Blogs

Blog # 1

[]

In the blog, __Melting Ice Cap Clears Path for Further Destruction__, the writer (Andrew Leonard) is basically saying that the ice caps are melting faster and faster every year. Because the ice started melting decades ago, the ice is now easier to travel through. Its more convenient for people from Russia to deliver exports to China. This may seem like an advancement, but the fact that Russia is exporting fossil fuels like gas and oil makes the situation worse. More fossil fuels are being used and burned into the environment due to the fact that China has more resources. It can be worse in the future because fossil fuels can be exported from one country to another all over the world. People, including myself, are wondering why global warming is getting worse. This is one of the factors as people continuously live for their own selfish needs. They aren't involved enough to help pollution decrease. It may be selfish to say, but many people don't worry about the environment and global warming because they won't be alive in the future to witness it.

Blog # 2

[]

In the blog, __Meat-pocalypse Now__ written by Andrew Leonard, the writer basically shows the concern that Americans have for the rising demand of crops and meats. Corn and other crops are growing slower and slower each year. On the same note, livestock are breeding slower each year making retail prices of crops skyrocket as meats reach the highest prices since the 1980s. Farmers are even more concerned, holding the responsibility of reaching record highs of crop growth and meat production. Factors like increasing mixtures of droughts and floods from weather due to global warming make it less possible for these farmers to reach their goals. The blog relates to people's concern with the environment. A definite factor causing the production of such goods to be difficult to produce is the weather. Animals are trying to adapt to these extreme weather changes. Also, plants die more often, being unable to survive in such extreme heat or coldness. Recently, the environment has been a tough factor to handle for people around the world including farmers that many people depend on for food.

Blog # 3

[]

In the blog, __Chilean Miners: Saved by Capitalism?__ written by Andrew Leonard, is discussing that the United States is losing its power as a "superior nation." An example is how the United States made a big fuss about the miners in Chile, believing that American products were the reason that they were saved. However, many product made outside of the U.S. like China's, a communist nation, construction crane which took the miners out. It is evident that the U.S. will not always be an international super power due to its downfall in the economy which is at its worst since the Great Depression. It is believed that the U.S. will fall to socialism due to the fact that capitalism is currently failing to meet its expectations. In order for the economy to rise again, the executive branch must take some sort of control. President Obama has taken some control of "badly regulated" free markets in order put the economy back on track. Its obvious that the U.S.'s economy is deteriorating in everyday life as people like myself witness others having their homes foreclosed due to such high taxes and low income. Along with the inability of many citizens to maintain a stable home, prices for food has risen due to the economy's horrible condition. If the economy continues to fall, it will have no choice, but to fall under socialism.

Blog # 4

[]

In the blog, __China's Crazy U.S. Rare Earth Blockade__, Andrew Leonard writes about the decision that China unfortunately made. According to the blog, rare earth minerals from China used for clean energy technology have been stopped being exported to the U.S. China and the United States have had tension before due to the government difference of communism and capitalism. More tension is built as the Chinese halt the U.S. from importing such crucial minerals. This minerals are very crucial as Americans rely on them for a natural resource of energy that does not harm the environment. Not only does China's action intend to somewhat increase global warming, but also create more tension with the United States. This tension could possibly cause a dangerous nuclear war as China is supported by countries like North Korea, who have nuclear warfare. This decision affects every American as it could put their lives in danger. The possible war could be the first war where both of the opponents have nuclear weapons. This decision just negatively impacts China and the United States' relationship which will only lead to a negative impact.

Blog # 5

[]

__The New Barbarism: Keeping Science Out of Politics__ is basically a blog discussing how people are making steps backwards instead of advancing their politics. Science is purposely used so that the government could be more accurate. Science is needed in politics in order for the politics to be correct. For example, a school is determined to be safe if it doesn't contain asbestos. To do this, scientist must test and make observations on the school, helping politicians make the right decision. Science is needed for every aspect in the world whether it be simple or complicated. Taking science out of politics would make civilizations go backwards and make people act like "barbarians." Science proves whether a theory is right or wrong.

Quarter 2

Blog # 1

[]

__G-20 Report: Let Loose the Dogs of Currency War__ describes the current issue of how $600 billion is being brought into U.S.'s economy. Ben Bernanke believes that this would put America's economy back on track with more money being profited and spent. However, countries are raising their concerns as they feel like it would hurt the international economy. They have a valid reason as more money in the economy would mean a higher risk of inflation and asset bubbles. The idea may seem like a good solution for the United states alone, but the world economy would suffer. Countries believe it would make more problems and feel that it would be a selfish action for U.S. to do for their own goals. The U.S. was secretly hoping that this plan would force China to give in to the U.S.'s plans and policies. This blog relates to multilateral cooperation around the world. If countries cannot agree on an economic idea then it's gonna be more difficult to compromise on issues including nuclear weapons which could cause the first nuclear war.

