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.
July 1, 2009
Inhofe... um....
http://newsok.com/sen.-jim-inhofe-retreats-from-comment-about-epa/article/3382062?custom_click=pod_lead_usworld
I live in Oklahoma, and as such I'm currently represented by Senator Inhofe, republican. Well, I'm not being represented. Case-in-point, the following.
The link above is to an article appearing on NewsOK and has within it the best quote ever given by one sitting senator(Inhofe) of another senator(Al Franken): "I’ll tell you what a lot of people are thinking, and that is it looks like things are going to be over and we are going to get the clown from Minnesota." He is referring to a recent move by the Minnesota Supreme Court to certify the Senatorial Elections from November.
First of all, a clown is distinctly different from a comedian and writer. Second of all, he is now your colleague. Come-on Jim. I've seen your commercials, if you "are Oklahoma", then treat him like all Oklahomans would treat him. From my experience, most Oklahomans would be respectful and generous to their fellow coworker, as they have been to me.
With that out of the way, I'd like to address the real focus of the article-- allegations that the EPA should be investigated for suppressing a climate change report. Actually I'm confused by the article. It talks about the allegations, then a new climate bill, then the new senator that Inhofe talks down to, then back to the EPA.
Maybe I'm too liberal to be able to decipher Inhofes skepticism of climate change. Am I to understand that the person he accuses the EPA of quelling was a supporter of skepticism? That is the only way Inhofe would investigate the EPA. However the article states the suppressed employee was in fact, and not a scientist.
For once, I'm willing to admit that Inhofe is justified in his climate change skepticism. I'm a lifelong skeptic. I always think the null hypothesis is required. However an investigation is politically motivated, a waste of time, and reflects badly on OK. Isn't there a more pressing concern for our esteemed senator?
I live in Oklahoma, and as such I'm currently represented by Senator Inhofe, republican. Well, I'm not being represented. Case-in-point, the following.
The link above is to an article appearing on NewsOK and has within it the best quote ever given by one sitting senator(Inhofe) of another senator(Al Franken): "I’ll tell you what a lot of people are thinking, and that is it looks like things are going to be over and we are going to get the clown from Minnesota." He is referring to a recent move by the Minnesota Supreme Court to certify the Senatorial Elections from November.
First of all, a clown is distinctly different from a comedian and writer. Second of all, he is now your colleague. Come-on Jim. I've seen your commercials, if you "are Oklahoma", then treat him like all Oklahomans would treat him. From my experience, most Oklahomans would be respectful and generous to their fellow coworker, as they have been to me.
With that out of the way, I'd like to address the real focus of the article-- allegations that the EPA should be investigated for suppressing a climate change report. Actually I'm confused by the article. It talks about the allegations, then a new climate bill, then the new senator that Inhofe talks down to, then back to the EPA.
Maybe I'm too liberal to be able to decipher Inhofes skepticism of climate change. Am I to understand that the person he accuses the EPA of quelling was a supporter of skepticism? That is the only way Inhofe would investigate the EPA. However the article states the suppressed employee was in fact, and not a scientist.
For once, I'm willing to admit that Inhofe is justified in his climate change skepticism. I'm a lifelong skeptic. I always think the null hypothesis is required. However an investigation is politically motivated, a waste of time, and reflects badly on OK. Isn't there a more pressing concern for our esteemed senator?
Coup, like soup without the S
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8129787.stm
An article by the BBC is confirming that the new government in Honduras has rejected The Organization of American States' call for the Honduras government to reappoint the former President Zelaya.
With President Obama calling on the government to reappoint Zelaya, as well as nearly every government around the world doing the same, the pressure is building. The Organization of American States, otherwise known as NAMBLA, has threatened to throw them out of the regional organization of states.
Doesn't this coup sound surreal to you to. This sounds like something the CIA would do in the 60s to... I don't know some... Central American country. Crazy isn't it? We've meddled enough around the world to fully know the consequences, a dangerous Middle East, impoverished Africa, exploited South America, etc. I know. I know. Foreign policy is way more complicated than my simple paragraphs here, but those experts on the TV who act like they know what they're talking about have been wrong so many times.
The US has the arrogance to assume that they hold any morality in the world. President Obama is just a man. He's going to most likely have 8 years to get some books written about him, and try to make a difference. I don't consider his Presidency alone a gamechanger for US foreign policy.
We supported Musharraf when he overthrew the Pakistani government ten years ago. What's the difference? Oh wait, Honduras doesn't have a terrorist harboring state next to it geographically.
Should the new government of Honduras be recognized after this coup?
An article by the BBC is confirming that the new government in Honduras has rejected The Organization of American States' call for the Honduras government to reappoint the former President Zelaya.
With President Obama calling on the government to reappoint Zelaya, as well as nearly every government around the world doing the same, the pressure is building. The Organization of American States, otherwise known as NAMBLA, has threatened to throw them out of the regional organization of states.
Doesn't this coup sound surreal to you to. This sounds like something the CIA would do in the 60s to... I don't know some... Central American country. Crazy isn't it? We've meddled enough around the world to fully know the consequences, a dangerous Middle East, impoverished Africa, exploited South America, etc. I know. I know. Foreign policy is way more complicated than my simple paragraphs here, but those experts on the TV who act like they know what they're talking about have been wrong so many times.
The US has the arrogance to assume that they hold any morality in the world. President Obama is just a man. He's going to most likely have 8 years to get some books written about him, and try to make a difference. I don't consider his Presidency alone a gamechanger for US foreign policy.
