*QUESTIONS*
1. What is an epidemic?
- A widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time.
2. What is a pandemic?
- An epidemic that spreads over a very wide area, such as an entire country or continent.
3. What is an infectious disease?
- A disease caused by a microorganism or other agent, such as a bacterium, fungus, or virus, that enters the body of an organism.
4. What is a virus?
- A microorganism that is smaller than a bacterium and can cause disease in humans, animals, or plants.
5. What makes the H1N1 virus a "novel" or "new" virus?
- That it has spread widely in the United States, causing mild symptoms in most of the 8,829 patients infected to date and killed 74 people.
6. How do viruses mutate?
- The changing of the virus genome happens in two ways: antigenic drift and antigenic shift.
*Antigenic drift: refers to the random, spontaneous mutations in viruses’ RNA that happen over time.
*Antigenic shift: is a very large and sudden mutation (changing of many nucleotides/many genes), that happens all at once.
7. What does it mean that this virus has "parts" from other known swine flus, human flus and American bird flus?
-
8. How does that process happen?
- Antigenic drift: These mutations are small, usually the alteration of one nucleotide at a time. Viruses will gradually accumulate more and more mutations in their RNA, eventually causing them to become new strains.
-Antigenic shift: happens when two different types of virus infect the same cell. The viruses’ RNA get mixed up, forming new viruses that have major changes in their genome.
9. How is the flu vaccine created?
-
10. Why are some viruses transmittable from human to human while others are not (avian flu)?
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11. How does Tamiflu work?
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12. Scientists worry that H1N1 might become resistant to Tamiflu. How might that happen?
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*READING COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS *
1. What is the most predictable thing about influenza?
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2. How many people have died in Mexico? (based on the article as well as on latest news)
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3. Name 3 countries where swine flu has been confirmed in the last three days.
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4. What are the symptoms of the swine flu?
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5. When was the outbreak of the Spanish flu?
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6. What percentage of the world population died of influenza then?
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7. Why was there an emergency vaccination program in 1976?
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8. Name a few actions the Mexican government has done to curb the spread of swine flu.
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9. What were the consequences for Mexico and Mexicans due to the actions taken by the government?
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10. What industries were particularly hard hit?
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*DISCUSSION QUESTIONS*
1. Mexico has shut down schools and other public spaces; do you think that was the correct thing to do? Why or why not?
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2. More people die from the regular flu then from swine flu, why do you think this became a big news story?
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3. Why did people stop visiting Mexico? Why have Mexicans been discriminated? Do you think the fear of the disease is justified?
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4. What questions about individual and human rights does preventing the spread of flu raise?
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lunes, 18 de mayo de 2009
lunes, 27 de abril de 2009
Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are a danger for the environment. 
I. Why are plastic bags so common?
- Because they are very useful in the daily life. They are not expensive, and they can be used in different ways. They are easy to carry and store.
V. What has been done so far?
- San Francisco and Oakland have outlawed the use of plastic bags in large grocery stores and pharmacies, permitting only paper bags. In Bangladesh, the plastic bags have been banned since 2002. In Ireland the use of bags has diminished a 90%, since they established a 22 cent tax. Only 1% of plastic bags are being recycled worldwide, so other places are considering to act against them too.
VI. Has it been successful? Why or why not?
- No, because the recycling that has been done is minimum. Although any people and organizations are trying to do something about it, they seem to be very few compared to the rest. You can't see a big improve, in fact it is almost nothing. And even though we want to recycle or get rid of all that amount of plastic bags, the plastic isn't going anywhere. It will always remain in our planet, but we can reduce the damages and the plastic.
c. Which benefits and drawbacks seem the most compelling? Why?
- One of the biggest benefits would be encouraging people to make a difference in the world. Make concious of the situation and the issue that we are creating if we do not stop polluting. If people start reacting in a good way towards this, we will eventually have a cleaner and safer enviroment. We need to take care of the earth for the future of our kids, and for ourselves.
d. Would you support a local law charging fees for (or banning) plastic bags? Why or why not?
- Yes, I would. It would be a good thing to do, because we could consider alternatives that we don't consider right now. The majority of the people are so stingy that they would stop using plastic bags just because of the money. We could use market bags, knapsacks, and other things that can be used over and over again to carry our things. This method can be called recycling, and by doing this we are fighting against dangerous consequences.
