COP15

I think the idea of the COP15 is great, but its voice isn't reaching far enough. Most don't know that this meeting even exists, and the fact that world leaders are taking action and are not being publicizes is slightly irritating. We can all talk about how terrible all these people are and how bad the climate is getting, and how something needs to be done. Now is when things are being done and people are taking action.

People need to know about it, and I'm afraid the front page of YouTube is not the best place to reach the entire population.

Well, that was Anti-Climactic

So, after the drama and stress of the media blowing a new strain of the flu out of proportion, in hindsight, we go: "well, never-mind". While there is a chance that another wave might hit, there is nothing we can do but stop talking about it.

To be honest, I think this story represents the media really well. There is always one huge topic for the "easy chit-chat" category- and in the end, it basically comes to nothing.

I am not saying that these deaths are not terrible incidents, I am merely commenting on the growth and decay of the story as a whole.

Today (well- yesterday, technically) In History

What does Pearl Harbor mean to the country? I think that the sacrifices made are starting to fade into history; everyone knows what day it is, but still, snow in California seems to have been the "buzz" today, not Pearl Harbor. Some people will always remember the day, because they are interested in it, others will continue to move on, and not really take a look back to see what led to the catastrophic event, and how it has impacted.

Reading these veteran's experiences with the attack is interesting; it's from a whole other perspective. Not the newspapers or the people looking on, but the people IN the attack. It can change the whole way you look at the event- it did for me.

McCain on Palin

Today just seems like a day to attack the McCain campaign, and all those associated with it. He talks about her like a father; saying he is proud of Palin and is happy with who she is-- but you can never really tell, because he is obligated to say these things.

One thing I found particularly amusing was the chortle he gave when he was talking about her "irrelevance". I don't think that she is irrelevant, it is just that everyone wishes she was.

Palin's Amazingness Re-Proven!

I found she did this during the debates. She would be asked a question and then answer one that she wanted to, or just try to change the topic. I agree with the commentary after the video; it seems as though she uses big words and familiar phrases to get people to join her, and it is completely ridiculous.

Brain Break! Aliens

Adopt-A-Republican!

Some people find this guy really annoying, but I really like what he has to say and how he says it. However, I don't think he is talking literally, he's just saying that there are enough people to cover the costs; and the money people pay now will go into their futures.
I also like how he handles the way that people who oppose the health care bill often look at it: the cheesburger man and the onion man. This situation is so stereotypical; but he puts it in a way that the people who make these stereotypes can understand it.

No Way! Obama Shows Repect?

Sometimes, things like this make me laugh, and other times I shake my head and hope that there are better people in the world than those who make videos like this. I just see this as a plea. I mean, Obama hasn't been completely amazingly awesome the past 10 months, but he inherited a pretty messed up country.

Obama was showing respect, not surrendering the country to the Japanese.

H1N1 update

While I recognize the fact that the H1N1 virus is a serious issue, I am becoming really annoyed at the volume of update we continue to receive.

Personally, I don't find it surprising that people are scrambling to get vaccinated, nor am I surprised that there is not enough supply to satisfy the demands. By increasing the demand for the vaccination, more money will be made, and the cycle will just continue.

H1N1 is a flu that targets a different group of people, not the black plague, and people need to see that.

Who Needs Equality?

America is known around the world as a free country, who serves "liberty and justice for all". It is the foundation of our society, yet, people seem to continually prove our nation wrong. This is shown by the ban on Gay marriage both in Maine and California.

People are literally PRAYING for others not to have the right to the freedom that is allotted to them the moment they become an American citizen.

One thing that bothers me the most is the minimal effect allowing the proposition to fail would have on those who are heterosexual. I get really ticked off when someone feels they can control the lives and happiness of other people, which is happening right now.

I believe that America has nurtured a new generation of individuals who are socially aware, and when the next voting period comes around, changes will be made.

The Stimulis Stimulated!

I was very supportive of the idea of a stimulus package when the idea started taking root. While it would cost money, it would be able to save our economy from something much worse than what actually happened.
If these figures are true, I am very pleasantly surprised. One could only have hoped that the package helped over 650,000 jobs. However, I feel the goal of 3.5 million jobs saved/created by the end of next year is a little bit unrealistic, and that the government should outline ways that would allow them to reach their goal.

Paying for a green future

I think it is a huge step in the right direction for the EU to fund climate change. It shows that they are ready to make a change that needs to be made.
By no means is the EU making a huge change, the conditions they set make it not the most effective system, but it still shows that we are moving forward in society.

