news commentary: due Tues, 4/10 before school

[Ken Sklar (Radnor High School)]

Please post a commentary on any NTY article you read over the time
period from 3/26 - 4/8 (4/7 on the web) that interested you that was
not discussed in class. Please identify the article title and date.

[Maddie Chapin]

Canadian Gave Intelligence to Russia, U.S. Officials Say

By ERIC SCHMITT and IAN AUSTEN

3/30

Although this type of occurrence doesn't seem too uncommon throughout the world, it still holds much significance and is frightening as a citizen knowing people have access to our countries secret things. This article focused on a canadian officer who was accused of passing information to Russia from the 5 nation intelligence talks. This article really led me to question the amount of security at these talks as well as the measures people take to send information to their allies. The article also stated that they are amping up safety measures so this kind of thing won't happen again which is a smart idea considering the amount of danger this could put a country in. This also leads me to wonder what measures Russia could be taking to try to access our secret information, as well as other nations information too; or if it was solely this man getting information on his own without help from Russia, which seems almost impossible. 

[Rachel Hochberger]

Half of Irish Homeowners Join Boycott of New Property Tax

By Douglas Dalby

4/2/12

             While there has been brief mention of Ireland in the news, it is a country that is often overshadowed by news of revolutions, revolts and protests in the Middle East. So I found it quite interesting and attention-attracting that more than half of Irish homeowners have started a small-scale revolution of their own when more than half of homeowners failed to pay a $133 tax for their property. The article reveals that it isn’t a matter of financial hardships, many can afford to pay, but are choosing not to in protest of this latest austerity measure, which precedes many others that are supposed to be passed in the coming years to help regenerate Ireland’s economy. And while the Irish government has recently increased the punishment fines for not complying with this new tax, I think it will be interesting to see how Ireland handles these new budget-cutting measures, especially considering such a large amount of people have already refused to accept this one, and consider this rebellion a victory.

[Melissa Lee]

Pinning Scottish Independence on a Fervor for 1314

By John F. Burns

4/4/12

Near Stirling Castle and Edinburgh, a Robert the Bruce statue is reminiscent of the crucial Battle of the Bannockburn for Scotland. In 1314, the Scottish king found a strong military victory and most importantly, independence in this battle long ago that separated England and Scotland. However, today Scotland is part of Great Britain since late agreements. And now, I found it interesting that Scotland’s age-old issue of independence is finding its way into politics again. As First Minister Salmond of Scotland anticipates a referendum in 2014, Britain’s Prime Minister Cameron is also involved, but is not necessarily completely for the nation’s independence yet. Salmond is from Scotland’s national party and since 2011 elections, seems to have garnered nationalist spirit from the people. Given this, it was interesting how many surrounding issues there were to consider, even the age limits for voting. There is the question of if Scotland is to remain in the UK, how “losing Scotland” would affect Cameron’s own elections, how the people of Scotland feel about their position, and all the political talk among government officials. However, if the vote is in favor of Scottish independence, their withdrawal could potentially affect unity in that region of Europe, and it would be interesting to see how other countries would react.

On Monday, April 9, 2012 10:14:53 AM UTC-4, Ken Sklar (Radnor High School) wrote:

[Lizzy Hilt]

Tuna Again? In Fault-Finding England, It’s a Cause for Divorce

April 7, 2012

 

This personal interest article exposes one of the funnier problems citizens in Britain are faced with. Their wives are trying to manipulate them by serving their least favorite dish, tuna casserole, on purpose. These “monumental” problems are enough to spark a divorce within couples. Britain has five categories in which you may file for divorce and one is called “unreasonable behavior.” This is the problematic category lawyers and judges are facing and causes them to be in favor of establishing a “no-fault divorce.”

In my opinion, this is one of the more amusing personal interest stories the NY Times has published. However, it is an increasing problem that I find to be completely avoidable. Even in the US divorce rates are higher than they should be. In my opinion, only a slim amount of couples should have to endure this heartbreak. It is absolutely unheard of that couples in Britain are consumed by such small events. In areas of the world, women are not allowed to divorce their husbands even if they have reasonable cause. A no-fault divorce is necessary in their society. When the government gives the option of divorcing your spouse for “unreasonable behavior” you are sending the message that it is ok to get a divorce over things you do not agree upon. Many people in that country, I’m sure, do not take is as literally as the examples given in this article. Although, the government is inviting them to come up with ways to divorce their spouse, and this gives the impression that divorce is not such a bad thing. This no-fault divorce law is a necessity in Britain because it forces people to fix their problems instead of running away from them.

[Leigh]

From South Sudan to Yale

by Nicholas Kristof 3/28

This article was about a Sudanese boy who was born into poverty, but managed to work hard in school and get into Yale. I think this story is really inspirational because it is a modern day example of someone who is living the American dream. Where we live I feel we take it for granted that we are able to go to college, which is unfair to people like Paul Lorem who work hard their whole lives and truly deserve to go to college but simply don't have the opportunity. It's nice to hear that someone is being rewarded for their hard work without regard to their background.

On Monday, April 9, 2012 10:14:53 AM UTC-4, Ken Sklar (Radnor High School) wrote:

[Claire Kirby]

"Ranks of Working Poor Grow in Europe"
Liz Alderman, published 4/1/12

This article is all about the poorest populations in Europe, who are currently living in trailers, cars, and other small temporary residences such as campgrounds and cheap hotel rooms. People have extremely low-paying jobs due to the bad economy and the struggle to find decent paying jobs, let alone and job at all. These people have gotten to the point where their value of life has decreased so much that they feel they have deteriorated as people.

