Increasing Radioactivity

The government in Japan confirmed that there is radioactivity in the nation's food supply. Luckily it's only been found in milk and spinach. Although it's been found on farms that are 90 miles away from the nuclear plants. About 500 workers tried to connect and restore the power lines to help cool off the reactors. So far they've only succeeded in restoring power to one of the reactors, but they're hoping to restore power the others. Rescue workers tried to douse reactor no.3, after spraying more than 2400 tons of water for 14 hours. Radiation levels are dropping in that area. Then, on Sunday, 11 firetrucks began spraying water at reactor no.4.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/asia/20japan.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=radioactivity%20in%20japan&st=cse
So far, the radiation outside of the plants are not high enough to actually cause any harm. Officials in Germany are ordering to shut down 7 of the oldest reactors just to be safe. People in Switzerland are ordering to stop the development of new nuclear power plants. Before the disaster, Japan had 54 operational nuclear plants. 27% of the country's power is provided by the reactors. The low cost and reduced greenhouse gas emission from the nuclear fuel is popular in Japan. 20% of U.S. electricity also comes from nuclear power.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/20/nuclear.risks/index.html?iref=allsearch
Reactor no.5 and 6 are declared safe and are the least problematic out of the six. Officials have began distributing potassium iodide pills. The pills will protect people from getting thyroid cancer, which is one of the diseases that you can get from radiation. They've also admitted that they should have distributed the pills earlier, but they said nobody ever expect this sort of disaster to happen so they weren't prepared.
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/20/134705754/japans-efforts-to-ease-nuke-crisis-hit-setback

Japan: increasing crisis

We are all very much aware of the devastation in Japan. The shortages in everything from food to pure water to power to shelter and hope. The land mass once called Japan is now better referred to as a ground zero, a no mans land. The powerful earth quake--stronger than the Great Hanshin that took 6,434 lives in 1995--that shook Japan to it’s core and the mighty tsunami that engulfed the area destroying everything in it’s path and everyone. In it’s wake they left thousands dead, missing, or homeless. A total of 6,548 are to be dead and up to 10,354 still unfound with increasing worry if there are really more since entire families have been wiped out. Through all this death and destruction, the people of Japan still have more troubles to pile on: how they are going to survive and how they will pull themselves back together.(http://tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=1&i=5630)

Although the soaring number of dead, missing, shortages and radiation are frightening, there is something else that catches the eye: the people who are suffering to survive. There is some 380,000 people homeless and trying to live in just 2,000 shelters. The theory of moving into other parts of Japan has been tossed around but is still under questioning, although they soon wish to provide safer and better living conditions to the people who survived. While they are arguing and solving and questioning, Japans people are struggling to pass by each day that went from normal and average to being a obstacle. People are trying to rebuilt their lives, uncover their lost belongings and escape the dangers they now face: radiations and the growing problems of the reactors. All we can do how is help as much as we can and have a moment of silence for those lost. (http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/east-pacific/Japan-One-Week-On-From-Earthquake-Tsunami-Disaster-118238774.html)

What more problems could they being facing? Radiation is a big one. People have been commanded to remain indoors if they are located 19 miles from the reactors, people within 12 miles were evacuated completely. Those who are able to go outside are scanned daily due to the dangerous health ricks that fallow radiation poisoning. The U.S., China and Russia are even preparing for the worst by stocking up on pills that will protect themselves form the radiation. The unfortunate part though is that children are the most vulnerable to the poison. In the year 1986 when a nuclear reactor exploded, people were exposed to unusually high amounts of radiation and caused up to 6,000 children to develop cancer. These tragic pasts are what concern scientist today as people try to remain radiation free.(http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Radiation-Levels-In-Japan-Causing-Concern-in-Other-Countries-118230524.html)

Social Issues:Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated...

There are quite a few events going on in the world that are very pressing and meaningful. Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami. Civil/Political unrest in Middle East/Africa. The US Education System.

Choose one topic and research it. Find three articles and try to really wrap your head around a component of the issue. Write your opinion piece (backed by your citations of the research you find). You may use the following questions but feel free to add a few of your own.

What is each country's responsibility to other countries? What are our personal obligations to others? What would you like to do? Look at the quote below, is it true? Why?

What obligation do older people have to educate the younger? Why is education important? Do you take advantage of all the opportunities you have available? What should be the focus of one's education be?

"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it." The Talmud

V. Gaboury

On Friday March 11^th, Japan was hit with an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9 which then lead to a tsunami, the damage was huge. The number missing are 7,558, injured is 1,990, and the dead is 3,373. The death toll is expected to keep raising. Not only has it taken a huge toll physically on the people but it has weakened Japan's economy. Due to the tsunami there has been a few fires and explosions at nuclear plants, the radiation from these explosions is a lot. People have been given iodine tablets, which stops the body from absorbing some of the radiation. At one plant the radiation is 167 times the average annual dose of radiation. One explosion had damaged the core and a fire had sent pieces of radioactive material into the air. Luckily the winds had blown the plume of radioactivity towards the ocean, away from people. Many of the workers at the plant had fled but some had stayed to with want they could, keeping the cores cool and putting out the fire. These problems are expected to continue.