Afghanistan Troops

In our class, we discuss Friedman often, and I thought that this was very interesting.



The statements Friedman makes go along with my previous post. It is a person's own responsibility to fight for their rights, and they shouldn't depend on others to do it for them. The second point he makes, regarding peoples reactions seemed very insightful. It is something that is easy to comprehend and to follow, but to come up with the idea is very intriguing. I particularly enjoyed the parallel he makes between the golden gate bridge and America as a whole. We are a symbol of hope, but we are not succeeding in maintaining our reputation. This outlines the importance of the "nation building at home" he mentions.
To be honest, when the subject of Iraq came up, I began to lose interest, but was drawn in when he mentioned the necessity of fixing Iraq to stabilize the Arab-Muslim world.

Christianity in Iran?

I am all for religious tolerance, but am slightly unsure how to react to this story. The fact that the POPE has to ask Iran to give its people the right to religion is slightly offsetting. It kind of reminds me of an independent person's parent going up to a store and asking if their kid could have the job. While it might be difficult, I feel that it is a person/group's own responsibility to gain freedom by coming together themselves and acting.
I'm not saying people shouldn't get help with their resume or looking for jobs in the newspaper (sticking with the analogy), but it feels wrong to have other people fight for their cause.

MindBreak!

So, I thought this was interesting/funny, and thought that you all (all 2 of you!) should see it. The "funny" part is until 2:22 (just the song).

Capitalism!

Living in a society that fosters different opinions and encourages debates; many different angles apply to the complex idea that is capitalism. When this nation was founded, it was based on a largely market economy with a few regulations. Through different times and eras, these regulations have been added to, depleted, and revised. The balance of capitalism that has not yet been reached is a difficult one to find, and will not be solved overnight.
While capitalism cultivates ingenuity and drive, it can also harm an economy, as shown by corporations such as Wal-Mart, who abuse the capitalist system. Some of their workers are forced into situations that put them into poverty while working full time. Also, whole communities have been run dry because their whole economy has been sucked into a superstore such as Wal-Mart. The local convenience stores have lost to the corporations that have no higher authority who can prevent them from spreading and taking over the whole economy. Some may claim that corporations like Wal-Mart succeed because they are the best and say true to the ideal of the "survival of the fittest", but it is also at the expense of a nation’s people and citizens, which is not acceptable. Economic regulations are meant to prevent companies from abusing their power in such ways, but currently, they are not very effective in the situation faced today. These regulations need to evolve as the economy does, and are currently lagging behind.
One feasible solution to this issue has been put forth by Paul Hawken's interpretation of "Natural Capitalism". O ur industry is based on the productivity of workers. One way of doing this effectively is conserving resources; "reducing resource use creates jobs and lessens the impact we have on the environment" (Hawkin 5). To do this, the natural and environments need to be repaired. Once energy has been developed efficiently, the services that are essential in society would be provided at a lower cost; both financially and environmentally. The money that is spent towards dying industries should be funneled into things that are becoming more and more essential today. Some examples of these emerging issues are welfare and high labor taxation. The importance of welfare systems like health care in our society is becoming more and more apparent. By taxing people who work, the government encourages businesses to hire less people to do jobs that could be preformed by multiple people. Taxes need to be placed on an individual’s resource consumption rather than the work of individuals themselves. Natural capitalism will "ensure that economic systems more closely mimic biological systems, which have successfully adapted to dynamic changes over millennia" (Hawkin 8). If this system unfolds according to plan, it will begin to cure ailing societies as well as the planet. This transition will not be easy, nor will it be overnight. Major changes will have to be made to the way society functions as a whole and as people, we must adapt.

As a theory, capitalism can be highly beneficial to societies, but regulations must be created and enforced in order for it to work for the benefit of a nation’s people.

Poverty

When more than 1 billion people are starving in the world, something has to be done. I feel like if this fact was more widely known among the general public and if it were talked about more, more would be done. Right now, poverty is something people don't like to talk about. We are comfortable living in our own world, and don't want to open our eyes to the fact people's lives are so bad. As individuals, we cannot be blamed for this; when we think about others suffering, we are affected by it. It depresses us. But as a whole; society needs to get over the fact that it is sad, and something needs to be done.

Apple is Taking Over the World.

