...as the countdowns and reviews are in full force, it makes sense for the first post of January (week of the 6th to 12th) to be what you feel was a significant news story/headline/world event of 2012.
Regular blog rubric.
Remember to seek external references.
Remember to comment to a classmates post - when you do this much work it's nice to know someone else reads your post.
Substantiate the reasoning as to why the event you selected ranks in the top tier of news headlines for 2012. Don't worry if someone else chooses the same topic, but be sure you do not repeat word for word another classmates opinions.
You can enter your posts at any time you wish. They will not be marked until the end of the week January 6th to 12th.
Good news. There will only be one more blog post after this one.
It will be a special topic TBA in January and will be summative in nature.
Thank you for sharing your opinions and ideas in 2012. You are all awesome!
All the best in 2013!
For this blog post you said pick a profound event, something that is significant news. I chose an event that will hopefully change the world, or at least America, but I don’t know, it is hard seeing a positive outcome from this event. I chose the Steubenville Cover Up.
ReplyDeleteI would like to start off by saying this will be biased, as I can only read this and understand as a woman. I cried while researching this, not only for the innocent victim, but also for women everywhere.
On August 11 a 16-year-old girl was dragged to multiple parties while unconscious. (1) At these parties she was raped, sexually abused, molested, and urinated on. (2) There is a video on Youtube of some of these acts, and also pictures. I won’t link to these out of respect.
Two boys transported her body from party to party, but there is speculation more boys helped move her. (1) These two boys were charged with rape, but another three have not been charged, despite video and photo evidence of them also committing these acts. (2)
This brings up a few questions, how could this happen? Why aren’t the other boys being charged?
The town is known for their amazing football team. The boys on the football team are stars. The school has a football stadium that can fit 10, 000 fans to watch the games. They’re a big deal.
They also happen to be the rapists. (3) After the rapes, the football team all took to Twitter and Facebook, posting multiple degrading comments about the girl, and what they did to her.
Luckily, the world took notice. The New York Times and CNN reported the event and it spread like wild fire. Suddenly, people saw the injustice served. The local police are now being criticized for not arresting the other guilty boys, and trying to cover up the event for the sake of the famous football team. An even more alarming fact is that the prosecutor of the case, Jane Hanlin, whose son plays for the football team, also covered this up.
Now, this is where the story takes a twist. Some of you may have heard of the organization Anonymous. They hit the news back in the Occupy Wall Street movement, and have been hacking and protesting since. They are vigilantes who believe we must take action for ourselves if our government does not. And let’s face it, the government isn’t doing anything about this.
DeleteOnce Anonymous heard about the event, they sent out a video from the cell called “KnightSec.” (1) They uncovered more facts about the cover up. They have put together documents on the people involved, including social security numbers, addresses, family members, and phone numbers. They have done this to every member of the football team, the school faculty, and family members. They said they would release these documents if the accused did not apologize publically. I encourage you to watch the video Anonymous released on this event, as it is very eye opening, click the fourth link.
I support Anonymous. I support vigilantism. I don’t support any government that covers up for rapists because they’re good at football. This corruption makes me afraid for women. We hear about how common rape is in developing nations all the time. Meanwhile, North America will protect rapists. Our society teaches a backwards message. Women learn they are sluts, whores, and that we deserve the rape because we dress provocatively and flirt. We teach that women should act more conservatively, and then men won’t hurt us. We say this, instead of teaching boys not to rape.
This is why the football team can so easily justify their actions. She deserved it, they all tweeted that night. The boys didn’t do anything wrong, the parents will say, because she was a floozy.
I hear people say all the time, “why do we still need feminists?” I answer with examples like this. Sexism is still prevalent in our society, women are not being protected by the government. We are not safe.
If it is still unclear to you as why this is so significant, it is because I will hope this will change the way North America views rape and violence against women. Instead of viewing us, women, as guilty for some reason, we need to blame the guilty. We need stricter laws. We need to stop making sexist jokes. We need a just government that will protect women. We need serious action made. I dearly hope this case will spur action. If not among the government, among the people. Among women who are sick and tired of being scared in their own country.
If this doesn’t spark the fire to make the change we need, I am not sure what will.
1) http://www.toledoblade.com/Courts/2013/01/06/Crowd-in-the-hundreds-demands-justice-for-rape-victim-in-Steubenville.html
2) http://www.yourdailymedia.com/post/steubenville-covers-for-its-high-school-football-stars-rapists/
3) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/06/steubenville-high-school-football-rape
4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piMdyK3bjr0
WOW! I was not informed of this, im amazed it was able to be covered up so well! this definitely is a big issue! We all seem to think that views on rape and violence against women are that its bad, but in North America we still make jokes about it, which is just wrong. Rape is not something to joke about, and the idea that something like this can be so easily covered up scares me. Thank you kailey for informing us on this!
DeleteIt honestly disgusts me that stuff like this even occurs. But what's equally disgusting is that I can barely go a day without someone dropping the word "rape" in joking conversation or somehow treating a rape incident as if it were a joke. Kailey, thank you for sharing this atrociously revolting injustice. Change is well over due!
DeleteThank you for informing me of this Kailey. I believe that events like this truly are covered up in our society. There is no shame for a woman to speak out about being raped or anything along those lines. Our world needs to learn that something like this is not acceptable by any means. Just because someone is on a winning football team or just because someone has a lot of money, does not give them the right to do unspeakable things just because their Daddies or Mommies will buy them out of trouble. This truly is one of the most important topics to be discussed in our dayen age.
DeleteI feel like many people in our society are still under the misconception that girls "ask for it" by the way they dress. But a choice in attire is not permission to have sex. Until a definitive "yes" is uttered, then one should by no means engage in sexual activity.
DeleteAnother misconception is that a person (especially women) can be judged by the amount of times they have sex; and no matter how many times they do or don't, they're in the wrong! Virgins are "prudes" and girls who have sex a lot (or even just once!) are "sluts" and it's all so messed up and wrong. What a woman does with her body is her own personal choice and it should by no means dictate what type of person she is or is not.
I definitely agree with Kailey, feminism is certainly still needed!
I agree with Ren's point about being judged on sexual activity. Men are praised for sex, yet women are put down for it, and this sexism is ingrained into our society. Because of this, many rapes are justified in our societies point of view, and the victims are called derogatory names and blamed for the crimes. This isn't okay!
DeleteI'm tired of the double standards in our society! Again, this is why there still needs to be feminism because women still to this day are not on equal level with men in every aspect of life, namely sex. If it's okay for men to sleep with who they want when they want, why isn't it the same for women? And specifically, for the women the men sleep with! It needs to be stopped and it needs to be stopped now. Down with double standards!
