Hungry countries need money NOT food

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This months blog is brought to you courtesy of a tweet posted by @NYUReynolds and is linked to a very interesting article http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/category/fixes/

This article’s title is “When Food Isn’t the Answer to Hunger”, which sparked my interest immediately. I thought to myself, “How could food not be the answer” so I impatiently read the article. I was surprise to realize that the article had several interesting and valid point. It is specific to the aid that the Unites States provides to countries in need to food and other items in the wake of a natural disaster or tragedy.

The first example the article covered was the tsunami that hit in the Indian Ocean in December 2004. Te wave devastated the coastline and killed a quarter of a million people. But the destruction only went so far. Just a few miles inland the country was fine and ready to support its people. Yes they needed aid but what kind of aid did they really need. We often think of food and water as the first things we should provide in the wake of a disaster such as this one but in reality what they needed was money. When the U.S. shipped in rice and gave it to the residents for free they disrupted the local market and began to cripple the countries economy.  Because they residents were getting the rice for free they did not have any need to buy it from the local market causing local farmers to suffer.

In light of this discovery, several aid organizations working locally tried a different approach. They purchased food locally and distributed it to the people who normally have received donations flown in from another country. They also paid the residents to clear the debris and provided grants to families housing other residents that were displaced by the destruction. In this instance the new approached worked well and boasted the community as a whole creating more jobs. The cash to buy food local ended up cheaper in the long run compared to the cost of shipping the food in and it was available faster to the ones in need.

There are several countries where food is not available for purchase and food aid is required but there are far more locations where food is available but people cannot afford to buy it. If we were to give money instead of food we could potentially boast the local markets creating additional job faster and more efficiently than shipping in aid.  There are even reports that show in Africa food bought locally was over 30 percent cheaper and arrived 3 months sooner than food sent by the United States.

The article goes on to explain that cash can get to people where food cannot. There are still several places where it is not safe for aid workers to travel but we could provide cash vouchers and they can, again, buy locally. Maybe we should rethink the aid we are providing to other countries and concentrate on what works best. With shipping costs rising we are wasting money.

If you have a chance please read the article. There are several other examples and it makes a ton of sense.We could use the food here at home and send other countries money. Maybe that would help take care of some of out problems locally!

D D+ D+ DUMB!

http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/

The topic of my choice for this blog post is on our recent country’s report card. We received a D+. This is a constant problem in our country that we have not focused on. The report card is broken up into in to 17 categories. Our highest grade earned was a B+ which was in solid waste. Even thought Amercia pride its self on being the number country, we live worse than other countries. It doesn’t make any sense as to why we have horrible roads, water filtration, and a D average GPA. It is embarrassing that we live such a poor quality country and we boast about being the best. After receiving this news I have decided that I am going to pack up and move elsewhere. This is unacceptable by my standards. America is no longer the “gem” that many have perceived it to be. There is a strong decline lingering and I don’t want to be a part of it. The majority of our infrastructure is at a “D” according to the grading book a D is considered not only poor but also at risk.

I blame our poor infrastructure on our constant watch and involvement in foreign countries. I believe that this issue should be brought to attention in our next elections. The category that I felt strongly about is our parks and recreational facilities. I believe that our negligence towards our countries need have helped make social problems strife. The area worth focusing that I believe that could help improve our social problems is our public transit. In other countries it is the norm to ride trains and busses, they are more prevalent and help those who aren’t fortunate enough to have a car get to their job. I believe this is the biggest obstacle for a person trying to set their foot back in society. 

Final Blog

The Living Museum project was impactful for many and even me. Growing up with a homosexual uncle, I understood how a person felt when they were made fun of for just being themselves. During the process of getting the project together, I know that I talked to my uncle and his partner about their story. I was curious on how their families felt and how their friends reacted. Surprisingly both had positive stories to give me. Even though their stories were positive I know that going out in the public, with people that did not know them was a lot harder.

