A few weeks ago, on April 20, a oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, know as Deepwater Horizon, experienced an explosion and began to sink, leaking up to 210,000 gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico daily.
Fast forward to early May where BP, the company that was operating the rig and has been deemed responsible for the clean-up by the US government, has been doing "everything in its power" to contain the leak. But, is it just me or does it seem that they could've avoided this problem all together. It has been reported in the media that the company had neglected to install "all" necessary safety (such as certain types of "blowout regulators") which could've possibly prevented such an occurrence. It has been reported (http://www.dailyfinance.com/article/feds-let-bp-avoid-filing-blowout-plan/1047805/) that the US government allowed BP to forgo submitting a "blowout plan" for the Gulf oil rig. This seems extraordinarily short sighted and dangerous on the governments part to allow a money making industry to operate without strict regulation.
I for one, am absolutely disturbed at the progress (lack there of) that is being made at the site of the oil spill. The surrounding shore areas of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida are ecologically sensitive and there is an immense danger to wildlife and human life in the region. It is extremely disheartening for me to hear about the animals that have been damaged by these events but have no means or ways to escape from the mess which has been created by oil drilling corporations.
In my opinion, there needs to be a much larger scale effort on the part of the oil company BP to rapidly contain this spill. Even though they claim to be doing "as much as they can", it still doesn't seem to be enough. There doesn't seem to be enough "motivation" for BP (as forced by the government or other regulating bodies) to contain this spill in a timely manner. They may be losing money, but whilst money is an item that can be replenished, the ecologically sensitive wetlands an natural areas cannot be replaced and need to be protected at all costs.
As stated above, this incident really bothers me and I wish that the people responsible for not only operating offshore drilling rigs, but also the regulating bodies would step up and fix these problems quickly and efficiently.
*Note, there has been talk of past "lobbying" in Congress that has resulted in the relaxation of safety regulations that could have perhaps prevented an event such as that.
Please see these for more information:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8673815.stm
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6482L220100509
-Chris Laatsch
Monday, May 10, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Hate Crimes
Hate crimes can be defined as bias motivated crimes. They occur when an individual targets a particular person as their victim, because of an alleged membership in a group such as, race, religion, sex, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, or political affiliation. The specific crimes associated with hate crimes range from physical and verbal assault (insults), to property damage and harassment.
Hate crimes have existed for centuries in our society. A few modern examples in American history have been seen with the slaughter of Native Americans, as well as the lynching of African Americans. Personally, I thought of these historical mistakes as being in the past, and detached from our modern society. But, boy was I wrong. One look at recent hate crime polls from the U.S. Department of Justice indicated otherwise. In 2008 there were just about 5,000 racially based crimes, with 72.9 percent being victims of an offender’s anti-black bias, and 1.3 percent being victims of an anti-American Indian/Alaskan Native bias.
After reviewing the statistics, I can’t help but ask myself why there is such a disparity in the numbers? I personally cannot understand why these crimes are committed in the first place, but why is there more hatred for one group over another? I looked around the Internet and did some research, but wasn’t able to find any conclusive evidence. One suggestion was that this poll was taken in 2008, just before President Barrack Obama was elected, and that there was a racist backlash to the election of the first African American president. But, my hope is that his election can bridge the gap of racial hatred and force a new precedent. People need to be more accepting of their fellow man, leaving race aside. Hate crimes are completely appalling and cause lasting damage to the people affected on both sides. The victims are left with fear and possibly contempt for the perpetrator, which is then passed on to future generations, while the aggressors pass on their personal bias and acceptance of such disgraceful behavior.
Hate crimes have existed for centuries in our society. A few modern examples in American history have been seen with the slaughter of Native Americans, as well as the lynching of African Americans. Personally, I thought of these historical mistakes as being in the past, and detached from our modern society. But, boy was I wrong. One look at recent hate crime polls from the U.S. Department of Justice indicated otherwise. In 2008 there were just about 5,000 racially based crimes, with 72.9 percent being victims of an offender’s anti-black bias, and 1.3 percent being victims of an anti-American Indian/Alaskan Native bias.
After reviewing the statistics, I can’t help but ask myself why there is such a disparity in the numbers? I personally cannot understand why these crimes are committed in the first place, but why is there more hatred for one group over another? I looked around the Internet and did some research, but wasn’t able to find any conclusive evidence. One suggestion was that this poll was taken in 2008, just before President Barrack Obama was elected, and that there was a racist backlash to the election of the first African American president. But, my hope is that his election can bridge the gap of racial hatred and force a new precedent. People need to be more accepting of their fellow man, leaving race aside. Hate crimes are completely appalling and cause lasting damage to the people affected on both sides. The victims are left with fear and possibly contempt for the perpetrator, which is then passed on to future generations, while the aggressors pass on their personal bias and acceptance of such disgraceful behavior.
