This issue of the Times I liked the article by Michael Wines, "Once Banned but Now Pampered, Dogs Reflect China's Rise" because I have always been mortified by the issue of dog meat. Growing up my grandfather would always tell me I was eating dog or cat if I was eating Chinese food.
This article harps on China's increasing economic rise, from "impoverished peasant to first-world citizen." I was really happy when I read that although dog can still be found in some restaurants, nowadays they can mostly be found in loving homes, being pampered. The rise in domestic dogs is said to not only be due to China's economic rise but also because of its one child per family law. Many households are buying dogs for companionship for their children. It sounds like the dog industry is actually getting bigger than it is in America. "Beijing officials say, 900,000 dogs as well, their numbers growing 10 percent a year.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
New York Times Blog: October 19, 2010
Reading this issue of the New York Times I was attracted to the cover picture of a boy's silhouette. however, the story I found most intriguing and very disturbing was by Ian Austen, "Top Canadian Commander Pleads Guilty to Murders." This article was about Col. David Russell who recently pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, rape, and multiple break ins and offenses. What made this guy so creepy was that his fetish was to break into homes and photograph himself in the girls or womens underwear and take pictures of himself aroused or masturbating on their beds. Col. Russell was charged with 88 different offenses. The courtroom was filled with pale-faced and teary eyed victims, families and Russell's family. I think what makes this so scary if that he was supposed to be a powerful, authority figure and trusted to protect people. Instead, he used his skills to do damage and that is what's so shocking.He raped and killed a flight attendant he had worked with and another woman.
Monday, October 18, 2010
New York Times Blog: October 18, 2010
Finish Line Comes With A Real High: 8,000 Feet
By Marc Lacey
For the first time this past Sunday, Tucson Arizona held an up-mountain 26.2 mile marathon up Mount Lemmon. For marathon runners who were getting tired of the Boston Marathon or thought the New York Marathon was a walk in the park, this high altitude, high incline, and thinner air gave runners a run for their money. Or for some ultra-marathon runners like Pam Reed, 49, this was just a Sunday stroll. Reed won the 135-mile Badwater ultra marathon through death valley, and for fun won the Boston marathon backwards then forwards with everyone else. The winner, James Miles, 25, said, "To be honest, I just two days ago to do this." The Mount Lemmon marathon was only his third marathon and his first win, with a finishing time of 3 hours, 13 minutes, and 42 seconds. Miles attributed his time which was a half hour longer than his personal best to the high altitude, incline, and thin air. Not only was this marathon crazy, but runners also had to deal with temperature changes from high 80's to freezing in some areas.
By Marc Lacey
For the first time this past Sunday, Tucson Arizona held an up-mountain 26.2 mile marathon up Mount Lemmon. For marathon runners who were getting tired of the Boston Marathon or thought the New York Marathon was a walk in the park, this high altitude, high incline, and thinner air gave runners a run for their money. Or for some ultra-marathon runners like Pam Reed, 49, this was just a Sunday stroll. Reed won the 135-mile Badwater ultra marathon through death valley, and for fun won the Boston marathon backwards then forwards with everyone else. The winner, James Miles, 25, said, "To be honest, I just two days ago to do this." The Mount Lemmon marathon was only his third marathon and his first win, with a finishing time of 3 hours, 13 minutes, and 42 seconds. Miles attributed his time which was a half hour longer than his personal best to the high altitude, incline, and thin air. Not only was this marathon crazy, but runners also had to deal with temperature changes from high 80's to freezing in some areas.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
New york Times Blog: October 13, 2010
"U.S. Judge Halts 'Don't Ask' Law For The Military"
By John Schwartz
I guess I am in a military mood this week...
This article caught my eye because of this weeks Ally Week on the UNH campus. All week supporters of LGBQT organization have been celebrating and bringing awareness in different ways.
