news analysis: due Wed. 4/25, before school

[Ken Sklar (Radnor High School)]

Please post a commentary on any NTY article you read over the time
period from 4/16 - 4/22 (4/21 on the web) that interested you. Please
identify the article title and date and do not cover a topic already
covered by a classmate.

[Alexa Lee]

Not Quite a Teen, Yet Sold for Sex

By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

Published: April 18, 2012

 

This was not an international article, but it was an interesting Op-Ed piece about teenage prostitution in America. Kristof has written about this topic before, but I found this piece especially sad.  In the beginning Kristof writes that one thinks of child prostitution as something in foreign, undeveloped, poor countries.  However, unfortunately it is true that this illegal abhorrent industry is thriving right under our noses.  Kristof focuses on the story a specific girl - sixteen years old, with the alias name Brianna.  Hearing Brianna's story in such detail made me feel very sad, thankful, and a bit enraged.   I was shocked that she was forced into the business when she was only twelve!  I can't even imagine what I would have felt if I were in her position when I was twelve, or even now as a fifteen year old.   But my reaction to her situation in that aspect was the sympathy reaction - sadness.   I was also very thankful to not have been in such a situation that I would run away and that would lead to me being forced into prostitution.   I mean yes, I get into arguments with my parents about things (my fault of course), but I'm just glad that it never got to the point of her situation - very thankful.  Lastly, the fact that this Backpage website sells girls for prostitution at all is just disgusting, demeaning, and just flat-out wrong.  But, the fact that they continue their "business" AFTER Kristof's multiple articles about the situation is just insane.  They even make excuses and try to slither their way out of the sticky situation. How could they be so heartless?  These girls are enslaved.  These girls are children.   These girls were innocent.  I was so very angry when I read about that.  Then I wonder, aren't the police involved?  What is stopping them from shutting the entire Backpage website down?  I know that pimps will just find another place to do their disgusting work, but wouldn't it be a start to end this and a way for the police to say "we CARE"?   It breaks my heart that these girls, who are not at all different from me, have to go through this feeling like nobody cares.  However one thing that made me hopeful but also very sad was the Gateways treatment center.  I was very happy it existed, but at the same time it could only help thirteen girls!  It is a good start, much better than nothing!  But it is only a start.  I hope that people open their eyes to these awful situations and continue to help these girls!  I wish I could do something to help them too.  I hope that I'll be able to in the future or even  find a way today.  

[Ben Cohen]

Dissident to Travel Out of Myanmar After 24 Years of Resolving to Stay
Put
By THOMAS FULLER
Published: April 18, 2012
This article is about a dissident who has decided to finally leave the
country after remaining there for 24 years against the government's
will. This is a sign that the people in Myanmar are actually
experiencing change for the better and are satisfied with their
situation. It is nice to see the US recognizing Myanmar for becoming
more democratic, but there definitely could be more to the US's
support. Myanmar is placed very strategically in Asia Pacific right
near China. The US has been looking to build up their presence in Asia
PAcific and Myanmar is a perfect opportunity. The US needed a boost
like this due to China's constant rise and the political scandal also
may weaken China's influence in Asia Pacific. This time period is
critical to who will be the dominant power in the future (US or
China). It is interesting to see how the Us is compensating for the
declining economic power by attempting to spread their political
power. There is sure to be more action like this in Asia Pacific in
the future, and it will be crucial for the US to continue its success
there.

On Apr 23, 10:12 am, "Ken Sklar (Radnor High School)"

[Melissa Lee]

Flavor of Nostalgia Grows More Appealing to Poles Brimming With Pride

By Joanna Berendt

4/18

Since the collapse of communism in Poland, their culture has been affected, especially by the West. Although Poles have embraced Western food and aspects of culture, they still remember their more traditional culture they were able to preserve during the Communist era that also serves as a reminder of their “low socioeconomic background”. But since the fall of the Iron Curtain, economic conditions improved, but Poles still feel nostalgic of their past. Today, “zakaskas”, bistros serving appetizers and drinks, today continue to be reminiscent of the 50s and 60s and aim to remind Poles of the simpler gastronomic customs. I thought it was interesting how for the Polish people, communism was a time where their treasured traditions were especially important and consequently that’s how that era was remembered. Although communism may have restricted individuality and seemed to be against culture, their zakaskas were some of the only things they had.    

[Quincy Shuda]

Flavor of Nostalgia Grows More Appealing to Poles Brimming With Pride

By: Joanna Berendt

April 18, 2012

I found this article very interesting for two reasons: the first is that I have a Polish heritage, and the second in that it talks about Communism which we are studying right now. Although the article isn’t about Russia, I think it gives a great insight into how people living under Communism felt about it as opposed to people watching Communism happen from different countries. This article was about how lifestyles changed from when the Poles were behind the Iron Curtain to when Communism fell in 1989. The article talks particularly about the small restaurants where appetizers and drinks were served in a casual manner for a cheap price in very modest settings so that people of any class could relax and enjoy themselves without being judged by how much money they spent. When the West brought their cultures over to Poland after Communism fell, the Poles were anxious to adopt them because they were not strong economically and in turn, mentally. But as the Poles gained better living conditions, they have become more confident and are beginning to readopt many of their old traditions without feeling badly. I think that these shabby restaurants are a sign of how different people see the world differently, and there is no denying that. The difference is that when countries are powerful, they’re not afraid to stand out and make changes; it is usually the weaker countries that play the role of shyness. It’s nice to see that countries are stepping out of their safety zone and doing unique things because they’re no longer afraid.

