This is where you will be posting your Global Literacy Projects. Each of you will be contributing and posting your discussions from the New York Times.

-- AmandaOviatt - 04 Oct 2005

Alright guys, here goes nothing. Here's my response to an article I read today (10/4/05)

“Election Move Seems to Ensure Iraqis’ Charter” Front page, 10/4/05 New York Times

Iraq has been a pressing issue for Americans, as well as countries over seas since the “war on terror,” began. In the article, “Election Move Seems to Ensure Iraqis’ Charter,” Robert Worth highlights some of the major problems with the attempt at democracy. The author suggests that the elections are fixed, and that it’s a “mockery of democracy.” By wording the constitution the way it has been, the proposed constitution is almost guaranteed to pass. The only way the constitutions could fail is “if two-thirds of all registered voters…reject it in at least 3 of the 18 provinces.” The chances that, that many registered voters would actually vote are slim, allowing the constitution a more-than-fair chance at being approved. This is not a true representation of democracy, since not everyone affected is contributing his or her part in the legislative process.

This is a big concern for our country’s honor. America has taken on the job of promoting democracy, not hypocrisy. Helping another nation based on American principles should stay based on American principles. Fixing an election is not something that would be done here; therefore it should not be done in Iraq. This does not even take into account that lives are at stake over this constitution. Insurgent groups are already distraught over the current conditions, and taking away their right to representation could only make it worse.

If elections continue in this manner, the effort America has already put into “rebuilding” Iraq could be undone. The goal was to defeat terrorism, not inspire it; to promote democracy, not chaos.

This was posted by Janelle Sires

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My topic was 10/08/05 New York Times International: "New Cases of Avian Flu Are Reported in Europe"

I'm 100% sure this probably isn't the right way to post this... but Wiki is confusing to me(however computer literate I think I am)! If this works you will have to deal.

After the Provosts speech a couple weeks ago to be honest I didn't take a whole lot away. I did however realize how very close we are in this "Global Community" and how health issues can spread from anywhere in the world in a matter of hours. The article I read was about the bird flu a virus that mainly affects birds and has in the past proven very deadly (Asia 1997 approx 1 million birds killed in a day). The strand or virus at that time was called H5N1 and was not very likely to infect humans, however some humans who were in very close contact with birds did contract the virus(proving to be just as deadly a flu in humans). The article deals with two cases of bird flu for the first time in Europe(Romania & Turkey) that have been verified recently. So far they do not know if the virus is the same strand as that of the 1997 outbreak in Asia.

This article does not deal with it but in watching the news last week President Bush has already inacted a plan if the flu spreads to America. There are no known vaccines for the flu.

This was posted by Micah Aldridge

************************************************************************************************************************* “In Basra, Militia Controls by Fear Sunday” Oct. 9th 2005 “New York Times”

This article was about a region in Iraq called Basra. It was talking about how the police system there is very corrupt, for example the police will say they are going to “arrest” someone and then days later the British forces will find the dead bodies of the men the Basran police had “arrested” earlier. It amazes me how corrupt a system could be that is supposed to enforce rules and provide safety for the people under the system. More then anything, reading this article made me realize how safe we are in America compared to other countries, and though our country may have flaws, at least we know we have a honest (for the most part) law system, and we can feel safe in our own country.

This was posted by Cynthia Downing.

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"Soldier Reports More Abuses To Senator" Oct. 9th 2005 "New York Times"

This article was about abuse of Iraqi prisoners. An army captain, Ian Fishback, reported allegations of detainee abuse in Iraq. Since Fishback and two others came forward with their allegations, several other soldiers have reported stories of Iraqi prisoners being repeatedly beaten, exposed to extreme hot and colds, and stacked in human pyramids. The allegations by Fishback and the two sergeants have led to the Army starting a criminal inquiry.

This to me is horrible. US soldiers are supposed to be in Iraq helping them to advance and prosper not beating those that we take as prisoners. As the dominant country in this world we should not be the ones beating prisoners. I find it impressive that captain Fishback is able to step up and say when something wrong is going on because too many people in this world would sit back and watch it happen.

-- RuitaCoyne - 10 Oct 2005

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The article I read was about a massive mudslide. The mudslide killed at least 119 people. Most of the victims were the peasants who lived in wooden and tin shakes, and rescuers are having a hard time helping the victims because of the slides and flooding. The mudslides were caused by a hurricane and massive rains. The soil became too wet and gave out.

My thoughts go out to all the victims who lost their lives and their families. Unfortunately many of the victims were peasants. If these people had lived in stable houses many may still be alive. It is also hard that the rescue workers can not get to the victims, and the rain is not stopping and may not stop for time to come. These people are stranded and no one can help them. Many family members saw other ones die. I cannot even imagine the pin these families are feeling. I hope that these people get help soon.

Submitted by Jordana Bruchok-Russell at 10:41 PM on October 9th

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"Loggers, Scorning the Law, Ravage the Amazon" By LARRY ROHTER October 16, 2005

The article I read was about illegal exports in the lumbar trade out of Brazil. It could be argued that the rain forest does not affect the world environment however I believe it does. The government in Brazil has cancelled permits and forbid many logging companies from operating, however a large amount of these companies still operate. The article hints to corruption of government officials and pay offs to political parties as the cause for the lax enforcement. The Brazilian government estimates 60% of the 1 billion dollar industry is illegally harvested and exported. The reporters in the article talked to some of the loggers who were very frank that they knew what they were doing but stated no one was going to stop them. One of the local mills cutting these illegal timber is owned by a former mayor who has the same attitude, but brings up that he needs this money to pay his employees and put his kids through school. I am torn on the idea but I have never been in the position where I need to break the law to survive and I hope to never be.

This was posted by Micah Aldridge
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