What have you learned about youeself during this course?

             Hillfield Strathallen’s World Issues course has not only encouraged me to become more informed and knowledgeable about pressing current events in my backyard and around the globe, but has given me the opportunity to share my thoughts and present my opinions within a friendly classroom environment. The World Issues program has taught me to develop my critical thinking skills, formulating opinions, honing my debating skills, present my ideas in an inspiring, constructive, enthusiastic manner, and learning the importance of being informed about global issues. Because of this program I have learned where I stand with many of Canada’s and the World’s issues that we have studied, discussed, and debated in class, and I now feel as though I have learned a great deal about myself. In the future I will continue to practice these valuable skills, and will cherish the opinions I have formulated especially when making important choices that will hopefully insight positive change not only in myself, but the world around me.

As you move into the next phase in your life, how will you try to affect change in the world regarding these issues?

As I enter University and move into the next phase of my life there are a number of ways I plan to incite change in the world regarding the issue we have discussed in class. Firstly, I plan to create awareness through working with university clubs and projects. In addition, I will make environmentally friendly changes to my lifestyle, such as shorter showers, turning off lights, and using recycled and renewable products. Lastly, I will continue to be a devote member to the Free the Children’s organization. As I have mentioned early in my blog I traveled to Kenya during the summer of 2011 with a group of youth to build a school. In the future I hope to do another similar trip to Ecuador known as the clean water project. This will offer residents accessible clean and safe drinking water.

What is the biggest threat facing Canada in the next 50 years?

There are many potential threats facing Canada in the next 50 years. However, the threat I find most concerning is climate change. With the enormous amount of evidence that has been proved through scientific studies and observations there is no doubt that climate change is happening. Evidence that climate change is occurring can be observed through a variety of physical evidence. The climate can be seen through changes such as the melting of the polar ice caps, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, the hole in the ozone layer, rising temperatures, and rising sea levels. The Earth’s climate has changed throughout history, however, in the last few years the atmospheric CO2 has shown a drastic change. The level of carbon dioxide has never been this high in the past 650, 000 years.

 

Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. There are many consequences of changing the natural atmospheric greenhouse. For example, dieing ecosystems and habitats, stronger storms and an increase in storm damage. In addition, a stronger greenhouse effect will warm the oceans and partially melt glaciers and other ice, increasing sea levels. Warmer conditions will probably lead to more evaporation and precipitation, and some individual regions will become wetter and others dryer. Higher temperatures and shifting climate patterns may change the areas where crops grow best and affect natural plant communities. Protecting and sustaining the quality of our environment is a serious challenge for all Canadians. Everyday Canadians make lifestyle choices that have enormous environmental effects such as choices that relate to the kind of home we live in, the appliances we use, the house hold products we select, and the transportation we favor.  Every one of these choices may seem insignificant but they have an important influence on our future environment. The same is true of local organizations, corporate companies, and our government for their daily actions and choices. 

In many cases across Canada, we have made progress in our understanding of how human activities affect the environment. Since the 1970’s environmental awareness, conservations, protection, and sustainability have become increasingly important elements in economic decision making. Many countries that produce and green house gases are trying to balance environmental and economic requirements. Politicians must make difficult decisions regarding how to spend environmental dollars. There are many environmental issues to address and it is difficult to choose just one single issue to focus on. However, since ecosystems and life is all interconnected in the environment when you fix one problem you may be solving others.

What are the three most important issues you have learned about during this course?

• Arab Israeli Conflict

• Legalizing Marijuana

• Nuclear Power as a Source of Alternative Energy

De-criminalizing Marijuana

1.     What do you think the affects of legalizing and de-criminalizing marijuana use would be? Should this be enforced?

In my opinion, the Canadian government should decriminalize marijuana for a number of reasons. Firstly, by decimalizing marijuana it will drastically reduce organized crime. In many ways it is no different than tobacco and alcohol. In fact, marijuana may not be as bad as drinking alcohol as long as it use used in moderation, and people are educated about the risks and consequences. Prohibition was an expensive failed policy that has proven not to significantly reduce use. All the money they use from the fine can go towards governmental programs. The poll, conducted by Toronto-based Forum Research Inc., showed that residents of British Columbia were the most likely to support marijuana laws reform, with 73% of respondents indicating laws should be changed. Quebec had the lowest support for reforms, though the majority of respondents, 61%, supported changing marijuana legislation.

