http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/world/middleeast/tehran-protesters-storm-british-embassy.html?_r=1&hp
I wonder how much it takes before a country withdraws its diplomats and closes its embassy? Not saying I think it should happen in this case, but I wonder if there is a set criteria. I mean, if we don't like Iran and its nuclear program, why have our diplomats there? Time and again Iran has made it pretty clear that it despises the West (well, and Israel). Has anyone ever heard of a country closing its embassy (especially as a form of protest)?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
UN Tribunal Business- Khmer Rouge
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/19/world/asia/un-court-appeals-release-of-khmer-rouge-defendant.html?ref=world&gwh=B203308281610D28AA36CDB681FEEAAA
So completely random, but on my Facebook I keep a link in my profile to this amazing video that I will randomly watch from time to time. It's a short video the NY Times did with Dith Pran shortly before he lost his life to cancer. His story of being a prisoner with the Khmer Rouge, was the basis for the movie The Killing Fields. I don't know why, but I watched it yesterday. It's from 2008, yet it still moves me every time:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fpackages%2Fhtml%2Fmultimedia%2F20080320_DITH_PRAN_LAST_WORD_FEATURE%2Findex.html&h=BAQG3Tll1
(If the link doesn't work...it's on my Facebook profile)
And then today I see this story. It has been very difficult and taken a very long time to put many of the higher ups in the Khmer Rouge on trial for genocide/crimes against humanity/etc. Pol Pot died before he could be put on trial- and a lot of people were pissed about that, so they really put some effort into getting the others. They sentenced Duch (who ran Tuol Sleng prison, notorious killing facility) already and this woman in the article and her husband were leaders in the Khmer Rouge government. Recently her dementia has progressed far enough that doctors have determined her unfit for trial, which prosecutors are now appealing.
So questions that came to my mind are this:
-Should they just try her anyway, as it will be a symbol for the Cambodian people more than anything?
-If they do try her, what does that say for all the other cases of people who are mentally incapable being tried or sentenced or executed?
- Can they put her under house arrest if they do in fact release her, as a sort of compromise?
It's a sticky situation- on the one hand you want to try this woman because she did do some atrocious things to people. On the other, as a justice system, no matter how difficult or controversial, they need to uphold the code of law. She is probably mentally unstable to stand trial. I don't know what the UN should do...which is why I'm not a judge.
So completely random, but on my Facebook I keep a link in my profile to this amazing video that I will randomly watch from time to time. It's a short video the NY Times did with Dith Pran shortly before he lost his life to cancer. His story of being a prisoner with the Khmer Rouge, was the basis for the movie The Killing Fields. I don't know why, but I watched it yesterday. It's from 2008, yet it still moves me every time:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fpackages%2Fhtml%2Fmultimedia%2F20080320_DITH_PRAN_LAST_WORD_FEATURE%2Findex.html&h=BAQG3Tll1
(If the link doesn't work...it's on my Facebook profile)
And then today I see this story. It has been very difficult and taken a very long time to put many of the higher ups in the Khmer Rouge on trial for genocide/crimes against humanity/etc. Pol Pot died before he could be put on trial- and a lot of people were pissed about that, so they really put some effort into getting the others. They sentenced Duch (who ran Tuol Sleng prison, notorious killing facility) already and this woman in the article and her husband were leaders in the Khmer Rouge government. Recently her dementia has progressed far enough that doctors have determined her unfit for trial, which prosecutors are now appealing.
So questions that came to my mind are this:
-Should they just try her anyway, as it will be a symbol for the Cambodian people more than anything?
-If they do try her, what does that say for all the other cases of people who are mentally incapable being tried or sentenced or executed?
- Can they put her under house arrest if they do in fact release her, as a sort of compromise?
It's a sticky situation- on the one hand you want to try this woman because she did do some atrocious things to people. On the other, as a justice system, no matter how difficult or controversial, they need to uphold the code of law. She is probably mentally unstable to stand trial. I don't know what the UN should do...which is why I'm not a judge.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Fight Obesity with Healthy School Lunches...Maybe Next Year
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/16/us/politics/congress-blocks-new-rules-on-school-lunches.html?ref=health
So Congress, continuing its stellar track record of really tackling the tough problems, blocked any changes that were proposed by the USDA to make school lunches more healthy.
Favorite pull quote:
"Food companies including ConAgra, Coca-Cola, DelMonte Foods and makers of frozen pizza like Schwann argued that the proposed rules would raise the cost of meals and require food that many children would throw away. The companies called the Congressional response reasonable, adding that the Agriculture Department went too far in trying to improve nutrition in school lunches."
So it's evil to improve nutrition? Good job Congress...way to totally bow down to big companies. And you wonder why you have people protesting across the country about the heavy hand of big business.