DeleteThis is my weekly post: I think the top issue of 2012, was Climate Change. The amount of times we heard on T.V,"we broke a record" was insane.The reality is that Climate Change is real,and is a huge threat to our environment and our way of life.Our total way of life would be effected by this GLOBAL ISSUE, nearly 75 percent of species will not be able to adapt, which causes a massive decrease in food supply,we can't even feed the world already,how are we supposed to survive if we lose a massive amount of food?
ReplyDeleteNot only does Climate Change effect the environment is a tremendous way,but it has a massive impact on the economy as well. Right before our eyes our governments are burning money to mine for oil,coal and other fossil fuels in areas where there are very few natural resources or fossil fuels(Antarctica). People commonly mistake Climate Change to Global Warming,although the temperature is rising it is also changing in the south from hot to cold and example of this is massive snow storms in Oklahoma,Texas, Louisiana , and parts of western Mississippi. Many Southern Hemisphere countries make their money from selling tropical foods that cant be grown in the Northern Hemisphere(Bananas,Oranges,Pineapple,etc;) in many seasons if they can grow them at all. How are those countries going to make money when the climate changes and those tropical foods die because it is to cold.
Certain countries need a wake up call about Climate Change,such as the United States of America,Australia, and Canada. Stephen Harper told the media a year ago "That he as well as the Canadian government does not have enough proof that Climate Change is a "global issue", while Canada is in the top three countries for a CO2 output.
Climate Change is the biggest and most important global issue of 2012,and will continue to be the biggest global issue until it is taking care off.It effects every single thing on this planet from the soil we walk on to the human species its self.
1) http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/wildlife-habitat/?gclid=CIC86oCr2bQCFelFMgodzWoAhg
2)http://www.ec.gc.ca/cc/default.asp?lang=En
3)http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sa=N&tab=lw&q=climate+change#q=climate+change&hl=en&safe=active&sa=N&tbo=u&source=univ&tbm=nws&ei=K17sUJ-TEpOC0QH-iICQCA&ved=0CF8QqAI&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.1357316858,d.dmQ&fp=e275def599deeeba&biw=1192&bih=593&safe=active
Here we go again...
ReplyDeleteThis is my post.
Well... 2012. Remember that terrible movie? With John Cusack (He can’t act.) That’s what my post is about although it was released in 2009. 2012 the movie and the “event” itself was the biggest flop of the year and the most built up, lame end of the world plot ever.
Everyone knows about 2012 and the doomsday- end of days type deal that was SUPPOSED to happen, but never did. I thought it would be silly and ironic for a review of the year 2012 was about 2012. I think that and the fact that world didn’t end speak for itself... and with that.
The End
I agree with Levi, 2012 was one of the most outrageous "stories" that anyone could agree with. I believe however that people believing this story is the form of how much social media effects the news. A movie was based on this concept of the world ending in 2012 and all the publicity over twitter and facebook made this conspiracy even more stupid.
DeleteSocial media is very powerful and is usually used for more evil than good. For example if social media had said that 2012 was never going to happen every one would of stopped believing it, however they use is as a form of power and money. This is why you don't usually see many programs telling you the risk of pollution or climate change. However social media is the first to tell you what kind of car to get which helps pollution.
I hear you Laura, that makes sense. Media is the only reason for which this became an epidemic. Though I'll have you know that through movies like 2012[1], the companies which would profit from the fanatics also helped spread the idea. Some people spend so much money making bomb shelters, storing weapons/food/supplies, and in some parts of the world this became a very profitable venture.
Delete1: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1190080/
Weekly Post: Occupy Movement
ReplyDeleteThere were a few events in 2012 that had an impact globally, and because I believe the occupy movement is one of the more important ones, I chose to talk about it. Occupy Wall Street is a people-powered movement that began on September 17, 2011 in Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District, and has spread to over 100 cities in the United States and actions in over 1,500 cities globally. #ows is fighting back against the corrosive power of major banks and multinational corporations over the democratic process, and the role of Wall Street in creating an economic collapse that has caused the greatest recession in generations. The movement is inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, and aims to fight back against the richest 1% of people that are writing the rules of an unfair global economy that is foreclosing on our future (1). This is an effective movement because, people are exposed to knowledge more today and realize what the truth is about their economy. Knowing that it isn't right, they people want a revolution that effects a mass group of people meaning the whole country as well as these rich companies which basically have control over the government.
The richest 1% of the US population owns a third of the US net worth. This means that there are some really rich people in the US today. I found some statistics that were really astounding which stated that there are 3.1 million millionaires in the US and over 400 billionaires which is more than any other country in the world (2). What is happening with these citizens today in the US ? Well, quite frankly the rich is getting richer while the poor is getting poorer. Governments and companies are not telling people the truth about where money is going to and why so many people's average income has decreased by a significant amount. This has actually been going on for longer then we think, but it is just now people are starting to realize what is really going on and starting to question government, as well as media, which we know has been lying to the people, not only in the US but, around the world. I read an article called "Who are the richest 1 per cent in Canada? They’re not just CEOs" which was similar to this situation and it said " In Canada, about 8 per cent of the country's total income was concentrated in the hands of 1 per cent of the population back in the late 1970s. In recent years, that almost doubled to 14 per cent, a UBC paper says. (3)" Just like the US a lot of the richest 1% is companies, but there are also other people, regular people if you may, who are bankers, doctors, dentists, managers and veterinarians, who earn at least $230,000 a year to qualify.
There are a few different cause to why OWS (occupy wall street) exists which are, wealth inequality, political corruption, and the corporate influence of government (4). The wealth inequality is basically refers to the unequal distribution of financial assets among residents of the United States. Political corruption meaning the government officials use of power for there own benefit. The corporate influence of governments which are large business owned by corporations. Business industries really do run the world, the reason for that is because they have all the money, and money is power. Since they have all the money, they're able to tell the government what to do, whether that being billboards in the streets, or commercials on t.v. that are powerful enough to manipulate the average mind who doesn't have a understanding or who hasn't had the truth exposed to them..
But, now we do, people found out the truth and are willing to start a revolution in order to change it. I was looking at photos of protests in the streets of New York, and one of the posters a lady was holding said "One Day the Poor Will Have Nothing Left to Eat but the Rich" I found that this was a very interesting quote because it is completely true. What happens when the poor keep on getting poorer till they can't get anymore poor? I can guarantee that it won't be anything pleasant.
