NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 27, 2015.


"China to provide 110 fighter jets to Pakistan." Times Of India. Times Of India, 
     26 Apr. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ 
     world/pakistan/China-to-provide-110-fighter-jets-to-Pakistan/articleshow/ 
     47055566.cms>. 


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/China-to-provide-110-fighter-jets-to-Pakistan/articleshow/47055566.cms

Summary:

Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan earlier this week resulted in an agreement between officials from Pakistan and China from which both countries agreed to Pakistan receiving 110 of the latest JF 17 Fighter Thunder Jets from China in the upcoming years.  The meeting between the  officials of both countries was placed in Islamabad, Pakistan.  As mentioned earlier, Pakistani and Chinese officials were (probably the only ones) involved in this agreement.  This agreement most likely took place as China and Pakistan are looking to strengthen their bilateral relations with each other for future development (for more information look at my other blog posts).  Also this agreement took place as Pakistan needs these jets to be supplied to their country quickly ( as Pakistan has the technology to build these type of jets)   so that Pakistan could quicken the starting points of their operations against the Taliban, according to Pakistani officials.  The first fifty jets will be supplied over the next three years according to a Pakistani radio station, which aired this information just recently to the Pakistani Public.

Response:

If Pakistan is really acquiring these jets to fight off the taliban, personally I am in support of this agreement.  I really believe that if Pakistan quicken their operations against the Taliban, and end up becoming successful in their operations within the next decade or so, that our world will take a huge step forward towards the ending of terrorist organizations. I say this because Pakistan isnt exactly the strongest country in the world, and if they can end the Pakistani Taliban, I think big world powers will get more motivation to team up with weaker countries and use their alliances to end terrorist organizations around the world.  Still I think the ending of terrorist organizations could start to happen right now if  countries  can begin to stop putting so much emphasis on their bilateral tensions, and putting their bilateral tensions in front of massive humanitarian problems..  For example if  India and Pakistan stop border tensions over the Kashmir problem, these two countries could easily pool their knowledge and strength together to end terrorist organizations in Asia, due to their relative geographic positions  to each other.  Countries need to stray away from their personal tensions, and take a step towards humanity.

"Leaders, charities offer condolences, help after Nepal quake." Times Of India. 
     Times Of India, 26 Apr. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. 
     <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/ 
     Leaders-charities-offer-condolences-help-after-Nepal-quake/articleshow/ 
     47055600.cms>. 



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/uk/Leaders-charities-offer-condolences-help-after-Nepal-quake/articlesh




Summary

Right after the recent Nepal earthquake, many charities and global organizations have began to take actions to help survivors get back on their feet.  Organizations from Britain, United States, etc. have all began preliminary efforts to send money and/or medical support to help the Nepalese survivors.  Some specific groups such as the : “Doctors without borders group” have already sent medical doctors to Nepal in an effort to heal as many survivors as possible in a short period of time.  This Nepalese earthquake has already killed at least more than 3000 people, and improper shelter and lack of food could lead to more.  Organizations have began to help out these Nepalese survivors to take a step towards humanity, and prevent any more damage to the Nepalese population.  The movements to help Nepal are well on their way.

Response:

I was very thrilled to hear that so many efforts globally have already begun to help the Nepalese situation.  I personally believe that  countries need to come together more and solve internal and external problems by leaving their bilateral tensions behind ( as mentioned in the previous blog).  I say this, because I has an average citizen of the U.S,  do have specific opinion on bilateral tensions between other countries and ours, but as long as I live a prosperous and peaceful life, these bilateral tensions don’t mean much to me.  Unfortunately, not many people around the world live a prosperous and peaceful life, due to government tensions around the world.  I feel that all governments just need to sit back and realize that their own specific bilateral tensions are not more important than the suffering of regular human lives.  Even if those citizens do not reside in a specific government's official area of concern, as we are all human, and we can only help each other if we leave borders and controversial opinions behind us.

