Short Critical Summary

Section 1:

In the recent news of South America, there has been a common theme of economic enhancement. There has been a focus on economic improvement by the governments. This has been seen through the drastic changes made in countries such as Venezuela, Mexico and through other changes in countries such as Brazil. This was a new development, not to say that South American governments hadn’t tried, in past years to make a change, but there has been a new approach taken to get the economies booming. This approach consists of Government regulations pertaining to trade and big business.

The beginning of the semester set the tone for the theme of economic improvement, with the re-election of Hugo Chavez and his new plan to nationalize businesses. With this plan for economic change, other economic changes began to develop in South America. I am not meaning to suggest that the theme of economic improvement was due to Chavez’s plan. In Mexico, the government was forced to step into the free-market and create price regulations on corn. This economic change was led by the voice of the people. This involvement of the Mexican government shows not only economic improvement, but also the fact that this change was sparked by the people, was a development that is unlike any of the other economic improvements that will be discussed. In comparison to economic improvement in Mexico, a common thread found in some countries is the concept of improving the economy through the improvement of other problems, such as eliminating police corruption, stopping drug trafficking, legitimizing businesses and decreasing violence. These governments feel that by improving these aspects of everyday life it will lead to a stronger economy. Some feel that it will encourage more tourists and foreign investments, if the overall image of the country is improved. Overall, eight articles dealt purely with the improvement of the economies.

Section 2:

In looking to the future of South America and its economic improvement, there is a real possibility that an improvement will be seen. Some countries have detailed plans for improvement, such as Brazil’s plan to invest money into the country’s infrastructure, appears to be thought out and have a projected timeline. For countries with a solid plan to improve their economy, success does look plausible. However, countries like Columbia who did not lay out a rigid schedule to attain economic growth, may find difficulty in finding this improvement. For countries with plans like Columbia, they are depending on the investments and interests of other countries to align with theirs. Instead of changing their own investments to better their economy, they are relying upon others’ interest in their natural resources, to bring about an economic improvement. The countries that are relying upon themselves for a change are more likely to reach their desired improvement levels because they are in control of their own success.

Section 3:

I felt that the process of commenting on others people’s blogs was an unsuccessful experiment. In the comments that were posted on my blogs, the majority were posted in the last week, and I felt that there was actually no real question being asked, but mainly a question that was made up so that they could get points for making a comment. Overall, I felt frustrated with the blogging process. At the beginning of the semester, there were not a lot of articles revolving around the topic that I had chosen. This made it hard for me to keep up with the class, when only two articles were being written a week about South America. I felt that in order to have a successful and semi-connected blog I needed to have chosen the topic of Iraq. Since, I didn’t have control over when news articles were written and what they were written about, it was hard to keep a steady blogging schedule. Eventually, this frustration made me not want to waste my time with it at all. I thought that it was an interesting way of turning in assignments and connecting the class, however, it was difficult because there was no givens. From responding on people’s blogs, I didn’t really gain anything, mainly because I didn’t have the time to go back and check to see if my question was answered. The best that I could do was hope that someone else would learn something from my questioning. The blogging experience was an interesting one, however, I feel that it may need to be revised before implemented into another class.

Reading Profile 2/26

The Washington Post series provided evidence to the fact that, some people’s disregard for Africa was a possible reason for the slowed response to the AIDS pandemic. However, I feel that it isn’t a disregard for the African people and their welfare, but the lack of international dependence on African countries that made it so the spreading of AIDS was not the United States, or other countries’ first priority. This is seen when the first decline in work started in 1990, “ ‘ In the '90s it became clear we were not going to have a major heterosexual epidemic in the States,’ said Michael Merson, who would succeed Mann at the WHO program. AIDS ‘was no longer a threat to the West.’” The perceived lack of threat and direct effect in the West was a deterrent to the work that could have been done to work on preventing AIDS in Africa. There are other factors as well that we cannot dismiss, such as the cultural practices in Africa that caused denial, or lack of faith in ways to stop the disease. Cultural practices that I am referring to is the lack of condom use and the disbelief in the actual protection that they can offer in dealing with the spread of diseases like AIDS. Also, other cultural practices that did not speed up the aid in Africa, was the belief that other factors were at work, not AIDS. Beliefs that AIDS was actually chira, or that it was a sign from God about the end of the world are other reasons that the spread of education in Africa was not as initially as successful as it was hoped to be.
Even though there were many opinions in the article about how the AIDS pandemic in Africa should not be necessarily a U.S problem, I feel that because we have the ability to help, there is no reason that we shouldn’t. However, I am not sure how much falls purely on the Government or if it should be more the responsibility of other organizations within the United States, which would make the American people more responsible. The United States government should plan some sort of role in Africa and other countries struggle with AIDS, mainly because they have power and resources that could be considered a real asset if used properly, such as medical personal, budgets and other useful resources. In many cases though I feel that the American people need to step up to the plate and work to help those who are suffering in the world. I feel that the reason that people in the United States need to step up to plate on the AIDS issue is not necessarily because it will effect our market, or even any part of our daily life, but it is more based on the humanitarian level of responsibility. If the United States is such a wonderful place and superior to other countries, as many citizens believe, then could we take our selves seriously if we did not use our opportunities and power to make a difference? I am not suggesting that everyone go out and join the peace corps or donate all of their possessions to help stop the spread of AIDS, but there are things that each of us can do. True, money is needed; but if you are unable to give it yourself, it is still in your power to contact your political representatives and let them know that you are interested in supporting ways to stop AIDS in Africa. If that is still too much for you, simply realizing that it is a problem and not denying the massive effects of AIDS could be enough, for now.
I do agree with Sachs and Sachs, that with a minimal effort from the West, the effect of AIDS in Africa could be greatly reduced. I am not sure if I agree that everything could be solved with just one dime out of every hundred dollars being set aside. However, I realize that if AIDS truly were a priority in the West that a huge difference could be made. Maybe not immediately, but for future generations it could mean life.

