America's role in the world

In Antarctica there is a serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately. There is about fifty five percent of mass lost from the ice shelves in Antarctica. The ice is melting at the ice-ocean boundary. With this happening it affects wildlife, and can cause serious damage with flooding. The ice shelves act like a plug in a bottle, without the glaciers in the ocean, when they melts it will allow the water to accelerate into the sea, and the water levels will rise leaving serious problems such as warming too much which is causing human health. Jane J. Lee, Reporter from National Geographic states that, “"Continued warming of the ocean will slowly increase ice shelf thinning," the study authors wrote. And that could affect the ability of ice shelves to regulate the flow of glaciers into the ocean.” (Lee). With the ocean constantly getting warmer because of global warming, and the glaciers melting from the bottom up, the world is going to be affected, and not in a good way. Another statement from the Union Of Concerned Scientists explains that, “ Everyone of the past 37 years has been warmer than the 20th Century average. The 12 warmest years on record have all occurred since 1998. The hottest year ever recorded for the contiguous United States occurred in 2012.” (Global). In 2012 when the united states occurred to be the hottest, is when we were affected the most with the glaciers melting. If this continues to increase throughout time soon there will be no ice shelves, and much wildlife will go extinct.

What should the U.S. be doing about Sweatshops

The U.S. has a history of protecting workers with the creation of labor laws and regulations, yet American corporations are disregarding these laws in countries they outsource work to. While this keeps prices low, it is contrary to American ideals and sacrifices fundamental human rights and worker safety. In order to uphold the United States title as the leaders of the free world, it is necessary to address this issue.

Along with moral implications, this would show that internationally, the U.S. cares about the fair treatment of non U.S. citizens. Women and Global Human Rights said that, "Common abuses include low wages that fail to meet basic costs of living, substandard and unsafe working and living conditions, long hours of overtime for which employees are not compensated...Sweatshops often fail to pay their employees on time, if at all. The workers, who are often unaware of their rights, have no choice but to continue to work because sweatshop managers threaten and punish them for insubordination." These conditions are unacceptable. Clearly, fundamental human rights are being violated. The U.S. is known for providing labor regulations to prevent these kinds of situations, yet its corporations are not following them in other countries.

Most companies would agree sweatshops are bad for business. The discovery of a corporation using sweatshops can result in a loss of credibility, therefore a drop in profit and current and potential investors. The answer if sweatshops are justified has already been answered, no. However, the more important question is how to solve the existing problem. Daniel Viederman, CEO of Verité and recipient of the 2011 Social Entrepreneur of the Year explained that, "From 11 years of social monitoring, our organization knows where and when problems exist—and the companies do, too. The task at hand is investing in solutions, which are complicated but urgent and ultimately good business for everybody. To get there, companies have to measure themselves—and consumers, investors, and advocates have to measure companies—on how they meet this challenge."

In order to fix the problem of corporations using sweatshops, companies must make long term investments in the fixing of the problem, but that alone is not enough. Consumers, investors, and the companies themselves must measure corporations actions and insist on change if any real progress is to be made.

How can we stop sweatshops ?

The US needs to stop sweatshop in other countries where the poverty rate is up because the people don't even have enough money to support their families or to buy something as simple as food. What the US should do to is demand them to make better work conditions and higher pay for them and if they reject tell them to take their products back ( meaning they can no longer sell in the US and none of their products in our stores). Another option is to not buy sweatshop items. 

What you could do is “Demand sweatshop- free products where you shop.Ask companies you do business with to ensure that no sweatshop or forced child labor is used in the manufacturing of the products they sell.”Sweatshops are supposed to enforce certain regulations and “By law, he is supposed to provide time-and-a-half pay after eight hours on weekdays and between double and triple pay for Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. "The price [Nike pays] never increases one penny," Wang complains, "but compliance with labor codes definitely raises costs."Sweatshops are a big issue in four world countries people and children are working under very harsh conditions and paid very little or none at all. Ones that are paid little can't even supply their families with basic necessities. In my second article they talked about how china is expected to ship 280 billion dollars worth of US goods but they couldn't pay them a higher wage.