Judge Virginia A. Phillips ordered the united States military to stop enforcing the "don't ask, don't tell" law. The "don't ask, don't tell" law prevents openly gay and bisexual people from joining the military or staying in the military if they are found out. Judge Phillips said the 17 year old law "infringes the fundamental rights of United States service members" and it also violates their rights to due process and freedom of speech. It is expected that her decision will be appealed by the government, nevertheless it marks a huge step for gay and lesbian soldiers.
By John Schwartz
I guess I am in a military mood this week...
This article caught my eye because of this weeks Ally Week on the UNH campus. All week supporters of LGBQT organization have been celebrating and bringing awareness in different ways.
Judge Virginia A. Phillips ordered the united States military to stop enforcing the "don't ask, don't tell" law. The "don't ask, don't tell" law prevents openly gay and bisexual people from joining the military or staying in the military if they are found out. Judge Phillips said the 17 year old law "infringes the fundamental rights of United States service members" and it also violates their rights to due process and freedom of speech. It is expected that her decision will be appealed by the government, nevertheless it marks a huge step for gay and lesbian soldiers.
New York Times Blog: October 11, 2010
"Despite Army's New Efforts, Suicides Continue at Grim Pace"
By James C. McKinley Jr.
This article stood out to me because of the recent rise of suicide in homosexual teens. I hadn't been aware that there was also a huge problems of suicide in the army. They try to cover it up and hide it. This story was about many suicide cases but particularly Armando Aguilar, a 26 year old who killed himself in a parking lot in Texas after three tours. The article mainly addressed the problem with doctors and psychiatrists prescribing too many pills and not enough therapy. The army doesn't have enough therapists to conduct therapy with all of the soldiers that need it. Instead soldiers are sent away with anti-depressants, painkillers, pills for panic attacks etc. many say the recent rise in army suicide is due to the 'psychological toll of nine years of war." Many investigations have taken place to try to draw similarities in the suicide victims. Many people thought it was the soldiers who have been deployed multiple times, but upon closer examination they have realized that is often not the case. Soldier who have exhibited suicide tendencies and soldiers who have not are both committing suicide.
By James C. McKinley Jr.
This article stood out to me because of the recent rise of suicide in homosexual teens. I hadn't been aware that there was also a huge problems of suicide in the army. They try to cover it up and hide it. This story was about many suicide cases but particularly Armando Aguilar, a 26 year old who killed himself in a parking lot in Texas after three tours. The article mainly addressed the problem with doctors and psychiatrists prescribing too many pills and not enough therapy. The army doesn't have enough therapists to conduct therapy with all of the soldiers that need it. Instead soldiers are sent away with anti-depressants, painkillers, pills for panic attacks etc. many say the recent rise in army suicide is due to the 'psychological toll of nine years of war." Many investigations have taken place to try to draw similarities in the suicide victims. Many people thought it was the soldiers who have been deployed multiple times, but upon closer examination they have realized that is often not the case. Soldier who have exhibited suicide tendencies and soldiers who have not are both committing suicide.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
New York Times Blog: October 6, 2010
Fate of missing Balloonists Clouds Joy at U.S. Festival
By, Dan Frosch
This year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta had a somber feeling this year. Recently, at the world's most prestigious ballooning competition in Bristol England two accomplished balloonists went missing. Balloonists Carol Rhymer Davis and Richard Abruzzo, both went missing over the Adriatic Sea in bad weather conditions. A search party was called off after four days, wit no sign of pilots or balloon.This year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has a somber feeling, "It's hard to concentrate on flying that race now, not knowing what happened to Carol and Richard," said fellow balloonist Barbara Fricke. The fiesta attracts over 800,000 spectators and hundreds of beautifully patterned balloons annually. At the start of the competition the announcer bellowed, "Be safe, fly safe."
