected to what is going on in the news and what is popular, so we are willing to pay for these monthly in order live well.
We pay for many physical things in order live comfortable, but there is also the things we pay for monthly for things that are not right in front of us. We pay for insurance on many things. We insure our homes and cars, just in case something bad were to happen to them, even though we don't if any thing were to happen to them, but we still protect them. We have to pay for life insurance, to help our families if we die.
As time as gone on, we need to spend more money in order to live what is considered well and comfortable in America. And who knows what other things we will pay for in the future in order to live well, that will add to our maintenance to live.
Uniting Korea
For over 50 years Korea has been divided and the North and South are drastically different politically, socially, and to some degree culturally. South Korea is highly advanced compared to North Korea and the standard of living in the south is incredibly high when compared to the north. For many they would like to see these two nations come together and finally end the reign of North Korea's crazy dictatorship. But reuniting these two nations will be a very difficult to do.
First off if the two come together, who becomes the leader, most people in the international community would agree that South Korea's government would become the nation's leader, but these would not go over well for the current leaders in North Korea and to much of the international community and South Korea, having North Korea's government take control of a united Korea is unacceptable. Having a combined leadership would also cause problems, because both sides would clash consistently.
On top of choosing who leads the new united nation, there is the problem of what to do with a more important issue, what about the people. South Korea is highly advanced, the people are fed well and make more money, while in North Korea the people are improvised and starving. A goal of uniting Korea, would be getting the north to the standard of living of the south. These would be an insanely hard and long process to get the north up to the south's standard. Another problem would be that the people in North Korea do not have the same skills that the people of South Korea would have. The newly integrated North Koreans would have a difficulty of finding jobs and would end up finding cheap work, while South Koreans would be on the top and could create a social divide among North and South Koreans.
There are many other problems that come at when considering a united Korea. A united Korea may be difficult to achieve, but not impossible. Not long ago Germany was divided between east and west and when they united they faced similar problems, but now they have one of the strongest economies in the world, all it takes is determined people in charge to have the two become one again.
First off if the two come together, who becomes the leader, most people in the international community would agree that South Korea's government would become the nation's leader, but these would not go over well for the current leaders in North Korea and to much of the international community and South Korea, having North Korea's government take control of a united Korea is unacceptable. Having a combined leadership would also cause problems, because both sides would clash consistently.
On top of choosing who leads the new united nation, there is the problem of what to do with a more important issue, what about the people. South Korea is highly advanced, the people are fed well and make more money, while in North Korea the people are improvised and starving. A goal of uniting Korea, would be getting the north to the standard of living of the south. These would be an insanely hard and long process to get the north up to the south's standard. Another problem would be that the people in North Korea do not have the same skills that the people of South Korea would have. The newly integrated North Koreans would have a difficulty of finding jobs and would end up finding cheap work, while South Koreans would be on the top and could create a social divide among North and South Koreans.
There are many other problems that come at when considering a united Korea. A united Korea may be difficult to achieve, but not impossible. Not long ago Germany was divided between east and west and when they united they faced similar problems, but now they have one of the strongest economies in the world, all it takes is determined people in charge to have the two become one again.
International Laws don't Matter
If look you look at the news, you will see many people say that the Russia's actions in Crimea are breaching international law. The US and tons of other counties have also been accused of breaching international laws. But if all of these nations break these laws, and there is little to no punishment for breaking them, then what is the point of having them in place.
There is no authority that can enforce these laws on of the nations of the world. Even in warfare there is no one authority that can enforce the laws of war the Geneva Convention. People can call out the actions of governments all they want, but the governments or people in the government will not be punished until the most powerful nations step in and punish them. But the most powerful nations can not act as the authority of international law either.
If the most power or influence nations in the world were the head authority of international law, they could exempt them selves from having to follow international laws. These can be seen by how nations follow the Geneva Convention. It has been in war, what ever nations that wins does not have answer to the war crimes they had committed during the war, while the loser of the war has face trials. A great example is the Second World War. Both the Allied and Axis powers committed war crimes and atrocities during the intense fight, but Axis powers, mostly Germany had to answer to the crimes they had committed, while the United States and the Soviet Union, who also committed war crimes, did not have to answer to war crimes, because to many they were seen as the good guys and what they did was justifiable.
So if no one can enforce international law and people are willing break them many times for their advantage, then do they actually matter. The UN or any other international organization can set up an authority that will look over these laws and try governments that break them, but will they be able to enforce them. For some people might equals right, and they won't listen to people that have less firepower then, because they are not a threat.
The only easy fix is that when it comes to international law is that people in governments are are more loyal to the law then they are to their own nation.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Monuments Restoring or Persevering
Through out the world there are many monuments that a part of our cultural heritage, like the pyramids, the Great Wall of China, Stone-hinge and many more. When comes to this monuments what is the best course of action to take when taking care of them. I think there are two things that can be done when making sure our cultural heritage survives throughout the ages. First we can try to preserve how they are or make restore them to what they looked like in their glory days.
Persevering a monument just how it is will help keep the monuments original parts. Even though some parts may be missing or destroyed, we try to persevere it. It mostly has its original parts and components, but is not complete. An example of this would be Stone-hinge. Much of Stone-hinge is taken apart but is persevered how it is. It is kept like this and people can view the impressive sight.
