Article Response #15

       The West Coast braces itself for a pacific storm that pour needed rain on the California drought, but the storm promises to carry a high price as schools in San Francisco and Oakland are bracing themselves to be closed Thursday. The rainfall is expected to be so significant that meteorologist is calling it an atmospheric river.
        Atmospheric rivers are 250 to 400 miles wide and split off like a tributary from larger band of moisture from the tropics. 30%-50% of annual precipitation on the west coast occurs in atmospheric events. They cause major flooding when they make landfall and stall over a particular that the bay area is bracing itself for. The highest elevations of northern California are expected to get 10 inches of rain. SF is believed to possibly see 4 inches in city and 8 inches in the hills. 
      The SFUSD superintendent said,  "I did not arrive at this lightly. First and foremost, we don't want to risk having our students injured or seriously delayed transporting to and from school. In addition to student absences, the storm could result in large numbers of staff absences, which could then lead to inadequate supervision of our students. Furthermore, power outages could affect the district's ability to feed students' school meals, among many other operational challenges."
     Oakland school officials cited “ an extreme and potentially dangerous weather system” as a reason for closing.” Rain is much more common if along the gulf or Atlantic coasts, but for parched California, which researchers at the university of Nebraska say is most drought stricken state in the country. Bay area on Tuesday, public works crews got ready for downpour. “This is not the most glamorous work here is, even with equipment like this. This is still really hard work. Hard and dirty work but something that has to be done to make sure the system functions properly when we do have a big storm," Caltrans spokesman Bob Haus.

Bay Area power crews cut pine tree limbs hanging over power lines ahead of winds of 30-40 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. howling winders will drive up and down the west coast.

Article Response #14

          The CIA’s interrogations of terrorists detainees during the Bush era were considered brutal and didn’t reveal any information that prevented an attack, according to the Senate report that was released Tuesday.  The report issued by the senate intelligence committee is condemnation of tactics considered by many as torture. 

         The techniques were flawed and poorly managed often-contained false information. CIA misled the Bush White House about the harsh methods it used to contain results from interrogating al Qaeda suspects. The report is highlighting the divide over combating terrorism that dominated Washington a decade ago. Democrats argue the tactics conflicted with American values while leading members of the Bush administration insist they were key to stopping another homeland attack. 

         The report contains details of secret facilities that the detainees where subjected to near drowning, or waterboarding, days of sleep deprivation, threatened with mock executions and threats that relatives would be sexually abused. The claim of the report is primarily that CIA methods did not produce information necessary to save lives that was not already available from other means. 

       Supporters of the program believe that it was pivotal in obtaining intelligence from detainees that couldn’t be obtained through conversational interrogations. It was reported tat a detainee was said to have died of hypothermia after being held nude chained to the concrete while other times other prisoners were hooded and dragged up and down corridors while bring beat up. It was believed that 26 detainees were held there wrongfully as partly because there was no information to justify detention. 

       Dianne Feinstein said that CIA’s actions in aftermath of 9/11 were a “stain on our values and on our history. A 500 page summary cannot remove that stain, but it can and does say that our people and the world that America is big enough to admit when it’s wrong and confident enough to learn from its mistakes.”

        President Barack Obama said in a statement about the report “were not only inconsistent with our values as a nation, they did not server our broader counterterrorism efforts or our national security interests.” Obama outlawed these interrogation techniques soon after become president in 2009.

Article Response #13 - Tamir Rice: US police kill boy, 12, carrying replica gun
BBC News has reported grim news that a 12-year-old little boy has now died after a standoff with police in Cleveland, Ohio. The 12-year-old, Tamir Rice, was carrying a replica toy gun in a playground when police approached him after receiving a 911 call from someone concern for their own safety in regards to Rice's weapon. The 911 caller, who has remained anonymous, stated during the call that he was unsure if the gun was real or a toy. 
According to police reports, the police approached Rice and immediately ordered him to raise his hands. Rice did not comply, although "did not make any verbal nor point the gun towards the officers.." 
The incident has directly preceded the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Missouri, where it was decided that the police officer in the fatal shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, would not be indicted. This decision has sparked violent protests in the town, prompting a heavy police presence and crackdown.
Tamir Rice was shot on Saturday afternoon and died in hospital early on Sunday morning. Allegedly, officers shot the young boy after he pulled the toy gun from his trousers. The decreased child's family has hired a lawyer and they are doing their own independent investigation into what happened. The Cleveland police force has come under increased scrutiny in recent years.
       I believe this is the breaking point in an increasingly violent society where police have an unchecked power against civilians. 