Killough, Ashley. "Ted Cruz: Democratic Party home to 'liberal fascism' against 
     Christians." CNN. CNN, 26 Apr. 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2015. 
     <http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/26/politics/ted-cruz-liberal-fascism-iowa-speech/ 
     index.html>. 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/26/politics/ted-cruz-liberal-fascism-iowa-speech/index.html

Summary

Ted Cruz has recently made a statement in which he has basically stated that: the Democratic Political Party supports “liberal fascism”, as they support taking rights away from Christians.  He made this statement on Saturday, April 25, 2015.  Ted also stated this statement from Waukee, Iowa.  Along with Cruz, other political and religious leaders rallied with him to promote their statements which supported Christianity, and which limited the the rights of homosexuals ( in an average Liberal American perspective).  Cruz has made this statement to attract more voters with similar ideals, as he is running for President, and hopes to precede Obama.  

Response

I can understand Ted Cruz efforts to Christianize America, as coming from Hindu background in India, sometimes I feel that minority religions in India take advantage of the political sympathy politicians give to them, which in turn sometimes ruins the voice of the majority hindu population.  Still I feel that Cruz has to realize that America is a country of immigrants, and that the first people to visit America were the Native Americans.  So if any religious ideals were to be dominants across America due to government support, it should be Native American religious ideals as they were the first one to visit America, and were unfortunately widely exploited by exploring Europeans.  Despite this belief, I have very contradicting opinions upon this issue, but still feel that all religious groups should have their equal right to practice their religion without any discrimination.  As I personally believe in a Hindu proverb which states: “There are a hundred of paths up the mountain, all leading to the same place, so it doesn't matter what path you take.  The only person wasting time is the one who runs around the mountain, telling everyone that his or her path is wrong.”  (This proverb is basically saying that all religions are equal and that all religions have the same basic meaning.)

NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 19, 2015


First article

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/17/us/michigan-business-bans-openly-gay-people/

Karimi, Faith. "Michigan auto repair shop says yes to gun owners, no to

    homosexuals." CNN. CNN, 17 Apr. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.

    <http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/17/us/

    michigan-business-bans-openly-gay-people/>

Summary Paragraph:

A Michigan Auto Repair Shop owner has basically stated in a  Facebook post:  that he would not engage in business with openly gay people, but would engage in business with gun owners.  This Facebook post was posted sometime earlier this week.  We do not know where exactly this man has posted his post from, but some possibly guesses from me would be from his house, or his repair shop.  Brian Klawiter (the Michigan Auto Repair Shop owner) involved his family into this situation with his Facebook post as his family received many threats from people with different views than him, and also many people have gotten involved in this controversy by posting their opinions on Brian’s statement online.  Brian has decided to go through with this action to demonstrate on how freedom of speech applies to conservative Americans, just as much it applies to liberal Americans.  He has also backed himself to go on with this action to stand up for conservative white  Americans who back down when they are labeled as conspiracy terrorist (and other things) for having a job, going to church, and owning a gun.

Response Paragraph:

After reading this article, I respected Brian for publicly advising his views on gay marriage in a country which is largely influenced by liberal Americans at the current moment.  I believe that everybody has their own right to have their own views on gay marriage, and just because somebody does not support it, they shouldn't be considered mean, cruel, or hating.  To me the important thing for America, is that America has to create a country where people who support and don’t’ support gay marriage can live together in a peaceful, and harmonious society, and where everybody can respect each others views.  To do this, people who do not support gay marriage have to accept that some people will be gay, and people do support gay marriage should acknowledge that people who don’t support gay marriage are entitled to their own views.  Despite these views though, I belief that Brian should do business with gay customers, as I worry for the protection of his family and relatives, and I feel that by putting them in risk, Brian is being immature. Plus by not accepting gay customers, Brian is going against my idea of creating a harmonious and peaceful society.

Second Article

Dasgupta, Saibal. "Chinese minister asks India not to be ‘over concerned’

    about Pak corridor." Times Of India. Times Of India, 18 Apr. 2015. Web. 19

    Apr. 2015. <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/

    Chinese-minister-asks-India-not-to-be-over-concerned-about-Pak-corridor/

    articleshow/46965425.cms>.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/Chinese-minister-asks-India-not-to-be-over-concerned-about-Pak-corridor/articleshow/46965425.cms

Summary Paragraph:

Liu Jianchao, a chinese minister ask asked India to not worry about the new economic corridor which would connect Gwadar ( of Pakistan) with the seaport Xinjiang( of China), of which China and Pakistan are planning to go through in the upcoming future.  Liu Jianchao made this statement to reporters on Saturday, April 18, 2015.  He has asked India to not worry about this economic corridor in order to prevent international conflict, as it will pass the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Kashmir, of which India and Pakistan both claim to be part of their country.  Liu has also stated the reason for this economic corridor between both countries is really to deepen the China-Pakistan relationship.  India will be widely involved in this situation, along with Pakistan and China, and India’s prime minister (Narendra Modi) will probably bring up the Kashmir dispute in his visit to Beijing in May.  We could not find out exactly from where Liu made this statement, but Kashmir, and Beijing will be points of interest for China, Pakistan, and India for the future.

