President Obama's Speech

1. Parents in the United States have had mixed opinions about President Obama speaking to students all across the nation today. Do you think that it is a positive or negative thing? Why?

I think that giving this speech was really positive, because parents need to encourage their kids to succeed at school, and kids need to know that they are being encouraged by the government and by their parents. It is also positive, because if there are people watching it and they are people who dropped out of school, they might realize what did they do wrong. The speech is really positive, because it tells us that people that had been raised by a single mother or were from a foster home, have succeeded. For example I am a daughter of a single mother, and she has tried, and has succeeded to get me to the best schools there are, and has given me all the things I want, so I really appreciate that.

2. What is the purpose of President Obama's speech?

I think that the purpose of the speech, is to encourage the students all over USA and the world, to succeed in their school work, and to be able to get through High School, and college, and do something good for the world. I also think that it might be for all parents and students to not quit on their school, because they might regret it someday, because some friends might succeed and do a big discovery, and that person might be at home sitting around just watching TV or getting in trouble with everybody. As the President said, we are all good at something, we might not be Varsity players, but we might be really great artists, or vice-versa. Or we might have a great musical talent, and we are afraid to use it, because your friends tell you that you are not worth it, even thought they say so, just be yourself, and do it no matter what they say.

3. What impact does the speech have on you?

The impact this speech has on me, is that it inspires me, because my dream is to be able to work at NASA, as an astronaut, and it really takes a lot of work. The college I want to go to is MIT and to be able to get there I have to earn it, because that kind of colleges are really expensive, so I really need to earn it, by earning a scholarship, or having the money, but it is really hard to get scholarships, and if you finish your college years you need to have a bachelors degree and then get accepted on NASA, and NASA receives thousands of applications per year, so if you want to be selected you need to have studied and to get the best grades you can get.

The Effect of Corporations

In this movie we were learning about the effect that corporations have in the world. In this movie we also get to hear what teachers from several colleges think about the corporations. I learned that some factories that produce milk inject cows with hormones so they produce more milk. So when they inject them, normally when the milk is taken out of the cow, the milk has the hormones, and they are transmitted to the people who drink it. I also learned that before there were places where they shut people to work, without windows and the doors were locked so they couldn’t go out, this is called sweatshops. Another thing I learned is that there is people that work with some chemicals that should not be breathed in, and like people work with them, sometimes they start getting a kind of paralysis that makes them not pump blood to the left arm, and so they don’t feel that arm.

Globalization Questions

Name:_Sofia Terife_____ Date:_Monday March 23, 2009_

Introduction to Globalization

1. What do most people think globalization is?

Some people think that globalization means that the world is turning into an American consuming colony like Mc Donalds or Coke.

2. What is the real definition of globalization?

The real definition of globalization is the way of buying goods from other countries and consuming them.

3. How is “Bhangra pop” in India an example of globalization?

“Bhangra pop” is like Jamaican Reggae but played in Indian instruments, this is an example because Indians are using a type of music from another country, but playing it with their own instruments.

4. What is positive or good about globalization?

I think that a good thing about globalization is that we can learn more things about other countries.

5. What is negative or bad about globalization?

I think that a bad thing about globalization is that we are loosing our own culture, and traditions, so we should learn other cultures, but not loose our own.

6. What are indigenous people?

Indigenous people are people that have been in the same place, and have not lost its culture over the years.

7. What do linguists estimate is happening every two weeks due to globalization?

Linguist estimate that every two weeks a language dies, taking with it the way of communication, cultures.

8. How did the images make you feel?

The images made me fell a bit sad, because all of the cultures are special in their own way, because they have different traditions, so when I watched some of the images, I thought that many of the cultures are loosing their traditions, for example there is a photo of some kids eating and on the wall there is Mickey mouse, so I think it is sad that they don’t have their traditional things.

9. What did the photographs teach you about indigenous people and/or globalization?

The pictures showed me that not all the cultures are the same, and that they live in different places. Another thing is that before all the cultures could find food and shelter by themselves, now they have to get help from other places.