I. Why are plastic bags so common?
- Because they are very useful in the daily life. They are not expensive, and they can be used in different ways. They are easy to carry and store.
II. In what other ways is plastic used?
- bottles, candy wrappers, glasses, trashcans, plates, containers, chairs, toys, balloons, etc.
- bottles, candy wrappers, glasses, trashcans, plates, containers, chairs, toys, balloons, etc.
III. What are the benefits of plastic bags?
- Compared to paper grocery bags, plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy, generate 80 percent less solid waste, produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions, and release up to 94 percent fewer waterborne wastes, according to the federation. Their price is very low, so that benefits most of the companies, stores, etc. Also they offer you the comodity to carry heavy stuff, or just to organize your things. You can carry many things in one or two bags.
- Compared to paper grocery bags, plastic grocery bags consume 40 percent less energy, generate 80 percent less solid waste, produce 70 percent fewer atmospheric emissions, and release up to 94 percent fewer waterborne wastes, according to the federation. Their price is very low, so that benefits most of the companies, stores, etc. Also they offer you the comodity to carry heavy stuff, or just to organize your things. You can carry many things in one or two bags.
IV. What are the dangers of plastic bags?
- That if we don´t recicle them, they contaminate a lot. The mayority of the bags end up in the ocean, killing hundreds of animals. They are toxic for the enviroment, and the ecosistems.
- That if we don´t recicle them, they contaminate a lot. The mayority of the bags end up in the ocean, killing hundreds of animals. They are toxic for the enviroment, and the ecosistems.
V. What has been done so far?
- San Francisco and Oakland have outlawed the use of plastic bags in large grocery stores and pharmacies, permitting only paper bags. In Bangladesh, the plastic bags have been banned since 2002. In Ireland the use of bags has diminished a 90%, since they established a 22 cent tax. Only 1% of plastic bags are being recycled worldwide, so other places are considering to act against them too.
VI. Has it been successful? Why or why not?
- No, because the recycling that has been done is minimum. Although any people and organizations are trying to do something about it, they seem to be very few compared to the rest. You can't see a big improve, in fact it is almost nothing. And even though we want to recycle or get rid of all that amount of plastic bags, the plastic isn't going anywhere. It will always remain in our planet, but we can reduce the damages and the plastic.
Read the following article, and answer the following questions.
a. What are some of the potential benefits of charging fees for and/or banning plastic bags?
- encourage people to stop using plastic bags.
a. What are some of the potential benefits of charging fees for and/or banning plastic bags?
- encourage people to stop using plastic bags.
- use reusable bags
- reduce pollution- help the enviroment.
b. What are some of the potential drawbacks of such programs?
b. What are some of the potential drawbacks of such programs?
- plastic bag makers will be desemployed
- the national economy could decline.
- "a public backlash if they were to raise fees in an economic downturn."
c. Which benefits and drawbacks seem the most compelling? Why?
- One of the biggest benefits would be encouraging people to make a difference in the world. Make concious of the situation and the issue that we are creating if we do not stop polluting. If people start reacting in a good way towards this, we will eventually have a cleaner and safer enviroment. We need to take care of the earth for the future of our kids, and for ourselves.
- The most compelling drawbacks are the risk of a downturn on economy and desemployment for plastic bag makers. By putting a fee on platic bags, the production will decrease and less workers will be needed for the job. We are risking someone elses work.
d. Would you support a local law charging fees for (or banning) plastic bags? Why or why not?
- Yes, I would. It would be a good thing to do, because we could consider alternatives that we don't consider right now. The majority of the people are so stingy that they would stop using plastic bags just because of the money. We could use market bags, knapsacks, and other things that can be used over and over again to carry our things. This method can be called recycling, and by doing this we are fighting against dangerous consequences.
Investigate what has been done in Mexico in relation to banning plastic bags.
1. Do you agree with this new law? Why or why not?
- I do agree, because it will decrease the amount of daily wage created by plastic in Mexico.
2. What has been done so far?
- A new law has been established which prohibits the consume of non-degradable plastic bags in all stores, including supermarkets and drycleaners. Food companies, such as Bimbo, has also decided to use degradable plastic bags.
3. What needs to be done to enforce such a law?
- Consequences such as 36 hours in jail, or a maximum fine of 20,000 times the minimum daily wage will be enforced for those who decide to brake the law.
4. What campaigns would you suggest?
- Pretty much publicity does everything. Communication, advertisement, commercials, etc. If people start spreading the voice, they will understand what is going on and they'll feel motivated to make a change.
