Pope Benedict’s last words

On the 26^th of February, 2013, Pope Benedict officially resigned in front of a crowd, tens of thousands of people large. In his final words to the nearly 1.2 billion Catholics around the world, he reviled a more personal and strong message to the public crowds then most would have expected. In his final speech, Pope Benedict make very clear statements that at times in his life at the church, “the lord seemed to sleep” This statement not only shocked the crowd listening to his final words, but brought up more questions. Following these statements the pope reminded everyone that since his time of first being pope, he had prayed every day for gods guidance and wisdom. Another interesting remark that would beg more questions surrounding the pope.

 

Everyone needs help in their lives at some point. Weather that be with small or large ordeals, we have all needed assistance from another person or object. The words that the Pope has spoken were not only true to himself, but revealing of his history with the church. The comment that “God seemed to sleep” was one that I feel is almost necessary. To say that you live a perfect live with the answer all the time would be a lie. To say that you have spherical awareness 100% of the time you are awake would be a lie. Because we are human, we can never be perfect all the time and is such, Good on the pope for saying that the path was not always clear to him.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/27/world/europe/vatican-pope/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 

Brazen Jewel Robbery at Brussels Airport Nets $50 Million in Diamonds

Brazen Jewel Robbery at Brussels Airport Nets $50 Million in Diamonds

Just after the weekend, a plane was robbed at a Brazilin international Airport. The target, over $50 Million in diamonds and precious meatless. 18 munities before the place was meant to take off, 8 men armed with Semi-automatic firearms, dressed in police uniforms and driving in homemade police cars, drove through security and right to the plane loaded with millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds. In the small gap that the plane was meant to make it from the loading station to the end of the runway for takeoff, the robbers stopped the plane, telling people that they were doing an inspection. A few minutes  later, they had loaded over $50 million dollars’ worth of diamonds into their trucks and sped away. Not only were they fast, professional and mature about the whole situation, but they were smart enough not to draw detention to themselves or even half to fire a shot.

 

Like all robbers, you have to feel that what they are doing is wrong. We are taught that it is wrong to steal even under dire circumstances. But this robbery was very interesting. The men that robbed this plane were very organized. They knew when and where the diamonds were going to be on the plane. They knew the time between takeoff and taxiing from the gate. They knew everything about how their operation was going to go down and they executed it near perfectly aside from missing several packets of diamonds. This was not only a well-planned out operation, but this was one where they knew what they wanted and they did not let anything get in their way. Yes, they were armed but they never needed to kill anyone. 9 times out of 10, when you fire of your guns in a public place, you are not only going to attract media, but security, police. The longer your shoot out goes on, the more willing people are to use more and more deadly resources to have you stopped. They knew this and they made a very clear point in not attracting attention with their firearms. I feel that this was a bad thing to do and that stealing is bad, but at some point you have to give them credit. With the low level crimes and poorly planned out robberies that are made to end with death, once and a while, it is almost nice to see nobody die and people get away with no evidence left behind. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/world/europe/thieves-steal-millions-in-diamonds-at-brussels-airport.html?_r=0

Oscar Pistorius will likely get off

Oscar Pistorius will likely get off 

Oscar Pistorius, or the “Blade Runner” has been accused of the murder of his girlfriend. His side of the story lists that he was at home and apparently he heard someone “broke into” his house. He quickly ran to his hidden gun location, took out his fire arm and shot the intruder. This all happened on Valentine ’s Day in a horrific turn of events. According to his statement, his girlfriend had locked herself in the bathroom when Oscar Pistorius shot inside to ‘disarm the intruder’ Once he was sure that the person inside was wounded enough that he/she could not hurt him, he proceeded to bash down the door. He states that once he saw who it was, he carried his girlfriend downstairs and called emergency services. As this was happening, he proceeded to say statements such as “she died in my arms”

 