Response Paragraph:

I was very surprised by Liu statement and how he felt that India should not worry about the economic corridor which is about to be built, in the disputed land of Kashmir.  I mean first of all, Kashmir does belong to India, after Maharaja Hari Singh of Kashmir joined Kashmir to  India in 1947 through a series of official documents.  So why shouldn't India not worry about an economic corridor which is about to pass through their land, which could be potentially dangerous and bad for India in the future.  Also I feel like India should react to Liu statement in public with disgust as China has also occupied a part of Kashmir, and India should never stop in their efforts to retain the Chinese part of Kashmir back.  I also do not think this corridor should be made, because it will only increase Chinese-Indian and Pakistani- Indian tensions, and possible military conflict.  Despite of all these feelings though, I am wondering if the Indian government is actually worrying about this corridor, because in the future if India is to finally gain the whole of Kashmir back, it could slowly and gradually cause India and China to become friends.

Third Article

"'Mysterious' disease kills 17 in Nigeria: Official." Times Of India. Times Of

    India, 18 Apr. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.

    <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/

    Mysterious-disease-kills-17-in-Nigeria-Official/articleshow/46969862.cms>

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Mysterious-disease-kills-17-in-Nigeria-Official/articleshow/46969862.cms

Summary Paragraph:

17 people from Nigeria have recently died due to a disease which has not been identified just recently.  The disease started to claim victims early this week, though has not claimed more victims since the 17th one.  The disease has originated from the Ode-Irele town in south-eastern Nigeria.  Death due to the disease is preceded with : sudden blurred vision, headaches, and unconsciousness.  Even though the disease has not been identified,  study has clearly eliminated: ebola, as being one of the possible options.  Still the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and the World Health Organization are using collected samples from victims to try and determine what the disease is, in order to prevent further deaths due to the unknown disease.

Response Paragraph

I feel that all countries should join together and combine all their medical knowledge together in order to help these victims.  I also believe that the Nigerian government or other countries should provide aid to any possible future victims of the disease.  Though the problem with this idea which came to me was, what would Boko Haram do if more government action was taken in their home base of Nigeria.  I mean, if an American aid group went to help these people, would Boko Haram try their best to kill these caring Americans (in order to demonstrate a message), or would they not get involved and allow the Americans to continue on with their work.  Reading this article also made me realize that their are many people in the world who are in constant fear of death and torture, and that I should appreciate what all of what has been given to my by the people who cared for me.  This article also urged me once again to study hard so that I can become something big in my life, which in turn would allow me people around the world, who need my help the most.

NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 12, 2015.


First article
Work Cited:
 Dasgupta, Saibal. "India, China to hold joint military exercise in 2015,

    decision ahead of Modi visit." Times of India. Times Of India, 10 Apr.

    2015. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/

    India-China-to-hold-joint-military-exercise-in-2015-decision-ahead-of-Modi-visit/

    articleshow/46880799.cms>.

Working link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/India-China-to-hold-joint-military-exercise-in-2015-decision-ahead-of-Modi-visit/articleshow/46880799.cms

Summary paragraph:

Indian defense secretary ( R.K. Mathur) and Chinese defense minister ( Chang Wanquan) have both decided to organize a joint military exercise between  both of the countries militaries later this year. This decision was reached upon and agreed upon by both leaders at the 7th Annual Defense and Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.  This agreement took place on Friday, April 10, 2015.  Top officials from India headed by R.K. Mathur were involved in this agreement, along with with top Chinese officials who were headed by Chang Wanquan.  This agreement was taken into order by both countries in an effort to increase the growth of bilateral ties between the two nations, and prevent any further firing upon the Indo-China border, after the recent Chinese incursion upon Indian territory.  Another reason this agreement was taken place, was in order to create a sense of “friendship” between both nations, so that they could release tensions between the two countries and easily come upon agreements on issues both countries have interest in later this year during India’s prime minister (Narendra Modi) visit to China.