When I was looking through statistics I know that I came across many numbers that made sense. For example I did not think that in other countries, homosexuals were more rejected than accepted. I also found out how cruel people could be, especially people that many of us look up to. Professional athletes for example, do not always accept their teammates for who they are.

Knowing that we actually had to act out the scenes that we have created, we knew that it had to be on point because even the smallest smirk would be a sign of disrespecting the homosexuals that were present at our station. Our scenes were over dramatic but we explained that many of the scenes actually happen in real life stories that we have heard. I liked how our volunteers that came to answer any question that people had about homosexuals, told us that the scenes were powerful to them.

Racism

http://www.isreview.org/issues/32/racism.shtml


  Why is so hard for people today to not discriminate according to a persons race? Racism is the hatred towards another race or creed solely based on personal views. There have been many examples in history of nations leaders who were racist and where did it get them? You would think by now in the year of 2013 this would be an isolated problem.

  Adolph Hitler is one of the most infamous racists in world history. His idea of producing a master race superior to all others was simply a personal viewpoint in which he got others to listen. Hitlers system was to one by one eradicate all other races bute at the same time take a hands on approach in selecting which german citizens could mate with each other. His doctors did evil experiments on the jews all with the approach on how to learn to manufacture a better and superior german.

  Another example of a racist operation is the klu klux klan with is predominately in the south of the united states. These hate groups run people by putting fear into any other race other than white. They use scare tactics and violence to get them to succomb to their order. 

  One thing all these groups have in common is that they are not born with the hate in them; it is something that is taught. Generation after generation these simplistic ideals are passed down to their children usually by non educated morans. Of course, as a kid you have no choice but to go along with it or face punishment and violence yourself.

  The idea of breaking the chain is not an idea in the clouds but is a realistic goal that can be attained by kindness and love for all races. We are all on this earth for only a short time so why not try to change the world. Remember the next time you see hatred, why not just go over and tell them its ok and that you are not mad at them for feeling this way but that there is a better and far more better way to work together. We are all Gods children after all.

Internet Access

We live in an age in which we use the Internet every day. We use it to check the weather in the morning, to turn in our homework and to connect with family members and friends all over the world. It is clear that we college students really on Internet access, and we all know we go through a bad day when we have no Internet, or even a week signal. Kosta Grammatis is a former Avionics system engineer who is now bringing Internet access to rural cities, and villages that have never had Internet in their entire lives.
 Kosta Grammatis wants us to know that there are 5 billions people in the world without any Internet access, and he has now put it to himself, to bring Internet access to all these people. In 2009 Kosta Grammatis launched a program in which he was succsfully able to connect Internet in a Peruvian village that had never had Internet. This year Kosta Grammatis is launching a new project in which he plans to expand Internet access in developing countries, while at the same time providing low cost Internet access in already developed countries.
This past April 4^th Kosta Grammatis promoted no Internet day, in which he hoped to raise awareness on not having any Internet, and how these 5 billion people go through the same thing everyday. I believe that what Kosta has being doing for the past years is amazing projects in which he can now help billions of people have the same accessibility to internet as us. 
http://www.good.is/posts/good-100-meet-kosta-grammatis-bringing-the-internet-to-the-ends-of-the-earth/

Backward moving forward

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/18/montana-senate-bill-107_n_3113738.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

Even backward states are taking forward strides in the progressive gay rights movement. As this article states, however, only on paper is such a motion notable. In no way does removing a law that "criminalized" gay sex and equated it with "bestiality" really benefit the gay community aside from striking saving Montana some face.

The gay community still has major obstacles to overcome. This is easily apparent in our very own campus newspaper, wherein a student wrote an article honeyed with idealistic language and soured with hateful malice toward the gay community. The author stated, "As a Catholic and Marianist institution, it is tremendously surprising that St. Mary's is home to such an overwhelming number of students who avidly support gay marriage. Even more astounding, however, is the number of students both Christian and non-Christian, who have passively remained silent in this debate of ethics, morality and logic."

