Weekly Post- Last one

In class recently we have been talking about terrorist acts and the outcomes of it. On the online website of The Washington Post I found an article called, “The chemical question: Dual Iraq legacies hang over a U.S. dilemma on Syria”. This article focuses on the chemical weapons that Syria has and are believed to be used against America. However, the question is how can one attack without knowing if they will attack us in the first place? This is an issue because if they attack we will not be able to respond and save ourselves but if we attack just because we believe that they are going to attack we are basically starting war or a terrorist attack. This is an issue many countries can have with each other which is controversial because one cannot attack without being sure but how can you actually trust that the other country is not going to bomb your country? They can say they have no intentions of bombing or attacking your country but it is another thing for it to actually be true. This connects to class about international affairs because there are countries that can be attacked by other without even knowing. So how does that create a safety to one? One can only think they are safe and be ready for when they can be attacked by another country.

Fisher, Max. "The Chemical Question: Dual Iraq Legacies Hang over a US Dilemma on Syria." Washington Post (blog). N.p., 7 Dec. 2012. Web. 9 Dec. 2012.

Blog Post #12

Education is a big deal in the United States, especially when combined with undocumented immigrants. In all the states there are those kids that came to this country to receive and education and become something in life. However, many of those dreams are crushed once students graduate from high school and want to go ahead to college. Colleges do not offer undocumented immigrants the possibility to attend college at the rate that other students go for. Many students want the dream act to be passed in order to, "obtain in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. " (Anderson, October 20). This means that undocumented immigrants will be able to attend colleges and universities at the same rate of tuition as the rest of the college students in the United States.

This is an important law that affects many people here in the United States and the countries where these undocumented immigrants come from. I say this because many of these immigrants come to escape the dangers of their communities and to help the family that they have left behind. But without an education, doing this is difficult. Many citizens do not take advantage of the opportunities that education gives them here in the United States while others wish they had the chance to make a difference in their lives for the better. Most Americans do not know what it is to have to work at a young age and not be able to go to school, because here I. The United States it is the law that a child up to the age of 16 is in school. In other countries it is a privilege to actually be able to go to school. 

 Anderson, Nick. "At Montgomery College Undocumented Students Hope for ‘Dream’." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2012. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/at-montgomery-college-undocumented-students-hope-for-dream/2012/10/20/3ab575fa-1939-11e2-aa6f-3b636fecb829_story.html>.

Blog Post #11

For this week's post I decided to talk about kid soldiers in other countries and compare it to the lives of kids here in the United States. I found an article on The Washington Post that talked about how on Veterans Day many children that have parents in the military are grateful.  Having parents in the military is a sacrifice that the children and parents have to live with because they live for months, even years without seeing each other only through video chat. Americans, especially the youth, do not take advantage of the fact that we are not forced to fight the wars of this country. In other countries, like in the book we are reading, children are taken from there families to fight wars. If they are boys they have to fight, if they are girls they are taken to cook or satisfy the men. In developed countries like the U.S we don't have to worry about this happening because we have a choice to either join or not. "About 2.5 million men and women serve in the U.S. military right now" (McLaughlin) These people have chosen to fight for this country so we are not forced to. They risk there lives to protect this country and inhabitants. People should be more thankful to the souls that decide to do this because some have families that they do not for see for years. Having the privilege to choose rather than be forced is something not all countries have.

McLaughlin, Moira. "Veterans Day Lets Us Recognize Sacrifices of Children with Parents in the Military." Washington Post. 8 Nov. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/veterans-day-lets-us-recognize-sacrifices-of-children-with-parents-in-the-military/2012/11/08/148b1c80-22c7-11e2-bdfa-eebc58545bc7_story.html>.

Weekly Blog #10

This week we started talking about the book “a long way gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” by Ishmael Beah. This is a story about a young boy that was to runaway from his village because the military wants to captures every boy to turn them into a soldier. They also destroy the villages and separate families. This book reminds me of the Civil War of El Salvador in 1980. It has the same concept as the book in which a little boy named Chava is trying to survive and not be captured by the military to fight. In this time period every boy that once they turn 12 are to be recruited to be in the military. However, there is another group of fighters called “guerillas” who fights the military so that they do not destroy the families and villages. Things like this have happened all over the world and many people have suffered and lost family members. Wars have been fought everywhere in mostly every country and people just let it happen. However, some people survive this and tell their story so others may know. This helps the future because we know what our ancestors went through and how they succeed. War is a catastrophe that cannot be stopped all the times but with patience and a positive mind that everything will get better, life will change for the best.

