Blog 13

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/28/world/meast/syria-un-report/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

According to this article, Syrian forces violate the declaration of human rights. This all began when anti-government protests began in March.  According to evidence, Syria underwent executions, arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance, torture, and sexual violence. The military then began to shoot at all unarmed protesters. The government blamed gangs for all the violence and said that the security would take care of everything. In all the government has killed about 3,500 civilians.

This article is really sad and something needs to be done to help Syria. The fact that the government is killing people and then blaming others for the violence is awful. Because the government is committing the crimes, no one is there to stop them. If the government thinks what they are doing is okay, then the country is only going to get worse. The UN needs to get together and do more to stop the crime. It is said that when the declaration of human rights is violated, the UN must interfere and help solve the problem. The UN needs to make a move before it is too late. If the UN doesn’t make a move, Syria is going to fall to its corrupt government. If Syria falls to its corrupt government, there is no coming back. The civilians need to get together and find a way to prevent all the abuse that is going on in their country. Because the government is killing protesters, the civilians need to find a way that will keep them safe.

Blog 12

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/13/world/europe/turkey-earthquake/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

According to this article, an earth quake hit Turkey leaving many dead. Although it is it a shame that people died, the biggest concern is for the people who survived.  Almost all the houses in the city of Van got destroyed leaving many people homeless. Many people have been trying to build homes to house their families but the weather is failing them miserably. Currently in Turkey it is snowing and at a very cold temperature. Because the weather is so awful and it so hard to build a house, many people have been turning to shelters. The only problem now is that the shelters are becoming completely filled and all the stores in the town are either closed or destroyed.  Finding food or survival necessities is becoming a huge challenge for the people of Van.  A big concern is that they are not getting any aid. The only aid the people are receiving is from other citizens of Turkey. No governments or non-government organizations are helping out in giving the people aid. Because the government has given no aid, tension rose and riots broke out.

This earthquake has caused severe damage to Turkey.  The only way Turkey will be able to survive this winter is if they receive aid. The government needs to step up now and start sending aid over to Van before the entire country breaks out in riots. If Turkey is not going to help provide aid, then other countries should. Too many people are putting their life at risk by being forced to stay in homes that do not have survival necessities. Something needs to be done to help Turkey, and something needs to be done soon.

Blog 11

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/08/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

According to this article 3,800 people have been killed in Syria. The government is failing to end the bloodshed and it is resulting in more and more deaths.  Terrorists are taking over the towns and invading people’s homes. They are going to people’s homes and are threatening them leaving them in fear to go out.  Just last Sunday, 19 people were killed.  All of the violence that has erupted over Syria was caused by the protests. The president is blaming the protests on people who are going against the president’s family. They have had rule for 40 years and now people are protesting. The protesting has become very violent, but the government still has yet to intervene.

It’s really sad to hear about stories like this because it relates to all the awful things going on in Iraq and Afghanistan. Innocent people are getting their homes taken away and killed for no apparent reason.  Some people decided to protest and as a result 3,800 people were killed because of it. The worst part is that 3,800 is only the present number of casualties because the number of casualties will continue to rise if the government does not intervene. It is sad to see that the government has loss all control of their country and can do nothing to prevent citizen deaths and tortures. Other countries need to step in to help before Syria completely falls under and loses everything they have. Many innocent people are being and killed and they need help now.

Blog 10

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/31/world/americas/mexico-anonymous-threat/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

According to this article, the drug wars in Mexico just keep getting worse and worse. Mexico is becoming a target and battle field from all the drug wars occurring in the country. People are battling about drugs and are bringing in people from other countries to get involved. People from all over the world are coming to Mexico to receive and fight for the drugs. Gangs are kidnapping and killing people for no reason. The main issue now is finding out who is using cartels. An anonymous person knows and is about to release it to the country, but it is scaring people because they are afraid of what can happen.