Other monuments have been fixed up to keep their image. Some monuments are not just persevered but restored to what they look like in the past. An example is the Great Wall of China. Some parts of the wall were destroyed, but were restored to create what the wall would look like in its glory days.
Asking the question if it is better to persevere or restore monuments will help us understand what we as a society value more. If persevering is a better option, then it shows that as a society we value the original works. If restoring is the better option then it shows as a society that we would rather have it around for the future.
Personal I believe it is better to restore these monuments. I think this because I want the to see what these monuments were meant to look like. It doesn't matter if all of it is original or not, but only if the idea of and structure is still around for the future to appreciate.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Tensions in the South East and East Asia
Even though many would like to think that nations go to war for some moral issue, many times in the past and even now it is over territory. What is the importance of gaining territory, it could be resources on it, trading routes or to further your influence. Right now in East and South East Asia territorial disputes are happening between many nations. Two highly powerful and influential nations are clashing heads in the East China Sea over the Senkaku Islands or the Diaoyu Island in main land China. Both China and Japan claim these islands as theirs and tensions are very high regarding them. China is also caught up in another territorial dispute in South China Sea. China along with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia all have claims that conflict in the South East China Sea. These disputes have created high tensions, especially aggression pointed toward China and for now at least major military conflicts have been avoided between the nations.
The Senkaku Islands are claimed both by China and Japan and both sides what the other to back off immediately. Tensions between the two nations have in recent decades have been uneasy. China still condemns Japan for the atrocities the Japanese military committed during the Second World War and Japan unwillingness to fully apologize for these events. Japan annexed the islands in 1895, while China has stated that the islands have have belonged to them for centuries. Japan disputed this claim by stating that China did not show interest in the islands till oil was discovered near them in the 1970s. This dispute has sparked anti-Japanese protest in China. China has declared an Air Defense Identification Zone over the islands. An Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) allows any non-Chinese aircraft flying trough to identify themselves and keep contact with Chinese communications while in the area and if they do not comply, China will use jets to intercept the craft. The US has stepped in this situation acting as a mediator, but more then likely to help its close ally, Japan, but trying to reduce tensions between the two. Even though it may not seem like a concern for the US it is. By treaty the US is to come to the aid and defend Japan if it is attacked by any other nation. If it does escalate to war the US will be dragged in fighting with Japan, and the US is trying everything to not go to war with China.
China has found it self in more territorial disputes in the South China Sea over the Paracel islands and Spratly islands. This dispute isn't between just two nations but 4 other nations, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam. But why argue over these tiny islands. First natural resources are abundant near the islands and half the worlds merchants ship pass through this area. The US has interjected taking a stance that China's claim does not United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which outlines how far a nation can claim over the seas, but coincidentally the US is not a signer of the treat at all. Tensions are high between the nations, especially high between the Philippines, a close ally of the US and China. The Filippine President, Aquino, has publicly criticized China's expansion and has compared them to Nazi Germany's expansion into Czechoslovakia, which you can imagined did not go over well with China.
Going father in this year here is hope that Sout East and East Asia can solve or at least reduce the high tensions in the area. Looking through these disputes makes you wonder if it does escalate and if war could break out.
Sources
Mexican Vigilantes
Near the ending of the January of this year Mexico's government legalized vigilante groups and integrated them into their police forces to help fight off drug cartels. The vigilantes or self defense groups have quickly mobilized since the government gave the okay. On the 8th hundreds of vigilantes, with the support of government troops and armored trucks occupied Apatzingan a city in the Mexican State of Michoacan. They have set up road blocks and have searched houses around the block looking for members and leaders of the drug cartel known as the Knights Templar. The government has stated that the self deference forces are in charge of the operations going on in Apatzingan. The vigilantes have already made some arrests in their crusade to get rid of the Knights Templar cartel.
If the vigilantes prove to be effective in the fight against the drug cartels, it will be interesting if other states in Mexico will legalize the formation of vigilante groups to fight the problem that has plagued the country in the recent years.
Source
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26103464
If the vigilantes prove to be effective in the fight against the drug cartels, it will be interesting if other states in Mexico will legalize the formation of vigilante groups to fight the problem that has plagued the country in the recent years.
Source
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26103464
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Seven Wonders
World Wonders are impressive feats of construction and engineering that our ancestors built, and we are still in amazement today on how they were built.
The oldest and the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the Great Pyramid of Giza. A pyramid in southern Egypt was uncovered by archaeologist and uncovering of this ancient monument started back in 2010. The archaeologist found an old step pyramid that was built before the Great Pyramid of Giza, being older than the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was built around 4600 years ago.
The archaeologist do not now what the purpose of the pyramid was and believe it is part of seven other pyramids found in the area that might have just served as monuments. The step pyramid is not in all of its glory now. When it was built it was around 43 feet tall or 13 meters, but now the pyramid only stands about
14.33 feet tall or 4.33 meters tall. It is amazing to find these monuments that are older than the Great Pyramid, even though a dwarf when compared to it, it still is an impressive feat.
Even more impressive is the fact the Great Pyramid is the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the only one still standing. The other six have been lost, destroyed or demolished. It is depressing to think that us today can only visit one of the wonders. for some you can see the foundations of them like the Temple of Artemis. But for one it is not known is the wonder ever existed. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are only recorded by ancient Greek writers and there are no records from ancient Babylon describing the gardens.