Article Response - "With apprehension filling the air, Ferguson awaits grand jury ruling"

BBC reports that Officer Darren Wilson is planning to leave Ferguson Police Department and possibly going to give up being a police officer altogether as result of a grand jury deciding not to indict him in the death of Michael Brown an unarmed teenager. 

Currently, Wilson is on paid leave and there are discussions going on that he wants to separate from the department. 

Wilson’s lawyer Neil Bruntrager said “realistically, he can’t go back to being a police officer. He knows that. There’s no illusion about any of this. But it’s the way in which he leaves… that’s important to him on different levels.” Wilson hopes by resigning it will ease pressure and protect other officers. During the trail Wilson expressed concern about resigning while the grand jury was hearing evidence for the fear it would make him appear that he was confessing.

Brown’s death led to violent demonstrations in the St. Louis suburb the days following the incident and this week after the grand jury announced that Monday it would not charge Wilson. Wilson said he killed the 18 year old out of fear for his own life during the altercation. Wilson is consistent in saying that he feels he has done nothing wrong. 

It is probably in Wilson’s best interest to separate himself from the police department all together as there would surely be much animosity and threats against his own life and follow officers as result. It is possible Wilson that he could be targeted as an example for protesters and demonstrators to relieve frustrations with this case and many others similar to this one.

       Wilson holds he has done nothing wrong and was following the training he was given for that type of hostile situation. 

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/18/justice/ferguson-awaits-grand-jury-ruling/

Article Response #11

Article Response #11 - Ferguson awaits grand jury ruling

      In Ferguson, Missouri tensions are alarmingly high awaiting the verdict of Officer Darren Wilson standing trail for the shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. The grand jury is predicted to come to a conclusion within the next few days or week and there has been speculation concerning among lawyers analysts and journalists on when they will announce their decision. Residents in Ferguson however are looking the conclusion of this as soon as possible. 

     Street demonstrations were of abundance after Brown’s killing, as the nation watched heavily armed police forges fight off angry protesters who are seeking justice for his killing. The killing of unarmed black teenager by a white authority figure has naturally made Ferguson epicenter for racial tensions in the United States.  

     Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has issues a state of emergency Monday as a precaution of what is to come. Businesses have began putting plywood boards and are facing questions on what do they think of the state of emergency. Dan McMullen a business owner is Ferguson says, “ I just want to get this over with and move on”.  Ferguson Mayer James Knowles told local media this month that the region should prepare for the worst. St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson said that his officers are prepared for whatever happens and that acts of violence will not b tolerated by any means. 

    Their tactics will support protecting lawful citizens and arresting apprehending criminals. School superintends suggested to city officials requesting that the grand jury’s decision on an evening or weeknights so it does not affect the estimated 20,000 students coming to and from schools. 

    Protesters have been exciting practice runs on how they will face to the police and continue their demonstrations. The Ferguson National Response Network expects that about 70 planned out responses to the ruling that will take place from west Palm Beach, Florida, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles in support of Brown. 

    Wilson however has supports that have demonstrated as will suggesting the Brown might have attracted Wilson. But the response to this is that Wilson shot Brown 6 times all upper body chest area from about 30 feet away in his police cruiser and Brown had his hands up in surrender. Overall its fair to say that Ferguson and the rest of the United States should take notice and be prepared for what might transpire. 

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/18/justice/ferguson-awaits-grand-jury-ruling/

Article Response #12

Article Response #12 - Obama to announce major U.S. immigration changes

    President Barack Obama announced this week his plans to override the executive powers to create major changes to the immigration policy. 