DeleteI feel that it is a good thing to see the support this movement is getting, not only locally but, globally as well. People are trying to change what is going on, which is corruption. It is also an eye opener for people around the world, I know personally, knowing about this movement and what was going on in the US influenced me to find out the same thing about the country I live in, and where most of our money comes from, and where it goes. People around the world have probably wondered the same thing about where they live, and with the knowledge and understanding about this situation helps them have the same for their own.
(1)http://occupywallst.org/about/
(2)http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-LhqlWv9K4Q
(3)http://m.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/who-are-the-richest-1-per-cent-in-canada-theyre-not-just-ceos/article4231232/?
(4)http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_Wall_Street
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteI think one of the largest issues we’ve faced in 2012 was the ongoing debate about an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) implementation. Over the past year alone, without any immediate action, has seen a spike in mass shootings. Examples such as the Denver theatre shooting, and Connecticut, being one of the worst shootings in the US since Columbine. In spite of all this, I feel what’s most concerning is the vast amount of schools and learning facilities that seem to be a rising target of such devastating crime.
Despite the fact that the United States is one country with the highest percentage of shootings per year, it is not uncommon for schools all around the world to be targeted for violent crime. Leading up to 2012 various learning facilities enquire casualties, though unfortunately it wasn’t until the Sandy Hook catastrophe that people finally said enough is enough. On September 23, 2008 the Kauhajoki School Shooting at a Finland University shot and fatally injured ten people. The gunman was a hospitality management student attending the school. [2] July 22, 2011, Anders Behring Breivik, a Norwegian right-wing extremist, killed 77 people in Norway's deadliest attack since World War II. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on April 7, 2011 twelve children, ages 10 to 13, were killed and 20 others seriously wounded when a shooter entered Tasso da Silveira Municipal School.
These are only three examples of some other locations around the world, included in some of the largest school shootings ever took place in Germany, France, as well as right here in Canada, Montreal, Quebec. The Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting was truly a heartbreaking occurrence, although it cannot be considered as a world issue, it captured the hearts of many in North America who think a change of policy is in order.
The Treaty would establish high common standards for international trade in conventional arms. The main reason the arms trade talks are taking place is that the United States, the world's biggest arms trader, accounts for more than 40 percent of global conventional arms transfers. [3] Among the top six arms-exporting nations, Russia cast the only abstention. Britain, France and Germany joined China and the United States in support of the resolution. Although it would not resolve domestic gun sales and ownership completely, it allows people to be more aware of the issues, and prevent certain arms from entering the wrong hands in the future.
1) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7630969.stm
2) http://news.yahoo.com/photos/anders-behring-breivik-confessed-gunman-killed-77-people-photo-120722394.html
3) http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/06/04/pol-un-arms-control-canada-change.html
I think one of the biggest issues we have in today’s world is gun violence. Gun violence has always been a major issue however in recent events this year it has made it more obvious in how gun violence is a huge issue. In this past year shootings such as Newtown and the Aurora shooting are just few of the many that were the result of gun violence in America. 1)“With less than 5% of the world's population, the United States is home to roughly 35–50 per cent of the world's civilian-owned guns, heavily skewing the global geography of firearms and any relative comparison”. Even though United States has one of the highest gun violence and deaths in the world it is not the only country that deals with gun violence. Thailand is also one of many countries with a very high gun violence rate, 33% of crimes in Thailand result in murders that are cause by gun violence.
ReplyDeleteI believe in the United States and many other countries that guns are way to easily able to posses. 2) “The unrelenting toll of America’s gun violence epidemic leaves 100,000 people injured or killed every year in communities nationwide. But while the number of people affected by this crisis is staggering – 86 people die by guns every single day.” How many tragedies is it going to take for the governments of all countries affected by this violence before they realize that things need to change?
In my opinion I’m sick of turning on the news and hearing about innocent people dying because of people that are mentally ill and are so able to posses’ guns. The saying “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” is completely accurate however, taking away guns would limit the way of being able to kill innocent people as easily. I do understand that it would be just as easy to kill people with other weapons like knives however, tragedies such as Newtown and Aurora movie theatre shooting would be almost impossible.
1)
2) http://smartgunlaws.org/gun-laws-matter-2012-understanding-the-link-between-weak-laws-and-gun-violence/
I think that it is okay to be able to purchase a gun that easily. What the United states government should do is adapt what we have in canada. To be able to purchase a gun you need have a hunting licence to prove that you will use the gun responsibly. I think that is we make it harder to buy guns will become a major product in the black market.
DeleteI agree with Laura in that laws involve firearms are a major issue, one of which we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Looking at gun laws in the United States after the Connecticut shooting is, from an outside perspective, what can only be explained irrefutably as a mess. Opposing parties are clashing like never before. Those against firearms believe that they should be for the most part, banned as a whole, whereas others believe instead that everyone should be armed with a gun. Using the Connecticut shooting as an example, they believe that teachers should be armed with guns and would thus be able to "protect" their students from any future altercations. I believe that to be an example of fighting fire with fire, or firearm with firearm if you will (cliche as it sounds) but I really don't believe that we will be saying an end to the debate with gun laws any time soon, and that is a problem.
DeleteSources:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/12/19/f-newport-shooting-guns-teachers.html
The single most important international issue of 2012 was the declaration by Russia on the Nunn-Lugar program.
ReplyDeleteThis program has been named the most Nobel-Peace prize deserving ever enacted, yet it never received the honour.
When the Soviet Union fell in 1991 (1), the vast expanses of biological, nuclear and chemical weapons which they had accumulated were suddenly very exposed. The major threats were the newer countries like Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine. These countries would snatch the weapons and immediately become powerhouses in the world.
Luckily for the surrounding nations (and the world), Sam Nunn, a senator in America, went to visit the deposed Soviet President, a man by the name of Mikhail Gorbachev, in 1991 (2). He saw how bad things were, and how bad they might become if these weapons remained unprotected.
He returned to America and he and Senator Richard Lugar crafted a Nunn-Lugar program. After convincing the White House to pass it, they told the world it was the most important issue on the globe today, and the began storing, dispersing and destroying the weapons which the Soviet superpower had amassed over years of dominance.
“The program deactivated more than 7,659 strategic nuclear warheads, destroyed 902 intercontinental ballistic missiles, 498 missile silos, 191 mobile missile launchers, 684 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, 492 submarine missile launchers, 155 strategic bombers, 906 nuclear air-to-surface missiles and 194 nuclear test tunnels, provided protection for railroad trains carrying nuclear-weapons shipments, built 39 stations for monitoring biological agents, and disposed of 3,023 metric tons of chemical weapons agents in Russia and Albania.” – Martin Schramm, reporter. (3)
This program saved many nations and lives, clearly. The reason this is a most pressing world issue today, however, is that on October 10th, the President of Russia announced that they would NOT resign the program in June, when it expired. He also ordered UNICEF out of the country, as well as immediate dismissal of American aid.
