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El Nino
2008-01-18 13:44:00
The El Nino phenomenon, which causes significant temperature changes in the surface waters of the Eastern Pacific, is a cyclical occurrence which usually takes its toll on various geographical regions every seven years or so, and wreaks major economical and environmental havoc on many parts of the world. Heavy flooding destroys homes and the water climate fluctuation has a detrimental effect on the fishing and agricultural industries on which so many of the hardest-hit developing regions depend. El Nino panic reached its apex in 1990-1994. While not considered as newsworthy a topic as it once was, El Nino still occurs on a regular basis, and scientists have began to explore whether the larger effects of global warming will exacerbate the ill effects of this unusual natural phenomenon.

Inflation, the Economy & Bernanke
2008-01-16 17:28:00
Today, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified before the House Budget Committee on the state of the faltering economy and recommended economic stimuli to jumpstart the economy. If the Fed tries to ease economic woes with a rate cut or by endorsing lower taxes, the risk of inflation increases. Considering that the Consumer Price Index (an indicator of inflation) rose .3% last month, Bernanke and the Fed face a difficult decision.
More About: Economy , Inflation

Labeling Nutrition
2008-01-15 17:14:00
Since the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1966, food companies have been required to clearly outline ingredients and nutritional information on the package. Despite FDA enforcement of the law, it is no secret that nutritional labeling can be confusing and even deceptive. Frustrated consumers and politicians have lobbied for stricter requirements and the food industry naturally resists. How much due diligence are consumers responsible for? And to what extent are manufactures responsible for conveying not just the bare facts, but all the facts?
More About: Nutrition

FARC
2008-01-14 17:29:00
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which seeks a communist Columbian state, is known for hostage taking and drug trafficking. FARC made international headlines when it entered negotiations, mediated by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, that led to the release of 2 of an estimated 750 hostages. For FARC, the practice of hostage taking has been a double-edged sword. It has legitimized them as a political entity, but failed to realize their goals of releasing jailed FARC rebels and changing Colombia's government.
More About: Farc

Bush's Middle East Tour
2008-01-13 16:33:00
Yesterday in the United Arab Emirates, President Bush made a powerful speech about America's role in the Middle East . Bush aligned America's interests with those of the region and spoke about terrorism, democracy, and most notably, Iran, calling it, "the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism.” The administration had outlined two goals for the tour: pursue a Palestinian state and rally support to contain Iran. Despite an ambitious agenda, it is uncertain if America has the diplomatic clout to meet its goals.
More About: Tour

Smokers' Rights
2008-01-11 15:43:00
After a long campaign that started with bans in California cities in the '90s, restaurants and cafes that allow smoking are becoming the minority. As smoking has become a universally decried and vilified personal vice, such bans have been generally applauded. However, smokers and libertarians who oppose smoking bans as government infringement on personal life have continually fought back, raising the question of how much the greater public good (if such a thing is indeed serviced by smoking bans) outweighs personal liberty. To what extent do smokers have rights, and do theirs necessarily pose a threat to the non-smoking public?
More About: Rights , Smokers

Pat Tillman
2008-01-11 09:43:00
The death of Pat Tillman , who abandoned a lucrative football career to enlist in the army, caused a national controversy that undermined the military's credibility. The army originally reported that Tillman died at the hands of Afghan militants, but 5 weeks later, his family was told their son was accidentally killed by US forces. To some, Pat Tillman symbolizes heroic sacrifice for our country, but to others the questionable circumstance surrounding his death raises serious questions about the army's lack of accountability for the Iraq and Afghanistan operations.