Sweatshops..... Unfair and Unjust

Why does the U.S need to immediately address the issues of what it should to solve the problem of sweatshops and unfair working conditions?This needs to be addressed because it's something that's still happening today. We either need to eliminate all the sweatshops or at least make it better working conditions and better pay.In an article written it was said “in general, a sweatshop can be described as a workplace where workers are subject to extreme exploitation, including the absence of a living wage or benefits, poor working conditions, and arbitrary discipline, such as verbal and physical abuse” The source is backed up by the U.S State Department. They also go on to say “ that defenders of sweatshops often bring up the fact that even though sweatshops are bad, they at least give jobs to people they wouldn't have had otherwise” “Sweatshops”. This means Everyone doesn't want to face the facts of Sweatshops. Everyone wants to hide the facts or just not own up to facts that what is going on in sweatshops. No one wants to face the music that yes they may be providing jobs but there unfair and unjust. People need to be treated in better conditions. Another article was written they said ”Subpar working conditions in garment factories around the world have long been the subject of stateside media attention, but conditions in American factories largely slip under the radar.” This was said by Jessica De Jesus,Tabea Kay from The Daily Good online magazine then went on to say “Today congress General accounting office provides a simple definition of “Sweatshops”.” a business that regularly violates both wage or child labor and safety and health laws” at this point most of America's cheapest garment production has moved overseas” “De Jesus, Kay”. This means That the U.S isn't as perfect as we think they to are victims of violating labor laws. We too want the cheapest labor so we find ourselves moving over seas just so we don't have to meet the labor laws. again no one wants to face the facts of labor laws.How unjust and unfair working in sweatshops are. Everyone just wants to meet supply and demand at any cost.

The Problem With "Syrian Refugees"

The war refugees from Syria, while they do need help, are creating problems all over Europe. The US needs to address this issue because soon it will not be just Europe’s problem. It is a global epidemic, and a crisis that too many countries are ignoring or not treating like a problem. America needs to take the first step and recognize it as a problem, and then work together with the UN and Syria to figure out a peaceful solution.

Ingrid Carlqvist, a distinguished author and journalist for Gatestone Institute said that the Syrian immigrants create enormous problems for the countries they flee to, and the governments do not even recognize the problems.

Souad Mekhennet, correspondent for the Washington Post said that many of the immigrants seeking asylum in Europe are not from Syria as they say at all, but actually from all over North Africa and just seeking opportunity and free living in Europe. Some are even horrible criminals, who are welcomed like all the others at the borders.

The refugees entering Europe are not only causing incredible problems for the countries, but far too frequently are not even refugees, and could even easily be members of ISIS.

Syrians Human Rights- Saving Migrants/Refugees

10.6 million Syrians were forced out of their homes because of the war going on there. This leaves them with no place to eat, sleep, bathe, or provide for themselves in any way. “Millions of Syrians have been displaced since the  conflict began in 2011.” Think about this quote for a second. Millions, not hundreds or thousands, but millions.  All the families that were broken apart because other countries are to selfish to accept them in.  Turkey allowed 2 million Syrians in, which leaves 8.6 million still out there stranded. In addition, Turkey’s living conditions aren’t as good as the United States. If the U.S can take at least 10,000 Syrians in, it would save the lives of so many people. Just think, what if it was you ?

How the US Can Help Syrian Refugees

Millions of Syrians and other refugees are dying each day from fleeing their countries from war. They all are trying to seek peace and safety for their families and the US could help them get to the refugee camps. The Migration Policy Centre and The Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies say they have a census at the refugee camps to tally how many people are from each country and if they are missing anyone. According to both of the organizations, “An estimated 9 million Syrians have fled their homes since the outbreak of civil war in March 2011, taking refuge in neighboring countries and within Syria itself” (“Hello”). One article created by the UN Refugee Agency, along with the refugees themselves have written stories to share what it was like to escape from their countries stated that, “Women and children make up three-quarters of the refugee population. In the first couple months of 2013 over 1 million refugees fled from Syria” (“UNHCR”). Not all of the 9 millions refugees will make it to the camps. Recently refugees fleeing from Syria were on a small boat that capsized, and all of the people died. The body of a little boy washed up on the beaches of Europe. The US could help prevent this if they went into the small towns in the Middle East and helped the people in need to get refugee camps.