She too equates homosexuality with immorality, saying, "Christians should not advocate the practice of homosexual relations any more than any the act of lying, stealing, or murder." In this, it is clear that the elimination of this law does not mean the rights of the gay community are secured. Fortunately, our campus hosts more progressive thinkers, as another writer for The Rattler wrote, "the gay rights movement is about the rights of an individual, a facet of freedom Americans should strive for and pride themselves on. We are working against our own ideals if we deny homosexuals their rights."

Thus, although the world is generally progressing, those who speak for the underprivileged must not let up. For every step back, we must take one plus forward.

More Children in Greece are Going Hungry

This article makes notice of the economic crisis in Greece. The Greek economy is greatly falling and their is currently a 27% unemployment rate!!! People are getting laid off and no new jobs are being created. It is always sad to hear about children going to school hungry and even more-so when the children are asking their classmates for their leftovers at lunch. In Greece children must take money everyday to buy what they want for lunch because the government does not pay their lunch for them like we do here. Is the crisis in Greece something we should be concerned about? YES!!! This could be us in a decade. Our economy is not exactly getting better. We need to help others that way if we are ever in a crisis such as theirs they will not have to think twice about helping us out. We could easily donate to an organization in Greece that could help solve this issue.161 I know volunteering  for this cause would be a difficult task to ask of people but the least we could do is support by giving what we can. It would even be a great idea if fundraisers were held to earn money for the families in Greece that are unemployed or economically disadvantaged. Most of us would agree that our economy is bad but just imagine an economy where 27% of the population is unemployed. It is usually the little things that we do which can make a major impact in the lives of others.

The Progression Against HIV/AIDs

       For some of you that may not know, HIV/AIDs has taken a strong positive turn in regard to cure and prevention these past months. There have even been cases in which the immune system attacking disease has been cured in some individuals. In the article, “Fighting HIV the MTV Way,” by Georgia Arnold, these accomplishments are applauded. Arnold is quick to remind, however, that the fight is not over. Even though HIV/AIDs has been greatly reduced globally, the number of cases are still extremely high with the younger individuals of the population. This can be traced primarily to a lack of proper sexual education. The approach Arnold suggests to take, which she calls, “the MTV Way,” paints a vivid picture of a combined effort in the media, medical world, and education system in order to give proper insight on the disease. Arnold fears that the great advancements in medicine which have reduced HIV cases are causing people to let their guard down in the effort to stop this deadly condition. In fact, she believes this is the time to strike the disease while it’s down. With a boom in spread awareness, she believes that this disease can eventually be eradicated from the planet. I enjoyed this article because its sole purpose is to keep awareness where awareness is needed. Just because a problem is reduced or has been made easier to handle, does not mean that it is no longer a problem. We as a community should always strive to make the efforts to not only decrease, but eliminate the issues that affect us so greatly. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/georgia-arnold/mtv-staying-alive-foundation_b_3103232.html?utm_hp_ref=impact

More than just posting

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Lately it seems like there has been an increase in tragedies happening in the US caused by either accidents or disturbed people with weapons. Whenever tragedy strikes I’ve noticed many people go to a social media as an outlet to talk about their feeling toward what has been happening but with the recent explosion in West, Tx and the shooting in MIT I found myself to be a little annoyed by the comments.

Although it is not bad to show our respect to those who lost their lives and support to those that were personally affected by it, I don’t see how a picture or a tweet can have thousands of likes YET no one is actually going out and doing anything about it. I have seen a total of two people mention going out to help out, one went to donate blood and the other was a former police agent who went to see if he could be of service. On my Facebook I have people from all over and even the people from Boston are just commenting about how terrible the situation is but not really using the situation to do something productive.