Unsurprisingly, the Apple stock has reached a record peak. Much of Apple's success is based on its image. It represents the future- cool, sleek, and easy-to-use. While Apple may not be the best product on the market, its image seems to override its quality. I have to say; I am subject to this mild form of brainwashing. To me, Apple is just so much cooler than any PC. I believe that is how many people view the company. Also, it seems that during the recession is when Apple hit its peak. I know several people who are seriously struggling economically, yet they have the newest Macbook and iPhone products, regardless of its price.

Reprimanding FOX

The fact that one of the biggest news sources in America has been reprimanded by our president's administration is both hilarious and appalling. While many believe that FOX news is unreliable and incredibly biased, I feel as though people should be able to recognize this as individuals and take action themselves. To me, it feels like the government has been forced into babying us as citizens and they have to start to recreate our society by hand. That isn't their job- it's ours. It is almost like a parent who needs to give money to their 40 year old sons and daughters who can't make the effort to become independent people who have developed their own minds.

Health Care... again

Health Care is once more in the foreground of many people's thoughts after Kanye West's rude interruption and a boy being sent away in a balloon. I think that the fact that this is being taken seriously shows the progression of our society. While we may not have moved a long way, we have made baby steps, and I see this bill as a means to recreate and reestablish what it means to have life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness in America. While many of the proceedings remain uncovered by most media, the fact that it seems to be faring well in the process of passing is comforting.

Soaring Gas Prices

As Americans, our gas is cheaper than most of the world's, and as Americans, we are more dependent on it than most of the world is. I am continually surprised with the reaction of increasing gas prices has from society. I feel like as a group, Americans have more to worry about than the gas prices that "plague" our society, such as pollution cause by the gas and the repercussions we have on the rest of the world as a nation. The fact that people are driving less is considered negative in our society, something which I find to be ridiculous.

Welfare in America... ???

The high number of people who are unemployed and not looking for work is appalling, I think. We live in a country full of opportunities, but they are not always right under your nose-- you may have to put some effort into succeeding. This is one reason that America would not work as a socialist economy, such as those of our European counterparts. Here, people are motivated by working by things that they want, but if that main aspect is taken away due to lack of interest, people have nothing to work towards. While it may be viewed by society that work is to make money, I believe that work should also be enjoyed, and that should be what motivates people the most. A very large public welfare system would not be able to be properly administered in America due to the way people view work and respond to motivation. This statement is not aided by the fact that the unemployment rate is up to 9.8% now, which is a huge chunk of our population.

More Troops?

I agree that it will take more time to get out of Afghanistan than the American public would like it to because of what changes have been made while we have been in there, but I think requesting over 60,000 more troops is ridiculous. If anything, the number of troops in Afghanistan should be decreasing, not being raised. This means that more and more people are going overseas to take part in a movement and to do things that they may be against doing.

Another Story Never Told

Being overpowered in the media by the other larger news stories, this one seems to have slipped through the cracks. In the Philippines, there have been disastrous storms plaguing the country, resulting in floods and mudslides and other terrible disasters. It has been argued that the government did not warn people and did not supply them with ample recovery. This can be partly given to the fact that the communication lines are virtually nonexistent and constantly unreliable. From different sources the death toll ranges from 100- over 250 people. I feel as thought the world is almost running out of aid. While I am aware that so much more can be done to decrease world suffering, the money and energy necessary to initiate and follow through with intense aid is difficult to come by.

Bernanke is Still Planning...

I think that it is amazing that the whole world trusts what Bernanke says regarding the future of our economy. During a press conference, he stated that once America will get back on track, the government's hand on the economy will tighten. Soon after, the value of the dollar rose substantially compared to recent falling rates. Maybe America will become a respected country once more in the near future.

Heath Care Debate.. Part 2

I believe that health care should be given to all those who require or want it. From what I can remember, the reports mentioned in this article are the first concrete numbers we have received from the government. I think it would have been useful to see the actual percentages that the taxes would be raised by, because to us, $829 billion is just a number. It has no tangible meaning. I do think however, that this will be good for the country if it is adopted. The article also mentions the fact that our debt will be reduced by $81 billion a year, which is something that needs to be done.
The problem with the non-profit insurance companies is that they will have to compete with the private insurance for prices. I posted about this before on my blog, and I still feel that the public option would be the best for the country at this time.

Lets go to the Moon!

