3/20/14
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-26649162
Great Britain
There are worries about how people are going to spend the money they receive from pensions. They are being allowed to spend the money however they want when they come to the age of retirement. Chancellor George Osborne says that the pensioners were, "responsible people who are capable of making decisions about their future." Numerous other people were mentioned in the article saying that they will spend the money on useless stuff or all at once or invest it and risk losing it all. The other side of this, the Labour party say that argument is not true and should be used against the new law regarding pensions that has been passed.
I personally have no idea what exactly pensions are or how they work. What this sounds like to me is a trust in the people that they will be smart and not cause a pain to the government after the government decided to help them. That can be a huge gamble by the government to let them be free with their money. I wonder that after awhile they would have the means to be able to tell if they spent it wisely or not? Maybe their will be an increase in number of people that need government support. I don't think I could really trust the majority of people who get money without working for it to spend it to help out their future over their immediate desires.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Ukraine Withdraws Troops
3/19/14
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/world/europe/crimea.html
Another Russia
It looks like Ukraine has officially made plans to withdraw all of its troops out of Crimea due to the Russian troops occupying the area. A day ago Russia also announced it was annexing the disputed peninsula. It made plans to relocate around 25,000 people to mainland Ukraine. The government in Kiev has stated that the annexation to Russia is actually illegal Ukraine has militarily surrendered Crimea and surrounding area. Putin has already started plans to make a bridge for cars and other such transportation straight to Russia. Ukraine has tried some smaller things to make life harder for the Russian Federation. The west is very angry and frustrated with the current situation. America has reassured their allies of the Baltic region that if Russia threatens them we will protect and defend them.
I think that this situation is very interesting because of the fact that the people of Crimea are the ones that most support the annexation of them into Russia. So everyone besides that actual people that live there are really angry about the whole situation. I do think that Russia shouldn't be able to just walk in and take what they want against a struggling nation in Ukraine. Russia is obviously not really in the mood to negotiate. Putin is being very aggressive and so far getting away with it. What I really what to know and need to research is if this all stays how it is, what are the long term implications? Should we really be more involved or is not that big of a deal?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/world/europe/crimea.html
Another Russia
It looks like Ukraine has officially made plans to withdraw all of its troops out of Crimea due to the Russian troops occupying the area. A day ago Russia also announced it was annexing the disputed peninsula. It made plans to relocate around 25,000 people to mainland Ukraine. The government in Kiev has stated that the annexation to Russia is actually illegal Ukraine has militarily surrendered Crimea and surrounding area. Putin has already started plans to make a bridge for cars and other such transportation straight to Russia. Ukraine has tried some smaller things to make life harder for the Russian Federation. The west is very angry and frustrated with the current situation. America has reassured their allies of the Baltic region that if Russia threatens them we will protect and defend them.
I think that this situation is very interesting because of the fact that the people of Crimea are the ones that most support the annexation of them into Russia. So everyone besides that actual people that live there are really angry about the whole situation. I do think that Russia shouldn't be able to just walk in and take what they want against a struggling nation in Ukraine. Russia is obviously not really in the mood to negotiate. Putin is being very aggressive and so far getting away with it. What I really what to know and need to research is if this all stays how it is, what are the long term implications? Should we really be more involved or is not that big of a deal?
Power Balance of Asia
3/19/14
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/opinion/sharing-power-with-china.html?_r=0
China
In this article the power balance between the US and China was laid out over the conflict between Japan and China and their dispute over some islands in the East China Sea. The United States have declared Japan their allies under their defense treaty with them. China keeps threatening with their military which would easily over take the Japanese military if they were to attack. What China is looking for is to show they really have the power in Asia and that America is not willing to support Japan if this turned into an even bigger conflict. America could really lose power in Asia if that is how everything played out. China would really love this. If they did enter into the war they would have no control over it and would most likely lose. Both of their options are not good for America and so it has been hard for the Obama administration to take a side and put out a clear plan.
I think that this is another one of those sticky situations for our country and like the articles said either way and we have a lot to lose. We do have a treaty with Japan that says we would support them in a situation like this, so part of me says we need to step in and go for it. I also don't know if we should be butting in with a dispute between two other countries and risk our own money and soldiers. If we don't step in then we will lose a lot of respect and power in Asia who have always depended on us and always saw us as a huge world power. We could lose all of that. I just want to see if this becomes a bigger problem and see if we do anything about it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/20/opinion/sharing-power-with-china.html?_r=0
China
In this article the power balance between the US and China was laid out over the conflict between Japan and China and their dispute over some islands in the East China Sea. The United States have declared Japan their allies under their defense treaty with them. China keeps threatening with their military which would easily over take the Japanese military if they were to attack. What China is looking for is to show they really have the power in Asia and that America is not willing to support Japan if this turned into an even bigger conflict. America could really lose power in Asia if that is how everything played out. China would really love this. If they did enter into the war they would have no control over it and would most likely lose. Both of their options are not good for America and so it has been hard for the Obama administration to take a side and put out a clear plan.
