Blog Post #16.

16. What are the factors that contribute to the 'creation' of a modern 'terrorist'? What can be done by human civilization to mitigate these factors?

The three main factors that contribute to modern terrorism are poverty, racism and religion. Today, we are more exposed to the dangers of terrorism because it is more common in society. For example, many Muslims are forced into becoming suicide bombers in order to aid their families. This is where poverty is connected. The terrorist group leaders attract potential members by enticing them with benefits. They entice them by promising that they will take care of their families financially. They are also brainwashed by the leaders into thinking that society is against their religion and that it is "their right" to kill. There's not much civilization can do in order to erase years of terrorism but dealing with the situation at the root of the problem will help to mitigate the factors. Nations should spread the word of equality and let all religions and ethnic groups know that they are all viewed as equals. 

Blog Post #20.

• 20. As you move into the next phase of your life, how will you try to affect change in the world regarding the issues studied in this course?

This question relates to my life in many ways. Next year at U of T, I will be studying Political Science. With my degree, I hope to work for an NGO or even a think tank. I am extremely fascinated in these fields and their work. This course has allowed me to broaden my perspective on the world issues and I believe that this skill will help me throughout my life and profession. 

Blog Post #19.

• 19. What is the most important skill that you’ve learned through your participation in this course, and how will you use it as you move on with your life?

This course has allowed me to further my understanding on major events in the world. The three that I mastered are "The Arab- Israeli Conflict", "The Syrian Civil War" and "The Human Rights Violations in North Korea". All three of these issues, I found myself extremely interested in the factors that have caused them. This course has taught me how to research an issue properly. I have learned how to extract important points from news articles and how to create a proper presentation and position paper. These skills will be put to great use next year in University. Two of the courses I am interested in next year include current events and I feel prepared to state my opinion on these issues. 

Blog Post #18.

18. What was the central theme for this course? Why? How does your choice relate to...(insert one issue as an example)...

The central theme of this course was "current events". This created the basis for the course and allowed us to branch off into different sub- subjects. For example, the Arab- Israeli conflict. Not only did we hear and read about the event in the news, but we also created our own simulation to help us better understand the issue and its history. Many of the issues that we discussed, also had a lot of history behind them. For example, the Syrian Civil War. There has been conflict between President Bashar Al-Assad and Syrian citizens for many years, but we recently were exposed to the conflict between the President and the rebel group. This course exposed me to the issues and I was able to learn about them in more depth. 

Blog Post #17.

17. If you lived in America today, where would you be on the gun issue? Consider the 5th Amendment right to carry arms and discuss why you think there should or should not be restrictions placed on gun ownership in America.

If I were an American citizen, I myself would own a self defense gun. I am not "pro guns", but with all of the devastating events that have taken place in the past year, I feel as if i would need to protect myself. Of course, the right to own arms is clearly states in the 5th Amendment, but I believe that the US government needs to monitor and control the use of arms more carefully. Anyone can buy a gun in the US whether they have a license to carry one or not. There are many black markets where you can purchase arms. This poses a problem. The US government needs to not only monitor those who are purchasing them, but also the stores that are selling them. The reason why I believe  there should be restrictions is because without and order, the guns will be misused and many innocent lives will be lost in the process.  

Blog Post #15.

15. Does religion, or religious principles/ethics/morals, have any place in government? Should government create laws based on these norms?

I believe that ethnic groups do no have any place in government, for example, Aboriginals in Canada. They have two parties that represent their ethnic group in Canadian government, but do not have a say in any government decisions. Government creates laws that will benefit the majority of its citizens. Canada is a multi- cultural nation with many different ethnic groups and religions.  It is difficult for a nation to create laws that will satisfy every citizen and or ethnic group. I do believe that the government should create general laws that can cater to religion and ethnic groups so that their needs are being met.

Blog Post #14.

