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Wiring Africa
2007-11-16 18:09:00
Many investors, governments and activists think that wiring Africa with a communication infrastructure is critical to economic growth and reducing poverty. Currently, calls from one African country to another are often dispatched through Europe and access to internet and TV is rare in many areas. Logistically the nearly insurmountable challenge involves navigating governments, geography, and corporations. Despite these obstacles many worry that international companies will drain African resources and transfer them to shareholders and investors.
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The Estate Tax
2007-11-16 16:22:00
The inheritance tax is controversial. Depending on the state in which you die, more than 50% of your money can go the government. For many, that is a good thing. America is not the meritocracy that it would like to be-the greatest indication of whether or not you will be a wealthy adult is if you grew up in a wealthy environment. Programs and initiatives like education and welfare are drastically underfunded in many parts of the country. On the other hand, America's economy prospers as a free market where people are encouraged to to work hard and earn money with which they can do whatever they want-including passing it on to their decedents. For some, the "death tax" is not only unfavorable because it taxes income twice, but it also contradicts the incentives of our free market.
More About: Estate , Estate tax

Native Americans
2007-11-16 12:31:00
Native Americans ' relationship with the United States government as been, at the best of times, precarious. Allocated to tribal reservations, which were generally chosen for their unsuitability, Native Americans continue to have higher rates of alcoholism and lower rates high school graduation. The money received from Casinos has brought other problems. Native Americans are socioeconomically polarized. Tribes are ejecting members who do not have "sufficient" relation. Curiously, Native Americans continue to enlist in the Armed Forces at a higher rate then any other minority and while many site poverty as the cause, some scholars claim it a remnant of the traditional warrior culture.
More About: Native Americans , Native

Asian Pollution Crisis
2007-11-15 18:29:00
Some cities in Asia have become famous for stifling air pollution. It is common in Taipei, Shanghai, and Hong Kong for pedestrians to cover their faces with protective masks. New industries have created wealth in many developing cities, but the costs of pollution are enormous. Every year thousands die from lung disease and other air related sicknesses. The smog is not limited to a few cities as weather patterns push polluted air to different parts of Asia and even Los Angeles. The Asian Brown Cloud, for instance moves from the Indian Ocean to Himalayas. Meanwhile within Asia exporting pollution has become a hot diplomatic topic.
More About: Pollution , Crisis , Cris

Selling Organs
2007-11-14 18:48:00
In black markets all over the world, people are buying and selling human organs. The growing markets involve poor local donors and an international contingent of wealthy buyers. In America there over 95,000 people waiting for organ transplants and in the last year thousands died waiting for surgery. Others were saved by the generosity of friends and family, but such altruism is rare. As these problems become better known, some see a clear solution to exploited donors and insurmountable waiting lists: legalize the market.
More About: Selling , Organs , Organ

Wal-Mart
2007-11-12 17:43:00
You either love Wal-Mart or you hate it. The controversial company is the paradigm of an efficient corporation, reaping huge profits from razor thin margins. When Wal-Mart opens a "Supercenter" the low prices offer consumers goods that would otherwise be unaffordable. The inexpensive clothes, food, and prescription drugs come at many costs. Wal-Mart employees often subsist on meager wages and many local stores close soon after Wal-Mart's doors open.
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China's Growing Military
2007-11-11 17:48:00
During a recent Naval exercise a Chinese Song Class submarine surfaced close to the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, evading more than 12 American ships to reach the super-carrier. The end of the Cold War made the United States the world's preeminent military power, but China 's spectacular economic growth has given it the resources to fund its armed forces. China's military advancements have begun to challenge the technological superiority that the U.S. enjoys. With Chinese military spending unknown and the People's Liberation Army growing every year, America cannot count on unrivaled military superiority indefinitely.
More About: Military , Growing

Illegal Immigrants and Drivers' Licenses
2007-11-09 18:36:00
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer plans to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. The proposal has caused a national uproar, drawing congressmen, pundits and presidential candidates. Security experts are divided over the program, but New York DMV officials are not. Many have refused to issue driving licenses to illegal immigrants on the basis that driving a car is a privilege for normalized US citizens. Proponents argue that illegal immigrants will drive without licenses and issuing them may improve road safety.
More About: Drivers , Illegal Immigrants , Illegal , Licenses , Immigrants

Social Welfare
2007-11-09 17:09:00
The size of America's welfare program changes with each election. Many argue that the unemployment and food aid in the US is inadequate, while conservatives contend that welfare programs should be reduced across the board. Others criticize the lack of efficiency in federal aid programs. What are a government's obligations to its citizens? Is it mere protection from harm and regulation of trade or could it be more adequately expressed by FDR's second bill of rights, which mentions, "The right of every family to a decent home" and "medical care".
More About: Social , Welfare