The explosion in West has been the closest thing to us so I understand why I have not seen more people trying to get involved but once it happen the report said 100 people were expected to be hospitalized and 70+ buildings were leveled I don’t understand why our first reaction was “let me send prayers through social media” rather than “what can I do to help these civilians”. I personally cannot donate blood due to my iron deficiency, however for times like these I have what I call my “donation box”, which I constantly fill. Basically what I do is I collect random things that I do not need (or things that people bought for me that I didn’t like) in a box and it ranges between a lot of different items along with clothes that I rarely use and I would be willing to give away and when something like this happens I get what these specific people are in need of and I send it in. When someone loses everything anything that you can give him or her will really make a difference so I encourage you guys to do the same and start a little box of your own. I am more than positive sending five or six items to someone (as insignificant as you think they may be) will mean so much more to them than having 1000+ likes on a picture sending them prayers. Keep them and their families in your prayers anyway but I just think it’s time to get up from behind the computer and actually give back.
 useful links :)
 To donate blood
Ways to directly help West in San Antonio

Residents Complain about Catholic Worker House

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/news_columnists/gilbert_garcia/article/Catholic-Worker-House-targeted-by-city-neighbors-4440130.php

The Catholic Worker House, a charitable group who provides meals, clothing, and hygiene products to the homeless are being viewed as a major problem by the community’s residents. There have been four complaints about this service because CWH does not have a certificate to serve food from an unlicensed location.

Apparently, the residents say that the group reheats food donated by restaurants and hands them out to the homeless. According to the law, you cannot warm up food if you do not have a license. The residents claim that they are not worried about the quality of the food but about the possibility of the food getting people sick

Personally, I find this conflicting. I could not believe neighbors were filing complaints against CWH for reheating food in croc pots. I think that this group is doing whatever they can to help the homeless and as long as they are not feeding them rotten food I do not see a problem. I understand that complainers do not want anyone to get sick, but at the same time who else is going to feed the homeless? The article said that city officials tried to direct the homeless to Haven for Hope but this dramatically increased CWH’s intake of clients. Hopefully this gets settled and the homeless get fed. 

Church is Helping the Homeless

http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/index.php/national-news/758-church-night-shelters-an-update-

Homeless people are those who don’t have adequate housing. Millions of people in our country are suffering from this issue. This is not something new. It is a social problem that most of the population is aware about. It’s time that we take action in order to solve this issue.

Imagine it’s December around the holidays. You are spending quality time with your family inside a warm and toasty home. Outside of the window, you can see snow slowly beginning to fall. Your mom brings out her famous hot chocolate, while relaxing on the couch. Now you have to think that everyone isn’t as lucky as you. What about those people who live out in the streets? How are they protecting themselves from the freezing weather?

I strongly believe that this country has many people who are narcissistic. All they care about is themselves. We need to drastically make a change. This is why I am very proud and content with what churches are doing. Churches are beginning to open their doors during the winter for the people who live out in the streets. Being out in freezing temperatures is very dangerous. There are very high chances that homeless people can suffer from hyperthermia. Not only are they providing a place where to stay for the night, but also a hot meal. For some of those people, that’s the only meal they will have for the entire day. The Church should continue their commitment to them. I’m pretty certain that they appreciate it. 

Creating climate justice

“The Dublin conference on hunger, nutrition and climate justice, currently underway, aims to inspire innovative thinking and solutions, by bringing together global development leaders with people at the receiving end of the effects of climate change and food and nutrition insecurity”- IDS

            When do we really worry about our environment? Do we contribute enough to have a better environment? When we think about the environment we think about pollution, the 3 R’s Reuse, reduce and recycle, and all those protests and campaigns that have happened in order to have a better world, to protect Earth and to have a healthier environment. But do we really care? This article inspired me to think more about what I do to contribute to the environment. Yes, we try to engage in activities that help our community such as homelessness, hunger, poverty, and many others; but what about the environment, what about OUR environment?

            Climate changes affect us and we tend to ignore the fact that we depend on Earth and its resources. The problem here is that most of us have no idea on how climate changes and the harms to our environment affect us. Let’s think about it for a second. If we face severe climate changes and damage to the environment, how are we going to combat hunger if agriculture will be affected by these climate changes and therefore there will be no way of producing goods such as fruits and vegetables? Climate changes issue are put aside and separate from other issues that then lead us to ignore this issue completely. If we include climate changes into our other many issues then we can start by solving that one, or at least try to solve it because if we do not have a safe, clean and healthy environment then climate changes will often occur leading to disasters, leading to people with no homes, no resources, and leaving us with nothing.