By, Dan Frosch
This year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta had a somber feeling this year. Recently, at the world's most prestigious ballooning competition in Bristol England two accomplished balloonists went missing. Balloonists Carol Rhymer Davis and Richard Abruzzo, both went missing over the Adriatic Sea in bad weather conditions. A search party was called off after four days, wit no sign of pilots or balloon.This year's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has a somber feeling, "It's hard to concentrate on flying that race now, not knowing what happened to Carol and Richard," said fellow balloonist Barbara Fricke. The fiesta attracts over 800,000 spectators and hundreds of beautifully patterned balloons annually. At the start of the competition the announcer bellowed, "Be safe, fly safe."
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
New York Times Blog: October 4, 2010
4-Day Frenzy of Rape in Congo Reveals U.N. Troops' Weakness
By, Jeffrey Gettleman
In Luvungi, Democratic Republic of Congo a mass raping frenzy went on for 4 days in July. Anna Mburano, 81, says that four armed men burst into her hut hut, beat her grandchildren and raped her repeatedly. Meanwhile, mass chaos was erupting in her village everywhere as men and children were beaten and women were brutally raped. A U.N. base was not far away but had no clue what was going on until after the incident. Many of the women felt very ashamed and did not come forward until much after the incidents. This tragedy has critics comparing the weakness of the U.N. troops to the massacre in Kiwanja in 2008. Rebels succeeded in killing 150 people within earshot of a U.N. base. Critics are calling out the U.N. for their weakness saying that, "nowhere else in the world has the United Nations invested so much and accomplished so little."The U.N. has an around 18,000 peacekeepers in the Congo, but because of lack of cell reception and electricity, it is difficult to know when people are in need or under attack. Author of the "Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler called the Congo, "The U.N.'s crowning failure." she said that if the women that were being raped were the daughters, wives, or mothers of the power elite, "this war would have ended 12 years ago."
By, Jeffrey Gettleman
In Luvungi, Democratic Republic of Congo a mass raping frenzy went on for 4 days in July. Anna Mburano, 81, says that four armed men burst into her hut hut, beat her grandchildren and raped her repeatedly. Meanwhile, mass chaos was erupting in her village everywhere as men and children were beaten and women were brutally raped. A U.N. base was not far away but had no clue what was going on until after the incident. Many of the women felt very ashamed and did not come forward until much after the incidents. This tragedy has critics comparing the weakness of the U.N. troops to the massacre in Kiwanja in 2008. Rebels succeeded in killing 150 people within earshot of a U.N. base. Critics are calling out the U.N. for their weakness saying that, "nowhere else in the world has the United Nations invested so much and accomplished so little."The U.N. has an around 18,000 peacekeepers in the Congo, but because of lack of cell reception and electricity, it is difficult to know when people are in need or under attack. Author of the "Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler called the Congo, "The U.N.'s crowning failure." she said that if the women that were being raped were the daughters, wives, or mothers of the power elite, "this war would have ended 12 years ago."
New York Times Blog: September 29, 2010
Jail Confession Is Retold In a Triple Murder Trial
By, William Glaberson
A three year old murder case has finally made is to trial. In Cheshire Connecticut in 2008, Steven Hayes murdered and raped Jennifer Hawke-Petit and murdered her two daughters Hayley and Michaela. Her husband, Dr. Petit was bound and badly beaten but escaped and went for help. Hayes and his accomplice Joshua Komisarjevsky robbed, raped, beat, murdered the Petits and then burned their house down. While Hayes has been imprisoned, two guards have retold things they overheard him saying to another inmate through vents and doors. He confessed to another inmate that his accomplice forced him to kill Mrs. Petit after they raped her and he told another that he believed Mr. Petit set fire to his own house to collect insurance. The guard said that Mr. Hayes told the inmate, he had only "poured gasoline down the stairs in the Cheshire house, but he had not lit the match, so he believed he could not be charged with arson." The trial will go on for months and will also deal with Hayes' accomplice.