On July 7th, 2007, a poll was released asking people what should be the new Seven Wonders of the World. The results were released. The new seven wonders became Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil, The Great Wall of China, The Colosseum of Rome, The Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichén Itza in Mexico, and the Taj Mahal in India. These monuments like the Ancient Seven wonders bring the feelings of wonderment and awe when visited or even pictured.
But having only seven is a very arbitrary number. I understand why seven is chosen. Seven is traditionally a lucky number. There are many other wonders around the world that bring the same feelings of wonderment as did the new and old seven do. These wonders are not things that people come get together to decide it worthy of the title of wonder. It is all in what someone like me or you visiting these monuments and if they inspire us or make us wonder how is it that this was built or how people like us could accomplish this, then that is enough to give it the title of Wonder. The step pyramid found recently may not be tall as its cousin, but it still is impressive that thousands of years ago humans had the ability to construct that monument.
Sources
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/4600-year-old-step-pyramid-uncovered-in-egypt/
http://rt.com/news/ancient-step-pyramid-egypt-617/
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/photogalleries/seven-wonders/
The oldest and the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the Great Pyramid of Giza. A pyramid in southern Egypt was uncovered by archaeologist and uncovering of this ancient monument started back in 2010. The archaeologist found an old step pyramid that was built before the Great Pyramid of Giza, being older than the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was built around 4600 years ago.
The archaeologist do not now what the purpose of the pyramid was and believe it is part of seven other pyramids found in the area that might have just served as monuments. The step pyramid is not in all of its glory now. When it was built it was around 43 feet tall or 13 meters, but now the pyramid only stands about
14.33 feet tall or 4.33 meters tall. It is amazing to find these monuments that are older than the Great Pyramid, even though a dwarf when compared to it, it still is an impressive feat.
Even more impressive is the fact the Great Pyramid is the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the only one still standing. The other six have been lost, destroyed or demolished. It is depressing to think that us today can only visit one of the wonders. for some you can see the foundations of them like the Temple of Artemis. But for one it is not known is the wonder ever existed. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are only recorded by ancient Greek writers and there are no records from ancient Babylon describing the gardens.
On July 7th, 2007, a poll was released asking people what should be the new Seven Wonders of the World. The results were released. The new seven wonders became Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil, The Great Wall of China, The Colosseum of Rome, The Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichén Itza in Mexico, and the Taj Mahal in India. These monuments like the Ancient Seven wonders bring the feelings of wonderment and awe when visited or even pictured.
But having only seven is a very arbitrary number. I understand why seven is chosen. Seven is traditionally a lucky number. There are many other wonders around the world that bring the same feelings of wonderment as did the new and old seven do. These wonders are not things that people come get together to decide it worthy of the title of wonder. It is all in what someone like me or you visiting these monuments and if they inspire us or make us wonder how is it that this was built or how people like us could accomplish this, then that is enough to give it the title of Wonder. The step pyramid found recently may not be tall as its cousin, but it still is impressive that thousands of years ago humans had the ability to construct that monument.
Sources
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/4600-year-old-step-pyramid-uncovered-in-egypt/
http://rt.com/news/ancient-step-pyramid-egypt-617/
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/photogalleries/seven-wonders/
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Scarlett Johansson, Palestine, and Israel
One of the commercials that will play during the Super Bowl will feature the famous actress Scarlett Johansson sponsoring SodaStream, a company that sells products that allow you to make your own soda at home. But who knew cause a boycott on SodaStream and opposition to Johansson herself.
Scarlett Johansson used to be an ambassador for Oxfam, an international humanitarian aid organization, but stepped down after she announced her relationship with SodaStream. The reason she stepped down was because of where SodaStream is based. SodaStream is an Israeli owned company and has a large factory located in the West Bank, land claimed by Palestine. Oxfam does not conduct business with Israeli settlements because of Israeli-Palestine conflict. Oxfam told Johansson to cut her relationship with the soda company, but instead Johansson cut her relationship with Oxfam, who she was an ambassador for. Johansson said she left because the two have a difference in opinion.
Now a boycott is happening against SodaStream, but the Palestinian workers who work at SodaStream support Scarlett Johansson's move to support SodaStream. For many of them it is the best job they can get paying well and the company providing free transportation, breakfast, and lunch. The workers say by supporting the boycott they will be hurting Palestinian workers.
Regardless, its fascinating how much an actress and soda company can cause so much controversy.
Sources
http://mondoweiss.net/2014/01/johansson-relationship-sodastream.html
http://www.680news.com/2014/01/29/scarlett-johansson-stepping-down-as-oxfam-ambassador-over-sodastream-deal/
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/2014/0130/Palestinian-workers-back-Scarlett-Johansson-s-opposition-to-SodaStream-boycott-video
Scarlett Johansson used to be an ambassador for Oxfam, an international humanitarian aid organization, but stepped down after she announced her relationship with SodaStream. The reason she stepped down was because of where SodaStream is based. SodaStream is an Israeli owned company and has a large factory located in the West Bank, land claimed by Palestine. Oxfam does not conduct business with Israeli settlements because of Israeli-Palestine conflict. Oxfam told Johansson to cut her relationship with the soda company, but instead Johansson cut her relationship with Oxfam, who she was an ambassador for. Johansson said she left because the two have a difference in opinion.
