While pirates remain fresh in our minds, take a look at this WSJ article. It is a very insightful article about the entire topic of international piracy. Michael Oren makes reference to early pirates and relates the old-time concept to a post-9/11 world. I believe his solution and cautions about taking on pirates should be heeded. America can’t do it alone. We need international support to stop and destroy such an elusive foe.
What do you think of when you hear the word “pirates”? I used to immediately conjur up images of Black Beard, sword fights and buried treasure.
Well, my definition is beginning to shift. Lately the news has been covering a number of pirate hijackings off the coast of Somalia. I knew there were pirates out there, but I never realized exactly how they operated or how effective they could be.
It seems the pirate problem is at an all-time high; though, I do not think it’ll last long. If they keep up the current level of attacks and hijackings, the international community will step in and put a swift end to the problem.
But until that happens, seafaring folk should lay aside the swashbuckling adventure of Jim and Long John Silver and grab an M16.
The New York Times published one of the best stories I have ever read this past Saturday. The Times recounted a recent incident in Afghanistan when U.S. troops demonstrated incredible courage in saving an Afghan cook.
After being struck by shrapnel from a mortar shell, Jamaludin the Afghan cook was suffering from severe internal bleeding. Medics did everything within their power to save him. Located at an isolated base in Afghanistan, they had to wait 45 minutes for a helicopter evacuation.
This story recounts these events in graphic detail, drawing the reader right into the bunker with the medics and soldiers. As mortar shells dropped all around them, our troops kept their cool, evacuating Jamaludin by helicopter.
Their bravery saved this man’s life. I am proud of The Times for running this story on front page.
Journalism students need to read this story to gain inspiration to write better feature stories. Others need to read this because it is just a great article. Take 10 minutes to read it. You WILL NOT be disappointed.
Click here to read this story.
Wow! This is an awesome article by Peggy Noonan. Take the time to read it!
Peggy Noonan offers helpful insights into America’s current problem.
For me, the jury is still out debating President Bush’s $700 billion bailout plan. As I have said before, whenever the government has a problem, they throw money at it. Too often these plans turn sour. And who is stuck paying the bill? You guessed it, us!
I am no economist. Therefore, I cannot intelligently debate the bailout plan. However, some of the additions the Democrats wish to add sound very much like socialism. In fact, many financial decisions by Bush have smacked of socialism.
I am interested to see how this will all turn out. My responsibility in this crisis is to restart my studies of “American capitalism” and determine if what I see really is “capitalism.”
China’s tainted milk scandal points to the need for the country to reevaluate its health and safety regulations. The melamine-tainted milk has caused over 50,000 illnesses and a handful of deaths. Many of the ill and dead were infants.
While the Chinese government is reevaluating health standards, they need to reevaluate their one-child policy. Many Chinese parents, who have invested everything into their one child, have been bereft in recent earthquakes and disasters. How many more Chinese parents will have to suffer the loss of their child before the Chinese government realizes the harshness of such a policy?
Though the loss of a child is always tragic. But the grief of losing your one and only child must be unbearable. Hopefully, China will change their one-child policy and prevent parents from suffering such a devestating level of grief.
Today, I read a good opinion article in the Wall Street Journal. Everyone is crying, whining, and screaming about the car market in Michigan. The consensus seems to be, “Give them $50 billion.” Whenever the government wants to throw money at problems, I get worried. Especially, when the reason car companies can’t make money is because of government regulations. Mr. Jenkins got it right when he said,
Fifty billion won’t turn CAFE into effective policy. It will do just fine, though, as an indicator of Washington’s willingness to throw good money after bad rather than admit the folly of its own long-running handiwork.
To avoid being redundant, go read the article.