     Obama plans to reveal on Thursday his plan for deportation for possibly undocumented migrants. Republicans in congress say such action would be beyond his authority and create sour relations with Congress. 

    Thomas Sparrow of BBC Mundo believes because Hispanics voted overwhelmingly for President Obama in both 2008 and 2012 in part because of his promise to repair what he calls the country’s broken immigration system. Hispanics have become disappointed with his lack comprehensive immigration reform. 

    There are questions being raised about undocumented immigrants will ultimately be covered by his unilateral actions and how easy it will be to implement them with Republican controlled Congress, measures taken will play crucial part in Obama’s remaining two years in the White House, as he seeks to build his legacy. This could also impact the 2016 election because both Democratic and Republican hopefuls want to get the majority of Hispanic vote.

    The president's plan is believed to be station around having more young people and parents of children who US citizens or legal residents the right to vote. The number of suggested policy could be as high as 5 million of the 11 million illegal immigrants. Other parts of the action would include number of high tech workers allowed to live and work in the U.S.  

      An expansion of existing deferred action plans that moves cut off date for children arriving in 2010, and shifting border security resources to the US southern border. Overall, Obama will shake up the U.S. with his announcement on Thursday.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30118785

Article Response #10

Article Response #10 - 'US healthcare enrollment goal lowered'

        BBC News has reported that the United States Secretary of Health Sylia Burwell has now lowered the expectations that were previously set last year for the new "ObamaCare," or federal health insurance plan. The previous expectations, set by the unbiased Congressional Budget Office, were set to about 13 million people to be signed up for health insurance from government websites by March. The lowered expectations now reflect a forecast of about 9 million people to sign up for the same date of March- a huge 4 million person downsize in expectancy.
       While this lowering of expectations is controversial, this is hardly the first time that ObamaCare has made headlines. The Obama administration has had an extremely difficult couple years in the roll out of the Affordable Care Act. The act has unfortunately had many stumbles, which because of the partisan nature of the act, has been sensationalized by the media and by the Republican party as a political tool.        
     One of the top controversies that ObamaCare has encountered includes the occurrence of millions of people who have had their previous health care plans cancelled via their insurance providers. This is after President Obama promised that this would not happen when the act went into effect. Due to this controversy, the Obama administration has received tremendous backlash from not only Republicans, but Democrats as well (including the still influential former President Bill Clinton).
     There has been a response from the Obama administration on this matter, though one may say it has largely been an ineffective fix. As stated in my article analysis a few weeks back, BBC has reported that large employers like Walmart have begun to opt out of paying medical insurance for employees after the implementation of ObamaCare. Walmart has done this by prohibiting employees to gain full-time status by keeping their hours below 45 hours a week. The employer in turn is able to save money and push the responsibility (and cost) to the federal government.
      Due to the long Congressional fight over the legislation and the controversy that have emerged since the act's conception, it is certain that these factors have played a large part in the lower of expectation for participation from citizens.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29997986
http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/193777-top-five-obamacare-controversies-of-2013

Article Response #9 - United States Restricts Airport Arrivals from West Africa due to Ebola

    The global dilemma of Ebola and its consequential issues continue to rage on. In response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, air travelers from the Sierra Leone, Liberia, or Guinea airports are now restricted to landing exclusively at the American airports of Ohare, JFK, Newark, Washington's Dulles or Atlanta. Once there, these West African travelers will undergo advanced and strict screening to prevent the virus from spreading. 
      The family of Thomas Eric Duncan, the Liberian man who has died from Ebola is seeking information about his treatment, however, the hospital is refusing to release the information 
     The WHO (World Health Organization) says that serum that helped patients recover from Ebola will be available to West Africa within a few weeks. The WHO will have an emergency meeting on Ebola in Geneva to discuss whether there needs to be additional measures to fight the outbreak in West Africa. Jeh Johnson of the U.S. Homeland Security says they are working with airlines to introduce U.S. Restrictions with little travel disruption, and that they are working furiously to identify anyone who has been to one of these countries in the past three weeks.  From this point forward there are no scheduled flights from the United States to Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea.  

