Current Events 3

U.N. Nuclear Watchdog Has No Independence

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran said Sunday that recent reports showed that the International Atomic Energy Agency lacks independence. He also warned the Agency not to be influenced by the U.S., as it would smear their image. These comments came right after the accusations that Iran is trying to create a nuclear bomb, which Iran says is only for peaceful purposes.

This is very significant to the world today, because it shows that Iran is concerned about their uranium enriching being looked into. They are trying to distract from the point, so that the U.S., not them, will loo bad. We must be very careful of Iran, because it will be easier for them to strike while we are distracted.

Current Events 2

Video of Taliban Leader

A video has been released of a Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud was recently released. The U.S. as well as Pakistani officials suspect that he died in missile strike from the U.S. in the middle of January of this year. The Pakistani Taliban refuse to admit that Mehsud has died. The recent video is undated, and does not prove whether he lived or not.

The Pakistani Taliban is a very dangerous group, and Hakimullah Mehsud is especially militant. He is suspected of being responsible for a suicide attack on Afghanistan CIA base that killed seven employees in late December. It is important that we find out whether or not he is alive, so that we can continue to protect ourselves from the threat of the Taliban.

Current Events 1

Monstrous Earthquake Strikes Chili

On Saturday, a huge earthquake hit Chili. The quake reaches an 8.8 on the rictor scale. The earthquake was so big that it triggered tsunami warnings for many other nations, such as Japan and even Russia. As of now, over 300 people have died, and so many others are left with out shelter. Even though Chili was prepared for an earthquake, they are still devastated. Buildings, roads, and bridges crumbled in the quake, and the following aftershocks.

This is a horrible occurrence, but like what happened in Haiti, it is a chance for people all over the world to unite for a common goal: helping the people in Chili. Even though the earthquake that hit Chili was smaller than the one in Haiti, less people have been killed, and it will be easier for Chili to recover. However, we can all contribute to relief efforts there, in some way.

Middle East Foreign Policy

I think our foreign policy should be to stay as we are now. I don't think we should move troops into Iran, because a move like that could anger them, and it doesn't make sense to give them any more reasons to attack us or one of our allies. However I think that we must appeal to the U.N. and take away Iran's right to be creating nuclear bombs. That way if they continue to enrich uranium in preparation for a nuclear bomb, we will have a reason to side against them. I don't think it is as all a good idea to get involved in the conflict between the Israelites and the Palestinians. Israel has the means to defend themselves, especially against the small divided forces of Palestine. If we were to enter that war, we would cause other Middle East nations to become angry at us for no particular reason. We would cause a spike in oil prices from OPEC, something we cannot afford to do in this state of the economy. Our global policy should not be to invade everyones conflicts, but to deal with the important ones in a rational way.

Middle East Issue

I think the most important issue in the Middle East right now is Iran becoming a nuclear state. Since they have acquired nuclear weapons they can endanger the rest of he world, and cause an outbreak of a nuclear war. One of the most likely scenarios is that they will use their weapon to attempt to wipe out Israel. If they would try to do that, the U.S. would most likely get involved, and with them, some many other nations around the world. Iran becoming a nuclear state could cause a conflict of global proportions.

Middle East

The Middle East is a large region with many different types of geography in it. One of the most important is the area near rivers, such as the Nile. The land there is fertile, and good for growing crops, which will draw people to it, and begin a civilization. An other important feature is the prominence of oil in the Middle East. Having so much oil gives them power, because other nation rely on them. That as well as the fact that they are in the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, bring conflict. Another reason there is so much conflict is because three religions originated in there : Islam, Judaism, and from that, Christianity. Throughout history, religion has always been a cause for conflict, and when three religions are all contending for one, very desirable area, conflict is even more guaranteed.

Gandhi Part 2

Gandhi was able to give India freedom by sacrificing his own comforts, and even being willing to give up his life for his cause. He was willing to be beaten and put in jail by the British. When he was put in jail , he would refuse to eat, so that he would be let go, so his death was not on the British. His actions really made the British think about their own actions, and he found ways, like the hunger strikes in prison, to keep himself able to continue his work, and get around the British's laws and ways of thinking. It was by this way of thinking that Gandhi was victorious. He saw the British's weakness was their belief that they didn't have any. He said that the point of civil resistance was to keep provoking and provoking until the British respond, because that puts the Indians in control. Gandhi was ignored by the British because hey saw his acts, such as making your own salt, as trivial. But as these actions grew in popularity and strength, even being heard of around the world, the British realized that they were being made fools of and finally acted. When they would act, the Indians would never fight back with violence, putting the Indians, once again in a favorable position. The scene where the Indian constantly walked towards the English, with no fear of the injuries, or even the possibility of death, they knew they would sustain, clearly displayed the fact that the Indians would never give up, never succumb to using violence, and never stop believing in their ow nation.

1. I don't think Gandhi was even able to enjoy the independence he gained for his nation, because on that very day, the separation between Hindus and Muslims began again. Everything that Gandhi had worked for, the nonviolence, India as one, whole nation, was destroyed. That hurt him even more than what the British did, because he fought for India, he didn't care wether the people he marched with were Hindu, or Muslim, to him they were just Indians.

2. I don't think that even Gandhi could have conquered the conflict between Hindus and Muslims. He was able to touch some people with his ideas, and yet not enough to help. The methods he used to conquer the British couldn't do enough. The people saw his sacrifices, and yet they didn't act. Only some people responded when they heard of his fasting. Even after his death, the conflict continued. To me, this is proof that nothing could help. Even when the man who had helped India through so much, was killed, they did nothing. It seemed, especially in he last scene of the movie, that it was all an act as though they just wanted to quiet Gandhi, not really listen to him. So I don't think Gandhi there was anything left for Gandhi to do.

Ghandi

Gandhi was able to fight for independence for India, because of his education in London. In a way, the British brought his revolt among themselves, since they were the ones who gave Gandhi the means to prove a point, with his education of British laws. In South Africa, Gandhi, made a stand against the unjust British policy of the pass, which restricted Indians, as well as the South Africans, in their own country. He inspired the people with thoughts that they should be equal to the British. Gandhi put nationalism in the people of India by dressing as a traditional Indian, not as the British do, or even wearing cloth that was owned by the East India Company. To bring more power to his cause he united high and low class Hindus, as well as Muslims. He knew that this was the only way, because they were too weak when they were fighting amongst themselves. Instead they became one group, and made a stand as a serious threat to British rule.

Response to Overcoming Social Injustice

I think that the most successful option would be the second one. This is the option that makes the most sense because it is a balanced method. While it is working to abolish the unfair laws, it is logical, because it is not going against the law. Unlike the other two options, this method involves a process of thinking and planning, which will most likely produce better results than irrational actions, such a breaking the law. This option is better than the other two, because unlike the first one, it shows belief and pride, and makes an effort to change your situation. Unlike the last option, this idea is rational, and if you were to do the third, you could end up punished, which would hurt, not help your cause.