In Bedbugs, Scientists See a Model of Evolution...

(http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/science/in-bedbugs-scientists-see-a-model-of-evolution.html)

http://cdn.orkin.com/images/bed_bugs/bed-bug-on-hand_2592x1944.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life is constantly changing. A few of these changes can include environmental changes, animals adapting and adjusting to live as fit. In fact, one of the most common pest, bed bugs, can be an example of Charles Darwinism's evolution theory. In case you didn't know, bed bugs are small brown bugs that feed on animals or humans. In fact, the bed bug's history is quite interesting.

Back then, bed bugs lived in caves and fed on bats. However, as early humans came to live in caves, bed bugs turned their attentions to their new hosts. As they followed humans around, they slowly changed, adapting by sleeping by day and feeding at night. In fact, scientists noticed a difference between the bed bugs and their diets. Those who fed on bats had stronger legs than ones who fed on human, due to the fact of hanging upside down with the bats. Also, bed bugs with lived with humans had a much shorter life span than the ones who fed on bats. Since these bugs adapted quite quickly, scientists can't help but wonder if these bugs will change once again, having resistance of pesticide and creating another branch of bed bugs.

I honestly find it amazing how something so small can adapt and adjust living longer than humans had. Also, how well Charles Darwinism's theory is, still applying to even today. It makes me wonder if we human will continue to adapt and maybe change our behavior just like the bed bugs did.

Two Dead as Police Raid Terror Suspects in Belgium....

(http://news.yahoo.com/two-dead-police-raid-terror-suspects-belgium-195405277--abc-news-topstories.\

http://news.yahoo.com/two-dead-police-raid-terror-suspects-belgium-195405277--abc-news-topstories.html

 A week right after the tragic terrorist attack in France, Belgium reported an attack targeted on them. Apparently, the police decided to round up people in a series of raids, depending on who they think would be a terrorist, intent on launching terror operations in Belgium.

"During the investigation we found that this group was about to commit terrorist attacks in Belgium," Van der Sypt had said.

And sure enough the suspects opened fire with automatic weapons at Magistrate, one of the places the raid was being held.

Luckily, no civilians or policemen were hurt. However, two of the suspects died and one was injured before being arrested by the police.

My only question I have is how did they pick out the suspects? Did they judge solely on the race? Or did they actually do a backgound check?

I thought this article related to what we discussed in class, racial profiling. Did these policemen use racial profiling? There wasn't a photo of the suspect in the article nor a name so that remains unknown. However, I am still very curious in how they picked these people out among the whole country. Since this is fresh news, there will be updates so hopefully I will get my questions answered.

After 2 Deaths, New York City Adopts New Strategy to Protect Homeless Children...

(article: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/nyregion/after-2-deaths-new-york-city-adopts-new-strategy-to-protect-homeless-children.html?action=click&contentCollection=N.Y.%20%2F%20Region&region=Footer&module=MoreInSection&pgtype=article)


Living in a shelter is tough. Imagine all the harsh conditions people have to live through just to get by and see tomorrow. Its something no one should ever have to live through. Its something a child should never experience in their childhood. Childhood is all about bike riding and swinging on swings, care-free. To just think about little kids living through these environments is so hard breaking. Then, to hear that Jeida Torre, a three year old little girl was beaten to death by her step-father because she soiled her pants in the shelter home is just over the top. However this isn't only the only case. A week later after Torre's death, Linayjah Meraldo, 4, was fatally beaten at a Queens shelter. This led to Homeless services officials identifying high-risk families, stopping the problem before it can happen. In a way, if you think about it, its like the broken window theory. In recent weeks, the Department of Homeless Services has had social workers visit over 500 high-risk families at dozens of shelters to help them. In fact, the department spent about $2 million to hire 33 licensed social workers for a team that will be assigned to families in need.

I personally think that this is all worth it to help families with trouble and help them get through the tough times without having to hurt a poor innocent child. With social workers accompanying these broken families and helping them get by, we are able to stop a problem before it happens.

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2015/01/08/nyregion/SHELTER/SHELTER-articleLarge.jpg

Do Dogs go to Heaven?

(http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/12/world/europe/dogs-in-heaven-pope-leaves-pearly-gate-open-.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news)

Imagine it. What will your ideal heaven, if you believe there is one, look like? Will it have dogs from all over running around and barking? Well, maybe if you really liked that movie, "All Dogs go to Heaven."

http://www.scaryforkids.com/all-dogs-go-to-heaven/

However, present-day, this theory doesn't seems to have an actually answer. There are tons of arguments surrounding this idea, either you agree or disagree and the reasons why are just endless.

But it comes down to this. On December 11, in the St. Peter’s Square, a little boy asked Pope Francis the questions of all questions, "Do dogs go to heaven?" The little boy was distraught due to obviously his passing of his dog. The Pope in reply answers,“One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.”