NASA is sending two unmanned spaceships to the moon to detect the presence of water-ice. I think that this is a good idea and will further our understanding of science, and can be helpful to our future, however I am slightly concerned with the price that the mission was set at. I believe that $79 billion is a bit steep for our current state of economy. I am not sure as to what percentage of the funding NASA receives from the government, but I feel like our money can be used to do better things right now. We could be spending money on helping our economy and creating more jobs for people.

The Olympics for the Olympics

I find it ironic that there is a competition to host the Olympics in your home country. I definitely see the benefits of the economic status that the Olympics brings, but I think that that is not what the Olympics are meant to mean to the world.
To me, the Olympics are meant to be a means by which different nations can build relations that can result in beneficial diplomatic results.
I understand that this viewpoint is naive, but I sincerely believe that the Olympics are meant to build peace, and the notion of having a contest to host them is slightly absurd.
Thanks for Reading!

When You Only Got a Hundred Years To Live....

According to the BBC, 50% of all babies born today will live until they are 100. To me, this seems more harmful then beneficial. While it may seem callous, I believe that if the world continues to increase its population at the rate that it is today, then the age that people live to needs to be maintained, or else the world would not be able to function.
Something needs to be done, I don't think that people should be able to live to see their great-great-great-great-great(...)-grandchildren. To me, that seems to be taking away a huge part of humanity.

Why Make the Vaccine then?

I don't think that the H1N1 vaccine should be "released" this year if there is a greater risk of it being harmful than a normal flu vaccine. If the information in this video is correct, and there is a chance of getting another highly harmful condition from the vaccination, this vaccine should not be administered to anyone who is worried about their health. I would rather get the flu then mercury poisoning. But that's just me.

We can't expect it to get better overnight...

This article states that the economy is getting better, but enforces the idea that the economy is still shaky. I think that this should be suspected in the economic situation that we have been in in the last years. I believe that the way that things are set out to be completed according to this article, the economy should be able to fully recover and eventually return to its previous standing.

Finally; Doing Something About Distracted Driving

Recently, my cousin was over from England, and she noticed something about our road system, and it went along the lines of "people in America don't know how to drive!" I have to say, I agree. Here in America, our road system is very organized and driver-friendly compared to most other countries in the world. Yet, we still find ways to make it bad; we text, we call people, we turn up the music so loud that people driving on the opposite sides of the freeway can hear us.

Last year, more than 500,000 people were injured and nearly 6,000 were killed in crashes involving inattentive motorists, though it was unclear how many were due to such actions as text messaging.

These seem like trivial and stupid things to harp on but when you look at statistics like that, something needs to be done, and the fact that that the federal government is taking control of a situation like this is something I find somewhat comforting.

Tsunami and Earthquake hits the Samoas

I have mentioned this before, and I will probably mention this again. I find myself more and more disappointed with the media of today's society. If you were to go onto msn or yahoo.com, you would notice immediately that filming for John and Kate Plus Eight has been stopped by threatening signs posted on the lawn of John's house, or a quiz to find out what Truman's real middle name was, but only after the closest search would you notice that there was an earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia that has killed over 1,100 people.
Now, onto the second major natural disaster that has devastaed the area around Indonesia in three years. The quake and the tsunami destroyed much of what survived the tsunami in 2007, and destroyed much of what has been built since.
The world needs to recognize that help is needed, and it needs to support the countries that have been affected by this tragedy.

Georgia Floods

I know that I may not have time to watch the news, but since when did sites like Yahoo start putting up trivial facts, like "19 LB BABY!!" on their front page when there is a flood in Georgia that seems to have affected many people in ways so much more important than a fat baby.

I believe that this shows the negative transformation occurring on our society. While I feel like the "world crisis" has developed a new generation of people who know what is going on around them and how to be able to fix it, as well as the people who just don't care about anyone else's suffering but their own.

House Prices Falling Again

Once again, the house prices in America seem to be falling once more. For our economy this means that either the economy is once more delving into turmoil, or that the recovery of the economy cannot be achieved without any imperfections.

"We suspect it is just a temporary blip in the improving trend rather than a sign of renewed weakness," said Paul Dales, US economist"

Thanks for reading!

Worldwide Disarmament- but not quite.

Disarmament seems like a really great idea to most people in today's society. I generally agree with this statement, and it seems like a really good idea until you think about the fact that there is virtually no way that the countries that we have the most potential to engage in nuclear warfare with would not give up their technology.
To me, it seems not only unfair, but also slightly naive to diffuse most, if not all, of our nuclear weapons while other countries continue building up their store of nuclear weapons.

Thanks for reading!