Response Paragraph:

To me, a big issue that this article brought to my attention was if India could really afford to trust China on this friendship renewal.  I say this because right before the Sino-Indian  war (during the 1960’s), the Chinese wanted to, and did create a good friendship with India, but quickly struck a military attack upon India after the friendship between the two nations was consolidated.  Also if you look at all military conflicts between China and India, China has been the one to always start attacking, despite always declaring a good friendship with India. So unless India is only agreeing to this deal for the protection of its citizens, and as an effort to prevent any more military conflicts with China, I do not support India’s decision to engage in a military exercise with China.  I say this because, by engaging in an agreement with one of its enemies, and also one of its enemies which currently has seized a portion of India’s land (by military force), India is showing the world that it has no backbone, and that it is weak.  This to me could be a very potent problem to India, as if other countries start to recognize India as weak, they could team up together to demand specific needs from India, of which the Indian government would have to comply to (to avoid international conflict), which in turn could economically hurt India.

Second Article

Work Cited:

Merica, Dan. "The Chinese government isn't happy with Hillary Clinton." CNN. 
     CNN, 7 Apr. 2015. Web. 11 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/07/ 
     politics/hillary-china-twitter/>. 

Working Link : http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/07/politics/hillary-china-twitter/

Summary paragraph:

On Monday, April 6, 2015, Hillary Clinton tweeted a tweet which clearly showed her disgust towards the Chinese government in regards to their detaining of women activist in China, and how she felt that it must stop.  We don’t know where from exactly Hillary has sent this tweet from, but her tweet also relates to her call out for womens rights at the United Nations' 4th World Conference on Women which took place in Beijing in 1995.  Hilary has recalled to this speech many times in the two previous  years, and will continue to advocate for women's rights worldwide in the upcoming days.  This is due to the fact that Clinton will be running for president in the next presidential election, and will use her call outs for womens rights to appeal to a range of voters.  The Chinese government has responded back to Hillary's tweet by basically stating that- China is a country run by law, and that relevant cases of China will be handled according the law, and that also they would hope other foreign leaders would recognize China's independence and law system.  Republicans also have began to attack democratic Clinton’s tweet by advertising past statements of Clinton which clearly contradicts Clintons message in her tweet.

Response paragraph:

I do not agree with Clintons tweet and the action she took to show her disgust towards Chinese detaining of women activist.  This is because, if she is to be our president after the upcoming presidential elections, she has to maintain a good relationship with China, as we are economically dependent upon China, and if we do not maintain good relations, our economy could totally drop.  Also, if Hillary is trying to win an election by showing her care for women in other country, she should know that America is leading country in rape crimes against women, and she should be more practical and try to solve the rape problem in America, rather than first worrying about women overseas.  One question which came to my mind while reading this article was was: Is Hilary going to continue to lash out on the actions of other countries she disagrees with in the future, in order to appeal to more voters? If Hillary decides to do so, and ends up winning the presidential seat, I will be very worried for America, because many countries in the world do not like America, and Hilary could only strengthen tensions between America and these countries (if she decides to bash out aga them), which could hurt America very much economically if we have trade going on with these countries.  This in the long-run could lead to the loss of many American jobs, which Hillary should consider, as secure jobs and employment have always been the goal of many Americans.

Third article(had to use two articles pertaining to the same event to gather more  information)

Work Cited:

Abbas, Gohar. "Pakistan frees Mumbai attacks 'mastermind,' angering India." 
     Yahoo News. Yahoo News, 10 Apr. 2015. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. 
     <http://news.yahoo.com/ 
     pakistan-frees-suspected-mumbai-attacks-mastermind-bail-sources-100208360.html>.

Khan, Omar Farooq. "‘Insult to victims of 26/11’: Lakhvi walks free from 
     Pak jail, angering India." Times Of India. Times of India, 10 Apr. 2015. 
     Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ 
     Insult-to-victims-of-26/11-Lakhvi-walks-free-from-Pak-jail-angering-India/ 
     articleshow/46877639.cms>. 

