Hong Kong protesters willing to pay economic price

http://money.cnn.com/2014/09/30/news/economy/hong-kong-financial-center/index.html?iid=HP_River

In Hong Kong the protesters want free and open elections. People are worried about how the protesting could threaten the economy in Hong Kong. They are worried because the Hong Kong is the central business hub in Asia. Critics worry that retail sales will suffer, the housing market could get hit and the economy may go into recession if the protest continues. This is the total opposite of the Gold Rush because the Gold Rush made the economy grow very fast while in Hong Kong the economy could go into recession. Do you think the crisis in Hong Kong the opposite of the immigration of San Francisco?

 

South African college in 'blackface' scandal

South African college in 'blackface' scandal 

Today we know that racism is not part of our social norm. People are suppose to accept one another equally, but in this article we know that racism still exists all around the world. At Stellenbosch University in South Africa two male students showed up to a party in 'black face' posing as Venus and Serena Williams. Their fellow classmate posted a picture of them on social media captioned, "Hanging out with the Williams sisters last night...Let's hope they don't kicked out the varsity for this one!" They all claim that they dressed up without "malicious or racist intent." They were removed from their residence, but not the university. Other students at Stellenbosch believe that these three students should be expelled from the university due to their actions. What do you believe is the best way to handle this situation? Should these three students be expelled? Are some people overreacting or are some people not taking this seriously?

Pro-democracy Protests Expand in Hong Kong

http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/HK-democracy-activists-defy-police-in-standoff-5786035.php

In Hong-Kong's first ever democratic elections this year, China  will hand-pick the starting candidates for the election. Angered people in Hong-Kong of all ages are protesting in an attempt to make China give them "real" democratic elections where they can choose their own candidate, and they got tear-gassed. The people of Hong Kong are prohibited from their own desire to vote because of an over-arching power- China. This is like when the Cherokee were prohibited to stay on their land because of the superior powers of the American presidents. Is it fair for China to pick their candidates if that's what they do on the mainland? Should Hong-Kong be treated differently than China? Do you think these protests will escalate? Do you think the election is still democratic if they pick the candidates? Who do you think will win, the people of Hong-Kong or China, and why?

'I'm gay. Get over it,' Pennsylvania senator casually comes out

I think that the fact that the senator had the courage to admit to the whole world that he is gay shows how strong a leader he is. This is usually an announcement that people are very afraid of making. By this senator doing so, I think he builds more trust because he is admitting a big secret, which makes me believe that he is a great person to trust on the government because he is already telling us the truth. Not just any truth, but a very important and personal truth. By starting with this, I trust that he is a real person, He is like us, he has a secret. And rarely do you hear that a man a part of the government is gay, and we have many gays,bisexuals, and lesbians in our community. The senator is one of us, he is not just someone more powerful, he is our representative, our voice.

Article Link

Seven people rescued and seven arrested in Lincoln over modern slavery allegations

Article Link

Slavery might not seem to people to be a problem today. However it is not a thing of the past. Slavery has been around throughout the world's history and the US's history. Slavery is a modern conflict as well. Seven people were rescued from slavery as part of an operation by the Lincolnshire Police. Seven men were arrested as well as another six and a women as part of the operation. Seven people were rescued from this case of modern slavery and are now in the care of Adult Care teams. Slavery is a huge problem. We never really hear about it in the news, because when we think of slavery, we think that it was abolished back after the Civil War. However, it is still a problem. It is still ongoing. People are being forced into labor and cannot escape. What should be done to prevent slavery? How and why is it still going on?

Terror in the Middle East continues

Isis' rain of terror rolls on 


Many of us are already aware of the multiple be-headings of our American journalist as well as a British journalist. The terrorist group Isis has been behind these terrible acts. According to the article, Isis has been pushing their limits even further by encouraging these vicious attacks. Another militant group that goes by the name of Ajnad Misr has responded to the Isis announcement by setting off a bomb on a busy Cairo street. This bomb killed two officers of the law, that belonged to the Egyptian government. I think the matter of terrorist organizations near and around Egypt is a very big one and the UN should be putting it on their list of things to stop. This has already gone on long enough, and they are targeting harmless and defenseless people. They have clearly shown their hostile nature towards our citizens and Great Britain's, what do you think should be done about this situation?

