2.3

There have been children in the Central African Republic who have told the UN that the peacekeeping officers in CAR have sexually abused them. The high commissioner for human rights explains the children think their abusers were part of the French and European military. The sexual abuse (as far as is known) began in 2014 near a camp close to an airport in Bangui. Assistant secretary general Anthony Banbury, who is sickened and confused by these events, confirms the new steps the UN is taking to stop the sexual abuse. They are now examining each officer before they are sent to the CAR, and if they have a history of criminal activity, they are not allowed to serve.

How could this happen? Who in their right mind would use people (children!) suffering in a country of violence for their own sexual pleasure? I feel disgusted that this happened, and that those who are meant to protect and serve are instead coming to light as disgusting animals. Since learning about Iran’s hatred for Western countries in both Global class and reading an article for English class, I am so afraid of the possibility of bombings and attacks on the United States. Did the West really need to put more fuel into the fire of Isis’ hate? While I live in a country that is part of of the United Nations, I feel hatred towards those officers, and the fact that these actions happened without being noticed

AP Geneva press. “UN Finds More Cases of Child Abuse by European Troops in CAR.” theguardian 29 January 2016. Internet..http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/29/un-finds-more-cases-of-child-abuse-by-european-troops-in-car

2.2

In July of 2014, North Korea scared the United States with threats to launch nuclear missiles at the US, but they never carried out their threats. However, South Korea believes that North Korea may have just discovered how put a nuclear warhead on a missile that can carry the warhead 1243 miles. The US and Japan are within that range. The South Korean official who provided this information could not give any evidence. North Korea wants power, and these nuclear warheads give them that power.

This world is filled with power-hungry, greedy leaders. History tells us of power-hungry men who want to show their power, and want to earn respect. Proof? A few examples include Adolf Hitler, Vlad the Impaler, and Ghengis Khan, who were all leaders wanting their increasing power to be known and respected. Each of these leaders killed thousands- even millions- in their quest for power. In many years, children (if there are even people left after we destroy each other)  will be reading textbooks on the 21st century, and feel ashamed of the cowardice of the leaders representing their countries, who by pressing a single button, killed millions- even billions- of innocents. It’s only a matter of time. This world is so divided, and one of my favorite quotes is by Aesop, who once said “united we stand, divided we fall.” That quote has never been so accurate. There will always be men (and women) who will do anything for power. How can we prevent these people from coming to power? I don’t think we ever can, and I hope Kim Jong Un does not take the lead in sparking the inevitable: the end to the human race.

Hancocks, Paula. “South Korea: North Korea May Have Mid-Range Nuclear Capability.” CNN April 6, 2016. Internet. http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/06/asia/north-korea-mid-range-nuclear-technology/index.html

2.1

Though it took a lot of compromise, on March 7th, Germany and Turkey made an agreement to properly handle the refugee crisis. What the agreement states is any migrant who arrives on a Greek island will be sent back to their home countries. This agreement had to be made because last year, 1.2 million people came from Syria and Afghanistan to Europe. It is hoped the agreement will send a message to migrants to re-think crossing the Aegean Sea. There is currently a $3.3 billion payment made by the European Union to take part in paying for better displacement camp conditions in Turkey.

Where are these people supposed to go, back to the countries where people are being murdered, and countries at war? These aren’t illegal immigrants trying to sneak across the border because they want better jobs, these are civilian surgeons and professionals and children who are running for their lives! I understand that it is difficult to support this huge flow of people coming into the countries, but by sending them back, these countries might as well have signed their death certificate. There needs to be a better agreement than this, not just sending them back to be killed. Instead of just sending these innocents back towards the problem, Turkey and Germany should work to better help wherever they’re needed to solve the problem.

Author Unknown. “Desperate Times, Desperate Measures.” The Economist 12 March 2016. Internet. http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21694569-deal-turkey-stanch-flow-refugees-may-be-european-unions-last-hope-find?zid=315&ah=ee087c5cc3198fc82970cd65083f5281

Jillian Margolies

1.3

On May 22nd there was a bombing in Brussels. There are three people suspected of being involved in the attack. Two of the bombers, Brahim and Khalid el-Bakraoui, were brothers, and the third (Najim Laachroui) has just been arrested, accused of being a participant. 31 people were killed, including the 2 brother suicide bombers. There were two bombings at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, and one at the Maalbeek metro station. The bombers were members of Isis. Isis wanted to make a statement of their hatred towards the West.