Salvadorians Killed for a Possibly Political Motive

In a February 21st New York Times article reports of the deaths of 4 Salvadorians on February 20th are still lacking a motive. The four men were on their way to a Parliament meeting, three of the men belonging the the National Republican Alliance and the other one their driver. It is reported that these men were shot multiple times and then their car was set on fire. Proceeding this, they were burned again. This brutal attack has not been associated to any group, however it is suspected that it might be related to some knowledge of on the men's father's actions in the 1980s, when he was suspected of ordering the death of the Archbishop, Oscar Arnulfo Romero. Some members of the National Republican Alliance have spoken out, saying that are refusing to let this possible "threat" effect their work. Mr. Saca said, "if the message is to scare Salvadorans who love liberty, then that person is wrong.'' I am unsure what to really think of this article, just because I am not too familiar with Salvadorian politics. However, if it is actually supposed to be a message to stop encouraging liberty, then I am glad that people are refusing to let it change the way that they live. I feel that it is a tragedy that these lives had to be taken, especially if it was in retribution for what one of their father's might have done. If that is the case, especially since the son was trying to live a better, cleaner life than his father, it would be a real shame.

Columbian Drug Suspect

In a New York Times article on February 10th, it reported that a much sought after drug smuggling suspect was being held in Columbia after hiding out in Cuba. Cuba had held this suspect, Luis Hernando Gomez Bustamante, in custody since 2004. Cuban officals released Mr. Gomez Bustamante to Columbian officals on Thursday without giving any reason for their actions. It is reported that Mr. Gomez Bustamante had said that he would rather be extradited to the United States for trial for charges of money laundering, racketeering and drug smuggling. He is supsected to have ties to the Norte del Valle cartel, known as Rasguno. Currently he is being held in Columbia waiting to be extradited to the United States for trial. To me, I thought that it was an interesting aspect that Cuba turned him over to the Columbians without any reason for this move. Mr. Gomex Bustamante had been sought after by the U.S, but with the lack of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, it is a curious interaction that happened. It is good to know though that a man who has been sought after since the 1990s for these charges is finally going to recieve his punishment.

Oil in Columbia

In a February 3rd report in The Economist, it discusses Columbia's new idea for oil. Columbia is in the process of trying to find new investors in their oil market. They are offering an amazing deal for any company that is willing to invest. Included in this great deal is a sliding scale of royalties depending on the contract terms. This new call for investors have led to about a dozen foreign companies looking for Columbia's oil. At the same time that Columbia has made an offer for foreign companies to draw oil, it is also changing the state oil company to include more private investors. I think it is good that Columbia is working on improving their economy through oil expansion. The article mentioned that other South American countries are working on drawing foreign oil companies as well, so if the deal that Columbia offers draws more companies, then I say that it was a very wise move.

News update in Mexico

So, I don't think that this will count as a newspaper article response was a hundred words or so, but I just wanted to post a little update in response to the article summary I posted regarding Mexico cracking down on drug lords. In a February 7th article in The New York Times, it is reported that an attack on an Acapulco police station resulted in the death of seven police officers. This attack is assumed to be the work of hired killers by drug mobs. To many it seems that this attack and other shootings in the past couple of days has been the result of President Calderon's sending troops into certain Mexican cities to stop the drug mobs. I wonder if attacks like this will continue in Mexico and if so, how will Calderon handle these attacks? Also, it makes me wonder if attacks like this will start popping up in other countries where their leaders have also tried to reform certain cities.