10. In your opinion is globalization a good thing or a bad thing? Or some combination of the two? Explain.

I think that globalization is a combination of both, because we can learn and get details of the other cultures, but not go to extreme globalization, and change all your cultures, and traditions because you like better another tradition.

Letter to the UN

Genocide in Sudan


Dear honorable delegates of the UN,

I think that the topic of Genocide in Sudan should be addressed. I think this because genocide is a cruel and unfair act that is only done because they don’t like their political group, or color, or even their cultural group. The president of Sudan has been charged because of genocide, and charges of murdering. The president has not responded peacefully to the African rebels, instead he movilized a group of Arab fighters, called the Janjaweed. Since the conflict started about 300,000 people has died. The government-supported militia is killing people, burning houses or villages, and also driving families to the deserts and they die. The militia also started bombing Danfur during an air raid. Moreno Ocampo thinks that if the president is taken out of power the violent attacks will decrease, or even stop, and two million and a half people will be able to go home.

Sudan's Problem

Charges have been made against Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir that consist on acts of genocide, in the Danfur, Sudan. Moreno Ocampo has charged the president, because he has been planning and supporting the killing of African tribes in Danfur. Moreno Ocampo hopes that if the actual president is taken from power the violence in Sudan will stop and displaced people will be allowed to reurn home. The president of Sudan did not respond peacefully to the African rebels, so he movilized a group of Arab rebels called the Janjaweed. Since the beginning of the conflict about 300,000 people have died. The militia that is supported by the government continues to murder people, burn villages, and more.

Hotel Rwanda

What are the limitations of the UN?

The limitations of the UN are that they are not allowed to shoot at people if they are not shoot at first. Also that they are not allowed to get people out of the country if they do not have the permission. They cannot get into a country if the president or the government does not permit them. And the last one is that if their resolution does not pass they cant act or do anything.


Is it the world’s responsibility to stop genocide?

I think that it is the world’s responsibility, because it is an unfair act. I think this because why do we need to kill people because we don’t like them in any way. Another reason is that we are all humans so we should just sit down and discuss it without starting a war. Genocide is a horrible thing, and we should not do it by any reason, not because we don’t like them, or we just think they are less human beings, or even if we just think they should be killed.

JMUN Reflection

What did I like about JMUN?

What I liked about JMUN was that we could make new friends. I also liked that we had time to learn about other people’s thoughts about the topic. Another thing I liked was that we had enough time for lunch and breaks. Also that we had the chance to express our thoughts of the topic to the other delegates. I liked when we were debating even though I almost didn’t talk, I think that debating is good because you can express your thoughts.

What did I dislike about JMUN?

What I disliked about JMUN is that we had to stay on Friday till very late. Another thing is that some delegates just started criticizing each other, and sometimes it was not nice. On other moments the delegates that talked a lot, started to insult each others resolutions, and saying like: “we need to know what a is good resolution and a bad resolution”. And that when we were doing the things for the resolutions, some delegates just started telling us like if you go with them you will be this and that, so that was a bit annoying.


What would you do to prepare for next year?

I think I would try to find more information, because this year was my first year, and I did kind of not know what to look for. Another thing is that when we did the practice debates, I was also kind of lost, because I didn’t know what to say. Also that next year I wont be as nervous as I was this year, because I know what JMUN is and what we are going to do. The last thing is that I was really nervous and I didn’t sleep well that night so I was really tired.

Three Paragraphs For JMUN.

Cholera impact in Zimbabwe
Cholera is an infection caused by a bacterium that contaminates food and water. Once the person is ill he/she gets watery diarrhea, and gets dehydrated, and dies. One of the reasons Cholera happens, is because people do not have access either to clean drinking water or sanitation. Cholera happens in LEDC’s, because a big percentage of the population does not have access to clean water and sanitation and, therefore, the disease grows out of control and creates an epidemic. A clear example of this is Zimbabwe. In August 2008, the epidemic began and has been getting worse because of the political and economic crisis. Doctors and nurses have been on strike over the past 5 months because they want to get paid, water purification chemicals are not available like chlorine, water and sewer pipes are broken, sewer pipes bring dirty water, garbage has not been collected, and water supply has not been constant, all of these things are caused because of the government, either, they don’t want to pay or they don’t contribute with the cleaning. All these factors have contributed to make this the worst Cholera epidemic ever; at present 60,401 people are infected with this bacterium, and 3,161 people have died from the disease since August 2008. During the rainy season, which goes from January to March, the disease may spread even more, because the bacterium can be carried into rivers and wells, causing further contamination.