Abortion

1.     How do you feel about abortion, what are your views on it, and how should the legal system get involved?

Abortion is possibly one of the most controversial topics facing Western society today. Personally, I do not think abortion should be used as a form of contraception, however; I am a strong believer in Pro choice and it is no place for the government to intervene in personal decisions. If the Canadian government chooses to criminalize abortion, it will have many negative repercussions regarding the pregnant woman. Take away her reproductive choice and you step onto a slippery slope. Firstly, the ability of a woman to have control of her body is critical to civil rights. Therefore, if the government can force a woman to continue a pregnancy, why not force a woman to use contraception or undergo sterilization if it suits the government agenda? In addition, teenagers who become mothers have grim prospects for the future. They are much more likely to drop out of school, the child may receive inadequate prenatal care, the teen mother will likely rely on public assistance to raise a child, and they are more likely to develop health problems, or end up divorced. Statistics show that very few women who give birth choose to give up their babies for adoption - less than 3% of unmarried women, including teens. Furthermore, abortion is a safe medical procedure. The vast majority of women, 88%, who have an abortion, do so in their first trimester. Medical abortions have less than 0.5% risk of serious complications and are extremely unlikely to affect a woman's health or future ability to become pregnant or give birth. In the case of rape, forcing a woman made pregnant by a violent act would cause drastic psychological harm to the victim. In addition to this, forcing the woman into having her sadistic, narcissist, rapist’s child would not only cause more extensive physiological harm, but is just plain wrong. Lastly, by criminalizing abortion many women may become so distressed and desperate they will resort to self abortions. As a result this could lead to a serious injury, maiming, or bleeding to death of a woman. Your body should not be a battleground. Abortion is a personal descion and not a legal debate.

Bill C-30

Do you agree that the Canadian Government should be allowed to "spy" on Canadians if it means stopping child pornography offenders? Where should the government draw the line?

Bill C-30, a proposed legislation known as the “Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act”, would give Canadian police and intelligence agencies the authority to access Canadians’ electronic communications and telocomunications without a warrant. The bill was a proposed amendment to the Criminal Code of Canada introduced by the Conservative government of Stephen Harper on February 14, 2012. Although society is desperate to stop child pornography offenders, many Canadians viewed the Bill with fear and contempt. While Canadians already anguish over Facebook and Google’s increasingly blatant use and storage of our online lives, we’re blind to the ultimate destination of this information. It can now go straight to the cop who asks for it. It gives the police a licence for fishing expeditions into all “private communications,” the all-inclusive term used in the bill. Cellphones would become an electronic prisoner’s bracelet. When I first heard of this bill I was in full support of this. Why worry when you have nothing to hide? However, when I began to do more research into the topic I have become more nervous about allowing strangers to have access and “spy” on all my private communications. It is difficult to say where the government should draw the line, but in my opinion police should have a warrant before they invade your personal life. A bill similar to this needs to be passed, however; Bill C-30 also needs slight modifications in order to protect the “personal life” of Canadians.

The Power of Choice

Look at this political cartoon.

How do Western politics reflect the message portrayed in this cartoon?

In the above political cartoon the artist is sending the message that the people of Western civilizations don’t know their own power, especially when it comes to free elections and our government. Although one vote may seem small and insignificant, it is still one less or one more. By stepping off the plank, the individual is making a powerful statement and is taking leadership for others to follow. Within each of us lies the power of choice, thus making our life under our own control and not another’s.

Lifestyle Choices

“We're in a giant car heading towards a brick wall and everyone is arguing over where they're going to sit.” -David Suzuki. What do you think this quote means in terms of the environment and the future of the earth, and where would you sit in the "car"?

In terms of the environment, the above quote illustrates the sheer stupidity of how human beings are able to argue over something so trivial when there is an oncoming threat. This quote sends a message that if human beings are unable change their lifestyle and priorities, the future of our earth will have a disparaging, inevitable fate. In addition, the quote also illustrates how human being can be selfish by only thinking of themselves and “where there’re going to sit in the car”. Personally, I have also considered myself to be advocate for environmental change in the world and am a strong believer in climate change. However, I believe there is still a great deal of lifestyle change in my life that needs to be done in order to protect our environment. Although I hate to admit the majority of times in my life I have joined in the argument of “where to sit in the car” and put the choices of my own well being and successes before environmental change. In the future I will set goals of environmental change to my lifestyle as well as campaigning and donating to environmental and wildlife protection agencies. We will never be judged by the things we almost did or wanted to do, but the choices we made.  

