5th Hour World Cultures

Schindall, Julie. "To recover, Haiti needs leaders." CNN. CNN, 13 Jan. 2011. Web. 9 Mar. 2011. . Summery:  This article is about the recovery of Haiti. It says that even though it is one year after the earthquake, the reconstruction has hardly even begun. One of the big topics throughout this article is about how even before the earthquake struck, Haiti was still in a world of hurt. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Many Haitians are hoping that this is their chance to reconstruct their country into a place in which is better and safer. The recovery is the hardest part though. They now need to know how to make smart changes. They need to make their government more capable of doing its job, they need to stop corruption, and make donors follow through with their promises. It is so hard for them because there are so many times where there are donors that try to help, but they don't always follow through. Or now, a year later--people have forgotten about them...even though they still need so much help. They need someone who can take control as a leader and help them take steps forward. As for now, they need to live knowing that the most important thing is to survive, and pray that their country rebuild.

How does North Korea's communist government and nuclear technology influence the lives of its people? Ravenscroft, Nick. "Charities warn of food shortages in North Korea." BBC News. BBC, 24 Feb. 2011. Web. 9 Mar. 2011. .Summery: Recently a group of Humanitarians went into North Korea as invited by the Government. They discovered that North Korea is in a desperate situation. They are quickly running out of food and their people are malnourished. The harvest of wheat and barley has been mostly killed by a severe cold and their veggie harvests have been low. Some people are resorting to eating wild grasses. In 1990 North Korea faced a similar situation and millions of their people died. Now North Korea is pleading for help but because of their past actions people are hesitant to give it. The US, South Korea and the UN are afraid that food they may give to North Korea will only go to serve the government elite and the military. They are also holding this over North Korea to change Nuclear policy. Reflection: I want to simply say North Korea brought this upon itself, which is somewhat true, but I can't because the people who are starving are not the people who have caused the problems. It is extremely unfair that the people who have done nothing wrong are being starved because of the actions of their government. I wish there was a simple solution but unfortunately there just isn't. Questions: 1) What options do the US, South Korea and the UN have to get people in North Korea food?2) If the North Korean government is pleading for help, will they be willing to compromise for it?3) How is the North Korean government going to deal with the issues they have created for themselves?

How does North Korea's communist government and nuclear technology influence the lives of its people? O'Neill, Tom. "Escaping North Korea." National Geographic Feb. 2009. Web. 9 Mar. 2011. .Summery:This article talks about the lives of people who defect from North Korea. It is a reporter who follows 3 people as he meets them in China and follows them on their journey to South Korea. To escape the awfulness of North Korea is hard and dangerous. The people who escape face punishment by North Korea if they are caught (labor/prison camps). As well as being tricked by the people they hire to help them. Red and White were tricked into the sex trade. There are people, usually Christians and humanitarians in China who help these trapped Defectors get back into South Korea where they can live in safety. These people also face huge risks in the work they do. Once in South Korea the defectors face a hard time acclimatizing into society. They have almost no training or skills and have never faced such freedoms. Response:I am glad that there are people who are helping these Defectors. It reminds me of the people who come into the US escaping Mexico but these people are escaping a much worse situation. I am amazed by the efforts put forth by South Korea to help these people, they spend a lot of money assisting the North Korean Defectors. It is a bitter sweet situation. I think this article will be very very helpful in our presentation. 

Research question: Is Islam a religion of peace or invitation to violence? "Local Muslims condemn acts of violence in name of their religion." Wyoming Tribune-Eagle [Cheyenne, WY] 14 Nov. 2009. Student Edition. Web. 9 Mar. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=STOM&docId=CJ212039947&source=gale&srcprod=STOM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summary: This article was about one local Muslim's opinion of violence of Muslims. He actually was against them. He said that violence has no place in Islam religion and there is no god that would accept killing innocent people. He thinks that muslim who acts out violence in name of Islam, misunderstands the religion and thus he says terrorist misunderstood the Islamic duty of jihad, the struggle. In jihad, the greater jihad is with in one's self, against egos and evil within, and the lesser jihad is the action to one's self and family. He also says that Islam allows women to get an equal treatment and rights. He acknowledges that Islam is already misunderstood every time a Muslim kills in the name of Islam, but he says the Islam religion itself teaches the opposite of violence.