We need to help these people as much as we can. When people start thinking that they can leave it for someone else to do, nothings going to get done. We should raise money and supplies for the people who are suffering from this tragedy in Japan.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/15/japan-quake-live-blog-fire-erupts-in-fourth-reactor-radiation-warning-issued/?iref=allsearch

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/world/asia/15nuclear.html?_r=2

Poor Japan

        On March 11, 2011, a terrible 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit the country of Japan in the city of Natori. This devastating disaster triggered a tsunami thirty minuets after the earthquake struck. The tsunami washed away houses, many cars, buildings and many people. Watching the footage of this disaster made my stomach uneasy. What happened that Friday afternoon made me very sad. By Monday afternoon police teams reported that 1,800 people were confirmed dead and that 3,200 people were still missing. Police teams found 700 bodies washed up on the shores of a scenic peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture. "Worst crisis since World War II" were the words of Prime Minister Naoto Kan. Some 350,000 people are without homes and are staying in shelters with their families. On top of all the devastation that went on in Japan, the earthquake also caused a nuclear power plant to become unstable. They are saying that several nuclear plant workers have become ill from the radioactive exposer. Experts say that so far the radioactive exposer to the public is low. Lets hope that it stays low.

       Some people that want to spread a little cheer in Japan are the Manga Artists. They want a message of hope to come across in their drawings. Manga artist, Takehiko Inoue, has been posting Japanese people of all ages doing one thing...smiling...these drawings have been encouraging, heartwarming, and charming to look at. So far he has posted 38 drawings on Twitter and wants to continue them because they seem to be lighting up the mood in Japan. Another artist named Arina Tanemura, has also been drawing Manga characters. Not only are the people in her drawings smiling, they also have words of encouragement at the bottom of them. one example she wrote was, "hitori ja nai yo." which means "you are not alone." Below are some of the drawings that these people made.

                                          
    
 I hope that America continues to support Japan. Our natural instinct however, is to help and give aid to help those in need during times of  tragedy.  I absolutely  think we should send troops over to Japan to help look for survivors and bodies and also to provide humanitarian relief. 

Sources:
http://manga.about.com/b/2011/03/13/japan-earthquake-relief-manga-artists-share-hope-help.htm

Helping Japan

On March 11, Japan was hit by an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that has been said to be Japan’s worst crisis since World War II. The earthquake and the tsunamis that followed it have caused tons of damage, and it is estimated that at least 10,000 people have died in Japan. Tons of people are missing, power plants have leaked, factories can’t run because of blackouts, and people are trying to find food and shelter. About 350,000 people have been reported to be homeless and staying in shelters(http://www.nytimes.com/201103/15/world/asia/15japan.html). Many people who aren’t in Japan are wondering how to help or contact people in Japan. Google has made a crisis response page about the earthquake and tsunami designed to help people find information about it. There are recent articles and twitter updates about it, maps and a live video stream. There is information about blackouts, transportation and alarms and warnings. To find information about people in Japan there is information about the United States Department and Embassy, shelter resident lists and information, message boards about the tsunami, emergency phone numbers, numbers to call about missing people and a tool to find people or share information about people. There is also a spot to donate to the Japanese Red Cross (http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html). You can also donate to the American Red Cross online or by texting. Other organizations such as International Medical Corps, Global Giving, World Vision, AmeriCare and Save the Children have set up was to donate to Japan. Salvation Army, Doctors Without Borders, Shelterbox and other organizations are sending representatives to Japan to help out. (http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2011/03/how-to-help-japan.html). Groups like these that you can donate to are great for people who want to help out in Japan but aren't sure how. The quote from the Talmud goes with this because it means even if you can't solve all of the problems, you should still help out and realize that when you are going through hard times in your life, some people may have it a lot worse.

I would like being able to do something in class to help Japan.

Moammar Gadhafi Re-takes Towns From Rebels

Libyan Moammar Gadhafi ordered forces to march into multiple cities that were controlled by rebels and retake them over. One of the most important cities was al-Brega, a city that contained a big oil refinery and natural gas plant. If Gadhafi takes the town of Ajdabiya, it will allow access to roads that lead to the rebels’ base. Gadhafi is using ruthless, but successful means of taking these cities over from the rebels. Even though there were citizens living in the towns, Gadhafi used tanks, armored vehicles, and airstrikes to rid the towns of rebels. An eyewitness in Zuwara said that Gadhafi’s soldiers walked through the town and randomly fired into houses. Gadhafi has regained many towns and cities that were previously controlled by rebels. His military is considered to be one of the worst-trained and worst-maintained in North Africa. I think that these articles show how ruthless the leader in Libya is and how he doesn’t regard the safety of his citizens. I think that he could have used more peaceful ways of overtaking the towns instead of just walking in and shooting everything. People are worried that Gadhafi will become more ruthless and that he will use even more violent ways to get rid of the rebels. I hope that Gadhafi takes these cities back, but does not become greedy, so we can safely get oil from these regions. The Middle East is a big oil region, and if the rebels remain in control, then it will be harder to get oil for the world.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/15/libya.civil.war/index.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/gaddafis-forces-likely-to-push-rebels-back-to-benghazi-analysts-say/2011/03/14/ABPyQ5X_story.html

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/13/gadhafi-forces-drive-rebels-key-oil-town/