Now a boycott is happening against SodaStream, but the Palestinian workers who work at SodaStream support Scarlett Johansson's move to support SodaStream. For many of them it is the best job they can get paying well and the company providing free transportation, breakfast, and lunch. The workers say by supporting the boycott they will be hurting Palestinian workers.
Regardless, its fascinating how much an actress and soda company can cause so much controversy.
Sources
http://mondoweiss.net/2014/01/johansson-relationship-sodastream.html
http://www.680news.com/2014/01/29/scarlett-johansson-stepping-down-as-oxfam-ambassador-over-sodastream-deal/
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/2014/0130/Palestinian-workers-back-Scarlett-Johansson-s-opposition-to-SodaStream-boycott-video
Vigilantes Legal in Mexico
On January 27th the Mexican government legalized vigilante groups fighting drug cartels and on the same day the government announced that they captured one of the top leaders of the Knights Templar drug cartel, a cartel that vigilantes have been fighting with over a year. At the moment over 20,000 civilians have taken up arms against the cartels and they rose up last February in the Mexican state of Michoacan after the Knights Templar became a bigger threat to residents. When vigilantes rose up in Michoancan, the vigilantes told authorities that they would not lay down their arms until the Knights Templar were arrested.
It will be interesting how well the vigilante forces will do against the drug cartels. I have seen some fears others have pointed out. One is that Mexico's government is known for having corruption with in and that the wrong person could get a hold of the vigilante list and sell it to cartel leaders. But overall this another way Mexico has found to help deal with their fight with the drug cartels.
Source
The vigilantes have been given the term "self-defense forces" and will integrated into Rural Defense Corps. Before this law enforcement and military forces have worked and cooperated regularly with vigilante forces. These vigilantes are not the most law abiding citizens themselves. Many of the vigilantes own assault rifles which are illegal under Mexican law, but with the government legalizing vigilante forces, vigilantes will be able to keep their weapons as long as they and their members register them with the army. Many vigilante leaders are ready to make an agreement with government officials but are still not sure what the agreement will imply.
It will be interesting how well the vigilante forces will do against the drug cartels. I have seen some fears others have pointed out. One is that Mexico's government is known for having corruption with in and that the wrong person could get a hold of the vigilante list and sell it to cartel leaders. But overall this another way Mexico has found to help deal with their fight with the drug cartels.
Source
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Puerto Rico Should be the 51st State
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America and as an unincorporated territory they handle all of their internal affairs, while the United States handles the foreign affairs, military, trade and law. The island was under rule of Spain since 1493, but was put under American rule in 1898 after Spain seceded the land after the end of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico now as unincorporated territory of the United States receive no voting rights in the federal government even though they all receive American citizenship. Puerto Rico should receive the status of statehood so that its citizens can receive the full benefits of American citizenship and stop being treated like second class citizens or gain complete independence.
Giving statehood to Puerto Rico would also be beneficial for Puerto Rico and the United States. Right now Puerto Rico cost $22 billion a year for the US government, but if it were to join the Union, it is predicted that the new state would generate an extra $2 billion a year. Puerto Rican statehood would also allow the creation of new jobs there, because of right now around 45% of the population lives under the poverty line. In 1917 the Federal government of the United States granted American citizenship to all the residents of Puerto Rico. Since 1952 Puerto Rico has been allowed to elect their own governor. Even though the people of the territory are American citizens and have their own governor, like any other state in the Union, the people are not allowed to vote in presidential elections. They also get no voting rights in the US congress and they have no voting members in the House or in the Senate. The people their have been American citizens for almost 100 years and yet they have little to no say in the Federal government. Puerto Ricans have also served in the United States military and have died in combat serving under its flag. It doesn't make sense to treat treat them as second class citizens, even though they are American citizens and have fought for the US military.
There are some difficulties to Puerto Rican statehood. The people of Puerto Rico are divided on what they want for the country. In the most recent poll 44.07% Puerto Ricans want to remain as a territory, while 44.4% want statehood. This is a very slim majority and Congress has agreed that they would only want to make Puerto Rico a state if it was a clear majority of the population who wanted it. People on both sides of the issue have concerns about what would happen if Puerto Rico became a state. In the US, or mostly congressmen and politicians are afraid that Puerto Rico gaining statehood would unbalance the political environment of the US because then they would have to compete for another state to win the vote in. Puerto Ricans also have their own concerns. If admitted into the Union Puerto Ricans would have to begin paying Federal taxes. There is also fear the Puerto Rico would loose its identity. If they became a state Puerto Rico would have to go under the US during the Olympics and the Miss Universe pageants, instead of going on their own, which they have done in the past. Puerto Ricans also fear that will loose touch with their Spanish heritage and culture if they gain statehood.
There are some real concerns people have about Puerto Rico becoming a state, but they can all be overcame. Puerto Ricans should not be worried about losing their cultural identity. There are many communities in the US that still keep ties too their cultural and heritage, while at the same time adopting things from other cultures. Puerto Rico gaining statehood could help Puerto Rican culture mix into American culture, because isn't that what the US is about, the mixing of multiple cultures.