China's war on terror becomes all-out attack on Islam

Link

There is an unsettling quote in this article: "President Xi Jinping has vowed to catch the terrorists 'with nets spreading from the earth to the sky,' and to chase them 'like rats scurrying across the street, with everybody shouting, "Beat them."'" This quote, I believe, gets to the crux of the problem in China. The government's fear of terrorists has created a monster more terrifying than terrorism itself. Freedoms are being taken away as homes are searched and the Internet is cut. This reaction to terrorism is rooted in stereotypes-- a person who is wearing a headscarf is likely to be arrested because they are deemed look like an extremist. There must be a better way to defend against terrorism, right? How can people's liberties be kept intact while they try to maintain some sort of safety from terrorist attacks? Or, if it's a zero-sum game and when safety is given, freedom is taken away, what is the right balance between safety and freedom? Also, how does this compare to the United States and its "war on terror"?

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/21/opinion/sutter-peoples-climate-march/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

The climate changes have people and the president worry. Should the people and the president be worry about the climate change? I think they should because the climate changes can not just hurt us but the world too because it can cause hurricanes, tornado's, earthquakes, droughts and etc.

Consensual Yet Non-Consensual

Link
So people always say that rape should never be allowed no matter what because the word rape itself implies a lack of consent, but what if someone put herself in that situation? Well that's what happened in this story here: A 14 year old special needs girl was persuaded by a teacher aid to act as bait to catch a 16 year old boy (in the act) who was reputedly a sexual predator but had never been caught. The vice principal was even notified; however, when the event took place, the boy led the girl to a different bathroom than what was initially planned and proceeded to rape her. The school states that the girl was responsible for herself, but then again, she said that it was non-consensual and she believed she would be safe. I honestly would classify the school faculty as inadequate protectors, the teacher aid as negative encouragement, and boy as the assailant. Yes, she did this of her own accord, but should she really be blamed for this? Thoughts anyone? Who is at fault?

Forced Labor in Malaysia Electronic Industry

In Malaysia a study on the electronic industry found that about 42% of the workers were under forced conditions because there passport and papers had been taken away. The rest were forced due do high illegal recruitment fees. About 92% of the people in the industry had to pay high recruitment fees to get there jobs and it cost more than a months salary for 42% of those to pay it back. These employees are working on products for big companies including apple, sony, and samsung. Should the US government regulate how many of these products are sold in the states? Should they regulate if US based companies should be able to this king of labor to manufacture there products? If they do how might that effect the US or the companies inflicting forced labor.

Source: New York Times Malaysia Article

Adrian Peterson Barred as Vikings Reverse Course

Link

Due to public pressure, Adrian Peterson will not play this Sunday against the Saints. Peterson was accused to have beaten his son. This event and the earlier Ray Rice punching his wife scandal has sparked a big debate recently. Several women's groups and fans have criticized the fact that the Vikings were allowing him to play. Although Peterson most likely committed the crime, the decision was already made to let him play. An important piece of the Bill of Rights is that everyone is "innocent until proven guilty". The Vikings organization is ignoring this law by taking their original decision back from letting Peterson play. Do you think he should play? Should the "innocent until proven guilty" law apply here? Do you think it was the right decision for the Vikings organization to bar him from games and practices until his issue is dealt with?

Tapes in missing NY boy case expected in court

Article Link

I believe that the video "confession" should not be admissible in court. The article states that Hernandez has a "very low IQ", meaning it would be easy to convince him to admit a crime he did not do. It is possible that this man could still be guilty of the crime, but he still has the right to a fair trial and due process, and the verdict should not be determined based on a video that very well could have been a statement that he was encouraged to say, even if it was false. What do you think? Should the video be valid evidence in court? Do you think he was encouraged to provide a confession in 2012?

