Risk and Reward

"Fears over cancer vaccine as schoolgirl dies"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/29/hpv.vaccine.explainer/index.html

After a 14 year old dies just hours after receiving the much talked-about HPV vaccine, England has halted all vaccinations in the program that has become mandatory since the recent development of the cancer preventative procedure. Although the autopsy confirming cause of death has yet to be performed and released, the sobering occurrence raises important issues. Though this seems to be a very rare case in the nationwide program, one has to wonder, is preventing cervical cancer worth risking death at a young age? How are these vaccines developed and tested to begin with? What are the hidden side effects that we may not be aware of, and will there be unforseen long term impact? Exactly how effective will this vaccine be 30 years from now? Personally, I have already received this vaccine and was completely fine, but will this be the case years from now? Hopefully these issues will be addressed in the near future.

Another Triumph for the Human Race

"Fans warned of fake World Cup tickets"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/28/world.cup.tickets.warning/index.html

Wahoo, another scam to look out for.

Honestly, that's really all I have to say about this. If you don't understand, you're probably living under a rock. You might want to work on that.

Sex-offender or troubled artist?

"French shows support for Polanski after crime arrest"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/28/zurich.roman.polanski.arrested/index.html

I think I have an obsession with French news, but it's just always so scandalous or interesting. This time around, the French government is asking for the release of famed director Roman Polanski, who was arrested for charges nearly 30 years old involving his drugging and raping of a 13 year old girl in the United States. After pleading guilty to the charges but fleeing the U.S. for his home country of France three decades ago, the U.S. has been ever since been looking for his arrest. Their wish was granted this past weekend when the Oscar-winning director crossed the borders of France to enter Switzerland and attend the Zurich Film Festival, which would be honoring his work this year.

Samantha Geimer, the victim of the case and now a 45 year old mother of three, supports the French government and wishes for the case to be dropped entirely. According to her, the past is past and any new coverage of the case is unnecessary disruption to her life and family. I don't really blame her. Personally, I know I would hate to relive such traumatic experience every time news of that terrible event resurfaced in media coverage. It's a tough call. I understand where the U.S. is coming from; Polanski committed a crime and thus should receive due punishment. However, if the victim herself is calling for his release, maybe her wishes should be honored.

Uncalled For

"Iran tests short-range missiles amid nuclear tension"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/27/iran.missile.test/index.html

Just days after admitting to the existence of a second nuclear facility within its borders, Iran decides to test short-range missiles, with long-range missile testing scheduled for tomorrow and the next 10 days following. With all the tensions between Iran and the U.S. involving the fear of nuclear warfare, Iran is really pushing its limits. This just seems like the nation is looking to start a war. I understand the so-called need for defensive missile protection in every country, well I don't understand it completely but I understand where that need is stemming from. Even with that being said, all this testing is unnecessary nonsense that will only lead to bad, bad consequences, especially if its so publicly known as to be broadcast on international news. To me, that seems like flaunting. The last thing this planet needs is another war with more homes destroyed and innocent lives lost.

Floods in the Philippines

"At least 50 dead in Philippines floods"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/26/philippines.floods/index.html

Most of the tragedies I post feature human made cruelty or injustices, but as seen in this article, nature can be just as brutal. When Tropical Storm Ketsana brought rainfall nearly equaling the average amount for the month, the Philippines had an emergency on their hands. After torrential rains and flooding, at least 50 have died with another 41,000 forced to seek refuge in evacuation centers. Fortunately, rescue efforts have saved over 8,000 people, with efforts continuing.

Just Downright Depressing

"Child tobacco farmers 'exposed to toxic levels of nicotine'"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/25/child.tobacco.picking/index.html

Horrifying. Irrefutably sad. Heart-breakingly tragic. Simply enraging. All words that could describe the topic of this article, and yet none seem to do the tragedy justice. These poor children, forced to work 12 hour back-breaking workdays for 17 cents a day in order to eat and go to school, wrongfully suffer enough. Now there is evidence that these child nicotine harvesters can be absorbing nicotine that equates to nearly 50 cigarettes per day. Simple solutions such as clean clothes and breaks to wash hands could help elimate the effects of this problem. Has anyone in power truly taken initiative to improve the children's work conditions? It's hard to believe so when there are reports of abuse such as this, reports that include direct evidence and interviews with the children themselves. Do these tobacco companies have even the slightest sense of integrity or consciousness? Clearly, they do not.

More on the Mafia!

"Mafia boss used crocodile to extort money"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/24/italy.mafia.crocodile/index.html

This article just makes me laugh. Alright, really it's not that funny, but the concept is rather comical. Apparently an Italian mafia boss named Antonio Cristofaro decided to take his extortion and manipulation to a new, more exotic level. The method: your average crocodile capable of pulling off a man's limb with one bite. I'm sensing the threat would go something like this: "I'll make you an offer you can't refuse: pay me more money, or face the wrath of my voracious, limb-tearing crocodile." Sounds pretty effective to me.

In case you're somehow involved in the mafia, don't worry, Cristofaro is being charged with possession of illegal animals, and his bullying beast is now being held at a animal center in Rome.

