5th Hour World Cultures

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/08/photogalleries/afghanistan-pictures/photo2.html Afghan Opium Output at Record High How is the Opium Drug Trade affecting the people of the middle east? Summary: They are saying that the opium sales are getting really bad. Afghanistan farmers are growing 477,000 acres (193,000 hectares) of opium poppies, that is a 17 percent increase from 408,000 acres (165,000 hectares) recorded in 2006. The southern province of Helmand alone, with 253,944 acres (102,770 hectares) of land under cultivation, accounts for more than 50% of the national total. Except for china over 100 years ago, this is the most land that has ever been used for illegal activity. Reflection: I would say that if this is the highest its been on over 100 years, there is a huge issue. I think that its interesting that the first time i heard about this huge issue is because of this project. When there is this big of an issue, everyone should be aware of it. I think that we need to some how get these people to make money some other way, and to find other ways to be stable. Its a hard situation because people even in america will do whatever it takes to survive, and thats what these people have to do. Its sad that this is the only way that they can survive. Questions: 1) why is there so much be sold now? 2) how many people are growing it, not just how much land? 3) how much do they need to sell to survive for a week? 4) how much do they need to sell to survive for a month? Citation: Images, Reza/Getty. "Afghan Opium Output at Record High." National Geographic. N.p., 28 Oct. 2010. Web. 6 Mar. 2011. .

"Demand for Nigerian oil rises as Libyan crisis persists." The Punch. N.p., 27 Feb. 2011. Web. 1 Mar. 2011. . 2. SUMMARY: The United States and Europe are starting to become worried that oil prices will rise because of the crisis in Libya. Because of this, they are starting to look to other sources, Nigeria being one of them. Nigeria is not sure if they can supply the oil; Libya is the largest producer in Africa, holding 44 billion barrels of oil reserves. 3. RESPONSE: This may either help or hurt those who work for the oil industries. The oil industries in Nigeria have two choices if they can supply the oil: they can treat their workers better with the extra salaries, or they can splurge with it themselves and continue to oppress the oil workers. 4. QUESTIONS:          1. How do the Nigerian people feel about this change?          2. Will Nigeria be able to provide the oil?          3. Will Nigeria be able to help out its people with this investment?

On Friday, January 14 President Obama announced that he plans on easing trade and travel relations with Communist Cuba, including making it easier for U.S. citizens to travel directly to the island from American airports. The President added that he had instructed the relevant government departments to allow religious groups and students to travel to the communist-run island. For almost half a century, the debate has been raging over the United States' policy towards Cuba, which has been communist since Fidel Castro's coupe de etat in 1959. Free travel from the U.S. to Cuba was halted in 1963 under President John F. Kennedy. The explanation at the time for why Americans could visit the Soviet Union but not Cuba was that the communist government in Moscow was permanent but that Fidel Castro was temporary. In 1977, with Cuba still unchanged, President Jimmy Carter relaxed the travel ban. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan restored it. n 1998, with the Soviet Union "gone," Clinton loosened it and in 2004, with Cuba still unchanged, President George W. Bush tightened it again. Now President Obama is going back to the Clinton policy, which will make it easier for churches and universities to sponsor trips to the communist state. Obama's announcement calls for changes in policy at the Departments of State, Treasury, and Homeland Security, as both travel and remittances are involved in the changes, and the new regulations will be promulgated as modifications of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and the Customs and Border Protection Regulations. The new policies call for the following reforms to Cuba-United States relations. According to the BBC, Obama's new proposals: * Allow religious organizations to sponsor religious travel to Cuba under a general license; * Allow accredited institutions of higher education to sponsor travel to Cuba; * Allow any U.S. person to send remittances (up to $500 per quarter) to non-family members in Cuba to support private e

Source: CNN News: Afghanistan's Curse: Opium http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/22/afghanistans-curse-opium/ Summary:  This Article is about different burning of opium in afghanistan. People are trying to burn opium to get rid of it, because to many people get addicted to it and turn it into heroin. It has a terrible affect on there society although it is almost 1/3rd of the countries total GDP. So You can see that they have a problem. They need this product to make money except this product is ruining there society, Reflections: I thought that this was a very interesting article. Except I now realize that Afghanistan has a real problem. They have this way of making money, but it wrecks there society. This article says that they are trying to burn all there opium. My question is if they burn it all, what happens to there GDP, the countries average daily per capita income is already less than $2. Questions: If they get rid of all there opium will there GDP be greatly decreased? Is it possible to get rid of all the opium? Is there a different solution?

