Legalization of Marijuana

Highs and Lows of Using Marijuana

As of Tuesday, November 6, 2012, marijuana has been legalized in Colorado and Washington in the United States of America. This makes these two states the first states in America to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Currently, one third of the United States allows marijuana for medical pain-relieving use, especially those with cancer who undergo extensive chemotherapy and radiation. However, much controversy remains as to the benefits versus the risks of marijuana use.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) places marijuana as a Schedule 1 category controlled substance. The reason is because of its high abuse potential and true lack of acceptance of its use for medical purposes. The DEA has not deemed marijuana safe for use. Opposing organizations, such as NORML, continue to research and fight to legalize marijuana. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two synthetic cannabinoid drugs for nausea use in patients. Studies have also shown a 34-40% pain decrease in those using marijuana versus a 17-20% in those receiving a placebo.

Regardless, cannabis (marijuana) cannot be seen as a harmless substance. This drug affects the body both physiologically and psychologically. Marijuana increases heart rate, which in turn increases risk of heart attack and stroke. Long-term memory deficits may also be affected. Anxiety, depression and schizophrenia have been linked to marijuana use as well. 

I found this article on CNN’s website under Health News. I chose this particular event because many people have been fighting for the legalization of marijuana in the United States for years, and now, two states have agreed to that particular proposal. It is important to be familiar with marijuana and its effects. Marijuana is a mind-altering drug, and therefore, is potentially dangerous. It is important for people to look at the risks versus the benefits when deciding to legalize marijuana. 

Obama and Iran

Iran cool to Obama re-election win

The 2012 presidential election for the United States of America has been worldwide news this week. Debates exist over whether re-electing President Obama to a second term as president is beneficial or not to the future of our country. Fox News posted on their website under World News an article concerning the relationship between President Obama, America and Iran. 

       It appears that the Iranian regimen continues to refuse negotiations with the United States and Obama. However, the Iranian regimen did prefer the re-election of Obama over the election of Mitt Romney as president. Iran had various problems with Romney's relationship with Israel and his contempt of China. Now that Obama has been re-elected, rumors have spread that direct talks may be initiated with Iran. 

  The main concern and reason for the US to establish a positive relationship with Iran is the threat of a nuclear Iranian regimen. This is a huge obstacle that President Obama will encounter in 2013. The United Nations has made multiple attempts to end Iran's nuclear program without any success. Despite these threats, many Americans believe that the threat of an impending war with Iran has passed due to the re-election of Obama. 

     I chose this article because the re-election of President Obama will affect our country in may ways. Of great importance is the relationship between America and Iran. It is important for Americans to be aware of possible threats made on our country. Knowledge on foreign policy is crucial to the relationships built with other countries globally. These relationships affect America through economy factors, such as exports as well as impending threats that may be received. Americans need to be knowledgable on this matters in order to voice their opinion and appropriately support their beliefs. 

2012 US Presidential Election

            Last night, the 2012 presidential election of the United States of America was decided. President Barack Obama has been re-elected as president for a second term. The results were confirmed when Obama won the electoral votes of Ohio helping him to reach 270 total electoral votes. I watched the 2012 election results on Fox News on TV.

            With the re-election of President Obama, one major area of concern is the Obama Health Care Reform. This reform focuses on providing health care benefits to everyone, especially the uninsured. It ensures that Americans will be able to obtain healthcare regardless of preexisting conditions and income. There has been a lot of resistance to the ObamaCare Health Plan from the Republican Party, and with the re-election of President Obama, many in the US and the world will be watching to see how Obama’s health reform will turn out.

             In his victory speech, Obama made many other promises that will be watched throughout the next four years. He wants to reform America’s tax code, fix its immigration system and relieve America of reliance on foreign oil. Additionally, he wants to create more manufacturing jobs opportunities, lower college tuition and double exports.

            The United States election does not only affect America. Countries worldwide have tuned in to the presidential race and focused on debates between Obama and Mitt Romney for the past months. In particular interest to the global economy is foreign oil and exports. Obama wants to be less dependent on other countries for natural resources like oil, but he also wants to increase exports to other countries.

            I chose to talk today about the 2012 US Presidential Election because this election has a huge impact on my country, the world and me. I believe it is important to know what President Obama plans to implement in the next four years, and I also think it is important for people globally to be aware of changes such as healthcare reform and economy exports.

Flooding in India

Flooding in Southern India Kills 25, Displaces Thousands

          The CNN website under World News reports on severe weather that has caused flooding in Andhra Pradesh, India. Cyclone Nilam has recently been flooding coastal areas over the sea north of Sri Lanka with rain. The rainfall was so heavy that a month’s worth of rain poured in just a few days. This high impact and long duration of rain forced rivers and streams to flood. It then began to make landfall last week on India’s southeastern coast at Tamil Nadu killing at least fifteen people. It also forced an oil tanker aground near Chennai.

Andhra Pradesh was also greatly affected by Cyclone Nilam. Andhra Pradesh is known as agricultural land. Currently, 2,000 square miles of this land has been flooded. This is important for global health and economy because it affects not only the local community but the global economy as well in regards to exported goods. The extent of drop damage will not be able to be determined until after the waters recede. Additionally, twenty-five people have been killed and tens of thousands have been displaced from their homes. It is estimated that around 70,000 people in Andhra Pradesh are relocated to temporary shelters.

