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Posted:Hi there everyone,
After a couple of requests, some consideration and my own rather curvaceous tangent on the thread for the Russian families of the school massacre I decided to start a thread dedicated to interesting issues in the daily news (or even the daily news itself, anything news-related really you get the idea).
Ive done a search and while theres hundreds of threads for individual news stories, I couldnt find one for an ongoing discussion of whats happening in the world around us.
I know lots of people dont follow the news, but many do, and my opinion is that discussion on current events gives people a better understanding of nations, races and humanity, for want of a better word.
HoP is in the enviable position of having a really global audience there cant be many websites with regular posting members from right across the world, covering such a wide spectrum of cultures, ideas and beliefs. We have the ability to look at events from many different viewpoints, so I thought we should use it.
Anyways, I was thinking we could post, or draw attention to, some of the main stories that affect us on a daily basis
Btw, I really dont want this to become an America-bashing thread (or any other type of bashing). I think most of us share the view that the American government are fairly appalling at the minute, and while criticism will definitely happen, I dont want any Americans on the site to feel victimised or that pro-Bush types feel their views arent valid. Try to keep all the views considered and, if possible, sourced.
So anyways, let me know what you think
A couple of interesting stories I picked up on today were:
Indonesia has become the latest nation to join the war on terrorism following the car bomb at the Australian embassy which killed 9 people and injured 180 I heard an Indonesian government official (I think it was the spokesman for the Indonesian foreign ministry) say they are 'now ready to join the war on terror', after it was alleged the militant Islamic group Jemaah Islamiah were responsible. (sorry, am about to leave work and couldn't find a source... will try to get it tomorrow).
Also, US secretary of state Colin Powell has declared the situation in Sudan a genocide:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3641820.stm
br>
It seems the countries are busy arguing over the term genocide as opposed to actually getting out there with aid and peacekeeping forces.
Anyways, Id be interested to hear anyones opinions on these stories as well as anything else youd like to bring up
Thanks
take care
Clare xox
After a couple of requests, some consideration and my own rather curvaceous tangent on the thread for the Russian families of the school massacre I decided to start a thread dedicated to interesting issues in the daily news (or even the daily news itself, anything news-related really you get the idea).
Ive done a search and while theres hundreds of threads for individual news stories, I couldnt find one for an ongoing discussion of whats happening in the world around us.
I know lots of people dont follow the news, but many do, and my opinion is that discussion on current events gives people a better understanding of nations, races and humanity, for want of a better word.
HoP is in the enviable position of having a really global audience there cant be many websites with regular posting members from right across the world, covering such a wide spectrum of cultures, ideas and beliefs. We have the ability to look at events from many different viewpoints, so I thought we should use it.
Anyways, I was thinking we could post, or draw attention to, some of the main stories that affect us on a daily basis
Btw, I really dont want this to become an America-bashing thread (or any other type of bashing). I think most of us share the view that the American government are fairly appalling at the minute, and while criticism will definitely happen, I dont want any Americans on the site to feel victimised or that pro-Bush types feel their views arent valid. Try to keep all the views considered and, if possible, sourced.
So anyways, let me know what you think
A couple of interesting stories I picked up on today were:
Indonesia has become the latest nation to join the war on terrorism following the car bomb at the Australian embassy which killed 9 people and injured 180 I heard an Indonesian government official (I think it was the spokesman for the Indonesian foreign ministry) say they are 'now ready to join the war on terror', after it was alleged the militant Islamic group Jemaah Islamiah were responsible. (sorry, am about to leave work and couldn't find a source... will try to get it tomorrow).
Also, US secretary of state Colin Powell has declared the situation in Sudan a genocide:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3641820.stm
br>
It seems the countries are busy arguing over the term genocide as opposed to actually getting out there with aid and peacekeeping forces.
Anyways, Id be interested to hear anyones opinions on these stories as well as anything else youd like to bring up
Thanks
take care
Clare xox
Getting to the other side 
Posted:Indeed!
