Al-Qaeda the 'worst threat' to US

New US intelligence chief, Michael McConnell has stated that Al-Qaeda, based largely out of Pakistan, poses the largest threat to the United States. McConell also referenced the Hezbollah, from Lebanon, as another potential threat, and Iran and North Korea in his address to a congressional panel. McConell stated that Iran and North Korea are both very questionable as they could spread WMD's, and since the Al-Qaeda is interested in obtaining WMD's, this could be a fatal equation. McConell's statements are in question in light of the recent nuclear agreement signed between the US and North Korea.

This topic seems to be intertwined in a dangerous way. The Al-Qaeda is ever growing and with networks spreading the Middle East, North Africa, and North America, they could become a very serious threat (even more so than they currently are). Should Iran or North Korea ever choose to ally closely with Al-Qaeda, there could easily be a worldwide catastrophe with the reckless abandon shown by many of their extremist members. Hopefully McConell will put significant resources into eliminating terrorism, and appropriate action will be taken against anyone affiliated with these organizations.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6401427.stm

US soldier jailed for Iraq murder

An American soldier has been jailed for the rape and murder of a 14 year old girl in Iraq, as well as the killing of her family. Sergeant Paul Cortez admitted four murders, rape, and conspiracy to rape on Thursday, February 22nd. Cortez will be eligible to receive parole in 10 years, he also received a dishonourable discharge from the US military. This type of case is one of many in which US soldiers are being charged with murder or assault on Iraqi citizens in the towns that troops are patrolling. Cortez has admitted to conspiring with three other soldiers. These soldiers are still awaiting court martials.


Obviously these types of cases are overly disheartening and disturbing to read about, however it is not surprising that they are surfacing more often these days. Due to the high casualty rate in Iraq, it is understandable why events like these occur. They are, in all likeliness, easy to get away with (Iraqi rights and freedoms are limited) and the people whom these actions are being committed on have limited access to any type of media outlet which will tell their story. Seeing stories like these is quite disturbing.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6388585.stm

Mayor signs Venezuelan oil deal

Ken Livingstone, mayor of London, England, has signed an oil deal with Venezuela, providing cheap fuel for London's public transit systems. The deal will also give price cuts on those traveling on their public transportation system. Obviously the deal appeals to the 250,000 persons in London who live off of low incomes, and the deal will cut prices in half. Livingstone has said "Those on income support will be eligible to receive half price bus and tram travel - a benefit worth at least £280-a-year." Richard Barnes, leader of the London Assembly Conservatives has attacked Livingstone's move, stating "Why does London, one of the richest capitals in the world, need to exploit a developing nation? This money would be better directed at the poor of Venezuela..." Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the Americas, so there is no shortage of oil (at this point).

While Richard Barnes' concerns are well founded, they seem to be rather brash and impetuous, but to a certain degree I agree with him. It has been stated in other articles that president Hugo Chavez approached the London mayer Livingstone with this proposal, so it is hard to say who is at fault here. Luckily there is a great positive to this story as London's poorest will now be able to save their money for other necessities, and to a certain degree could eliminate welfare in London, or at least limit tax dollars going towards welfare.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/6377867.stm

Colombian foreign minister quits

Colombia's foreign minister Maria Consuelo Araujo has quit her position after her brother was arrested on charges of links with paramilitary groups. Araujo's resignation will contribute greatly to the pressure that is currently placed on Colombia's president, Álvaro Uribe Vélez. Many of his allies have links to paramilitary groups, groups which are accused of trafficking drugs and participating in massacres. Her brother, senator Alvaro Araujo, became the highest ranking politician to be detained in the ongoing investigation of the links in Colombian politics between government officials and right-wing military groups.

It seems as though this issue will contribute greatly to Colombia's ongoing issues between the government and right-wing military groups who control much of the country's economy. The drug trade in Colombia is huge, as was noted in a previous blog of mine, and seems to be a major support mechanism in terms of the Colombian economy. I do not feel as though the resignation of Maria Araujo will contribute to political unrest in Colombia, and that her position will be replaced swiftly and seamlessly.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6376359.stm

Mexico drug gangs 'in web taunts'

Mexican police are investigating allegations that gangs are posting and taunting each other over the internet, on sites such as Youtube.com. Police are monitoring pages and assuring that the internet is kept clean of such activities as lynching, decapitation, and other gruesome scenes of gang violence. In 2006, more than 2,000 Mexican citizens died because of affiliations to gang violence, specifically drug gangs. Some videos have been found that show gangsters brandishing enemy heads, or standing over their rivals who have apparently been shot. Mexican President Calderon is doing everything he can to ensure that gang violence in Mexico is eliminated, dispatching troops to various known gang inhabited areas.

The steps taken here by the Mexican government seem appropriate for eliminating the actions and known behavioural patterns of Mexican gangs. As more and more people are being injured and falling by the wayside because of gang violence, the government involved must take charge. Dispatching troops to areas of Mexico that are infamous for gang violence is a great step and the sheer amount of troops being sent out (7,000 to Michoacan state, 3,000 to Tijuana) will surely help to eliminate casualties. The Youtube issue will surely die out, as Youtube has great policies for keeping inappropriate material off of their site, and does their best to keep any type of inappropriate media out. However, it will be difficult to monitor all facets of the internet and keep gang-related taunts off as the interweb is ever-growing and expanding.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6361899.stm

Key Farc role in US cocaine trade

The United States have recognized the 'Farc,' a Columbian guerrilla army whom account for 9/10 grams of cocaine coming out of Columbia. 90% of cocaine in the United States comes from Columbia. The United States have given 3 billion dollars in aid to Columbia in order for their government to fight off the major issue of cocaine, however the military aid issued has been largely unsuccessful thus far. It is thought that the Farc makes between 500 million and 1 billion per year on trafficking cocaine. The DEA believe they are winning the war against cocaine, as another major militant group in Columbia is demobilizing. However, no matter how much money the U.S. government pumps into Columbia, more needs to be sent in as Columbia accounts for 70% of the entire world's cocaine supply.