Airlines are Going Green

Today, carbon footprints are a major part of the global warming issue. The airplane industry seems to have grasped on to the fact that steps need to be taken towards reducing the size of the 'footprints' left by vowing to cut the emissions by 50% by 2050. While this date may seem far-fetched, I think that the gradual reductions of harmful emissions will be highly beneficial in the long run.
Apparently, the plan is to reduce the emissions 1.5% each year for the next few decades. Right now, the airplane industry is responsible for 2% of the worlds CO2 emissions,
It think that the airplane industry is setting a good example for other industries, and that the airlplane industry should be the beginning of a long chain of reforms implemented by the UN in order to save the world from its untimely death.


Thanks for reading!!

Why so crowded?

According to the report issued by the United States population Divson, published on March , 2007, in the next 42 years, the population will increase by about 2.5 billion. That is about 30% of the current population.
Today, we hear of overpopulation increasing poverty in third world nations, while the population in developed nations continue to decrease. This means that while the first world nations continue to help decrease their population, the poverty around the world will go up.
I think that something needs to be done about this. Birth control should be made more readily available to the citizens of the poorer nations, as it is not widely provided for at the moment.
This increase is largely due to the popularity and the availability of antibiotics and vaccinations around the world. While the science should continue to help save lives, action needs to be taken to combat this serious issue.

Recession Exceeding Expectations.

How much longer will the recession continue to amaze the American economists? Will it ever get better?

SuperFerry Sinking

In today's news, there are virtually no stories about sinking ships. However, in the Philippines, a Ferry with around about 900 people capsized, and 9 of those people died, while two people are still missing. It is apparent, however that many US news casters do not focus majorly on these types of issues; last year, a similar catastrophe occurred, but in that instance, about 800 people drowned.

Smart Choices?

Apparently these new food labels have been causing much controversy over the last few months. People say that they are misleading and just a good way to market cereals and other foods that are consumed by families, such as macaroni and cheese and kid cuisine.

One thing I noticed about the labels is that they are not comprehensive. For example, the amount (or lack) of protein is not featured on the front of the box, which can be misleading. Also, the company title can also be misleading. It looks as though the Smart Choices Program has a foundation in a trusted company, that is well known for good judgment, while in actuality, it is just a major company that decides to label a certain container.

health care... state faire edition.

I thought that this video summed up the health care debate in a short and understandable manner. People know that there is a debate going on about health care, but they don't necessarily know what it is about.

I think that America should "kill the pig" (that sounds terrible, I know, but it makes sense after you have watched the video), which is basically just reforming our health care and making it available to all people. The foundation of our country is giving people the three unalienable rights; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. According to John Locke's theories, if the government violates any of these (in his terms, the pursuit of happiness was land, but I believe that they are basically the same thing to Americans), the citizens have the right to rebel, which is what is currently going on. I believe that the right of 'life' includes health care, and that the extreme costs that come from the lack of effective health care violates the 'pursuit of happiness'.

Lockerbie bombing forgiven?

In 1988, a flight traveling from the UK to the US was bombed while flying over Lockerbie. The man responsible for the bombing, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, is being released because of his terminal illness. the debate surrounding this topic is the morality of this decision. Mr Megrahi is responsible for 970 fatalities, including several deaths.

Personally, I think that Mr Megrahi should not be released. He is the reason that many people's lives were ruined and even ended, and he should serve his sentence. One of the major reasons for this conclusion is the thoughts of the families of those that were killed. It was resolved that Mr Megrahi goes to jail for 27+ years in prison, serving justice. Whether the families thought that 27+ years was long enough for Mr Megrahi to serve, it was decided and most likely, eventually accepted. On the other hand, one may claim that, if he was to be retained in jail, the government would be 'stooping to his level', which I do not agree with.


Thanks for reading!!

Cash for Clunkers

So, to me, this is a personal event/news article, because my dad owns some GM dealerships in the bay area, and Hawaii. a few weeks ago, the government started the cash for clunkers (CARS) program.

WASHINGTON – The popular Cash for Clunkers program generated nearly 700,000 new car sales during the past month, giving the U.S. auto industry a badly needed jolt of activity during the deepest decline in auto sales in two decades."

This has helped not only the dealers, but everyone who has a connection to the car business. It has made a huge difference, and helped immenslt. (Or at least I thought so!!)

thanks for reading!

Hi!

I am looking forward to regularly updating this blog regularly regarding different things I find interesting online, usually pertaining to government and economics.