We supported Musharraf when he overthrew the Pakistani government ten years ago. What's the difference? Oh wait, Honduras doesn't have a terrorist harboring state next to it geographically.
Should the new government of Honduras be recognized after this coup?
Climate bill promises the farm
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/us/politics/01climate.html?_r=1&ref=science
A climate bill, containing a cap-and-trade program in the US, has passed the US House of Representatives. However, (and this is a big however) the bill is largely stocked full of watered down compromises, out and out bribes in the form of "deals", and relaxed regulations from those proposed by environmentalists.
The bill is still supported by President Obama, who lobbied hard for this bill's passage, as this seems in keeping with Obama's ambitious first year of office.
I think, in a philosophical sense, our government needs to rethink business as usual. This bill is a prime example of lobbyist, interests groups, and stubborn party politics getting in the way of what most citizens and scientists consider necessary.
Maybe I'm in a particularly earnest anarchist mood tonight, but the governmental process to me seems so illogical. From a scientific background, this makes no logical sense as a way to govern. *shakes head* Just because things are the way they are doesn't mean that's the way they should be.
Do you think our government should continue business as usual?
A climate bill, containing a cap-and-trade program in the US, has passed the US House of Representatives. However, (and this is a big however) the bill is largely stocked full of watered down compromises, out and out bribes in the form of "deals", and relaxed regulations from those proposed by environmentalists.
The bill is still supported by President Obama, who lobbied hard for this bill's passage, as this seems in keeping with Obama's ambitious first year of office.
I think, in a philosophical sense, our government needs to rethink business as usual. This bill is a prime example of lobbyist, interests groups, and stubborn party politics getting in the way of what most citizens and scientists consider necessary.
Maybe I'm in a particularly earnest anarchist mood tonight, but the governmental process to me seems so illogical. From a scientific background, this makes no logical sense as a way to govern. *shakes head* Just because things are the way they are doesn't mean that's the way they should be.
Do you think our government should continue business as usual?
June 26, 2009
Local legacy longlasting
A few tid bits before the actual article: Blake Griffin was chosen No. 1 overall. Wow! Two remarkable people passed on Thursday and it would be wrong not to mention them. Rest in peace Michael Jackson, and Farrah Fawcett. You will both be remembered and missed dearly. On to local topic!
http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_177011535
The OU Board of Regents will be retrofitting buildings for the purpose of conservation. I applaud the move.
The move retrofitting will be affecting older buildings on the OU campus, and will improve energy savings, and make the buildings overall more efficient. A "green" campus is something to be poud of, and something that in the long run will see much more money returned to OU than if no retrofitting were to occur.
There are "green" steps that anyone can take to improve their homes, and make them more efficient simulataneously. OU is ahead of the state on these "green" issues. Regardless of your position on global warming, there is nothing wrong with being an environmentalist right?
I recommend you visit this website for further "green" info.
http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_177011535
The OU Board of Regents will be retrofitting buildings for the purpose of conservation. I applaud the move.
The move retrofitting will be affecting older buildings on the OU campus, and will improve energy savings, and make the buildings overall more efficient. A "green" campus is something to be poud of, and something that in the long run will see much more money returned to OU than if no retrofitting were to occur.
There are "green" steps that anyone can take to improve their homes, and make them more efficient simulataneously. OU is ahead of the state on these "green" issues. Regardless of your position on global warming, there is nothing wrong with being an environmentalist right?
I recommend you visit this website for further "green" info.
Firearms frequent for flock
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/us/26guns.html?_r=1&ref=us
An article in the New York Times is particularly interesting to me. If only because it has the phrase "God, Guns, Gospel and Geometry" in the first paragraph, a feat I have been trying to attain as a writer for quite some time. Anyway...
The article is describing a Kentucky church which is celebrating the United State's Constitution's Second Amendment, or the right of the people to keep and bear arms. They're showing their celebration with sermons, events, and even a bring-your-gun-to-church day.
This is an emblematic piece for what is happening all over the country. NRA membership is up since November, people are buying more guns and there is a general fear that the Obama admnistration will stick the hounds on their guns, and confiscate or severly limit them.
I don't see any reason why these people are so concerned. The Obama administration has not made any moves toward gun control issues. Neither has the democrat controlled congress made any moves toward harsher moves regarding guns. The public response is to a fear that he may at some point begin to crack down on guns. But I don't see that happening.
I am keeping a lookout though, but considering I don't own any guns I don't know why I'm on watch.
An article in the New York Times is particularly interesting to me. If only because it has the phrase "God, Guns, Gospel and Geometry" in the first paragraph, a feat I have been trying to attain as a writer for quite some time. Anyway...
The article is describing a Kentucky church which is celebrating the United State's Constitution's Second Amendment, or the right of the people to keep and bear arms. They're showing their celebration with sermons, events, and even a bring-your-gun-to-church day.
This is an emblematic piece for what is happening all over the country. NRA membership is up since November, people are buying more guns and there is a general fear that the Obama admnistration will stick the hounds on their guns, and confiscate or severly limit them.
I don't see any reason why these people are so concerned. The Obama administration has not made any moves toward gun control issues. Neither has the democrat controlled congress made any moves toward harsher moves regarding guns. The public response is to a fear that he may at some point begin to crack down on guns. But I don't see that happening.
I am keeping a lookout though, but considering I don't own any guns I don't know why I'm on watch.
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