Sandy Looters- Crime or Desperation?

 

          I believe that in the case of the looters during hurricane sandy, what they were committing were crimes of greed and not of desperation. They were not stealing diapers and food, but rather TV’s and electronics as well as alcohol. They knew what they were doing and proceeded to do it anyway knowing it was wrong. I have never been in a disaster situation before like the one in Coney Island during sandy, so I do not know exactly how to react to such a thing, or what kind of shock would be involved. One thing is for certain though, stealing out of greed and not only taking what you need is beyond wrong. When you steal electronics and the power is out in the city it is purely out of greed, and you must think about who you are hurting such as the shop owners who already are having problems due to the hurricane. I believe that stealing food or clothes or diapers that you need for you or your kids is understandable. “People were running out of Rite Aid with diapers and wipes” the article says. A person must do what it takes to get by in a time of need. The stores may not be open for people to purchase the goods or staples they need and may not be planning to open for weeks leaving people to have to steal goods to get by. But I believe that there is a fie line between stealing in greed and stealing to get by. As for the shop owners, one stated, “Next time I’m getting a gun.” I believe that I would do just as he would, for you never know what will happen and if you own a liquor store like him, there are not many people who are going to break in just trying to survive. That is definitely where looting goes extremely wrong, it goes from getting what you need to taking advantage from another in the community to get ahead and leave them in a bad way.  In conclusion I believe that there are different rules that apply in a desperate attempt to survive a disaster. But people should not take advantage of each other in a disaster situation, but instead come together to fix the community. I also believe that there is a fine line between looting and surviving, and as I have shown many crossed that line in Cone Island.

         

Arsenic: Deadly and Dangerous or Harmless?

Arsenic: Deadly and Dangerous or Harmless?

It is a true that arsenic is a “Potent human pathogen that can set up children for health problems later in life” as Consumer Reports claims it is. What I find hard to believe is that it is rice and rice products so heavy that I can affect your well being later on in life. It has showed up at what they are saying is an alarming rate, (97.7 parts per BILLION), we are talking micrograms per serving. Consumer Reports is even telling people to cut back on how much rice they take in through strict diet changes, even when arsenic is found in almost everything on earth. Consumer Reports has even worked with scientists to decide what needs to be done to stop arsenic levels from being as high as they are. They suggest that the EPA should phase out the use of arsenic containing pesticides, the USDA and EPA should end the use of arsenic laden manure as fertilizer, and that the FDA should ban the feeding of arsenic- containing drugs and byproducts to animals. I believe it is all just a big hype, and should blow over soon.

On the other hand, the Arkansas Rice Federation responds to the article by Consumer reports saying “We understand that arsenic is an alarming word but consumers should know that arsenic is a naturally occurring element in our air, water, rocks, and soil. It has always been in our food supply and no pesticides containing arsenic are used in rice production.” 49% of all rice grown in the United States is grown in Arkansas, and the Arkansas Rice Federation is planning on keeping it that way. They say that the FDA ( Food and Drug Administration) has made it clear that no changes are recommended regarding rice consumption. Lastly they state that, “Arkansas rice continues to be a nutritious food and an important part of a healthy diet.” They will be working with the FDA, food scientists, nutritionists, and manufacturers, as they look further into this issue.

Brazil Soy Group Warns Others Of Monsanto Seed

Monsanto Seed Co. has produced a new variety of soy bean that has what they refer to as stacked genes called RR2, meaning it is resistant to many parasites and herbicides. A Brazil soy group has recently issued a statement warning farmers in Brazil against planting this variety of soy since it has not been approved for sale to china yet. They are worried that farmers that are planting the samples of these beans that Monsanto is handing out may contaminate shipments of approved beans that are going to China.

I can relate to this article because I grow soy beans in Oil Trough for Wyatt Farms and am responsible for a lot of what goes on growing the couple thousand acres of beans we farm. I understand that anything that can effect your marketability of your product has the potential to be disastrous and can cause you to go out of business. In the economy today with fuel and fertilizer prices so high, it only takes a few bad years to sink a farm. I haven’t heard of the RR2 variety yet, though it has been approved in America and some European countries.

I believe the authors purpose was to inform the world about what was happening in Brazil with the trade between China and them, and also to tell about the new variety of bean Monsanto has produced. I believe he accomplished his purpose because he gives detailed explanations about the testing and approval of the seed. He explains that many other countries have approved the seed but apparently China is still refusing to approve of the seed and are looking closely at bean shipments coming from Brazil because they are concerned about RR2 contamination. It is not that the variety isn’t good, its that they don’t want to purchase soy beans that may contain the seed because they want to know what they are planting and consuming.

