China’s Crackdown on Dissident Poses Challenges to the Country

China has successfully lifted poverty on millions of its citizens as it is beginning to embrace capitalism. Another victory that China gained in the 21st century is the honor to host some hundred decades-old Olympics in its capital, Beijing.
However, China’s vows to commit several drastic changes are proven questionable. Despite its attempt to curb air pollution by ceasing construction work and limiting the number of vehicles allowed to operate, it is not doing enough to stop the arrests and repression of the vulnerable public dissenters. [1]
It is believed that China’s worsening human rights record is spurred by the effort to maintain a good image to the international community by barring outspoken criticism toward the government. It seems that they are getting the opposite reaction.
Chinese troops are accused of using violent force on Tibetan protesters and foreign journalists and reporters do not have complete access to cover regions near the Chinese-Tibetan border. [2]
Another step that China decided to do that received a condemnation from Olympic Watch is the conviction and arrest, of Hu Jia, who openly criticized the Chinese government to the European Parliament and said that the people who hold the political offices are the ones responsible for human rights violations. [3]  
Looking at some of China’s human rights cases, one may conclude that China excels at embellishing the country with the latest technology and lavish modern buildings as the economy has become the fastest-rising one in the world. But when it comes to addressing the unfair treatment of its citizens, the government fails to come up with a conclusive defense regarding the issue.

Despite international calls and threat to loosen up with the issue and threats from the most influential world leaders, China still stubbornly does not concede. 

So, whatever happens to China’s promise of “be open in all aspects”?when pro-Beijing demonstrators chant “Go China!” are they already satisfied with the high technology development and the newly-born capitalism but ignoring the fundamental rights of its people?What about the labor camp and other severe punishments?BBC News, 04-02-08, “Olympics ‘worsening China rights’”.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7325754.stmOlympic Watch, 03-04-2008, “Olympic Watch Condemns Hu Jia’s jailing as IOC heads to Beijing.”

http://www/olympicwatch.org/news.php?id=116Washington Post,04-21-2008 “China Falls Short on Vows for Olympics. ” by Jill Drew and Maureen Fan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/20/AR2008042002044.html

Rising oil prices vs Tree huggers

Many Americans are flustered by the current oil price that soared more than 5 cents in the past two weeks [1]. However, the group of citizens who might be benefited from this big factor of the slumping economy is the environmental advocates. They could finally sigh a relief and say: Thank God, it’s about time!

Katrin Klingenberg has gone as far as building a house that can be heated with a 10 100-watt light bulbs as a means of skimping her electricity bill as a result of fuel scarcity. [2]

General Motors has paired up with a division of Shell Oil to establish a hydrogen-fueled station and the property is now opened in White Plains. [3]

The rising oil price has imprinted a huge impact on many aspects of everyone’s lives, and people are eventually forced to shift their gasoline reliance on other fuel alternatives such as ethanol, fossil fuel, hydrogen or biodiesel as the gas price is not going down anytime soon. The bright side is the effects of global warming will be diminished if Americans take advantage of the country’s unfortunate economic condition to keep up with the alternatives habit and environmentalists use the opportunity to charm everyone with their proposal of lessening the consumption of gasoline that produces greenhouse gas and encourage them to start walking or riding bikes to travel on short distance. This way, our generation and the next generation to come will be able to live in a friendly and enduring environment.

[1] CNN, 04-06-2008, “ Gas prices hit another record”.
http://money.cnn.com/2008/04/06/news/economy/_prices/index.htm?postversion=2008040615

[2] The Washington Post, 04-05-2008, “ Wary of Waning Power Supplies, Eco-Minded Architects Build a Better Box” by Katherine Salant.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/04/AR2008040401791.html

[3] New York Times, 03-16-2008, “ Hydrogen Fuel Station Opens in White Plains” by Diana Marszalek.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/16/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/16hydrogenwe.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=fuel+alternative&st=nyt&oref=slogin

US Security: Another Threat to Civilians in Iraq?

Do not always expect photographs of friendly US army officers giving out candies to Iraqi children or US troops working closely with Iraqi guards to fight bravely for the sake of our nation. In some cases, the presence of the US troops just worsen the lives of civilians in Iraq.

One of the most vital cases that people should be aware of is the Blackwater Security Company case, in which 17 Iraqi civilians were indiscriminately and fatally shot. [1]

Another brutal case is the allegation of one US soldier of raping and shooting an Iraqi woman after killing her family. Kerosene was then poured on her body. [2]

Not to mention, 25 Iraq civilians were killed in a province in western Iraq, including 18 children, hospital officials, and family members during a US raid which was meant to target insurgents on their attempt to plant bombs. [3]

For the first and last cases, the US troops just wanted to avoid any deadly attack from the insurgents, all right, but should we say that they need to be more meticulously aware of their targets? Isn’t it going to create more tension and hatred among the Iraqi civilians whose hopes to live peacefully are then shattered by the unnecessary and unfortunate occurrences that shouldn’t have had happened? It’s like the eternal world of accidents that they have to live in, everyday is a new kind of danger that they have to face, even from the people with whom their lives are entrusted.

[1] BBC, 10-14-2007, “ Blackwater Guards Were ‘Fired On’ “ .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7044214.stm

[2] CNN, 08-07-2006, “ Investigator: U.S Soldier poured kerosene on raped, slain Iraqi.”

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/07/iraq.familyslain/index.html

[3] Washington Post, 10-18-2005, “ Iraqis Say Civilians Killed in U.S Raids” by Ellen Knickmeyer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/17/AR2005101700808.html

Obama’s the New Star For the Younger Crowds

What’s hotter in the world of American politics than a first woman running to be a commander in chief or the first African American man to sit in the Oval Office?

The fierce competition between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama has become more intense as Obama increasingly mesmerizes numerous voters which awards him the position of the current leading nominee. Strikingly, Obama succesfully garnered supporters of ages 17 to 24, the group of citizens who falls under the category of the most politically apathetic, to vote in the Democratic primaries. 

How does he appeal amongst youth? One might guess it is his young appearance and energy, his alluring eloquence, or possibly his liberal political ideology that magnetizes the youth. Obama uses his presidential campaign as a medium to engage young people in the Democratic battle by employing adolescents and eligible young voters to volunteer for his campaign. Also by the exposure of his campaign day by day, young people automatically familiarize themselves with his campaign and his standing on key national issues. Therefore, this contributes as one of the factors of Obama’s popularity amongst youth.  

An endorsement from Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is also a big achievement for Obama, followed by successful gains on Super Tuesday and Potomac Primary sweep.  

It seems that a substantial proportion of the polarized Democrats is ready for a change.  Well, just like Obama’s campaign theme says. “I feel change in the air. What about you?”. It is time for change.