The Pope <3 America

The current pope is the second pope to have visited America. His name is Benedict XVI. He has shown more (how should I word this) love? for America than any other pope in the past. He is a German. The first time he had ever encountered America he was 18 years old. He was an injured German soldier who watched as the opposing force America, helped rebuild his city. When they could have easily destroyed it. I think this is a great story. Along with showing me the popes love for America this article in Time magazine has shown me the strength and care of America. I love the fact that we could go to war with Germany and still after it is all over help them clean up. Much like we are doing overseas today.

A Lion Meets His Winter

Robert Gabriel Mugabe. The lion. His loss of presidency. His winter. This article is about a place called Zimbabwe. Recently on walls next to election posters for presidential candidates in Zimbabwe a large amount of political graffiti has been popping up. One of the etches simply saying "enough". I think has a great deal of meaning to it. Something has to be done in places like this. The presidents are corrupted and treat there people poorly. Even if the votes are counted fairly, which is doubtful, and Mugabe loses his place there still may be poor economics and a struggling society. As I said something needs to be done in Zimbabwe and in many places to insure peoples freedom and to ensure peoples safety from the government.

Nudge

This new book is about decisions. Not just about them but, it's about improving them. It is 293 pages about improving decisions concerning health, wealth, and all around happiness. It describes how people make decisions based on others. For example if you give someone there electric bill and it is high it may not have an effect on them to stop using so much. But if you give them their bill compared to say their neighbors. They will stop using so much electricity. Another good example is to put healthy food in the front of a school lunch line rather than at the end. This will encourage the kids to choose the healthy foods first and fill there tray with that.
What's interesting about this book is it gives a way to give people choices yet nudge them towards the correct or more beneficial one. Hints the title "Nudge". I myself do not own and have not read this book yet. But I am sure it will be great. It seems to open minds about decision making and may help you make better decisions.

The Clean Energy Scam

Today everyone is looking for a new way to help the planet. A new way to "think green". But it has been discovered it may not be as great as we think. There may be a scam behind the aspect of a green earth. We could be losing money.
Some of us don't even realize how much we hurt the planet. We are hurting the planet everyday on a large scale just by buying soybeans. Or perhaps more accurately our way of getting them. Everyday forest are destroyed for land and resources to grow soybeans. This isn't right. I think we need to be true about helping the world be and stay healthy. There should be no sort of money being made off of people "thinking' they are helping the world. Also if the growing of soybeans destroys forest. Lets stop growing them or find a new way to.

The Ghost of Memphis

In two days it will be the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The assassination took place outside of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. King was in town to support local garbage workers. He was 39 years old when he died at 6:00 P.M. on April 4th, 1968. Which means he has been dead longer than he lived. This is amazing to think when looking at how much progress the man is still making today. His impact on society was absolutely amazing. He has made us all think of who we are and how we should treat others. He is a true hero. Among with the group of people with King there were four men who were really close to him, and have now said what happend on that day. Rev. Billy Kyles said he thought he was having a nightmare. Rev. James Bevel thought it was just someone playing a trick at the moment then he realized Martin wouldn't do that. Rev. Jesse Jackson said the police thought it was one of them, that came with their guns drawn so they all pointed to were the shot had came from. Andrew Young said when he came out of the door he asked Martin if he wanted to go back in and get his coat, Martin responded "Do I really need a coat?" then it happend.

Patriot Games

When it comes to the Olympics there has always been someone wanting to boycott. The reason, usually is the location of that years Olympic games. It is quit often for reasons such as war or something personal between two countries. Recently some people wanting to boycott the upcoming Olympics are Hollywood icons. Icons such as Steven Spielberg, Richard Gere, and Mia Farrow. Their reasoning is Darfur and Tibet. I do not think the Olympics should be boycotted. I think a bigger point is made by going to the games in a country you don't agree with rather than staying at home. We need to go to the games to show people we are proud of our country.

Postcard: Bhutan

Currently in Bhutan there is a change going on. Democracy is coming in. Bhutan is a peaceful country that sits between the giants India and China. On March 24, Bhutan will be having its first ever general election. However there are many concerns on the idea of "change" in Bhutan. One of the biggest concerns is that Bhutan is extremely religious. The reason this may pose a problem is because the country is doing great for itself right now but if you throw in government this may change. I think it would be great to see Bhutan pick up democracy, this way every ones voices could be heard. That way the country could prosper and become an amazingly pleasant and peaceful place.