Voces Inocentes. Dir. Luis Mandoki. Perf. Carlos Padilla. 2004. DVD.

Weekly Blog #9

With elections right around the corner some people may still be trying to make up their mind as to who they want to be president. People have been hearing speeches done by president Obama and candidate Mitt Romney as well as to the comments others have about the speeches. But how can one know who is telling the truth? What if the candidate you choose does not accomplish any of the "goals" they said they would do? Thankfully, there are people that write articles with their opinion but also included parts of the speeches given by the candidates. One cannot believe everything that is said by the candidates but they can pay attention to the statements they say they want to accomplish when they become president. An example, of this is Mitt Romney. Many have seen this bipolar attitude towards some of America's biggest issues. For instance, many can recall the statements about immigrants that he has done, "He was a friend of immigrants, then a scourge of immigrants, then again a friend.” (Mitt Romney’s campaign insults voters
) So what should one believe? His first thoughts about immigrants or the thoughts after everyone has given feedback to his idea? Romney has shown that he is a fake because he says one thing then changes the whole story to the other side. So how is one supposed to believe him? Is one willing to put so much power in the hands of an individual that does not have a set plan? This election does not only affect America but the world as well because presidents also have to worry about world politics as well as the economy. This involves trade, taxes, the economy, debt, etc. One bad decision in choosing president can change the whole economy and way of living but also the way everything operates. 

Editorial Broad. Mitt Romney’s campaign insults voters. The Washington Post. Web. 2 Nov. 2012. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mitt-romneys-election-campaign-insults-voters/2012/11/02/69fcc1fc-2428-11e2-9313-3c7f59038d93_story.html?hpid=z6

Weekly Blog #7

With elections taking place in a few weeks, President Obama and candidate Mitt Romney have to get as much people on their side as possibly. One way that President Obama is achieving this goal is by reaching out to all of the age, race, and status groups. His biggest goal is to get the majority of Americans to have health care, (Barnes, 2012). After trying to get the health care law passed for two years, this summer Obama was successful. With this law more than 30 million Americans will have a health care plan that will help their families in every medical way one can think of. This law includes an exchange which is a plan that families can have that is private that gives them the opportunity to choose what plan fits them best. This law will also help the disabled and poor more than ever by giving them health insurance as well.

This is a great law that will help many Americans, especially the low income families because they will be able to choose a plan that best suits them. They will have the chance to go to frequent doctor visits and by the money that goes towards taxes it will be affordable to them too. “A victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure.” is the goal Obama has for Americans. People can tell that Obama is a President that cares for the good of the people and has proved in many ways that he will try everything in his power to help all Americans not just the high class but he includes the working class. This relates to international affairs because health care involves many people that need help from the government.

Barnes, Robert. "Supreme Court upholds Obama’s health-care law." . The Washington Post, 28 2012. Web. 19 Oct 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-to-rule-thursday-on-health-care-law/2012/06/28/gJQAarRm8V_story.html>.

Weekly Blog #6

Everyday there is always a threat to someone, a group, or country. This week unfortunately to was to a 14 year old school girl that stands up for women in Pakistan for women rights and the right to education. This bravery has resulted in her being in critical conditions at a hospital. She was shot by a Taliban twice, once in the head and once in the neck for this reason and when a Taliban spokesman was asked about the attack it was said she was “targeted for trying to spread Western culture and that the group would try to kill her again if she survived.” (Ahmad, 2012) She has been standing up for women since the age of 11, and now with this attempted murder; this issue has been talked about by many worldwide. United Nations and the US have “offered any assistance necessary.”  (Ahmad, 2012) People do not take advantage of the luxuries they have here in US and other developed countries. This girl has been standing up for women from the age of 11, such a young age it’s amazing. This relates to international affairs because it’s a worldwide issue that many woman have to face- having less opportunities in life. No matter where (even in the US) women have less power than men no matter what the circumstances. I believe that seeing acts of violence like this show people that no matter what your age you can make a difference because now, this girl, Malala Yousafzai, is known by many for her bravery. This may help other leaders stand up and the United Nations can help these women and this family so there can be peace in the country.