I find it really upsetting that the bad global economies, especially in Europe, have affected people so much that many people feel there lives are falling apart and they're losing their individuality and freedom. Its hard to understand how these people are enduring their conditions, as we have all been lucky to have safe places to live and money to put food on the table. I didn't truly realize how hard this economic downfall was hitting the people until I read this article. It's hard to believe that a government crisis like that affects everybody so strongly and so quickly. I find it really important that these economies get back on their feet, as well as the people who have lost themselves.

On Monday, April 9, 2012 10:14:53 AM UTC-4, Ken Sklar (Radnor High School) wrote:

[Michael Wong]

Gulf Widens Between U.S. and a More Volatile Karzai/ Karzai Critisizes US over Deaths 

by Rod Norland Alissa J. Rubin and Matthew Rosenberg

According to Karzai there are two major evils: the United States and the Taliban.  Previously forced to cooperate for fear of US Aid withdrawl and the looming fear of threatening Taliban militias Karzai has now found cursing the US as a political outlet to appeal to his people and maintain power. As we ease our involvement in Afgahnistan with the withdrwal of troops and transfer of prison control to the Karzai government his reserved attitude towards the US has deteriorated into volatile remarks and denunciation of our involvement in almost anything.  Karzai is often percieved to be a puppet of the US governemnt and a traitor to his people, instead he wants to be percieved as a deffient force violating US demands and taking back the riens of Afghanistan.  His timming is critical, shielding harsh remarks behind recent US blunders Mr. Karzai can critisize freely and as the US withdraws he is siezing a critical moment to secure himself and promote the image of independence.  Perhaps his actions are not soley a reminder of our failings in the futility of war in Afgahnistan but rather a political cycle bound to turn regaurdless of our actions.  We can only hope this language serves to undermine Taliban claims of "weakness" and atleast prevent them from governing insted.        

On Monday, April 9, 2012 10:14:53 AM UTC-4, Ken Sklar (Radnor High School) wrote:

[Erica F]

U.S. Moves Toward Normalizing Relations With Myanmar
by Steven Lee Myers and Thomas Fuller on 4/4/12

Following the recent elections in Myanmar, bringing a new party to
office, the Obama administration had decided to patch relations with
Myanmar. For the people of Myanmar, this news should bring happiness,
as American aid and investments may help the country gain some
momentum. Relations have been poor between the United States and
Myanmar since 1990, after a democratic election went wrong. Although
the US's sanctions on Myanmar will not be removed at this time, the
United States is planning on building an embassy in Myanmar and
hopefully relations will get evem better as Myanmar becomes a more
stable country. An American ambassador (the first since 1990) will be
chosen shortly. I hope that this is a step towards a strong friendship
with Myanmar, and that the conditions there will improve for the
people.

On Apr 9, 10:14 am, "Ken Sklar (Radnor High School)"

[Zoe Bermudez]

Storm Continues After German Writer's Poem Against Israel
Published on April 7, 2012
By Nicholas Kulish and Ethan Bronner

This article is about a poem writen by Germany's most famous living
writer, Gunter Grass, who managed to serious offend the state of
Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu. Now there is a huge debate in the world
concerning the views this man put out there. The funny thing is,
Gunter Grass was simply expressing how he felt about Netanyahu's
government policies. Unfortunately, he went a little too far and said
straight out that Israel was the biggest threat to world peace so
Netanyahu has retaliated by calling him a Nazi. Honestly, I think
Israel is taking this a little too hard but at the same time I agree
that while the poem was harsh, it did need to be said.

[Michael Wong]

Obama Urges China to Restrain North Korea as He Praises South’s Successes

March 26, 2012   

 

The US's only levergae over North Korea is its promise of food aid. To an irrational dictatorship more interested in military expansion than pending stavation the threat of aid withdrawl alone is too small a bargaining chip to wager in hopes of curbing yet another rocket launch and nuclear test.  The best tool the US can employ isn't always in its arsena, however; it is called upon and answers not without protest and bickering but has proved essential to negotion, the tool: China.  China is not only a geographical, political, and economic "neighbor" of North Korea, but also its closest ally if called that at all. China, unlike the US, has diplomatic ties with Pyongyang the US does not enjoy and, in the past, has urged sense over irrational action to save face as an ally but also to convey Western wishes without being offensive or, as the North Koreans would claim, "imperialistic." Generally there is some haggling required to urge China to condemn something like the construction and luanch of bombs or rockets. However over time, and after the same cycle of North Korean agrression and worldly outrage, the Chinese quickly took a stance with the US in urging that confrontation was/ is not an acceptable solution. The entire region, and even now China, is tuned to the instability and danger such provocations could insight- and now with the world in agreement pressure on the North has never been greater.  To the US the threat of Nuclear Bombs and even their latest delivery systems seem distant and nonthreatening, but to its close neighbor South Korea the threat is constant. Obama's visit to south Korea outside the Nuclear summit was not as practical as  it was symbolic. He wanted to highlight the despairities between the two Koreas and spread a hopeful, and previously dream-like, message: that one day the Koreas would be united.  Speeking in boad terms and not stratagy Obama's visit instilled hope for a peaceful future, but ironically in the face of North Korean deffiance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Mark Landler