For another Sierra Leone Ebola doctor, help is too late

Article Link

After trying to treat victims of the deadly disease, Ebola, another doctor dies. Dr. Olivet sacrificed her own life to help others suffering from Sierra Leone's biggest threat. After World Heath Organization denied Olivet's request for treatment in Germany, the valued doctor passed away. Sierra Leone's fourth doctor has passed away, and many more health workers have also become infected; the country's only hope is dying in front of them. WHO's restriction of the doctor's traveling request to get medical help has hurt Sierra Leone. Since WHO has denied the treatment for doctors, this African country is losing the people trying to make a change. Like AIDS, Ebola is transferred from person to person through bodily fluids; in West Africa, Ebola has affected more than 4,000 people. Similarly to the AIDS epidemic in the United States in 1970 which killed more than 600,000 people, Ebola is deathly and those infected with it need treatment. If doctors are dying because of the infection, Sierra Leone will lose all hope. Should WHO have granted Dr. Olivet's wish in traveling to Germany for her own treatment? If she had gone, would things be different in the western country?

At least 44 dead in Nigeria church building collapse

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/14/world/africa/nigeria-church-collapse/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

People search for survivors after a church building collapsed in Lagos, Nigeria

The people shown in this photograph are looking for survivors. It's reported that at least 44 people were crushed to death when a large church, home to a famous Nigerian Preacher, collapsed in Lagos. While searching, there were "130 rescued from the rubble of the collapsed guesthouse at Synagogue, Church Of All Nations," spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, told CNN. The building came down Friday afternoon after work on three additional floors. Reporters covering the incident were attacked by angry church members, who vandalize a TV camera while trying to capture footage of the building. Joshua told Nigerian newspapers Sunday that a low-flying aircraft had been repeatedly circling the building and may have been responsible for the buildings collapse. A reporter noted that two stories were added to the building without fortifying the foundation of the initial structure. Joshua, also known as "The Prophet" because of his self-acclaimed healing powers and prophecies, has a large following among Nigerians and followers across the world. Joshua's church attracts thousands of followers who attend every week to listen to his sermons.

             

Scottish independence: Salmond says Scotland is 'on cusp of making history'

 

Scottish Independence Article

Independence? Does this not sound familiar? Scottland, right now, is trying to gain its independence from the United Kingdom, just like how the US tried to gain their own independence from England. Only less violent. I find this historical process very intresting as their are two outcomes, and we will not know which one until one outcome is decided, which will be exciting to witness in our lifetime. (IMPORTANT: a referendum is a political question that is answered by a general vote.)

Obama to outline plans for Iraq, Syria

WASHINGTON — President Obama began putting the final touches Wednesday on a prime-time speech outlining expanded plans to battle the jihadist Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

The speech may include discussion of expanded airstrikes in Iraq and perhaps Syria, increased assistance to forces in Iraq and Syria that are fighting the Islamic State, and help from a coalition of other countries that are opposed to the insurgent group also known as ISIL or ISIS.

Obama "will pursue a comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, including U.S. military action and support for the forces combating ISIL on the ground — both the opposition in Syria and a new, inclusive Iraqi government," said a statement from the White House.

The president's nationally televised speech is scheduled for shortly after 9 p.m. ET.

Obama, who has supervised a string of airstrikes in Iraq, may discuss the potential of similar strikes down the line in Syria. U.S. aircraft are conducting surveillance flights over potential targets in Syria.

The president authorized air strikes against Islamic State positions in Iraq on Aug. 7; the strikes began the next day.

In the run-up to the address, Obama dispatched Secretary of State John Kerry to Baghdad to speak with the leaders of Iraq's newly formed government. The administration is counting on that new government to help train Iraqi security forces to fight the Islamic State.

