A past issue that has recently been dominating the media is the case of "The Jena Six." Recent events in Jena, Lousiana have caused the rise of an underlying issue, Racism. The unequal treatment of six black students arrested for beating a white classmate has brought it back to light. Previously, white students had hung nooses in a schoolyard tree to warn the black students not to sit under the shaded tree at school with them. These students were only suspended. At a party shortly after, a group of white students beat up a black student who sat under the tree and no accusations were made. In retaliation the black kid beat up one of the white kids and was tried as an adult and sentenced to twenty-two years in jail. Now this has all taken place last year, but due to the peoples interests it is finally seeing some light and justice. Paul Krugman said, "the reality is that things haven't changed nearly as much as people think." Racial tension is still present in the South, as well as everywhere else. My opinion is that people need to see and accept the different races in America for it to work properly. It is not only a basic right to be treated fairly under law, but just morally wrong. The so called tradition of racism present in the South is just the ignorance of many people wanting to cling to something that gives them the feeling of a little more power. The fact that six teenage boys were objects of this ignorant hatred is just sad. The same standards need to be set for all those involved.
www.nytimes.com/2007/09/24/opinion/24krugman.html?ref=opinion
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Will Simpson Ever Learn?
"In sports, when referees make a bad call, it's not uncommon for them to follow up by making a similarly bad call against the opposing team; though it compounds the mistake, at least it evens out the consequences." "Given that prosecuters are being presented with an opportunity to make the ultimate makeup call againast the former star" (Tackling O.J- latimes.com)
O.J Simpson the Heisman winning, NFL Hall of Famer is once again back in the courtroom. In American society, professional-athlets although not 'intentionally' are held to a higher standard when it comes to the law. This is usually because they are seen as role modes and examples to a lot of people. There is always something in the news about some athlete commiting a crime, where as if that same crime were committed by a normal citizen no attention by the media would be given.
In O.J's case he's already had his crime and attention but seems to not be able to learn from it. Although no murder was commited, it came awfully close. O.J took a little step down to the supposedly armed robbery of his own stolen memorabilia. A man named Thomas J. Riccio has emerged as the central figure in the case against O.J. Riccio has his own record of several felony convictions without even denying any.
Riccio secretly taped the meeting between O.J, O.J's associates and himself, because tape is undoubtable. Riccio stated that about a month before the incident he had been contacted by two men claiming to have personal belongings of Mr. Simpson. Riccio claims to have set up the meeting originally as a prospective view of the merchandise, while inviting O.J. Riccio says his intentions of inviting Simpson were purely for his aid in recovering his items. He later said that Simpson and several other men came into his room demanding the merchandise at gun-point. O.J denies this and says the meeting was much calmer with no guns involved. As a result of Riccio's 'help' "Simpson and three other men were charged Tuesday with felony counts including kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the purported theft."
Maybe Simpson just has incredibly bad luck with the law. He should have learned from last time not to do anything he thought illegal. Simpson is now free on bail of $125,000. This time he will not be let off as easy and will almost assuredly face some type of punishment.
Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-riccio19sep19,1,6334298.story?coll=la-headlines-nation&ctrack=7&cset=true
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-na-oj-20sep20,0,6532740.story
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-simpson18sep18,0,6070829.story?coll=la-opinion-leftrail
O.J Simpson the Heisman winning, NFL Hall of Famer is once again back in the courtroom. In American society, professional-athlets although not 'intentionally' are held to a higher standard when it comes to the law. This is usually because they are seen as role modes and examples to a lot of people. There is always something in the news about some athlete commiting a crime, where as if that same crime were committed by a normal citizen no attention by the media would be given.
In O.J's case he's already had his crime and attention but seems to not be able to learn from it. Although no murder was commited, it came awfully close. O.J took a little step down to the supposedly armed robbery of his own stolen memorabilia. A man named Thomas J. Riccio has emerged as the central figure in the case against O.J. Riccio has his own record of several felony convictions without even denying any.
Riccio secretly taped the meeting between O.J, O.J's associates and himself, because tape is undoubtable. Riccio stated that about a month before the incident he had been contacted by two men claiming to have personal belongings of Mr. Simpson. Riccio claims to have set up the meeting originally as a prospective view of the merchandise, while inviting O.J. Riccio says his intentions of inviting Simpson were purely for his aid in recovering his items. He later said that Simpson and several other men came into his room demanding the merchandise at gun-point. O.J denies this and says the meeting was much calmer with no guns involved. As a result of Riccio's 'help' "Simpson and three other men were charged Tuesday with felony counts including kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the purported theft."
