Safe to Eat? (Issue 3)

The issue over whether or not our food is safe to eat all the time is a large one. Over the last decade, the number of cases of foodborne illnesses (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodborne_illness) has gone up dramatically. There are reasons for this, experts say. The breach in security, per se, can be attributed to the rise in the consumption of produce in an effort to achieve better health. The problem is that produce is often consumed raw, and bacteria have not been killed because of the lacking cooking process. Another reason is due to the growing number of elderly citizens who are more susceptable to illness. Finally, processing and distribution are large-scale, therefore foodborne illnesses are more present on larger scales. The debate ensues whether there should be more regulation by the FDA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FDA), or should the industry place higher regulations on their own companies. Parties in favor of more government regulation believe that one central agency should be in charge, and say that the growth of foodborne illnesses coincide with cuts in funding to the FDA. Others who are in favor of industry regulation believe that the companies want to stay in business, therefore they will protect their businesses by all means, including stricter safety regulations.

These two perspectives are both agreeable in my opinion. Therefore, why is it out of our power to have a government agency watching over our food industry with enhanced regulations, whilst businesses place stricter regulations upon the food coming out of their facilities. This combined power would ensure safer food standards in our country. A source with views similar to mine is http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/26630/traceability-prevent-recover-foodborne.

Issue 1: http://briansoccer77.blogspot.com/2010/11/issue-one-comprehensive-vs-incremental.html
Issue 2: http://katieireneiverson.blogspot.com/2010/11/issue-2-ensuring-quality-care-for.html

Rhino Killed by Poachers

Stumpy, the 41-year-old black rhino, was a staple in the Lewa Conservancy in Kenya. Poachers snuck onto the wildlife refuge in the early hours of the morning and encountered the unfortunate victim. The conservation officers heard gunshots around 3:45 a.m. and when the sun began to rise, they discovered the foot prints of four poachers. They followed the tracks and discovered their worst fears - the carcass of the black rhino. On a happier note, the calf accompanying the slaughtered animal escaped with minor gun shot wounds. The poaching of rhinos has increased dramatically as of late due to increased demand the horns of the animals in Asia for medicinal purposes.

News such as this is saddening in the worst degree - the barbarism men utilize is inhumane. Poaching animals is wrong - killing in general is wrong, but certain animals are justified in dying for reasons I will never understand - but, these animals, whose numbers exceeded 20,000 in Kenya, are now on the brink of being wiped clean from the country with less than 300. Another sad statistic is that, on average, one poaching occurs daily. Without the protection of these conservancies, the situation would spiral out of control. Thank the world for those who care about the creatures that we coexist everyday with.

Pakistani Problems 10/7

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39555858/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/

Thursday's suicide attacks on Karachi, Pakistan's Sufi shrine has left seven dead, and 65 more wounded. The attack came at a time of tension between Washington and Islamabad over the recent NATO helicopter incursions that have resulted in the closing the border crossing at Torkham - a main supply line that crosses into Afghanistan in which many NATO supplies are run - and also the death of two Pakistani soldiers. The U.S. has expressed its condolences over the death of the two soldiers, but Pakistani officials are still inconclusive on when to re-open the border crossing. Trucks and tankers stranded in the backed up traffic became sitting ducks for further terrorist attacks which led to the ignition of seventy tankers. The closure of the Torkham pass has not had a major effect on the number of supplies which  have reached soldiers in Afghanistan, because of various other routes by which the means travel.

The sitution in this U.S.-allied country is deteriorating at a hasty rate. Islamic extremists have been pummeling the region as of late with suicide bombings and such, because of Pakistani allowance of NATO supply lines within the region. These supplies are then used to cast destruction upon the Islamic militants. With an increasing number of missle strikes in the Northern region, I believe that things are going to get even uglier in the Middle East.

War: What is it Good For? (Issue #1)

In 2008 - during the Bush Administration - the amount of United States dollars being put towards the War in Iraq were astronomical. The issue arises because the President is the Commander in Chief - who is the leader of the military - but, Congress has the Power of the Purse, and can bar federal funding of the war. That's where much debate ensues: to side with Congress and its ability to control federal spending; or, with the Executive branch and side with the ideology that President and his Administration are best suited to run a war campaign. The number of dollars spent on the War in Iraq add to the national deficit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_deficit) every year, driving our national debt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_debt) higher and higher - digging a deeper and deeper grave for future generations.

There has been a public out-cry, as of late, to end the War in Iraq. Far too much money has been spent on on-going - and seemingly ineffective - liberation of the region, and our future generations are going to feel it in the worst way. By inheriting this huge ever-accumulating debt, we will be at a crossroads with no where to turn. The borrowed money is going to have to be paid back eventually, and the task would be much easier if billions of dollars and human lives were not involved in a war effort. By Congress denying federal funding towards the war, or even to tie any military funding to certain conditions or benchmarks for progress.

This site, Institute for Policy Studies, shares a similar opinion, but expands further with the idea of creating more jobs with that money. (http://www.ips-dc.org/articles/more_jobs_less_war)


Issue #2: http://maxineannec.blogspot.com/2010/10/issue-2-spnding-what-we-can-afford.html
Issue #3: http://theresasocial.blogspot.com/2010/10/issue-3-social-insecurity.html

Terror Alert 10/4/10

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39495832/ns/world_news-europe/

Recent threats of terrorist attacks have caused the United States, Britain, and now Japan to raise the level of caution when traveling to Europe. Although the U.S. and Japan have not listed names of countries, Britain has increased the warning level from "general" to "high" with regards of traveling to Germany and France. The United States has told Americans traveling or living in Europe to be cautious and protect their personal security. The State Department has stated that this does not mean not to travel, but to be more aware and vigilant when traveling. In fact, many Americans have insisted on traveling and enjoying their time, but they have reported that they are indeed more vigilant and are keeping a watchful eye.

The terrorist threats that have accumulated over the past week may be legitimate - and in that case all necessary precautions should, and are, being taken - but, this could also be the psychological warfare we have so often seen. Threats like these often strike fear and inject a sense insecurity into the people. Regardless of the reality, these threats shall not be taken as a joke - precautionary measures and actions will and have been taken. The security of the American - and other foreign powers - is the top priority.