Reading Profile 2/7

Stewart’s attitude towards the possibility of a successful democratization starts off pretty positive, feeling that people would be willing and wanting to assist in their own democratization. However, the longer that he was in Maysan he realized that it might still be a possibility but it would be a lot longer of a time to achieve. He discusses the hardship that it was to get people to be willing to accept the idea of creating a council that incorporated the different political groups is Maysan. Besides these problems in creating a democracy, I feel that there will also be problems in changing the mindset of the people. The natural reaction for many of the citizens was to use violence when something went wrong. I think that Stewart still remains hopeful for the possibility of a successful democratization in Iraq, but that it might not be accomplished in the time period that the Coalition is trying to set for it to take place.
To me, I felt that Seyyed Rory’s greatest challenge over his first several months was the lack of information that was provided to him and the lack of enthusiasm that he was faced with by the citizens. With three different politically diverse groups, each feeding him lines and different information about who to trust and who is good and who is bad is did not help him to get firmly rooted in Maysan. This lack of knowledge effected his ability to be a strong leader in the area because the people did not respect him. The Prince did not respect his choices and did not feel close enough to him to help him out. An example of this is when the Prince requests that the governor from America come faster because the Prince felt that Stewart would not be able to handle the job. “The coalition has done nothing for the people here, nothing. No construction, no jobs. The economy must be got going. People are poor and angry. Molly must come at once. She will get money for the providence…We need an American. The British can do nothing for us.” (pg. 74) It is instances like this that demonstrate the lack of respect that is given to Stewart. When leaders like the Prince do not respect there is going to be a natural lack of respect that will pass down to the average citizens.
Stewart gave many attempts to try and appease the people and win them over. He traveled around the providence asking different people what they felt needed to be done. Also, he continually tried to win over the approval of the Prince and of the other top regional leaders. Stewart continually tried to work on improving different aspects of the community that people complained were not being accomplished, yet, no one ever appreciated the effort and work to the standards that Stewart had expected.
I feel that some of the attitudes that were shown to Stewart were not completely unfair, because he was there attempting to help. However, I felt that he can’t be completely excused, he should have used some of his resources to more fully understand the situation in the providence. There were other coalition officers, such as the colonel, that understood the area better, and the needs of the people and I felt that Stewart did not take advantage of these resources. Overall, I felt that Stewart diligently tried to make a change in Maysan, despite the lack of appreciation that he received from locals.

Cutting Down Crime in Mexico

In a January 27th Economist article reported that Felipe Calderón has wasted no time in working to cut down drug crimes in Mexico. Calderon has sent troops to Michoacán and Tijuana to take over for the police forces, who are seen as working for the drug mobs instead of against them. On January 19th Calderon extradited 4 drug kingpins to the United States for trial. He hopes that this crackdown will work on lowering the death toll in Mexico. Last year alone there were 2,100 deaths related to drug mobs. I believe that this new effort to decrease drug trafficking will be a positive thing for Mexico, I feel that not only will it work on decreasing the drug trafficking but it will also work on building up a better Police Force that will actually work on enforcing the laws.

Trying to grow a Brazilian Economy

Reported in a January 27th article in The Economist, Brazil's government announced a new plan to accelerate the growth of Brazil's economy. They plan this growth over the next couple of years, by investing more money into the infrastructure and housing and decreasing taxes, minorly. There has been a rise in the minimum wage by 9%. Overall, this new plan seems to encourage more action to the countries economic problem. I think this plan will be effective. It is good that the government is willing to invest more into the country and work on making life better for its citizens. By having it be a gradual increase over the next four years, I think it will increase the chances of the plan's success.

Has Chavez Gone Too Far?

In a 31 January Washington Post article Chavez's new plans are discussed. There are plans on the way to give more power to Chavez, allowing him to dictate new laws for 18 months. He says that with this power he will help "transform the economy, redraw the structure of government and establish a new funding apparatus for Venezuela's huge oil wealth." Also there was mention of Chavez's government eliminating Presidential term limits. The article discusses the different reactions that people are taking to this news. A mass of people have been gathering around the embassy to file for the right to move to Spain. Some of them are planning for the move in case things go bad and then things will be in order to leave. Others feel that Chavez's plan may turn over a new leaf in Latin America. This article caused me to think about what Venezuela may be getting into. At the beginning of the article it compares Chavez to a possible Castro. What if this does show true? Chavez seems to be taking some of his presidential roles past the point that his citizens feel is appropriate and it has only been a month since he was reelected. Unless the people make their concerns more vocalized, which is unlikely to happen, I think that Chavez will end up doing more damage to his country with his new 18 month "dictator" type rule.