There is some controversy whether the bombing was mainly aimed towards Americans. Innocent people died, and whether they were Americans or not Americans, we all need to stay on alert. This event did not need to happen, and happened out of blind hatred. Think about how far this has come. It all started with one person not liking American customs. How did it end up like this? How did it turn from disapproval, to taking life by the handfuls for no reason other than to make a statement? We are so sheltered here in Niskayuna, but people in Brussels thought they were sheltered too. It makes you wonder, are we the next statement?

RUBIN, ALISSA J., DE FREYTAS-TAMURA, KIMIKO,  and AURELIEN BREEDENMARCH. “Brothers Among 3 Brussels Suicide Attackers; Another Assailant Is Sought.” The New York Times  March 23, 2016. Website.http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/world/europe/brussels-attack.html>

Jillian Margolies

1.2

For 25 years, on every Easter in New Zealand, there is a competition of who can shoot/kill the most rabbits and ferrets. These animals are considered pests by locals. Teams of hunters in New Zealand spent the whole day trying to kill the most animals. 10,000 of these “pests” were killed this year. The population of rabbits and ferrets are very high in New Zealand, and have really damaged the agriculture. Most of the carcass’ are used as fertilizer, dog food, and sometimes even human food.

As a very big supporter for animal rights, I could feel anger rising in my throat while reading this article. Sadly, I see no better way to find a solution to the agriculture problem. Honestly, there are many instances where I don’t value human lives any more than the lives of rabbits. Life is life, and no life is better than another. But if these rabbits and ferrets are harming the crops and people in New Zealand are starving because of it, then that is a different story. I appreciate the people of New Zealand for not using pesticides on the crops, but the killing of beautiful animals should not be considered a game! There is no line drawn; the hunters just shoot and kill until the timer goes off. Shouldn’t there be a limit? Shouldn’t someone stand up and say “if we are going to be murdering innocent creatures, then we need to find a limit to how many are killed, so it doesn’t get out of hand?”

Roy, Eleanor. “Nightmare before Easter: hunters shoot thousands of bunnies in New Zealand” theguardian March 26, 2016. Website.

<http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/26/nightmare-before-easter-hunters-shoot-thousands-of-bunnies-in-new-zealand>

Jillian Margolies

1.1

On February 1 2016, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus a public health emergency. Since May, it has been spreading rapidly across the Western hemisphere. The reason it is spreading so fast is thought to be caused by mosquito bites. The mosquito bites an infected person, and then the next person they bite that is not infected gets the virus. It was first discovered in Uganda in 1947. The virus can cross the placenta of a pregnant woman and destroy the placentas developing nerve cells, which affects brain development.

What I am afraid might happen is we are going to have a wave of brand new babies that have been affected by the Zika virus, and will have very low-functioning disabilities. And as much as it is sad for these children who have to suffer, we have to look at the bigger picture. These kids will need aids to help them in classrooms, and that means schools will have to hire more people to assist the kids with these disabilities. This will lead to the school needing money, and the taxpayers will have to pay more money. The government also has to spend money to help these kids, while they are trying to spend money to prevent the disease from spreading, and find a cure. If the focus remains on the kids that have the disease now, it will cause more kids to get the virus because our money and resources are going towards the kids who already have the virus. What will happen if we all get the virus? What happens then?

McNEIL, DONALD G.,  SAINT LOUIS CATHERINE and NICHOLAS ST. FLEUR. “Short Answers to Hard Questions About Zika Virus.” The New York Times March 18, 2016. Website.

<http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/health/what-is-zika-virus.html>

One of my favourite quotes!

So much of language is unspoken. So much of language is comprised of looks and gestures and sounds that are not words. People are ignorant of the vast complexity of their own communication.