What is the effect of the trade embargo on the Cuban Economy? Summary: Cuba Has struggled though the rule of Fidel Castro. There are still  many signs of what the effects are today, classic 1950's cars are still quite common in the nation because cars have become so expensive to by from the government. Despite all of these things Cuba has accomplished many things; they have accomplished one of the highest literacy rates in the world and a great health care program. They send doctors throughout the Americas and Africa to help others who are less fortunate then themselves. Response: It is quite impressive what Cuba has been able to accomplish what they have given the fact that their government owns almost all of their businesses and controls so many aspects of their lives. I think it is amazing how they have adapted to how to live in a communist government, making their own repairs to their cars and still making 50 year old cars run instead of buying new cars. They have come a long way as a nation but I think they still have a long ways to go before they can be a great nation.   

What are the effects of Costa Rica's ecological conservation, on the country? Summary: This article tells of the financial aid and support that Costa Rica is receiving from other countries and organizations, to aid their conservation efforts. It also tells that some countries, including the US, are buying back debts, so that Costa Rica can have more resources to increase their protected areas.  Reflection: I think it is very cool to see that other countries including the US is willing to chip in and help a country that is striving to protect it's environment and natural resources. It is amazing that so much of Costa Rica is protected and they are almost up to meeting the U.N.'s goal for protected areas. The economy is being helped by all the donations, because of all the protected areas they already have. There is still stuff to do though especially for their waters.  Questions: 1) When are they going to start concentrating on the water's protection? 2) How far will they go past the U.N.'s goals for protected areas? 3) Will other countries begin to follow Costa Rica's great example?

Research question: Is Islam a religion of peace or invitation to violence? "Mobs attack 3 churches in Indonesia." UPI NewsTrack 8 Feb. 2011. Student Edition. Web. 9 Mar. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=STOM&docId=A248610396&source=gale&srcprod=STOM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summary: This article was talking about three churches in Indonesia being attacked by Muslim mobs. Antonious Richmond Bawengan had sentenced to 5 years for blaspheming Islam in book and articles he distributed. And this upset the Muslims and the mob put fired on one church and threw stones to two other churches in the town. Also the courthouse was attacked by some of those attending the trial. They broke windows and set fires on cars. The article also says that before similar case had happened. Reflection: By looking at this news article, I could see that why people consider Islam religion as violence. It's not just Muslims being angry at the trial result, they are taking far more steps next. Since Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, this can be happen more often than any other countries. And also in the article, it said the similar case happened not too long ago, which was the members of the Ahmadiyah sect being attacked. And the Ahmadiyahs are not considered as a part of Islam by mainstream Muslims, so we can see that Muslims are very violent toward non-Muslims. There are always death and injuries when they act out their violence. Questions: 1. Why were the mob so mad at the trial's result? 2. Why did they attack the churches not other buildings? 3. What happened to the m

South Ossetia News - Breaking World South Ossetia News - The New York Times http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/georgia/south_ossetia/index.html?scp=10&sq=south&st=cse Summary: South Ossetia is a small enclave in the Caucasus Mountains that falls within the borders of Georgia but has been all but independent.  Since 1990, South Ossetia and the rest of the regions declared independence from Georgia, and Russia were supported them.  In 2005, Georgia's president Mikhail Saakashvili would support them if it renounced independence but South Ossetia's president rejected.  Then in 2008, Georgia and Russia had a short war and their regions was invaded.  Then Russia pledged that they will support South Ossetia but the reconstruction has proceeded slowly.  In 2009, Russia president visited to South Ossetia after President Obama visited to Russia.  South Ossetia will be sidestepped by Russia and U.S. Reflection:  I think that South Ossetia and the other regions were really dangerous places between Russia and Georgia.  Also, this relationship between Russia and US would be affected because of Russia's president's visit.  If Russia really want to help South Ossetia, then they have to help the reconstruction of South Ossetia and the other parts which was invaded. Question:1) Why Georgia's president helped their economic problems and why South Ossetia's president rejected.                 2) Why Russia president surprise visit to South Ossetia?                 3) Why Russia did not help South Ossetia's reconstruction?