In the 'astronomy pic of the day' link... go to the top link that says 'discover more'... there are some very pretty spacey-type shots in there
And the 'europe by satellite'... oh my god... how much information do you need?!?! Fantastique
In the 'astronomy pic of the day' link... go to the top link that says 'discover more'... there are some very pretty spacey-type shots in there
And the 'europe by satellite'... oh my god... how much information do you need?!?! Fantastique
Getting to the other side
Posted:Sometimes we all become upset at things going badly for us...
So how would it be if you had worked hard to become the best in the country at your chosen profession, and then due to your success, your mother was kidnapped for a ransom...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4347711.stm
So how would it be if you had worked hard to become the best in the country at your chosen profession, and then due to your success, your mother was kidnapped for a ransom...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4347711.stm
Getting to the other side
Posted:Also today... a judge in San Francisco has ruled that a ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4349201.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4349201.stm
Getting to the other side
Posted:yay go that judge
*grins* while i find most descrimination stuff to be bueocracy some of it does stop hypocrasy and stupidtiy so go that judge
*grins* while i find most descrimination stuff to be bueocracy some of it does stop hypocrasy and stupidtiy so go that judge
back
DeletePink...?
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
![Pink...?]()
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
Posted:As i'm sure all UK people probably already know...
Budget 2005
Budget 2005
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
DeletePosted:Nice one Pink... yes indeed, the Labour government desperately scramble about for the votes of first time buyers and OAPs.
The rest of us are stuffed
In other news:
Bush elects neo-conservative to horrendously powerful job over the world bank:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1439191,00.html
br>
Senate heads for Alaskan oil:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4355871.stm
br>
Funnily enough, on the same day oil prices hits new heights:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4355715.stm
br>
Italy to pull out of Iraq:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4355009.stm
br>
Possibility of another quake in SE Asia?!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4354217.stm
br>
Bob Geldolf has a go at the media
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1438946,00.html
br>
And as we all knew... scientists prove that women (their DNA especially) are 'special'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4355355.stm
The rest of us are stuffed
In other news:
Bush elects neo-conservative to horrendously powerful job over the world bank:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1439191,00.html
br>
Senate heads for Alaskan oil:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4355871.stm
br>
Funnily enough, on the same day oil prices hits new heights:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4355715.stm
br>
Italy to pull out of Iraq:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4355009.stm
br>
Possibility of another quake in SE Asia?!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4354217.stm
br>
Bob Geldolf has a go at the media
http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1438946,00.html
br>
And as we all knew... scientists prove that women (their DNA especially) are 'special'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4355355.stm
Getting to the other side
Pink...?
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
![Pink...?]()
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
Posted:good one for the DNA. 
And quite scary about the possibility of another Quake! Another tsunami would be fatal for that region!
And quite scary about the possibility of another Quake! Another tsunami would be fatal for that region!
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
DeleteSpanner
BRONZE Member since Feb 2003
![Spanner]()
remembers when it was all fields round here
Location: in the works... somewhere...
Total posts: 2790
BRONZE Member since Feb 2003
remembers when it was all fields round here
Location: in the works... somewhere...
Total posts: 2790
Posted:Written by: Pink...?
As i'm sure all UK people probably already know...
Budget 2005
Interesting stuff.
I'm always sceptical when the government say they're doing anything to benefits, especially in the case of incapacity benefit, of which the budget claims there'll be improvements to the rules. But this is little comfort to those in need of these benefits when compared to the great uncertainty which they've been subjected to over recent months. The language used in benefits, such as "incapacity" isn't exactly the most positive or up-to-date, but it does have real meaning for those who genuinely cannot work. How convenient then, that a lot of the emphasis is leaning towards phasing it out. There's more to be announced, I'm sure.
The plans for better Housing & Council Tax Benefit and links between the DWP and local authorities to process these claims are good to hear, but its not before time. It's such an obvious measure to take and doing this years ago could have made a huge difference to the welfare system, not to mention all the families who would have benefitted from it.
I could benefit from it, but I'm still not voting for them in the general
As i'm sure all UK people probably already know...
Budget 2005
Interesting stuff.
