Blog Post #15- Does Religion Rule the Government?

 

I respect everyone's religion and beliefs, however to answer this question: Does religion, or religious principles/ethics/morals, have any place in government & be Should government create laws based on these norms? My answer would be "no". For example, in Canada their are many different people of many different religions currently living in our country. Having the government create laws on one ethnicity is absurd since our country is a culture mosaic. However, saying that those people do not have rights is incorrect. Any beliefs or ethics that a person has can be shown personally and individually but does not need to be run by the government. Overall, whether in North America or anywhere else in the world, everyone should be treated equally, live and have beliefs anyway they want in their personal life.

Blog Post #14- Food Dumping Is Not As Good As It Seems

When it comes to under-developed nations, many wealthier Countries want to pitch in and help with the relief efforts. From donating money and school supplies to one of the most important ways to help less fortunate Countries to date: supplying them with food which many are lacking. Giving food do donations is often seen as an act of kindness and smiled upon. However, is it completely curing poverty or is it just causing more? The food that gets shipped to these under-developed nations are always free, subsidised and below market prices. This process is called food dumping. Although it is an act of kindness, it is actually building into the cycle of poverty and causing more. If you are reading this now, you may be thinking that I am crazy, but the fact has been proven and debated. Even though previous individuals that have been starving get food, what happens to the farmers that take care of the crops and give them away to these nations? Local farmers become undercut because they cannot compete and are driven out of jobs and into poverty, further slanting the market share of the larger producers such as those from the US and Europe. This is one of the ways that food dumping is not as good as it seems and how it fits into the cycle of poverty. As well, food dumping from wealthier Countries floods the market and drives down the value of crops in poor Countries so far that it is more economical for them to import the food or accept it as foreign aid than to invest in their own agricultural development. Therefore, reducing possible job opportunities.

One solution that I would put forward for this issue of food dumping is to change the economic system in the developing nation to reduce the impact of dumping. Lower costs and less tariffs to make the transition of food significant and not just one big long term mess.

 

Blog Post #13- Canada: The Next Terrorist Plot?

 

By living in Canada, I can say that this is a Country where I feel safe wherever and whenever I go to public places. Worrying about safety is something that is always in a persons back of the head, however that worry never usually becomes a reality, or at least we hope that it doesn't. Recently, suspects have been put into court because of a very near tragic attack that was almost completed. Two males were planning to attack a VIA rail train that was heading to New York city. They were planning to attack the train before reaching the United States but they got caught before it happened.

So far this year has been a very unfortunate year for the United States. From the Sandy Hook school shooting, to the movie theatre, to more recently the Boston bombing, many attacks have been plotted and made towards innocent individuals that have nothing negative to do with the suspect that killed them. Personally, I have really felt for the victims of these three events. However, by almost having a similar violent attack in Canada, these feelings are hitting me stronger than if they were just in the US. Canada has not been a terrorist target for a while now and I am hoping that there will not be any more attempts to attack the Country ahead.

This issue does not just affect individuals in this Country, it affects Canada as a whole. Most noticeably, security will become much stricter at public events and continually at airports. “We take all of these matters very seriously,” said Paul Smith who is a chairman of VIA rail's board of directors, “It’s not just running the trains, it’s running them safely.” Changes will have to be implemented and safety procedures have to stay strong. First of all, Via trains staff to identify suspicious activity or situations that could pose a security threat and staff are asked to report to the police if anything suspicious happens. This incident has also caused security at the stations to be under greater scrutiny. Security experts say installing airport-style security at train stations is possible, but would increase transit times as well as increase the cost of tickets. In my opinion, two hassles would make me think twice about taking the train. But then again, safety is top priority. Canada as a whole will need to have stricter security at public transportation stations and maybe follow a pattern like in the United States where Amtrak also uses bomb-sniffing dogs to detect explosive devices before passengers board trains. Amtrak is the American equivalent to VIA rail.

"We say that there is no justification in Islam to kill innocent people like what happened in Boston or to threaten people's lives in any way like what we saw here in Canada, while we are thanking the RCMP and the imam who reported this, I would like to say that it's a religious duty from an Islamic perspective to speak up against anything that might put people's lives in danger." These two quotes are stirring up a lot of controversy from not just Canada but the Untied States as well. Even though they stated these facts, could they be completely true? Did Islam help prevent this attack from happening? If they did then they will be highly though of by Canadians and respected.

Canada has not commonly been a Country for terrorist attacks but we usually slightly suffer the aftermath of American tragedies. Although not that common, some aspects of Canada may increase on the chances of terrorists attacking us. The proximity to the American boarder could cause terrorists to come in contact with us if a plan does not work in the United States. As well, because we are not as high of a target, our security might not be as tight as other Countries and therefore easier to attack. Finally, the surprise factor plays a giant role in this Country. We are not expecting a terrorism plot, therefore we are less prepared and a bigger impact could be caused if the attacker gets through with the plan.