[Cat Mosier-Mills]

A Shipwreck Cuts Two Ways for an Island’s Lifeblood

By GAIA PIANIGIANI

Published: April 17, 2012

This article explains how the ill-fated cruise ship that sunk near the Italian coast has created some question as to the success of the tourism industry. While it attracts many tourists who ask about the shripwreck, its haunting reminder of the deaths (as well as its gigantic, capsized body) has turned many people off from visiting the seemingly ideal vacation spot. In economic times like these, tourism is a must -- but it seems like the wreck has driven away that, too.

I think this article was very interesting; I originally assumed that the wreck would cause a frenzy of tourists flocking to witness a bit of history (similar to how the Titanic spurred numerous voyages under the sea to find its remains.) However, it's very understandable that the tragic results outweigh human curiosity -- and, while it's a monument to those that died, I think it's best if tourists stay away for the next few months; otherwise, their staring can be percieved as disrespectful.    

On Monday, April 23, 2012 10:12:01 AM UTC-4, Ken Sklar (Radnor High School) wrote:

[Zoe Bermudez]

Norwegian Says He Hoped to Kill More
Published on April 20, 2012
By Mark Lewis and David Jolly

This article is about Anders Breivik, the man who killed 77 people in
Norway on June 22, and his trial. During his prosecution, he was calm
and betrayed no emotion as he told the jury that he regretted not
killing more and had hoped to see the former Prime Minister so he
could chop off her head with a knife or even a bayonet. Apparently,
his motives were always there and through the intensive, obsessive
playing of war games in his mother's basement, he was able to hone his
skills and become a better shooter. The article later said that he
would get 21 years in prison at the least, but if he was noted as
clinically insane, he would have to be kept in a forced psychiatric
hospital. Reading this article was actually kind of angering. I mean,
I didn't like war games to begin with, and racism has always been the
wrong thing to turn towards but now this man has taken them to a whole
new level. And honestly, it's frustrating to think that he might only
get 21 years for killing SEVENTY-SEVEN people. That's ridiculous. He
even admitted, in graphic detail, how he carried out this mass-murder
and expressed his regrets FOR NOT KILLING MORE THAN HE DID. I really
hope this man gets put to justice because what he did is disgusting
and deserves more than 21 years in prison.

[Maddie Chapin]

On Witness Stand, Norwegian Says He Would Kill Again

By Mark Lewis and Alam Cowell

4/18

I thought that this article was really upsetting and disgusted me the way this person thinks. It discussed the anti-Islamic militant on trial for killing people in Norway, and although most expected him to apologize for his actions, instead he took the exact opposite approach, saying that he would do it again and it was the most spectacular sophisticated political act since WWII. I just found it really sad and discomforting to know that someone could think like this and feel this way. It opened my eyes to how radical many people are, not only against Islamics but numerous other  groups of people. The article stated how they chose not to broadcast the trial where he read his speech, which although I understand why they would do this, it is also forming a barrier from the citizens to this trial which could cause retaliation of some sort.  

On Monday, April 23, 2012 10:12:01 AM UTC-4, Ken Sklar (Radnor High School) wrote:

[Claire Kirby]

Debate Grows as Europe Fears Return of a Crisis
Nicholas Kulish, 4/17

In recent days, proof has been available showing the possibility of the European financial problems reappearing, which is potentially extremely bad news for both Europe itself and the rest of the world, which relies on the European nations for trade. If the European nations fall yet again, many people are fearing that the economic down-turns will only get worse, the depressions will only be steeper, and the value of currency will only be cheaper. The system of capitalism itself is threatened by these economic relapses, possibly setting the stage for a new economic system to implant itself into the Western World. I really feel terribly for the people of Europe during this economic crisis, especially for the politicians who have to deal with it and find a way to (hopefully) fix it, or at least make the defecit less and less over time.

On Monday, April 23, 2012 10:12:01 AM UTC-4, Ken Sklar (Radnor High School) wrote:

[Michael Wong]

Master of the Media Spotlight Is Now Its Victim in China 

by Edward Wong and Jonathan Ansfield 

Once wielded by Bo Xiali China's state-run and revised media continues its ability to tone up or down anything- a propaganda machine at its best.  In recent times no sweeping unified action has been carried out by the Chinese media's many distributers until Sunday when an outpouring of anti-Bo blog posts, editorials, and TV coverage erupted into the homes, doorsteps, and cellphones of over a Billion Chinese.  Before a policy of downplay and caution was active as a method of damage control as the party attempted t save face in the shadow of overwhelming anger and frustration with widespread corruption. After his ousting the Chinese once again downplayed the event attempting to cloak the realities of inadequate party unity.  However, they took a far more aggressive stance aiming instead to fully acknowledge Bo's ousting and praise it.  

The same outlets that once commended Bo for his "tough on crime" and conservative Maoist outlook now only serves to, on the news page, cover his expulsion and on the opinion page, to vilify his character.  I found it very interesting that no such mass media coordination had been exercised since Chinese intervention at Tiananman Square.  Bo Xiali's purge did lead to serious speculation about the state of China's fractured communist party, but apparently the issue was paramount enough to scare officials into significant action.  This in itself is acknowledgement of 1. the party's fragile image and 2. the potential of a revealed party inciting protest or even revolution.             

On Monday, April 23, 2012 10:12:01 AM UTC-4, Ken Sklar (Radnor High School) wrote: