Others Who Look Forward to Obama's Presidency

Nigeria: Obama's Victory and the Resurrected Hope



How many times have you heard the importance of being involved in your countries politics? Recently, that issue has been stressed a lot more than usual. While I believe this is relevant, at the same time, how often do you think about the leaders in other countries? We are after all, not the only nation on this planet, and we should be concerned about others, no matter how overwhelming it seems. Mr. Arizona-Ogwu, who wrote the article, "Nigeria: Obama's Victory and the Resurrected Hope" talks about how Obama's elect will bring hope to other people around the world.

So why do so many people care about America? The author of the article explains, "The United States remains the world's only superpower, the only nation that matters in every part of the globe, the only country capable of mobilising international action to tackle global problems." They are hoping that the choices Obama makes will change their lives for the better, and that with his help, we can become stronger. The task at hand is extremely difficult, and is a goal that is held world-wide. So many millions of people are looking forward to Obama's Presidency with newfound optimism and trust. With everyone wishing for peace and life without fear, the future has a brighter outlook.

Letters to the Next President

Our Fervent World

Mr. President, America is currently facing many consequential issues that you will be solely held accountable for. Citizens look at the future with uncertainty and skepticism because our economy is greatly suffering and we are unaware to look for answers. A new leader will present change and hopefully address the issues at hand. To begin, one of the most concerning predicament is global warming. Already the effects of it are staggering, and if drastic changes are not made soon, our world will greatly suffer. Global warming is a fairly new concern that deals with the unnatural heating of the planet due to burning fossil fuels that trap heat in the atmosphere. One of the effects is floods, storms and droughts as a result of excess water from melting oceans. In fact, global warming is so massive that if something is not done about it, we will not have a planet anymore. This particular issue is extremely important because it involves the whole world, not just the Unites States. If this is not taken control of now, the consequences are disastrous.

Some evidence of global warming is in the deep oceans. The Antarctic ice shelves are already breaking up. In 1998, A piece fell off that was the size of Connecticut on the Larsen Ice Shelf (Ross Gelbspan, “Global Warming Is a Serious Environmental Threat”). In North Korea, many suffered from malnutrition due to flash floods that destroyed crops. In 1997, heavy rains wiped out half of Bolivia’s crops. A typhoon in Vietnam caused 2,500 people dead or missing. The devastating list goes on of how global warming is already causing chaos.

Believe it or not, global warming affects health. According to “Global Warming Will Severely Harm Human Health” the stressed climates bring heat-waves and extreme winters which cause “death from stroke, various cardiovascular illnesses, heat-stroke, hypothermia and influenza” (Paul Kingsnorth). An increase in temperature will also increase the amount of insects and small creatures. They may carry “vector-borne illnesses” which can be terribly harmful. Also, a new disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (a rodent-borne disease) has recently spread. In addition, “malaria will spread from affecting 45 percent of the population, as it does today, to affecting 60 percent by the latter half of the 21^st century”.

Statistics like “40 percent of the world’s forests have been destroyed” are eye-opening and discomforting. Because we are not taking care of the world, and improperly using its natural resources, then something like global warming was bound to happen sooner or later. If this problem is not fixed quickly, continuing droughts, floods and disease will ruin the steps we take to rebuilding our economy. An economic boom will result in renewable energy sources and climate-friendly products. Living in a world that has been taken for granted affects my generation. We have to pay the consequences of neglect for so many years. We can get active in helping global warming if alternative energy sources are used, gas emissions are decreased and being aware of nature are steps taken. If we can keep our planet healthy where global warming is not longer a issue, than we have accomplished a great amount.

Real DNA Information Available on the Web

Harvard Gene Project to Reveal DNA Secrets of 10 Volunteers

Esther Dyson and eight other volunteers are going to be the first people to have their genetic information posted online today. Your DNA consists of a 6-billion letter code that is unique to each individual. The Personal Genome Project is a web site that hopes to have over 100,000 volunteers. Geneticist George Church from Harvard University says that “the aim is to jumpstart research linking genetic mutations and disease.” Not only will this be helpful for medical research, but families can look to see if any mutations could have been passed down to them or other loved ones. Another idea is that if you want a job, then a look at your genetic information could be critical to certain specialties. Some medical benefits are more advanced ideas about human biology, and knowledge of human origins. On the other hand, your DNA is as personal as it gets, so making it available to anyone on the internet may be difficult for some people. A need for privacy of yourself and your family is a necessity, and that should be understood and respected. Overall, this project will improve the understanding of the human body, and will be extremely beneficial.

