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A Risky Endeavor

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Yemen education

Jihadist ideas and scholarship are intertwined at Al Eman University in Sana, Yemen.  The university has more than 4,000 students and teaches courses in Islam and Western disciplines, sometimes mixing the two.  The university, the size of a village, was founded in 1993 by Sheik Abdul Majid al-Zindani, a revered spiritual leader, theological adviser to Osama bin Laden an co-founder of the main Yemeni opposition party, Islah.

Sheik Zindani, is thought to be 59 and favoring a long dyed beard.  He is well known for his effort to prove that the Koran predicts Western scientific discoveries, and there are reports that he has even claimed to have cured AIDS.  However, in 2004, the United States Treasury put Mr. Zindani on a list of “specially designated global terrorists” for suspected fund-raising for Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.

The terrorism threat in Yemen is a reality.  However, will US and global intervention help matter or make them worse?  Jihadist ideas are ingrained in daily life because there is proof that these ideas are taught in schools and universities.

Sheik Zindani said that the “U.K. request for an international conference on Yemen is meant to pave the way for a U.N. Security Council resolution to approve an occupation of Yemen and to put it under a U.N. mandate.”  According to Al Jazeera, Zindani said that Washington’s “so-called war on terror is in fact a war against Islam.”

Therefore, will US involvement improve conditions and the education system in Yemen or will they cause further violence?  Only time will tell, if the involvement in rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan are any indication.

View more pictures.

(Photo: courtesy of yobserver.com)

U.S. and Peru Collaborate on Conservation

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The meeting discussed the needed steps to put a stop on environmental damage
Government officials from the United States and Peru discussed conservation issues

While individual nation’s plans on emission cuts are being drawn up all over the planet, government officials from both the United States and Peru met on Wednesday, February 17 in Washington D.C. to discuss conservation issues concerning the two countries. The event marked the first bilateral environmental affairs meeting between the two countries and focused on the following key points:

  • Environmental Protection
  • Forest Governance
  • Biodiversity Conservation

To address these issues, the officials discussed the creation of the Environmental Cooperation Agreement, that would effectively combat the occurrence of the environmental damages. The topic of forest governance included tactics of how to decrease deforestation, which accounts for nearly 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions according to a study by the U.N.’s Economic and Social Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The meeting also resulted in the creation of the Environmental Affairs Council under the Environmental Chapter of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (USPTPA). During the meeting the government officials discussed the conception and implementation of environmental policy in regards to interactions between the two nations. The State Department said that, “The bilateral meeting provided an opportunity for the public to raise issues and ask questions on implementation procedures as well as provide suggestions on improving environmental protection in both countries.”

As active economic partners, the policies formulated between the U.S. and Peru will help establish a strong basis on which to continue forward with both the continuance of economic benefits as well as the preservation and protection of the environment.

More environmental pictures here

Blogs Bash on Remake

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Coming together to bring awareness to Africa in 1985
Coming together to bring awareness to Africa in 1985

During the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the remake of “We Are the World: 2010” premiered for everyone to watch. Its intentions were to bring awareness to the damage done in Haiti and give viewers the capability of donating.

As I watched the remake, I had no image of what the original video looked like. I wasn’t alive in 1985. But, as I watched this community of celebrities, I was moved by their array of musical style and talent. I recognized many of the well-knowns that popped up on the screen and everyone seemed to be emotionally attached to the cause. But in today’s world of interactive media, everyone is able to voice their opinions.

A week after the debut of the heartfelt remake, bloggers are posting in response to articles and news sites. Most comments are negative toward the 2010 version stating:

  • “They should have gone there and helped personally!”
  • “Straight gabbage.”
  • “As an aside, during the 1985 version, I really felt like the celebrities were doing it for the right reason, and it seemed non-political. This time, however, it seems like they are doing it for self-promotion, and to somehow promote a liberal agenda.”
  • “The remake is so bad, they should be giving US money to listen to it”
Coming together to help Haiti in 2010
Coming together to help Haiti in 2010

Pretty harsh words for people who are trying to help raise money for Haiti.

I love the fact that the United States gives its citizens enough freedom to speak their minds so openly and easily, however; I oftentimes don’t understand why some comments are made.

Without interactive media, like blogging, there would not be a collection of American voices of opinion that I could sift through to see what others thought of the remake.

In the end though, these celebritites came together to remake a beautiful song that they believed would bring generations together for a cause. I do not understand why the rest matters.

Photo A and Photo B

Nuclear Power as a solution?