Blog #5
Make Environment Friendly
We consume a variety of resources and products today having moved beyond basic needs to include luxury items and technological innovations to try to improve efficiency. Such consumption beyond minimal and basic needs is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, as we have always sought to find ways to make our lives a bit easier to live. However, increasingly, there are important issues around consumerism that need to be understood. Apparently we see that consumerism and consumption are at the core of many, if not most societies. The impacts of consumerism, positive and negative are very significant to all aspects of our lives, as well as our planet. We need to see where we are going right now. As we learned in last class about how much things we consume and how much we waste was really shocking. How could we consume only 1% of what we buy and west 99% within 6 months? Isn’t that horrible things to do for our environment? The system that drives these consumption patterns also contribute to our altitude. The advertisement that we see is makes to convince consumers so they can make profits, not necessarily for social good. As a result, we see waste and misuse of the environment, as well as social and environmental degradation increasing.
Our industries may be efficient for accumulating capital and making profits, but that does not automatically mean that it is efficient for society. We are beginning to get just a hint of how wasteful our societies are. Everyone should strongly agree that eliminating the cause of this type of wasteful consumption and consumers system and bringing the right tool to all. We can do this by educating society and protest the systems which look only for their own profits so we can save our environment disasters.
We consume a variety of resources and products today having moved beyond basic needs to include luxury items and technological innovations to try to improve efficiency. Such consumption beyond minimal and basic needs is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, as we have always sought to find ways to make our lives a bit easier to live. However, increasingly, there are important issues around consumerism that need to be understood. Apparently we see that consumerism and consumption are at the core of many, if not most societies. The impacts of consumerism, positive and negative are very significant to all aspects of our lives, as well as our planet. We need to see where we are going right now. As we learned in last class about how much things we consume and how much we waste was really shocking. How could we consume only 1% of what we buy and west 99% within 6 months? Isn’t that horrible things to do for our environment? The system that drives these consumption patterns also contribute to our altitude. The advertisement that we see is makes to convince consumers so they can make profits, not necessarily for social good. As a result, we see waste and misuse of the environment, as well as social and environmental degradation increasing.
Our industries may be efficient for accumulating capital and making profits, but that does not automatically mean that it is efficient for society. We are beginning to get just a hint of how wasteful our societies are. Everyone should strongly agree that eliminating the cause of this type of wasteful consumption and consumers system and bringing the right tool to all. We can do this by educating society and protest the systems which look only for their own profits so we can save our environment disasters.
Elder Abuse
Blog # 5
Elder Abuse is a term that defines harmful acts towards an elder person. Everyday we hear stories or see pictures of seniors who have been abused, neglected, and exploited, often by people they trust the most. Most abusers are spouses, personal acquaintance, family members, professionals in positions of trust. Elder abuse usually takes place in settings such as the elder's home, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, or in a caregiver's homes.
There are several types of elder abuse:
1. Pysical abuse
2. Sexual abuse
3. Emotional or Psychological abuse
4. Financial exploitation
5. Neglect
6. Self-neglect
Some possible indicaters of abuse are:
weight loss, sunken eyes, lack of personal care, dehydration, pressure sores, or bedsores, burns, cuts, bruises, falls, fractures, unusual banking activities, personal belongings missing, anxiety, confusion, withdrawn, thoughts of suicide, lack of eye contact, shame, trembling, clinging, cowering and many more.
The question is what can we do to prevent elder abuse? some of my answers are listed below, what are yours?
1. Report suspected mistreatment to your local adult protective services agency or law enforcement.
2. keep in contact with your older friends because this can decrease isolation, a risk factor for mistreatment.
3. Look and take note of what may be happening with your older neighbors and acquaintances
4. Contact your local area agency to identify local programs and sources of support such as meals on wheels.
5. Volunteer in programs that provide assistance and support for seniors.
6. World Elder abuse awareness day - help raise awareness by talking about the issue.
To learn more about the issue - Visit the National Center on Elder Abuse website at
www.ncea.aoa.gov.
Elder Abuse is a term that defines harmful acts towards an elder person. Everyday we hear stories or see pictures of seniors who have been abused, neglected, and exploited, often by people they trust the most. Most abusers are spouses, personal acquaintance, family members, professionals in positions of trust. Elder abuse usually takes place in settings such as the elder's home, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, or in a caregiver's homes.
There are several types of elder abuse:
1. Pysical abuse
2. Sexual abuse
3. Emotional or Psychological abuse
4. Financial exploitation
5. Neglect
6. Self-neglect
Some possible indicaters of abuse are:
weight loss, sunken eyes, lack of personal care, dehydration, pressure sores, or bedsores, burns, cuts, bruises, falls, fractures, unusual banking activities, personal belongings missing, anxiety, confusion, withdrawn, thoughts of suicide, lack of eye contact, shame, trembling, clinging, cowering and many more.
The question is what can we do to prevent elder abuse? some of my answers are listed below, what are yours?
1. Report suspected mistreatment to your local adult protective services agency or law enforcement.
2. keep in contact with your older friends because this can decrease isolation, a risk factor for mistreatment.
