At Least 7 Hostages Killed In Rescue From Iraq Church

In Baghdad gunmen held Iraqi catholics hostage wanting al Quida prisoners released. U.S. Military says that around 22 people were killed in the rescue including, hostages, Iraqi security, and gunmen. Gunmen blew themselves up or threw grenades when approached by Iraqi security forces, killing themselves and hostages. The gunmen picked one of Baghdad's largest churches to attack. U.S. Military officials observed the rescue from helicopter cameras. Iraq's deputy interior minister Lieutenant General Hussein Kamal says, "We expect attacks will continue and increase in the coming days."

I think that people should not take hostages just because they want prisoners released. They especially  should not kill anybody. This is a disaster for many families who will never get their loved ones back. It is even worse that they targeted a church. That should be a safe place for many people and now they may never feel safe there again. It could, however, have been worse. The gunmen could have targeted a school or building with many children in it. Violence is just not the answer in conflicts like these. But there is no reason to kill people over prisoners. This was just a lose lose situation. And as far as I'm concerned, U.S. Military officials should have nothing to do with this. Why were they even watching? What was their purpose? Intruding in another country's business.

Link to article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39939359/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/

10/31/10

Inquiry: BP, Halliburtan Knew Well Cement Was 'Unstable'

BP's cement contractor, Halliburtan, knew that the cement mixture they planned to use was unstable but they used it anyway. This may have been the cause of the April 20th disaster, killing 11 people and causing the "largest offshore oil spill in history." There may have been other factors contributing to this oil spill. On the well piping BP used fewer stability rings, possibly making it more dangerous. Halliburtan said that tests on the cement said it was stable. A staff letter shows that 3 of the 4 tests did not meet industry standard.

I think whether BP knew the cement was stable or not they should take responsibility for the mess that the oil spill has created. Halliburtan should also be partly responsible if he lied about the cement being unstable. Do you actually read these. If the cement did not pass industry standards in three of the four tests and Halliburtan lied about it he should have to own up to what he did. Maybe BP or somebody on a state or governmental level should press charges. This was the worst offshore oil spill ever and somebody needs to make a huge effort to clean up and help to prevent this from happening in the future. There should be a crack down on the quality of equipment used to build wells and the cement should definately pass the standards of the company before they use it.

Link to article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39894210/ns/us_news-environment/

10/27/10 

Witness: 13 Slain at Rehab Center in Border City

In Tijuana Mexico, a witness says that 13 recovering addicts were shot by a gang of armed men. Police have not confirmed the 13 dead but say that at least 10 were killed. The attack occured late Sunday and was witnessed by Jesus, not wanting to reveal his last name to protect himself. Police still do not know the motive of this violent mass killing. Police also found the bodies of six men who had been blindfolded and executed outside of Acapulco. The bodies were found with handwritten messages, often a sign of Mexico's drug gangs threatening their rivals.

I think that it was horrible to shoot members of a rehab clinic because they were actually people trying to change their ways and get away from drugs. But maybe this clinic was targeted because of past gang members turning their backs to the gang. Or maybe they were rival ex gang members. Or even possibly, the gang just wanted to get out a message of how powerful they are. It is quite scary that there have also been murders outside of a tourist city like Acapulco. I think the police need to try very hard to solve these murder cases and crack down on the gangs. The fact that innocent people are being killed for maybe no reason at all is horrible. In fact, it makes me not want to travel to Mexico, in fear of being killed.

Link to article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39828239/ns/world_news-americas/#slice-2

10/25/10

Parents Arrested For Hosting Wild Homecoming Party

Shlomo and Jeannie Rasabi of South Florida were arrested because they threw their sons an extreme homecoming party. They let the kids have fun while they stayed in the master bedroom and did not hear anything through the walls. After being notified of a loud party the police arrived to find teens passed out in the front lawn, teens throwing up, and some still drinking.The police were not so fond of this homecoming party and arrested the Rasabis and a handful of teens.

I think they deserved to be arrested because they were home and allowed underage teens to drink alcohol on their property. Even though they said that tey didn't know about all of the kids and the alcohol. But how could they not know? They were home and if someone, not even at the party, reported it because it was such a loud party how could they not hear it when they were in the very same house? Or finding out about minors and saying that they brought their own alcohol and must have already been drunk when they got there.... As if they knew who was drunk before, weren't they in the bedroom? They completely deserve being arrested for being irresponsible parents and allowing a party of such grand size happen and then not even owning up to it. Parents should not give their children everything they want. SAY NO!

