cc 3.1

In a recent article by Ben Hubbard of The New York Times, entitled "Saudi Women Rise Up, Quietly, and Slide Into the Driver’s Seat," Hubbard talks about Saudi women attempting to drive in the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive. 

In the article Hubbard interviews, Madiha al-Ajroush who says she wishes to drive to "get into my car and do something as small as get myself a cappuccino or something as grand as taking my child to the emergency room." I think its good that women are wanting to drive in Saudi Arabia and I support their right to drive with Saudi Arabia being the only country that allows women not to drive a lot of women seem to be on a tight leash. And many seem to agree in Saudi Arabia asking to let women drive and posting videos of their wives or sisters driving to support their cause.

Also Hubbard states, "The fact that the activists have been at it for so long without creating a mass movement or any change in government policy underlines the power of tradition in Saudi society and the tremendous political clout of social conservatives who fear that Westernization or anything that looks as if it will detract from the kingdom’s Islamic character" If this is true then why is Saudi Arabia Covered in fast food shops and many malls, if the people wish to keep tradition they should also flex around to let women be more equal as the men. In history we have seen many people who held on tightly to tradition, however we have also learned that those who cling to the traditions and past to tightly are doomed to stay in the past and are left behind, where the world is constantly looking to the future it may be soon that Saudi Arabia changes and looks ahead as well.

Hubbard also says that, "Despite the strong opposition, the women believe that time is on their side. They point to the huge numbers of Saudis who study and travel abroad and return with new perspectives on their culture. They also suggest that the kingdom’s youthful population and the tremendous rise of social media will over time make the country more open to change." As stated the women believe that it may not be now or very soon but they know that the ability for women to drive may just be around the corner. However with much of the leaders still clinging to the past it may not be until new leaders come to power for such a day to come.

This article can relate to me in the way that some girls are treated driving here although its generally opposite then that of Saudi Arabias power holders who think women can't drive. Here the women are statistically better drivers than men so much that their insurance is generally lower than that of men.

In summary women in Saudi Arabia women are pushing hard for some equality mostly the small abilities that we take advantage of here like driving. Although there push is also pushed back i believe that if they keep pushing for equality they will eventually get it, like the ability for women to vote in America in the 1920s the Saudi women just need to keep pushing.

CC #2.1

In an article entitled "Typhoon deaths climb into thousands in Philippines" by Jim Gomez, states that a staggering number of 10,000 people may have died due to the typhoon that hit the Philippines. With body counts increasing everyday the crime and looting in the Philippines is getting increasingly worse and many facing lack of food and water one may wonder if looting may be the right decision.

 According to Gomez's article, "Corpses hung from trees,were scattered on sidewalks or were buried in flattened buildings." As people began to get over the initial shock of the dead on the street it sort of became an everyday part of life, they ignored trying to survive and find food and shelter for what family they have with them. As the days go by and more bodies are found many Filipinos begin to try to mask the smell of death which is also causing a fear of airborne disease from the dead reaching many people.

Gomez also discusses how, "There is no power, no water, nothing. People are desperate. They’re looting." with the ever increasing loss of life many people are looting what buildings they can for building materials for makeshift houses, and food and water for their families. As the looting increases the Philippine army is being sent by increasing numbers to stop and quell the situation. With so many losing everything and the aid that is trying to be spread to the Philippines is getting difficult because of ambushes would it be so wrong to loot to keep your family alive? this man
believes it is,
as crowds pushed into stores for food he pulled out a gun on those attempting to loot his store.

The situation in the Philippines caused by the typhoon is one of hectic proportions and being Filipino I know how it is in the Philippines just to make a living, it isn't easy in fact its very hard. Adding losses of homes and most of everything that many Filipinos have I can justify how looting can be a decision that should be made to support their family.

Character description

Tommy the man with a constant plan, had jet black painted on spikes at the top of his head and a small twig like figure. He had the stench of a cheap detective and dressed like one too. His attitude was of one that could not remember a name or a face or anything at all. He had no clue who he was or what he was, all he knew was he was in a unfamiliar bed with an unfamiliar family.