Of course, it was unsure if the pope said that just to comfort the little boy and give him hope, nevertheless, this welcomed many animals rights activists such as PETA who seemed happy with the response. They continued to say how animals don't belong to us, rather, God, and that's why we should respect them.

Even though, despite this, the Pope seemed very opened lately, being okay with gay marriage and even now this. I have to admit, this may be one big step for religion in the future since many branches of Christianity may follow after the Pope's statement.

I personally feel there is a heaven for pets, because that's where I want to believe my cat is, waiting for me by the gates of heaven.

Wave of Protests After Grand Jury Doesn’t Indict Officer in Eric Garner Chokehold Case...

(http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/nyregion/grand-jury-said-to-bring-no-charges-in-staten-island-chokehold-death-of-eric-garner.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=a-lede-package-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0#)

People from all over have their own opinions and thoughts about the police officers living in this country. Some good, some bad. However, when Darren Wilson didn't get indicted for the shooting of Michael brown, this sparked chaos in the way people viewed police officers. it didn't help when right after the case another officer too was indicted even though a video evidence was provided.

To explain, a white New York police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, choke hold an unarmed black man, Eric Garner, leading to his death. A video was even taped of this happening. This criminal case went to the Staten Island grand jury, who decided that they didn't have enough evidence to proceed.
This angered many people even more as riots and protests from all over New York are popping out. People everywhere are chanting, “This stops today,”  and “I can’t breathe," to show their support for Eric Garner. In fact even Barack Obama, like before, had something to say about this issue along with our mayor Bill DeBlasio. “When anybody in this country is not being treated equally under the law, that is a problem,” Mr. Obama said, “and it’s my job as president to help solve it.”

Honestly what do I think about this issue? I feel as if this is ridiculous. What more evidence do you need than an actual hard copy of a video? Are we in danger to a point that even hard evidence can't protect us? Is race the factor that is playing the whole part to this case? Its sad to see the system that we all trust, fail.

However, in a way, if you think about it, this did bring many people together, even though lives were lost. People from all over came together on an agreement, to bring justice in where none was found, which is a pretty big step in society. The only thing I hope is for everything to get resolved and bring peace of mind to the families who lost their dear loved ones. 

The CIA wants to destroy thousands of internal emails covering spy operations and other activities...

(Article: http://news.yahoo.com/the-cia-wants-to-destroy-thousand-of-internal-emails-covering-spy-operations-and-other-activities-144303528.html)

http://topinfopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/cia.jpg

The C.I.A, or Central Intelligence Agency, is an " independent agency of the United States government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest; headed by the Director of Central Intelligence under the supervision of the President and National Security Council." (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/CIA)

Well, recently this agency decided to delete internal e-mails, including messages sent by all covert and counterterrorism officers after they leave the C.I.A.

Senate Intelligence Committee members are concerned that it may get rid of key records from some of the agency's most controversial operations. Or as Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein and ranking minority member Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. would put it, "[it] could allow for the destruction of crucial documentary evidence regarding the CIA's activities."

The C.I.A, on the other hand, disagrees claiming that committee's concerns are overblown and ill informed. 



Well, what do I think about this issue? Personally I'm suprised how easy it seems for the C.I.A (not including getting the move passed) to delete e-mails for basically, ever. Nowadays people worry about what they send, who can see it, and the fact that the "internet is forever." So, whenever people are applying for jobs of colleges, they might have concern for their message history. And of course whenever we delete a certain e-mail, it'll still be there somewhere in the web. In fact, if one tried really hard, they can find it. So it amazes me how the C.I.A can rid of e-mails forever, e-mails maybe conerning things we Americans don't know about.

Obama Said to Plan Moves to Shield 5 Million Immigrants...

(http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/us/obama-immigration.html)

Since in government class we have been discussing the different views of democratic and republican, I thought that this article would be fitting considering one of the biggest argument between the two parties is immigration.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/us/obama-immigration.html

In this article, Obama wants to allow more immigrants, approximately five million, to be able to stay in America without being deported. That is because he wants to help certain people, like parents who are immigrants having legally born American citizens, to be able to stay in America with their children. They wouldn't be granted a green card, but they wouldn't be deported back to their birth place. Not only that, but he wants to grant working permits to people under 31 who arrived to America before June 2007. (according to Yahoo! News)

On the opposite side of the party, republicans disagree from all around stating the many problems we will have if we allow so many immigrants to live in our country. Also, that Obama doesn't have this much of a power to make this policy happen.

What is my opinion? Well, maybe I don't understand this article well enough, but my vote is more towards Obama. Why? Because I feel as if immigrants deserve a chance to live in America. I mean, at one point of our lives, all of us are immigrants, whatever being our parents, or our grandparents, or even our ancestors. (Excluding American Indians, being the original people living in America.) All of us deserve at least one chance to reach that dream or goal we want to achieve, the very thing we want to grasp in our very hands. But of course, I understand how the republicans are feeling and their concerns, but I wish one day I will be able to see everything living with each other in peace and harmony.