1. Do you agree with this new law? Why or why not?
- I do agree, because it will decrease the amount of daily wage created by plastic in Mexico.
2. What has been done so far?
- A new law has been established which prohibits the consume of non-degradable plastic bags in all stores, including supermarkets and drycleaners. Food companies, such as Bimbo, has also decided to use degradable plastic bags.
3. What needs to be done to enforce such a law?
- Consequences such as 36 hours in jail, or a maximum fine of 20,000 times the minimum daily wage will be enforced for those who decide to brake the law.
4. What campaigns would you suggest?
- Pretty much publicity does everything. Communication, advertisement, commercials, etc. If people start spreading the voice, they will understand what is going on and they'll feel motivated to make a change.
jueves, 12 de marzo de 2009
News 3
Teenage Gunman 'had depression'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7941426.stm
Who: Tim Kretschmer
When: Wednesday, March 11th, 2009.
Where: Germany, Winnenden
What: An armed attacker, wearing black combat clothing and a mask, entered the Albertville secondary school at about 0930 (0830 GMT) and fired randomly at students. The 17 year old, Tim Kretschmer, killed 15 people, before taking his own life.
Why: The motive for the rampage remains unclear, although Kretschmer appears to have targeted women inside the school. Eight of the nine students and all three of the teachers he shot dead, were female. said.
He was interned in the centre in Winnenden, because he sufferd of depression, but he never resumed the outpatient therapy sessions. At the physical examination for the army, he provided proof of an illness that required a psychiatric treatment. Investigators say that he posted gun threats in chatrooms.
Also, his father was a successful businessman who legally owned 15 weapons - including the Beretta handgun used on Wednesday, and belonged to a gun club that both attended regularly for shooting practice.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Finnish college gunman kills 10
http://www.holology.com/shooting.html#36
Who: Matti Juhani Saari
When: Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Where: Kauhajoki School of Hospitality, a vocational and catering school of 150 students and 40 teachers located in Kauhajoki western Finland northwest of Helsinki. Shootings took place in classrooms with testing occurring.
What: Matti arrived for his business skills exam 90 minutes into the test, opened fire on the classroom killing 8 female, one male student, and one teacher at a college, before shooting himself and later dying in hospital.
Why: Saari was frequently bullied during his time at secondary school, and he had seen a psychologist and been prescribed anti-depressants. For his military service Saari was transferred to the ‘E category’, one common cause for this designation is mental health issues. The YouTube posting under profile Wumpscut86 by 'Mr Saari' stated that his interests and hobbies include "computers, weapons, sex and beer". He had a psychiatric history including the use of psychotropic drugs, had a chronic difficulty interfacing with those around him in healthy ways, and he was obsessed with guns, killing and death.
He hated humanity for not conforming to his own standards and expectations; convinced they deserve to be gods and dictators and then when society fails to fulfill their demands they seek revenge. Being unable to adapt Matti sought a final solution through the perspective of power and violence, the only way he could comprehend forces and events.
____________________________________________________________________________
Kazmierczak said nothing when he fired on the class and left behind no known written material or statements of any kind.
He had some underlying trouble that was being repressed. He liked violent gore-horror themes and films; he had some elaborate tattoos to show it. One interview claimed that he “was abusive, had a temper," she said. "He didn't actually hit her; he would push her [his girlfriend] around." Steven’s family stated that his behavior had become erratic recently after he stopped taking medication used to regulate an unspecified psychological disorder. No other overt indicators of impending violence have been reported besides that and his recent weapons purchases.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Depressed in Finland
http://www.holology.com/shooting.html#33
Who: Pekka-Eric Auvinen (18)
When: Wednesday November 7, 2007 at approximately 11:45 am.
Where: Jokela High School in Tuusula, located in a small town 30-40 miles from Helsinki.
What: Pekka-Eric Auvinen, an 18 year old, used his .22 caliber pistol to shoot multiple people and after about twenty minutes he shot himself in the head in a toilet stall beside the school cafeteria. About 90 minutes later police found him and took him to the hospital where he died eight hours later.
Why: Pekka-Eric Auvinen was taking anti-depressant medications. In a video that he placed on YouTube, Sturmgeist89 displays packages of Cipralex, Zoloft, Luvox, and Prozac pills. The drugs were prescribed for depression.
