Iran Agreed to Allow International Inspectors to Nuclear Facilities
Source: Toronto Star
November 12, 2013
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Monday, 4 November 2013
Entry # 12 - November 4, 2013
Colorado is Asking $1 Billion From the Taxpayers to Help Schools
Source: The New York Times
November 4, 2013
There are students in a poor school studying in a bus garage. In another, there's no money to tutor young immigrants struggling to read. These schools have struggled to keep up with schools in wealthier regions for decades. The state is asking taxpayers to approve a $1 billion dollars tax increase to help these schools. This will ask voters' income tax rate increase from 4.6 percent to 5 percent (income below $75,000), and 5.9 percent (income over $75,000).
I thought this is the hard, but the right way to help out the schools and the students. Education is very important, it can change a person, and a nation. Improving education should always be the priority, because I believe only education can rescue the ones in poverty. The taxpayers should understand that they are paying taxes because they have income, so help out others that's not as fortunate.
Monday, 21 October 2013
Entry # 11 - October 21, 2013
Another Heartbreaking Incident of Shooter Opens Fire at Middle School in Nevada
Source: Toronto Star
October 21, 2013
There was a shooting at a middle school in Nevada, two people dead and two boys in critical condition. The identities of the shooter and victims weren't known. The police only say the suspect is "down" and there's no further danger. The shooting happened on the campus of the school, but outside of the buildings.
This is definitely one of those news that nobody wants to hear about. These young kids are innocence, they shouldn't be the victims. In fact, nobody should be shot for no reasons. This is not the first time shooters went into a school and fired randomly. These incidents have to be taken seriously. I believe the time of taking guns away from citizens have come. Incidents like this have to be stopped for good.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Entry # 10 - October 17, 2013
Scarborough Subway Confirmed by Toronto Council
Source: Toronto Star
October 17, 2013
In a very close 24 to 20 vote, the city council has confirmed its approval of the Scarborough subway. It was a major victory for the Mayor Rob Ford. There were concerns that the 30-year subway debt will squeeze out the priority projects like the maintenance of Gardiner Expressway and the downtown relief subway.
The extension of the subway is a great move. Public transportation plays an important role in our every day lives. I thought the extension is reasonable. It's also around the right time because the construction costs will increase every year. I believe it's more important that our city is developed in every way. We can't stop making out community better because we're in debt.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Entry # 9 - October 15, 2013
Human Trafficking Exists in British Columbia
Source: Toronto Star
October 15, 2013
A man in British Columbia was sentenced to 18 months in jail for human trafficking by forcing the family nanny to work long hours for little, or no pay at all. The man, Franco Orr, was convicted in June. 40 year-old Sarmiento was brought into Canada from Hong Kong on false pretenses by Franco Orr. The Supreme Court Judge said: "there's no prove that Sarmiento was subjected to humiliating or degrading treatment, but did prove that that man profited by paying low wages."
The is a sad news. I am upset by the fact that there are still people in Canada, where we treat everyone with respect, treat others with intolerance. I agree on the trial of Franco. The best and easiest way to stop a crime is by punishing the law breakers. Human trafficking is a big deal, it's very disrespectful and harsh. I don't think the punishment on Franco Orr can be any lighter.
Monday, 7 October 2013
Entry # 8 - October 7th, 2013
Obama's Absence Leaves China as Dominant Force at APEC
Source: The New York Times
October 17th, 2013
In Indonesia today, Secretary of State John Kerry sat in the chair for President Obama at the opening meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. China's president, Xi Jing-Ping was the dominant leader at the gathering. Mr. Obama decided to cancel the trip to try to resolve the government shutdown. President of Indonesia stated: "In view of difficult global economic situation, it's more critical to work together and solve the problems."
The global economy is not doing well right now, U.S.'s national debt, Europe's economic tragedy, and China's slowing of growth. It's more important at APEC to negotiate and come up with solutions to some problems. APEC is not like G20, there should be less worries about who's the dominant force. I thought that President of Indonesia was correct, it's more important to work together and solve the problem, not fighting over the "boss" seat.