Care Model: From Take More Action

1. In this scenario, I would prefer to lose the opportunity to hang out with my “crush” instead of encourage this kind of behavior. I have been raised in a family that discourages drugs, alcohol, and smoking and I share this belief. I do not wish to get caught up in this lucid behavior, and cannot see how this would in any way benefit me.
2. Firstly, I would never put false information into a resume. However; in this hypothetical scenario I would probably decline the job offer because I would feel too guilty, especially if I was hired over my friend who had a much better resume.
3. Personally, if my friend asked me not to say anything I would keep his secret because it may worsen the situation if I “snitched”. However, suicide is an extremely serious problem that cannot be ignored. I would encourage my friend to talk to the schools council because she is much more equipped to handle a situation like this than I am and keep an extra close eye on him. If he does not seek help and continues to worsen then I would feel obligated to tell someone.
4. Personally, I would stay. There are many ways in which I can express my rights without commiting an illegal act. I am not willing to jeoprodize my future, and I am unable to see how "hoping the fence" would solve the problem.  
5. We are not officers of the law, thus it is not our duty enforce the law or decide when special circumstances are necessary. There are more effecient ways to obtain information whithout passing any major ethnical boundries.  

Character, Integrity, Courage: Find a Quote

 

Beyond the rules of religion

The cloth of conviction

Above all the competition

Where fact and fiction meet

There's no color lines cast or classes

There's no fooling the masses

Whatever faith you practice

Whatever you believe

Oh, Heaven, Heaven

What the hell is Heaven?

Is there a home for the homeless?

Is there hope for the hopeless?

Throw away your misconceptions

There's no walls around Heaven

There's no codes you gotta know to get in

No minutemen border patrol

You must lose your earthly possession

Leave behind your weapons

You can't buy your salvation

And there is no pot of gold

Mmm Heaven, Heaven

What the hell is Heaven?

Is there a home for the homeless?

Is there hope for the hopeless?

Heaven aint got no prisons

No government, no business

No banks or politicians

No armies and no police

Castles and cathedrals crumble

Pyramids and pipelines tumble

The failure keeps you humble

And leads us closer to peace

Oh, Heaven, Heaven

What the hell is Heaven?

Is there a home for the homeless?

Is there hope for the hopeless?

Is there a home for the homeless?

Is there hope for the hopeless?

 

Link to song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ox_n7Z5JOk

            The above song is called Heaven by Brett Dennen. This is one of my favorite songs as it has multiple meaningful, thoughtful, and powerful messages. For instance, when he sings “You must lose your earthly possession, Leave behind your weapons, You can't buy your salvation, And there is no pot of gold” illustrates that our “possessions” or wealth are useless and have no meaning in heaven. Dennen refers to a place where everyone is equal and are materialistic society we highly value, has faded. Many of the lines relates back to issues we have discussed in class, such as “There's no color lines cast or classes” refers to the purge of racism and discrimination. Although “Heaven” is a Utopia mankind is unlikely ever to achieve Dennen gives an idea of what we should all work towards in order to create a free and just society.

Racism

Racism is the belief that characteristics and abilities can be attributed to people simply on the basis of their race and that some racial groups are superior to others. Throughout history the crimes concerning racism have lead to very dire and serious consequences. A good example is the Holocaust and the Nazi government policies of the Second World War. Even to this day many people wonder how an enter country could turn on a single ethnic group causing the massacre of countless innocent victims. A major root cause to the Holocaust was racism and discrimination. In addition, during the 1880’s Chinese immigrants of Canada struggled through the head tax, personal attacks and job discrimination because of racism. They risked their lives to help build Canada's railroad in the 1880s. But as soon as the work was done, Canada just wanted them gone. It was a difficult history for Chinese immigrants to Canada. Today, Chinese-Canadians are an integral part of Canada's multicultural society, and the struggles to overcome discrimination have not been forgotten.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htEtTra7rdw&feature=related

Violence in Society

After watching "Invisible Children," what have you learned about the "psychology of violence"? What are the root causes of the abductions and youth violence in Uganda and the surrounding region? How has this affected the mental health of these children?

            After watching the “Invisible Children” video on violence in society especially concerning youth I have become more aware of the dangerous affect of our powerful and persuasive media system can have on society. The invisible children video discussed how young men are given a distorted perception of what a “real man” should be. In the video Jackson Katz presents the “crisis of masculinity” and explains how young men are pressured to put on a tough guise. Katz illustrates our dominant culture creates a persona that boys and young men should be strong, powerful, intimidating, muscular, and tough. Through movies and TV shows, such as the expendables or lights out a famous boxing television show, the media creates a perception that men need to be violent in order to be respected and to be considered a real man. This negative persona can be reflected in our society through the high violent criminal actions of men in contrast to women. For example, the developing nation of Uganda has an extremely high crime rate, especially concerning gang violence. The purpose of gangs is to display superiority and power by corrupting civilians through violent criminal acts of killing, mutilations, and even cannibalism. Uganda is filled and corrupted with gang violence. However, Uganda is not the only country plagued by gang violence, these offenders also exist at home. The other day I was told about a violent gang story that took place in down town Hamilton. In order to be initiated into the gang you had to seriously injury or disfigure someone, resulting in the assault of several pedestrians. Where does such violence stem from? The tough guys persona presented by media, peers, and society with the help of gang members prowling for potential young children to join in such violence, are the root causes of this horrific behavior. Evidently, this issue of a “tough guise” and violence among youth is undoubtedly a serious concern. Not enough is being done to create awareness of the issue and our governments as well as society have taken little to no action of solving this problem.

