The article can be found here.
So, what happens now? Russia decided to retaliate against our actions. We released a sanction against some of the Russian government officials, so they decided to do the same to us. They released their own sanction saying that certain officials of our government could not come into Russia. They also released a statement about how they feel about what we did. They degrade our actions, and say that we took them from "the arsenal of the past," and many things like that.
I do not have the full information, so I do not automatically want to jump in and declare Russia is terrible for saying and doing what they did. However, the fact that they actually did that is what frightens me. How many times have we seen siblings get in fights and do things just to spite the other sibling, no matter where the injustice was committed? Did any of them end well? I think that the emotions of everyone need to cool down so that there are no explosions (pardon the pun) because of the conflict going on in Ukraine right now.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
China shows signs of real estate distress
The article can be found here.
This article talks about how one real estate business has declared that they will not be able to pay back their debts and will be going bankrupt. This is not good news for the economy. It shows that companies not only can go back on these promises, but that the market is not good enough to stimulate the homes that they are selling. Hopefully other businesses will be smarter in how they borrow and spend money so that the market can continue to improve.
I think that it is a very interesting concept, going bankrupt. You just say, "Sorry, I can't pay my debts! I guess I'll just . . . not do it!" I think that if you get in debt, somebody has to pay it, and the government most certainly is not in a position to do so. Also, I think that China's economy needs all of the help that it can get. I hope that they continue to go more and more towards capitalism, and to let their economy grow. That is so important for countries to do, because in the world today, money is a huge driving force. This growth is important for the development of their country, and it will be interesting to see how they react to losses such as this and pressures for a more open market.
This article talks about how one real estate business has declared that they will not be able to pay back their debts and will be going bankrupt. This is not good news for the economy. It shows that companies not only can go back on these promises, but that the market is not good enough to stimulate the homes that they are selling. Hopefully other businesses will be smarter in how they borrow and spend money so that the market can continue to improve.
I think that it is a very interesting concept, going bankrupt. You just say, "Sorry, I can't pay my debts! I guess I'll just . . . not do it!" I think that if you get in debt, somebody has to pay it, and the government most certainly is not in a position to do so. Also, I think that China's economy needs all of the help that it can get. I hope that they continue to go more and more towards capitalism, and to let their economy grow. That is so important for countries to do, because in the world today, money is a huge driving force. This growth is important for the development of their country, and it will be interesting to see how they react to losses such as this and pressures for a more open market.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Russians to be forced out of Crimea
The article can be found here.
There has been quite a bit of uproar in Ukraine right now, and if you didn't know that then you really have not been paying attention to what is going on. Ukraine is now asking the UN to declare Crimea a demilitarized zone, much like there is between North and South Korea, as well as around Israel. They are not only forcing the Russians to leave, but they are also going to make it so that if you want to get into the Ukraine you will need the proper visa identification.
I support Ukraine in this decision. The tension over there right now is insane, and it will be very interesting and possibly world changing to see what happens in the coming months and years. Ukraine needs to make a stance, and we need to back up what is right. I'm not sure what all of the sides are saying, so I need more information. Russia needs to not take over Ukraine. Right now it is seeming very "Cold-war-esque" and that is frightening, given the ramifications of that statement.
There has been quite a bit of uproar in Ukraine right now, and if you didn't know that then you really have not been paying attention to what is going on. Ukraine is now asking the UN to declare Crimea a demilitarized zone, much like there is between North and South Korea, as well as around Israel. They are not only forcing the Russians to leave, but they are also going to make it so that if you want to get into the Ukraine you will need the proper visa identification.
I support Ukraine in this decision. The tension over there right now is insane, and it will be very interesting and possibly world changing to see what happens in the coming months and years. Ukraine needs to make a stance, and we need to back up what is right. I'm not sure what all of the sides are saying, so I need more information. Russia needs to not take over Ukraine. Right now it is seeming very "Cold-war-esque" and that is frightening, given the ramifications of that statement.
Iran and China to work together on nuclear talks
The article is here.
This article talks about how China is ready to push forward the nuclear talks concerning Iran. They will be meeting with the 5+1 group (The regular 5 members of the UN security council plus Germany) to discuss further about the nuclear development in Iran. Currently they have had to cut back on them. It will be interesting to see how these talks go.
I do not want to trust Iran with nuclear weapons. Considering what we saw on Argo I don't think that there is a question of why. Iran right now is still a radical developing country, who is very against us, and I would not want to put that sort of power into their hands. If that much power is put into anyone's hand who is radical, no matter who they are, then it is an extremely dangerous situation for everyone.
This article talks about how China is ready to push forward the nuclear talks concerning Iran. They will be meeting with the 5+1 group (The regular 5 members of the UN security council plus Germany) to discuss further about the nuclear development in Iran. Currently they have had to cut back on them. It will be interesting to see how these talks go.
I do not want to trust Iran with nuclear weapons. Considering what we saw on Argo I don't think that there is a question of why. Iran right now is still a radical developing country, who is very against us, and I would not want to put that sort of power into their hands. If that much power is put into anyone's hand who is radical, no matter who they are, then it is an extremely dangerous situation for everyone.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
British Council Tax May Be Rethought
The article can be found here.
This article talks about a certain tax in Britain. Actually, it focuses on a tax reduction for people who live alone and who are wealthy. The article states that they have lost 200m pounds per year that this tax reduction has been granted. The main focus of the article, however, is the juxtaposition to the wealthy and their tax reductions and the poor people who can not provide for themselves but may be denied a tax reduction. They are calling for those people who are wealthy to provide more for the people who cannot provide for themselves by raising the tax they "aren't" paying.