Five-star General Omar Bradley, the World War II hero, speaking in 1948, said, "Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war that we know about peace, more about killing that we know about living.” (4)
This quote holds true, here, as the threat for nuclear war (a quick kind of war which will devastate more than any event ever has)draws imminent. We should all watch the advancement herein and see what happens when the Former Soviet Union gains nuclear independence once more.
1: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Soviet_Union_(1982%E2%80%931991)
2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union
3: http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121021/NEWS04/210210305
4: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/o/omar_n_bradley.html#e5Hr8Tuj1vvXfY01.99
This is my weekly post.
ReplyDeleteThere were many issues this past year that effected our world greatly. When I think of the world today, all I think about are people that have lots of money running the world the way they want it to be. Like rock legends AC/DC said in their song “Money Talks”, “ lovin’ for the money, listen to the money talk”.(3) It doesn’t matter who you re as long has you have money you can buy your way though anything. This is why when anything financially crashes or falls apart it truly effects everyone in some way shape or form. This is why I am doing the Greek debt. In the fiscal year of 2011 Greece’s GDP growth was -6.9%. That is horrible, on March twenty-fifth, 2012 the European Union and the International Monetary Fund provided a €130billion bailout.(4) This agreed bailout was suppose to soften this huge burden as Greece’s economy was going through its worst post-war recession.(2) Yet this did not soften the impact because after the first quarter the unemployment rate had climbed to a record 23%.(4) In order to escape this horrible state Athens must cut another €12billion euros and raise taxes.(4) After all is said and done in total Athens will have to cut €30billion euros just to save their economy.
It is not only effecting the working class, but this debt problem is effecting the youth as well. The youth unemployment rate is at 58%.(5) With the rise of the debt for the past five years, 2012 was when it really effected the society. Twenty percent of all retail stores have closed down because of this crisis.(5) This not only effecting Greece, but it is also effected neighboring countries extremely has well. These countries include Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
In Spain home prices dropped by 11%, the number of property repossessions rose by 32%.(5) The government debt to GDP is expected to rise another 11% while this money talk is all going on, everyone forgets that Spain is going through their worst drought in over 70 years.(5) This is effecting their exportations which in turn effects the nation’s debt problem. In Italy their youth unemployment rate is at the highest rate ever. A rate of 32%.(5) Italy is now looking straight in the face at a debt to GDP ratio of over 120%.(5) While Portugal’s banks have borrowed a record of 56 billion euros from the European Central Bank this past march.(5) Portugal’s economy shrank by 6%.(5)
The only way that Greece has avoided imminent bankruptcy is because of their international creditors have budged and finally agreed to lend a helping hand, yet this struggle will most likely last a few more years.(1) On November 27th, 2012 after three weeks of negotiations Greece's euro partners and the International Monetary Fund came to an agreement to offer vital loans to keep Greece from going bankrupt.(1) Now the bigger question is will the greek currency stay has euro’s or change to dollars?!
Around mid-August people were not saying “will Greece leave the eurozone, but when will they leave”.(6) If Greece leaves the eurozone it will be a huge disaster. (7) This only way Greece might make some profit would be in tourism because now it would be a lot cheaper having left the eurozone. The only down fall to this is that a country can’t live off just tourism. You also need exports. Greece doesn’t have many exports to begin with. It’s mostly just agriculture.(7) Most business still would have loans to pay with banks that are still in the eurozone. With going from the eurozone to the drachma this would essentially make the loan worth more which would make the companies bankrupt.(7) Most citizens say that they want their country to stay in the eurozone because the euro is so much higher than the dollar.(7,8)
Delete1- http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/11/27/greece-deal-loan-payments-bankruptcy.html
2- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/
3- http://www.metrolyrics.com/money-talks-lyrics-acdc.html
4- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9418656/Debt-crisis-Greek-economy-is-in-a-Great-Depression-says-Samaras.html
5- http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/27-statistics-about-the-european-economic-crisis-that-are-almost-too-crazy-to-believe
6- http://www.cnbc.com/id/48671308/Greece_to_Exit_Euro_Zone_Next_Month
7- http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/05/2012510154748106118.html
8- http://ca.advfn.com/currency-converter/euro-to-canadian-dollar.html
This is my weekly post:
ReplyDeleteOne of the most important topics for 2012 has also been an important topic for many of years throughout the world. In saying this, I am referring to climate change and the affects that it is having on places throughout the globe. A large sign of proof of the process of global warming is hurricane Sandy. Hurricane Sandy was a late season post-tropical cyclone that swept through the Caribbean and up the East Coast of the United States in late October 2012. This storm left dozens dead, thousands homeless and millions without power. (1) One area that was affected dramatically by Hurricane Sandy was Cuba. As said by Barbara Pesce-Monteiro, who is the United Nations resident coordinator in Cuba, "Adaptation to climate change is urgent and must be a part of development." (2) Our world is coming to a point where these storms are going to become increasingly more reaccurring and it will be our generation that must learn to adapt to mother natures ways and rebuild each and every community that gets destroyed. climate change has now become a fact. It is no longer a question as to which person do you believe on the topic of climate change. With just this one storm the damage to only Santiago de Cuba, a city of almost half a million people, was massive. I wonder why oil companies try so hard to take away from the seriousness of the affects of climate change because in this project they will be using 30.6 million dollars to deal with the urgent needs of the population. (2) It is a wonder to me however, why these oil companies simply do not stop creating so much pollution, take up all of that money that they get from causing such storms and use that money to create energy in a way that will no longer harm this world. If a company would do that they, in theory would get all of the money by creating this eco friendly energy by at the same time maybe getting the money that is going towards these victims. By stopping all of these storms and creating all of these hazards, the companies could in turn save the world by also saving money. In Cuba, the changes in the supply of rainfall could have enormous consequences for the economic and environmental sectors. (3) By only looking into Cuba it becomes apparent that there will be huge changes in their economic state. This will become a similar pattern for countries all around the world. If these economic and environmental issues increase to countries that supply all others with supplies, this could mean that the world that we are living here in Canada and the United States will soon be over. The economic impact of global warming is costing the world more than 1.2 trillion dollars a year which is wiping 1.6% annually from the global GDP. (4) The impacts of global warming are mostly being felt in developing countries. The damage to agricultural production from extreme weather conditions is linked to the contribution of deaths from malnutrition, poverty and their associated diseases. (4) By 2030, it is estimated that the cost of climate change and air pollution combined will rise to 3.2% of the global GDP. However, the world's least developed countries will bear the brunt and suffer the losses of up to 11% of their GDP. (4)
Climate change may also soon bring a lot of consequences down in Australia. Wave heights will increase in seas off of Indonesia, Antarctica and Australia's east coast. This study looked into the effects of climate change on waves in the coming century. This might have implications for fishing industry as well as coastal mitigation efforts. (5) Coastal areas will be affected as these larger waves will shape beach profiles. As said by Yalin Fan, an atmospheric scientist, "When waves get smaller in the North Pacific, it means there will be less wave energy hitting the beach, and hence less beach erosion." What will happen to the people living on these coastal areas?