Georgians Build Ties With Russian Caucasus - NYTimes.com http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/world/europe/13georgia.html?_r=2 Summary: After the war between Russia and Georgia, Russian Caucasus looked like a ghetto because of the tension of the war.  So, the government of Georgia went on to drop visa requirements for residents of the north caucasus.  However it is still in tension of war and even threaten to 2014 Olympic. Reflection:Although it was big trouble of war, I am so pleased that the war would be solved peacefully.  Also, Both countries tried to find solution what is good for then or not.  I wish both countries will be better. Question: Why Russian Caucasus are here in Georgia? Why Russian Caucasus looked like a ghetto? How to be peaceful both countries.

BBC News - Afghan opium poppy crop: Mixed results from drugs war http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12329142 Summary: This article is about the Afghan opium poppy crop. It talks about how the sales seems to be going down, but they think they will go up soon too. Also, According to satellite imaging, poppy growing will spread into provinces that were recently poppy-free. Last year, the price for farmers doubled, but for buyers it stayed the same. As stated, "When you see more conflict, when you see more poverty, you will see more opium cultivation." Helmand and Kandahar are the largest poppy-growing regions in Afghanistan - accounting for more than a third of the world's opium between them. Even these reductions will leave more than 65,000 hectares under cultivation for poppies in Helmand and around 25,000 hectares in Kandahar. Reflection: In this article, it talks a lot about the poppy crop, and if its going up or down. In some ways its going down, but they also suspect it will go up again. I feel bad for these people that they need to grow and sell these drugs, to survive in there culture. Even though the amount being sold might be going down, there is still a huge issue with how large of an amount is still being sold. Questions: 1) What would it take to make it go down 2) What would we need to get rid of it completely 3) Who are the main sellers? 4) Who are the main buyers? why?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/01/30/iran.execution/index.html?iref=allsearch Iran hangs Dutch-Iranian woman for drug smuggling, report says How is the Opium Drug Trade affecting the people of the middle east? Summary: In Tehran Iran, A Dutch-Iranian woman was hung for drug smuggling. Iran hanged Zahra Bahrami saying she was a drug smuggler. Fars said Bahrami smuggled cocaine into Iran with the help of a Dutch partner. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran were saying that the drug charges were only a pretext to execute her. Her lawyer was shocked that she was hanged and had no idea of the situation. Bahrami was accused of bringing cocaine into the country twice, and of selling it. Cocaine and opium were booth found during a search of her home. Her sentence also included 70 lashes and a $1,400 fine. It was said that 450 grams of cocaine and 420 grams of opium were discovered and, through further investigation, it was found that she had also distributed 150 grams of cocaine. On Sunday, the Netherlands strongly advised Dutch-Iranian citizens not to travel to Iran. Reflection: I think that this whole situations is absurd. The first thing, is that not only was she hanged, but she also was given 70 lashes, and a fine. If the people knew they were going to hang her, why did they also need to do that. And The fact that all the Netherlands did is suggest that no one else goes there, its crazy. I know she did a lot of drug trade, but there are a lot worse people out there. She shouldn't have been tortured and then hanged. Questions: 1) Why was she hanged? 2) Before she was hung, why did she get the 70 lashes 3) Why didn't the Netherlands do more? 4) What is something else that could have been done other than executing her? Citation: CNN Wire Staff, . "Iran hangs Dutch-Iranian woman for drug smuggling, report says." CNN World 30 january 2011: n. pag. Web. 16 Feb 2011. <http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/01/30/iran.execution/index.h

Great posting Lane, but you are missing your annotations? Where are they?