     These security measures have increased due to the heightened public concern in the United States regarding the Ebola virus spreading to United States citizens. So far in the United States, three people have been infected with one of those dying from the Ebola virus. The virus has already killed 4,500 people total with the vast majority coming from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. 
      During the re-vamped screening process travelers will have temperatures checked upon arrival to the United States, although it must be acknowledged that this is not necessary a sure indicator of the virus. Other less serious viruses, such as the flu, have some of the same symptoms. The precautions taken have to prevent the travel ban that has been brought forth by select members of congress.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29719240

Article Response #8 - "Ebola outbreak: Jet passenger alert over US nurse"

The past few months, the United States has mainly watched from afar as the latest Ebola disease has ravaged West Africa. While it should be acknowledged that the United States Government has made some attempt at aiding the countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak, mainly by their "construction o[f] a 25-bed medical facility to treat health-care workers who come into contact with Ebola and running five mobile labs that expedite tests for the deadly virus" (Wall Street Journal), the disease had not seemed to garner widespread American attention until recent weeks. 

What as changed most drastically in those recent weeks was the occurrence of the first individual diagnosed with Ebola in the United States, the case being a Liberian man, Thomas Eric Duncan, who travelled to Dallas, Texas. One of the most concerning elements of this case, however, was how this infected man slipped through the cracks and made it into the United States as well as what happened after he was finally placed in quarantine. 

Duncan was able to fly from West Africa into the US because he lied on a questionnaire before his flight on whether or not he had come into contact with any infected individuals. It is very troubling that the method of restricting possibly infected individuals from leaving their respective country and possibly spreading the infection is as simple as a questionnaire (that one can easily be dishonest on, as Duncan has shown) and a temperature check. Although it may be expecting too much from these over-extending West African countries to develop more advanced methods to screen passengers, it is not to expect the United States Government to have stricter regulations on flights coming in from that African region. 

After Duncan was diagnosed with Ebola in Texas, he was put into quarantine, however, the medical staff at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital that treated him did not have the necessary protective gear until days after his initial admittance. Because of this lack of training and proper resources, two of the nurses that treated Duncan have contracted the disease themselves. The problem was furthered when was of these nurses (when only showing a slight fever) travelled to Ohio to visit family and visit a college campus. 

It is very unfortunate for the individuals who have come in contact or contracted this disease, but strict regulations need to be put in place to stop the spread of Ebola going any further than it has. This, in accordance with the United States and other nations increasing aid, will do much more than the fear mongering by the American media will. 

Works Referenced:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29632433

http://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-military-effort-to-combat-ebola-in-africa-to-enter-new-phase-1413406781

Article Response #7 - "Walmart's insurance move reveals Obamacare's truth"

         Following the trend I started last week, I am going to explore another domestic issue of American politics that has already affected some Americans already, and has the potential to affect many more. This issue stems from the passage of the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as ObamaCare, and one of the unforeseen consequences that is occurring from it. 
        Although it should be mentioned that the Affordable Care Act was initially passed back in 2010, its implementation has been a sluggish process. Mostly, the reasons for states not encouraging their citizens to obtain the insurance have been partisan and part of the right wing agenda. But other reasons have included some issues in transparency for how to sign up and who qualifies. However, in the past year, the Obama Administration in accordance with cooperating state governments have tried to do a better job of advertising to their target audience. 
        This increased participation from the latest push of ad campaigns is actually starting to create a blowback effect within the corporate community. This blowback is the world's largest private employer, Walmart, cutting its health benefits for employees working thirty hours or fewer. While Walmart's expressed reason for these cuts are "rising health care costs," experts feel it has more to do with the terms for corporations in the Affordable Care Act. 
        These terms state that "large companies are required, starting this January, to provide subsidised healthcare for every employee who works 30-hours a week or more." Because of these strict requirements for workers over thirty hours, Walmart as well as Home Depot, Target, and Walgreens are doing away with benefits altogether for part-time employees. 
       While these changes from wide-spread, employer-provided insurance to the Obamacare health insurance can not be decidedly said as positive or negative just yet, it is a change that seems to be inevitable. 
     