Fellow student Tuomas Hulkkonen states the he knew the gunman well and that he had been acting strange lately. His 18 year old girlfriend Tana Scheel recently left him. Also, Auvinen had no previous criminal record and had no difficulty legally obtaining his handgun. He was a member of a hunting club and was practiced enough to direct most of his shots at the head and upper body of his victims during his 20-minute rampage. _____________________________________________________________________________
Copycat Crime
http://www.holology.com/shooting.html#26
Who: Charles Carl Roberts IV, age 32.
When: 10:30 a.m.
Where: West Nickel Mines (one room) Amish School in Lancaster County, about 50 miles west of Philadelphia.
What: On Monday morning, Roberts walked his children to school. Then he drove to the Amish school and walked inside. After entering the ‘one-room’ school around 10:30 he brandished a gun and ordered the 15 boys and several adults in the room to leave. He then had 11 girls line up facing the blackboard and tied their legs together with wire and plastic ties. A teacher, Emma Mae Zook, ran to the find the nearest phone and called 911 for help. Back at the school, Roberts barricaded the doors to slow down the police and allow him the opportunity to sexually abuse his captives. Roberts demanded the police leave ‘in 10 seconds’ or he would start shooting. The police heard a rapid series of shots and they proceeded to break into the room through a window where they found Roberts and several girls dead, most shot in the head. Roberts did not expect the quick arrival of the police and it was no evidence was found that any of the girls at the school were molested before being shot.
Why:Although expressing outward signs of normality, Roberts had a wife and three kids, he definitely had some serious, deeply repressed psychological issues festering away in his mind. In the suicide notes he claims to have been tormented by the death of his prematurely born daughter in 1997 which he wrote caused him “hate toward myself hate towards God”, and his responsibility in (unsubstantiated claims of) sexually molesting two relatives 20 years ago and desire to repeat such actions. The news reporting on the previous shooting at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, Colorado on September 27th must have acted like a triggering event on Roberts. The coincidence in timing and the parallel criminal motives are too strong to ignore, and indeed the police consider this to be a copycat crime.
________________________________________________________________________________
The opportunity of the situation coupled with student rage
http://www.holology.com/shooting.html#18
Who: Ken Bartley Jr., 15 years old.
When: November 8, 2005
Where: Campbell County Comprehensive High School.
What: Ken Bartley Jr. brought a .22 caliber handgun to school, reportedly hidden under a napkin. After showing off the gun to other students, school authorities became suspicious and called the freshman into the principal’s office where Ken shot the principal and two assistant principals, killing one and seriously injuring the others as well as himself in the melee.
Why: The motive for the shooting remains unclear but at this point it seems likely it was simply the opportunity of the situation coupled with student rage.
____________________________________________________________________________________
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7941426.stm
Who: Tim KretschmerWhen: Wednesday, March 11th, 2009.
Where: Germany, Winnenden
What: An armed attacker, wearing black combat clothing and a mask, entered the Albertville secondary school at about 0930 (0830 GMT) and fired randomly at students. The 17 year old, Tim Kretschmer, killed 15 people, before taking his own life.
Why: The motive for the rampage remains unclear, although Kretschmer appears to have targeted women inside the school. Eight of the nine students and all three of the teachers he shot dead, were female. said.
He was interned in the centre in Winnenden, because he sufferd of depression, but he never resumed the outpatient therapy sessions. At the physical examination for the army, he provided proof of an illness that required a psychiatric treatment. Investigators say that he posted gun threats in chatrooms.
Also, his father was a successful businessman who legally owned 15 weapons - including the Beretta handgun used on Wednesday, and belonged to a gun club that both attended regularly for shooting practice.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Finnish college gunman kills 10
http://www.holology.com/shooting.html#36
Who: Matti Juhani Saari
When: Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Where: Kauhajoki School of Hospitality, a vocational and catering school of 150 students and 40 teachers located in Kauhajoki western Finland northwest of Helsinki. Shootings took place in classrooms with testing occurring.
What: Matti arrived for his business skills exam 90 minutes into the test, opened fire on the classroom killing 8 female, one male student, and one teacher at a college, before shooting himself and later dying in hospital.
Why: Saari was frequently bullied during his time at secondary school, and he had seen a psychologist and been prescribed anti-depressants. For his military service Saari was transferred to the ‘E category’, one common cause for this designation is mental health issues. The YouTube posting under profile Wumpscut86 by 'Mr Saari' stated that his interests and hobbies include "computers, weapons, sex and beer". He had a psychiatric history including the use of psychotropic drugs, had a chronic difficulty interfacing with those around him in healthy ways, and he was obsessed with guns, killing and death.