Sweat and Desperation

The US needs to immediately address sweatshops because of the very unfair and highly dangerous conditions. Also the fact that it is a very challenging job that has high risks of death.The treatment that they receive and the low amount of money that they get paid is not even close to the amount of credibility that they receive. Charles Davis, a writer for take part, explains how much the sweatshop workers get paid (http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/09/10/sweatshop) “Nearly two-thirds said they work overtime every day but are not paid for it, and what they are paid isn’t much: on average, $5 an hour. The minimum wage in California is $9.”(Davis) The amount that they actually get paid, for doing the dirty work for the bigger companies, they get paid $4 UNDER minimum wage. What really makes the sweatshops even worse is that, it’s not like theses companies are doing bad they have plenty of money they just rather keep it for themselves rather than giving it to the people who actually work hard. Without sweatshops there would be no products and now what will companies do to make money? So it is very unfair what they get. People who work in sweatshops are making products for the wealthy. Workers should get better treatment because they are doing all the dirty work for the big time people in the cooperation and basically making their vision of a product come true. The main solution is understanding what the workers are doing and going through. Dara O’Rourke is very passionate about listening and understanding each role and what they go to. That is what everyone should do, have an open mind. (http://nature.berkeley.edu/orourke/media/globe-op-ed.html) “Is exactly through bringing workers' voices into these debates and creating systems of transparency and accountability - what this report takes a small step toward doing - that we will be able to begin working on improving conditions in the global workplace.”(O’Rourke). There is no immediate solution to the sweatshop conditions. The only thing that we could really do is just let time happen and wait for the karma to come back on these companies with shitty condition sweatshops. It will screw them over eventually.

How can we stop Global Warming

The United States needs to address the issue of Global Warming because it's making a big impact on the world and is starting to affect human life and wildlife. The United States should bring more awareness to it and show how big of an impact that it has made. They need to find a way to put an end to it or help reduce it. Human behavior does impact the environment, The Natural Resource Defense Council explains, “The biggest causes of global warming is the carbon dioxide released when when fossil fuels are burned from energy” (How to fight). Everyday, global warming increases because of the usage of cars being used. It's a way that most humans get around to school, jobs, etc. That's burning more fuels into the air and polluting it. In order to reduce that the US can help limit the amount of fuel that is burned. They can try and persuade people to ride bikes, walk, or find a different way of transportation that won't affect the environment. Not only does the government play a role in ending Global Warming but people in today's society have a role to play as well. Writer of Demand Media, Rachel Steffan writes, “Both natural and human-made conditions can contribute to global warming, but human beings can do several things to reduce the effects” (Steffan). To help reduce global warming people can conserve water by turning faucets off when they aren't using any water, planting trees in their backyard or in the neighborhood, and reducing waste (Steffan).

Fish Can't Swim in Rivers made of Ice.

The U.S. should address the issue with Syria because of the many responsibilities they have over there. Even though the U.S. may have problems of their own, U.S.- being one of the global powers should use their power to assist and take in more refugees because many of the people there are running for their lives and not getting a chance to live. U.N.’s refugee agency said, “Most have been on the run for a year, or more, fleeing from village to village before making the final decision to leave” (“Syria”). They are always scared or on alert, because of all the attacks. They are not getting a chance to settle down before they have to pick up and go on the run again. The U.S. should help the refugees on the run to finally settle down and find a decent living, because they give up their life being on the run, and literally. The Syria issue should be one of the top things the U.S. should address immediately because, not only are there many on the run for their lives for more than a year, but many casualties- men women, and children have been made. Holly Yan a reporter from CNN said “Of the 4 Million Syrian refugees who have fled attacks by their government and ISIS, U.S. has taken 0.03%.” (“Refugee Crisis”). The U.S. hasn’t even taken as many as to how much were killed. Some of the country's refugees have fled to are allies of the U.S. The U.S should help their allies assist in taking in these refugees instead of taking a small amount and abandoning rest. The U.S. as a global power should assist their allied countries and help save the people asking for help. The issue in Syria should be one of the issues the U.S. should deal with because even though they say they helped take some, those that aren't are dying.

