The article I chose deals with the AIG bonuses being given to the corporate executives and whether or not this deal for the bonuses is fair or not. I argue this because not only are these bonuses being taken out of the governments pockets but the government gets this money from our taxes so any money they take we have to give. On the other hand however by giving the money to the executives they are being motivated not to leave the company so that they will not go under in which case this act is somewhat fair and has a purpose but then again is it really fair to buy trust with money not to mention "our" money and should the Obama administration put a stop to it?
Link:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=7088060
Video:
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=7089719&page=1
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Pope XVI opnion on condoms in Africa
The news I chose to present was of Pope XVI trip to Africa in the week of March 18, 2009, in which he stated in front of many African bishops that condoms are not the right way to prevent HIV or AIDS, that it should be done through abstinence. he sympathizes with them, but sticks to the traditional outlook, that abstinence is the only way. CNN addresses the issue of whether it is time for the pope to be realistic about this issue. the author of the CNN article says that the pope needs to realize that people are still having sex, and they are dying in mass amounts, he should be promoting abstinence but also warning that if one will have sex to not do it with many people and to protect themselves with condoms.
its important because it shows the huge amount of influence religion can possess, and how it is being used in the world today.
links:
Friday, April 3, 2009
Depleted Uranium
The articles i chose discussed the United States Military's use of Depleted Uranium Munitions. Depleted Uranium (or DU) is a byproduct of nuclear fission and other uranium processes. DU is a very dense material, which makes perfect for the tips of armor piercing rounds. DU was considered waste until they realized they could use it for munitions. Unfortunately when DU munitions are fired and hit an object, uranium particles become airborne and can go into the lungs. This has created a new world of nuclear weapons and a variety of health and ecological concerns
This is a major health concern for Iraqi citizens, our own soldiers, and unborn children. Over 200,000 US soldiers experienced chronic muscle and joint pain, fatigue, and memory loss because of DU in the first Gulf War. Cancer rates in veterans has increased 7 to 10 times and deformities has increased from 4 to 6 percent. 320 metric tons of DU were scattered across the battlefield after the first gulf war. DU has a half life of 4.5 billion years, so this toxic debris will continue to contaminate the environment for 4.5 billion years. a UK atomic energy authority stated that 500,000 people will die because of the DU left behind from the first gulf war. because of DU 67% of gulf war vets had children with birth defects, some of which are extremely shocking and disturbing.
The pentagon admits there "may be a link between DU and the skyrocketing cancer rates," but they refuse to stop using it. The World Health Organization released a report proving the horrible effects of DU, but this still hasn't stopped our government from using our tax dollars to wage a nuclear war.
This is important to me because we are destroying the earth. We are polluting the air, water, and food supply of Iraq. If we wish for peace in the middle east, we cannot rape their land and leave radioactive waste all over their country.
Links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6105726.stm
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs257/en/
Is it Ethical to use DU even though there are studies that prove that it can be detrimental to our troops and civilians?
Was it acceptable that the US army denied and did not inform their soldiers of the negative effects of DU?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Lil Wayne Facing Gun Charges
For my News of the Day, I chose to write about an article I found on the famous rapper Lil’ Wayne. In July 2007 a police officer entered his tour bus outside of a concert at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan, NY. She approached the bus because she allegedly smelled marijuana smoke. Once on the tour bus the officer saw Lil’ Wayne, or Dwayne Carter, trying to conceal a loaded .40-Caliber handgun. If he is convicted of the crime he faces a sentence of up to 15 years in jail. His court date is set to take place on April 20th at the New York State Supreme Court House.
This incident matters to me because I am a fan of Lil’ Wayne. I enjoy listening to his music, and would be very disappointed if he was to be put in jail for any amount of time. This should matter to everyone else, because many other people are fans of him as well; and also because it could potentially be setting a bad example for our society.
My Questions for the class are:
1. Do you think that this will have a negative effect on Lil’ Wayne’s publicity, will he lose fans?
2. Do you think that Lil Wayne is setting a bad example for kids around the world that look up to him? (Even in a general sense, do you think that celebrities’ actions really influence their fans to act like them?)
Sources:
· http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/24/entertainment/main4825255.shtml?source=RSSattr=Entertainment_4825255
· http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605784/20090225/lil_wayne.jhtml (Video on this Page)
· http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/25/2500633.htm
This incident matters to me because I am a fan of Lil’ Wayne. I enjoy listening to his music, and would be very disappointed if he was to be put in jail for any amount of time. This should matter to everyone else, because many other people are fans of him as well; and also because it could potentially be setting a bad example for our society.
My Questions for the class are:
1. Do you think that this will have a negative effect on Lil’ Wayne’s publicity, will he lose fans?
2. Do you think that Lil Wayne is setting a bad example for kids around the world that look up to him? (Even in a general sense, do you think that celebrities’ actions really influence their fans to act like them?)