Research Question: Is Islam a religion of peace or invitation to violence? Citation: "ISLAM DOMINATED RELIGION COVERAGE IN 2010." States News Service 2 Mar. 2011. Student Edition. Web. 9 Mar. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=STOM&docId=CJ250426352&source=gale&srcprod=STOM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summary: This article shows that the Islam have the many issues in 2010. The study, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life research the News that more than 40 percent of Islam cover the whole religion. There are three main topic about the Islam: Plans to build an Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero, a Florida pastor's threat to burn the Quran, and commemoration of the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The analysts found that the religion tend to get more coverage in the blogosphere than traditional media. Reflection: This article contain the important material; the writer obviously show people that the Islam religion dominated the entire religions during 2010. There are two aspect for the Islam in 2010. Some articles are positive, but the negative articles are dominated. The articles prove the characteristic Islam; if the Islam prefer to take the peace, at least the positive articles are dominated than the negative. Hopefully, the Islam leader read the article about what they did during 1 years in order to feedback themselves. Question: 1) What is the Islam original purpose to everyone? 2) Why they still continue the violence material? 3) What is the result to Islam during 1 year? 4) What is the opinion for the other religions?

Research Question: Is Islam a religion of peace or invitation to violence? Citation: "Christian And Muslim Killed in Sectarian Clash." Africa News Service 5 Mar. 2011. Student Edition. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?contentSet=IAC-Documents&docType=IAC&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=STOM&docId=A250689034&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&source=gale&infoPage=infoMarkPage Summary: This article is the break news that the Muslim had been conflicts with the Christian; they set fire to a church in the village of Sol, south of Cairo. On the Friday night, Christian and Muslim fought each other; the couples' fathers were killed. Furthermore, at the Saturday, a group of Muslim attacked to the village church and set it on during the funeral for the woman's father. Reflection: It is such a impact news to me that the two religions have fought because of the conflicts. I always believe that the main ideal of the religion is peace; no violence and argument against the devils. Unfortunately, this news make me doubt about the religion. I insist that we need to respect their cultures and religions; why they need to fight each other for the religions. I guess that Muslim need to know shame what they did for the Christian. I am a Christian, but my perspective of this news is objective. It is not right to destroy the holy place because of the conflicts. Hopefully they realize their sin and prevent never happen this again. Questions: 1) Why both religions have to fight each other? 2) Is any solution to release their conflicts? 3) what is the Christian reaction to Muslim's behavior? 4) How many people have scarified from the conflicts?

Research Question: How does the Mexican drug war affect the government and people of Mexico?  Source: Hidalgo, Oscar. "Mexican Drug Trafficking." New York Times. N.p., 1 Feb. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary: The U.S has been helping Mexico train their military to an increasingly professional federal police force, which have captured or killed more than half of the 37 most wanted crime bosses. However, the people of Mexico believe the country's security is getting worse. In October 2010, the government announced it was going to change it's national police forces in hope of gaining trust from the public. This strategy was later revised. Reflection: This article talks a lot about the relationship between the U.S and Mexico and how they are trying to end this drug war. However, it also talks about how the U.S and Mexico are trying to prove that they are making positive changes in Mexico's security. I think that if they are in this situation where they are trying to convince the public then this crisis is not on the right path to stopping. Questions: 1) Why does such a large portion of Mexicans believe that even after the U.S and Mexico's strategies, that the country's security is getting worse? 2) Are the billions of dollars the U.S is investing in this drug war helping or changing anything? 3) Has border enforcement and people screening at crossing points help decrease the amount of drug trade with the U.S?