Stop the Violence We Want To Live

In this case sweatshops include children working all kinds of hours day and night so that the United States can be fulfilled with all necessary material. The pay that the workers get is very much at a low cost and is not necessary enough for someone to survive. Working in sweatshops can cause physical harm towards one , because there is lack of safety regarding to each worker. The United States as a whole should either stop sweatshops as a whole or give the labors what they need in order to protect themselves and pay themselves so that they can survive. If they can not provide this at all then the United States should close sweatshops down all together and suffer like third countries and even some states that's apart of the United States. According to Laura Macklem, “ They don’t provide safety equipment as simple as dust masks, and pay workers 30 percent below the country’s minimum wage” (Macklem). In addition Vegan Peace states, “The U.S. Department of Labor found that 67% of garment factories in Los Angeles and 63% in New York, violate minimum wage and overtime laws. 98% of garment factories in Los Angeles have workplace health and safety problems serious enough to lead to severe injuries or death (“What can we do “). Even the United States understands that this is not only an problem with foreign countries, but also an problem with in the United States within itself. Its problem knowing that this war countries our going through the disrespect of not having proper equipment and low benefits but it become even a bigger problem when your own country is having the same one if not the similar situation.

Home Sweet Home

We are the cause of global warming. All of our new technologies, companies, power plants, etc, are the reasons why the planet is becoming more and more dangerous. President Obama is trying to pass the Clean Power Plan, which will try to “reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030” (White House). It will also solve many health problems that the US population is struggling with yearly. It should also help with the climate and our weather. As Environment America states, “We’re fast approaching the point when scientists say climate change could tip toward catastrophe, with sea levels rising faster along our coasts, and storms growing more powerful, and droughts and other forms of extreme weather more disruptive” (Environment America). If we try to be a more energy efficient and a cleaner nation, the world may try to follow in our footsteps and we can make the world a better, more livable place.

Save Money, Live Better

The US needs to immediately address the issue of ISIS. Although there are many ways to go about it, the best way possible to is to cut off all supplies going towards the group. The first supply to cut off is the money. Obama, on CNN, stated “Implementing sanctions and freezing bank accounts are often the first, least controversial steps to go after a terrorist group.”(“What Can”). This shows cutting off the supply of money is the best way to go. Other options include violence like sending troops and risking lives or air strikes so the best way to go about it in a peaceful manner is to cut off the supply of money towards their group. David Swanson, writer from World Beyond War, said “the first thing to do differently going forward: stop bombing nations into ruins, and stop shipping weapons into the area you’ve left in chaos.”(Swanson). This idea is saying that When the US gives weapons to other countries we left in ruins, it motivates them towards being violent. Along with cutting off money towards ISIS, we can also cut off weapon supply to those who will use it in the wrong ways. In conclusion, the best possible way to address the issue of ISIS is to cut off all supplies towards the group.

Should the US Take Immediate Action Upon Global Warming?

The United States does not need to immediately address global warming, because making huge changes to the way we live do not have the bang for the buck. It is also not our current generation’s fault so they should not have to make the sacrifice. In a post by Investor’s Business Daily, restates info from NERA Economic Consulting, saying that the Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon rule for power would cost consumers and taxpayers, over 14 years, a total of $366 billion. That cost does not include possible restrictions imposed on automobile emissions, carbon taxes, and any sort of carbon-trading regime or the over-the-rainbow renewable energy programs that politics have produced (Jackson). If we were try and change global warming, we would not be getting enough of a change to realize, considering the amount of money consumers would be paying. Adams Frank stated in an article on NPR, “Climate change is not our fault...150 years ago when we started building that fossil-fuel based civilization, we had no idea of what we were doing. We’d found this black goo seeping up from the ground and it turned out you could do awesome things with it... We didn’t change the climate because we were greedy. We did it by mistake” (Frank). When our ancestors had discovered fossil-fuel, They had found out that it could do all these incredible and useful things. However, they were ignorant to the possible consequences. Now that we are learning about all these consequences, we are able to learn from our mistakes.