Sources:
· http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/24/entertainment/main4825255.shtml?source=RSSattr=Entertainment_4825255
· http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605784/20090225/lil_wayne.jhtml (Video on this Page)
· http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/25/2500633.htm
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Yves Saint Laurent auction - Christies- 3/24
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/02/24/france.ysl.auction/
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/arts/design/24auction.html?scp=2&sq=auction%20show%20in%20france-%20YSL&st=cse
Despite the global economic crisis, a lot of money seems to be left over. On monday February 23rd, the private collection of the now deceased Yves Saint Laurent (prominent womens fashion designer), and his partner became the most expensive one ever sold at any auction. It consisted of over 700 original pieces including Picasso, Mattisse, and Monet just to name a few. Bringing in more than 264 million dollars on the first night alone; over a 3 day period. The overall estimate of the income being made from the auction was 384 million, it exceeded this limit by 50%. All the money collected, was distributed to various cultural projects, charity and the founding of a new research center to combat AIDS. Christies, the auction house that held the auction, had a representative that said, " It is one of the most sumptuous private collections of our time, a French paragon of quality and taste."
Questions:
Do you feel as though spending money on art is a waste, even if it represents an optimism of society and the proceeds go to charity?
Do you think this was a reasonable time to hold the auction even in the event of the economic crisis?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/arts/design/24auction.html?scp=2&sq=auction%20show%20in%20france-%20YSL&st=cse
Despite the global economic crisis, a lot of money seems to be left over. On monday February 23rd, the private collection of the now deceased Yves Saint Laurent (prominent womens fashion designer), and his partner became the most expensive one ever sold at any auction. It consisted of over 700 original pieces including Picasso, Mattisse, and Monet just to name a few. Bringing in more than 264 million dollars on the first night alone; over a 3 day period. The overall estimate of the income being made from the auction was 384 million, it exceeded this limit by 50%. All the money collected, was distributed to various cultural projects, charity and the founding of a new research center to combat AIDS. Christies, the auction house that held the auction, had a representative that said, " It is one of the most sumptuous private collections of our time, a French paragon of quality and taste."
Questions:
Do you feel as though spending money on art is a waste, even if it represents an optimism of society and the proceeds go to charity?
Do you think this was a reasonable time to hold the auction even in the event of the economic crisis?
Monday, March 23, 2009
Octomom
Sources:
http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/03/octomom-cops-911-calls/
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/05/earlyshow/main4844548.shtml?source=RSSattr=TheEarlyShow_4844548
youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUdGK-WHv8U
Before Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets she was investigated by L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Since then cops have been called to the house a number of times. A neighbor complained that her other six children were not fed or clean. The charges were dropped when this claim was unfounded.
Since then the cops have been called when:
-one of Nadya's children locked themselves in a room
-one of the children went "missing",
-one of the kids randomly called 911 for no reason
-by neighbors twice when the front door was left open
-to control reporters after the birth of the octuplets
Do you think “Octomom” should be allowed custody of her children or not?
Should there be a limit on how many embryos are inserted into a women?
http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/03/octomom-cops-911-calls/
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/05/earlyshow/main4844548.shtml?source=RSSattr=TheEarlyShow_4844548
youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUdGK-WHv8U
Before Nadya Suleman gave birth to octuplets she was investigated by L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Since then cops have been called to the house a number of times. A neighbor complained that her other six children were not fed or clean. The charges were dropped when this claim was unfounded.
Since then the cops have been called when:
-one of Nadya's children locked themselves in a room
-one of the children went "missing",
-one of the kids randomly called 911 for no reason
-by neighbors twice when the front door was left open
-to control reporters after the birth of the octuplets
Do you think “Octomom” should be allowed custody of her children or not?
Should there be a limit on how many embryos are inserted into a women?
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Obama to expand Afghanistan security forces
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/us/politics/19military.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=afghanistan%20security&st=cse
President Obama and his advisers decided to significantly expand Afghanistan's security forces in the hope that a much larger professional army and national police force could help fill a void left by the cental government, and do more to promote stability in the country, according to senior administration and Pentagon officials. The plan is for 400,000 troops and national police officers to be trained to expand security. This plan is simply waiting on approval by Barrack Obama, who has already said he would do it. This would more than double the current force, however it would cost $10-$20 billion over the next 6 or 7 years to pull off. This cost would only include training and hiring the personnel, additional costs would be needed over time to maintain the forces. This plan will be executed in hopes of stabilizing the nation, and turn power from local warlords to trained local security. The question is; will the cost of all this be worth what we are giving Afghanistan?
President Obama and his advisers decided to significantly expand Afghanistan's security forces in the hope that a much larger professional army and national police force could help fill a void left by the cental government, and do more to promote stability in the country, according to senior administration and Pentagon officials. The plan is for 400,000 troops and national police officers to be trained to expand security. This plan is simply waiting on approval by Barrack Obama, who has already said he would do it. This would more than double the current force, however it would cost $10-$20 billion over the next 6 or 7 years to pull off. This cost would only include training and hiring the personnel, additional costs would be needed over time to maintain the forces. This plan will be executed in hopes of stabilizing the nation, and turn power from local warlords to trained local security. The question is; will the cost of all this be worth what we are giving Afghanistan?
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