I thought the video was actually really cool. I think if we can start implementing things like this we might be on our way to an overall better environment. I think that the best part about this video and its message was that this policy and course of action was really starting to take place in China. With all of the negative environmental effects China has been putting on the world, I think it’s about time that they started finding new ways to be more environmentally friendly. With that, as we are one of the most polluting countries in the world, I believe there need to be more policies to enforce global environmental friendliness, such as making it illegal for towns and counties to not have recycling programs. If we can start things like this I think we are on our way.

Wow, regarding the response of Scott McClellan. In this area of “security” where the American people are paying billions of dollars on the war on terror they should be informed no matter what. Most of the country doesn’t even support the war anymore, yet we still pay for it, so if our money is going to this cause which is almost impossible to stop we should know exactly what is going on. If the U.S. government is violating human rights, which were determined by many countries in the world including us, we should at least have an idea that it’s going on. This is why people are so surprised when the U.S. gets attacked. The public knows almost nothing while the military is doing very harmful and shady things to others.

I think that the article with the mosquitoes is interesting and that the growing mosquito population really due to the economic growth in countries such as India and China. Sure environmental problems are going on but I really think the main problem is regulating multinational corporations and for the world to start really recognizing that they are a problem when it comes to the environment. I believe a way to fix this problem is for big organizations such as the UN to put regulations on these corporations involving pollution and environmental damage. This spread of disease seems to be a result from environmental damage and we need to regulate the people who are the possible cause of this problem, especially involving the health of people in a country such as India.

My opinion-

I thought the article was not very surprising that there was more terrorism in Spain, especially in the northern region.  But I was rather surprised to hear that they were Islamic foreign terrorists rather than the northern separatist powers we normally hear about. It seems to me, especially in the past few months, that Spain is really cracking down on its terrorism and is trying to unify the state more so than ever. Overall, I think the government has done a pretty good job sustaining the amount of attacks and actually arresting the suspects before strikes happen. They have captured many, included those who were involved in the attacks on Madrid in 2004. Spain is doing okay with terrorism and hopefully the terrorist groups will decrease activity.

My opinion-

This article was surprising for me because I really didn’t expect to hear that there would be even a mention of peace talks between the two because each side is very headstrong about the topic. At first I thought it was terrible that Taiwan did not sign a peace treaty when they had the chance, especially since it was proposed by China. I more or less thought that an opportunity like this would not come by Taiwan again, but then I read further into the article. Within the article it basically said that the interests of the Taiwanese would be omitted in this unity for the greater good of China. With that, I think it was good that Taiwan refused the proposal because this treaty was obviously not within the greater good of the Taiwanese people. Until China comes up with a proposal that is sensitive to the needs of Taiwan’s people I don’t think that their leaders should concede to a treaty. Taiwan also needs to be careful regarding their frequent hints towards independence provided that China keeps their friendly behavior alive. Taiwan did the right thing, but must be careful while they make further decisions between the mainland.

My opinion-

This is an interesting situation for the U.S. in that even though we have had good relations with China lately, this is not a helping cause with the efforts of the U.S. trying to end plans for Iran’s nuclear power. I would say that this really isn’t the right time for the U.S. to be hurting the relations with China, even though I think that the Chinese will eventually get over it and our relations will go back to normal or even “warm” relations as stated in the article. This could be a bad move by the U.S., but not one that will damage our relations with China for too long.

My opinion-

I thought this article was directly related to my topic and I thought it was good to post with the Dalai Lama coming here to IU so soon. I think it’s funny that China always has to find a way to put down the Dalai Lama, but I guess I can kind of understand them from a political stand point in that he is a problem in the eyes of the Chinese government. For the U.S., I don’t really this will cause any problems or distrust in our relations with China because we are really only involved with China on issues of business. Both of us disprove of the other’s government, but we always seem to have relations and especially business relations.

My opinion-

The article, I thought, was not really surprising because so many of their leaders were arrested last week. It was natural that after arrests like that the terrorist group would respond, but not so violently. The article said that the ETA has not had fatal attacks since 2003, except for the attacks in December, which broke a peace treaty that had lasted for six months. Who knows what’s really going to happen with the ETA, but hopefully the new speculations about the ETA aiming for casualties is false and we can only hope for the best.

My opinion-

I thought this article was dangerous because it is giving both sides reasons to be angry with each other. It pretty scary to think that both China and Taiwan are developing weapons “just in case” the other attacks. Obviously with the growing conflicts about independence, the two think that attacks are very possible sometime within the next five years. This is a very dangerous position for the U.S. because our relations with China need to remain good because of their growing progress as a world power. But it also puts us in a bad position if we weren’t to support Taiwan because we have been so supportive throughout history and decently supportive in relations lately. The development of these weapons is really not good for anyone but the Taiwanese and this is a dangerous proposal for them as well.