Kerry told reporters that Obama would provide "a more detailed description of exactly what the United States is prepared to do together with many other countries in the broad coalition in order to take on this terrorist structure, which is unacceptable by any standard anywhere in the world."

The White House announced that Obama and Vice President Biden would meet late Wednesday morning with members of the National Security Council in the Situation Room. Obama also planned to call allies about his speech, including Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah.

Obama has said he will not dispatch American combat troops to Iraq and Syria, and that the emphasis is on training local forces to carry the fight against insurgents.

Islamic State militants have seized control of parts of Syria and Iraq, and U.S. officials say they may use a declared "caliphate" to launch attacks on the United States and allies.

The jihadist group has issued threats against the United States, including videos that show the beheadings of two American journalists. The horrific murders galvanized the administration to step up efforts against the Islamic State, plans that enjoy support from the American public according to new polls. Two U.S. citizens have been reported killed in Syria while fighting with the terror group.

While the Islamic State has been using Syria as "a virtual safe haven," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, Obama "does not envision a scenario where we would send American combat troops to be on the ground" there.

Nor would the United States act alone to back the moderate Syrian opposition, Earnest said.

Obama outlined his Islamic State strategy Tuesday in a meeting with congressional leaders.

Afterward, the office of House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he would back "certain options that have been proposed by the president, such as increasing the effectiveness of the Iraqi Security Forces and training and equipping the Syrian opposition."

Boehner also said "he would support the president if he chose to deploy the military to help train and play an advisory role for the Iraqi Security Forces and assist with lethal targeting of ISIL leadership," said a statement from his office.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a frequent critic of Obama's foreign policy, said lawmakers want a "credible" and "comprehensive" plan from Obama not a prime-time "lecture."

"If Congress is asked to support a strategy," McConnell said, "it needs to be a strategy that is designed to succeed — not a mere restatement of current policy, which we know is insufficient to the task."

In a readout of the congressional meeting, the White House said Obama told lawmakers that "he has the authority he needs to take action against ISIL in accordance with the mission he will lay out in his (Wednesday) address."

U.N. Reports Dire Impact on Children in Gaza Strip

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/06/world/middleeast/un-reports-dire-impact-on-children-in-gaza-strip.html?_r=0

United Nations official state in Gaza Strip, over 408 children died and 2,502 children injured. Why? From the Militant Islamic Organization taking over Gaza Strip and killing innocent people and tearing down houses and buildings left and right. About 373,000 children have had traumatic experiences and need psychosocial help. "There isn’t a single family in Gaza which hasn’t been touched by direct loss,” Ms. Ironside. “The impact that has on the ability of children to cope cannot be overstated.” Palestinian kids have seen their parents and loved ones die in front of them. For several weeks, the water systems in Gaza Strip has been shut down due to the damage the Militant Islamic Organization has done. So the surviving Palestinians cannot reach clean water nor food. Also, the Islamic Organization has bombed many schools and power plants. Leaving millions and millions of dollars to reconstruct these buildings. The U.N. supports any allies that are in dire need of food,shelter or clean water.  But, they U.N. is not helping Palestinians. In this article is says the U.N. is helping Palestine, but in reality this Islamic Organization is still killing innocent Palestinians. In my opinion, I think the U.N. should help Palestine because many families are loosing their loved ones. And Israel is being unfair by killing innocent people. Do you agree or disagree?

Obama to make "Game Plan" on Islamic state

Obama is to make plan on confronting the Islamic State. Obama is set to have meeting with congressional leaders on Tuesday, then a televised address on Wednesday. Obama stated that this is not to be about U.S. ground troops. He made emphasis on it's equivalence to the Iraq War. Obama want the U.S. to be on the offense against the Islamic militant group. His statements come in response to the military expanding it's airstrikes to west Ira around the Haditha Dam. The United States will be part of an international coalition supporting Iraqi and Kurdish troops. Even Republicans think it's a "good first step" but want his plans to be clearer when he addresses the nation on Wednesday. According to Mike Rogers, a house intelligence committee representative, "First of all, he needs to acknowledge the problem of ISIS". Rogers made a remark of saying it has been one of the toughest talks with the president. Also, they like this because they see ISIS as a real threat. Also with Obama and Republicans finally agreeing on something, maybe this campaign can be successful with everyone agreeing on a plan.

