World Affairs

In this section, we talk about what happens in the World that's off the computer. We have three more articles this Issue that will inform you on some things that had happened in our World and out of it. Richman99 writes about a great American President who had recently passed away and his contributions to the World in RIP President Ford. Master Neverdead writes about Saddam Hussein and how he was brought to justice and how his execution will affect the World in Brought to Justice. Tmbrown100 writes about a Surgery in Space that took place a few months ago which will revolutionize the science of medicine. Sit back, relax, and enjoy World Affairs in Issue 3.

-Prashanna

R.I.P President Ford - By: Richman99 ed. by Master Neverdead

Picture Credit: Wikipedia

President Gerald Rudolph Ford died last Tuesday, December 26th, 2006 at around 6:45 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. He passed away in his California home, his family around him. This American President lived to be 93 years old, making him the longest living President and only one of four to pass 90. He served as the United States president in the years 1974- 1977 and was vice-president during 1973-1974. Ford became Richard Nixon's Vice-President following Vice-President Spiro Agnew's decision to resign. One year later, Nixon resigned after the Watergate Scandal and Gerald Ford became President of the United States. During his Presidency, Ford was forced to tackle tough issues such as inflation, a depressed economy, chronic energy shortage, and continuing degradation of world peace. He was known for his “integrity and openness” which helped to make him a popular Congressman for the 25 years he served this nation in that capacity. He did much to continue the downward trend of the Arms Race between the U.S.S.R. and America, and won respect with small business advocates for his role in lowering taxes and providing new opportunities for independent business owners. He was a great man and an outstanding President. His son, a minister, did the last rites at a family church, officially laying to rest one of the most influential Presidents this nation has ever seen.

Trivia: Did you know that only 4 USA presidents have lived over the age of 90 years? They were John Adams (90), Herbert Hoover (90), Ronald Reagan (93), and Gerald Ford (93).

Brought to Justice - By: Master Neverdead

Picture Credit: The Columbian

Just before 7:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, December 29, 2006 Saddam Hussein was executed. The U.S. gave the disgraced former dictator to the Iraqis just before the event was scheduled, officially ending a lengthy trial that has kept the world on its toes since his capture in December of 2003.
Now, what will happen to him is no longer the question, but what does all this mean for the War in Iraq? Does it make any difference at all?
Many people will argue that matters will become better for our troops overseas because the Iraqi insurgent forces will be disheartened by his execution and be less willing to fight. Others say it will complicate things as anger at the capture and execution of their patriarch burns into an ember of revenge. Maybe his death will not effect how the war continues for either side. Nancy Hollensaid of Malden, Illinois, who's son is currently fighting in Iraq, stated that the execution will “do some good for my heart.” She's not alone. His reign inspired tyranny, violence, and genocide. His death, it seems, will inspire peace, love, and hope for the families of the troops that defend our freedom by bringing down one of the world's most infamous regimes.

Surgery in Space - By: Tmbrown100

Picture Credit: Seattle PI

A team of French doctors carried out a successful operation in a weightless environment, on the 27th of September. The procedure was not carried out in space itself, but on a specially adapted aircraft. To create this weightlessness, without venturing into the unknown, the aircraft has to make a series of swoops to mimic the zero gravity effect. On the arch of these swoops, zero gravity is obtained, however this is only for 20 seconds at the best, which resulted in the medics having to work fast, needing 31 swoops to complete the operation.

The operation was performed on Philippe Sanchot who volunteered for the surgery in these special circumstances. The operation was too remove a benign tumour from Mr. Sanchots arm, he was anaesthetised before the flight. To cope with these free fall conditions the patient and staff had to go through the same training astronauts use, as throwing up while in an operation is potentially life threatening for the patient.

This is the first time any operation on a human being has been performed in a weightlessness environment. Instruments used in the operation have been specially designed with a magnetic strip, so they can be easily attached to the operating table. All persons involved in the operation, were strapped down to aviod any accidents while operating.

The main, long term goal of the project, was to discover if operations in a long distance space flights would be possible. With knowing it is now possible to operate in space, longer space flights can be planned and are now more realistically possible for the future. The next stage in this research would be to use a robot controlled from earth via a satellite, which could also be used in caves or collapsed buildings.

The human race continues to the final frontier, boldly stepping over obstacles which have restrained us in the past. With this key development, a human crew to go to Mars, or the outer planets is a lot more possible. We still have many obstacles to over come, but we will reach to achieve them.

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