Human Rights

What are your Human rights? A question every living person needs to know. According to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights created by the United Nations in 1948 every human being, whatever your nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status are all equally entitled to the following rights without discrimination. http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible. Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary international law, general principles and other sources of international law. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.

AIDS and Disease

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that causes the fatal disease called Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV attacks the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness that leaves infected people vulnerable to opportunistic fatal infections, illnesses, and cancers. The median time from infection to AIDS diagnosis now exceeds 10 years. AIDS is fatal if left untreated and there is no cure! Currently, the government of Canada is taking a federal initiative of engaging the following organizations:

• Public Health Agency of Canada;
• The Canadian Institutes of Health Canada;
• The Canadian Institutes of Health Research;
• and the Correctional Services of Canada.

The initiatives aim is to prevent the spread of the deadly disease, slow progression, and improve the quality of life for those people infected with HIV and AIDS. This strategic initiative also focuses on those people most affected and prone to HIV and AIDS, such as, people who use injection drugs, youth at risk, aboriginal people, homosexuals, and people from countries for where HIV is an endemic.

The epidemic of HIV and AIDS is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today. As this fatal disease continues to spread through globalization there is virtually no country left that’s remains unaffected. According to the United Nations and other World Health Organizations there were approximately 34 million people living with HIV in 2007. Challenges the world needs to overcome in order to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS are inadequate funding, weak infrastructure, and shortages of health workers in the worst affected countries. In addition, political or cultural attitudes are a major obstacle. For instance, some authorities are opposed to condom promotion, while others refuse to support needle exchanges for injecting drug users. Many are reluctant to provide young people with the proper education or education an education at all about sex and sexual health. Thus, because of this cultural attitude it is impossible to create awareness of the issue let alone solve it. Another very serious issue is stigma and discrimination. People known to be living with this deadly disease are often shunned or abused by community members, employers, friends, and even health workers. As well as causing much personal suffering, this sort of prejudice discourages people from seeking HIV testing, treatment and care. A wide range of interventions, including a strong commitment to preventing new HIV infections as well as treating people already infected, is necessary to tackle the global AIDS epidemic.

Canada has responded to this global crisis through the Canadian HIV vaccine initiative which contributes to global efforts to accelerate the development of safe, effective, and globally accessible preventions of HIV and AIDS.

Doctor Assisted Scuicides and Euthanasia

When the person we love is diagnosed with a terminal illness, is it better to respect their wishes and allow them to die with dignity or prolong their suffering because we are unwilling to let them go. The other day while visiting an older friend with a terminal illness, I began to question whether it is truly right to extend the death and suffering of the ones we love because we are unwilling to accept that it is their time. During the first few visits when my friend had been recently diagnosed, he still seemed to be in good condition. But as time passed, he gradually deteriorated to the point where he was not even half alive. He had a series of small strokes loosing the ability to communicate and perform simple functions. A feeding tube had been deposited into his stomach, but then removed because of vomiting. He slept most of the time because the only strength he had was to open his eyes, and see the beautiful world around him that he could no longer share. He was trapped in a decaying shell with no escape. Hearing the gruesome details of his last few days was difficult to bear, but experiencing them is unimaginable. We did not prolong his life but his agony, and instead of reminiscing on good memories that we shared with him throughout his life, we simply created bad ones. My friend was loved, but did not go gently into the night.