Opium Opulence?

"Taliban suspected of stockpiling 'missing' Afghan opium"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/15/afghanistan.opium.trade/index.html

Did you know that Afghanistan is the world's leading narcotics supplier? Neither did I. And now the Taliban is under suspicion for using that fact to there advantage. With Afghanistan cracking down on drugs recently, a drop in opium production seems logical, however, the numbers just don't add up. Demands are still being met without any flux in pricing. Based on the average annual world demand for opium, the amount of opium that is seized annually in recent years, and the amount of opium having been produced, the Taliban is suspected of having around 12,000 tons of opium stockpiled somewhere. According to the U.N., the Taliban needs around $800 million for their operational needs per year. That's a hell of a lot of money. Is the Taliban hoarding opium as back up "credit" to fund their operations? I believe it is possible, and really, looking from their point of view, why not?

Really, French Government?

"France Bulldozes Migrant 'Jungle'"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/22/calais.france.illegal.migrants.removal/index.html

Really, French government? Really?

The French government claims to be hunting human trafficking. So, in order to do so, they tear down a refugee camp filled with illegal immigrants who are desperately hoping to make a better life for themselves in the wealth of western Europe. Personally, I don't see how bulldozing the entire place solves human trafficking. I also don't see how it solves the growing problem and number of refugees in the Western European area. I understand that each country can only hold and support so many citizens, and yes, France and Britain signed a pact pledging to aid in the fight against human trafficking and migration, but really, what a disrespect for human life. These poor people have trekked miles across many nations from places like Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iraq, where they experience troubles far darker and more desperate than any of us will experience in our lifetime, and here's just another government unsympathetic to their basic rights as human beings. They have no refuge in their own nation, and now they seem to have no refuge any place on this planet. At this rate, people are going to have to start migrating to the moon.

And you know what's really sad? Some unfeeling government will probably kick them out of there too.

Red Planet Perplexity

"How Mars Turned Red: Surprising New Theory"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20090921/sc_space/howmarsturnedredsurprisingnewtheory

According to this article, the Red Planet may have acquired its characteristic color much more recently that previously theorized. Not only this, all previous theories about how exactly Mars became red have been swept off the drawing board after evidence retrieved from Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Oppurtunity suggested otherwise. As the original theory stands, the dust on Mars was a product of liquid water that rusted Mars' rocks billions of years ago; however, minerals found in the samples from Mars contain substances that would have been destroyed by such water. Instead, "A simple grinding down of rocks from erosion could produce a red mineral that stains the dust on Mars, the new thinking goes". This elimates the need for liquid water in the theory, unlike previously hypothesized.

What does this mean for the world today? Who knows. Certainly not much. In fact, we humans can barely handle the news of one planet, let alone two, and this piece of information really has no bearing on our day to day lives. Despite all of that, I find it incredibly interesting. There is that mystery of the unknown, that oh-so-intriguing sense of adventure and curiosity that naturally accompanies news about space such as this. Who knows if some similar process will sweep our earth millions of years from now, changing the world as we know it forever?

So Much For Peace

"Cuban 'Peace' concert riles some exiles"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/americas/09/20/cuban.peace.concert/index.html

Now, I've never heard of the singer Juanes nor any of the other artists participating in the "Peace without Borders" concert in Cuba today, but I do know that anyone promoting peace and nonviolence deserves a little more respect than cd-smashing protests and death threats. However, when Juanes, a 17 time latin grammy winner and Miami, Florida resident, announced his musical plan to encourage peace among those in Cuba, that is exactly what he got. Granted, this is not the reaction he received from everyone around the globe, but from the moment I heard he needed police protection around his and his manager's homes in Miami, my opinion of the human race fell a little. I do not care how infuriated you are with the Cuban government, this singer could be wasting away in his fame and fortune, but instead, he chooses to organize a rally for social justice. To all those Cuban exiles and anyone else who believe these singers are endorsing a dictatorial communist regime, maybe you need to take a look around and realize that promoting peace and promoting tyranny are and always will be two very different concepts.

We Are Not Alone

"Germany Boosts Terrorism Alert"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/18/germany.alqaeda/index.html

Being an American, consumed mostly by American news, I've only ever heard of terrorism video threats directed toward the United States. However, we are not the only country in the world dealing with threats from al Queda. After an internet video threat from al Queda this past Friday, Germany has boosted their terrorism security alert in fear of a possible attack. The video promises a "rude awakening" if the German people do not vote a political party into power that will pledge to remove German troops from Afghanistan. This being just one of a growing number of threats toward the German people in recent months, the nation is taking no chances with increased security measures at airports and the like around the country. Now the question remains, how will the German people react on election day? Will this dramatically impact voting trends around the country? The answers will have to wait the election, just over a week away on September 27th.