By, William Glaberson
A three year old murder case has finally made is to trial. In Cheshire Connecticut in 2008, Steven Hayes murdered and raped Jennifer Hawke-Petit and murdered her two daughters Hayley and Michaela. Her husband, Dr. Petit was bound and badly beaten but escaped and went for help. Hayes and his accomplice Joshua Komisarjevsky robbed, raped, beat, murdered the Petits and then burned their house down. While Hayes has been imprisoned, two guards have retold things they overheard him saying to another inmate through vents and doors. He confessed to another inmate that his accomplice forced him to kill Mrs. Petit after they raped her and he told another that he believed Mr. Petit set fire to his own house to collect insurance. The guard said that Mr. Hayes told the inmate, he had only "poured gasoline down the stairs in the Cheshire house, but he had not lit the match, so he believed he could not be charged with arson." The trial will go on for months and will also deal with Hayes' accomplice.
New York Times Blog: September 27, 2010
I decided to write about the cover story today because 1. it had a cute baby and 2. it seemed interesting.
Efforts Meant to Help Workers Squeeze South Africa's Poorest By Celia Dugger
This article focuses on Emily Mbongwa,52, a former factory worker in Newcastle who lost her job because the factory was shut down due to violations. Mbongwa, like many South African women relied on her low paying job at a factory to help feed her family and pay for her small home. The factory was shut down because it didn't meet the new requirments and paid its worker less tan minimum wage. However, the people this "improvement" was supposed to make is now hurting them. Even though the pay was horrible, just $36 a week, for Nokuthula Masango, 25, is was just enough to get her and her jobless extended family by. South Africa's unemployed rate has been an increasing problem for over a decade. The rise in crime, social unrest, and economic downturn can all be attributed to this issue.
Efforts Meant to Help Workers Squeeze South Africa's Poorest By Celia Dugger
This article focuses on Emily Mbongwa,52, a former factory worker in Newcastle who lost her job because the factory was shut down due to violations. Mbongwa, like many South African women relied on her low paying job at a factory to help feed her family and pay for her small home. The factory was shut down because it didn't meet the new requirments and paid its worker less tan minimum wage. However, the people this "improvement" was supposed to make is now hurting them. Even though the pay was horrible, just $36 a week, for Nokuthula Masango, 25, is was just enough to get her and her jobless extended family by. South Africa's unemployed rate has been an increasing problem for over a decade. The rise in crime, social unrest, and economic downturn can all be attributed to this issue.
New York Times Blog: September 23, 2010
New Treatments Are Challenging Mammogram's Need, Study Says
I chose to write about this article in this particular times because everyone chose to ride about the story with the mounted policemen running away from black smoke.
The article about new treatments concerning breast health says that mammograms are decreasingly useful in dealing with the cancer death rate. Research has shown that increased awareness and new treatments are having a much more positive effect on womens health. New treatments with hormonal therapy have replaced the necessity of mammography.Decades ago when mammograms were relatively new, they reduced the breast cancer death rate by a substantial 15%-25%. Now research has shown that mammography and treatment has decreased that number by 10%.. however, researchers believe that mammograms do as little as 0%-2% of that work. Researchers and studies have been done on an undisclosed amount of women for 8.9 years. A study of Norwegian women with breast cancer found that regular mammogram screening probably reduces the breast cancer death rate slightly, but also has significant costs. Dr. Gilbert Welch of Dartmouth estimated 2% but he said, "whatever the effect of mammograms is, all the signals here is that it is much smaller than we believed."
I chose to write about this article in this particular times because everyone chose to ride about the story with the mounted policemen running away from black smoke.
The article about new treatments concerning breast health says that mammograms are decreasingly useful in dealing with the cancer death rate. Research has shown that increased awareness and new treatments are having a much more positive effect on womens health. New treatments with hormonal therapy have replaced the necessity of mammography.Decades ago when mammograms were relatively new, they reduced the breast cancer death rate by a substantial 15%-25%. Now research has shown that mammography and treatment has decreased that number by 10%.. however, researchers believe that mammograms do as little as 0%-2% of that work. Researchers and studies have been done on an undisclosed amount of women for 8.9 years. A study of Norwegian women with breast cancer found that regular mammogram screening probably reduces the breast cancer death rate slightly, but also has significant costs. Dr. Gilbert Welch of Dartmouth estimated 2% but he said, "whatever the effect of mammograms is, all the signals here is that it is much smaller than we believed."