14. One way that developed countries 'help' the less fortunate nations of the world is by offering aid in the form of food. This approach to aid has been criticized by some as ineffective at best, and criminal at worst. Read through the material posted here, then answer the question: "What is food dumping, and how does it contribute to the cycle of poverty and dependence among the world's poorest people?" Also, offer a solution to the problem.

"Food dumping" is the term that refers to the developed nations who are aiding under developed countries with food aid. The local farmers in under developed nations are suffering from this aid due to the little demand for their products. This affects the farmers and their businesses which can plummet and affect the countries economy. This contributes to the cycle of poverty because the under developed countries that are dependent on the food aid, also cause problems for the developed nations. There are hundreds of impoverished countries around the world. This also creates a problem for the developed countries in terms of who they decide to distribute their food aid to. In my opinion, there are pros and cons to this issue. Although under developed countries are able to receive food aid and feed most of their citizens, there are more cons connected when weighing this issue on a larger scale. When the developed countries provide the aid, it does not motivate the under developed countries to plan a way to provide for themselves. In my opinion, instead of the developed countries simply shipping food, they should send in representatives who can aid these countries in creating their own plan of action in solving the issue of poverty. These representatives can aid in terms of agricultural and economical needs. I believe that this would be a cheaper and more effective solution than food dumping. 

Blog Post #13.

What does the recent arrest of two people who are suspected of planning a terrorist attack on Canadian soil mean to you? What impact does it have on Canada? What impact does it have on how people think about Islam? What motivates people to turn to terrorism in Canada?

This issue affects not only myself but my friends and family as well. This issue affects myself directly because I will be attending the University of Toronto next year and was previously planning on taking the train back home. I also have many friends and family that live in Toronto and use the train as their mode of transportation. The fact that this issue has migrated from the US up to Canadian soil concerns me. The devastation that the Boston marathon bombing brought to not only Americans, but citizens from all across the world terrifies me if it were to take place in my own community. If something were to happen close to my home, I myself would be emotionally scarred over the event. Islamic citizens are now looked at differently after these two events. Innocent Islamic-Canadian's and or American's are receiving scrutiny following the events. I believe that it is directly impacting their culture as they continue to protect their religion and their "brothers". I cannot think of a mens rea that could connect to Canadian terrorism. What I do know is that the Boston marathon bombing has become a gateway event for other terrorist to commit their actus reus's against targeted nation. 

Blog Post #12.

What long term impact will the terror attacks at the Boston Marathon have on western civilization?

The Boston Marathon attack has not only gained the attention of Canadian provinces, but of nations around the World. This attack will affect public events for many years to come. For example, other marathons, sporting events and concerts. I believe that the affects of this event will also change the way in which Canada organizes their security and safety procedures. There will be a Toronto marathon in the next month or so and I have heard news of Toronto's security re-planning their course of action on case of any attacks. This event has also devastated the citizens of Boston. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this attack.

Blog Post #11.

US Drone Strikes: What's the big deal? Good idea or bad? Why?

In my opinion, the US drone strike is a good idea for many reasons. Firstly, the United States is flying these computer operated jets over nations and killing citizens. Secondly, the United States is benefiting from these drones because they have the technology and they do not need to send their human army and risk loosing lives. The United States is taking advantage while also in violation of human rights. For example, they use these drones in order to target Al-Qaeda, an Islamic terrorist group in Iraq. When they hover over the territory, they target "so called" Al-Qaeda members. The problem which lies in this is that the United States has zero proof in the identification of these members. In addition to their "false marking", they are in violation of sections 2,6,7,8,9,10 and 11 which are outlined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The main violation is under section 11 which states that "Citizens that are charged with a criminal offense, have the right to remain innocent until proven guilty. As well, the citizen is guaranteed rights that will allow him/her to properly defend himself/herself." These drones are killing citizens without the United Sates giving them a proper trial for their offense against society. In conclusion, the drone strike in the US is a positive one and I hope for the strike to continue. 