I'm always sceptical when the government say they're doing anything to benefits, especially in the case of incapacity benefit, of which the budget claims there'll be improvements to the rules. But this is little comfort to those in need of these benefits when compared to the great uncertainty which they've been subjected to over recent months. The language used in benefits, such as "incapacity" isn't exactly the most positive or up-to-date, but it does have real meaning for those who genuinely cannot work. How convenient then, that a lot of the emphasis is leaning towards phasing it out. There's more to be announced, I'm sure.
The plans for better Housing & Council Tax Benefit and links between the DWP and local authorities to process these claims are good to hear, but its not before time. It's such an obvious measure to take and doing this years ago could have made a huge difference to the welfare system, not to mention all the families who would have benefitted from it.
I could benefit from it, but I'm still not voting for them in the general
"I thought you are man, but
you are nice woman.
yay,
:R"
SpitFire
GOLD Member since Dec 2002
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Total posts: 2723
GOLD Member since Dec 2002
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Total posts: 2723
Posted:The potential for quakes in the Sumatra region will always be there because of the geology of the region. That area sits on the Ring of Fire, where you have plates moving against one another.
While an earthquake does release stress and strain on a fault segment, when a rupture (quake) happens, other parts of the fault or system of faults (plate boundaries in this case, as well) have stress and strain added or removed depending on where they are relative to the initial rupture.
It's all quite cool stuff, to be honest.
SF, slipping into GeoGeek Mode once again.
(Ps...note that they didn't say when such a quake would occur. Also..a tip to those visiting the area....if the sea receeds a LOT, then seek high ground quickly.....that's a sure sign of a tsunami.)
While an earthquake does release stress and strain on a fault segment, when a rupture (quake) happens, other parts of the fault or system of faults (plate boundaries in this case, as well) have stress and strain added or removed depending on where they are relative to the initial rupture.
It's all quite cool stuff, to be honest.
SF, slipping into GeoGeek Mode once again.
(Ps...note that they didn't say when such a quake would occur. Also..a tip to those visiting the area....if the sea receeds a LOT, then seek high ground quickly.....that's a sure sign of a tsunami.)
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
Delete
Posted:not true that "all" tortishell cats are female - about 1 in 10,000 is male. A male tortishell is always sterile as far as I know though, since his calicoe/tortishell coloring comes from a genetic anomoly (he has XXY instead of just XY).
so that leads to the point that more genes is not necissarily better - down's syndrom comes from from extra chromosomes, as does the sterility of male tortishell cats.
extra genetic info is not always good - sure it can mean increased resistance to disease, but it can also mean increased likelyhood of inherited genetic disorders too...
so that leads to the point that more genes is not necissarily better - down's syndrom comes from from extra chromosomes, as does the sterility of male tortishell cats.
extra genetic info is not always good - sure it can mean increased resistance to disease, but it can also mean increased likelyhood of inherited genetic disorders too...
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
Pink...?
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
![Pink...?]()
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
Posted:With the Uk government being so PC about racism, how can they let this happen?
School banning "white" girl from having braids
In happier news: (well ok so not necessarily that happy, still nice to award someone)
First Victoria Cross in over 20yrs
School banning "white" girl from having braids
In happier news: (well ok so not necessarily that happy, still nice to award someone)
First Victoria Cross in over 20yrs
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
DeletePosted:I heard about that braids ban earlier - madness!! What on earth could have been the motivation behind it?!! I realise that the school has rules, but why would it be different for one pupil over another?
And yes, it's good that someone has been rewarded for their bravery... but with all the negative publicity surrounding Iraq it's about time the army had a PR victory.
I saw a film recently Duel, although I think it has another title, but there was a similar message - we're getting our asses kicked and moral is low, let's give the people a hero.
Take care and have a good weekend
xx
And yes, it's good that someone has been rewarded for their bravery... but with all the negative publicity surrounding Iraq it's about time the army had a PR victory.
I saw a film recently Duel, although I think it has another title, but there was a similar message - we're getting our asses kicked and moral is low, let's give the people a hero.
Take care and have a good weekend
xx
Getting to the other side
Pink...?