CC#4

In a article on CNN by Elwn Lopez and Phil Gast they write about how MC Hammer being arrested on suspicion of resisting an officer and obstructing an officer in the performance of his duties. MC Hammer accused the officer of singling him out because he is black in a string of twitter posts written by Hammer.

In one tweet Hammer says, "that he was asked whether he was on parole or probation before the man tried to pull him out of his vehicle Thursday night." making the what was thought of to be long gone, profiling and racism of cops back in the 50's seem to be resurfacing.

In another tweet by Hammer he states "It was comical to me until he pulled out his guns, blew his whistle and yelled for help (MallCop) !!! But make no mistake he's dangerous." He may have thought that the way the cop was acting may have been due to an inexperience or that the officer was only being comical. However this changed as he "pulled out his guns" Hammer may have thought of it to be a joke by a fan only teasing him until the officer called for backup.

"I will now answer his question, contrary to his personal beliefs, all people of color are not on parole or probation fat boy!!!," wrote Hammer, later adding he thought of his arrest as "a teachable moment" and an "eye opener." Showing just how real the profiling may have been for Hammer as he was arrested and booked in santa rita jail but made bail later on.

In defense Police in Dublin, east of Oakland said, "Hammer was in a vehicle with expired registration and he was not the registered owner." Police spokesman Herb Walters wrote Saturday evening in an e-mail to CNN. "After asking Hammer who the registered owner was he became very argumentative and refused to answer the officer's questions."

All of this is making some wonder which side is telling the truth in any case this is stirring up a pot of "bad blood" between the police and considered to be minority races. Bringing back to some, images of police brutality upon minority races and the war between police and minorities.

This could potentially bring up tensions between the police and the citizens they protect making it much harder for people to achieve their American dream. Because they are afraid of being abused by the police and others that think they may be a minority race.

Cc #2

Today looking through CNN's website I came across an article titled, "Ex-cop vows 'war' against former colleagues" seeing as how we are having a political debate about gun control I figured that this would be a good article to talk about. In the article they describe how a LAPD police officer named Christopher Dorner with not only Police training but also with navy training gets fired and threatens to kill LAPD police officers and their family's. This is not a hollow threat however as many police officers and others around the area are murdered with the primary suspect being Dorner.

Dorner is the primary suspect of the murders of LAPD officers because of the 11 page manifesto he wrote saying "I will bring unconventional and asymmetrical warfare to those in LAPD uniform whether on or off duty." In his manifesto Dorner blames one retired officer for bungling his appeal to get his job back and claims he was mistreated by the LAPD. Though some may speculate that Dorner may just be venting his anger out toward being fired but security measures have stepped up in LA and surrounding areas.

a quote by Dorner saying, "I never had the opportunity to have a family of my own, I'm terminating yours." makes Dorner the prime suspect of the murder of a retired LAPD officer's daughter and her fiance. The violence thought to be of Dorner's doing and his training as a cop and military marksman left police officers guarding one of Dorner's alleged targets on edge, as they mistakably fired upon a blue pickup truck thought to be Dorner's. This act left two civilians wounded in the process, not only did the police unlawfully shoot at civilians without proper evidence but they also made the LAPD look as though they are using police brutality on random citizens. Though the chief of police gave condolences for the misfiring many are afraid it might happen again.

In a report about 100 miles from Dorner's last whereabouts "Two police officers were in their car at a stop light in Riverside when Dorner allegedly pulled up beside them. That driver unleashed multiple rounds from a rifle at the officers, riddling the cop car with bullets and leaving a 34-year-old officer, who had been on the Riverside force for 11 years, dead." This outraged officials, wanting Dorner brought to justice immediately for his attacks on police but currently the whereabouts of Dorner are still unknown but he is wanted for the death of 3 people and multiple assaults on officers.

 

This article reminded me of the American dream because people like this are what make things more restrictive on people who may rely on things such as firearms. It also makes police more strict on the citizens around them and could even inflate prices on things like insurance to cars because of the destruction made in the psychotic rage of Dorner.