I think that this is another one of those sticky situations for our country and like the articles said either way and we have a lot to lose. We do have a treaty with Japan that says we would support them in a situation like this, so part of me says we need to step in and go for it. I also don't know if we should be butting in with a dispute between two other countries and risk our own money and soldiers. If we don't step in then we will lose a lot of respect and power in Asia who have always depended on us and always saw us as a huge world power. We could lose all of that. I just want to see if this becomes a bigger problem and see if we do anything about it.
El Chapo
3/17/14
Mexico
The mexican drug lord that has been on the run for 13 years has been caught and wants to prevent any US extradition from happening. He faces charges of smuggling massive amounts of cocaine. He was captured after 13 years on the run by the Mexican marines backed by the US with drones and cell phone taps. He also faces charges of drug trafficking and organized crimes. His lawyer filed papers that if the judge approved would block him from being extradited to the United States. If he was extradited then Mexican authories would need to decide if he needed to serve his sentence in Mexico first or send him here after his sentence. A Senior MP from the US said it would be best if he came here so he didn't have a chance of escape like he did in 2001.
First off I am really pleased that were able to capture this guy so we can get him so of the justice he needs to be served. I really think that he should serve all of the sentence in Mexico and then be extradited to America so that he could recieve the justice he deserves here as well. But if he somehow gets off the hook and is blocked from coming here then hopefully he won't be able to escape as he did last time. It becomes a hassle and unecessary especially for something that we really shouldn't be dealing with.
Mexico
The mexican drug lord that has been on the run for 13 years has been caught and wants to prevent any US extradition from happening. He faces charges of smuggling massive amounts of cocaine. He was captured after 13 years on the run by the Mexican marines backed by the US with drones and cell phone taps. He also faces charges of drug trafficking and organized crimes. His lawyer filed papers that if the judge approved would block him from being extradited to the United States. If he was extradited then Mexican authories would need to decide if he needed to serve his sentence in Mexico first or send him here after his sentence. A Senior MP from the US said it would be best if he came here so he didn't have a chance of escape like he did in 2001.
First off I am really pleased that were able to capture this guy so we can get him so of the justice he needs to be served. I really think that he should serve all of the sentence in Mexico and then be extradited to America so that he could recieve the justice he deserves here as well. But if he somehow gets off the hook and is blocked from coming here then hopefully he won't be able to escape as he did last time. It becomes a hassle and unecessary especially for something that we really shouldn't be dealing with.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
People of Nigeria
3/16/14
http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/2014/03/16/killed-stampedes-for-jobs-nigeria/lW2PNACEjNn676mGefHDTK/story.html
Nigeria
According to several articles 16 people have been stampeded to death in a fight for jobs in Nigeria. There is almost definitely more as well that have not been accounted for. There were about 500,000 people that came out to apply for less than 5,000 jobs. A lot of people are blaming Interior Minister Abba Moro for inviting way too many applicants where not enough facilities or security were provided to create a safe environment. Nigeria's economy is growing very well and is the biggest oil provider in Africa but because of corruption in the government and mismanagement have failed to provided any jobs for the citizens of their country. Nigerians are desperate for work as 41 of 171 million people are unemployed, with an even bigger percentage of younger people not having jobs.
I really don't know much about Nigeria. All I know is what we have learned in class that Nigeria is a country with a very bad government and is not very developed. After reading this article I understand more about the poor condition this country is in. 500,000 people for 5,000 positions is absolutely crazy! That really tells us that for one that people are desperate for jobs. Two: the government really does not know what it is doing and should be fired. I don't see how the ministry is caring for its people by what it did. Plus they should be able to do more with its economy than what it is currently doing.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/2014/03/16/killed-stampedes-for-jobs-nigeria/lW2PNACEjNn676mGefHDTK/story.html
Nigeria
According to several articles 16 people have been stampeded to death in a fight for jobs in Nigeria. There is almost definitely more as well that have not been accounted for. There were about 500,000 people that came out to apply for less than 5,000 jobs. A lot of people are blaming Interior Minister Abba Moro for inviting way too many applicants where not enough facilities or security were provided to create a safe environment. Nigeria's economy is growing very well and is the biggest oil provider in Africa but because of corruption in the government and mismanagement have failed to provided any jobs for the citizens of their country. Nigerians are desperate for work as 41 of 171 million people are unemployed, with an even bigger percentage of younger people not having jobs.
