thunderstorm thoughts- reflection #1

It is thunder storming outside, and thunderstorms remind me of the things I like about summer. Here's a list:

-my undying devotion to the pool
-time to read for leisure; I can't wait to read Nelson Mandela's Conversations With Myself, along with all the other books on my reading list
-DC day trips- see previous post regarding Ai Weiwei's two (!) exhibits
-cookouts/cooking in general
-my birthday! (August 15th)
-evenings on the deck
-slow mornings, coffee included
-having the ability to play '90s music really loud in my empty house
-and of course, thunderstorms

This list could be never ending but I think I'll stop for now before I give up on school forever and fail my finals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6jiGa9dEPs

empowering

The article I read, which was featured on the ONE blog, explains how the U.S.-funded AIDSRelief program has worked with Rwanda's Ministry of Health in addressing HIV/AIDS in the country. The article discusses how the focus of the program has shifted from emergency relief to building an infrastructure and helping the Rwandan government institute preventetive and stable care. Three things the program has focused on have been how the funds granted can be used most efficiently, the implementation of high-quality HIV/AIDS care, and community involvement in the health care system.

I really liked this article because it illustrates what can happen when funds are appropriated and utilized correctly. HIV is no longer a death sentence, as the article says, but programs like these need to be implemented so that patients can receive the care that they need. HIV/AIDS and global public health are topics that highly interest me, and I like reading about ways in which people are addressing these pressing issues. Though we are facing a budget deficit in our country, I think that we should continue our humanitarian efforts. We don't spend nearly as high of a percentage of GDP on humanitarian aid as some other countries, and yet we still have a huge effect. I think that the U.S.'s national identity as a country with integrity will only continue if we continue to help others, and this article was an inspiring story of how our aid half a world away can make a huge difference in the lives of people.

{via ONE blog}

tinkering

This article discusses parents who try to encourage their children to build, create, and experiment with everything from Legos to sticks as an alternative to watching TV, playing video games, etc. The author of the article also emphasizes the growth of this philosophy by bringing up the magazine MAKE, which originally appealed to creative adults but is now popular among teens as well. The author argues that his type of play, labeled "tinkering" is important to development and can lead to more resourceful, innovative adults. The two teenagers mentioned in the article whose parents supported tinkering and discouraged the use of electronics are both very successful- one has an engineering scholarship and will be attending the University of Pittsburgh, and one is a Thiel fellow.

I thought that this article was very interesting. I, myself, did not "tinker" as a child, but my parents greatly discouraged TV-watching, video games, etc. and I think that I am more creative because of it. I think that kids today often spend too much time with electronics, and I do think that it has an effect on their development. I also thought that the connection the author made between tinkering as a child and being innovative and bright later in life was interesting. Coincidentally, I have been reading a lot about the Thiel fellowship lately because I have a friend who won one of the fellowships. Peter Thiel was on 60 Minutes explaining his program, which has faced much criticism, on Sunday.

{via The Wall Street Journal}

Thiel Fellowship Website

a front row seat

This article, an op-ed by Frank Bruni, discusses the role of wives in politics. According to Bruni, there has been some buzz about First Lady Michelle Obama entering into politics as a senator for Illinois. This is unlikely seeing as she seems to be focused on her campaign against obesity and, says Bruni, "she's repulsed.. by Washington." This article uses this possibility to discuss wives' involvement in politics. Often, first ladies, whether wives of governors or wives of presidential candidates, do not choose to pursue political careers of their own. The author of the article argues that perhaps women in such positions should involve themselves in policymaking of some sort.

I thought that this article was thought-provoking. It is true that wives are rarely a part of the policymaking process, despite the fact that sons and daughters often use their blood relations to their advantage. I'm not sure how plausible it would be for wives to have completely independent political careers, though, and I think that the author of this article neglects the fact that often first ladies have important behind-the-scenes roles in their husbands' campaigns. I do think that first ladies should start to make more substantive efforts, though. I commend Michelle Obama for her efforts against childhood obesity, but I think it would be even better for a first lady to take on big challenges, like getting people to vote or working for women's rights. Overall, women are gravely underrepresented in the realm of politics, at great cost to society.

{via The New York Times}

according to what?

The article I read was about Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei and his two new exhibits in D.C. "Fragments" is on display at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, and "Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads," a collection of statues, is on display in the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. The article reviews the merits of the exhibits, but also touches upon Weiwei's life as a prominent Chinese activist. Last year, he was detained by the Chinese government and is still forbidden from leaving the country. The official charges were of "tax evasion," though it is widely assumed that he has been punished simply for speaking out against the Communist party and its policies. Many of his works allude to the social problems Weiwei has witnessed in China. The two exhibits are a prelude of sorts to a retrospective of the artist that will be at the Hirshhorn this fall entitled "Ai Weiwei: According to What?"

I really enjoyed this article because I enjoy visiting D.C. and had not known that Ai Weiwei had two exhibits showing there. The Sackler Gallery is right next to my favorite garden and the Hirschhorn is my favorite art museum, so I will definetely be checking out his exhibits. I also really like Ai Weiwei as an artist and am familiar with his previous works, so I enjoyed reading the reviewer's interpretation of his pieces. It was also interesting to read about how Ai Weiwei has been a target of the Chinese government in light of what we've learned this year.

{via The Washington Post}

ce #6

Russia has announced that it will support a U.N. resolution advocating a response drafted by Kofi Annan to end the conflict in Syria.

Russia's announcement comes after it has supported the Assad regime in Syria, and, along with China, has resisted placing sanctions on the country. Civil strife has been going on in Syria ever since last spring. However, the rebels in this country are poorly organized and have been heavily suppressed by the Assad regime- over 8,000 deaths are estimated, though the numbers could well be higher.

The announcement illustrates Russia's important role in global politics, which is interesting considering the significant domestic problems Russia and the Putin regime face. Perhaps Putin is involving his country in international situations in an effort to distract from domestic pressures, which have been great in recent months surrounding parliamentary and presidential elections allegedly ridden with corruption.

Furthermore, Russia's support of a humanitarian cause such as the one in Syria is interesting due to Russia's shaky stance on civil liberties. Many Russians have been jailed as a result of political dissent, and ethnic conflicts (ie Chechnya) have been handled with the use of excessive violence and force on the part of the Russian regime.

{via Time}

ce #5

In Moscow, more protests are taking place in response to Putin's presidential election win. Putin won 64 percent of the vote, and now has the chance to stay in power for another 12 years, if he's elected for two six-year terms. Putin has already been in power for twelve years; serving as president from 2000-2008 and prime minister from 2008-present. Up to 20,000 protesters marched on Saturday in Moscow to demonstrate their discontent with Putin's tight, long-standing grip on power. Though these elections were viewed as more fair than the December parliamentary elections, which drew more than 100,000 protesters, allegations of fraud remain.

The protests illustrate Russian citizens' struggle to voice their dissent while living in a not-quite-liberal democracy. Many arrests and detentions were made surrounding the protests, demonstrating the lack of true political freedom in Russia. Though their is a civic culture, it has trouble sustaining itself because dissent is highly monitored and often persecuted.

Russia's attempts at democracy have been marred by Russia's long history of a ruler-subject power structure. Unfortunately, with the re-election of Putin, this trend is continuing and Russia's hopes for a true democracy are dampened.

{via The Washington Post}