Oh, and FYI to food companies: putting more tomato paste on pizza is not going to drastically change the taste of your sub par frozen pizza either way. Also, if kids are only presented with healthy options, they will eat it. No kid is going to throw their entire lunch away every day because there aren't enough processed foods offered.
So Congress, continuing its stellar track record of really tackling the tough problems, blocked any changes that were proposed by the USDA to make school lunches more healthy.
Favorite pull quote:
"Food companies including ConAgra, Coca-Cola, DelMonte Foods and makers of frozen pizza like Schwann argued that the proposed rules would raise the cost of meals and require food that many children would throw away. The companies called the Congressional response reasonable, adding that the Agriculture Department went too far in trying to improve nutrition in school lunches."
So it's evil to improve nutrition? Good job Congress...way to totally bow down to big companies. And you wonder why you have people protesting across the country about the heavy hand of big business.
Oh, and FYI to food companies: putting more tomato paste on pizza is not going to drastically change the taste of your sub par frozen pizza either way. Also, if kids are only presented with healthy options, they will eat it. No kid is going to throw their entire lunch away every day because there aren't enough processed foods offered.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Slideshow Time!
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/11/09/world/asia/20111109-NKOREA-GOBIG.html?ref=world#1
Great NY Times slideshow about North Korea. Lots of bold colors- really breathed life into a country that seems so gray and sterile. I'd recommend the documentary "A State of Mind" as a great companion to this slideshow- BBC doc about life in North Korea for two girls as they prepare for Mass Games (giant choreographed gymnastics performance).
Great NY Times slideshow about North Korea. Lots of bold colors- really breathed life into a country that seems so gray and sterile. I'd recommend the documentary "A State of Mind" as a great companion to this slideshow- BBC doc about life in North Korea for two girls as they prepare for Mass Games (giant choreographed gymnastics performance).
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Wall Street Journal- official downer.
http://graphicsweb.wsj.com/documents/NILF1111/#term=
Want a list of what major will leave you unemployed and with debt up to your ears? Well, WSJ has just the list to kill your dreams. Or make you feel really awesome, depending.
Question I have about this (and if I missed something, please, point out my omissions):
1. Is this regarding students who have a BA in said subject? Or does it take into account Master's and PHD's?
2. Does this take into account people who are working "outside their field"? Meaning, if someone has a degree in History but is working a more IT job, does that count as employed under the history field or IT/Computer Science field?
3. Is teacher unemployment really that low? Because I read/see/hear about teachers being cut right and left. Though I suppose a new graduate may have a good chance of landing a job because they will be paid less than longer tenured teachers.
Also, Library Science did really bad. Really, really bad. But I think it's a problem that has been in the field in the past few years- diversify! As a Master's student, while I would love a job in a library, I know that I have skills that apply to many different jobs. I think the days are long gone where one can expect to get the "stereotype" of a job in their field. Especially in Library Science- we learn so many different skills regarding actually working in a library, different computer programs/platforms/etc, customer service, budgeting, grant writing, amazing research skills- the list could go on. It's just all about taking those skills and realizing that they can be put in many different fields as opposed to just working in a library.
Want a list of what major will leave you unemployed and with debt up to your ears? Well, WSJ has just the list to kill your dreams. Or make you feel really awesome, depending.
Question I have about this (and if I missed something, please, point out my omissions):
1. Is this regarding students who have a BA in said subject? Or does it take into account Master's and PHD's?
2. Does this take into account people who are working "outside their field"? Meaning, if someone has a degree in History but is working a more IT job, does that count as employed under the history field or IT/Computer Science field?
3. Is teacher unemployment really that low? Because I read/see/hear about teachers being cut right and left. Though I suppose a new graduate may have a good chance of landing a job because they will be paid less than longer tenured teachers.
Also, Library Science did really bad. Really, really bad. But I think it's a problem that has been in the field in the past few years- diversify! As a Master's student, while I would love a job in a library, I know that I have skills that apply to many different jobs. I think the days are long gone where one can expect to get the "stereotype" of a job in their field. Especially in Library Science- we learn so many different skills regarding actually working in a library, different computer programs/platforms/etc, customer service, budgeting, grant writing, amazing research skills- the list could go on. It's just all about taking those skills and realizing that they can be put in many different fields as opposed to just working in a library.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Makin' Babies
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/opinion/kristof-the-birth-control-solution.html?src=tp&smid=fb-share
This isn't a new idea presented in this editorial- contraception and more importantly, family planning- helps slow down population growth. Yes Virginia, it is that simple! I especially love the analogy "Contraceptives no more cause sex than umbrellas cause rain."
Also, what I think is an important point to bring up and should be hammered out into the public mind over and over- family planning and access to contraceptives is *way* cheaper than supporting families that can't afford all the children. I have yet to hear an argument prove otherwise. I sure can't afford a baby right now, so what seems like a better plan of action- give me cheap access to contraceptives and thus baby free? Or force me (circumstantially, not physically) to have a child I cannot afford and thus must use public assistance (for medical coverage, daycare and Foodstamps) to support? The statistic changes in India and Mexico are stark proof (also read about countries surrounding India and their efforts, like Bangladesh) that when done right, family planning makes a difference.