In order to stop treating Puerto Ricans as second class citizens one of two things need to happen. One Puerto Rico becomes an independent nation that is separate from the United States, or two Puerto Rico takes the next step and becomes the 51st state to join the Union.
Sources
Gov of Puerto Rico - http://welcome.topuertorico.org/government.shtml
Puerto Rico Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico
Recent Statehood in favor poll - http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/civil-rights/195439-playing-with-the-numbers-to-push-puerto-rican-statehood - http://guardianlv.com/2013/05/puerto-rico-could-become-51st-state/
Sunday, January 26, 2014
The Myths of Poverty
Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world and co-founder of the Gates Foundation started in their annual letter that "almost no poor countries by 2035" and that the poorest nations in the world will have child morality rates as low as the US and the UK in 1980. Bill and Melinda Gates in their letter released three myths about poverty.
The first myth is that poor countries are not doomed to stay poor. Gates believes that by the year 2035 there will be no country that will be poor and most countries will be rich or lower middle class by then. He also states that labeling nations developed or developing does not make sense. China and the Republic of Congo are both in the same category of developing nations, even though China's economy is the second largest in the world and that it should be categorized by low, middle, and high income.
The second myth they states is that foreign aid is a waste a money. Gates states that not every program is perfect and that there should be a more effective way. He also states foreign aid does not cut a large percent of the budget at all. Norway contributes the most money to foreign aid and it is only 3 percent of its budget, while the US is only 1 percent.
The last myth is that saving kid's lives leads to overpopulation. The Fact is that when kids survive, that families will have fewer kids and decide to have small families.
Gates is very optimistic about our future, I am too, and I hope more are.
More on the Myths of Poverty
The Whole Letter - http://annualletter.gatesfoundation.org/#section=home
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/no-poor-countries-by-2035-bill-gates-annual-letter-says-extreme-poverty-and-child-mortality-could-be-virtually-wiped-out-in-next-two-decades-9075149.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8UlTygCYjo
The first myth is that poor countries are not doomed to stay poor. Gates believes that by the year 2035 there will be no country that will be poor and most countries will be rich or lower middle class by then. He also states that labeling nations developed or developing does not make sense. China and the Republic of Congo are both in the same category of developing nations, even though China's economy is the second largest in the world and that it should be categorized by low, middle, and high income.
The second myth they states is that foreign aid is a waste a money. Gates states that not every program is perfect and that there should be a more effective way. He also states foreign aid does not cut a large percent of the budget at all. Norway contributes the most money to foreign aid and it is only 3 percent of its budget, while the US is only 1 percent.
The last myth is that saving kid's lives leads to overpopulation. The Fact is that when kids survive, that families will have fewer kids and decide to have small families.
Gates is very optimistic about our future, I am too, and I hope more are.
More on the Myths of Poverty
The Whole Letter - http://annualletter.gatesfoundation.org/#section=home
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/no-poor-countries-by-2035-bill-gates-annual-letter-says-extreme-poverty-and-child-mortality-could-be-virtually-wiped-out-in-next-two-decades-9075149.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8UlTygCYjo
Ukrainian Protests
If you have been living under a rock for that past couple of months, then you probably have heard about the protests happening in Kiev, Ukraine's capital city. The protests started in November of 2013 after the government of Ukraine didn't sign a deal that would make the country closer to EU and instead made them closer to their former Soviet ruler, Russia. Arseniy Yatsenyuk called upon the support of his followers on Twitter and Face Book to meet in Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kiev’s central square to demonstrate against the government and their decision.
Ever since though the protest have escalated to full scale riots and Kiev's Maidan central square now look like a war zone with riot police and protesters on opposing sides. This picture album is by a blogger in the protests show the chaos in Keiv (http://imgur.com/a/WL1pY#0). As seen by the photos barricades have been built by protesters using things from sandbags to everyday furniture like a wooden table. Protesters only let in those who are contributing to the effort, if they be other protesters, bringing food and clothes, or press and journalist and they keep those who just want to see the action out. Protesters have even started to use molatav cocktails against the riot police. The government has also upped their arsenal by lifting the restriction of using water cannons on protesters which protesters should watch out for considering the freezing temperatures in Kiev(http://en.for-ua.com/news/2014/01/22/161046.html#.Ut_cw8KexQE.reddit).
Many of the scenes from Kiev look like scenes from an Apocalypse. There have been truces called but the protesters in Kiev are ready at any time to start clashing with the government, and will be interesting to see what will happen between the opposition leaders and the government.
Live Stream of Maidan Square - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/euromajdan/pop-out
Saturday, January 25, 2014
We Need Net Neutrality
Net Neutrality has been put into light recently in the US because a federal appeals court's decision of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate that internet service providers have to treat all internet traffic equality and now there is fear that ISPs (Internet Service Provider) will do because of this ruling. Net Neutrality should be regulated because it helps keep the internet an open platform for information and content to spread.
Net Neutrality is the concept that all data transferred through the internet should be treated the same by governments and ISPs. ISPs may not charge higher prices for different content, sites, applications, etc.