Egypt's attorney general forbids Mubarak from leaving countryBy the CNN Wire Staff Summary: On Monday Egypt's general attorney froze all of old president assets and froze him and his family from leaving the country until they come up with a resolution. The general attorney issued this just days after a member from the Egypt's parliament lost his seat after filing corruption cases against other people in high authority in the government. Mubarak and his family are rumored to have a net worth of 150 million dollars. The freeze includes his house or his home away from homes, his stocks, bonds and many other financial assets that value in a lot of money. Mubarak said through his people that this is baseless rumors put upon him.   Reflection: To hear that Mubarak's family and assets are all froze is really not surprising. By freezing all of his assets and him and his family you buy your parliament some time to figure out what there next step is to complete. And by keeping them in the country you reassure yourself that he won't be leaving. But this move also marks just another crazy step in Egypt that is going on because of his past leadership, and a step i think the government needed to take so that they have some time to figure out there next move. Questions:Why did the general attorney have to decide this? What does this mean for government? What happened to the parliament guy who lost his seat? How long are him and his assets frozen?

Source: CNN News: Gates to North Korea: End Belligerent Acts http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/14/south.korea.gates/index.html Summary: This article talks about how Defense Secretary Gates told the North to stop their war-provoking acts when he was touring southeast Asia. Gates also encouraged them to take steps towards negotiation actions and get back in the six-party peace talks. Gates says that the actions performed by the north are increasingly dangerous for the world. Reflection: I thought this was a pretty good article, as it give some insight as to what happens in the world of politics when dealing with -ahem- troublesome countries. I like it how Gates is taking the initiative and telling North Korea to cut it out. It's good because somebody has to. Their government is like a bad child. If you don't tell the child to stop and behave, that child will grow up to be a real pest and/or threat to you. Questions: Why does the North think that they need Nukes? Why can't we somehow take out the government? Why isn't the North willing to talk with other nations about this?

BBC News: Seoul sends warning of 'strong response' to North Korea http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12108638 Summary: The video on this article's page talks about how the North Korean officials have said that the main focus of their government in 2011 will be economic related, though they didn't talk about their bad relationship with the South. The South is trying to get it through the North's head that they won't be messed with, though there are fears of the North and their nukes. An expert thinks that one of the few reasons as to why there isn't a war there is because of the US troops stationed in the South. Reflection: I really think that the North Korean officials don't really know what they're doing, because they keep threatening South Korea with military action. also, i think that it's a bit scary to think that these crazy people have their hands on some nukes. Questions: 1. What really is the North Korean Nuclear Policy? 2. How much of a threat to the world is North Korea? 3. Is there any way to get peace in the Koran peninsula?

Hi Matt, While both are great sources as per the directions you may only use BBC once as a source for RJ's. As a result this posting will not count towards your grade.

Research question: Is Islam a religion of peace or invitation to violence? Citation:White, Andrew. "Will Islam divide or unite Iraq?" Christian Science Monitor 20 Oct. 2010. Student Edition. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=STOM&docId=CJ239979945&source=gale&srcprod=STOM&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summary:This article about the perspective of Andrew White, the president of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East. He discussed about the Islam after the Iraq War; although there are some political leaders attempt to negotiate a government, the Islam still have a power at the government during seven months. The author quotes Archbishop William Temple saying that " When religion goes wrong, it goes wrong." He suggests 4 different solutions to prevent for abusing the islam: 'Relationship of trust', 'Making peace with those who make war','A Sunni/Shiite fatwa against violence', and 'Long- term commitment'. 

You are missing your questions and reflection sections

sorry there is nothing here to give you credit for.

What is North Korea's Nuclear Policy and what effects does it have on the Korean People?  "NO SHIFT ON NORTH KOREA." States News Service 10 Nov. 2010. Academic OneFile. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. http://find.galegroup.com/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T004&prodId=AONE&docId=CJ241804370&source=gale&srcprod=AONE&userGroupName=lom_accessmich&version=1.0 Summery: President Obama took another trip to North Korea in November of 2010 to try and persuade North Korea to re-enter the six-party talks. He also discussed the future of North Korea. Unfortunately the outlook is still bleak. The six-party talks, which were to discus the nuclear weapons drive between the United States, Russia, both Korea's and Japan, have been halted since December 2008. Prospects for a renewal of these bleak after accusations by South Korea and the US that North Korea torpedoed one of Seoul's warships. In order for the US and others to be willing to resume talks there would be two preconditions: the invitation of of an International Atomic Energy Agency inspector to look over North Korean dismantlement procedures and the resolution of the concerns held by South Korea over the sinking of the South Korean's warship. Unfortunately North Korea is unlikely to follow either of these preconditions so the likely hood of the six-party talks continuing is slim. 