     

Article Response #5 - "Secret Service directer Julia Pierson resigns"

For the past few weeks,  the numerous international issues that have been occurring as of late have received a large percentage of American news media outlets' attention. As I briefly discussed last week, the outbreak of the Ebola disease in West Africa is one of the most pertinent issues in the world today and is making international headlines.  

The Ebola crisis in West Africa has begun to hit closer to home for many Americans with the first case of the disease found in the United States two weeks ago. The Ebola patient, who has remained unnamed, was in Texas visiting his family after a trip to Liberia when he started displaying symptoms of the disease.  This has created a rising fear in the United States that, although the worst of the outbreak are in distant countries, this disease is still a real threat.  The commonness of  international travel and an increasingly interconnected global society means that when a disease is ravaging an area, it affects the whole global community.

 The  predicament in the Middle East with ISIS has also been in the forefront of international andAmerican news.  However, there has been a matter domestically that have not garnered the American attention and outrage that it otherwise would have. This is the high-profile security lapses   by the US Secret Service in protecting President Obama and the resignation of the Secret Service director Julia Pierson. 

Pierson's resignation came after two consecutive security breaches with the first of which being an "armed security contractor with a criminal record being allowed to board a lift with the president." Then,  three days after, "a man scale[d] a fence at the White House and enters through an unlocked and unalarmed door." 

These outrageous violation of our president's security are no doubt important and need to be continually dealt with appropriately. However, coupled with the global health and international terrorist threats, the Secret Security breaches fails to compare in urgency. 

Articles referenced:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29452829

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29447877

Article  #4 - "Ebola drains already weak West African health systems"

As briefly mentioned in my previous post, one of the current international crises that is of the growing concern for all is the Ebola virus which has been ravaging Africa. Despite all the fighting and terrorist threats in the Middle East, this widespread disease has still garnered global attention because of the high mortality rate and fear of it becoming airborne. 

The virus has spread most rapidly in the West African states of Sierra Leone and Liberia. In West Africa, fruit bats are considered a delicacy and are also "considered to be the virus's natural host," which contributed to its initial spread in the area. As of now, there is no known cure or proven vaccine and the virus can be passed from person to person via body fluid. 

The Ebola virus has not exclusively ravaged West Africa just by the illness and death it has caused, but also but the attention and resources it has taken away from others in need. Global and nationwide efforts have been solely focused on Ebola, leaving people in the area who need treatment for malaria and other serious disease left with no where to go. 

Many hospitals are not taking any other patients than those infected with Ebola, leaving any pregnant women with little to no places to give birth and even children on the brink of death infected measles or malaria. This is another unfortunate unforeseen consequence of this Ebola outbreak. Liberia specifically is at risk for water-borne diseases because of the rainy system under way.

The Ebola outbreak is an issue that has received high publicity and attention worldwide. The question is raised of how much the United States should do in regards of helping this underprivileged nations in dealing with this crisis while still taking care of our already numerous international and domestic commitments. 

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29324595

Article Response #3 - Obama and the United States' Responses to Global Crisises

As I have discussed in my last two blog posts, the situation in the Middle East with the Islamic State Militant organization (ISIS) has increasingly risen in tension over the past few weeks. Largely due to the publicly released video by ISIS of the beheadings of two kidnapped American journalists (and the threat of more to come), the United States' government has made strong statements about the zero tolerance that the U.S. has for these terrorist acts and that they will 'degrade and destroy' ISIS. President Obama and his Administration have used powerful language and direct statements toward ISIS that the U.S. and U.S. Military will not back down and will "open the gates of hell" for these terrorists. 

I voiced last week that although President Obama made clear that the United States would not be dragged into another combat war in Iraq, he also made it clear during his first election in 2008 that he was in strong opposition of the initial 2003 invasion of Iraq and wanted to pull out all U.S. troops out of Iraq. 

Now, in the middle of his second term in 2014, he is deploying more American troops to Iraq. President Obama is aware of the American public's concern over this issue, and this week he reassured in a speech to soldiers at the MacDill Air Force Base that he "would not commit to fighting another ground war in Iraq." 