Why Should Foreign Languages Be Studied?

Some Questions About Foreign Language Study

An old article from 2 cents worth by David Warlick called “Some Questions About Foreign Language Study” proposed the question, what is the most practical language for students to learn? This led to a study conducted that concluded many people thought Spanish had the most benefits. However, only 116 people were involved in the study so the results might have been different if more people were asked. Anyway, some people’s insight was to chose a foreign language based off of the type of profession you wish to pursue. This makes sense, but what if you change your mind? Also, I would think a variety of skills are useful, so why limit yourself to just one? Learning a new language really broadens your horizon and you get to learn about new cultures which makes it easier to relate to the world around and appreciate it. While it’s difficult to determine what language will be the most useful in the future, what matters is that you have exposed yourself to new ideas and your thinking changes as a result. The process of studying foreign languages brings experiences that stretch far beyond the classroom. In the end, that’s what matters most to productive learning; making connections with the outside world and relating to things on a higher level. So, whatever language appeals to you is the key into a world you never knew about.

Presidential Candidates Help 18-24 Year-Olds Vote

Your Vote Counts
For the upcoming election, the candidates are reaching out to 18-24 year-olds from places like YouTube, Facebook and MTV in order to get them to vote. Historically, this age group doesn’t perform well in elections in terms of whether they vote or not. In the article, “Your Vote Counts” only 42 percent of people in this age group voted in the 2004 election. Now, both candidates are trying to change that. For example, Barack Obama launched a website that makes registering to vote easy (www.voteforchange.com) and John McCain has a three-step registering process on a website. It’s important that the Presidential candidates are helping the new voters become familiar with the process of voting because starting now; they will be for the rest of their lives. For the next election, a new generation will be eligible to vote, and with candidates relating to them on another level, they can have their voice heard. The decisions the candidates made in order to help young adults is extremely smart and ultimately helpful for their campaign.

Will the Newspaper Ever Disappear?

"The Future of the Newspaper"

"Can a newspaper survive in this era? Will newspapers be around?" This question posed by Karl Fisch from "The Fischbowl" concerns the development of technology and how we receive our news. Today, it is very easy and convenient to get the latest news online. It is up-to-date and all the information you could possibly want to know is right there. Plus, you get to pick and choose what stories you want to read, instead of getting all of them. So having a newspaper delivered to you everyday is pointless because you don't need it. But, if less people subscribe to newspapers and use the Internet, then reporters and journalists loose their jobs because their service isn't needed anymore. On the other hand, a problem with relying on the Internet is that some things are not valid and cannot be relied on as factual evidence. Being able to get news online isn't a new concept, but it's the idea that something you use everyday could suddenly disappear that is unsettling. The unknown future scares a lot of people, and it's even harder when something you are so familiar with is one day gone.

New Hybrid Bikes Promise a Better Commute

"Commuters beat the high price of gas with hybrid electric bikes"
From the Rocky Mountain News, I came across an article entitled “Commuters beat the high price of gas with hybrid electric bikes”. Currently, the news of global warming is such a big deal, so I thought that this story was interesting because it gave a positive outlook on how people are changing their lifestyle in order to help the planet. For the most part, it seems as if only negative news about our Earth is told, but people seem to overlook what good things are being done re guarding out planet. This article shows that by altering how you commute to work, the Earth will benefit from it. Not only will pollution decrease, you can save $25 to $30 each week on gas, and you get exercise. Obviously, this solution is very helpful. I think there will be an increase in sells for the hybrid bikes. Some people may not see the need to buy a Hybrid bike, and just ride a normal one. But, whether you have a hybrid electric bike or a regular bike you are helping out the environment and that’s all that matters.