Overcoming the Odds

For this final blog post, I decided to use an article I found on Opra's website. The article I read was called Overcoming the Odds and it was about Kanye West's near death experience. In 2002, Kanye was driving home and fell asleep after being up late at his recording studio when he hit a SUV head-on. He smashed is face and broke his jaw in 3 different places. He said when he was in the hospital he was able to step back and look at his life. He felt grateful to be so lucky to come out of the accident alive and it gave him a chance to write several songs that he was inspired to write. I think that after one experiences such a life changing event and they are able to overcome it, one gains perspective on their life. Kanye had said that his music is enabled him to get though his long recovery and to really appreciate everything in his life. Whenever I hear of a person overcoming the odds, it seems like they really come to enjoy everything in their life more. Its almost like not appreciating something until you feel like its gone or you might lose it. These types of experiences also can teach a person to live in the moment or live each day like it was your last.

"Overcoming the Odds." Opra Winfrey 2009. 22 March 2009 <http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/oprahshow1_ss_20050909/1>.

The Love of the Irish

For today's blog post, I decided to look for an article about the Irish or the St. Patrick's Day holiday. I found an article called Obama, U.S. Tout Irish Tradition and it was written in the USA Today newspaper (although I found the article online). The article summarized the Obama's celebrations of the day and their enthusiasm for the Irish. President Obama personally addressed Ireland and thanked them for their influence on America. The article also talked about some of the festivities going on around the country to celebrate. I think it is great that the Irish heritage is so beloved by not only the Irish but also those who are not. I am Irish and I think its really amazing that we have a day dedicated to celebrating and embracing the Irish heritage and their heavy influence on America.  

The Associated Press. "Obama, U.S. Tout Irish Tradition." USA Today. 17 March 2009. .

Notes on Darfur:2

The Genocide in Darfur

• The genocide in Darfur is entering into its sixth year of devastation.
• The Sudanese government's continuous harassment of Humanitarian assistance organizations are putting them at risk of collapsing.
• The collapse of these organizations would cause the deaths of 100,000 people per month
• 2.5 million have fled their homes to live in refugee camps in Chad and in the Central African Republic.
• The violence has erupted,  "chaos by design" is what it looks like as the rebel groups keep up their violence and conflict.

"The Genocide in Darfur." Save Darfur. January 2008. 16 March 2009.

War

For this blog post on war, I thought it would be fitting to use an article that related to the war in the Middle East. I read quite a sad article on the New York Times website about four American Soldiers that were just killed in Afghanistan. The article was written by Sangar Rahimi and Carlotta Gall and it was titled "4 US Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan." The article explains that the soldiers were killed in a roadside bombing that the Taliban took credit for. Not only did this article cover the deaths of the Americans but it also talked about two separate attacks that killed innocent bystanders. The first was a suicide bombing outside of a local high school that killed 3 and another was caused by a bomb planted in a wheelbarrow which killed only one. I think it is horrible to hear of this violence. The problem with the wars going on throughout our world is that they are taking place in the middle of towns, killing just innocent people. It is always hard to hear about American soldiers wounded or killed because they are the courageous men and women who fight for our country's freedom. 

Rahimi, Sangar and Gall, Carlotta. "4 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan." World 15 March 2009 . 

Notes on Darfur:1

Genocide in Darfur, Sudan

• 400,000 people have already died because of starvation, disease and violence
• 2,500,000 people have been displaced from their homes

A main cause of the warring in Sudan is the government's neglect of its people. As a result of their neglect, Sudan has become a place of conflict and poverty. Currently, the Janjaweed is a group of Arabs who have formed a government-supported militia to fight back against the rebel tribes who have challenged the government. The United States is working with other international peace organizations to help this conflict. The most important focus is how to help those innocent people living in refugee camps as well as those affected by the conflict. In order to bring peace, an agreement must be made between the warring groups and their needs to be a stable government put into place in Sudan. 

"Genocide in Darfur, Sudan." The Genocide Intervention Network. 2005. Darfur Scores. 15 March 2009 .

Is China being Imperialistic?

For this blog post, I decided to read about one of the most colonized continents in the world, Africa. I found an article on the British Broadcasting Corporation entitled Should Africa Embrace China? which was written and formed from a collaboration of readers who voice their opinions about the topic. This article focused on the new presence China has in Africa. China is now moving their goods through Africa as well as building them stadiums and railroads. Also, Chinese soldiers are credited with helping to keep the peace in Liberia. Europeans and Americans have begun to question the honesty of China's purposes and whether or not they can help Africa grow economically. Personally, I think that if the countries of Africa want China to help them then they should. If they have decided that they want to embrace the East, they should but also they should be aware of the possible dangers. I'm not personally convinced China has good intentions. I really don't have any facts to back this up but I think they could simply be after the natural resources Africa possesses. 

"Should Africa Embrace China?" British Broadcasting Corporation. 4 March 2005 .

Global Issue: Global Warming

When I was trying to think of what topic I could focus on for the global issue blog, I immediately thought of global warming. I found an article on the New York Times website entitled, Warming Isn't a Big Worry at Skeptics' Meeting. This article was written by Andrew C. Revkin and he gives the reader insight into what was going on at the International Conference on Climate Change. Upon reading this article, I obtained a better understanding on our problems with addressing global warming. The main issue is that it seems that everyone has a different idea of how it is being caused and whether it is a current danger to us. Although, whether or not we all agree on what it is exactly, it is at some point going to affect all of us living on earth. I think it is important that we as people do our best to take care of our earth because we only get one chance with it. For major corporations, I think it should be important to them to do all that they can to have a positive impact on our planet.  

Revkin, Andrew. "Warming Isn't a Big Worry at Skeptics' Meeting." New York Times Online. 8 March 2009. .

Global Issue: Global

Halloween

For this holiday blog post, I decided to look for an article about Halloween because it is my favorite holiday. I found an article on the New York Times website titled In True Halloween Spirit, Nighttime Festivities Returns and it was written by the associated press. This article talks about the banning of trick-or-treating after dark in Oil City, PA. This fun activity was banned because in 1992, a young girl was abducted and murdered just days before Halloween. In this last year, an elementary school student helped bring it back after gathering signatures on her petition and admitting an argument to the city council. I think that Halloween is a really fun time to go around your neighborhood after dark all dressed up although I agree it could be dangerous. It makes me sad to hear about the story of the young girl who was killed right around the holiday but I think it is very important for young kids to be with an adult at night. Trick or treating is a great tradition and I personally think all schools should have November 1 off. 

"In True Halloween Spirit, Nighttime Festivites Returned." The New York Times. 29 Oct. 2008. .

Bollywood

In order to find an article about Bollywood, I visited the Bollywood news website. I found an article about one of the young actors from the movie Slumdog Millionaire and I gained insight about what the family dynamics are like in India. The article I read was called Father Slaps Slumdog Child Actor and the author wasn't cited. The article explains that the young actor Azharuddin was tired and did not want to give another interview with the journalists and his father slapped him across the face. His father said he was being rude although he had already given many interviews for his movie. I was extremely surprised when I read that he understood why his father had hit him and he didn't blame him. I think the actors who are working in Bollywood have a much different perspective and value for their families than actors do who work in Hollywood. The strong family values in India come through in all the productions and anything that relates to the Bollywood scene.