I really don't know much about Nigeria. All I know is what we have learned in class that Nigeria is a country with a very bad government and is not very developed. After reading this article I understand more about the poor condition this country is in. 500,000 people for 5,000 positions is absolutely crazy! That really tells us that for one that people are desperate for jobs. Two: the government really does not know what it is doing and should be fired. I don't see how the ministry is caring for its people by what it did. Plus they should be able to do more with its economy than what it is currently doing.
Iran Making No Progress on Humans Rights
3/16/14
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/14/why-human-rights-sanctions-could-work-with-iran/
Iran
A new president was elected back in August for the country of Iran. His name was Hassan Rouhani he promised to improve a lot of the problems Iran has with human's rights. Since then there has been no improvements. The reason for this is not clear because we can't tell if it is the fault of President Rhouhani or other leaders of the country. Maybe the goal was to never fulfill those promises. There is discussion of whether sanctions on Iran can be a good thing and help get its country to comply with deals they made to improve their human rights. They want to make sanction that don't effect the whole people of Iran but just the ones who are not willing to compromise.
I think that sanctions need to continue until Iran can show they are willing to change and be nicer to all the people of their country. The sanctions can be rought but I agree with the article and that sanctions can be made that don't harm the entire people. I think that just trying to be diplomatic with them will not be as successful. Hopefully there are enough moderates that have power and are able to compromise and make some improvements to their country.
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2014/03/14/why-human-rights-sanctions-could-work-with-iran/
Iran
A new president was elected back in August for the country of Iran. His name was Hassan Rouhani he promised to improve a lot of the problems Iran has with human's rights. Since then there has been no improvements. The reason for this is not clear because we can't tell if it is the fault of President Rhouhani or other leaders of the country. Maybe the goal was to never fulfill those promises. There is discussion of whether sanctions on Iran can be a good thing and help get its country to comply with deals they made to improve their human rights. They want to make sanction that don't effect the whole people of Iran but just the ones who are not willing to compromise.
I think that sanctions need to continue until Iran can show they are willing to change and be nicer to all the people of their country. The sanctions can be rought but I agree with the article and that sanctions can be made that don't harm the entire people. I think that just trying to be diplomatic with them will not be as successful. Hopefully there are enough moderates that have power and are able to compromise and make some improvements to their country.
Tensions Continue to Rise
3/16/14
www.forbes.com/sites/dougschoen/2014/03/16/russia-invades-ukraine/
Russia
The tensions are at an all time high between Ukraine and Russia as yesterday Russia invaded and took control over a natural gas station in a village outside Crimea. This came after an intense and tense meeting and vote between the nations of the UN. All the votes were against the secession referendum except for Russia's. China, Russia's closest ally, chose to abstain their vote which is still showing support for Putin. The goal of the vote is to stop or at least slow down Putin's aggression but there is no sign of them slowing down.
A White House spokesman says there will be consequences if the aggresion will not stop.
The situation has really gotten sticky and bloody. I am in a stance where I don't really know what us in America should do. The US is not going to step in and take any military action. I do think that America has become weaker and not as imposing under our current President. Now is that necessarily a bad thing? I guess that becomes a personal opinion to all of us. I am down the middle as I think that we shouldn't let Russia bully Ukraine around but it may be very bad to get involved and turn this into a bigger conflict which we don't want to worry about right now.
www.forbes.com/sites/dougschoen/2014/03/16/russia-invades-ukraine/
Russia
The tensions are at an all time high between Ukraine and Russia as yesterday Russia invaded and took control over a natural gas station in a village outside Crimea. This came after an intense and tense meeting and vote between the nations of the UN. All the votes were against the secession referendum except for Russia's. China, Russia's closest ally, chose to abstain their vote which is still showing support for Putin. The goal of the vote is to stop or at least slow down Putin's aggression but there is no sign of them slowing down.
A White House spokesman says there will be consequences if the aggresion will not stop.
The situation has really gotten sticky and bloody. I am in a stance where I don't really know what us in America should do. The US is not going to step in and take any military action. I do think that America has become weaker and not as imposing under our current President. Now is that necessarily a bad thing? I guess that becomes a personal opinion to all of us. I am down the middle as I think that we shouldn't let Russia bully Ukraine around but it may be very bad to get involved and turn this into a bigger conflict which we don't want to worry about right now.
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