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Nuclear Power will receive $8 billion in federal guarantees
Nuclear Power will receive $8 billion in federal guarantees

In the wake of the 2009 U.N. Climate Change Conference, the United States begins to look toward its promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. To combat the rising rate of U.S. emissions and introduce new clean energy plans, President Barack Obama has granted over $8 billion in federal loans to go toward the construction of nuclear power plants in the United States. While this decision has been criticized by proponents of more renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, Obama stands his ground that “nuclear energy remains our largest source of fuel that provides no carbon emissions.”

power-reactors-map-sm copy

The idea of nuclear power as an alternative energy source is not unheard of especially when looking on the international map. France supplies nearly 80% of their energy consumption through nuclear power, far greater than the 20% supplied by U.S. reactors. The Obama Administration hopes that the two new proposed reactors in Georgia will aid in the promise made at the Copenhagen Conference of reducing carbon emissions to 17% lower than they were in 2005. The construction will mark the first nuclear power plants in the U.S. in over 30 years.

If the United States is to be an integral global actor in the switch to more stable and reliable energy, then the introduction of nuclear power demonstrates a proactive approach to the encroaching global climate and energy issues.

Copenhagen Summit

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Outside site of Copenhagen Climate Conference
Outside site of Copenhagen Climate Conference

As climate change becomes an increasingly hot topic, the collective actions and decisions of the planet’s nations becomes crucial in the regards to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The UN Climate Change Conference 2009, also known as the Copenhagen Summit, is the most recent in a long list of climate related conferences.

  • The conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark  in December of 2009
  • Included leaders from 193 nations
  • Individual nations determined their proposed emission cuts by the 2020
  • Failed to ratify a unified proposal to lower greenhouse gas emissions

Despite the individual promises made by the many nations whom were in attendance, the conference failed to construct an internationally binding deal that would assure the combined effort of nations to address the impending climate issue with any real conviction. The president of Friends of the Earth U.S., Erich Pica, called the accord “a sham agreement.” This failure is reminiscent of previous climate conference outcomes, such as the Kyoto Protocol, and it is evident that a distrust between nations led to the lack of power behind the Copenhagen Accord. The two largest emitters of greenhouse pollutants, the United States and the People’s Republic of China, both failed to come to terms on monitoring greenhouse emissions without assurances by the other that the accord would be respected.

If the world hopes to combat the many obstacles they face in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it is important that there are not only incentives, but also strict and enforced penalties that occur in the breaking of the set guidelines. While the efforts of individual nations is commendable, for a full effect, the effort must be global.

Should Health Care Require Citizenship?

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Obama

When it comes to  Hispanics and health care many in the community feel they are getting the short end of the stick. This is largely due to President Obama’s new health care reform plan that he has put forth to Congress. President Obama’s proposal has caused quite a stir in Congress which is partly due to the issue of legal and illegal immigrants. Many  in the Hispanic community feel that when it comes to Hispanics the issue of illegal immigrants is always at the forefront.
This is largely due to the fact that there is the belief that illegal immigrants are taking advantage of the benefits of tax paying Americans and free loading. There is no better example of this sentiment then the outburst of Representative Joe Wilson during a session of Congress where he states,”You lie!” accusing President Obama of lying about the health coverage of illegal immigrants in the new heath care reform and that the reform would really give illegal immigrants coverage he believes they do not deserve.
However, there are some facts to be considered in the issue :
  • Latinos represent 15% of the population and between the year 2005 and 2050 it is expected to be 60%
  • 34% of Hispanics do not have insurance
  • Legal immigrants who pay full taxes tend to use public health services less than Americans
  • Legal immigrants are required to wait 5 years before applying for Medicaid and Medicare

Taking in all these factors it is apparent that adequate health care is a dire need for legal and illegal immigrants.  The fact of the matter is that access to  adequate health care should not be solely contingent upon residency status in the United States but on the needs of the citizens.

To see more photos about health care reform click here.

Sending the "Right Message"

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haiti text

It should come as no surprise that one of the most effective ways of raising money for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, has been through text donations. Leading the group on money raised via texts is American Red Cross who has already raised over 22 million dollars from texts alone with that number growing every day. The way it works is you send a one word text from your phone to a specific number (for example texting “HAITI” to 90999 for the Red Cross) and a certain amount (usually $10 ) is added to your phone bill at the end of the month. Its simple, easy, and quick, but it makes a huge difference for the people in Haiti who really need it.

While The American Red Cross leads in the amount of money donated via texts, it is certainly not the only organization using this tactic. Other popular numbers for text donations include:

  • Yele Foundation (By texting “YELE” to 501501)
  • Clinton Foundation (By texting “HAITI” to 20222)
  • World Vision (By texting “WORLD” to 20222)
  • Salvation Army (By texting “HAITI” to 52000)

Through these groups and many others there has been a huge and successful response to this national texting campaign, with money continuing to be raised daily. And other communication mediums are being widely used as well to bring in donations as well. Commercialscontinue to run on TV and play on the radio encouraging people to donate to various relief efforts and many messages are being sent online as well, through websites like twitter and facebook, adding to the donation totals.  American people seem to really want to help the people of Haiti during this time of crisis and through all the different types of donation tools avaliable they should be able to find a way to.  For the Haitians, every dollar counts and every message sent can help to rebuild there country and provide for its people.

So, have you sent the right message yet?

To see photos of relief efforts going on in Haiti click here.