The issue of Climate Change will no longer be asked as a question on who believes in it and who doesn't. There is no longer any time to state whether or not it is real. Climate change is the most important issue in todays world. If this issue is not resolved in the very near future, there will be no more time to talk about other issues such as the economy and how we as a race treat each other. If this issue is not resolved, there will be no more world in which we will survive on. The biggest issue in our world is climate change and we should all do our part to continue to educate ourselves on the new research, as well as we should be doing everything in our power to lower our carbon imprint on this world.
DeleteReferences:
1.http://www.livescience.com/24380-hurricane-sandy-status-data.html
2.http://www.globalissues.org/news/2012/12/28/15605
3.http://www.int-res.com/articles/cr/12/c012p223.pdf
4.http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/sep/26/climate-change-damaging-global-economy
5.http://www.nature.com/news/climate-change-may-bring-bigger-waves-for-down-under-1.12199
Rather than choosing one headliner, I have decided to compile several underneath the same umbrella: transgender hate crimes on the rise in 2012. It would take pages and pages to address each and every reported hate crime, and that alone wouldn’t encompass each instance as several attacks go unreported.
ReplyDeleteDeoni Jones, Paige Clay, and Brandy Martell were three transgender African American women who were murdered because of their gender identity in early 2012. [1] For their friends and family, the year was not off to a good start.
A report was conducted that showed between 2008 and 2011, 816 trans individuals were unlawfully killed worldwide; that's one trans murder almost every two days. [1] The majority of the killings predominantly took place in Central and South America (namely Brazil who accounted for more than half of the murders). 52 took place in the United States (averaging 13 per year), Europe and Asia respectively reported 53 and 59 murders during this same four year span. Canada reported one, and Africa and Oceania (which includes Australia and New Zealand) each reported four (or one per year). Keep in mind, these are murder reports, the non-fatal attacks certainly outnumber the murders, which is incredibly alarming. At least six attacks occurred in America just in the first four months of 2012 alone. [1]
"On March 12 in Washington D.C., a transgender woman in her mid-twenties was beaten until she was unconscious and left on a street corner.
“In Memphis, Tennessee on April 21, 18-year-old Chase Mason Kelley attacked a 20-year-old transgender woman while his brother tried to run her over with his Jeep. Fortunately, he missed.
“In San Francisco, police reported in April that four trans women in four separate attacks were beaten outside a social services agency in the Mission District during March and April." [1]
CeCe McDonald, a trans woman of colour who was arrested after being attacked outside of a bar in Minneapolis, was tried and pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in the death of her attacker. Although she was attacked first and was a victim of hate-crime, she was sentenced for murder simply because she defended herself. If that's not injustice, then I don't know what is.
A Mexican transgender woman, Agnes Torres, was also murdered in 2012 for being an activist and ardent defender of human rights in Mexico's LGBTQ community. Agnes was revered as a very important role model for the strive for transgender acceptance in her home country, Mexico. [2]
I'm sure everyone is familiar with the term "tranny" and I'm also sure that many people don't realise it's a highly offensive /slur/. The proper abbreviation would be “trans” as “tranny” holds great negative connotation to it. Either the New York Post didn't know the term was offensive, or they simply didn't care. [3] It's disgusting to see trans hate in such a popular newspaper; what example is that setting for the children? The readers? How can change be brought about if the media is standing in the way? (continued)
The New York Post didn't just use an offensive slur, but instead proceeded to completely dehumanize the victim of sexual assault, Claudia Charriez. She is introduced to the reader as "a gorgeous blonde pre-op transexual hooker" and later referred to as her attacker's "surgically-enhanced date." It's almost unbelievable this was even published in the newspaper, but it certainly goes to show that there's still a long way to go to remove trans hate completely, and with the media assuming it's harmless to be writing offensive articles such as this only makes the road to peace a bumpier one.
DeleteUp until recently, being transgender was treated as a mental health disorder; many trans individuals were diagnosed with "gender identity disorder." Being transgender is not a mental disorder. Yes, it often causes dysphoria and confusion, but society’s negligence to the transgender community is to blame for that; if transgender people were treated with the acceptance and respect they rightfully deserve as human beings than the dysphoria and confusion would evaporate and trans individuals would not have to struggle with themselves. As of late November 2012, GID was removed from the mental health guide. [4]
The saddest thing about anti-transgender attacks is that most of the victims admit they do not feel comfortable reporting their attacks because they fear they won't be seen as victims, and instead told they brought the attack upon themselves. [5] Transgender women were the least likely to report an attack. Of those who did go to the police, over 60 per cent said authorities were “indifferent, abusive or deterrent.” [5] Another problem with bringing about proper change is that even police forces--men and women expected to protect the public--fail to treat trans victims with the human dignity they deserve. Another sad fact is that 49 per cent of transgender people attempt suicide. [6] Transgender youth whose parents pressure them to conform to their anatomical gender report higher levels of depression, illegal drug use, suicide attempts and unsafe sex than peers who receive little or no pressure from parents. [6] Trans individuals are people too and like all people, they need and deserve love and support from the people around them.
Although many have now recognised and accepted homosexuals for their sexual preferences (that isn't to say they no longer face any problems, because that would be one big fat lie and is another topic I will not presently delve into) it is now the transgenders who are taking the brunt of the hate.
The reason for this, I believe, is being ill-educated, or the lack thereof altogether. Lacking education results in ignorance and ignorance can often lead to the performance of hate crimes. However, with knowledge comes understanding and understanding leads to acceptance. What needs to be done now is not only stricter laws to protect transgenders, but educating the public on transgenders. Transphobia, just like homophobia, needs to be eradicated for good. In order to stop the hate, we need to promote respect and acceptance to the transgender community and do our part in educating the misinformed. GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) is one organization that will certainly lead the LGBTQ community to sanctuary.