3. Look and take note of what may be happening with your older neighbors and acquaintances
4. Contact your local area agency to identify local programs and sources of support such as meals on wheels.
5. Volunteer in programs that provide assistance and support for seniors.
6. World Elder abuse awareness day - help raise awareness by talking about the issue.
To learn more about the issue - Visit the National Center on Elder Abuse website at
www.ncea.aoa.gov.
Seniors and Sexuality
I think this is one of those topics that most people really don't put much thought into. In my Process of Aging class yesterday we talked about sexuality and seniors. I found this class and the corresponding chapter in the text book really interesting. We started out by talking about how seniors and sex are portrayed in the media. We're all familiar with the "dirty old man" or the frigid old woman. Those are stereotypes that have stuck and really have an impact on how most of us look at the sexuality of older people, in fact, we most likely don't want to even think about an old person doing it.
In reality, sex or even just intimacy are very important during all phases of life and seniors are no different. Much of our society overvalues youth and undervalues advanced age to the point that most media commercials, ads, shows and movies portray how beautiful and sexy youth is and how you need to fight the aging process because it's really unattractive. Most people do not look at an older person and see the grace and beauty and confidence in them that most younger people have not found yet. We don't appreciate that the love and intimacy shared between seniors is something more than "cute". I think we tend to look at the act of sex as something you can only really enjoy when you're young.
As we deal with an aging society it is likely we will start having to face more of the issues related to seniors and sexuality. These issues face people who work in senior housing or assisted living facilities, but many of us have never thought about them. For example, what happens if one of your parents or grandparents has to move into an assisted living facility and takes up with another person on that unit. Is it anyone's business? What about if there is dementia involved and there's a spouse on the outside or a child on the outside? At what point is it ok to step in and make a senior follow our compass of what is acceptable behavior for someone of their age or someone in their mental state?
In reality, sex or even just intimacy are very important during all phases of life and seniors are no different. Much of our society overvalues youth and undervalues advanced age to the point that most media commercials, ads, shows and movies portray how beautiful and sexy youth is and how you need to fight the aging process because it's really unattractive. Most people do not look at an older person and see the grace and beauty and confidence in them that most younger people have not found yet. We don't appreciate that the love and intimacy shared between seniors is something more than "cute". I think we tend to look at the act of sex as something you can only really enjoy when you're young.
As we deal with an aging society it is likely we will start having to face more of the issues related to seniors and sexuality. These issues face people who work in senior housing or assisted living facilities, but many of us have never thought about them. For example, what happens if one of your parents or grandparents has to move into an assisted living facility and takes up with another person on that unit. Is it anyone's business? What about if there is dementia involved and there's a spouse on the outside or a child on the outside? At what point is it ok to step in and make a senior follow our compass of what is acceptable behavior for someone of their age or someone in their mental state?
Monday, May 3, 2010
EFFECT OF HUMAN PROGRESS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
It is true that the activities of human behavior to the environment, and the changes in the natural resources of the environment to people, are inter-related. By this I mean, the changes in the conditions that prevail in the environment at anywhere, , and any place, determines the life style of the people. Also, the daily human activities, determine the changes in the environment.
However, although I think the environment is to benefit human beings, and so people have to respect what goes on in it, the opposite rather occurs. It is sad to see that the progress and activities of people have increased so much, that it is affecting the environment more. The effects of the environmental change is so great on us such that, we would have to change our ways. How interesting to realise that although the environment is very quite, it is so powerful.
Population increase is a long-term change that will lead to heat pollution, and decrease in the ecosystem from developments. The population issue can be under control if good economic solutions, and effective technologies are found. The issues which bother me are the problems that occur from human activities, to cause pollution in air, water, and land, also our own discrimination. Although we need to progress in development, my issue is, if manufacturers could at the beginning of development, start by planning how better to dispose of waste products. Again, if modernization of things can be under control.
Since certain human activities are causing environmental changes like the ice-melt causing floods, that displace people, tornadoes, and earth-quakes in recent times, I believe we all have to take measures now. Let us all try and spread the news about how everybody in his little way can help to reduce "Global Warming".
Ref: http://humanknowledge.net/Social Science/Futurology/Challenges.html
However, although I think the environment is to benefit human beings, and so people have to respect what goes on in it, the opposite rather occurs. It is sad to see that the progress and activities of people have increased so much, that it is affecting the environment more. The effects of the environmental change is so great on us such that, we would have to change our ways. How interesting to realise that although the environment is very quite, it is so powerful.
Population increase is a long-term change that will lead to heat pollution, and decrease in the ecosystem from developments. The population issue can be under control if good economic solutions, and effective technologies are found. The issues which bother me are the problems that occur from human activities, to cause pollution in air, water, and land, also our own discrimination. Although we need to progress in development, my issue is, if manufacturers could at the beginning of development, start by planning how better to dispose of waste products. Again, if modernization of things can be under control.
Since certain human activities are causing environmental changes like the ice-melt causing floods, that displace people, tornadoes, and earth-quakes in recent times, I believe we all have to take measures now. Let us all try and spread the news about how everybody in his little way can help to reduce "Global Warming".
Ref: http://humanknowledge.net/Social Science/Futurology/Challenges.html
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