Working links

http://news.yahoo.com/pakistan-frees-suspected-mumbai-attacks-mastermind-bail-sources-100208360.html

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Insult-to-victims-of-26/11-Lakhvi-walks-free-from-Pak-jail-angering-India/articleshow/46877639.cms

Summary Paragraph:

Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, the head of the terrorist organization (Lashkar-e-Taiba)  and accused for the 26/11 terrorist attacks on India, has been released from Pakistani prison (after five years) through bail.  He was let go from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, after the Lahore high court denied the Punjab government of Pakistan request to keep Lakv for further interrogation and questioning.  The denial by the Lahore high court occurred sometime in the middle of march, while Lakhvi was released on Friday, April 10, 2015.  The Pakistani government was solely involved in jailing Lakhvi while also allowing the release of him, but now faces new pressures from other countries such as: France and India to imprison him again.  According to Pakistan Lakhvi was released because they had not received enough evidence from India in order to fully accuse him for the terrorist attacks.  While according to India, Pakistan has released Lakhvi because their government supports (Islamic) terrorism, and the hurting of innocent civilians.

Response Paragraph:

I was totally disgusted by the Pakistani government decision to release a leader of terrorist group, and that also a terrorist group which has been known to kill innocent civilians in the highly disputed area of Kashmir.  I really do hope not that Pakistani government does not support this terrorist group, as both organizations (the terrorist group and the Pakistani government) do have a mutual goal of capturing Kashmir from India.  A goal which has previously led to two wars between Pakistan and India, and could lead to more if Pakistan supports this terrorist group and continues to do so (as it would anger India), which in turn could lead to the loss of many innocent lives.  I belief the best way to prevent any future wars between the two nations would be for India to give up Kashmir to Pakistan.  Though this brings up the concern of that the Pakistani government (a muslim based government) could start to discriminate against hindus in Kashmir, who the Indian military is currently protecting, along with any other Kashmiri citizens who want Kashmir to be a part of India.  Though at the current moment, in order to achieve peace, I believe that the Pakistani government should reimprison Lakhvi, as a way to prevent strong tensions between India and Pakistan, and as a way to prevent further terrorist operations which could be taken out by him, despite the lack of evidence linking him to the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

The absence of a boot.

Artifact from:

 http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_da.php?MediaId=111

Passage: pages 82 to 84

Here Elle is recalling the time as a child when he and his father tried to escape the Nazi camp by running away from the camp with the other Jews, instead of staying back in the infirmary and hoping for the best.  The biggest problem for Elle here was that before his attempted escape his foot that had been operated opened up and began to bleed, this ended up causing many problems for Elle.

Now the artifact I have posted above is of a boot which was supplied to someone named Jacob Polak(a former Nazi prisoner) by the American army after the liberation of the Nazi camp begam.  This tells us that the Jewish prisoners of the Nazi’s didn’t have proper footwear, of which we also see when Elle was running away on his bare bloody painful foot.

These facts have led me to think that Elle is symbolizing not having proper footwear or proper boots (in relativity to a Nazi prisoner) as defeat, and not being able to escape Nazi imprisonment.  This can be seen in the passage towards the end on page 84, as Elle and his fellow inmates become captured again by the Nazi S.S. officers.  Though in the story of the artifact of the link I have posted above, Jacob should in my opinion associate his proper footwear/boots with victory, as it was only brought to him by people who were trying to save him and liberate him from the Nazi’s, the American army.  So Elle is basically trying to say: our escape was unsuccessful.

            Another interesting thing to notice in this passage is when Elle was trying to fall asleep but could not as his “foot was on fire”.(Wiesel, 83)  Now, you might think that Elle just can’t fall asleep because his foot was killing him, of which we can interpret from this metaphor.  Though I also think Elle is trying to bring back and repeat the idea of the crematorium, and the fire and flames which come with it. I think Elle is trying to foreshadow that their escape will be failed and they will be caught by the Nazi’s again, as Elle and the reader is now well aware that “fire” symbolizes death and loss for the Jews in this Nazi camp, and by saying that his “foot was on fire.(Wiesel, 83).  Elle is trying to show in easy terms of his foot hurting that his escape will be a failure, as it is hard to run fast or even walk with a burning foot. Therefore Elle foreshadows in the end basically that him and his escaped Jewish inmates will become Nazi prisoners in the future again.

In the end, Elle using symbolization and foreshadowing together to help him signify that him having no proper footwear for his painful foot, shows that his escape with the others will be a failure.