What I do not understand from the article is why China hasn’t approved of the seed yet. The variety has been approved in many other countries that haven’t found anything wrong with it yet that I have learned about. If there was something genetically wrong with it that could cause problems I believe it would have shown itself through all of the testing done by Monsanto and the farmers who grew the samples. I also didn’t understand what they did with the seeds produced by the RR2 seeds that the farmers grew that accepted the samples given by Monsanto. The passage wasn’t clear on whether they had destroyed them or if they were trying to get China to buy them. Also, I would like to know why they have to sell to China and not to a country that has already approved of the variety.

In conclusion, I thought the article was very informative in the struggles that Brazil is going through with the new seed variety. I am hoping to see how the variety will be accepted in the U.S. seeing as China is one of our largest consumers of grain that we sell to. I believe only time will tell what happens with this seed and the global market.

The reason that the base is so large is so that it will provide extra support in the event of another attack. On the diagram it shows that the base is 19 stories tall and has no windows and glass, it is reinforced concrete. Because of the strength of the design and the type of concrete they are using, having a large base should make it more stable.

1. The Firm by John Grisham 

I want to finish reading this book because it is about a lawyer that gets caught in a mafia scandal, ans must choose between money and whats right. I also love books that have a twist to them and sort of an underlying mystery. The book is gripping and keeps my full attention and turning pages just as quick as I can.

2. A Time To Kill by John Grisham

This book is about racism in a southern town and about a man taking the law into his own hands. It appears to be a riveting story with action all around. I have even watched the previews to the movie on YouTube and I can't wait to read it.

3. The Client by John Grisham

I'm very interested as you can tell in books written by John Grisham. He is also from Arkansas and my boss has sold hay to his dad a few times before. I don't know much about the book other than it is written by him and another book about lawyers and prosecutors and I enjoy his writing.

4. Columbine by Dave Collen

I have read 'Give A Boy A Gun' and thought it was interesting to see what the killers were thinking. I guess it's like having a window into their lives and seeing what has led them to snapping. I'm interested in seeing the similarities and differences in how the killers were treated.

5.The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brian 

I've always been interested in Vietnam because I know people who were there. I'm hoping to learn more about how they lived and fought. I hope this book will give me more insight into soldier life during that time.

6. Dispatches by Michael Herr
I like to learn about the battle tactics and everyday life of the soldiers who fought in the Vietnam war. I believe it is interesting how they had to fight the Vietnamese. It is cool how the Americans had to change their fighting style to adapt to the conditions.

7. Once An Eagle by Anton Myrer
I think this book contains a lot of special operations stuff which I like. It also spans more than one war which should be really neat to read about. On top of all that I heard about the Screaming Eagles paratrooper squad in history class and want to learn more about them.

8. Band Of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose
I have watched the History Channel series on this book and loved it. It told stories of love,bravery, and honor. Not only is it action packed but it also very touching at times and should be a good read that will keep my attention.

9.Soldier Boys by Dean Hughes
This book should be amazing because it tells the war from both sides. It also allows me to view the war through the eyes of boys that are my age. I'm very excited to see how being in war changes their views on it and life both.

10.Black Knights by Lynn M. Homan
I recently watched a DVD on my way to Florida about the Tuskegee airmen and thought it was the best movie I've seen all year. Since then I have been interested in them and their history. I believe this book will provide more knowledge about them.

Pity

      I do not believe that in the case of the German soldier pity should be given. In the story the Germans had set a house full of Jews on fire and had began shooting, "from the other windows fell burning bodies...we shot." How could he give pity to a man who had burned and shot civilians just because they were Jewish? A man that is this souless and uncaring does not deserve pity from anyone. Simon stated,"On his battlefield he had also "fought" against defenseless men, women, children, and the aged." He does not deserve pity or sympathy of any kind because of these actions. Anyone who can shoot and kill someone who has no way of defending themselves is; cruel, vicious, merciless, and cold blooded. Therefore the German soldier deserves no pity from Simon or anyone else.

Forgiveness level---none

In the case of the teenager killing themself I felt that there was no need or plausible way of forgiving them. Here lately there have been a few suicide cases in and around Batesville involving teens. I feel that although we should feel compassion and sadness for those close to the person, forgiveness is now between them and God himself. In most religions, including my own, suicide is a sin that is unforgivable. There is no way to ask for forgiveness when you are dead and it also doesn't only affect the person, it also affects those close to them. Therefore, I believe that forgiveness, though capable of being applied to many situations, annoy be applied or given to those who commit suicide.