In December 2008 Japan donated 1.5 million US dollars (about 169.5 million yen) to Zimbabwe, so they can buy water purification chemicals and to carry out health education. This donation will help about 600, 000 people to survive and to not get Cholera over the next six months. Water purification chemicals will help people, because if they drink dirty water they will become infected with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Health education helps because people who do not know much about this epidemic will probably get the infection, but if they know they will be careful and will not become infected. In 1890 there was a Cholera outbreak in Japan. Japan has always had a bond with Zimbabwe, and on various occasions they have helped with food or money. Over all Japan is looking forward for giving more aids to Zimbabwe, so that the epidemic stops, and they can educate people, and buy the water purification chemicals.

Japan is willing to keep sending aid to Zimbabwe if the epidemic does not stop. They will be willing to send doctors and nurses now that the ones in Zimbabwe are not working. Once Japan had an outbreak of Cholera; that is why they are sending aid to Zimbabwe, because Zimbabwe does not have a lot of money and does not have much resources for clean water. They are also willing to send teachers to help them educate on the effects of drinking dirty water, and the symptoms when you are infected, and how to detect if you are infected. They are willing to send water purification chemicals, so they have clean water and the epidemic starts to slow down a bit. Cholera is an horrible disease, and Japan is doing a good donation, because Zimbabwe really need help to get rid of the epidemic.

Japan With The Cholera Problem In Zimbabwe

In December 2008 Japan donated 1.5 million US dollars (about 169.5 million yen) to Zimbabwe, so they can buy water purification chemicals and to carry out health education. This donation will help about 600, 000 people to survive and to net get Cholera over the next six months. Water purification chemicals will help people, because if they drink dirty water they will become infected with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Health education helps because people who do not know much about this epidemic will probably get the infection, but if they know they will be careful and will not become infected. In 1890 there was a Cholera outbreak in Japan. Japan has always had a bond with Zimbabwe, and on various occasions they have helped with food or money. Over all Japan is looking forward for giving more aids to Zimbabwe, so that the epidemic stops, and they can educate people, and buy the water purification chemicals.

Cholera In Zimbabwe (corrections from 1st draft paragraph for JMUN)

Cholera impact in Zimbabwe
Cholera is an infection caused by a bacterium that contaminates food and water. Once the person is ill he/she gets watery diarrhea, and gets dehydrated, and dies. One of the reasons Cholera happens, is because people do not have access either to clean drinking water or sanitation. Cholera happens in LEDC’s , because a big percentage of the population does not have access to clean water and sanitation and, therefore, the disease grows out of control and creates an epidemic. A clear example of this is Zimbabwe. In August 2008, the epidemic began and has been getting worse because of the political and economic crisis. Doctors and nurses have been on strike, or protesting without working, over the past 5 months because they want to get paid; water purification chemicals like chlorine are not available; water and sewer pipes are broken, sewer pipes bring dirty water to the towns and contributes the spread of the epidemic and creates other infections; garbage has not been collected; and water supply has not been constant. All of these things are caused because of the government has not been doing its work, either, it does not want to pay for the services or it does not contribute with the cleaning of water and garbage. All these factors have contributed to make this the worst Cholera epidemic ever; at present 60,401 people are infected with this bacterium, and 3,161 people have died from the disease since August 2008. During the rainy season, which goes from January to March, the disease may spread even more, because the bacterium can be carried into rivers and wells, causing further contamination.