Research Question: How does the Mexican drug war affect the government and people of Mexico? Source: Wyler, Grace. "How Mexico Can Stop Losing The Drug War." Politix. Business Insider, 5 Mar. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary: Mexico is losing the war on the drug cartels and can't win its war unless the U.S does more to stop our drug addiction. More than 35,000 people have died due to drug related violence and this fight against drug traffickers is eroding Mexico's democracy. In the last decade, Mexico has made steps to fix their slow economic growth but still have a long, long way to go. Also, the Mexican military has captured drug kings and cartel cell leaders, which has helped destabilize cartel leadership and create smaller/regional gangs. Having smaller/weaker organizations will have less of an influence over local governments. Reflection: I agree with this article in the fact that the U.S needs to lose our greedy demand for drugs in order to help stop the drug war. The corrupt and ineffective judicial system as well as the underdeveloped infrastructure has made it basically impossible for the Mexican government to stop these drug gangs. I think if Mexico really wants this drug war to end, then they need to iron out their government so that they can become stronger on a democratic and judicial level.. Questions:  1) Is there any way the U.S can decrease their demand for drugs? 2) Can Calderon do anything to rebuild the corrupt government? 3) If Mexico's government was less corrupt, would their still be a drug war?

Research Question : What are the effects of Hezbollah on Israel? Kershner, Isabel, and Nada Bakri. "Israeli and Lebanese Forces Engage in Deadly Clash." New York Times 4 Aug. 2010: A9(L). New York Times. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary : Another clash happened; it is the fiercest clash since the Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006. Israeli think they need to protest with the Security Council this time. Lebanese are justifying themselves by claiming that they started the gunfire because the Israel troops crossed into their territory. However, Israeli forces says they were just in the Blue Line, the internationally recognized border. Israeli even hold their fire and allowed Lebanese to evacuate their wounded. Unfortunately, rocket-propelled grenade is what Israeli got for their generosity. Reflection : This hatred has been huge problem between Lebanon and Israel especially after the war in 2006. Lebanese has to take responsible for starting the clash this time; they should admit that their sudden furious toward Israel made this bad result of this attack. It has been about 5 years after they went through that war, and they now have to find some other peaceful ways to compromise instead of fighting against each other for forever, because their conflict affects both of them in a extremely negative way. Questions : 1) Is this clash affects other countries besides Lebanon and Israel? 2) What specifically the Security Council promised to do for the peace between two countries? 3) What methods are Israeli going to use to protest with the Security Council?

Research Question : What are the effects of Hezbollah on Israel? "Protests as Hezbollah poised to form Lebanon government." BBC News. BBC, 24 Jan. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary : Najib Mikati, a U.S. educated billionaire businessman who gets support by Hezbollah, became the new Prime Minister of Lebanon. Because the majority of people in Lebanon believe in Sunni, most of the supporters of Saad Hariri think "Hariri is the only man who represents the Sunni faith." After the nomination, supporters of Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri are protesting in many cities. This nomination might affect the future relationship between Lebanon and Israel. Reflection : This nomination is significant to both Lebanon and Israel because Mikati becoming a new Prime Minister of Lebanon means Hezbollah actually took the power to control over the Lebanon government. So, it is clear that they will make another conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanon civilians and the United States are very concerned about the actions that Mikati will make in the future toward Israel. This issue will not only affect Israel but also Lebanon itself;  more and more Lebanon civilians will not support or trust their government because of the Hezbollah-backed Prime Minister. Questions : 1) What is the future plan of the Lebanon after the nomination of new Prime MInister Najib Mikati? 2) How much this event will impact the Israel community? 3) Is Hezbollah actually going to directly dictate the Lebanon since they now have the actual power of the Lebanon government? 4) What is specific reactions of the Lebanon civilians who don't support neither Mikati nor Hariri?

Research Journal #2: Article Two Question: How is ecological conservation effecting Costa Rica? Source: The Nature Conservancy: "Costa Rica Launches Groundbreaking Environmental Initiative"  by Colleen Roche Citation: Roche, Colleen. "Costa Rica Launches Groundbreaking Environmental Initiative." Nature Conservancy News Room . The Nature Conservancy , 15 Oct. 2010. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. .  Summary: This article focuses on the Forever Costa Rica project. This project is working towards doubling the nation's marine protected areas, dramatically improve the management of protected areas, and provide the finances needed to sustain these "environmental efforts". By 2015 the project is hoping to become "one the first developing nations in the world--if not the first--to complete its protected-areas goals". Finances for the projects will come from the Government of the United States and the republic of Costa Rica as well as the Central Bank of Costa Rica and The Nature Conservancy. All together they will provide $27 million over the next 15 years. With the Forever Costa Rica project underway, and finances set in place, Costa Rica is ready to further their ecological conservation. Reflection & Questions on Sticky Note