Animal Testing
2007-11-09 08:35:00
Since 1997, when undercover footage of a research lab ignited an international campaign, the ongoing controversy over animal testing has avoided spectacular media attention. For the purposes of medicine, cosmetics and exploratory research, at least 50 million animals are tested on and processed each year around the world . Critics of animal testing protest that most procedures are unnecessary and that regulation like the Animal Welfare Act of 1996 is atrociously inadequate. Defenders propose a choice between human and animal welfare, using examples like transplant technology and penicillin that were largely based on animal tests.
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The Americans with Disabilities Act
2007-11-07 18:24:00
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed with bi-partisan support in 1990 and took effect in 1992. The Act was designed to protect "qualified individuals with disabilities" from discrimination. Activists now say that the law's power has been truncated by judicial rulings. There is strong support in the House for the ADA Restoration Act, which would reinforce the earlier law. Detractors contend that both laws are unnecessary and note that the percentage of working disabled has changed little over the past seventeen years. Many go so far as to say that the ADA is counterproductive, making employers leery of hiring candidates that could file lawsuits.
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Hugo Chavez & Venezuelan Reform
2007-11-07 17:16:00
It is a rare circumstance when both Catholic leaders and students disagree with political reforms. Hugo Chavez has consolidated considerable power in recent months, ending Presidential term limits and proposing a new constitution that will likely be approved on December 2nd. The amended constitution would give greater power to the executive and commission the army to fight "internal enemies." Although Chavez remains popular, more are questioning the success of his reforms and his proclaimed “Bolivar Revolution.”
More About: Reform , Hugo Chavez

Sovereign Wealth Funds
2007-11-06 07:03:00
While the United States has a huge debt, many governments are stockpiling enormous amounts of cash. The Chinese government, for instance, has in excess of 1.2 trillion investable dollars. The United Arab Emirates has a fund of about 875 billion dollars. Soon, national governments could directly influence top performing companies and the line between the private and public sector would become blurred. Another concern is that a government could change its investment philosophy and destabilize the world economy.
More About: Wealth , Funds , Reign , Sovereign

The Gender Pay Gap
2007-11-04 17:18:00
It is a commonly known fact that men earn more money than women. Less certain, however, are the trends and causes of this statistic. Many contend that the pay gap is created by choices that woman make-leaving work to take care of children at home, for instance. Others insist that the gap symbolizes the remains of an overtly male dominated society.
More About: Gender , The G

Modern Pirates
2007-11-02 17:07:00
Recent film depictions aside, the pirate seemed to be little more then a Caribbean tourist attraction or a colorful costume party choice. Not so! Pirate attacks are up on the African coast and are occurring in Indonesia and Asia. Using small speed boats, AK-47's, and rocket propelled grenades, modern pirates hijack and rob cargo and relief ships. World powers are again dispatching warships for pirate patrol as well armed raiders in high speed power boats threaten vital shipping routes.
More About: Pirates , Modern , Irate

Litigious America
2007-11-02 12:47:00
Doctors pay exorbitant sums for malpractice insurance and a hot cup of coffee can turn into a multimillion dollar settlement. People often complain about the inclination to sue and the amount of lawsuits in the US is often joked about in another countries. On the other hand, there are advantages to a society that will take a lost pair of pants to court. Investors inject capital into young businesses with the protection of long set precedents and consumers are protected by the threat of a lawsuit.
More About: America

Saving the Rainforest
2007-11-02 10:01:00
A few years ago the plight of the Amazon rainforest was widely reported. This lush jungle habitat supplies 20% of the worlds oxygen and contains plants that have been the source of many medical breakthroughs. Despite the lack of attention, the rainforest is still facing complete extinction from man-made fires and clear cut logging.
More About: Saving , Rainforest

Raul Castro and the Cuban Economy
2007-10-31 16:20:00
The Cuban economy has become considerably freer under the leadership of Raul Castro . Since Fidel stepped down, Raul has loosened restrictions on imports and highlighted the productivity of private farming. The changes are symbolic of an evolving mentality in the Cuban government, but official Communist policy and language remain the same.
More About: Economy , Raul Castro