Net Neutrality should be required by law, if not then ISPs will have incredible control on what content their costumers receive on the internet. ISPs could have some content providers pay more or make special deals and in return users would find their content first in search results and put this content providers on a higher tier. Content providers not with this program would be put lower on the ISPs' list of importance and would receive less traffic. This means small business would have a harder time competing with bigger business who have the money to pay for the special deals. No Net Neutrality would also impact up and coming sites and content makers. It would be difficult for a new website to gain traction and continue on if bigger sites get the traffic diverted to them first. Content makers would safe the same problem as well, as their content would be put on the back burner if a big production house made a deal with an ISP. News could also be impacted by this. For example FOX, CNN, ABC, NBC, you name it could make a deal with an ISP and in return their sites would be the fasted to load and the first to show up in searches. That site would become the primary source of news and information for the users of the ISP and it would be hard for independent bloggers and journalist to compete with.
As it is now ISPs charges the customer one monthly fee for access to all of the content they want on the internet, and the only thing they can change is how fast your internet speed is. But with out Net Neutrality ISPs would be able to charge you based on how much of the internet you use, what sites you go to or both if the wanted to. They could make it so that you would have to pay five extra dollars a month to access Face Book or You Tube because the site on their end uses more bandwidth, or if you go over some set amount of data per month they could charge you extra or by the megabyte. Watching movies on Netflex, videos on You Tube, updating your status on Face Book and talking to your friends over Skype, would cost you more and more, because the ISPs would be free to charge you more for the access to these services.
No Net Neutrality would also allow ISPs to play favoritism. The ISP is able to determine what service is more important the other and could speed up or slow down the transfer of data depending on what site the user is trying to reach. For example what if you had Time Warner as an ISP and you wanted to go watch the latest cat video on You Tube, but it took ages to load, but when you went to visit Time Warner's video sharing site, the site and the video loaded instantly. ISPs would be able to force more users to their preferred sites.
Lastly being against Net Neutrality goes against the basic ideals of the internet, the freedom of the flow of information and content. The internet is a place meant for people to share and connect with each other and that will be hindered if ISPs are not kept in check with Net Neutrality. Beginners and small business would have difficulties competing with those who have a bigger budget and ISPs could play the odds in their favor. Net Neutrality should be regulated in order to insure a open internet for all that use it.
More on Net Neutrality
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality
http://www.theopeninter.net/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/01/14/fcc-net-neutrality/4473269/
http://rt.com/usa/netflix-net-neutrality-protest-061/
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/oct/27/net-neutrality-fcc-telecoms
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/data-center/goodbye-net-neutrality-now-what/#.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Maker of the AK-47
The AK-47 is the most used fire arm in the world, with there being over 100 million rifles around the world, and the creator of this simple rifle died on December 23 of 2013. Mikhail Kalashnikov died at the age of 94 and was the designer of the AK-47. Kalashnikov designed his rifle to fight the more technological advanced Nazi's during World War II. The rifle never saw combat during the Second World War because it was not put into service till 1949, but it has become the choice of weaponry among revolutionaries, terrorist, rebels, and many governments around the world. 
The rifle is easy to use and maintain, which is the primary reason why it has been chosen by so many. The rifle doesn't jam in jungles or desert environments, and because of this very reason why it was common for US troops during the Vietnam War to ditch their standard issue M-16 rifles and pick up an AK-47 off a dead Viet-Cong or North Vietnamese soldier, because the M-16 would frequently jam in the jungle environment of Vietnam, while the AK-47 continued to fire. The rifle was spread fast because of how cheap it was too, making it easy to afford for up and coming revolutionaries in Third World countries. The Soviet Union also heavily spread the rifle around. The Soviet Union would give their large quantities of the rifle to nations that supported them during the Cold War and it became the standard rifle among the nations in the Warsaw Pact. The significance of the rifle can also be seen in the national flag of Mozambique.
People have asked Kalashnikov if he regrets designing the weapon, because of how widely used the rifle is, and his response he said "I sleep well. It's the politicians who are to blame for failing to come to an agreement and resorting to violence," which he said in 2007. However around near the end of his life, letters he wrote express the regret he had for creating the rifle that has been used to take so many lives (more about the letters). Around when he turned 91 Kalashnikov went to the church frequently and spent much of his time their. The patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church said that "If the weapon is used to defend the Motherland, the Church supports both its creators and the servicemen using it." And when it comes down to it, Kalashnikov could not control who could or could not use his rifle and for what purpose.
Sources
Pictures
Mikhail Kalashnikov - http://imgick.syracuse.com/home/syr-media/pgmain/img/post-standard/photo/2013/12/mikhail-kalashnikov-dead-at-94-9d4ced3cb62fbec5.jpg
Japan's Last WWII Straggler Dies
Even though Japan surrendered in August of 1945, officially ending the Second World War, there were some Japanese holdouts or stragglers who did not get the message who still continued to fight for the cause. The last confirmed holdout was that of Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda. Onoda died at the age of 91 in Tokyo on Thursday. And this guy is the true embodiment to what being loyal is.