All in all, this event defiantly taught me a lesson personally and in Canada as a whole. I will not be scared enough to sleep with one eye open but I will always stay safe wherever I go. I trust Stephen Harper and CSIS to keep the Country a safe place to live in like it is now. Hopefully this is the final situation like this that will have to be dealt with for a very long time.

Blog Post #12- Boston Marathon: An Impact That Might Last A Lifetime

The past week has been a week of sorrow, tragedy and terror for the city of Boston and surrounding areas such as Cambridge that are west of the big city. It all started off as an annual event that is world renown and attended by many called the Boston Marathon. A day where some of the best runners around the world come together to race around the Boston area. This event was enjoyable for everyone from the runners, to the families of the runners, the spectators and people that just come to see this big event. Or at least it was, until this year when a very tragic event happened that was unexpected, an act of terrorism and unknown to everyone. It took many days for the FBI to realize that this was an act of terrorism and probably homemade. Two bombs were set off on the day killing three people including an innocent 8 year old boy and injuring hundreds. The rest of the boys family is in serious condition with the mother losing both of here legs. This event has affected the family permanently and opened their eyes to how being at a big event doesn't necessarily mean that it is safe. From this day on, this family will not only be the ones affected by this tragic accident, the entire western civilization will sleep with "one eye open" for the next while. Security not just in the New England region but in all of North America will become much stricter just like it has been for a decade after 9/11, everyone will be treated equally as if they all have something on them like they are not supposed to. Recently, security has become a bit more relaxed after over 10 years of 9/11, does that mean the same thing will happen now because of the Boston bombings? More defiantly yes. As well, Americans themselves differed greatly in their reactions to the attack. By and large, it’s safe to say that the majority of Americans were mortified and deeply wounded by the events unfolding in Boston. But then government is trying to try to use the bombing as an opportunity to put other such events around the world into perspective. They are arguing that bombings such as this are commonplace in some areas of the world, and that Americans are wrong for not being up in arms over each of those bombings, which are oftentimes more harmful than the ones in Boston. The western civilization is said to be on the verge of collapse. Could this be true? Only time will tell.

Blog Post #11- Are the US Drone Strikes a Big Deal?

 

The US drone strikes have been in significant discussion so far this year, but is it really a big deal? In my opinion, the answer is a definite yes. Most recently the US drone strike in South Waziristan killed five people and injured seven others. On Wednesday April 17, an unmanned US spy plane fired two missiles at a residential compound As a result, the compound was destroyed completely and therefore killing five people and injuring seven others. Could this event turn out to have a "domino effect" where the death toll may rise further as the condition of some injured people that were stated as crucial patients and needed help badly. Many countrymen are not fond of the US drone strikes because they consider them attack on sovereignty of country and against international human rights. However, the Obama led US administration has a different outlook on the drone strikes. They believe that they were the only weapon to curb the terrorism and deal extremists therefore can’t be stopped. As listed above, their are many pros and cons towards this topic, which stirs up this question even more; "What is the big deal?" The big deal is that many people may be dying unnecessarily if they are miss-targeted and not meant to be killed. However, the drones ensure that the person meaning to gets killed does, and that he won't try to fight back with a group of other people. The US drones are good if used properly and only in emergency situations.

 

Blog Post #10- North Korea: Friend or Foe?

For many years now the relationship between the United States and North Korea has been very interesting to say the least. The current topic that has sparked many political debates and is causing political controversy because of President Obama's thoughts of North Korea possibly having a nuclear missile. As it stands now, Obama believes that North Korea does not have a nuclear missile because he states: "Based on our current intelligence assessments, we do not think that they have that capacity." In other words, he does not believe that North Korea can fit a nuclear warhead on a missile. The question that many Americans are asking themselves are "Are his estimations correct, is there anyway Barack Obama can get a definite answer?" If I was put into the President's shoes, I would start taking action by placing missile defence systems to guard against any threats towards the United States just to be safe. I would make sure that we abandon our "hostile" policy and nuclear threats because the United States Secretary of State(Kerry) states and ensures "As long as the US sticks to its hostile policy and nuclear blackmailing against North Korea, sincere dialogue can be held only after North Korea prepares its nuclear deterrent fully to thwart a US threat of nuclear war." Like said in the quote, the US treat of nuclear war can be prevented by doing the right actions. In summary, Barack Obama needs to listen to Kerry and keep on thinking of more efficient ways to stay safe and form a friendship between USA and North Korea.