Halloween
2007-10-31 06:36:00
Halloween or All Hallows Eve was popularized by Irish immigrants in the early 1800's and remains one of America's most widely celebrated holidays. Although we mostly celebrate in accordance with the Celtic Hallowe'en, the Mexican Día de los Muertos lends the tradition of children dressing in costume before trick or treating from house to house. Halloween in the US, though, is starkly diverging. Every year Americans spend more money to create an increasingly decedent holiday while many react bitterly to the frightening and even demonic revelry.
More About: Halloween , Allo

Resistant Bacteria
2007-10-29 16:37:00
The recent MRSA infections have rekindled concern about bacteria gaining resistance to antibiotics. Drugs like penicillin are often prescribed at the first sign of infection and many bacteria are now evolving defense mechanisms to the medicine. Infections that were once treatable with simple generics are now proving deadly as drug companies cannot keep up with the adapting bacteria.
More About: Bacteria

Privatizing Our Roads
2007-10-29 06:16:00
In Los Angeles, some commutes take 90 minutes to travel 16 miles. Despite LA's infamous roadways, our entire transportation infrastructure is aged and highways all over the country become parking lots during rush hour. A proposed solution is privatizing roadways, taking responsibility away from the government and giving it to contracted companies. Supporters argue that government is too large and inefficient to manage roads and insure safe, functional travel. Critics of privatization respond that ease of travel should not be contingent upon whether or not a traveler can pay extra toll fees.
More About: Roads , Atiz

US Auto Industry
2007-10-26 18:33:00
Cars like AMC Javelin were once prized for their beautiful lines and raw power.They could be seen as emblamatic of America's hold on the car industry. Now, not only have US companies lost their dominant position, GM and Ford are in serous trouble. The most popular cars in America are made by Japanese companies and Chinese cars in will soon be imported to add even more competition.
More About: Industry , Auto

Free Trade / Fair Trade
2007-10-26 17:25:00
Many economists and politicians emphasize the importance of free trade in creating a competitive and efficient world economy. Free trade emphasizes the importance of different national economies producing to their strengths and advantages-ensuring maximum efficiency in the global market. Critics of the free trade argue that it does little to help workers while frequently leading to their exploitation. This debate draws the distinction between free and fair trade.
More About: Trade , Fair Trade , Fair , Free Trade

The War on Drugs
2007-10-26 10:02:00
The war on drugs and cartels used to be staples of nightly news and newspaper columns. Despite persistent drug abuse and trafficking, the status of the once touted War on Drugs goes largely unreported. Death and smuggling are exploding along the Texan border and America continues to help train and fund the Colombian army.
More About: War on Drugs , The War on Drugs

Kurdish History, The PKK, and Turkey
2007-10-24 18:02:00
The escalating conflict between the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Turk ey is grounded in years of tumultuous history. The Kurds are the largest ethnic group without a country, living mostly in adjacent regions in Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria. The PKK has recently launched a series of terrorist strikes against Turkey, which is now mobilizing to cross the border into Iraq and quell the threat. The politics and dynamics are complicated, and knowing Kurdish history is key to understanding the recent events.
More About: History

National Missile Defense
2007-10-24 17:36:00
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.

Oil & The Economy
2007-10-22 18:19:00
Oil prices are reaching new heights and the dollar continues to fall against most major currencies. As a result, the risk of inflation is startlingly real. The price of oil has more influence on the economy than any other commodity, but the implications of expensive oil are debatable. There is no question that as the price rises our lives and economy will be affected. Economists, however are unsure of the long term effects on the world economy.
More About: Economy

Divorce in America
2007-10-22 17:59:00
Many in the US consider divorce to be an epidemic with adverse cultural effects. Fueling the concern is the almost universal assumption that the divorce rate in America is around 50% and far exceeds other cultures. New studies and comparisons contradict these assumptions and the view of divorce in America is starting to change.
More About: Divorce , Divo

Punishment & Rehabilitation
2007-10-19 12:46:00
The balance between rehabilitation and punishment varies greatly between societies. In the US, rehabilitation is a secondary consideration, in China it is irrelevant, and in Sweden it is a priority. The philosophical point rests on a question of accountability: to what extent is the violator responsible for his actions, and to what degree should the circumstances that created the perpetrator be taken into account?
More About: Punishment , Nish

Euthanasia
2007-10-19 12:01:00
The euthanasia debates of the mid nineties produced a cavalcade of reports, "true life" stories and TV specials. Much of the controversy centered around Dr. Jack Kevorkian, who helped many terminally ill patients end their lives. Many municipalities, most notably Seattle, have loosened euthanasia laws. Now that he has been released, Dr. Kevorkian continues to speak out for liberalized euthanasia rights while new studies on the subject are debated.
More About: Euthanasia , Hana