Onoda held out on Lubang Island in the Philippines from December of 1944 to his surrender in March of 1974. He wasn't alone either, during his 29 year tour on Lubang he fought alongside with Private Yūichi Akatsu, Corporal Shōichi Shimada and Private First Class Kinshichi Kozuka. Onoda was an intelligence officer and was sent to the island to sabotage US and Filipino attacks and was ordered by his commanding officer to never surrender and to take is own life if necessary. On February 28, 1945 US and Filipino forces landed on the island and most of the Imperial Japanese troops surrendered or died, except Onoda and his three men ran and took refuge in the nearby mountains and continued their mission.
Over the 29 years, Onoda and his men stole food from locals, killed their cows for meat, and got into skirmishes with locals and the police, ended up resulting in 30 deaths. Akstsu split from the group and surrendered in 1950 and in 1954 Shimada was shot and killed by a search party looking for the holdout. Air drops containing family pictures, letters, and leaflets telling them that the war was over were dropped into their hiding spots to encouraging them to surrender, but the group saw them as allied propaganda. Kozuka died 1972, after being shot by police when he and Onoda were conducting a raid and were burning rice that the farmers collected.
In February of 1974, world explorer Norio Suzuki went to Lubang Island to look for the Lieutenant. Suzuki found Onoda on the 20th and the two became friends. Onoda told Suzuki that he would only surrender when he was relieved by a superior officer. So Suzuki flew back to Japan and with the help of the Japanese government they flew out Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, his old commanding officer to Lubang to relieve Onoda of his 30 year duty. Onoda surrendered and gave up his weapons and revived a pardon from the president of the Philippines at the time.
Later in his life Onoda wrote about his experiences in the his book My Thirty Year War and lived in Brazil raising cattle and returned to Japan in 1980. Onoda revisited Lubang and donated $10,000 to the local school.
Sources
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/onoda-japans-last-imperial-soldier-dead-91
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_holdout
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroo_Onoda
Later in his life Onoda wrote about his experiences in the his book My Thirty Year War and lived in Brazil raising cattle and returned to Japan in 1980. Onoda revisited Lubang and donated $10,000 to the local school.
Sources
http://bigstory.ap.org/article/onoda-japans-last-imperial-soldier-dead-91
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_holdout
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroo_Onoda
Jamaican Bobsled Team
Jamaica's Olympic Committee announced on their twitter on Saturday that they have qualified for the two-man bobsled team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. And I know what your thinking, "Jamaica has a bobsledding team?" and the answer is yes. The team is coming back after not qualifying for the 2006 and the 2010 Winter Olympics and the team consist of Winston Watts and Marvin Dixon.
Even though the team has qualified for the games, it doesn't mean they can get their. The team is currently having funding problems. They were originally planing on having a four man team, but because of funding problems they had to cut back to two. Watts told the BBC that they need to raise $80,000 in order to play for the trip and to get new equipment. Now since the team has qualified they can use this to kick start funding for their team, so that they can get to Sochi.
If this bobsled team sounds familiar, it may because of the 1993 film Cool Runnings that is loosely based on the Jamaican bobsled team's first debut at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I have not seen Cool Runnings, but I do plan on watching it before the Winter Olympics in February.
The bobsled team first appeared in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and the members at the time were Devon Harris, Dudley Stokes, Michael White, and Nelson Stokes. They had many fans during the games, because of their underdog background.
Jamaica will not be the only tropical country that is getting a shot to compete in the upcoming winter games in Sochi. Other tropical nations that will have a presence in the 2014 games are Togo, Zimbabwe, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, the Virgin Islands, Brazil, Peru, Tonga, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Timor-Laeste. So lets hope these guys are prepared for the cold.
Hopefully the Jamaican bobsled team can raise enough funds, so they can compete in Sochi. If you are feeling generous and want to help them out visit this page. Lets see if we can get a Cool Runnings 2 after this. Now excuse me while I go watch the first one.
Sources
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1927933-jamaican-bobsled-team-qualifies-for-2014-sochi-winter-olympics?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national
http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/19/5324410/jamaican-bobsled-team-2014-winter-olympics-fundraising
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica_national_bobsleigh_team
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_nations_at_the_Winter_Olympics
Picture
http://msn.foxsports.com/content/dam/fsdigital/fscom/Olympics/images/2014/01/18/011814-OLYMPICS-JAMAICA-BOBSLED-TEAM-QUALIFIES-DC-PI-CQ.jpg
Sunday, January 12, 2014
NSA and CSEC
In the summer of 2013 NSA whistle blower, Edward Snowden, revealed to the world that the United States Government spies on and collects data on their own citizens over the web and the phone lines. But now the nation up north, America's hat, Canada admitted on December 20th of 2013 that they "incidentally" track their own citizens. This was coming from Canada's equivalent to the US' NSA, which is the Communications Security Establishment Canada or the CSEC. The statement was posted on their website but it went noticed for some time by many Canadians. The CSEC did state that such actions are illegal in Canadian law and that they do not track Canadians on purpose, but their are many skeptics.
During the Snowden leaks, it was revealed that the NSA, the CSEC and their equivalents in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are best friends and they share their information and intelligence as part of the Five Eyes Alliance. Its pretty clear that the Five Eyes are close, especially the NSA and the CSEC. According to the Huntington Post, the Snowden documents revealed that the CSEC had set up spying post at the request of the NSA and that the NSA and the CSEC are in joint spying operations in 20 countries. The CSEC also spy in countries that are unavailable to the NSA.