            It is important that we address this issue soon and efficiently and we as a society should be more caring towards our environment. We need to better understand the ways we can help save our environment. The lack of support and knowledge about this issue is what will affect us in the long run. Getting informed and involved might be the key to a better environment, to a better Earth. The Dublin conference is really trying to show that putting this issue separate from other issues is not helping. It is rather harming us more and in the long run the damage can be irreparable.

Here is the link:

http://www.ids.ac.uk/news/creating-climate-justice-three-challenges

            

Kill terrorism

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Editorial/2013/Apr-17/213990-kill-terrorism.ashx#axzz2Qg0tAtJx



In the year 2001 the United States stated that any terrorism attack it is declaring war. The attack that hit on Boston this monday ,were an act of weak terror that in a sense is a sign of war. 

They don't know yet who was behind the attack but they predict it was a Muslim the one responsible of it. But they don't actually know why would a Muslim be behind this attack. 

Since the first Israeli and arab war, the Palestine honed their skills at targeted terrorism and the middle east has suffered a lot in the hands of terrorists. 

The Unites States has to be extra vigilant with this terrorist attacks since then because in the Middle East terrorism replace how governments work. 

The FBI is doing everything in their power to find out who was behind this attack that left more than 3 dead people and over 200 victims of the attack.

It is a good thing for the US to find out who is behind this attack but at the same time it could be very dangerous to get to the bottom of it. With all the political conflict going on in the Middle East and in North Korea and South Korea, a war can develop and it would affect the US a big deal.
Everyone is affected by these attack in Boston because we don't know what is happening next. This is a big issue because if this attack develops into a war or an attempt of a war, all of the people residing in the United States will be affected by it and not only them but all the people around the world that depend on the US. 

'Boston will overcome,' mayor vows amid bombing investigation

How could anyone be so evil as to plant a bomb that would murder an 8-year-old child, rip the legs off parents and devastate a celebration of athletics that is pure joy. These were murders that wrench the soul.
Monday's terror attack on the Boston Marathon killed an 8-year-old boy watching with his family, a 29-year-old woman loved by her family and friends, and one other person. More than 180 others were wounded, many losing limbs as a result of horrific twin blasts near the race's finish line, in the heart of the city. Its amazing how people now-a-day are making all these terrorist acts like a habit and constantly doing it. 

 I don't know what's more sad, the fact that this tragedy happened or the fact that there is marathon runners twice my age that could run circles around me.I wish all those who were injured a speedy recovery and those who lost limbs to look on the bright side of life. For that is the best you can do in a terrible situation.

I hope we find the people/group/organization behind this pointless crime and bring them to justice. We need this 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/16/us/boston-marathon-explosions/index.html?hpt=ju_c1

Jay Z and Beyonce in Cube - Rubio disapproves

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/marco-rubio-jay-z-cuba-154055155--politics.html

Jay Z heading to Cuba; I have mixed feelings about this.  In part, I don’t think we should have restrictions against Cuba, in our on-going struggle against their regime nothing good has been produced.  Our conflict with them is out dated.  In this article Rubio criticizes Jay Z and his wife Beyonce for going to Cube and for wearing Che Guevara clothing.  Yes, Che Guevara was a so called “murderer” but it was also war.  For all we know if we had not interfered with their way of government things would turn out fine.  In the same way the US takes the stance that the Palestinians need to forgive the Jews for the wrong done to them we need to let go of our issues with Cuba.  I do not agree with the ways of Castro or Guevara but this being dully noted I do not believe their actions to be those of greed, I think that at the time they believed what they were doing was the correct action.  I believe that their public persception was hijacked by our fear of communism and our issues with the USSR at the time.  We say that the regime is oppressing its people, but it is also the US oppressing the people of Cuba because of our policies.  Even within communist countries that are successful there is a cycle or process that leads naturally leads to some capitalism we only need to look at China and Russia to see examples of this.  Not to say that their way is perfect but neither is ours.