Obama to Permit Young Migrants to Remain in U.S.

Article


Years ago, illegal immigrants brought their young kids with them when they came to the U.S.. Many of them did not know they were illegal immigrants until they were older. Now, the government has to find a way to deal with them because they cannot deport them; these kids have been living in the U.S. for years. More than 800,000 kids cannot go to school, cannot get a driver license, and cannot get a job. So, Congress tried to pass the DREAM Act so these kids can have a worry free life. The DREAM Act failed to pass multiple times because some politicians wanted them to be deported and do not think that they belong in the U.S.. I believe that Congress should try harder to let the kids have the amnesty they deserve. I thought all man were created equal? That is what the Constitution said, right? Since they have been here for years and have done nothing wrong to hurt society, they should be able to be a citizen. Do you think young immigrants should be citizens of the U.S.? What do you think Congress should do to pass the DREAM Act?

The conflicting online fundraisers for Ferguson make a perfect illustration of America’s identity debate

Article

What do you think of the crowd-sourcing used in support of Darren Wilson? Do you think it should be allowed at all? Does Wilson deserve/need the money?

I think that money for any cause should be allowed as long as it's within the boundaries of morality. In this case it is up to a person to decide which side they are in support of. What I disagree with is that Wilson has no use for the money. He is not paying legal fees of any kind, or is left without a job. He is on paid leave. I think in this case it is the fault of the supporters for not doing their research and throwing money at someone who does not need it. Wilson now has half a million dollars for killing a boy. Regardless of whether it is justified or not, he should not be getting paid for ending a life. The protests and the reactions are very reminiscent of the civil rights movement and puts it into perspective. Especially, the police reactions to the protests.

U.S. Attacks ISIS

What a surprise, were probably going to war again. Obama is planning an offensive attack to," get an Iraqi government in place". This reminds me of when the U.S and Russia would go to countries and try to either turn them into a communist and the U.S wanted to spread Democracy(The Cold war started about (1945-1991). Although the U.S wont admit to it but this may be just a plan to spread democracy in Iraq. Now were not attacking them for nothing of course, they have been killing innocent people due to their religion and ethnic backgrounds but they made a mistake and killed a U.S reporter. Thus they committed an act of terrorism and that is an act of war. I believe that we should keep our resources and not attack them, but I understand If we do and ill support it. This is also very similar to the Genocide that happened in Rwanda and when they dragged a American soldier through the streets and America was upset. Its going to be a pretty long war ahead of us.

Here is a link to the article: http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/07/politics/obama-isis-speech/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Ceasefire from Russia and Ukraine

Link to the article
News Clip of Russian/Ukrainian Ceasefire

For a few months now, Ukraine and Russia have been at a constant headbutting fallout because of Russia wanting to take Ukraine in as part of their own country. Recently however, there has been violent behavior from both sides. Ukraine and Pro-Russian separatists have been battling against one another, with a total of 2,600 lives taken in the midst of it. Although, on September 6th, 2014,  both the Russian separatist rebels and Ukrainian forces have agreed to a ceasefire. During this ceasefire, there will be prisoner exchanges of war, and time to help aid the refugees caught in the mix of it all. Many doubt that the fighting is going to come to an end soon, sadly. Personally, I think that this whole ordeal is just out of hand now. The firefights have come to neighborhoods and cities, citizens could soon be caught in the crossfire. Ukraine should not give in to the Russians, but they need to push this fight out of civilian occupied territories. Else wise, the situation will only get worse. Is the fighting worth it? Who's at fault for the riots and fighting here, the Pro-Russian rebels or the Ukrainian forces? What are your personal thoughts on the Russian-Ukrainian events?