Sustainable Architecture
2008-01-10 17:14:00
Sustainable architecture is the design of structures that require fewer natural resources and have a reduced impact on the environment. Because buildings account for 40% of worldwide energy consumption, this growing discipline has drawn attention from politicians, builders, and corporations. Skeptics of green architecture argue it isn't economically viable and the relative ecological benefit is negligible.
More About: Architecture , Sustainable

Selling Reproduction
2008-01-09 17:07:00
Recently Western media has covered the controversial Kaival Hospital fertility clinic in India, where American and European couples are traveling to conceive children with Indian surrogate mothers. The clinic’s defenders argue that overseas surrogacy offers infertile couples a cheaper and simpler method of conception while offering the poor mothers a chance to improve their quality of life. Others suggest that this qualifies as exploitation of the third world and question the ethics of surrogacy for hire. Many Western countries ban or severely restrict any kind of paid surrogacy; in the United States it remains a murky legal and ethical issue. Varied reactions to the notion of reimbursement for sperm and egg donation and surrogate motherhood highlight the complex ethical questions of monetary compensation for bodily services, particularly those linked to sex and reproduction.
More About: Selling , Reproduction

The Power of Independents
2008-01-08 17:56:00
Yesterday’s primary in New Hampshire – a state with one of the highest percentages of independent voters – was a prime example of the unpredictable and often decisive impact of swing voters. While conventional wisdom predicted that New Hampshire’s independent streak would mean victory for the bipartisan-minded Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton secured a narrow victory in the Democratic race. On the other side, Senator John McCain, known for his “maverick” status within the Republican party, easily bested the other GOP candidates. The results, which leave both races uncertain, suggest that the eventual nominees and the next president will be decided by swing voters in the middle of the political spectrum.
More About: Power , Independents

Space Tourism
2008-01-07 17:46:00
The going rate for a civilian space flight is $30 million, but that will soon change. A spaceport (space airport) is under construction in New Mexico, and is slated to launch tourist flights by 2010. Companies like Virgin Galactic (taking reservations for $200,000 a seat) and Bigelow Aerospace are racing to start trips and construct hotels. But a family vacation to the moon is still a long way away. The United States, European Union, and Russian governments are involved in the effort, ensuring security and varying degrees of oversight. With the private sector poised to enter the final frontier, the question is whether this radical new development will redefine the way we explore and research space.
More About: Space , Tourism , Space Tourism

The Writers' Strike
2008-01-06 17:07:00
TV fans continue to feel the effects of the ongoing Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) strike this year as their favorite shows run out of original episodes. Even as late night personalities are returning to the airwaves (either through private interim agreements with the WGA or by bringing non-guild writers on staff), the effects on episodic television, the upcoming awards season, and the motion picture industry remain to be seen. At the heart of the dispute is the issue of residuals for internet broadcasts of writer-generated content. Regardless of which side you support, the WGA strike raises interesting questions about the future of content creation and distribution in the age of new media, as well as the future of unions in America.
More About: Writers , Strike

Same-Sex Marriage
2008-01-04 17:54:00
The legality and recognition of same-sex marriage is polarizing. To date, only Massachusetts has passed legislation to legally recognize same-same marriage, while 9 other states like Vermont and Connecticut offer civil unions. While often pitted as a pivotal element of the alleged "culture wars" dividing American liberals and conservatives, the debate runs deeper than mere pro or con positions. There has been debate within the gay community about whether marriage is actually desirable, with the legal and financial advantages being weighed against the risk of losing a largely developed homosexual culture. Another argument questions whether the legalizing same-sex marriage will further sanctify coupledom as the most privileged form of social unit.
More About: Marriage , Same-Sex Marriage

Fur
2008-01-04 07:08:00
The fur-as-fashion debate raged through the 90's. The shock tactics and pointed propaganda of animal rights organizations like PETA ensured that photos of fur-clad fashionistas covered in fake blood appeared in the papers on a regular basis. While the issue doesn't receive as much coverage today, PETA continues to target celebrities who wear fur and launch provocative ad campaigns. Many are sympathetic to the cause but question PETA's aggressive tactics or the organization's opposition to medical testing that could greatly improve the quality of human life. Others scoff at the suggestion that animals' rights are tantamount to those of humans or challenge animals' consciousness of pain.