I chose this article because it is important to be aware of natural disasters that affect the economy. Globally, the economy may be affected by seeing rising prices in crops exported from Andhra Pradesh. Also, there may be increased prices in other goods that are needed to build destroyed homes. With the use of temporary shelters for those displaced, there is concern for the spread of communicable illness and disease. It is important to monitor and assess this situation in Andhra Pradesh in order to provide necessary resources and health care to alleviate the loss and potential that Cyclone Nilam has caused to India.

Another Taliban Attack on Female Students

Pakistani Taliban Target Female Students with Acid Attack

        The Pakistani Taliban has performed yet another cruel attack. This information was received from CNN's website under World News. Previously, I wrote about the attack on Malala Yousufzai, a 15 year old girl advocating for the rights of girls to attend school. The Pakistani Taliban is attempting to eliminate female education in their country, which led to the shooting to Malala Yousufzai and two other teenage girls. Now, the Taliban has attacked again. This time, their tactic was to throw acid in the faces of girls and women. The Taliban hoped to scar their faces and in return, deter other girls and women from following in their footsteps to attend school.

This most recent attack occurred in the city of Parachinar in northern Pakistan. Fifteen male and female students were on a college van heading home from Kohat University. However, the van was stopped by unknown "extremists", later identified as the Pakistani Taliban. Acid was thrown at the girls and one of the male students was shot. Three students were affected by the acid. Two girls and one boy were badly burned. 

The Pakistani Taliban took responsibility for the attack. Additionally, they handed out threatening pamphlets around Parachinar that warned girls not to attend school. Females were threatened by future acid attacks if they did not obey the Taliban's demand. The local Pakistani Talibam leader, Qari Muhavia, stated that any girls found going to school would be targeted with acid so that she would never be able to unveil her face. In the past, Pakistani's used acid attacks against those who brought dishonor to the family. 

I chose this event because Pakistan is having recurrent attacks against women wanting and receiving an education. It is important to be informed on this issue especially because of the Taliban involvement. The Pakistani Taliban continually tries to impose their views on women in their society. They attack and scare women away from gaining knowledge and independence. It is important to note the dangerousness of the Taliban and how to protect girls and women from these future attacks. 

Shooting of Malala Yousufzai

Pakistan official: Boys involved in Malala attack

            Malala Yousufzai is a fifteen year old Pakistani girl internationally known for campaigning for girls’ education. She started campaigning when she was eleven years old. Throughout Pakistan, the Taliban has been trying to remove girls from the classroom. Malala herself experienced struggles in being allowed to attend school in Swat. In January 2009, the Taliban issued an order that no school should educate girls. This resulted in Malala’s campaign.

             On October 9, 2012, Malala’s school van was hijacked. They forced the other girls on the van to identify Malala. Then, they shot Malala in the head and the neck. Two other girls were also shot. Malala was transferred to a hospital in Birmingham, England where she was placed on a ventilator. She has been making progress, but doctor’s state a lot of long, hard work lies ahead. The shooting of Malala Yousufzai has enraged many citizens of Pakistan resulting in various rallies. Many are shocked that the Taliban would allow an attack on a teenage girl.

              I found this article on the CNN website under World News. There were various articles on Malala, but honestly, I had no idea who she was. Curious about all the publicity on this young girl, I decided to read one of the articles on her. It is very interesting and inspiring to see how great an impact a fifteen year old can make. It’s even more intriguing to see how this fifteen year old girl posed such a threat to the Taliban. This event is important because it shows the seriousness and danger of the Taliban. It also initiated additional fury of Pakistani citizens with the Taliban. Close monitoring should be kept on the distention existing and building within Pakistan. 

Al Qaeda Threat

Al Qaeda Leader Calls for Kidnapping of Westerners

         While reading the CNN website under World News, I came across a very disturbing article. Once again, my topic is focused on al Qaeda. As many are aware, al Qaeda has been the cause of much turmoil in the United States, and according to this article, it appears that we still have reason to fear them. 

Ayman al-Zawahiri is the current leader of al Qaeda. He was the second leader under Osama bin Laden, but following bin Laden’s death in 2011, al-Zawahiri took over bin Laden’s position. The event referred to in this article was the posting of a two part, two hour video that al-Zawahiri put on jihadist websites. In the video, al-Zawahiri instructs muslims to kidnap westerners. Al Qaeda currently has possession of Warren Weinstein, an American that was abducted from his home in Pakistan. Al-Zawahiri’s reasoning is to use these prisoners as a bargaining chip to free Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman from US custody. Abdel-Rahman is responsible for the World Trade Center bombing. 

Al-Zawahiri is one of the FBI’s most wanted terrorists. It is unknown where he is hiding or where this video took place, but it is suspected that he resides in Pakistan near the Afghanistan border. I chose this event because it is important for Americans to be aware of possible threats, especially when traveling. Al Qaeda has plagued America with fear for over a decade, and Americans need to stay updated and informed on these global issues. Additionally, al Qaeda is affecting more than the United States. They have been forcing Mali to follow the strict Sharia law, and in the video, al-Zawahiri wants the Sharia law to be instituted in Egypt as well.