1.Christianity today:Raising the compassion bar by jeremy weber http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=STOM&docId=A134816038&source=gale&srcprod=STOM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 2. A school in chicago raise money for food for the people in Africa. They sacrificed movies and other things like that to donate. At first there was a lot of controversy and doubt about the project but they were soon able to buy all the items out of the world vision catalog. 3. People do not understand what is going on or even believe it and if that they do not know what to do about it. For a couple o dollars that we spend on coffee we could buy something like a chicken or some kind of animal that will help these people, who have been orphaned and can barely survive, actually rise from the life of poverty and give them a small amount of hope. It seems like we can not give up something we can live without to help give something that someone else can't live without. I have done things for 30 hour famine that I think is a part of world vision I really enjoyed what I did and it didn't  harm me any and I got to experience what a child there must experience. 4. What can our students sacrifice for others and what have we sacrificed? If staff and students prayed everyday about an issue what would happen? Why do we let our selfishness and fear control our mind?

Reflection: As a whole, the earthquake was overwhelming. Many lives were lost and the poverty of Haiti shown through. Nevertheless, many major organizations like the NFL have done things to help the effort. Its easy to point fingers at professional athletes and complain because they make so much money, however, many give of their time and money to help those in need. I believe that it is great at how athletes give to the needy and less fortunate.  Questions: 1) How much more has to be done in Haiti? 2) How do the Haitians view the world after this tragedy? 3) How can you start to change something when you don't have the money or resources to do so  

Research Question: Still today, what are the social, economical, and political effects of the earthquake in Haiti? Citation Source: "LEARNING LIFE LESSONS THROUGH INSPIRING HAITIAN PEOP." States News Service 16 June 2010. Student Edition. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. Summary: This Article is about associations that helped Haiti after the earthquake. "The NFL Players association, along with 3 other sport unions, Jack  Brewer Foundation and the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, is an active participant in the "One Team 4 Haiti" campaign." These organizations aids in the recovery efforts to help the people of Haiti. Haiti was and is a nation inflicted by poverty. The average life expectancy is around 53 years do to all of the lack of resources Haiti has for its people. Along with the "Long way to go for Haiti's reconstruction" article,  this article talks about the support starting to dwindle as a year passes. However, with the help from World Vision, Good Samaritan, partners at Voila, and many other supporters, Haiti is still given the aid it needs.   

How does the Israeli-Palestinian conflict affect the futures of both Israeli and Palestinian children? Danin, Robert. "A Bold New Palestinian Approach Can Succeed ." Council on Foreign Relations. N.p., 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 8 Mar. 2011. . Summary: The Palestinian Authority prime minister Salam Fayyad, has decided to embark on a different strategy in regard to peace with Israel. He has "abandoned 'armed struggle' and international intervention... and instead, by changing social and political realities & concretely preparing for independence, Mr. Fayyah is trying to change perceptions of what is possible." From an economical standpoint, the strategy seems to be working. The economy has been boosted, & Palestine is moving more and more towards being able to become an independent state. Reflection: In theory, this is a great was for Palestine to work with Israel. However, time will tell how this new strategy will pan out. It may be that Israel would take advantage an idealist such as the prime minister, & it may be also that the Palestinian people will not stand behind a solution that is this inactive. Time will tell if this new strategy is a positive step towards Palestinian independence, or if it is merely an idealistic dream. 

Research Question: What are the effects of HIV/AIDS in Zambia? Citation: "Misconception And Myths Surrounding ARVs." Africa News Service 26 June 2006. Student Edition. Web. 8 Mar. 2011 Summary: This article explains how in Zambia doctors are trying a new drug called ARVs. However, the people in Zambia are complaining about the major side effects that this drug does such as gaining weight, easily loosing their tempers, and even death. The people in Zambia want the drug to be dis-continued but, scientists argue saying that the drug is meant for people living with HIV/AIDS to live longer but will not heal them from HIV/AIDS. In fact the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) organized a 3 day media workshop to show that the drug is effective and will not have those major side effects if used properly.