1. http://gaynow.com/story.php?title=are-fatal-transgender-hate-crimes-on-the-rise-in-the-us
2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/15/agnes-hernandez-hate-crime-mexican-transgender-activist-brutally-murdered_n_1345867.html
3. http://www.glaad.org/blog/repugnant-ny-post-does-another-repugnant-thing
4. http://www.glaad.org/blog/apa-removes-gender-identity-disorder-updated-mental-health-guide
5. http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/08/10/hate-crimes-against-transgender-women-raise-questions/
6. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2012/05/murder-statistics-of-transgender-people/
Thank you so much for talking about this! We don't hear about Trans* issues much in media, and like you said, when we do, it's often with derogatory and insensitive language. The "T" in LGBTQ is often forgotten, even by the LGBTQ community. I feel people often boast about no longer being homophobic, and that we're an inclusive nation, but people never mention transphobia. It is clearly a huge issue, since lives are being taken because of it. It is time for education, and true equality.
DeleteNo problem! I feel as though this issue isn't widely known and it's time for the truth to be revealed and change to be put into action. Many people still fail to recognise and address transgender people as, well, normal people and even though GID was removed from the mental health guide, many people still believe it's "just a phase" or "all in their heads" which is ignorant and wrong to believe.
DeleteTo achieve true equality we all need to come together and meet eye to eye and understand each other. Education is, as you and I have prior stated, the first step.
I believe the biggest event of 2012 is Malala Yousafzai's contribute to women's rights. It is really a shame that we are in the 21 century and we still have parts of the world still having trouble understanding women's rights. I am glad there are very brave people like Malala that take a stand. But, for those of you that haven't somehow heard/know very little of what happened to her I shall enlighten you:
ReplyDeleteOn 9 October 2012, a young woman named Malala Yousafazi was shot in by a Taliban gunman in an assassination attempt while returning home on a school bus. She and two other girls were wounded when a masked gunman got on the bus and said "Which one of you is Malala? Speak up, otherwise I will shoot you all." Once Malala identified herself she was shot twice, once in the head and again in the neck, two other girls were wounded as well but they seem to be stable and recovering fine. (1)
Malala Yousafazi grew up in Mingora, Pakistan where she was well known for standing up against the Taliban's treatment of women, (but more specially for the right of education for girls in Pakistan) and not backing down even though there was numerous threats on her life, but that also made her a target for the Taliban. The threats became a reality when two disguised assassins stopped her bus and opened fire. She has been airlifted by the United Arab Emirates air ambulance from her country and escorted all the way to a medical facility in the U.K. called the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where they specialize in swerve injuries to children. (2)
Fast forward to this month, were she has been released from the hospital in Birminham, England on January 4th 2013. She is currently with her family continuing her rehabilitation in her family's temporary home in the United Kingdom. (3)
Ever since the shooting, this has sparked a worldwide interest with words from U.N. Secretary General, to leaders of nations as well as celebrates. The United Nations even declared November 10th as Malala Day, as a day of action to focus on Malala and the 32 million girls like Malala not at school. (4) But I believe the most important part of all of this is that a 15 year old girl made a change. The fact that the Taliban seem to be threatened by the power of this young person's words goes to show how much one person can make a difference, I really think that is something we need to learn upon as not only for young people like me, but for anyone out there that is suffering because they haven't had the courage to rake a stand. I personally think this is sick what the Taliban tried to do - You don't attack children, I really don't care who you are, history has shown that. Any types of actions like this just shows the true weaknesses of an organization based in hatred and selfishness. I believe that this is a big event of 2012 and it is a surprise how many people haven't even heard of this.
Sources:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malala_Yousafzai
2. http://sourcefednews.com/2012/10/15/update-malala-yousafzai-airlifted-to-the-uk/
3. http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/04/pakistani-girl-malala-released-from-hospital/
4. http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/Americas/UN-November-10-declared-Malala-Day/Article1-957591.aspx
I feel one of the biggest events, to affect the world on a global scale in 2012 was the Arab Spring. It may have not began during last year but it sure came to a height at that time. Our world has been so focused on one resource, and that’s what’s made the revolutions and uprisings have the continuous impact they’ve had on the world. Oil in the middle east is often referred to as “...the vast energy resources that form the backbone of western economies, influence and involvement in the Middle East has been of paramount importance for the former and current imperial and super powers, including France, Britain, USA and the former Soviet Union.” (1) With all the uprisings the superpowers have been put in a tight spot.
ReplyDeleteConsequently, while trying to play the good guys, and assist rebels who fight for their rights, the countries who depend on oil also had to protect the precious resource. Another issue stemmed from the misconception and stereotypes of the middle east. From 9/11 to now, 2012 did not help with any of the problems started through the US war on terrorism. The negative views of the people have served well for the international powers moves into the areas, and has provided justification for involvement to ensure “stability” and focus on “national interests”. On a global scale views of the middle east changed. At times countries on the sidelines pitied the people, as the media portrayed a view of them needing “help” and “protection”. Other countries viewed it as just another problem, and a show of the violence the people could create. Overall the views of the middle east remain negative, and have even gotten worse, in many of the superpowers.
While the Arab spring has provided many great changes for the people of the middle east, i believe one of its biggest impacts is that to the view of social media, and the impact people can have. As individuals, its always been viewed that our impact is minimal. That as a group we can make some change, but in the long run we’re not effective. Social media is one of the main starters to the uprising, and has allowed people to see just what effect they can have. Seeing others creating such a change in their own country, especially through a tv where the experience of the pain the rebels are suffering is not as real, creates the idea that they can create change. The accessibility of social media may not have even been fully realized until these uprisings. While its still not perfect “...the Egyptian state was able to force various companies to turn off their services at short notice, showing how centralized/corporatized the (publicly) created Internet has now become.”(2) social media has become a force of change around the world. Many revolutions now happen from social media, and 2012 has been the year of them. Without the Arab Springs use of it, the rest of the world might have had to wait a while to see just what social media could do. Many of the revolutions fall under titles of the “WikiLeaks revolution, the Facebook uprising, the Twitter revolt.”(3)Social media wasn’t the only thing to change though as Youth began to realize their power. Most of the rebellions originated from youth realizing they needed change.
Overall the impact of the Arab Spring was incredible, “The number of countries designated by Freedom in the World as Free in 2011 remained unchanged at 87, representing 45 percent of the world’s 195 polities and 3,016,566,100 people—or 43 percent of the global population.”(4) All of that has changed though, as many of the countries deemed not free, are a part of the Arab Spring, and 2012 brought about new freedom and democracy.