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Entry # 7 - October 3, 2013
GTA Cities Seek Stricter Safety Control of Enbridge Oil Pipeline
Source: Toronto Star
October 3rd, 2013
In 2010, Enbridge pipline spilled 3.3 million liters of oil into Kalamazoo River in Michigan, and it still isn't cleaned up. In Eastern Canada, a 639-kilometers pipeline transporting about 160,000 bbarrels per day between Montreal and Hamilton. Cities from Hamilton to Kingston are concerned about the pipeline's strength, emergency response plans, and shut-off valves. In Hamilton's letter of comment, city fire officials pointed out that the company wasn't sharing adequate information to allow planning emergency response.
This is important, I thought, the safety of the pipelines. An oil spill can fiercely destroy the environment, water, animals, and the people living in the area. The oil spill in Kalamazoo River is an example. The area is still polluted, and that was 3 years ago. The safety of oil pipelines have to be taken seriously. I thought that, as most of the cities are doing right now, writing a letter of comment to the board is a great idea. We can not prevent disasters to happen forever, but we can do our best to prevent and know how to react to them.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Entry # 6 - October 1, 2013
Hungary Passes Law Criminalizing Homeless
Source: Toronto Star
October 1st, 2013
As if being homeless is not bad enough.
There are about thirty thousand (30,000) homeless citizens on the streets of Hungary fighting wind and rain. In the warm, comfortable parliament, the senators voted 245 to 45 for the new bill, which is criminalizing homelessness. The country now has green light to impose fines, community service, and even jail time (if caught twice within six months) on the homeless citizens.
This is brutal, I could not believe this is happening in the world I live in. Homeless citizens are the weak group of people in our society, we should be helping them, not penalizing them. Nobody wishes to be homeless, nobody. The government should provide the homeless citizens with jobs that don't require specific skills, so that we can help them getting back on their feet. Charging these homeless citizens wouldn't do the society any good, they have nothing to lose.
A kind world is like a Spring day - Russian Proverb.
Friday, 27 September 2013
Entry # 5 - September 27, 2013
Half of U.K.Pilots Admit to Falling Asleep in Cockpit
Source: Toronto Stars
September 27, 2013
More than half of the pilots of British Airline admitted that they have fallen asleep in the cockpit. According to BALPA (British Airline Pilots's Association), fifty six (56) percents of 500 commercial pilots have fallen asleep while in the cockpit. About one-third of them said they had woken up and find their co-pilots also asleep. The new rule that was released by European Parliament mean that pilots could work up to a hundred and ten (110) hours in a two-week period, more than the ninety five (95) hours limit. Almost half of the pilots agree that pilot exhaustion was the biggest threat to flight safety.
This is not acceptable in any way! British Airline has one of the strictest rules in the world, but there are still half of the pilots have falling asleep in the cockpit. This is a very shocking survey. How can we insure passengers' safety when the only people know how to fly a plane are asleep. This problem has to be solved, and the new rule is not helping at all. However, it will increase the tiredness of the pilots, which will make everything worse. This new rule of increasing flying hour limit can not pass. Flight safety is a very serious business, and there's no way this can keep happening.
Monday, 23 September 2013
Entry # 4 - September 23, 2013
China Calls Attention to Its Crackdown on Corruption
Source: The New York Times
September 23, 2013
Just moments ago, one of China's most divisive politicians, Bo Xilai, was banished to life in prison. The spectacle of his trial is a prove to that national leaders were serious about the official corruptions. Bo was found guilty of embezzlement, bribe taking, and abuse of power. The chances of any judge would verdict or reduce Bo's sentence of life in prison was scant. Deng Yuwen, a media commentator in Beijing, said that the authorities wanted to send a message that if any senior officials challenge central authority or break the laws, they will be ruthlessly punished.
When I heard about the announcement of verdict of Bo Xilai, I couldn't feel more relieved. For a person like Bo, who is so high in power, it's shameful for him to commit such a crime. I thought it's time for China to clean up the corruptions of the government. The trial of Bo is just a start, there are still lots of institutional improvements have to happen. I do not believe there can be a strong nation with a corrupted government. This is just a start, but it's a good start.
Corruption never has been compulsory - Anthony Eden.