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
![Pink...?]()
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
Posted:Firstly a funny story:
Pork Pie wedding Cake
Nice to see the government actually paying attention to other people -
Government planning to change school dinners to become healthier after Jamies School dinners
Pork Pie wedding Cake
Nice to see the government actually paying attention to other people -
Government planning to change school dinners to become healthier after Jamies School dinners
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
DeletePosted:Ha! U see! I told u Jamies School Dinners had something right (well, no i dednt, but i thought about it 
)
Anyways, that news was on one of the latest shows... I wish jamie wud come to our school and fix us up with decent food. Our stuffs nasty *thinks of schhols excuse for pizza and vomits*
)Anyways, that news was on one of the latest shows... I wish jamie wud come to our school and fix us up with decent food. Our stuffs nasty *thinks of schhols excuse for pizza and vomits*
The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."
DeletePosted:well, it could be the fact that white people look ridiculous with those kinds of braids...
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
Posted:I agree... but I think she wanted to be like all her friends.
Getting to the other side
Pink...?
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
![Pink...?]()
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
BRONZE Member since Apr 2002
Mistress of Pink...Multicoloured
Location: Over There
Total posts: 6140
Posted:
Teenager shoots 9 people, in school in America
What makes people do this? It's not like it's an isolated incident either. It's happened before. What can America do to stop this from happening again?
Surely they realise something is wrong, when this keeps happening?
Timeline of School Shootings in America
Teenager shoots 9 people, in school in America What makes people do this? It's not like it's an isolated incident either. It's happened before. What can America do to stop this from happening again?
Surely they realise something is wrong, when this keeps happening?
Timeline of School Shootings in America
Never pick up a duck in a dungeon...
Delete
Posted:Written by:
Surely they realise something is wrong, when this keeps happening?
Exactly, when will they learn that they should once and for all ban all video games, tv and all non country'n'western music! I'm sure it has nothing to do with guns being readily available
Surely they realise something is wrong, when this keeps happening?
Exactly, when will they learn that they should once and for all ban all video games, tv and all non country'n'western music! I'm sure it has nothing to do with guns being readily available
Delete
Posted: 
s to them
This is wht gun use shud be limted more. I know its hard in america, but there must be some way of controlling who has them...
s to them This is wht gun use shud be limted more. I know its hard in america, but there must be some way of controlling who has them...
The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."
Delete
Posted:The boys grandfather was a police officer. I think that entitles him to carry a gun.
I think a lot of it relies on parents. They need to be the ones to educate their children about gun safety and that a weapon is not a toy.
It sounds like this child was just sick of others at school picking on him. He lives in one of the poorest areas of the state. That Indian reservation has 40% of the population living below the poverty line. So, in this particular instance, I do not think there was anything the parents/grandparents could have done regarding the guns. The child was determined, hurt, and upset at his school and classmates. He was sad that people judged him based on what he wore instead of who he was. Maybe people ignored his pleas for help?
Now, I don't in any way condone what he did, but I don't think the blame lies on America and how we handle guns entirely either.
I think a lot of it relies on parents. They need to be the ones to educate their children about gun safety and that a weapon is not a toy.
It sounds like this child was just sick of others at school picking on him. He lives in one of the poorest areas of the state. That Indian reservation has 40% of the population living below the poverty line. So, in this particular instance, I do not think there was anything the parents/grandparents could have done regarding the guns. The child was determined, hurt, and upset at his school and classmates. He was sad that people judged him based on what he wore instead of who he was. Maybe people ignored his pleas for help?
Now, I don't in any way condone what he did, but I don't think the blame lies on America and how we handle guns entirely either.
Delete
Posted:I agree Spritie... but I do think it is a combination of all of those things. His sadness, and the US gun policy...
It has to be a combination of all those factors... otherwise you would get school shootings in schools around the world - and you don't.
Tis very sad.
It has to be a combination of all those factors... otherwise you would get school shootings in schools around the world - and you don't.
Tis very sad.
Getting to the other side
Posted:So what about US gun policy would you want changed?
The boys grandfather should be able to have guns around. He was a police officer after all.