Blog # 2

[]

__What Beijing's Horrendous Traffic Jams Say About Green Energy__ is a blog focusing on the one of the issues in China. As described in a previous blog, China and the United States have tensions between each other as China cut off the export of their resources into the U.S.. China is now claiming that its doing this to make a more "green," decision and cleaner environment. This is ironic as China is starting to industrialize and look more like a Westernized nation. Time passes by as Ferrari dealerships and Gucci stores are being made in China showing the irony. This relates to the world's global warming and the non-cooperation between international countries. The U.S. can't rely on China for fossil fuels or any other materials because they will just cause more destruction on the o-zone layer. Also, the U.S. wouldn't have to rely on China for resources as much. The non-cooperation between the countries could possibly cause other countries to be involved with the tension. If tensions occurs between groups of countries then another world war could happen. The world doesn't wouldn't want a war between major nations as a nuclear war could start killing people faster and possibly causing more civilian deaths.

Blog # 3

[]

__Why Chinese Teenagers Don't Speak Albanian__ centers the idea around the changes in China. In the past century, China has experienced multiple changes under different rulers. One of the examples is in the 1960s when Albanians began to share their language with the Chinese. As China was under Communist rule, so was Albania, therefore the culture spread. Its explained in the blog that China goes through many changes about every decade, but it really doesn't affect their future. Because there are so many generation gaps in China, it doesn't affect the government and the culture as much. China is affected by the future leaders and in a couple of decades, it seems that China will use Western World ideas to modernize in life. I thought this was informative and somewhat funny. I like that it told me a fact about Albanians that I never knew before as I come from an Albanian background. It was also interesting to know that my dad knew this already and understood why the Albanians were in China.

Blog # 4

[]

__How Starving the Beast Makes Us Fat__ is a blog describing the a new study on Americans. Its shows that Americans are more likely to be obese if they use credit cards instead of money. Because credit cards are quicker to use with a slide, there isn't much time for a person to doubt buying fattening or just too much food. Its shown that "when you pay with cash, the theory goes, you tend to weigh your purchases more carefully." I think this is true as people just swipe their credit card as its meant for quicker payments. Not valuing their money or evaluating the unhealthy food, credit-card users going to eat more unhealthily than those who use cash. I chose this blog because it relates to what I'm currently doing in class which is relating correlations. The two factors are between credit cards/money and obesity. The fact that these two subjects don't seem to be too related is surprising to know that they are correlated.

Blog # 5

[]

__November Jobs Report: A Big Step Backwards__ is discussing how in November the number of jobs failed to meet its expectations. It was believed that as the economy was growing, the employed population would grow. However, as the statistics show, the unemployment rate have risen .2%. In December, the unemployment rate was 9.6% and it decreased in November with 9.8%. There is some optimism in this story as the unemployment rate dropped in October as more people started to get hired and work. It is relatively evident that it is tough for people to get jobs because being a person that's looking for a job, it is really difficult for me to find a job where the company is hiring. There even is some parts in the nation where they purposely tell people that they are not hiring because they are constantly being asked for applications or if they are hiring.

Blog # 6

[]

In the blog, __Happiness is a Growing Economy__, there seems to be a positive outlook on the future of the U.S.'s economy. In November reports, many different businesses have increased productivity. For example, the automobile industry is doing its best since September 2008 when the recession began. Also it seems as if the housing market is being revived as people are able to buy and sell more homes. I think this blog relates a lot to the state of the United States' economy. There is a brighter future ahead as employment is expected to rise. With this, the economy will slowly, but steadily get itself back on track. This is great as when I graduate from college, I would have a better chance of getting a job as businesses and industries are openly willing to hire new employees.

Quarter 3 -EXCUSED AS PRIZE FROM IN-CLASS GAME

Quarter 4

Blog # 1

[]

In the blog, "Tax the Rich: How Hard Can It Be," there seems to be difficulty finalizing on who to tax. The more powerful politicians, like President Obama, definitely want to start taxing the rich. Obama claims that the tax cuts will not be renewed for millionaires and billionaires because the U.S. cannot afford it right now. The U.S. needs to try and gets as much money as it can in order to revive the economy.This isn't surprising to me as a government that is mostly run by democrats get what they want. The democrats get more of the power to tax the republicans more. It seems as if republicans tend to be more rich and want to protect their wealth. This is a national issue because the United States isn't as deep in the recession as it was before. However, there's still a large chance that it could get worse if money is handled incorrectly. Therefore, the United States must understand how to fix their economy to prevent history from repeating itself.

Blog # 2

[]

"Maine's Child-Labor Mess" is a blog basically concerned with