Maybe Simpson just has incredibly bad luck with the law. He should have learned from last time not to do anything he thought illegal. Simpson is now free on bail of $125,000. This time he will not be let off as easy and will almost assuredly face some type of punishment.
Sources:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-riccio19sep19,1,6334298.story?coll=la-headlines-nation&ctrack=7&cset=true
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-na-oj-20sep20,0,6532740.story
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-simpson18sep18,0,6070829.story?coll=la-opinion-leftrail
Thursday, September 13, 2007
"Hopes Dim for Measures to Conserve Energy"
Bills previously passed this year by Congress, on the conservation of energy are having a dwindling effect and are seeing little if any light. This is due to the policy and technical conflictions between the House, the Senate, and even the President. Efficient energy promotion was seen as a priorty not too long ago, but due to other events such as the war in Iraq, and financial market concern attention has turned. A conference was supposed to be called to resolve the different bills established, but leaders will not be able to be elected until end of October and the idea of skipping the conference seems to be rejected by the Republicans because it will cause a "Filibuster." The Senates proposed bill includes:
"increasing automobile fuel-efficiency standards to a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, compared to 27.5 m.p.g. today...another section would require utilities to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020."
Usually the House and Senate reconcile bills, but because they are two completely different bills, on the ideas of standard gas mileage and renewable power it will have to be decided which is passed first in order to call a conference. A new Senate bill is being worked on to match the House bill but any finality is yet to be reached.
"President Bush has threatened to veto the House bill, which he says does not have enough incentives for domestic energy production, and the Senate bill because it has penalties for price gouging by the oil industry."
This raises another question about our occupation in Iraq. Iraq is known to be an abundant resource of oil that is relatively cheap. So is Bush really only trying to help their people? After further research it was found that the UN and the US are working on new policies in Iraq such as:
"The Iraqi constitution of 2005, greatly influenced by US advisors, contains language that guarantees a major role for foreign companies. Negotiators hope soon to complete deals on Production Sharing Agreements"
This issue, like the occupation in Iraq seems to be a long way from being solved. This issue is being worked on gradually but no relatively big break through's have been made.
"It’s not a pretty picture,” said Frank Maisano, an energy lobbyist. “That’s not to say that in time they won’t be able to craft a compromise. But they’re clearly not in any hurry.”
So it seems that those of us who have not yet bought hybrids will still be going to the gas station weekly seeing how much we can squeeze in our tanks. This is a big issue becoming evident to every citizen with a car or with energy bills to pay. Hopefully Congress can decide on what 'needs' to be done soon.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/washington/13energy.html?_r=1
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/oil/irqindx.htm
"increasing automobile fuel-efficiency standards to a fleet average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020, compared to 27.5 m.p.g. today...another section would require utilities to generate 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020."
Usually the House and Senate reconcile bills, but because they are two completely different bills, on the ideas of standard gas mileage and renewable power it will have to be decided which is passed first in order to call a conference. A new Senate bill is being worked on to match the House bill but any finality is yet to be reached.
"President Bush has threatened to veto the House bill, which he says does not have enough incentives for domestic energy production, and the Senate bill because it has penalties for price gouging by the oil industry."
This raises another question about our occupation in Iraq. Iraq is known to be an abundant resource of oil that is relatively cheap. So is Bush really only trying to help their people? After further research it was found that the UN and the US are working on new policies in Iraq such as:
"The Iraqi constitution of 2005, greatly influenced by US advisors, contains language that guarantees a major role for foreign companies. Negotiators hope soon to complete deals on Production Sharing Agreements"
This issue, like the occupation in Iraq seems to be a long way from being solved. This issue is being worked on gradually but no relatively big break through's have been made.
"It’s not a pretty picture,” said Frank Maisano, an energy lobbyist. “That’s not to say that in time they won’t be able to craft a compromise. But they’re clearly not in any hurry.”
So it seems that those of us who have not yet bought hybrids will still be going to the gas station weekly seeing how much we can squeeze in our tanks. This is a big issue becoming evident to every citizen with a car or with energy bills to pay. Hopefully Congress can decide on what 'needs' to be done soon.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/13/washington/13energy.html?_r=1
http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/oil/irqindx.htm
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