The issue of cocaine is obviously a major one, as it has created turmoil and exploitation in Columbia for years now. Child labor is a major issue in the production of cocaine, and militant groups monitor cocaine fields and plants closely, keeping especially tight tabs on their child workers. Due to the military involvement in this matter, cocaine production and trafficking is extremely dangerous and obviously illegal, but it remains to be one of Columbia's major exports. The battle against cocaine is an interesting topic because it combines so many facets of illegality, and it has become a major issue in U.S. politics.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6353449.stm

Portugal will legalise abortion

Abortion will be legalized in Portugal, Prime Minister Jose Socrates has said. The proposal at hand allows all women pregnant for less than 10 weeks to have abortions. Right now in Portugal, abortion is only allowed in cases of rape, health threats, and in instances of severe deformity. Although the turnout for the referendum was exceptionally low at 40%, and because of this the proposal is not legally binding. However, out of the 40% who did vote, the majority was in favor of the proposal. Currently many Portuguese women go to Spain to have abortions, a nation in which there are much more liberal abortion laws.

One interesting thing to follow in this debate will be morality (Religion?) vs. legality. Nearly 90% of Portugal is Catholic, and in Catholicism, abortion is frowned upon. The Catholic Church is telling Catholics of Portugal to oppose abortion. I don't favor either side of this argument, but the debates and questions, especially moral, that it creates are very interesting.



http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6350651.stm

NY seeks ban on iPod shuffle

N.Y State Senator Carl Kruger wants to establish a $100 fine on anyone using mp3 players, mobile phones or blackberries while crossing the road. After two of his colleagues were killed while using mp3's, and crossing the road, he has decided to create this law. In both cases, it is said that people yelled "watch out!" while the oncoming cars were coming, but the cries were not heard. Kruger has said that forcing people to pay fines for using these objects could make them realize the potential danger in their so-called "serene" products.

I don't find myself agreeing with this law at all. On so many levels, it doesn't seem to make sense. First off, how would a law like this be enforced? New York is an exceptionally busy city, with hundreds of thousands of people crossing streets every day. Will a sort of street monitor wait and watch for people to ticket? The enforcement of this law is a major question. On top of this, with the major packs that people move in across streets, how are people who are using iPod's the only ones who get hit? The motive for establishing this law is in check, but it seems idealistic and unrealistic. However, Kruger is known for his harsh crackdowns on crime, so I can't count anything out.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6343353.stm

Nasa reviews astronaut screening

Nasa has begun reviewing their psychological screening process, after the arrest of Lisa Nowak, who is being prosecuted for attempted murder and attempted kidnapping, among other charges. The agency has stated that they need to ensure that their policies are stern and rigorous enough to decipher even the most hidden information. Nowak flew on the space shuttle Discovery in July of last year. Nasa has never faced a situation like the one at hand, so they feel as though behavioural and pyschological examination is necessary.

Obviously while this is an extremely unique case, one that will in all likelihood come around once every lifetime, it brings up a few questions. What are Nasa's screening processes like? How extensive is the questioning? What kind of research is put into the applicants history? While romantic triangles are often the roots of kidnapping and other various violent acts, Nowak's actions were in no way rational (to the onlooker, at least). As an astronaut, someone who goes through extreme physical training and needs to be exceptionally determined, you would think their judgment would be slightly more sound.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6340757.stm

L.A. summit seeks to sever international gang ties

A three-day summit that began on Wednesday in Los Angeles is being held to help increase international awareness of gangs, and their free travel. Gang members are constantly changing locations, going into Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala from Los Angeles. The spread to Central America from Los Angeles is thought to be happening because many young men were members of mass deportation in these Central American countries in the '70s and '80s. They were scared of the mass street violence in their home countries, so they moved to Los Angeles. Unfortunately they also brought up crime rates with their move. Gangs in Central America are becoming increasingly dangerous, extorting people who move through their neighborhoods, or 'turf,' and dealing drugs.

The summit will hopefully increase border protection and control in these countries, centralizing gang actions and limiting the spread of gang violence throughout these countries. Gang numbers are increasing consistently and this has to be a worry for authoritative figures in any nation, as gangs can significantly effect the ways of life in any given area. In my eyes, increasing international awareness of gangs and their wrongdoings is a step in the right direction, and taking action at a major summit like the one mentioned here is what needs to be done.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/07/gang.summit.ap/index.html

Boston Bomb Scare?

Two men, one a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art, were arrested in having connection to placing light boards around Boston which created a bomb scare. The light boards were designed to help promote the late night show Adult Swim's upcoming movie. The bomb scare prompted multiple bridges and a river way being shut down. Turner Broadcasting Co.'s CEO, Phil Kent, has issued a formal apology for the events. However, Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino was not receptive of the apology, stating the events that occurred stemmed from 'corporate greed.' It did cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars to respond to the bomb scare. The light boards had been placed in 9 other cities, and none were responded to with any turmoil.

In my eyes, the light boards were a terrible prospect for marketing. Not only would most people not be familiar with the Adult Swim character, the combination of wires, bright lights, and shady characters (the two men setting them up around town were questionable) can't possibly equal a successful campaign. While it could be said that the Boston Police Department overreacted, Turner Broadcasting should have clarified what was going on with their light-advertising before posting the boards around the city.


http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/31/boston.bombscare/index.html