http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_186011450
Valparaiso University student Elizabeth Thompson has spent a 10 day trip to Tanzania. The organization Engineers Without Borders is currently planning 5 years of trips there to improve the water quality, canal flows and irrigation, among other initiatives. They hope to begin improving local hydrological concerns in the coming years.
This is one of the only local stories I found to write about that wasn't related to criminal action, or people drowning in a lake. I appreciate the plight this student has chosen to assist in, and I think the nobility of even a 10 day preliminary trip is a great thing to spread the word about.
I believe that Africa has the potential to be an emerging continent in global affairs. The impoverished nations of today, can be the thriving nations of tomorrow. I remember a TED conference talk, or two, that I found particularly interesting, which pertain opportunity that Africa has.
I think with more initiatives that this young lady was involved in, and a continued resurgence of peace and evolving economies, Africa will indeed become regarded as something other than mostly 3rd world.
July 6, 2009
Afghanistan "surge"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07/06/afghanistan.marine.standoff/index.html
Above is a link to a CNN article on the progress of Marines currently fighting in Afghanistan. This new surge of Marines has cast new attention on the Afghanistan "War on Terror", as much focus has been made recently of US personnel leaving the cities of Iraq.
The standoff currently in the town of Khan Neshin is a uneasy one at best. Once considered a Taliban stronghold, the capture of this town marks a slight shift in policy. The new directives for the Marines include respecting Afghan customs regarding women, and protecting civilian soilders. The article also mentions the US military's restraint in calling in air strikes on cities.
The insurgents dressed as women to escape the city during the fighting. In essence utilizing the new rules of engagement to their advantage.
This fall will mark the 8th year that U.S. forces have been engaged in Afghanistan. With this new "surge" of Marines, are we ever planning to withdrawl from the country? It's been reported that Hamid Karzai has no real influence beyond the capitol of Kabul. His brother has been accused of being involved in the drug trade, as well as many of his governmental officials.
The country is in terrible shape economically, politically, regionally. What should(can) the U.S. do?
Above is a link to a CNN article on the progress of Marines currently fighting in Afghanistan. This new surge of Marines has cast new attention on the Afghanistan "War on Terror", as much focus has been made recently of US personnel leaving the cities of Iraq.
The standoff currently in the town of Khan Neshin is a uneasy one at best. Once considered a Taliban stronghold, the capture of this town marks a slight shift in policy. The new directives for the Marines include respecting Afghan customs regarding women, and protecting civilian soilders. The article also mentions the US military's restraint in calling in air strikes on cities.
The insurgents dressed as women to escape the city during the fighting. In essence utilizing the new rules of engagement to their advantage.
This fall will mark the 8th year that U.S. forces have been engaged in Afghanistan. With this new "surge" of Marines, are we ever planning to withdrawl from the country? It's been reported that Hamid Karzai has no real influence beyond the capitol of Kabul. His brother has been accused of being involved in the drug trade, as well as many of his governmental officials.
The country is in terrible shape economically, politically, regionally. What should(can) the U.S. do?
17-year-old Magellan
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-zac-sunderland6-2009jul06,0,6103005.story
The Los Angeles Times story linked above is about my new personal hero. Zac Sunderland is on the final leg of a 13-month odyssey circumnavigating the globe. The article describes the adversities this young man has encountered in his remarkable journey.
Pirates, treacherous straits, incorrect satellite beacons, 15 foot seas, gale-force winds, freighter near-miss, (continues on for hours) ... Needless to say Zac will have great cocktail moments, yet not all harrowing. He has seen some exhilarating moments as well, such as ubiquitous hospitality, native greetings on the Marshal Island, the unbelievable moments of awe and speed.
He can also claim to have seen rampant poverty and unrest. Routinely repairing in 3rd world ports, Zac has seen a world very few have seen. He has seen that part of the world that you don't see if you're on a cruise and happen to stop at a Bahaman Island.
His journey is an amazing globe-trotting roller-coaster ride. How many people can claim to have experienced something as such? When Zac reaches home, he'll also reach that incredible plateau of Magellan.
This story is personally befitting, as sailing the globe is something I must do before my time is up. He definitely has a leg up on me, as his family is in shipwrighting, and as I'm in a landlocked state. Someday. Since he will be the youngest, maybe I can be the oldest.
Until you can wish me good luck, wish Zac well on the last leg of his journey, as he is due to arrive home in around 2 weeks.
The Los Angeles Times story linked above is about my new personal hero. Zac Sunderland is on the final leg of a 13-month odyssey circumnavigating the globe. The article describes the adversities this young man has encountered in his remarkable journey.
Pirates, treacherous straits, incorrect satellite beacons, 15 foot seas, gale-force winds, freighter near-miss, (continues on for hours) ... Needless to say Zac will have great cocktail moments, yet not all harrowing. He has seen some exhilarating moments as well, such as ubiquitous hospitality, native greetings on the Marshal Island, the unbelievable moments of awe and speed.
He can also claim to have seen rampant poverty and unrest. Routinely repairing in 3rd world ports, Zac has seen a world very few have seen. He has seen that part of the world that you don't see if you're on a cruise and happen to stop at a Bahaman Island.
His journey is an amazing globe-trotting roller-coaster ride. How many people can claim to have experienced something as such? When Zac reaches home, he'll also reach that incredible plateau of Magellan.
This story is personally befitting, as sailing the globe is something I must do before my time is up. He definitely has a leg up on me, as his family is in shipwrighting, and as I'm in a landlocked state. Someday. Since he will be the youngest, maybe I can be the oldest.
Until you can wish me good luck, wish Zac well on the last leg of his journey, as he is due to arrive home in around 2 weeks.
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