Understanding Kenya
2008-01-03 17:21:00
Civil unrest has broken out in Kenya in response to allegations of fraud in the December 27 general election, in which incumbent Mwai Kibaki narrowly regained power. Despite calls for a recount by opposition leader Raila Odinga, President Kibaki was sworn in and protests and riots began, culminating in widespread violence on the streets of Nairobi on Thursday. With affiliations divided sharply along party lines, Kenyans and the rest of the world worry that a nation long known as an oasis of relative stability could become the site of yet another African crisis.
More About: Understanding

The Importance (or Hype) of Iowa
2008-01-02 16:55:00
Today Iowa n citizens vote in the first presidential primary. While it accounts for less than 1% of the US population, candidates and media networks dedicated spectacular resources to winning and covering Iowa. For candidates, the first primary is an opportunity to gain early momentum under the scrutiny of an enormous media spotlight. Often criticized, early primaries allow voters face time with busy candidates and lesser financed hopefuls the opportunity to gain support. Success in Iowa may be important, but many think its clout is exaggerated and others question whether caucuses should be staged simultaneously to prevent the outcome of small states from swaying voters across the country.
More About: Hype

Charity & The Free Market
2008-01-01 16:35:00
The implementation of charity is changing. Once content to simply write a check, companies and foundations are beginning to take a far more hands on approach, often using market driven forces and techniques. The Clinton Foundation greatly contributed to the fight against AIDS in Africa, not through a hefty donation, but by arranging financing and contracts for low cost pharmaceutical manufacturers in India and South Africa. Micro-loans are all the rage and charities are being assessed just as companies would be--for efficiency and results. It’s too soon to say whether this new approach to giving will prove a boon to those in need, but considering initial results, it seems likely.
More About: Charity , Market , Free , Free Market

A Culture of Excess
2007-12-31 17:28:00
Traditionally, New Year's Day marks the tail end of the excessive holiday season. Many make resolutions and promises of cleaner, stricter and more virtuous life styles. The cycle of overindulgence followed by recrimination and puritanical resolve seems inevitable. Conventional wisdom dictates that our excesses are getting worse -- we're spending more, doing less, drinking more and getting fatter. On the other hand, a reasoned contrarian voice suggests that we're being hard on ourselves and a little indulgence isn't all that bad. Can we break the cycle of extravagance and self-loathing? Can the oft-touted maxim of "everything in moderation" actually be achieved?
More About: Culture

2007 In Review
2007-12-31 08:56:00
On the last day of the year, we have selected 4 developments for which 2007 will be remembered. The economy has shown worrying signs of weakness and uncertainty. While debate and concern over the war continued, a measure of stability was achieved in Iraq at a surprising rate. The green movement became mainstream as Al Gore won the Nobel Prize and the environment gained bipartisan political attention. More than ever, the media honed its ability to define and exemplify cultural developments. Whether 2007 was particularly noteworthy, no one can say, but from here it seems to have been a pivotal year.
More About: Review

Benazir Bhutto
2007-12-28 18:23:00
Benazir Bhutto , Pakistan's controversial populist prime minister, had returned from a eight-year self-exile to challenge the existing President, Musharraf, in the upcoming elections. Her return had been marked by unrest and violence in the country, and ended yesterday with her assassination after a large rally. Although Al Qaida claims responsibility, questions remain concerning who was ultimately to blame, and whether their motivation was political or ideological. In addition, as Pakistan's future spirals further into uncertainty, what will be the impact of Bhutto's death on the democratic hopes of the country as well as the complicated relationship between the US and Pakistan?
More About: Benazir , Benazir Bhutto , Hutto

Killer Bees
2007-12-28 16:52:00
The media circus surrouning the "Killer Bee" attacks had its origins in Sao Paolo in 1957, when Warwick E. Kerr produced a hybrid of the European and African bees. The project was a success, as the engineered bees were renowned for their speedy honey production. But, after the bees escaped the lab and swept over the southwestern United States, widespread panic ensued about the notion of overly aggressive bees. Despite the hype, the epidemic eventually subsided and further examinations found no imminent hazards in the so-called “Killer Bee.”
More About: Bees