(1)http://www.globalissues.org/issue/103/middle-east
(2)http://www.globalissues.org/article/792/mideast-north-africa-unrest
(3)http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/14/young-arabs-throw-off-shackles-tradition
(4)http://www.freedomhouse.org/article/freedom-world-2012-arab-uprisings-and-their-global-repercussions
In terms of the most profound story of 2012, the first thing I thought of was oil. Oil is what literally fuels and enables the lifestyles that 98% of North Americans have the luxury of enjoying. Specifically, the Alberta Oil Sand’s and the rapid level of growth it is experiencing due to international interests into developing and extracting this plentiful location. The growth opportunities, however, have caused a series of environmental and social challenges. The oil sands represent a source of oil,
ReplyDeleteLiquid hydrocarbon fuels required for transportation will be very difficult to replace with alternative sources of “green energy.” The difficulties experienced throughout the search for a renewable energy to take the place of gasoline, scientists and researchers worldwide lost their way. However, the technological engineering funded by the international attention gave the oil sands broader possibilities. The oil sands have been known to exist in Athabasca for over 200 years, and only in the past decade was there a convergence of economic and technological factors that allowed for this encouraged production and upgrades. (1) With these upgrades, has come a series of challenges in a number of different issues; the Northern Gateway and Keystone Pipelines, to name a few.
It is argued that the increase in foreign investment in the oil sands industry confers considerable benefits, which support the infrastructure and provide a capital-producing project. However, the extracting, transporting, manufacturing and consuming pattern that oil provides a blue-print for the level of ecological collapse we now see in 2013.
ReplyDeleteOil sands are made up of a substance that is too thick to utilize as a product, therefore it must be treated, heated or diluted to produce the product. (2) These methods lead to a nearly impossibly circumstance for the natural environment to recover from the toxic practises. In comparison to traditional extraction techniques, the new technologies are far more costly. After extraction, the oil must be transported by pipeline and boat, internationally. The Northern Gateway travels from Alberta to B.C. where it is then loaded onto boats and taken to Asian markets. The Keystone Pipeline leads into the heart of Texas where it is distributed among American markets as well. The capacity of older pipelines will no longer suffice, with the supply and demand growing more rapidly than ever before. Therefore, proposals for new, larger, pipeline infrastructure is currently under debate, to better accommodate the international demand. These proposals have been passionately imposed by environmental organizations all over the country, and justifiably so. The environmental impacts that lie within proceeding in creating new infrastructure to support entirely new, international markets should not be of Canadian interest, and investing in green, renewable energy should be further studied and applied.
As the global demand for energy, in the form of oil, continues to grow enormously and foreign corporations, controlled by national governments become more and more heavily involved in the possession of Canadian natural resources. This growing demands leads to more intensive use of energy and water. Energy in the form of natural gas is anticipated to be severely compromised by the rapid expansion of the oil sands, along with a large increase in the amount of water used, with a ratio of 2.5-4.5 barrels of water per one barrel of synthetic, crude oil. (3) However, no national strategy have been developed to address urgent water issues, with the exception of Bill C-45, that allows for the industrial use of millions more water ways, to support the international investment.
The indirect pollutants as a result of the practises of extracting oil out of the Alberta sands, such as Tailing Ponds, which now reach more than 170 square kilometers, greenhouse gas emissions and reclamation of the natural land becomes harder and more expensive to restructure.(1) Aquatic life and land animals are heavily impacted as well, experiencing a rapid destruction and gradual contamination of their natural habitats. Along with disrupting hundreds of First Nations people’s land and treaty rights, which live downstream from the Oil Sands. Oil present in local waterways has led to arsenic contamination of moose meat, toxic carcinogens found in fish, beavers and muskrat, and ultimately allowing for the water to become undrinkable. Therefore, it makes it fairly easy to believe that Canada ranked second last on its environmental performance, due to poor environmental policies regarding the Oil Sands.
ReplyDeleteI believe, with knowledge supported by studies done by Greenpeace, there is many viable, green energy alternatives. Low-impact renewable energy has the technological confidence now to supply 96% of electricity, and 92% of heating energy demands by 2050. (3) It is projected that Canadians would save approximately $135 per person, each year on their energy bills. (3) In order to receive these type of benefits, we the Canadian people in alliance with the federal government, need to educate ourselves on the repercussions of international investment, and the further development of the Alberta Oil Sands. Then, we must take interest in mediating the current issues experienced with the development of green renewable energy and move forward, away from the old fashion, fossil fuel based economic market. I find this story to be the most profound of 2012, because in my opinion 2013 is the ideal year to create significant change in this critical, global issue.
References:
(1) http://www.energybridge.ca/magazine/entry/canadas-oilsands-in-global-perspective-the-opportunities-and-challenges-for-foreign-investors
(2) http://www.afl.org/index.php/May-2011/who-owns-our-oil-sands-foreign-corporations-stake-their-claims-to-our-resources.html
(3) http://www.greenparty.ca/sites/greenparty.ca/files/attachments/a_comprehensive_guide_to_the_alberta_oil_sands_-_may_20111.pdf
This is my weekly post :
ReplyDeletehttp://nlpagan.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/jyoti.jpg
Her name was Jyoti Singh Pandey.
What I believe to have been perhaps not an immediately arisen issue, but an event that is finally gaining attention for an issue that needed to be confronted was what happened to a 23-year old, Indian girl named Jyoti. Jyoti was gang raped on a moving bus in Delhi, India on December 16th 2012, her injuries were so bad that she ended up losing her life in a Singapore hospital on December 29th. “Jyoti was beaten so badly that 95% of her intestines had to be removed. In addition, Jyoti suffered severe internal and brain injuries, a heart attack and abdominal infections.” (1) The media know refers to Jyoti as being “India’s Daughter” but why?
Rape of women in India has been an issue for decades and nothing has been done to stop it. It is almost a daily occurrence. “Rape in India has been described by Radha Kumar as one of India's most common crimes against women[1] and by the UN’s human-rights chief as a “national problem” (2) The number of reported rapes in India in the year 2012 alone was 23, 582. Keep in mind that this is the number of REPORTED rapes. Most women who are raped or otherwise sexually assaulted are too afraid or ashamed to go to the authorities. Having come from an Indian heritage myself, I know firsthand from hearing stories from my grandmother on how much pride a women takes in her virtue and morale. Wives who are raped in the streets on their way home are too afraid to tell their husbands in the fears that they will no longer be desirable to them and will thus be divorced or left with nothing to their names. Others are afraid to confront India’s police force, also due to the fact that it would result in having to explain to more men what happened to them and the “shame” that comes therein. The subject of India’s police force is an issue all in its own. It is a very corrupt legal system and is one that can often be bought off; silence in exchange for cash. Should it really come down to it, if a women were to fight her plea in court, the likelihood of police advocating for whoever wrote the bigger cheque is high. There were 635 reported cases of rape in Delhi alone last year and only one conviction. (3)
The question remains, if this was known to be such a problem, why was nothing done about it? From what I know of Indian culture, the only explanation I have to give is that pride means a lot, almost everything. Being a good wife and mother are what women live for. However, women are often tormented by the fear of rape due to the fact that it is often used as a weapon to instill fear into women in order to “keep them in line.” India is still a very dominantly sexist country and many women’s rights lobbyist groups have been crushed and silenced before they are ever given the chance to promote changes of any kind.