Sources:

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/30/Zimbabwe.cholera.cases/index.html

http://www.who.int/topics/cholera/about/en/index.html

Cholera In Zimbabwe (first draft paragraph for JMUN)

Cholera impact in Zimbabwe

Cholera is an infection caused by a bacterium that contaminates food and water. Once the person is ill he/she gets watery diarrhea, and gets dehydrated, and die.s One of the reasons Cholera happens, is because people do not have access either to clean drinking water or sanitation. Cholera happens in LEDC’s , because a big percentage of the population does not have access to clean water and sanitation and, therefore, the disease grows out of control and creates an epidemic. A clear example of this is Zimbabwe. In August 2008, the epidemic began and has been getting worse because of the political and economic crisis. Doctors and nurses have been in strike over the past 5 months, water purification chemicals are not available, water and sewer pipes are broken, garbage has not been collected, and water supply has not been constant. All these factors have contributed to make this the worst Cholera epidemic ever; at present 60,401 people are infected with this bacterium, and 3,161 people have died from the disease since August 2008. During the rainy season, that goes from January to March, the disease may spread even more, because the bacterium can be carried into rivers and wells, causing further contamination.

Sources:

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/01/30/Zimbabwe.cholera.cases/index.html

http://www.who.int/topics/cholera/about/en/index.html

Cholera In Zimbabwe (first draft paragraph for JMUN)

A Change For School.

I think that every school has good and bad things. Many schools can have more things than others or have a different schedule. CIC is not the biggest school that exists, but we have a lot of things that many other schools don't. For example, we have a soccer field and we are surrounded by nature. Many schools want these things, but are not able to have them, because of their location and resources. In CIC students may want a pool, a tennis court, air conditioner, and many other things. I am part of the CIC community, and I would love to have a big gymnastics gym at school. I think that it would really take up space, time, and also money, and the CIC administration may say no. Nevertheless, I will give some reasons why CIC should have a gymnastics gym.

I think that having a big gymnastics gym would be good for the school, because CIC could offer more sports for students to choose from. We would also be able to compete against other schools. I think that the competition part would help a bit with the school's reputation. When parents from other schools see how good the school's sports are, and how nice the students are, maybe they would decide to change their kids from one school to another. Having more students at CIC would, furthermore, benefit the school because we would have more students paying. The more money the school get, the more things we can get, such as the swimming pool and the tennis courts other students want.

For all the reasons mentioned above, I believe that CIC should create a gymnastics gym, and buy the special equiptment needed for this sport. I would like to have the gym for the next school year. To get the money we need, I think that the school should do more fund-raisers, more pep-rallies, and STUCO could make some special days, so that the students pay a bit and they could collect money and then give it to the school. Sports are about team work, and since this is a sports related activity, we should all work together. Plus, Gymnastics ROCK!!!!!!

Endangered Animals!!

There are many animal species that are endangerd and disapearing. There are major causes like: Habitat destruction, Introduction of exotic species, and Overexploitation. Habitat Destruction: When there are fast changes, the habitat starts to destroy, an example is the climate change. Another reason is that almost every region of the world has been affected by humans. Humans destroy natural habitats for constructing, farming, mining, and other activities. Introduction exotic species: Natural or indigenous species, are the ones that are born and grow naturally in one place, they are naturally adapted to the climate they live on. Many species are introduced by humans, accidentally or on purpose, but they may cause serious alterations in the eviorment, and harmful damages, maybe they eat a indigenous specie from that place. Overexploitation: Those are the species that are being used for trading. Due to the trading of animal parts, many species are beginning to suffrer high rates of overexploitation. Examples of these are Whales, for their fat, Rhinos for their horns, and Tigers for their skin.

http://www.endangeredspecie.com/causes_of_endangerment.htm


SAVE THE ENDANGERED ANIMALS!!!!!!

Technology and Humanities

I think that this blog will be very useful, because now we can read all of our classmates opinions, and we can do activities with it. Another reason is that we need to be very organized, now that we are in middle school. Maybe it also makes the class better, instead of writing all day and reading articles. A suggestion for our humanities class is that we work more in the computers, instead of Ms. Thomas looking for the articles. Maybe we could all look for an article, and then we vote which one is better. Another suggestion is, that maybe instead of writing the summaries of what we read in pencil and parer, maybe we could come down to the computer lab and work. Another thing is that Ms. Thomas ask us to bring our laptops or maybe the school could buy some for the humanities department. I think that all the suggestions I gave here are really good, and maybe the school and Ms. Thomas will consider some of these.