He hated humanity for not conforming to his own standards and expectations; convinced they deserve to be gods and dictators and then when society fails to fulfill their demands they seek revenge. Being unable to adapt Matti sought a final solution through the perspective of power and violence, the only way he could comprehend forces and events.
____________________________________________________________________________
Kazmierczak said nothing when he fired on the class and left behind no known written material or statements of any kind.
http://www.holology.com/shooting.html#34
Who: Steven Kazmierczak
When: 3:06 p.m. February 14 (Valentine’s Day) 2008.
Where: Cole Hall, Northern Illinois University
What: Reportedly wearing black clothing, jeans, t-shirt, and carrying his weapons in a guitar case and hidden under his jacket a tall, thin Steven Kazmierczak entered Cole Hall auditorium at Northern Illinois University where class was being held, and armed with one shotgun and at least three handguns, opened fire on the audience from the stage, injuring 16 random people, killing five, and then himself.
He had some underlying trouble that was being repressed. He liked violent gore-horror themes and films; he had some elaborate tattoos to show it. One interview claimed that he “was abusive, had a temper," she said. "He didn't actually hit her; he would push her [his girlfriend] around." Steven’s family stated that his behavior had become erratic recently after he stopped taking medication used to regulate an unspecified psychological disorder. No other overt indicators of impending violence have been reported besides that and his recent weapons purchases.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Depressed in Finland
http://www.holology.com/shooting.html#33
Who: Pekka-Eric Auvinen (18)
When: Wednesday November 7, 2007 at approximately 11:45 am.
Where: Jokela High School in Tuusula, located in a small town 30-40 miles from Helsinki.
What: Pekka-Eric Auvinen, an 18 year old, used his .22 caliber pistol to shoot multiple people and after about twenty minutes he shot himself in the head in a toilet stall beside the school cafeteria. About 90 minutes later police found him and took him to the hospital where he died eight hours later.
Why: Pekka-Eric Auvinen was taking anti-depressant medications. In a video that he placed on YouTube, Sturmgeist89 displays packages of Cipralex, Zoloft, Luvox, and Prozac pills. The drugs were prescribed for depression.
Fellow student Tuomas Hulkkonen states the he knew the gunman well and that he had been acting strange lately. His 18 year old girlfriend Tana Scheel recently left him. Also, Auvinen had no previous criminal record and had no difficulty legally obtaining his handgun. He was a member of a hunting club and was practiced enough to direct most of his shots at the head and upper body of his victims during his 20-minute rampage. _____________________________________________________________________________
Copycat Crime
http://www.holology.com/shooting.html#26
Who: Charles Carl Roberts IV, age 32.
When: 10:30 a.m.
Where: West Nickel Mines (one room) Amish School in Lancaster County, about 50 miles west of Philadelphia.
What: On Monday morning, Roberts walked his children to school. Then he drove to the Amish school and walked inside. After entering the ‘one-room’ school around 10:30 he brandished a gun and ordered the 15 boys and several adults in the room to leave. He then had 11 girls line up facing the blackboard and tied their legs together with wire and plastic ties. A teacher, Emma Mae Zook, ran to the find the nearest phone and called 911 for help. Back at the school, Roberts barricaded the doors to slow down the police and allow him the opportunity to sexually abuse his captives. Roberts demanded the police leave ‘in 10 seconds’ or he would start shooting. The police heard a rapid series of shots and they proceeded to break into the room through a window where they found Roberts and several girls dead, most shot in the head. Roberts did not expect the quick arrival of the police and it was no evidence was found that any of the girls at the school were molested before being shot.
Why:Although expressing outward signs of normality, Roberts had a wife and three kids, he definitely had some serious, deeply repressed psychological issues festering away in his mind. In the suicide notes he claims to have been tormented by the death of his prematurely born daughter in 1997 which he wrote caused him “hate toward myself hate towards God”, and his responsibility in (unsubstantiated claims of) sexually molesting two relatives 20 years ago and desire to repeat such actions. The news reporting on the previous shooting at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, Colorado on September 27th must have acted like a triggering event on Roberts. The coincidence in timing and the parallel criminal motives are too strong to ignore, and indeed the police consider this to be a copycat crime.