We're All Gonna Die

Even if you get inspired by the article to help the environment, its already too late. Even if tomorrow we stop using oil and get cars that plug into our walls, its still too late. The damage is done there is no turning back. America could have helped the environment and influence the rest of the world to do so, which is what we should do. But there isn't a lot of appeal behind it, human life is short and we use it to make the big bucks. There isn't a lot of profit in green energy, so don't expect a lot of stigma. Just do your part as much as you want to I suppose, chill on that carbon foot print. Spread the word, give a helping hand for a better tomorrow.

"As a scientist it's very frustrating to hear politicians basically saying, 'This isn't true,' or, 'They're just making it up to get government money,'" Hayhoe says. "A thermometer is not Democrat or Republican. What observations are telling us is not political – it is what it is."

"Sen. Inhofe has pledged to use every lever of his power to block President Obama’s climate agenda."

It's obvious little to no action will be taken by the government, its simply up to the citizens to step up and help. But don't give someone a peanut and expect them to have a farm the next day, that's where I again argue that its already too late.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Yq-sfWSWLg

The Bermuda Triangle. Everywhere.

One day everyone is going to Catch Fire. The U.S. needs to address the situation immediately because otherwise the entire world could end up having tons of issues such as; droughts, high sea levels because of the glaciers melting, messed up seasons, extreme temperatures, and increased natural disasters. We need to stop using cars that run on gasoline so that the gas would stop eating up the Ozone layer, we need to stop using so many chemicals and stop wasting our precious water on water parks and pools, and we need to start taking better care of the world's land. Ms. Church from Scientific America, she has dedicated her time to studying this problem, she stated; “Drying and drought in Syria from 2006 to 2011—the worst on record there—destroyed agriculture, causing many farm families to migrate to cities,” the article goes on, saying some believe the “influx added to social stresses already created by refugees pouring in from the war in Iraq”(Charlotte). This quote from the article shows that global warming is creating problems with other countries also. The global warming issue is causing famine, which is causing people to become desperate and take desperate measures. Blair Trewin of Australia’s National Climate Center, he has been studying this topic as his career, so he knows it very well and she stated; “If a temperature data set is to be used for monitoring climate change it is important that it be homogeneous; that is, changes in the temperature as shown in the data set reflect changes in the climate, and not changes in the external (non climatic) conditions”(Sharwood). This quote shows everyone that something is very wrong if the weather stations are lying about the weather and acting like they don’t know what to use to get the correct weather. They know what to do or they wouldn’t be in that field. So the fact that they are lying shows that there is a large problem that they are not telling us. If something is not wrong then they wouldn't have any reason to lie.

If the Ozone layer could speak it would say. "The sun will set your arm on fire." -Ozone layer

Music Poetry

As chosen by our class. Enjoy!

27

Fall Out Boy has been around since the early 2000s and ever since then their sounds has changed, but their lyrics have been the same. In this case, 27 is a poetic song, because their lyrics have more than a literal meaning, there is depth. The album this song is on, Folie a Deux, isn't telling a story as a whole, but each song has its own story and its own meaning. Their lyrics are sometimes difficult to interpret, but this is how I view 27. As a whole I think this song is about their fans. For example in the song the lead singer, Patrick Stump, sings "My mind is a safe and if I keep it in we all get rich" when he mentions the safe, I think of how safes are usually wear precious things are stored. The "precious things" in this case refers to the mind of the person who wrote the lyrics, bassist Pete Wentz, who wrote most of Fall Out Boy's songs. He considers his mind this "safe" where all his amazing ideas are stored. His ideas are what they mean when they say, "and if we keep it then we all get rich".  Another example of this song being poetic is when Patrick Stump sings, "My body is an orphanage we take everyone in". Orphanages are meant to give children a home when they have been abandoned. In this sense, they're talking about how their concerts or their songs or just the band itself can act as a safe place where their fans can come to feel at home. It is there way of saying that they are here for their fans. The metaphors used in this song really create depth to theme of the band being there for their fans and wanting to create a place where they can escape and feel safe and free.

Feminist Critique

Throughout the world, stereotypes place men in category and men women in another. These stereotypical roles often limit abilities, that however is not the case in this episode of the Boondocks. The episode shows how men need women as much as women need men. It breaks the housewife stereotype because the woman in this episode is very independent and can take care of a man if she pleases. It’s also shows the typical male views of a female, which isn't always right. This is promoting the feminist ideology, by showing how men depend on women, women are as independent as men, and women aren't helpless.