Although, President Obama also stated that the United States has "'unique abilities' to respond to IS." These "unique abilities" include, according to Obama, armed forces that are "unparalleled" which means when there is a "big problem somewhere around in the world, it falls on our shoulders." 

This state of mind is shared by many Americans and has been shared by many presidents past and present. It is this American elitist thinking that has allowed America to retain its position as an global superpower as well as an international target of hatred. 

At the same time of this current battle against ISIS in the MIddle East, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is an additional global security threat that the Obama Administration feels a sense of responsibility to act on. President Obama has promised 3,000 American troops to "help build treatment centers and train thousands of medical staff." Although these soldiers are being sent for undoubtedly humanitarian efforts, there is still criticisms domestically about the troops putting themselves at risk to catch the virus. 

Without question, these countries are in need and their struggles could have internationally repercussions. However, because of the costs and risks, it seems there is no route the Obama Administration can take that will appease everyone. 

Sources: 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29235083

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-29231400

Article Response #2 - "Islamic State crisis: Obama threatens action in Syria"

             

         Last week (9/2/14) I posted on a BBC News article entitled "Response to Sotloff beheading: Biden vows to chase IS to 'gates of hell'" which went into detail about President Obama's response to the Islamic State Militant's (ISIS) recent beheadings of two American citizens.
         In the most recent incident of beheading, ISIS released video where the executioner, Jihad John, mocks and threats President Obama and his administration because of their decision to attack the organization. President Obama reacted strongly by proclaiming that "the US will not stop until the [Islamic State] militants are brought to justice" as well as guaranteeing that the US will "degrade and destroy" ISIS. 

Today, September 10th, 2014, President Obama delivered remarks detailing how exactly the US plans on taking action against ISIS. He did so by announcing that there will be increased support for allies already fighting against the militants, although he emphasized the US will not assist Syrian President Assad.
         In addition to this, Obama assured there will be a continued humanitarian aid for all civilians in the Middle East who have been directly affected by ISIS. Obama's speech also made clear that any group, ISIS and beyond, who make threats to America will "find no safe haven" against the US military. Obama clarified this by stating that there will be "more counter-terrorism efforts" made in an attempt to discontinue ISIS' funding and prevent the flow of fighters into the Middle East. 

This call to action, although many feel it is necessary to be made, comes from a man who was elected based in part of his vocal opposition of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and also lead the US troop pullout in Iraq. Though President Obama did his best to express that being dragged into another war was not an option, it is difficult not to feel that the likelihood of another war (official or not) is increasing each day. 

Based on the article: 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29152129

Article Response #1

                                           Response to Sotloff beheading: Biden vows to chase IS to 'gates of hell'

On September 2, 2014, BBC News reported on the recent comments made by US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden regarding the beheading of American journalist Steven Sotloff by the Islamic State Militants (ISIS). 

        Sotloff was first captured by ISIS in Syria in August 2013. In the video of the beheading, which was released by the militant organization, the executioner Jihadi John directly mocks and calls out President Obama and his administration for their decision to attack ISIS in Iraq. It is because of the United States' decision to attack, stated Jihahdi, that Sotloff must "pay the price." Jihahdi also threatened to kill another American hostage if the United States refuses to back off in Iraq. 

        Unfortunately, Sotloff was not the first American to be killed at the hands of ISIS as a statement. Just two short weeks ago, American journalist James Foley was executed in the same fashion---beheaded on video by ISIS.

Following these troubling events, the United States felt the need to reaffirm that we will not back down from ISIS and, as stated by President Obama,  "the US will not stop until the militants are brought to justice." Both Vice President Biden and US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reiterated statements made by President Obama regarding the construction and mission of a US coalition to "degrade and destroy" ISIS. 

          This use of strong language and direct threats to ISIS by the Obama Administration only means one thing for the Islamic Militants; they have awoken the hornet's net. They have the United States' attention (including the military) whether they like it or not, the US will not back down until it feels the situation with ISIS has sufficiently defused. By killing American citizens and threatening to continue to do so, they have left no other options for the United States but to 'open the gates of hell.'