________________________________________________________________________________
The opportunity of the situation coupled with student rage
http://www.holology.com/shooting.html#18
Who: Ken Bartley Jr., 15 years old.
When: November 8, 2005
Where: Campbell County Comprehensive High School.
What: Ken Bartley Jr. brought a .22 caliber handgun to school, reportedly hidden under a napkin. After showing off the gun to other students, school authorities became suspicious and called the freshman into the principal’s office where Ken shot the principal and two assistant principals, killing one and seriously injuring the others as well as himself in the melee.
Why: The motive for the shooting remains unclear but at this point it seems likely it was simply the opportunity of the situation coupled with student rage.
____________________________________________________________________________________
martes, 3 de marzo de 2009
Kirk Agrees to Pay Back Taxes
Who: Ron Kirk When: March 2, 2009, 6:35 pm
Where: United States
What: Ron Kirk, the nominee to serve as the United States trade representative in the Obama administration, has agreed to pay $10,000 in back taxes for speaking fees that he did not report as income and for deducting the cost of season tickets to the Dallas Mavericks basketball games.
Why: For speaking fees that he did not report as income and for deducting the cost of season tickets to the Dallas Mavericks basketball games.Also, because the Obama administration have run int tax troubles in thir confirmation process.
lunes, 2 de marzo de 2009
News Analysis
1. Who is Robert Mugabe? How long has he been in power? How popular is he?- Robert Mugabe is the president of Zimbabwe since 1980. People used to consider him a legend or an icon, but his image has changed with the years. Citizens downs't like him much this times.
2. Who is Morgan Tsvangirai? Which is/ has been his political role?
- Mugabe's new partner in a power- sharing government. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is the President of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai (MDC-T) .
3. What happened during last year's elections? Which was the outcome?
- The Presidential Elections of 2008, were held on March 29, the major candidates were Mugabe, Simba Makoni, and Tsvangirai. According to the official results, Tsvangirai was ahead of Mugabe, but Mugabe won, and Tsvangirai claimed that the results could have been altered.
4. Whis is the economic situation in Zimbabwe? How do the people feel about this?
- The economic situation is bad, because it s collapsing. The people can't understand how Mugabe spent 250, 000 on his party, when the country is desperate for that amount of money to be spent instead on its citizens, who are suffering from a cholera outbreak, food shortages, and spiraling hyperinflation.
5. What do you think about the celebrations and the lavish party?
- I think they shouldn't be celebrating when their economy is that bad. They should be spending that money on things that would benefit the citizens. I think it is a selfish, and ignorant act.
Based only on the article below, define a conflict.
a) Give the conflict a name and explain why you think it is a conflict.
- "Power vs Health" This is a conflict, because the government, and candidates is fighting for power, and they are letting their citizens behind. The country is suffering, while they gaine power.
b) Who is involved and why?
- Robert Mugabe, Richard Tsvangirai, his followrs, the opposing group, and the Zimbabwean citizens, because they're being affected.
c) Explain in detail why the conflict has happened.
- The economy is collapsing, because of Robert Mugabe's mitakes. It is generating a triggering hyperinflation, that is affecting the people. All of the money that should be used to help people providing medicines, and food,has been used to make Mugabe parties. He just thinks of himself, and leave the others behind.
d) Give a timeline of events (at least 5) related to the conflict.
- January 2009, Zimbabwe introduced a new Z$100 trillion banknote.
- February 21, 2009: Mugabe's 85th birthday.
- February 27, 2009: Tsvangirai visits a hospital and says it needs 30,000 dollars.
- February 28, 2009: Mugabe's spent $250 000 for hid birthday party.
- March 1, 2009: Tsvangirai states the country needs $5 billion dollars to tabilize the country.
e) How do you think this conflict can be solved and why?Mugabe hosts lavish party despite national
- The conflict could be solved if the government used the money to helo the citizens, and benefit them, instead of organizing parties, and celebrating. It could be much better if they didn't think only in thmenselves.
e) How do you think this conflict can be solved and why?Mugabe hosts lavish party despite national
- The conflict could be solved if the government used the money to helo the citizens, and benefit them, instead of organizing parties, and celebrating. It could be much better if they didn't think only in thmenselves.
viernes, 13 de febrero de 2009
Conflict
1. Country name: Ukraine
2. Conflict:
- Russia's state gas monopoly Gazprom accused Ukraine of "stealing" gas in transit.