The Pegged Dollar
2007-12-28 16:11:00
To ensure economic stability, countries in South America, Asia, and and the Middle East peg their currency to the US dollar. As the dollar sinks to new lows, many countries are reconsidering their economic allegiance because it devalues and restricts their own currency, often resulting in inflation. Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela have already taken steps to revalue their currencies. If enough governments decide to cut ties with the dollar, consequences could be serious: our currency would freefall.
More About: Dollar

National Missile Defense
2007-12-27 18:14:00
Iran announced that by 2015 it will have a missile capable of reaching the United States. To counter this threat, President Bush strongly advocates the development of the National Missi le Defense system (NMD) that would entail interceptor bases in Europe. The network has alarmed Vladimir Putin because its existence could negate the deterrence threat of Russia's nuclear arsenal. Domestically, many question the feasibility of the NMD and whether it is in the spirit of the seemingly forgotten large scale disarmament.

The Economics of Buying a Hybrid
2007-12-25 15:31:00
Hybrid cars are often considered the perfect match for the thrifty and environmentally conscience consumer. They save gas money, reduce pollutive emissions and ease demands on strained energy sources. While these benefits are almost certainly true, the cost-benefit equation is more complicated. Many would-be buyers find that the technology premium outweighs gas savings, and others point to environmental drawbacks like battery manufacturing.
More About: Economics , Buying , Hybrid

Christmas Day
2007-12-24 17:08:00
On Christmas eve in 1914, English and German soldiers shared in an impromptu truce. The war-hardened enemies lay down their weapons, left their trenches,and celebrated under the most unlikely circumstances, playing a soccer game in no mans land. In more commonplace days, Christmas is not axiomatically unifying; it means many things to many people. Regardless of how you view the holiday or if you celebrate it, Christmas may be an opportunity to fortify our common humanity and truly reflect on what it would take to bring peace on earth.
More About: Christmas Day

The War on Christmas
2007-12-23 16:31:00
The media-hosted "War on Christmas " debate has become a staple of the holiday season. Pundits and reporters lead both sides: those who feel that public observance of Christmas is a right and those who see it as state-imposed religious worship. Media attention on the issue has become so extreme that it threatens to overshadow the holiday itself.
More About: War on Christmas

The Future of Secularism
2007-12-21 18:33:00
Secular government has long been praised as the most effective form of peaceful democracy. However, as political parties with religious affiliations have come into power in democratic elections across the globe, the hegemony of the secular democracy has been called into question. Many question whether democracy without secularism is a viable option. Others, such as scholar-provocateur Camille Paglia, argue that ideological secularism has outlived its usefulness, creating a homogeneous ideological climate. In a world characterized by multiculturalism and religious conflict, can secularism survive?
More About: Future , Secularism , The Future

The Flat Rate Tax
2007-12-21 16:41:00
No matter the political climate, the flat tax never completely disappears from public discourse. The oncoming election has again stoked discussion as Huckabee suggested a single rate consumption tax and Ron Paul voiced support for a flat tax. Advocates argue that a flat rate tax leads to economic growth and is simply fairer. Additionally, the time and money used in the current tax practice would recycle into the economy. Still, support on the whole is weak. Most argue that progressive taxes promote meritocracy and equality of opportunity.
More About: Rate , Flat

Drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge
2007-12-21 08:33:00
With a Democratic majority in congress, the Bush administration's annual efforts to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil drilling have dropped off the radar. The debate over whether the preserve is more important as an ecological haven or a source of US-controlled petroleum continues, however, as Shell battles environmentalists in the courts over offshore Alaskan drilling and Senate Democrats press to permanently protect the 19 million acre territory.
More About: Drilling

US Nuclear Policy
2007-12-20 07:17:00
On Tuesday, with little fanfare, the White House announced that it had "approved a significant reduction in the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile to take effect by the end of 2007." The details are secret, but analysts speculate that by 2012 our arsenal will be reduce from 5,000 to 2,200 warheads. The United States has often been criticized for attempting to stop countries from developing and maintaining nuclear arsenals while continuing to stockpile their own. Ultimately, many question the deterrence effect of a nuclear arsenal and whether this recent reduction amounts to more than a diplomatic ploy.
More About: Nuclear , Policy