Jodie, great job overall but you are missing the questions section for each posting.

Research Question: What are the effects of the Australian flood? Summary: Coking Coal from Australia is going to harder to get. The effect could end up being higher prices for steel production (what coking coal is used for).  Reflection: The flood had a serious effect on coking coal and as a result the production costs of steel will go up. This could effect any number of industries ranging from the auto industry to housing. 

Hi Josh, you did a nice job with the annotations, but your summary and reflection could be more substantial...you are also missing questions.

Research Question: What effect does Costa Rica's ecological conservation have on it's environment and economy? Source: Munoz, N. "ENVIRONMENT-COSTA RICA: TOURISM TURNS INTO GREEN GOLD." Environment Bulletin (2000): ITEM00151001. General OneFile. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. Summery: this article tells of the environment pulling in tourism and bringing to the economy. Reflection: The different things offered to tourists sounds amazing and like something that will be worth seeing for a long time. I don't think this resource will die. Questions: 1) how do they plan to expand this resource to bring in more economic growth? 2) Will the tourism business begin to ruin the environment?  

HI Katie, Nice job on the annotations. Please make sure that next time however that your Summary and reflection are a bit more comprehensive. Thanks:)

Research Question: What are the effects of HIV/AIDS in Zambia Citation: "NGOCC Laments HIV/Aids Effects On Women." Africa News Service 9 Mar. 2009. Student Edition. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. Summary: This article tells about the effect of HIV/AIDS in Zambia and how this is affecting the women in Zambia. It also mentions how women are more likely to end up with HIV/AIDS than men. Around 17.8% of women end up with HIV/AIDS compared to men who have 12.9% infected with HIV/AIDS. Plus it mentions a few ways on how they can prevent more and more women from being affected by HIV/AIDS.

Research Question: What is the effect of AIDS/HIV in Zambia? Citation: "Zambia's HIV infection rates up." Xinhua News Agency 2 Dec. 2009. Student Edition. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. Summary: The National AIDS Council (NAC) says that the rate of  the HIV infection has increased dramatically from 70,000 people to 82,000 people in Zambia. Also there is an epidemic of up to 79% of people who are being infected by HIV by having affairs. Plus Zambia's Interfaith Networking Group on HIV/AIDS ensured that souther African countries to remain AIDS free by 2015. Finally the current rate of people in Zambia affected by HIV/AIDS is at 14.3% for people between the ages of 15 and 49.

Research Journal #1: Article One Question: How is ecological conservation effecting Costa Rica? Source: BBC News: "Why Costa Rica Scores Well on the Happiness Index" by James Painter Citation: Painter, James. ""Why Costa Rica Scores Well on the Happiness Index"." Costa Rica. BBC, 7 Feb. 2010. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. . Summary: This articles focuses on Costa Rica's happiness level, and how it directly corresponds to its "go green" attitude. The article is broken down into three sections: Costa Rica- green and happy, Open cast mining, and Pura vida. The section Costa Rica- green and happy talks about how Costa Rica is the first developing country working towards being carbon neutral, and how the country has improved ecological. It states that "the country does care about the environment". The end of this section leads into the next section talking about Costa Rica's "happy" lifestyle. In the section open cast mining the author talks about the people of Costa Rica and what they are doing to keep their country "green". The population works hard to make sure their carbon footprint is as small as possible. New buildings that are constructed must be certified by the national environment office. The people of Costa Rica are coming together to find ways to support and healthy and happy planet. The last section of the article is Pura vida. This section talks about the benefit of living a "green" lifestyle: how both the population and land are benefitting. Costa Rica knows it isn't perfect, but they are striving to create a country that helps the greater good of our plant. Reflection & Questions on Sticky Note (Part of Annotations)