3. Copy the headlines and the link to a news item reporting on that conflict.
"Economic, political wrestling behind Russia-Ukraine gas row"
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/200901/03/content_10598523.htm
4. Summarize the news.
- On January, 3, 2009 Russia's state gas monopoly Gazprom accused Ukraine of "stealing" gas in transit. The officials denied the accusation, saying that they are withdrawing only enough gas to operate pumping stations serving the pipelines.
5. Describe the conflict.
- Russia is having gas conflicts with Ukrain. The russian gas monopoly said Ukraine was "stealing" gas in transit, but the officials denied the accusation giving an explanation.
6. Based on your research - geography and timeline, explain why the conflict happened. Which ones are the roots of the conflict?
- The gas conflict is just one symptom of growing economic and political tensions. Complex economic relations that—in the case of Russia and Ukraine—existed long before the emergence of the Soviet Union were broken up. The new ruling elites of Russia and Ukraine have resorted to nationalism in order to create a diversion from growing social tensions. The relations between Russia and Ukraine have deteriorated significantly.These relations have been extremely tense since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. There have also been repeated disputes over the Russian gas supplies. The gas tap was turned off on a number of occasions in the 1990s because of unpaid bills. Alongside Ukraine, three Baltic states and the republics of Moldavia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia are due to pay higher gas prices from January—although their increase is less drastic than that imposed on Ukraine. Gas supplies were cut off for Moldavia as well as Ukraine.
Last year, Ukraine received a quarter of its gas from Russian sources, with 50 percent coming from Turkmenistan and the rest from its own production facilities. According to the latest deal, however, the proportion of Russian imported oil is to drop from the current level of 23 billion to 17 billion cubic metres.
During the three days of the dispute, tension escalated between Moscow and Kiev. Gazprom had accused Ukraine of illegally siphoning off large quantities of gas. The Ukrainian government rejected this reproach equally vigorously, while threatening to “use Russian gas as a transit charge” under conditions of falling temperatures.
7. Answer:
a) Who is involved in the conflict?
- Ukraine and Russia
b) Where is it happening?
- They are accusing Ukraine of "stealing" gas in transit.
c) When did it happen and how long has it been going on?
- It happened on January 3, 2009. It lasted three days.
domingo, 25 de enero de 2009
Activity 2: Pakistan: A Nation Divided
Which is its location?
- It's located in Southern Asia
What countries does it border with?
- It is bounded in the north and the northwest by Afghanistan, on the northeast by Jammu and Kashmir, on the east and southeast by India, on the south by the Arabian Sea, and on the west by Iran.
What does the geography say about the country?
- To the North there are the Himalayas and to the south there is a dessert. The climate varies from cold winters and hot summers to the North, and mild climate to the South.
What is the dominant religion?
- Muslim with 97%
Which other exist?
- Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%, Christian, Hindu, and other (inc. Sikh) 3%
What are the different ethnic groups?
- The people came from such ethnic stocks as the Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, Greek, Scythian, Hun, Arab, Mongol, Persian, and afghan.
Which ones are the main customs and traditions?
- There are many festivals that are anually celebrated, like, Pakistan Day (23 March), Independence Day (14 August), Defence of Pakistan Day (6 September), Pakistan Air Force Day (7 September), etc. The traditional music is Folkloric music, and traditional styles such as Qwwali and Ghazal Gayaki. The society is multilingual, every family has its tarditional values and respect them as much as their religion. There are many cultural practices depending on the religion. Traditionally, meals are eaten while sitting on the floor with the fingers of the right hand, and is taken as a sort of socializing. It is not common for them to keep leftover food, everything is consumed that same day. Also the giving of small gifts to guests is a popular tradition. Gifts are given to commemorate special events and a sign of respect to guests. Colorful boxes of mithai, or sweets are common gifts, especially to mark the birth of a child.
THE LIFE OF AN ISLAMIC TEENAGER
How is this his life different from yours?
- Well, somehow it seems similar, but in my life, my religion is not the one that forbiddens me certain things; in my life, my principles are. Because of the education, and the love I've received, I have no intention on getting drunk, and hooking up; I don't like it. But in my case, everybody thinks I'm boaring, and nobody gives me a chance to show who and how I really am. while in Minhaj's case, many kids found him interesting because he was so naïve and different from them, so as they spent more time with him, they began to like him and become friends. Also, my parents are not telling me what to do, and they don't have an influence on my desicions, because they know that they can trust me. On the other hand, Minhaj is not alowed many things that I am, and if he does something he shouldn't, he will be violating what his religion says.