I believe the drug wars in Mexico need to be stopped now. For the last couple of years this has been a huge concern and it has continued to happen anyway. The UN needs to get together and find a way to solve this issue because if it is not solved the results will be awful. More people are continuing to die due to drug wars and it needs to be stopped now. People are not being educated about the concern of having drugs and weapons in Mexico and they think it is okay what they are doing. If the drug wars are not stopped soon, Mexico is going to be completely torn to shreds. It is also really sad to think that people know what is going on and how to stop it, but they are not willing to release information because it can result in them and their entire family dead.

blog 9

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/24/world/europe/turkey-quake/index.html?npt=NP1

According to this article Turkey just underwent an awful, natural disaster. Turkey was hit with an earth quake leaving many people injured and dead. Not only were people destroyed, but so were 90 buildings. One of the buildings that was destroyed was a hospital.  Since so many people are dead or injured, it is really inconvenient that the closest hospital was destroyed. Along with the hospital, one of the main health centers was destroyed too. Many of the injured people are being hospitalized in the garden of the hospital. Because the temperatures are so cold in Turkey, people are beginning to get really sick. Citizens of Turkey are frightened with what can happen since the weather is so freezing and barely anyone has places to live. Trucks filled with rescue aid have been driven into the country to help people, but have not reached many small villages that need the aid. Many of the rescue workers are having a hard time finding people because they are hidden under so many objects.

It is so sad to see such an awful tragedy like this occur. It stinks to see so many people get hurt because of a natural disaster. The worst part is that people are helping all over, but the help is not enough. It is even sadder to think that some people are buried under items and cannot be found.  I think the world as a whole needs to find better ways to deal with natural disasters. Every year several people are injured and killed because of a natural disaster. I am well aware that natural disasters are not preventable, but I do believe there is a way to help and aid people better who have been hit by a natural disaster.

Blog 8

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/16/world/asia/thailand-flood/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

According to this article, Thailand is suffering major from floods. The water raised so much in two months that 61 provinces were affected.  Although the streets are completely flooded, military trucks have been going down the streets handing out aid to all the people. People with boats have been transporting neighbors and their stuff to safe land or at least to get the aid they need.  Countries around the world have donated $2.07 million in aid to help all the people in the flood. The United States of America has sent over 26 helicopters to help with relief.

Although it is such a shame to see the country go under because of the rain and canal closing in, it is great to see people all over the world helping. We spend so much time looking at the awful things in the world that need help, but we never really look around and accept and acknowledge all the wonderful things.  It is unbelievable that the world was able to donate $2.07 million in aid to this country. It’s even greater to see America sending over the helicopters. I personally believe the best part of all this is that the people who own boats are using all their time and effort to help the neighbors survive. People are going out of the way to help everyone in such a tragic time period. Although the situation is lousy and should not be looked at positively at all, I really think it is so good to see people from all over the world working together to help everyone out.

blog #7

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/09/tech/mobile/mobile-phone-poverty/index.html?iref=allsearch

According to this article, cell phones have been one of the best steps to ending poverty in Africa. In 2004, people in Africa began using cell phones, and it has improved many of the people’s lifestyles.   The reason it has improved their lifestyles and been a step toward ending poverty is because their cellphones are used strictly for necessities. They use their phones to call emergency health clinics and to reach family for emergencies. The GDP in Kenya has grown so much since the use of mobile phones.  Kenyans are now making $1 million a month in transactions because of phones.

I found the idea that phones are helping poverty so unbelievable. I never thought in my entire life that the expansion of mobile phones could solve poverty. If anything I thought it would start it. To think so many people are given great opportunities because of phone usage is crazy.  I think it is great to see that they only use their phones for important things. If developed countries used their phones the same way they are being used in Africa, maybe poverty really would go down. I think this topic needs to be promoted to more people because I guarantee no one knew this was happening.  If poverty can really be cured through mobile phones, that would be awesome to see. Technology is creating so many wonderful opportunities in the world. If phones are helping so much in Kenya, then phones should be used in more underdeveloped places as well.