Rio on the Rebound

In a January 20th article in The Economist, it reports that Rio de Janeiro's new governor is trying a new tactic to clean up Rio, something he likes to call reaching out for help. Being appointed governor on January 1st of this year, Sérgio Cabral was ready to make a change in Rio especially when dealing with cleaning up business, and stopping violence. He felt that in order to do this he would have to appoint outsiders to top positions. With these new people in power Cabral and others are hoping that this will be a turning point for Rio de Janeiro. I think that it is possible that there may be a change in Rio's future, but I am curious to see how well the people of Rio de Janeiro will take the hiring of outsiders, even if it is supposedly for "their own good".

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Corn Crisis!!!

In a New York Times article on January 19 it states that Mexico's public has been heard. With the rise of corn prices, the public could no longer deal with the effects and made their voices heard. The price of tortillas, an essential staple in the people's diet, had risen in the past three weeks to be 35 cents a pound. This price jump effected many local business owners to lose business. The people made their voice known and President Felipe Calderon actually listened. He called for an agreement with business owners to stabilize the price of corn. Not only did he make an agreement to stabilize the price of tortillas but he also regulated the prices of cornmeal that is sold to small businesses. These efforts should make a difference with the people's eyes. It makes me wonder if this understanding and listening to the people was a one time thing or if it will spread to other South American or Central American governments.

Reading Response Paper 1/22

With the prospect of a flattening world, there are possible problems that many people feel will arise. Many people fear the loss of jobs for the United States. In addressing this concern Friedman suggests that despite jobs being outsourced in large quantities there is a continuous rise of new jobs, in smaller numbers, that are created daily. Evidence of this is through the general stabilization of the United State’s unemployment rate, around 5%.
Is there a crisis around outsourcing and being able to maintain a job? Not really, if you have a job in some professions you may have something to worry about, after all nothing is guaranteed, yet, there are continually new fields and endeavors to be pursued. If the world is flattening it means that there is more availability to create new products and ideas, which literally can mean an endless job market. All we have to do is to take advantage of it. Does this mean that there is no crisis for the United States? No, there is still the crisis of the lack of interest in the science, mathematics and engineering fields. These job markets are some of the most available ones, when dealing with new jobs and ideas, yet there is a decline in the interest and ability in these fields in the United States. This lack of interest, as it is, is pushing companies to expand to other countries, with more ability and interest, especially in Asia.
There does not seem to be one real concrete reason why interest in these fields has dropped. Speculations include the lack of government encouragement, society’s need for instant gratification, and the idea to find schooling that is fun. To those with the interest in science and mathematics they find it fun, but how did they get that interest to begin with? Through different interviews Friedman finds a theme with parental support and encouragement. It is suggested that to stop the crisis the government, the Bush Administration needs to spend more time focusing on and encouraging science and mathematics in schooling. Without this support the United States will find itself buried deep in mathematical and scientific crisis.

Columbia Confessions

In an article dated January 20 (even though it is only the 18th, I am not sure how this happened), found in The Economist, there can be found some notes from the confessions of a paramilitary leader in Columbia. These notes disclose that there was a peace deal made between President Álvaro Uribe and Salvatore Mancuso, a paramilitary leader. It states that through this deal, in exchange for confessing and paying reparations the leaders are "eligible" for sentences of no more than 8 years, and the guarantee of not being extradited to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking. In his deposition Mancuso gave a presentation sharing over 87 different accounts and operation that involved the murder of over 300 people during the time frame of 1992 and 2003. Mancuso's deposition was postponed until later this month. I feel that this is a new step for Columbia, if they are able to make use of the information that was given and if more accounts are given. However, I am not sure how much information they will receive, so far they have mentioned that the names that Mancuso was willing to provide included only men that were already dead or convicted. Yet, with the information that will be given in the rest of Mancuso's deposition about drug trafficking may prove to be useful to work on stopping the flow. It mentioned that Mancuso is wanted in the US for charges of trafficking over 17 tons of cocaine. If confessions like this can help the US fight its drug war it will be a great feat.

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Chavez in Battle with RCTV

In a January 13th article in The Economist, it discusses Hugo Chavez's upcoming presidency and his plans to bring Venezuela into a "new era". Chavez's plan to nationalize certain companies has been a widely publicized topic. In this article it informs us that Chavez is not only nationalizing some, but is refusing to renew other companies contracts, mainly in the case of RCTV, a television station run by his opposition. The article states that this particular television station was one of the top supporters in the attempted coup back in 2002. By canceling RCTV Chavez is believed to be sending a message to other media in Venezuela to join him. Besides the non-renewal with RCTV this article discusses the possibility that Chavez with turn the Venezuelan government into a Cuban-style communism. I think that Chavez, despite his push for socialism, will end up turning towards a more communist style rule, during this term. I feel that this is a definite possibility because so far he has discussed the "state's" need to run television shows and to control banks and other businesses. In conjunction with this, he also has declared, for the first time publicly, that he is a communist. "He added that he himself had been a “communist” since at least 2002".

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