Which custom caught your attention?
- That he is not allowes to eat pork, and not allowed to drink alcohol, because it is not as bad as it seems. It is just question of drinking with measurement.
How does his religion affect his way of acting?
- He has to follow what his religion says, so he can't do many things that his friends can. By this, he has to separate from them. Also his friends get bored with Minhaj's conversations. So it affects his social life.
INTERVIEW:
Name:
Jaskaran Prakash
Religion:
Hindu
Ethnicity:
Punjabi
How often do you go to a religous service?
- Everyday I engage in pūjā (worship or veneration)Hindus perform their worship through icons (murtis). The icon serves as a tangible link between the worshiper and God, and is considered a manifestation of him.
Where?
- Either at home or at the temple. Visiting temples is not obligatory.
What happens there?
- At home, I often create a shrine with icons dedicated to my chosen form(s) of God. I perform my worship through icons (murtis) that are considered a manifestatopn of God. This creates a tangible link between God and me. Temples are usually dedicated to a primary deity along with associated subordinate deities though some commemorate multiple deities.
Do you know anyone of a different religion? How do you get along?
- Yes, but it's hard to get along because of our beliefs, practices, and rituals, so I stay around Hindus.
Do boys and girls hang out socially? Do you go to parties?
- I don't go to parties, unless we are talking about Hindu celebrations with my family. And I normally hang out with my fellows, and my family. It is rare the occasion when I hang out with girls, because the majority of the time they are not allowed.
How many people live in your house? How do you interact?
- Well, the basic building block of our society is the joint or extended family, usually consisting of three of four generations living together, so Ilive with my grandparents, my parents, and my siblings. My mother, my grandmother, and my sister, cook and share domestic responsibilities, and the rest (men) provide the pooled income, and boys study. When women marry, they usually join their husband's family, though maintaining contact with their own.
Who goes to school in your family?
- My brother, and me. My sister is educated at home, largely in domestic skills. In order to preserve their chastity, unmarried girls are not allowed to stay away from home.
How do you dress?
- I wear a chaddar (shawl) which in cold weather can be wrapped around the shoulders and torso. When the weather is warm, it can be folded over the shoulder. Sometimes I wear as a normal guy.
Which ones are your daily chores?
- I wake up, do pūjā, get some breakfast, go to scholl, and help my Dad, and my family. Then, we gather around, and have dinner. Sometimes I go to the temple, or do some Yoga.
What does it mean to be belong to your ethnic group?
- My ethnicity is part of who I am, so I respect it. Our identity is primarily cultural and linguistic, our language comes from the Indo- Aryan, but we have adopted the Urdu. Most of the Punjabis are located in my province, Punjab, but you can also find little groups in India, and in different parts of the world because of the emmigration. There's a variety in diversity, due to our location near Central Asia. The most of us share a similarity in genes, we have traditionally and historically been soldiers and farmers. We are all composed by different groups of religion, and economic status and caste. It is an honor for me to belong to an ethnic group which is one of the oldest and richest cultures in the world history.
Where are your relatives from?
- From India and Pakistan.
Do you hang out with people of other ethnicities? How do you get along?
- No, I hang out only with Punjabis.
Do you have to marry someone of your same ethnicity?
- Yes. Hinduism divides the society in four sects, so we have to marry someone of my same caste, religion, and ethnicity.
Describe a typical tradition
- Traditionally, Hindu parents look for a prospective match for their son/daughter from their own community also known as arranged marriage. Elders in the family and parents seek the prospective match through word of mouth within the community. The use of jathakam (astrological chart at the time of birth) of the son/daughter to match with the help of a priest is common, but not universal. Parents also take advice from the brahmin called 'panthulu' in Telugu who has details of many people looking to get married. Some communities, like the Brahmins in Mithila, use genealogical records ("Panjikas") maintained by the specialists.
- The Guru-Disciple Tradition
By Hindu religious traditions, the spiritual aspirant takes studentship under a personal spiritual teacher called Guru. To disciple stays with the Guru and follow his instructions in order to attain the ultimate goal of spiritual life. Even though the Guru never asks any money for the guidance he had given, the student may give gifts (guru dakshina) as a token of appreciation.
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