Ahmad, Jibran. " Pakistani schoolgirl shot by Taliban moved to army HQ hospital." The Washington Post. 11 Oct 2012. Web. 12 Oct 2012. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistani-schoolgirl-shot-by-taliban-moved-to-army-hq-hospital/2012/10/11/497a3b6a-13d1-11e2-bf18-a8a596df4bee_story.html

Weekly Blog #4

This week in class we started talking about the United Nations. We talked about what the United Nations is, what people think and it and the history about it. The main point that I got from the United Nations is that it is an international organization that helps those countries that are in need of assistance. This includes, help with military forces, human rights, help with aid; for example, food, clothing, shelters, etc. and to make world peace happen. The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II to stop the fighting between countries. Although many people have opposing sides on the question that if the United Nations in a good organization or not, they have been here for years and have helped many other countries that are now allies with the United States. By having these allies with other countries, the Unites States has a better chance of overcoming any confrontations with other powerful countries (or states) because those allied countries will help The United States when in need. In The Washington Post, I found an article that gives examples about the different tactics that the country representatives bring to the meetings of the United Nations to “prove their points”. It is called “Political theater: A brief history of props used by speakers at the United Nations”. What I got from the article was that throughout the years, countries have tried to sabotage other countries with lies about “secret threats” as it was said about Iraq; and so forth and this all happens in the meetings of the United Nations. So it got me thinking as to why are they talking about countries that have this or have that when the goal of the United Nations it to have world peace? I do not think it is necessary for countries to do this.

Weekly Post #3

This week in class we talked about neo-conservatism and what it means including examples from the readings we have done and the article we had to read about neo-conservatism. The way I see neo-conservatism is that it has some liberalism aspects. I decided to look for an article that would talk about the current issues and may have included neo-conservatism. To my surprise The Washington Post had a recent article (September 13, 2012) about how presidential candidate Mitt Romney avoids the talk about neo-conservatism and everything dealing with this topic. This includes the war in Iraq that has been going on for years because America saw them as a threat; which is a neo-conservatism way to see the situation. The article tells how he (Romney) makes his speeches avoiding the topics of Iraq, the soldiers that are over there fighting the war and the issues that have risen about the murdering of the U.S ambassador of America in Libya. Not only does he not talk about the important issues that America has with other countries, he also bad talks our former President Obama. Romney is not clear about his perspectives in many things like neo-conservatism but not only that, but also the economy here in the USA. By not talking about the war in Iraq, Romney is showing the people of America that he has no plan if he does become president and will not try to stop or think about it with the importance that it does have. To me neo-conservatism is important because depending on this, USA may be in danger, and we do not want a president that has no plan if that is ever the case in the next four years.

Weekly Blog 2

Many people know about the relationship that China has with the USA. Some think that there is a bad relationship because the USA owes China a lot of money. However, what people do not know is that China and the USA try to work as one to help each other but also other countries around the world. Depending on your theory of international affairs, you may think the relationship between China and the USA is in the realism or liberalism category. For those that think it is realism, one would have to know that there would be no central power. Meaning that China and the USA will not have power over the other. This would make both countries work together to solve issues and help other countries with what they can. For liberalism one will know that both China and the USA will have power over one another but try to find a balance between each other in order to continue being “frenemies”, a term used to describe two parties that are friends and/or enemies. China and the USA are the two top strongest countries and both try to get smaller countries on their side because at the end of the day, the one with the most is the best. With realism there is balancing while in liberalism there is a possibility that one will have more than the other which may cause problems and some bloodletting may start. I say this because if there is a middle country used for trading so to say, that country may start a little rivalry between China and the USA and since it is in the middle there is a big possibility that it will be believed.

Weekly Blog 1

What would you do if you knew the world was under a zombie invasion? Would you know how to react? What to do to survive and kill them all? There are a few ideas on how to act if this was ever to happen. The main thing one has to know is that in order to kill the zombie you have to take a head shot! There have been movies, books, and shows that demonstrate what a zombie invasion would look like and also how to wipe them out. My favorite movie would be 28 Weeks Later which is about a virus that gets out and changes people into zombies and when a zombie bites a human, they(the human) changes into a zombie. A group of people decide to hide from the zombies and get to live at the end. They learn how to shoot and be under cover during the trip because they cannot be even touched by one because they change.

I think that with so many stories about zombies and stuff people in this generation would know what to do because there is a lot of information out there about how to stop a zombie and live. Of course, some people may not even realize the circumstances but will eventually click into the idea of having to survive.

Nowadays, I would say that people are zombies for the simple fact that the majority of the population is always on their cell phones, laptops, computers, and other electrical devices that they do not remember how to live without these products. People are always looking at social networks for information or entertainment rather than going outside to explore and have a great time. They are taking for granted the great things nature gives us and this is the led cause of obesity in the young souls and illnesses in the older generation.