A New Kind of Harvest This Year

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feliz!!!
migrant worker Feliz Gutierez Gomez on Indiana farm

 

Do you know who picked your fruit today? Well you might be a bit more interested with the passing of new regulations for H2A Visa for migrant workers by President Obama.   President Obama reformed the past guest worker regulations from those of President Bush’s administration, which many felt favored the employer.

 President Obama changed the regulations so that employees had more rights in terms of wages and contracts, while employers now have more responsibility in terms of documenting workers’ hours and better salaries for workers.

 The majority of migrant workers in the United States are from Mexico and Central America and therefore the most affected by this new legislation. Many in the Hispanic community feel that the reforms are a much needed change to a system that exploited its workers. It would ensure that seasonal employees are paid fairly and treated as workers and not as pack mules.

 The Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis stated to Univision. com that the changes to this program reflect the promise of “fair salaries and strong labor safeguards for the most vulnerable labor group.”   However, those on the employer side of the situation feel that the H2A Visa’s.

 Tom Nassif, president of Western Growers, stated that President Obama’s new regulations reverse President Bush’s old policy on migrant workers which made it easier for farmers to hire foreign workers.  However I believe that this is only because the employers would now be forced to document the workers’ true hours and pay them accordingly and fairly.

 Who is Covered?

  • Worker must be temporary/less than one year
  • Employer can show that work is truly temporary or seasonal

 Requirements?

  • Employer must keep records of the hours each worker actually worked
  • Each worker must be provided a wage statement showing hours worked

Not So Happily Ever After: Horrors of Sex Tourism

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Bangkok Red Light District
Bangkok, Thailand's Red Light District (Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/7899215@N02/466289031/)

Thailand, a country often deemed the “Land of Smiles”, has become a travelers’ hotspot, renowned for its sex tourism industry.   The industry is essentially run on the sex trade of extremely poor women and children, many of whom are trafficked into Thailand from Burma.  Due to the country’s general poverty, the revenue that sex tourism brings in, and the corruption of the police enforcement in Thailand, the practice continues as a prime contributor to international human trafficking.  Ironically, discussion of sexuality is frowned upon in these more conservative Asian countries, so a blind eye is turned on sex trade industry making it difficult to reform.

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city has specifically become notorious for both its Red Light District and its array of perverse entertainment.  Performances called “Ping-Pong Shows” showcase young women, forced into the business by trafficking, poverty, or a combination of the two.  The women appear in a variety of forms of sexual torture, inserting and ejecting everything from small turtles to razor blades to ping pong balls into their vaginas throughout their act.  Sexually transmitted diseases, particularly AIDS/HIV, have become prevalent due to Thailand’s boom in sex tourism, however the Thai government is hesitant to address the problem out of fear of the loss of tourists’ business.

As of 2009, it is estimated that more than 10% of the country’s tourist spending goes towards the sex trade, driven largely by Westerners’ dollars.  Of those in the sex trade in Thailand, more than 30% are between the ages of 12 and 17.

Click to view more images of Sex Trade in Thailand Slideshow

Sources:

Blog: Untold Stories Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting

Slideshow: Photographer: preventhumantrafficking and nntoan93

War on Drugs

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Protest in Juarez

Thousands of protestors flooded the rutted streets of Ciudad Juarez last week, railing against the massacre of 15 people, 10 of who were teenagers, which occurred last month.  Mexican President Felipe Calderon was there, offering his condolences to the families and plans to stabilize the city. 

 

This has been the deadliest year since President Calderon took office in 2006 and declared to heighten efforts with the ongoing war on drugs.  In 2009 alone 7,600 Mexicans have been killed, 1,600 of them in Juarez alone. 

 

“We’re looking for solutions from Juarez because you are the ones living it,” he said.

 

This is not only Mexico’s problem.  Border violence from the war on drugs is streaming into the United States.  Over 230 prominent US cities have Mexican drug-related violence, according to the Justice Department’s National Drug Intelligence Center.  The cities are not limited to border regions such as El Paso, only a quarter-mile away from Juarez.  They are cities such as

  • Boston
  • Houston
  • Chicago
  • Los Angeles
  • Miami
  • Atlanta

 

The war on drugs is one of the most pressing matters in US foreign policy with Latin America.  It is a complex, multi-faceted battle that encompasses a wide stretch of compounding issues.  Transnational issues like:

  • Increased military involvement
  • Environmental hazards
  • Civil unrest at border cities
  • Unjust treatment of detainees at border facilities
  • Deaths of civilians, police, and cartel members

 

Billions of dollars are spent fighting this war, much to some tax-payers’ chagrin.  For Plan Columbia alone, the United States spent $4.7 billion.  The Merida Initiative, launched in June 2008, will invest another $1.6 billion over a three-year period. 

 

In a study conducted by Harvard economist Jeffery Miron, he argues the decriminalization and legalization of drugs, saying it will pump an astronomic $76.8 billion into our economy.

 

Is it worth it?

marajuana flag

more photos of the War on Drugs.