ReplyDeleteSo why the sudden uproar? What has changed? “Anger is overtaking fear. The dam has burst. The debate the politicians want is one of law and order, but the radical one is about how to change the culture itself. And because this is India we are taking about a myriad of cultures. Somehow, though, through the shock and the trauma, this country is examining itself and its much-vaunted modernity does not look so modern.” (3) Families have bonded together over the death of this girl and are finally seeing that enough is enough. The people of India are tired of losing their daughters, sisters, mothers and wives to the horrors of rape and violence. Maybe it was the fact that this girl was raped by six men on a bus in the public eye, maybe it was because India had to watch night after night as her father wept by her bedside, and maybe it was just time for a change. The point is that that change has finally come. Perhaps 2012 brought the turning point to what a significant issue rape in India is. Many who were raped were forced to remain silent, nameless victims having no voice to recount the horrors they’ve faced. The women of India are beginning to fight for a voice and were long overdue to be heard. She was not just another victim, not another name on a list, she was a human being who loved and laughed and her name was Jyoti Singh Pandey.
Sources:
(1) http://www.policymic.com/mobile/articles/22727/jyoti-singh-pandey-gang-rape-victim-dying-declaration-to-doom-perpetrators
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_in_India
(3) http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/dec/31/delhi-rape-india-damini
(4) http://www.policymic.com/articles/22756/jyoti-singh-pandey-these-are-the-6-men-accused-of-gang-raping-and-killing-jyoti
This is my weekly post.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion , the most significant event that happened in 2012 was the navigable waters act. Now while some may say that this is an issue that only affects Canada here are the facts. Canada possesses around 20% of the world's fresh water.(1) This abundance of fresh water has lead to an abuse of our resources that will leave us with filth polluted water and air with nothing being safe or healthy for our bodies. This lack of respect for our land has had untold consequences and will continue to negatively affect us until we decide to stop making choices based on short term profits and take a good hard look at our longterm survival as a species. As Elizabeth may puts it "The entire framework of environmental laws is being systematically destroyed in Canada." (2) This lack of care for our water will effect everyone around the world as our lack of fresh water that is safe to drink lessens by the day we are forced to spend more and mroe money treating and purifying our water.
(1) http://www.wwf.ca/conservation/freshwater/#.UPOycif7KDI
(2)http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/11/27/pol-artists-navigable-waters-act.html
This is my weekly post...
ReplyDeleteThe issue that I wanted to focus on is the Pennsylvania State Sexual Assault Scandal. Former assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky, was convicted in 2012 of 45 counts (out of 48) related to the sexual assault of ten boys over a 15-year period (1). Eight of the young men testified in a central Pennsylvania courtroom about a range of abuse, from kissing and massages, to groping, oral sex and anal rape(2). Cover-ups were made by Pennsylvania State university officials, further enabling Sandusky's disgusting indulgences. Several high-level school officials were suspended, or dismissed for covering up the incidents or failing to notify authorities. Most notably, school president Graham Spanier was forced to resign, and head football coach Joe Paterno and athletic director Tim Curley were fired (3). The 68-year-old freak got 30-60 years, which will keep him behind bars until he dies. He's currently being held at Greene State Prison in southwestern Pennsylvania serving out his sentence (1).
You hear all too often about victims of sexual assault not coming forward to testify. Many of the accusers testified that they had told no one of the abuse that dated as far back as the mid-1990s -- not parents, not girlfriends and not police (2). I find this extremely upsetting. Not only because the victim is in such a state of shock that they don't think anyone will "believe them", but because it can escalate or even begin to involve someone else. 70% of rapes are committed by a perpetrator who knows the victim (relative, friend, neighbour, colleague, or other acquaintance) (4), so as to NOT let the perpetrator continue, one must tell somebody about it.
This article is just one of many involving the molestation of children. Unfortunately, this happens everywhere every single day. There is nothing we can do about messed up individuals, but educating the masses on how to handle these types of people is something we can do. As a society, it's our duty to protect those weaker than us and children are the most vulnerable part of a community.
(1) : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/07/jerry-sandusky-prison-life_n_2423888.html
(2): http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/22/sandusky-jury-has-reached-verdict/
(3): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penn_State_child_sex_abuse_scandal
(4): http://www.assaultcare.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=58
This is #1 of the 4 posts you told me to hand in. It’s about what I believe to have been the biggest event of 2012, The USA presidential elections between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. Some people may think that the election didn’t affect the entirety of the globe, but I disagree. On many social networking sites I found people from very different areas of the world discussing what was going on with the elections. For the most part, they were begging for America to re-elect Obama. There were, however, some people who supported Romney’s ideas of a ‘better future’. While researching this topic, I’ve come across various different points of view from the candidates. The largest differentiating factor between the two, for me, is their outlooks on birth control/abortion. In one of their debates, they were asked to state what their views on birth control are. Obama supports birth control, and women’s right to have an abortion, where as Romney believes that abortion should be available only under extreme circumstances (i.e. Rape, Incest), and believes that Planned Parenthood should be shut down, ceasing the supply of birth control. Now, both men do have their redeeming & un-redeeming qualities, but throughout the rest of the campaign, we find out who’s really fit to run America. Another subject they have varying views upon would be war. Obama ended the war in Iraq and authorized the raid that found & killed Osama Bin Laden. He is also continuously trying to get all his troops out by the end of 2014. Romney stated that he thought America should increase military spending and doesn’t see the sense of Obama cutting down military spending and giving the Pentagon a lower budget. So to me, its clear why this elextion effected the whole globe. People were terrified that he’d do a worse job on America & it’s economy than Bush previously managed. I think people in other countries also wanted Americans to realize that it isn’t just them that the election effects, if they had voted someone similar to Hitler into office, we’d have a 3rd world war on our hands.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/01/4456551/obama-vs-romney-where-they-stand.html