Monday, October 4, 2010
Local Teen Helps Save a Life
Local resident and police captain Janet Paradiso join forces to save an elderly man’s life.
This morning James Laboke, 17, a local resident, spotted a stopped car on the train tracks. Laboke, an Afghan Refugee wakes up at 5 a.m. to walk four miles to the Eezy Breezy Restaurant on East Grand Street, where he was hired as a waiter eight months ago.
Laboke spotted Francois Truffant’s 1987 pink Cadillac Seville stopped on the railroad tracks about ten minutes before the 5:55 a.m. train to Boston passed through Old Orchard. Laboke approached the running car to see Truffant, 80, slumped over and unconscious at the wheel.
After pounding on the car’s window and realizing the doors were locked Laboke had to think quickly. Laboke, who doesn’t have a cell phone, ran approximately 100 yards to the police station on Pier Street. Laboke later said, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that man get crushed by a train.”
Police Captain, Janet Paradiso responded to the call about a mile away from the tracks. She arrived at the scene at 6:05 a.m. just as the train’s warning whistles became audible. With the Amtrak train approaching at 40 miles per hour, Paradiso took action ramming her cruiser into the back of Truffant’s Seville to push it out of danger. Paradiso commented, “I knew there was no time. I had to do something.”
Approximately 30 seconds later the train sped through the crossing. Brian Paul, Chief of Police at Old Orchard beach said, “it was that close.”
Truffant, a diabetic, was said to have gone into insulin shock at the time he reached the railroad crossing. Listed in stable condition at Southern Maine Medical Center he said he did not remember anything of the incident.
Old Orchard Beach, a tourist community on the Southern Maine seacoast attracts tourists with its long beach and wooden pier. Truffant is a tourist from Quebec City and has been coming to Old Orchard Beach since he was a child.
Charles Champaigne, owner of the Eezy Breezy Restaurant didn’t think anything out of the ordinary when Laboke arrived to work on time this morning. Later, when a reporter called asking about the incident Champaigne learned of Laboke’s heroic deeds. Champaigne said, “It doesn’t surprise me at all. That young man is one of my most responsible employees. He’s just a great kid.”
This morning James Laboke, 17, a local resident, spotted a stopped car on the train tracks. Laboke, an Afghan Refugee wakes up at 5 a.m. to walk four miles to the Eezy Breezy Restaurant on East Grand Street, where he was hired as a waiter eight months ago.
Laboke spotted Francois Truffant’s 1987 pink Cadillac Seville stopped on the railroad tracks about ten minutes before the 5:55 a.m. train to Boston passed through Old Orchard. Laboke approached the running car to see Truffant, 80, slumped over and unconscious at the wheel.
After pounding on the car’s window and realizing the doors were locked Laboke had to think quickly. Laboke, who doesn’t have a cell phone, ran approximately 100 yards to the police station on Pier Street. Laboke later said, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that man get crushed by a train.”
Police Captain, Janet Paradiso responded to the call about a mile away from the tracks. She arrived at the scene at 6:05 a.m. just as the train’s warning whistles became audible. With the Amtrak train approaching at 40 miles per hour, Paradiso took action ramming her cruiser into the back of Truffant’s Seville to push it out of danger. Paradiso commented, “I knew there was no time. I had to do something.”
Approximately 30 seconds later the train sped through the crossing. Brian Paul, Chief of Police at Old Orchard beach said, “it was that close.”
Truffant, a diabetic, was said to have gone into insulin shock at the time he reached the railroad crossing. Listed in stable condition at Southern Maine Medical Center he said he did not remember anything of the incident.
Old Orchard Beach, a tourist community on the Southern Maine seacoast attracts tourists with its long beach and wooden pier. Truffant is a tourist from Quebec City and has been coming to Old Orchard Beach since he was a child.