The boys grandfather should be able to have guns around. He was a police officer after all.
Delete
Posted:yeah - they have had multiple school shootings in germany too, where the gun laws happen to be very strict, so obviously we can immediatly conclude that america's laws are to blame for this.
Or perhaps we can conclude that america is a bad influence on the whole world, and if there were stricter gun control laws there, there would be no school shootings in germany?
Or perhaps people just want to jump to conclusions about things very quickly given their preconceptions about america instead of looking for the real problems behind these tragedies?
Or perhaps we can conclude that america is a bad influence on the whole world, and if there were stricter gun control laws there, there would be no school shootings in germany?
Or perhaps people just want to jump to conclusions about things very quickly given their preconceptions about america instead of looking for the real problems behind these tragedies?
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
Posted:I don't think anyones jumping to conclusions based on preconceptions.
The real problems behind such a tragedy can often be found in poverty and isolation, which can be found in even more extreme cases around the world - but without the availability of a weapon.
Spritie, yes true... he was a police officer... but does that necessarily mean he needed 'guns'? (maybe all the guns weren't his grandfathers, but he did manage to get access to them somehow)
You can, after all, only shoot one at a time (unless you're crazy, in which case you have no right to possession of a gun at all, in my opinion).
The police are armed in Northern Ireland too... I have a number of uncles in the police and they have a gun... but it is one handgun, it is kept locked in a drawer, and anything else they need is kept locked in the station.
I'm not having a go at America... however, I strongly disagree with it's gun policy (maybe that comes from living in a country where there are FAR too many illegal guns in the wrong hands - but even with the paramilitaries, arms are usually kept in dumps, not in the family home)
The real problems behind such a tragedy can often be found in poverty and isolation, which can be found in even more extreme cases around the world - but without the availability of a weapon.
Spritie, yes true... he was a police officer... but does that necessarily mean he needed 'guns'? (maybe all the guns weren't his grandfathers, but he did manage to get access to them somehow)
You can, after all, only shoot one at a time (unless you're crazy, in which case you have no right to possession of a gun at all, in my opinion).
The police are armed in Northern Ireland too... I have a number of uncles in the police and they have a gun... but it is one handgun, it is kept locked in a drawer, and anything else they need is kept locked in the station.
I'm not having a go at America... however, I strongly disagree with it's gun policy (maybe that comes from living in a country where there are FAR too many illegal guns in the wrong hands - but even with the paramilitaries, arms are usually kept in dumps, not in the family home)
Getting to the other side
Posted:Good point, vanize.
It does seem like a lot of people are making undue judgements just because it's in America.
It does seem like a lot of people are making undue judgements just because it's in America.
Delete
Posted:maybe its just the media coverage van.
but the fact is that exact media coverage reaches a world audience and so carries responsibility.
maybe they should stop reporting the killings so america doesnt get such a bad name?
the gun laws are only the start of the problem. You could have no gun laws at all if you had people responsible enought to handle them safely and educate people that guns kill people (i always thought tht was obvious but it doesnt seem to be).
i think the media and the news could do alot to help. killings are sensationalised and thats sick.
but the fact is that exact media coverage reaches a world audience and so carries responsibility.
maybe they should stop reporting the killings so america doesnt get such a bad name?
the gun laws are only the start of the problem. You could have no gun laws at all if you had people responsible enought to handle them safely and educate people that guns kill people (i always thought tht was obvious but it doesnt seem to be).
i think the media and the news could do alot to help. killings are sensationalised and thats sick.
Love is the law.
DeletePosted:Written by: Firepoise
(maybe that comes from living in a country where there are FAR too many illegal guns in the wrong hands - but even with the paramilitaries, arms are usually kept in dumps, not in the family home)
Conscientious Terrorists.
Thats kinda fun and kinda sary all at the same time.
(maybe that comes from living in a country where there are FAR too many illegal guns in the wrong hands - but even with the paramilitaries, arms are usually kept in dumps, not in the family home)
Conscientious Terrorists.
Thats kinda fun and kinda sary all at the same time.
Love is the law.
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