Link to article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39659263/ns/local_news-miami_fl/

10/13/10

'Ecological Catastophe' Toxic Sludge Kills 3

A state of emergency was declared by Hungarian officials in Budapest because of a flooding spill of toxic sludge flowed through the area. This sludge being a waste product of producing aluminum is said to be toxic if ingested. But that is not the only harmful part. Many were injured from the sludge burning their skin. 3 people were killed from the sludge, an older woman, a young man, and a 3 year old child. So just how much sludge am I talking about? 35.3 million cubic feet of sludge. All sliding through 15.4 square miles. It is now feared that the sludge may reach the Danube and Raba rivers.

If there is that much toxic waste building up, especially 35.3 million cubic feet, why wasn't anything done with it? So many people's homes were damaged and filled with sludge. But this sludge was dangerous enough to burn skin on contact. It should not have been able to build up to near that amount and it should have been taken care of much sooner. 7 towns were affected by this toxic sludge. This incident should be paid for by the company or companies that all of this waste is from. It is their responsibilities to clean up the mess that they have created and pay for all of the damage and injuries that this sludge has caused.  This type of disaster should never happen.

Link to article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39513858/ns/world_news-europe/

10/05/10

No Pay, No Spray: Firefighters Let Home Burn

Firefighters let a home burn to the ground in Tennessee because the owner, Gene Cranick, had not paid the $75 fee to the out of town firefighters. Cranick lives out of city limits and to recieve the firefighting service the fee must be paid. But it was not just his home that burnt to the ground. With it went his 3 dogs and a cat. When he called for help the operator responded that since he had not paid the $75 fee, Cranick claimed forgotten, they could not send the help he needed. They did however come later to put out the fire on the fence line to his neighbor's house, whom had paid the fee. They let the house burn to the ground. All of Cranick's possessions destroyed.

I think that in someways if he did not pay the fee for the out of town service he should not get the service. But on the other hand, now the firefighters have to live with the fact that they murdered 3 dogs and a cat because they could have been saved. Now a part of the family will always be missing for Cranick. If Cranick had forgotten the fee then a reminder should have been sent to each house that had not paid the fee. If a reminder was sent and the fee was still not paid then the firefighting service should not have been provided. It all depends on the point of view this article is told from. If he was not on the list because of not paying he should not have gotten the service. This being because if they could just pay the fee when needed, people would only pay the fee when needed and the firefighters would not get the money needed to support an out of town service.

Link to article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39516346/ns/us_news-life/

10/05/10

Issue #3 Social Insecurity

Social Security was started in 1935 to serve as a main source of income for the elderly Americans. Most people who benefit from this program are retirees, families of deceased workers, and disable workers. A percentage of each worker's paychecks are taken away to be used for social security benefits for other people. However, with the baby boomer generation soon to retire, the social security we pay now will run out and there will not be enough for future generations. The federal government is currently borrowing money from the social security fund because it is taking in slightly more than needed. But soon after baby boomers retire, there will be less workers' paychecks to take money out of and more retired people that need social security. The federal budget needs to be revised so that money is not borrowed from the social security fund to pay for other programs. These other programs should be involved in the federal budget instead of having to borrow and take away part of the money from other more important programs such as medicare. Either the retirement age needs to be increased, more money should be collected from workers' paychecks, or maybe both to make sure that there is enough for future generations. There should also be no borrowing money from social security for other programs allowed.

I believe that the amount collected for social security from paychecks should be increased. When the baby boomer generation retires the funds will quickly run short because of the offset of amount of people still working. There will be less workers than social security beneficiaries and the money taken in will not be able to compensate for the money going out. Soon funds will run out and there will be nothing left for the future generations. The age of retirement could be slightly increased as well. Not so much that the workers are no longer capable of completing tasks due to age, but by a few simple years. This keeps the number of social security beneficiaries a little lower while they continue to support the program through taxes. Kentucky Senate Candidate Rand Paul has similar viewpoints to mine. Click Link for information about his viewpoints.


http://www.usnews.com/dbimages/master/2034/WH_CARTOON_071029.jpg


Links to other important issues:
Issue #1
Issue #2


10/04/10