As a society, we have rules and laws to follow which have been set in order to provide us with a safe and peaceful society to protect us from violence. Are these terminally ill patients really being protected from our laws? Because of our laws, patients with terminal illness are forced to suffer an extended pointless and painful death. For instance, Sue Rodriguez had the courage to challenge our laws. Rodriguez suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease, which is a terminal disease that attacks the central nervous system. Rodriguez wanted to be able to end her life at a time of her choosing, but knew that she would be physically incapable of killing herself when the time came. Rodriguez was afflicted with the deadly disease as she fought for euthanasia laws to be changed in the early 1990s, but never lost faith in her argument and continually persisted till she changed history. When Rodriguez took her case to court, she lost her legal battle when the Supreme Court of Canada decided by a vote of five to four that assisted suicide should not be legalized in order to protect the life of those who are vulnerable. She died by suicide in 1994. Since then Canadian doctors and scientists spent the past two years examining end of life issues, and are adamant that their recommendations would not lead to compelled euthanasia of those who are vulnerable. It’s been almost twenty years since Canada's laws on assisted suicide have been challenged by a terminally ill person, and now a similar right to die case has plunged the issue back into the spotlight. The issue had been presented to the courts during August, the summer of 2011. The British Colombia Supreme Court is heard a case from a Kelowna woman who suffers from the same degenerative disease, ALS, who requested that her doctor be permitted to end her life before she becomes unable to move. She had been working with the Farewell Foundation however; the foundation lost its court battle to have the laws changed because its plaintiffs were anonymous. If the last few days of her life will be nothing but pain, and there’s no hope, then she should have the option to pull the plug. Canada should have a permissive yet carefully regulated and monitored system with respect to assisted suicide.

In my opinion, doctor assisted suicide or voluntary euthanasia should be legally permitted for such individuals who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and are competent to make free and informed choices that their life is no longer worth living. The irony is that in the modern western world, we have the right to live how we want, but we don't have the right to die as we want. Which is more important to you? Shouldn’t the dying depart this earth with dignity and peace or endure the relentless stripping away of their physical and mental abilities?

Biodiversity

Thousands upon thousands of plant, animal, and microorganisms species within different ecosystems of the planet such as rainforests, oceans, coral reefs, and deserts all making up are planet is known as biodiversity.

Why should we care about declining biodiversity? Biodiversity boots ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role. For instance, a large number of plant species means a greater variety of crops, greater species diversity ensure sustainability for all life forms, and healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

Currently, a major threat to Canada’s biodiversity is invasive species. Invasive species are “pests” that come from other countries or regions and are called “alien” when they move outside their native environment. Invasive species degrade habitat, introduce parasites and disease, and lead to species at risk. Invasive speciecs move into ecosystems and take over, killing local species and harming food webs.

In addition, fishing, hunting, forestry, tourism and agriculture can all be affected by invasive species. Some examples of invasive species are zebra muscles, sea lamprey, and emerald ash borer. In the Great Lakes Basin, invasive species foul water intakes, reduce the value of commercial and recreational fisheries, and reduce property values. Every year invasive plants cost the agriculture and forest industries in Canada about $7.5 billion. In the Great Lakes, damage associated with zebra mussels has cost between $3 billion and $7.5 billion. Fighting and preventing the spread of invasive species is also extremely expensive. That’s why the best plan is to prevent invasive species from entering Ontario in the first place.

Lastly invasive species can be dangerous to human health. For example, giant hogweed, a plant introduced from Asia, is toxic. The plant’s sap can cause painful burning blisters on skin and  temporary or permanent blindness if it gets in your eyes.

ISU Reflection Presentation: Human Trafficking

What was the most important/interesting thing that you learned during the presentations of your peer, and how does this change your perspective on the world.

In our World Issues class the presentation thus far that has impacted me the most is “Human Trafficking” presented by Robin. Although I am quite familiar with the issue of human trafficking in developing worlds, Robin’s presentation brought to my attention some dreadful specifics I was not aware of. The United Nations highlights human trafficking as one of its key concerns. In a study of 155 countries it found that sexual exploitation is the most common form of human trafficking, with 79% of victims used for the sex trade; 18% are used for forced labour. Human trafficking is a crime against humanity and violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights set by the United Nations. It involves the act of recruiting, transporting, harbouring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Trafficking often occurs from less developed countries where people are rendered vulnerable to trafficking by virtue of poverty, conflict or other conditions. Most trafficking is national or regional, but there are also notable cases of long distance trafficking. Europe and Asia are the most prominent for victims from the widest range of destinations.

Although human trafficking is mainly seen in the third world we cannot forget this problem also occurs at home. With forthcoming federal laws targeting human trafficking, analysts say youth need to know criminals prey on young adults to feed prostitution rings in Canada's big cities. The RCMP website notes that youth, runaways, and new immigrants as well as anyone who is economically disadvantaged could be a potential victim. After viewing this presentation my perspective on the World remains the same, however I feel much more informed and inspired.

In addition, Robin’s presentation was quite motivating by creating personal connections from statements of victims and successfully captured the audience’s attention through her introduction. However, although Robin was self assured she needed to maintain eye contact audience and an enthusiastic tone instead of reading word for word from a script. Robin was able to initiate a heated debate on whether prostitution should be legal in Canada and whether legalizing it will protect the victims of trafficking or make them more vulnerable.