An Interesting Contraception

"Birth control could help combat climate change"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090918/ap_on_he_me/eu_med_condoms_climate_change

It's an interesting concept that I've never really thought about, but makes complete sense. Researchers are saying that providing the nearly 200 million women worldwide who desire contraception but have no access to it could help the environment. It's quite logical really: birth control would prevent around 76 million people from being born, 76 million people who would not consume resources or emit any carbon dioxide. Now morally that sounds callous, not wanting 76 million human lives to exist, but scientifically the math adds up - less people, less pollution. With the worldwide population estimated to reach 9 billion - billion! - by 2050, contraception in third world countries where overpopulation is quickly becoming a problem would prevent extensive pull on the earth's resources. Mind you, the extent of the impact of overpopulation on climate change is under debate, and surely there are other ways to be fighting global warming, but for now I think the proposition has merit and shouldn't be ignored.

Tiny T. Rex?!

As kids, everyone always knew the most ferocious and terrifying of all ancient dinosaurs was the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Dominating the dino days with it's huge head, ironically tiny arms, and vicious teeth, the T Rex was the bully of the prehistoric playground.

Or at least that is what we were taught.

New archaelogical evidence from China suggests that 125 million years ago, the Tyrannosaurus' predecessor, the Raptorex, wasn't that big at all. With an estimated weight and height of 143 pounds, 9 feet, this ancestral beast was only a fraction of the classic T Rex's height and weighed about 100 times less.

Personally I find the information fascinating, but after thinking about it, not as surprising as these researchers seem to suggest. Granted, I'm not an paleontoligist or an evolutionary theorist, but the T. rex had to come from somewhere, right? To me, it only makes sense that the T. rex we all love to hate evolved of some smaller, less advanced beasts. Instead, I find this new evidence stunning in that it adds another solid piece to the missing puzzle of earth's complex history. Hopefully as more discoveries like this surface, they can give us even further insight into our rich heritage as residents of this planet.

Anyways, here is the article, see what you think:

"Tiny T. rex fossil discovery startles scientists"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/09/17/tiny.t-rex.dinosaur.discovered/index.html

The Mafia Strikes Again

Today is a day to be proud of my heritage (well, half of it at least):

"Italy involves mafia involvement in sunken ship"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/16/italy.mafia.waste.investigation/index.html

Oh the mafia. Turns out they're more than just you're average mob. Now they're an environmentally-threatening, toxic waste-releasing company of ruthless Italian lawbreakers.

All mafia involvement aside, however, this does address an interesting environmental issue. Not only do we have to worry about our individual effect on the environment, now we have to worry about cheap companies who use illegal, environmentally-damaging methods for disposing of toxic waste to avoid paying disposal fees. What next?

Re-evaluation

Although technically it is already September 16th, I will finally be making my post for Tuesday, September 15 (it's been a long day).

So here I am, stressing over my really long, busy day and the loads of work ahead of me, when I come across this article regarding the death of a 12 year old Yemeni girl who died birthing the child of her arranged marriage:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/14/yemen.childbirth.death/index.html

Every aspect of this article is quite appalling, and after reading this, I completely recant all my statements regarding how stressful my day was. These poor girls are faced with atrocities far beyond their years on a daily basis. And yet the article states that a minimum age marriage law has been unable to pass because Islamic law sets no such restrictions. While I understand that religion is an essential ingrained element in the lives of these people, I do not think it excuses them for being so completely ignorant to the well-being of these poor girls. Here, religion acts as an enforcer of passivity and a deterent of progress, quite the opposite of its original intent, and until the day comes when people are willing to adapt their religious traditions according to the ideas of freedom and the humans rights of modern life, tragedies such as these will continue to occur.

Assignment #4: Time Change in 1 Image

In order to create a single 2D image showing at least 3 different moments in time, I chose to capture a progression of movements, layered upon each other through Photoshop. I chose the subject matter as I listened to and watched a very vibrant friend of mine, who naturally is a very enthusiastic storyteller. In this collage of photographs, she certainly reveals her colorful storytelling abilities and range of emotions through her gestures. The changes in opacity allows the viewer to look upon all three instances at once and experience the three separate moments' movements in one shot. The progression of color, while certainly corresponding with the progression and vibrancy of her emotion at the time of each shot, provides some direction for the eye, helping to make the three instances slightly more distinct.

Adieu to the Kiss

Take a look:

"H1N1 forces French to bid adieu to kiss"
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/13/france.kiss/index.html

I have to admit, I do like being informed about the global news on a daily basis. However, I often find myself tired of reading about global warming, the Middle East, and the economy. That's why I loved this little article I came across on Cnn.com. It discusses the H1N1 scare from an entirely new perspective, and though this particular effect H1N1 is having on the French culture does not quite equate in seriousness with the deaths the disease is causing, the article still makes an interesting point. It's an interesting dimension to H1N1 that most people probably haven't considered: not only how the disease is effecting everyone on a physical level, but how across the globe, it is effecting each culture in uniquely different and emotional ways. Just look at how the absence of this simple piece of daily life has caused such a deep disturbance in the eyes of the French people. Funny, how as humans, we can form the strongest of attachments to the simplest things in life.

Liftin' Ladies

Lifeless ladybug pushpins, or enchanted little helpers sent to aid me in the desperate struggle that is decorating my dorm room?

You decide!