Blog Post #10.

North Korea: What would you do if you were President Obama?

If I were President Obama and I had the opportunity to address the situation in North Korea I would  work on three main problems; human rights issues, the nuclear weapon development and Kim Jong Un.  Even though these three issues are complex, they connect to each other directly. By addressing Kim Jong Un, the solutions for the two other issues would be resolved aswell. Without Kim Jong Un's dictatorship, their would be not nuclear weapons nor human rights issues. If I were Obama, I would create a peace treaty with not only North Korea, but also with South Korea, China and Russia. The reason why I chose these three nations is because South Korea is being directly affected by the North and China and Russia are strong nations with Veto power in the United Nations Security Council. This treaty would state that the United States would like to extent peace to North Korea in exchange for dismantling their nuclear program. If they were to refuse this offer and or break the treaty, the United States would not hesitate to attack North Korea. Due to the United States and their powerful army/nuclear weapons, I have no doubts that they would loose this battle. Of course this plan of action would be our last resort. By having China and Russia sign onto this treaty, it would mean that two of the strongest nations in not only the middle east but in the world could help to monitor the activity taking place in North Korea. I am aware that China has chosen to not intervene in order to maintain their high economic status in the east, but just by helping to cease North Korea's nuclear development, their economy status would not be in jeopardy.

Blog Post #9.

The Sexualization of Mainstream Society -- Is it a problem?

I believe that the sexualization of society is in fact a problem because it contaminates the minds of not only the youth population, but the adult as well. Sexualization commonly refers to women. Men, associate their sexual fantasies about women in degrading manors. This has become an issue in society and is mentally and physically damaging young and older women. Even in the corporate world, women are viewed as sexual objects rather than judged on their intellectual capabilities. Sexualization will only worsen as a result of the development of society. 

Blog Post #8.

Poverty: What role should the wealthy nations of the world, like Canada and the United States, play in easing the suffering of the world's poorest people? What responsibility do the wealthiest people have in tackling global poverty?

Wealthy nations of the World are the perfect solution to the world’s poverty. Nations such as the United States and Canada can step up and aid the underdeveloped countries in relieving some of their poverty stress. For example, they can assemble and discuss ways in which they can aid the countries, by providing them with clean water wells and building facilities where children can attend school. Although, many of the world’s wealthiest people do donate their money to charities, they can step up their donations internationally to more underdeveloped countries. 

Blog Post #7.

Connecticut School Shooting: What does this event teach us about society?

On December 14th, 2012, 26 people were shot at Sandy Hook Elementary School-20 of them children. The shooter was 20 year old Adam Lanza who later killed himself after his rampage. This event has spread all across the world gaining the attention of citizens everywhere. The firearm laws in the United States need to be altered. Adam Lanza has access to his mothers weapons that were kept in the basement close to his room. Even though the mother had all her weapons registered, she should have kept them locked up where they could not be accessed by anyone but her. This teaches us that society has become outrageous. This shooting has deeply disturbed me and my prayers go out to the poor families affected by this. May they rest in peace. 

Blog Post #6.

Israel Settlement Building: Do you agree with Israel's decision to resume the settlement building in the E1 zone? why?

I do not agree with Israel's decision to re build settlement camps in the E1 zones. This will cause greater problems between Israel and Palestine. By Israel rebuilding, they are breaking the truce and this will only make Palestine angry and more likely to attack. Since Israel has broken the truce, Palestine will rebel and begin to construct more nuclear missiles to launch over to the West Bank. This conflict will never get resolved if both sides cannot stay devoted to the truce.

Blog Post #4. Gapminder.org

As income increases, the ratio of females to males who can, with understanding, read and write a short statement on their every day life increase as well. This can perhaps be explained because as money increases their access to education becomes much more accessible. Thus ranking them in a higher economic status. 

By: Shelbie Reid and Emily Greco