This isn't a new idea presented in this editorial- contraception and more importantly, family planning- helps slow down population growth. Yes Virginia, it is that simple! I especially love the analogy "Contraceptives no more cause sex than umbrellas cause rain."
Also, what I think is an important point to bring up and should be hammered out into the public mind over and over- family planning and access to contraceptives is *way* cheaper than supporting families that can't afford all the children. I have yet to hear an argument prove otherwise. I sure can't afford a baby right now, so what seems like a better plan of action- give me cheap access to contraceptives and thus baby free? Or force me (circumstantially, not physically) to have a child I cannot afford and thus must use public assistance (for medical coverage, daycare and Foodstamps) to support? The statistic changes in India and Mexico are stark proof (also read about countries surrounding India and their efforts, like Bangladesh) that when done right, family planning makes a difference.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Wait for it...another post about Cancer! Ok, it's also a review of "50/50"
So I finally went and saw 50/50 at the second run theater with my sister. Basic plot for those who don't know- it was written by a guy (who's now a producer/director/Hollywood type) who was diagnosed with cancer in his late 20's. Really bad, there's a pretty good chance you'll die cancer. The reviews and articles I'd read about it intrigued me because they talked about what a realistic treatment it gave to cancer. It provided a balance between the usual stereotypes of either super sick and frail and Lance Armstrong triumph over adversity. I don't know if I would have been affected differently or at all if I hadn't recently lost extended family members to cancer...or work with it every day (while abstractly, it's there and I realize it).
It was nice to see a movie show a character with cancer who goes through many emotions. You can be mad and scared and angry and calm all at the same time. And you don't need to have these life changing epiphanies. I was very pleasantly surprised at Seth Rogen's character, which was partly based on him in real life. The writer/main character has actually been a long time friend of Seth Rogen's and Rogen was there throughout the cancer journey. While he did have moments as that Seth Rogen archetype that we love to laugh at, there were also very poignant moments of him just trying to be a good friend and not be scared of his friend dying. Somehow there were moments in the movie where I cried and then a minute later found myself laughing. But that's how it should be.
Dealing with these sorts of situations is never easy. Maybe it just hit a little close to home for me, I'm not sure. But when the main character was having an important surgery, I was definitely choked up, very much reminded of my own feelings in similar situations- it's hard to send someone away to a life saving surgery that might kill them.
But I think even if you don't know anyone with cancer, this film is a great tool- because someday you will be touched by cancer and it's never easy to deal with. Trying to keep a semblance of normal and the upkeep of those important relationships- that's what this movie excels at.
An Interesting Editorial...
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/04/opinion/the-senate-puts-millionaires-before-jobs.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1320419064-HEsPQ9P0+Io+7/wheedPbQ
It's a short editorial, and it's pretty anti-GOP. But if you're someone who's not scouring the newspapers every day like me (and if you are, well, you're awesome), I wonder what you would think of this.
The partisanship in Congress has gotten out of control even moreso than I thought it could. Both sides are accusing the other of introducing bills that they know will fail. Whatever happened to compromise? Because people need jobs- and when I read all of this dribble back and forth about how Liberals just want to bail everyone out and bankrupt the country and Republicans only want to protect the rich and "Read my lips: no new taxes"- and Congress is pretty much doing nothing to help people find jobs. Am I oversimplifying a complex problem? Probably. To get more people in jobs we need to change our tax codes, how we handle loans/debt, public assistance, health care...good God, and now I'm depressed. This is why you have to be pretty much a heartless, soulless being to be in government.
It's a short editorial, and it's pretty anti-GOP. But if you're someone who's not scouring the newspapers every day like me (and if you are, well, you're awesome), I wonder what you would think of this.
The partisanship in Congress has gotten out of control even moreso than I thought it could. Both sides are accusing the other of introducing bills that they know will fail. Whatever happened to compromise? Because people need jobs- and when I read all of this dribble back and forth about how Liberals just want to bail everyone out and bankrupt the country and Republicans only want to protect the rich and "Read my lips: no new taxes"- and Congress is pretty much doing nothing to help people find jobs. Am I oversimplifying a complex problem? Probably. To get more people in jobs we need to change our tax codes, how we handle loans/debt, public assistance, health care...good God, and now I'm depressed. This is why you have to be pretty much a heartless, soulless being to be in government.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Kyrgyzstan to close U.S. base
Is it another idle threat to get more money out of the U.S. (hey, it worked last time...)? Or just masterful puppeteering by good old Russia?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/world/asia/kyrgyzstan-says-united-states-manas-air-base-will-close.html?ref=world
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/world/asia/kyrgyzstan-says-united-states-manas-air-base-will-close.html?ref=world
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