Friday, 20 September 2013
Entry # 3 - September 19, 2013
Planned Ontario Nuclear Waste Dump Hits Heavy Weather
Source: Toronto Star
September 19, 2013
Usually on News we heard about communities that opposed the action of having nuclear waste buried beside where they live. Just earlier today, Ontario Power Generation had found a community, in the town of Kincardine, willing to have deep underground caverns construct for low and intermediate level radioactive waste. The underground caverns can store about two hundred thousand (200,000) cubic meters of radioactive waste. In Kincardine and nearby areas, the Bruce nuclear power plant nearby provided lots of jobs for residents. While some of the local residents object the proposal of burying radioactive waste beside the Great Lakes, it seems like most of them agree to the idea.
Canada was gifted with an enormous size of land, which is what we can really use wisely. Just like other citizens, I would prefer not to have nuclear waste buried close to my house. Even though the damage of these material is long term, they are still radioactive waste, after all. Nobody would like to have these materials harming their bodies. The safest solution is to also dig some caverns, but separate them from population in a safe distance. Therefore, the companies will have space to store their nuclear waste. At the same time, the citizens will be harm-free from radioactive materials.
A win-win situation is always the best.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Entry # 2 - September 17, 2013
Toronto Firefighters AXED Over Inappropriate Sexist Tweets
September 17, 2013
Source: Toronto Starts
Toronto Fire Chief Jim Sales: "Tweets from the three firefighters were not in any way acceptable."
Three Toronto firefighters have been fired for tweets and other social-media posts that involved degrading of women. "The firefighters' posts were regarding as clear violation of city policies, and was not in any way acceptable for city employees," fire chief Jim Sales said. Matt Bowman and Lawaun Edwards, who are two of the three firefighters, were suspended last month with pay after a number of tweets were published. In March, Bowman tweeted a line from an episode from South Park that was extremely disrespectful to ladies. After the incident in March, Bowman's twitter account has been deleted. There are a third firefighter involved, but the details of identity are scant.
A little difference can make a person a hero or a bully. These two firefighters are supposed to be the helpers of us civilians. However, they decided to show their rudeness on social medias. In everybody's eyes now, Bowman and Edwards are seem as two sexist men. I do not have any, not a bit, empathy of what happened to them today. In fact, I thought the punishment was absolutely reasonable. However, the is still one thing missing, which is a public apology from these two firefighters to all the people who suffer from their harsh words.
"Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it." - Frances Wright
Saturday, 14 September 2013
Entry # 1 - Sept.11/2013
U.S. President Barack Obama puts military strike on HOLD
September 11, 2013
Source: BBC News
Just when the situation in Syria cannot be any more intense. President of Unite States Barack Obama suddenly puts his military actions on hold. Damascus now admits it has chemical weapons and also has agreed to follow Russian's plan to hand over its arsenal. Russian announced the plan on Monday and Syria quickly responded with "welcome." Foreign Syrian Minister Walid Muallen made a clear commitment to Russian's plan. He also stated clearly that Syria is ready to inform the location of chemical weapons, halt the production, and show them to representatives of Russia. However, BBC's Daniel Sandford says that there are still disagreement between the Syrians and Russians about whether the weapons should be destroyed. He also says that the Syrians are likely to agree on the point eventually. On the other side of the planet. Mr. Obama's government had been doing everything they can to receive support from the Congress for military strike. But surveys of politicians showed that he is not likely to win the vote. Washington is not sure whether Russian's plan would work, but it's worth a try.
If I have a chance to vote in the Congress, my vote will be opposing the military strike. The world has evolved into an environment that nobody would actually prefers war. Conflicts can be solved without using muscles. All chemical weapons should be banned, there's no doubt in that, the whole world has an agreement on that. However, we can remove Syria's chemical weapons with deals and peaceful agreements. Personally, I am in favor of Russian's action. They made an effort to convince the Syrian government in destroying the chemical weapons. Just earlier today (September 14, 2013), U.S. and Russia agree on a deal that Syria's chemical weapons must be destroyed by mid-2014. France and Britain both nodded their heads about this agreement. This agreement can really save a lot of people's lives. Whether they are Syrians or Americans. This is not just a big step towards solving Syria chemical weapons crisis, but a huge step towards a peaceful world.
There was never a good war or a bad peace.
- Ben Franklin
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