 

Overall this kind of disturbed me because of the recent school shootings and I thought things like this can hurt the American dream drastically. If things aren't done to prevent shootings like this while being fair to citizens it could cause chaos, maybe make gun purchasers take a psych test before being allowed to purchase a firearm.

CC#3

In The New York Times bi- weekly magazine Upfront there is an article titled Trying Times by Patricia Smith stating that with the economy as it is college graduates are finding it tough to find a decent job.

In the article it states "The youth unemployment rate is far below its peak of 18 percent in 2009. But more than 12 million Americans are still unemployed." This is leaving many college graduates combing through job offerings and even "enrolling in a job-search boot camp" as Stacey herring herself is doing to find a job. Although she wants to work in entertainment marketing but with no luck on her dream job she says "I just need a job."

Sated by Heidi Shierholz of the economic institute in Washington D.C. "every way you cut it-by race or gender with or without a college degree-young people are just not getting the job opportunities they need." This could be due to the fact that many young people are considered to be lazy or that they are narcissists, either way you put it those under 25 with a college degree or not seem to be frowned upon in the job world.

In the article it states, "With so many job seekers to choose from, employers are filling entry-level positions with more experienced workers, leaving many college graduates working at the Gap or Starbucks." Making many wonder why that is maybe its because job offers are wanting people with more experience under their belt to keep up with the demand of the job, Instead of a college graduate with a scholarship.

This is connecting to the American dream harshly because we are known to be the land of opportunity and if jobs are getting harder to obtain what opportunity will people have to accomplish their American dream.  Although jobs are beginning to rise again if the decline begins to go down harshly like it has before we could have numerous protests and even riots if it begins to be too bad.

Overall the job searching for graduates seems to be rising with no luck of finding jobs that they have degrees to do.

CC#1, "Python takes a ride on qantas airplane's wing"

In an article by MSN titled, "Python Takes a Ride on Quntas Airplane's Wing," it describes the life and death struggle of a 10 foot long scrub python tucked away in a cravass of the wing. After battling the flight in 200-mile-per-hour winds and negative twelve degree weather the plane eventually landed, miraculously the python was still alive surviving a long flight from Qantas to Papua New Guinea showing 1. the survivability of wildlife through tough conditions and 2. That wildlife can get into even the most crowded places without being noticed.

The python was spotted by a passenger saying, "There's a snake on the wing," she reportedly told the cabin crew. "There's its head and if you look closely you can see a fraction of its body." While nobody believed her at first a cabin crew member looked out the window and confirmed that what she was saying was true. showing that even unbelievable as it may sound wildlife can get into small places of planes without ever being noticed.

The article also states the python surviving extreme weather of "negative twelve degree weather and 200-mile-per-hour winds." This is showing just how adaptive wildlife is, taking a python from the east surviving strictly on warm environments to surviving battering winds and cold weather. It may also show just how naturally inclined they are to survive in different environments naturally than we can, for example in hot conditions we desire air conditioning and plenty of water however this snake survives on small amounts of water and can stay in the hot environment for hours. In the cold environment we need a coat while however the snake uses its body in a way to protect itself  from becoming to cold showing just how fast they can adapt to conditions while we can not.

If I was a passenger of the flight I would be extremely worried if a snake was found because I would wonder if one snake can be hiding on the wing how many can actually be onboard the plane something scary to think about but also a true thought to think about. However it is good that nobody thought about that openly while on the plane because that could start a massive panic making people onboard the plane to lose rational thought and go crazy.

This article reminded me of a movie I saw called snakes on a plane. It reminded me of the movie just because the movie and article start off basically the same someone spotting a snake somewhere on the plane. However it is good that it did not actually end up like the movie where a lot of snakes were actually lurking onboard with the passengers.

In the article the main ideas to me were the survivability of wildlife in unbelievable conditions and also the way wildlife can sneak upon public places without being noticed. This makes me think however, what if we we're able to adapt like some animals do and eventually we wouldn't need a coat in cold weather and we could retain and survive on small amounts of water in the heat how would that work and could that harm us or the environment in some way in a way like gene altering or technological implants?