But for those of us living in the United States who have been worried over the past half a year if the NSA will ever stop keep track of all the cat videos we watch on the internet and if the president if ever plans to address the NSA issue, well we are in luck. On January 17 of 2014 President Obama will deliver a speech about reforms to the NSA.
The upcoming speech is in response to many civil liberty activists and excutives of tech companies, like Google, who want the NSA to reformed. As stated in the article in the Washington Post, that various US agencies defend that the NSA's activities are important to public safety, but an White House Advisory board report in December of 2012 that the data has done anything what so ever stop terrorism.
I'm curious to what will be said on January 17 by President Obama. I want to see what the changes will be and how dramatic they will be, or maybe it will just be some simple name change, like the NPA, National Protection Agency.
Five Eyes Facts - www.privacyinternational.org/blog/the-five-s-fact-sheeteye
Obama Reforms NSA - http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-to-announce-changes-to-nsa-surveillance-on-jan-17/2014/01/10/462f9140-7a2c-11e3-af7f-13bf0e9965f6_story.html
Polio Free World
Polio is an infectious disease that mostly infects kids that paralyzes those it infects. The first polio vaccine was released in 1957 and since then the vaccine has gotten rid of Polio in almost every country in the world. Now India joins the list of countries where polio has been eradicated. The last recorded case in India was in January 13 of 2011. It was a girl in Subharara village and now she only suffers a limp.
India this year has been declared Polio free by the World Health Education. When a country becomes Polio free, it means the disease has been destroyed in the country and that the only possible way it could come back is if the disease comes from a country that has not become Polio free. According to the World Health Organization as of 2013 Polio was at its all time low. From 1988 Polio cases have decreased by 99%. From 350,000 cases in 125 countries, to 223 cases in 3 countries in 2012. Only three countries remain that still have Polio epidemics are Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan. If Polio does become eradicated in these last three areas, then 200,000 new cases of Polio could appear every ten years.
Even though India has been declared Polio free, doesn't mean everyone in the country is immune to the deadly disease. According to the deputy director health services in charge of the polio eradication program there are still some remnants of people who are reluctant to get their kids vaccinated. Many of the people who do not want to get their kids vaccinated believe that the vaccine will cause infertility in them.
Future generations will have to get the Polio vaccine in order to guarantee that the disease will never pop up again. In November of 2013 the World Health Organization reported 10 cases of polio in Syria, which have been the first in 14 years. The World Health Organization estimated that in 2011 that 95% of the children in Syria had been vaccinated. The current civil war in Syria has put a damper on the prevention and eradication of Polio as now it is estimated that 500,000 children have not been vaccinated since the beginning of the civil war. To combat the outbreak the World Health Organization plans to launch vaccine campaigns in the neighboring countries of Syria.
With the continued effort of the World Health Organization to help and educate people, maybe one day Polio will no longer be an issue.
India Polio Free - http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/close-to-victory-india-will-officially-be-declared-polio-free-on-monday/article1-1171899.aspx
Polio in Syria - http://cistranfinance.com/news/armenian-health-ministry-urges-syrian-armenian-children-to-get-polio-vaccine/666/
World Health Organization and Polio - http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs114/en/
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Why Fahrenheit is Better
Celsius is used in every country in the world to record and report temperature. There are only three nations in the world today that still use Fahrenheit, which are the United States, Belize, and Palau. The rest of the world has switched to Celsius in everyday use for the temperature, but I believe that Fahrenheit is much better when it comes to everyday use.
Looking at Celsius it makes sense why it is adopted world wide, because of where the scale is set, with 0 degrees being the freezing point and 100 degrees being the boiling point of water. While Fahrenheit has 32 degrees being the freezing point and 212 degrees being the boiling point of water. The creator of Fahrenheit, Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, did have logic when setting 212 degrees as the boiling point. When Fahrenheit was testing his thermometer in his lab he made zero the coldest it could get and still be recorded with the mercury. 32 became the point were water would freeze and 212 became the boiling point, which is a 180 degrees difference or a half-circle.
Celsius is much better for scientific purposes because of its base ten system and the fact it is easy to calculate. In every day use Fahrenheit makes more sense. 0 to 100 on Celsius tells me the point when water will freeze and boil, while 0 to 100 on Fahrenheit tells me the range of temperature any person can go out side and be comfortable. The gap between Celsius' 0 to 100 is more extreme than Fahrenheit's 0 to 100. If your outside and the temperature is 100 degrees Celsius, you're dead, at the that point you don't care if the boiling point of water and freezing point are easy to understand. At 0 degrees Celsius water freezes, but I don't, I can still walk around out side comfortably and just put on a long-sleeve shirt. Any thing under 0 degrees Fahrenheit I know its really cold out and might frost bite. Any thing above 100 degrees is really hot out and I might die of heat stroke. Either way I should stay inside.
In short, when it comes to the everyday use Fahrenheit is better, while Celsius is better for other uses, because Celsius is based off water, while Fahrenheit is based on the range of comfortable temperature for humans.
Picture Source - http://imgur.com/PuNzp
Celsius and Fahrenheit creation - http://www.ericpinder.com/html/fahrenheit.html
Uses of Celsius and Fahrenheit - http://www.diffen.com/difference/Celsius_vs_Fahrenheit
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