Trying to Gas up Prices

 http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/15/zakaria-why-oil-prices-will-stay-high/

   The prices for gas continues to grow, but if demand if low, shouldn't the prices for gas be dropping? Demand for oil worldwide is low, yet the prices for barrels of oil are almost at an all time high. Different parties suggest that the economy is doing better than most people think, while others believe that we are in the midst of trouble. Writer Fareed Zakaria believes that one factor that causes gas prices to go up are " a mix of war rhetoric and local troubles in key oil states are factors driving up the price of crude." He believes that when all those troubles die down, so will the gas prices. But Zakaria also believes that oil producers want the prices to be sky high. Countries in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Russia, etc.) continue to keep their oil prices high which then leads to global protest of high oil prices. Because a crash seems very unlikely, oil prices appear that they will continue to grow and drain the pockets of millions of people.
     The points in the article show that the reasons for high gas prices are nothing less than confusing. There is not much to do to bring gas prices to a reasonable level, but there are things people can do to make them less painful. Buying fuel efficient cars, buying energy efficient appliances and conserving energy is a small step in protesting against high gas prices. This would be cutting down the demand even more for gas prices. Writing letters to government officials to let them know about your irritation about the situation is yet another step for fighting against high gas and overall energy costs. Almost everything we do is indirectly affecting the energy so we should decide to be more aware of our choices that we make.

(Link for the video would not work, so here is a video)
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2012/01/15/gps-what-in-the-world-1-14.cnn

Lifting the Viel on Muslim Women Stereotypes

     In the article My take: Top 5 myths about American Muslims' love lives, written by co-writers Ayesha Mattu and Nura Maznavi, clears up the stereotypes about American Muslim women when it comes to their love lives. The authors claim that a lot has been written by Muslim women, but little has been written by Muslim women themselves. The five main points in the article dispute the common stereotypes that have been given to Muslim women about their love lives over the past years.

     The authors show great points in their article. They pick at the stereotypes that are given to them, and they prove them wrong, by providing great explanations and personal experiences between Muslim women and their friends. I completely agree with both authors’ arguments and thinks it makes a great article. Every point that they have seems spot on and even changed some of my beliefs on Muslim women for the better. One example that has helped me and could possibly change the view of Muslim women is the stereotype that they marry men their parents choose for them. While reading the article the authors disproved this statement by stating that Islam gives the women the final say over whether or not to marry the man. The only weakness that I noticed was that the article could have been longer because it seemed to end abruptly. This article calls out a social issue, and hopefully it can put this topic to rest for many people.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/14/my-take-top-5-myths-about-american-muslims-love-lives/?iref=allsearch

                

Starving For Money

Starving For Money

 

     Many people want to help others, but they never know where to start. A group of 18 women in Asuncion, Paraguay are facing hardships, but still choose to help others rather than just thinking of themselves. Mujeres Al Poder Group is nothing less than inspirational. The purpose of their group is to purchase meat, bread, condiments, and other supplies for their business. With the supply of food and goods they will be able to provide food for the less fortunate. If their business thrives, many people can sleep on a full stomach.

     In a country that is filled with poverty, the Mujeres Al Poder Group would be perfect to lend money to. Food isn't a privilege, its a necessity, and here in America we tend to forget how important it is and take it for granted. People deal with these problems every day in their city. Each day they face huge challenges such as being able to provide food for themselves and their families as well.

     Next time one thinks about having another meal for the day, they should consider the troubles that people go through across the world. With a small donation to Mujeres Al Poder Group, the women will be able to purchase all the food necessary to provide for the less fortunate. A small donation to the group can make a tremendous impact on someone else, and possibly save their life.

http://www.kiva.org/lend/388642

Made in Israel

My nationality may be American,

but my people come from the Ancient Near East.

Originally from Miami Florida,

the story originates far back to a whole other country.
I am a Jewish American,
and I am proud.

Although I have never stepped foot on Israeli soil,
I am completely aware of my ethnic background.
The language is ever so fluent,
like no other that I have ever heard before.
The stories that I have came to know,
They show so much of my peoples' history, and the world's.
If only one day I would be able to visit,
finally be able to see everything that I have been missing.

I may not be completely Israeli,
but no matter what I will always be Jewish.
We do not all share a common ancestry,
but we are all one.
A tremendously strong religion
being able to fight through all the adversities.
I am proud to be Jewish.

Crooked Cops

     In the article, FBI arrests Connecticut cops accused of racial profiling, by David Arosto, the author discusses how three East Haven Patrol Officers were arrested for being accused of mistreating Latinos. Personally I think it is despicable how three officers take advantage of their badges and decide to create havoc among the Latino community. It is comical how two of the three officers continue to deny the charges that they are facing when history shows that they have a reputation with arresting and harassing individuals under false pretenses. Statistics show in East Haven over 40 percent of all police stops are done to Latinos. Even the mayor of the city is being a part of racial discrimination. When asked what he would do about the Latin community, he stated " I might have tacos when I go home, I'm not quite sure yet." Clearly the mayor has issues with other ethnic groups. Clearly there is a problem when it comes to racial equality in East Haven and I believe that finding out about these stories is a great first step. Because all of these stories have been shown to the public, the East Haven police handbook's rules and policies are now being updated for the first time since 1972.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/24/justice/connecticut-racial-profiling-arrests/index.html?iref=allsearch

     In my opinion I think what has happened in East Haven Connecticut is terrible. Not only because of what has recently happened in the city, but also because this happens all over the country every day. I have no experience with such a topic, but I feel sympathetic towards those who have been discriminated by law enforcement because of the color of their skin. I don't think racial discrimination will ever end, but it does help when stories show injustices that do happen so a number of people do stop it.