Charles Champaigne, owner of the Eezy Breezy Restaurant didn’t think anything out of the ordinary when Laboke arrived to work on time this morning. Later, when a reporter called asking about the incident Champaigne learned of Laboke’s heroic deeds. Champaigne said, “It doesn’t surprise me at all. That young man is one of my most responsible employees. He’s just a great kid.”
Saturday, October 2, 2010
New York Times Blog: September 22, 2010
U.N. Chief Set to Announce Sharp Rise in Aid for Health of Women and Children" by Neil MacFARQUHAR attracted me because of the picture that went along with it. The picture showed four women all with the same expression on their face laying down next to each other with these little babies strapped to their chest. After Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced his plans to increase aid and improve the health of women in children independent specialists were still iffy on whether or not it is a scam. This effort, originally from 2000 is particularly lagging in the area of mother/child death rate during childbirth. Now this new aid is supposed to be directed right at this area to improve it. Since this development, infant mortality rate has dropped from 12 million in 1990 to 8.1 million, maternal mortality has since dropped from 500,000 to 350,000. U.N. officials hoped that the bulk of this plans efforts and money would go to the poorest 49 countries but alone those countries would need about $88 billion to meet the goals.
New York Times Blog: September 16, 2010
The article, "Mayor's Next Targets for a Smoking Ban: Parks and Beaches" by, Anemona Hartocollis interested me because of the amount of people who smoke on campus. I remember when I started here as a freshman I was astounded at the amount of young people who continue to smoke with the knowledge of its long-term affects and illnesses. UNH has a rule that smokers aren't allowed to smoke within 20 feet of a building but not only is 20 feet not far enough... no one even listens to that rule. From this article I learned that New York City Mayor Bloomberg has already put a ban on smoking in public places such as restaurants and bars but also plans to ban it in areas like parks, beaches, and pedestrian malls. Last year this ban was brought to the Mayor's attention but he didn't approve it right away. After mny months of research done on second hand smoking these new laws are set to be effective as of Thursday, Sept. 16. This new law covers 1,700 parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities along with 14 miles of city beaches, boardwalks, public marinas and pedestrian malls. Bloomberg ruled in favor of this law after learning that someone not smoking but sitting within three feet of a smoker even in open air received the same second-hand effects as someone in the same situation indoors would. Bloomberg commented, "When New Yorkers and visitors go to parks and beaches for fresh air, there will actually be fresh air for them to breathe." There are still things to be worked out but officials are estimating around a $50 fine for offenders.
New York Times Blog: September 15, 2010
In the "Tally of Hungry Has Fallen, But Stays High" By Neil MacFARQUHAR caught my attention. The article talked about how for the first time in 15 years the number of undernourished people in the world has decreased. Even though this number has decreased, it is still much higher due to the 2008 food crisis. The number of hungry people has decreased from 1.02 billion to 925 million since 2009. These changes can be attributed to the recent income growth and food price drop in the Asia Pacific region. Although this is progress, it is still no reason to celebrate. The very first goal of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization was to cut the amount of hungry people on 1990 in half is now impossible according to Jacques Diouf, the director general.
New York Times Blog: September 9, 2010
Alright so it's taken me awhile to get these blurbs about the paper out of my head and onto the internet. Better late than never... cheesy, but true!I'm going to have to jog your memory on what happened on September 9th since it was 3 weeks ago. This Times had Afghan police officers breaking their fast in Kandahar City while a U.S. soldier kept watch. The article, "Nato Forces Push in Kandahar, To Mixed Result" by, Ron Nordland. The article mentions how the white surrender flags of the Taliban are no longer seen throughout the city, they have been replaced by the Afghanistan flag. Although the Taliban may have been pushed further underground, they are still not relenting. Gen. David A Petraus, the NATO commander said, "In some areas the Taliban momentum has reversed, but there's clearly a lot more work to be done." The Talibans terror campaign is still in full force.
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