In the beginning of the show, Robert was very upset at the fact he couldn't find a stable relationship. He even deleted his Facebook because he couldn't deal with not having a woman in his life. He really needed a woman’s presence to not only make him happy, but to be comfortable being a man. This shows how much he needed a woman, although men are seen as strong independent, financially stable people, he still needed her in order to feel needed in the world. Another example is when they were at the park and he was telling Uncle Ruckus and Tom, what type of woman he wants, and Ms. Ebony Brown came running by who was a perfect woman for him. This not only made him happy, but he had a new purpose and that was to get Ms.Brown. This shows how dependent a man can be on a woman even if he has everything, he still needs a woman’s love. Men aren't just dependent in women in this show, women are also very independent.

The women in the episode, Ms.Ebony Brown, was all alone and didn't need a man. She was financially stable, she even asked Robert out on a date, and she paid for a meal, which Robert himself thought was very expensive. This shows that women are independent and can do for themselves and don’t need men to do everything for them and the family, like it was stated in the old times. Ms. Brown also took a job in Africa at the end of the episode where she left and Robert came chasing after her. He felt so hurt that she was gone, and the entire time she wasn't thinking about him, but the job she had to perform. This really shows her being a working woman who prioritized her job before a man. Woman like this are usually portrayed as bitches, but Ms. Brown was kind a gentle. Woman aren't just independent, they are strong, not helpless as they are portrayed throughout the 20th century.

Throughout the episode it was thought that all the black women are crazy and Robert needed a stable white woman who is fragile and helpless in order to be happy. This shows the dominate male view on the episode which was obviously from a male gaze and doesn't show how strong the female race is not just the African American woman. Tom’s wife who was white, seemed to be the perfect woman, which wasn't true because throughout the episode Ms. Brown proved time and time again why she was not only an independent woman, but a strong one both physically and mentally in order to protect herself.

The world shows most things through a male gaze which is bad because you don’t get to realize how much men depend on the women in order to be happy. They may be sex objects, but the men always seems to be interested in them. You also wouldn't notice the growth of woman and how they are independent, and as strong as men, both physically and mentally. Not only is this a feminist critique, but it passes the feminist critique test.

Two Broke Girls

The T.V. show, "Two Broke Girls," on CBS promotes stereotypes, especially racial stereotypes. "Two Broke Girls" is about two girls that waitress at this small restaurant in Brooklyn. The two girls, Max and Caroline are “broke” and have to make ends meet anyway that they can. Max is the character that is supposed to be the “funny guy” or the “jokester”. She also the one who says most of the funny, yet stereotypical lines.

Two broke girls promotes stereotypes freely and openly in a comical way. They are promoting stereotypes that have already been placed and also shaped into society.

In this T.V. show Max and Caroline have a manager named Han Lee, he is a small-sized man from Korea. In multiple episodes Max knocks him for his size, but does it with a sense of humor, this making it funny. When Han Lee gets something wrong she criticizes him and makes point that Koreans’ never get things wrong and are very smart. The stereotypes are more placed towards him and his ethnicity, but he’s not the only one. There is also a very hot to trot, Eastern European man named Oleg. He is the cook at the restaurant that Max and Caroline waitress in. The T.V. show has him so that he is always saying something sexual to both of the girls. Which gears towards the stereotype that all European men are horny, and hit on all women. There is also a jive old man that works at the front desk. All he talks about is smoking weed and how many wives he's had. Which speaks upon the stereotype that black men has multiple wives. In almost every episode you can watch and see stereotypes towards these races. There are also stereotypes towards Caroline, a once rich white girl who lived off her fathers money. She became lost all her money and became a "broke girl". Because of her being rich she didn't know much since everything was handed to her. She thought she was too good for a lot of things in the first few episodes. This could be a stereotype that all white girls are rich as don't know anything.

The T.V. show Two Broke Girls is promotes stereotypes freely and openly. Although they do so in a comical way, it still has helped shape society and how people view various races.