Current Affairs
You are an individual. You make your own choices, think your own thoughts and decide what you want to believe. The Current Affairs team caters to the individual, offering a sampling of ongoing issues and current happenings for your information. From a report on Global Warming to articles on the situation in the Middle East , current affairs makes sure that you, the individual, is informed. Provided opinions and facts, Current Affairs is your source for information on the world you live in. You read the issues and you make the choice. Choose wisely.
--Newberson
Triple Jay - By: Newberson
| QUOTE (Marian Wright Edelman) |
| "It's time for greatness -- not for greed. It's a time for idealism -- not ideology. It is a time not just for compassionate words, but compassionate action." |
Photo Taken from www.chinadaily.net
Tanks are a common sight in both Israel and Lebanon. Raining bombs down on the opposing side, they strike fear into the hearts of all who dwell in the Middle East. As shots continue to be fired, the chance of a quick peace being brokered seems small and insignificant.
Often when we see images of tanks, our minds turn to thoughts of wars long past or wars in far away places. Most westerners have never been to the middle east, and most never will. It all seems so distant. The fact is that we dwell in a global community. Take a look around your room. You will see products made in Tibet, Thailand, Japan, China, North America, perhaps even Europe. That remote sitting on your desk was probably designed in Japan, manufactured in China, shipped from Hong Kong to California and eventually driven by trucks to your local store. One the impacts of globalization within the world is that when a bomb drops in Lebanon, you and I hear and see the echos. Have a flip through the local paper and you will see stories of hurt, anguish and frustration.
The media tells us that there is an ideological difference between Lebanon and Israel. Since when did ideological differences warrant the killing of innocent people. One of the principles of the United Nations is that everyone should have the right to free association and religious belief. If this is the case then why do we care what creed or god that they follow. They are still part of humanity. We cannot sit back and watch our brothers and sisters die needless deaths. In the words of Marian Wright Edelman, now is the time for compassionate action. As individuals we have a right to protest the fighting that is going on. Collectively we have a responsibility too.
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Tension, Tension, Snap! - By: Master Neverdead
A glance in your local newspaper, a quick look at the tube, or a short tune to the radio will tell you that things aren't looking sunny in the Middle East. A cloud of hate, mistrust, and betrayal stands between sunshiny peace and the people of the area. For years the infinite amount of peace talks have brought on nothing but an endless political cycle, featuring pleasant words and starring some of the biggest diplomatic names in the world. Yet, nothing has come of it.
Headlines for years have read, "Tensions in Middle East Increase" or, "The Pressure is On." Just how much tension will it take before the last strands in the fabric of peace are finally torn? Or perhaps the more pertinent question is this: Have we already reached that limit?
Israel is massing an army of tanks near the Lebanese border, they say, to root out Hezbollah militants in the area and destroy their munitions. It seems that whoever has been firing missiles on Beirut, Baalbek, and communities near the Sea of Galilee, have finally got the attention they were looking for. As many as 500 troops and 30 tanks have already crossed the border seeking out bunkers and hiding places of the Hezbollah combatants, worrying the local Muslim population. How far will they go to stop the attacks? According to a Senior Israeli official in Washington, "Hezbollah members and their supplies are deeply embedded in civilian areas." What will the collateral damage be? Does it even matter to the Israelis? And finally, what will the retaliation be?
Even the Pope has taken interest in the escalation of violence. Pope Benedict has declared Sunday a day of prayer, in hopes of divine intervention on behalf of the citizens of the Middle East. A great idea, but I ask, what good can it do when both sides claim to be fighting for God?
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Global Warming: Fact or Fiction? - By: Fruityfed
Many TV shows are being made talking about the subject of Global Warming, whether it's real or not, what the reactions will be, and other thoughts the public may have.
Global Warming: What you need to know aired on the Discovery Channel Sunday the 16th, hosted by Tom Brokaw. He said, "Over the years, scientists have been trying to decide whether the Earth is heating or cooling." In that show, it sounded like they were saying that most scientists beleive Global Warming is a fact, but some still deny it. However, in An Inconvenient Truth, narrated by Al Gore, former Vice President of the U.S., the message was that all scientists had come to the conclusion that it was real.
Gore stated that in about 50 years, there will be no Antarctica. It showed Polar Bears swimming 60 miles before reaching any ice. And, as a result of the South Pole melting, sea-levels will supposedly rise 20 feet. This may cause mass flooding in some areas, but the warming could also cause extreme drout, and record-highs.
So, what exactly is causing this warming? Is the Earth coming closer to the sun in its orbit every revolution? Are we polluting too much Carbon Dioxide? Is destroying the rainforest contributing to this so-called problem?
In Global Warming: What you need to know, they said that cutting down one tree could release huge amounts of stored Co2 into the Earth's apmosphere. But, is that all? Many beleive that cars and factories are the cause, as well. Imagine how many cars are out there, always emitting Carbon Dioxide. It would have to cause the Earth to warm a little, wouldn't it?
Maybe not. Many polititions are saying that it is nothing to worry about, and that we will be completely safe.
But, for the good of the planet, it would probably be best if we did stop polluting so much, and use alternate methods. Simply because it's unhealthy for us to breathe, but also because Global Warming could very well be true.
If it is, it could result in no Antarctica, no Polar Bears, many deaths and sicknesses, floods, rising oceans, extreme drout, and the planet degrading itself faster than ever.
So, is Global Warming fact, or fiction? You decide.
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