I agree with this article. I think that it is extremely unjust that people who live alone and are wealthy should get tax cuts when people who don't even have a home can't pay their taxes, so they have to go on to welfare. I think that this is universal not only to Britain but to the world! If we were more conscious and had wealthy people contribute more (I am not saying we necessarily need to tax the wealthy tons, but they shouldn't receive special attention or cuts just because of the amount of money that they are making) to the world then we could have more money to provide for those people who need more for themselves because they simply cannot provide it.
This article talks about a certain tax in Britain. Actually, it focuses on a tax reduction for people who live alone and who are wealthy. The article states that they have lost 200m pounds per year that this tax reduction has been granted. The main focus of the article, however, is the juxtaposition to the wealthy and their tax reductions and the poor people who can not provide for themselves but may be denied a tax reduction. They are calling for those people who are wealthy to provide more for the people who cannot provide for themselves by raising the tax they "aren't" paying.
I agree with this article. I think that it is extremely unjust that people who live alone and are wealthy should get tax cuts when people who don't even have a home can't pay their taxes, so they have to go on to welfare. I think that this is universal not only to Britain but to the world! If we were more conscious and had wealthy people contribute more (I am not saying we necessarily need to tax the wealthy tons, but they shouldn't receive special attention or cuts just because of the amount of money that they are making) to the world then we could have more money to provide for those people who need more for themselves because they simply cannot provide it.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Mexico Drug Cartel Leader Dies . . .Again
The article can be found here.
This article talks about Nazario Moreno, a drug lord who had been "killed" three to four years ago. However his body was never found, and rumors spread that he was still alive. The people that he led kind of worshiped him as they would a saint. Statues were erected in his name, and he was revered by the Knights Templar gang. Moreno was the person identified as being killed in a recent shootout with the government. But why is this even an issue in Mexico?
There are two reasons that I bring this up. First of all, why didn't they confirm his death the first time? Why did they just proclaim him dead, and think that was good enough, even though they didn't have his body? That seems extremely lazy, and neglectful considering he was a leader in the area. It is concerning to see how little the Mexican government/police force can and can't do. The second reason is because of his influence. He is so revered among the people that he had statues. Statues. That is frightening that someone with that position could receive honors like that. I think that Mexico needs to be more strict and put an end to the corruption in their government and society. It has been a long tradition in Mexico, and some traditions just need to end.
This article talks about Nazario Moreno, a drug lord who had been "killed" three to four years ago. However his body was never found, and rumors spread that he was still alive. The people that he led kind of worshiped him as they would a saint. Statues were erected in his name, and he was revered by the Knights Templar gang. Moreno was the person identified as being killed in a recent shootout with the government. But why is this even an issue in Mexico?
There are two reasons that I bring this up. First of all, why didn't they confirm his death the first time? Why did they just proclaim him dead, and think that was good enough, even though they didn't have his body? That seems extremely lazy, and neglectful considering he was a leader in the area. It is concerning to see how little the Mexican government/police force can and can't do. The second reason is because of his influence. He is so revered among the people that he had statues. Statues. That is frightening that someone with that position could receive honors like that. I think that Mexico needs to be more strict and put an end to the corruption in their government and society. It has been a long tradition in Mexico, and some traditions just need to end.
Friday, March 7, 2014
Whippings in Nigeria
The article can be found here.
This article is a small article on some whippings that happened in Nigeria. Why did they happen? Well, four men were accused and confessed (although they were beaten during the interrogations process) to having same-sex relationships. An angry crowd actually asked for the death sentence to be given to these men, but the judge said that "[The] offenses had taken place a long time ago, and the men had repented." This is why he ordered a simple whipping instead of the death sentence.
I think that this sort of action is horrendous. I will be the first to stand up and say that I do not support homosexuality, and I am on the "unpopular" side of all of the current issues. But I also do not think that treatment like this is warranted. Whipping? While it is true that Nigeria is not as developed as we are, it still makes me very sad that the divide between societal beliefs is wide enough to warrant a whipping of people, and even then only because a merciful judge was appeasing a people who wanted to kill them. It is tough to see things in the world like this and not jump to our feet and help, but sometimes you need to sit back and watch, guiding as much as you can, and only step in when it is necessary. Am I saying these men didn't deserve help? No. But the sad truth is that we can't help everyone, regardless of race, religion, beliefs, etc. We just do our best and keep helping as many as possible.
This article is a small article on some whippings that happened in Nigeria. Why did they happen? Well, four men were accused and confessed (although they were beaten during the interrogations process) to having same-sex relationships. An angry crowd actually asked for the death sentence to be given to these men, but the judge said that "[The] offenses had taken place a long time ago, and the men had repented." This is why he ordered a simple whipping instead of the death sentence.
I think that this sort of action is horrendous. I will be the first to stand up and say that I do not support homosexuality, and I am on the "unpopular" side of all of the current issues. But I also do not think that treatment like this is warranted. Whipping? While it is true that Nigeria is not as developed as we are, it still makes me very sad that the divide between societal beliefs is wide enough to warrant a whipping of people, and even then only because a merciful judge was appeasing a people who wanted to kill them. It is tough to see things in the world like this and not jump to our feet and help, but sometimes you need to sit back and watch, guiding as much as you can, and only step in when it is necessary. Am I saying these men didn't deserve help? No. But the sad truth is that we can't help everyone, regardless of race, religion, beliefs, etc. We just do our best and keep helping as many as possible.
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