This is a very interesting story. Not because of the victim, but because of the turn events that led to this eventual situation. It is very hard to tell what exactly happened during the shootout, but what has been made clear is that Oscar Pistorius’s girlfriend had locked herself in the bathroom when Oscar began to shoot inside. This is not only strange, but inconvenient. If the ‘intruder’ was locked in the bathroom, could Oscar not attempt to reason or talk to the intruder? Or could the intruder not say something to inform Oscar? It all seems to happen to slow for no communication not to take place. Though I am sad to say it, I tend to agree with Oscar in this matter. Unless substantial evidence is found the proves that Oscar knew who he was shooting at, or that he was the attacker, and not the apparent other way around then I do not see a clear way that a murder charge can be placed. If in fact he did murder his girlfriend, this would probably be one of the more well planned out attempts. With no witnesses and what seems to be an apparent Valentine ’s Day accident. Not only does this look more and more like self-defense and like a large accident, but it seems to be falling more and more in the favor of Oscar. But unless clear motive or evidence is found, I feel that this will brush by as just an act of self defense. 

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/02/19/oscar_pistorius_will_likely_get_off_because_fear_animates_much_of_south_african_lives_kelly.html

The World reacts to North Korea Nuclear Test

The World reacts to North Korea Underground Nuclear Test

Over the past few days, North Korea was successful in its 3^rd official nuclear test. On May 12^th, the Bomb was set off, sending world geographic sensors into frenzy. After ruling out the possibility of earthquakes, officials determined that it was a nuclear grade device that produced a 4.9 shake on the rector scale. Shortly after, the North Koreans announced that they did test another underground nuclear device. This can be seen as a last attempt to frighten other nations, but has caused the opposite affect. One of their last remaining allies (China) had asked them repeatedly not to do this test. By following through with the test, it is a middle finger to china and another warning to the United States of America. The North Koreans say that they are planning on testing more long range nuclear rockets in the future.

 

Not only has North Korea completely screwed itself by preforming this last nuclear test, but it has shown that they do not care anymore about what happens to them. You cannot honestly say that North Korea is not ready for a full on war with anyone who they like. Aside from the 1.1 million official soldiers that they have, they starve the locals of their country, they reward military officers and they are not afraid to stand up to the power nations. But I feel that this might be one of the last draws for the North Koreans. This test is just one more sign that will push the United States into another conflict; and because North Korea has completely ignored the advice of the Chinese, they find themselves with no allies, the ability to launch nuclear devices and an army that can match the powerhouse that is America. Sooner or later, North Korea will launch an attack. Most likely on the USA. Or vice versa, America attacking North Korea. But one thing is for sure, that the North Koreans have proven that they ‘do not need allies’ and that they are capable of detonating high destructive devices.

 

Now, you could argue that if someone went up to America, and told them not to construct or have nuclear devices, and America would just start constructing more nuclear devices and then begin to test. But we look at this from a wordy view.  Most nations have signed an agreement to have the rights to own nuclear arms, but not to test. North Korea is on a very slippery slope, one that will eventually lead to their destruction.  Not because they have the means to destroy, but because they want to destroy. A nation does not build and test nuclear arms and conscript most of their nations to the army if they do not want war. This is a fact that the US sees and ‘hopefully’ will deal with. 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/12/world/north-korea-nuclear-reax

The Pope Resigned?!

The Pope Resigned?!

At age 85, we find the current Pope resigning official on February 28^th The catholic community went frantic and are rushing to find a new possible candidate for the spot. Though the current Pope believes that the sections that have been made are currently in good standing and that his replacement will be just as successful as him. Aside from the shock that many Catholics are feeling right now, this is the first time in 600 years that the Pope as stepped down from his spot. The last time a Pope had left, it was to end a civil war within his church.

 

I feel that regardless of his standing, the pope was and in in the right to step down. In the end, what he was doing was just a job. And eventually, following religion or not, he would have to stop doing his job; weather that be to resignation or to death. At the age of 85, most people would agree that any common task would be made complex and hard just because of the human body’s decaying fashion. You look at pictures of the pope and you see, he is not a very healthy and young looking person. Sometimes it would be better to resign and let a new voice be heard then to possibly suffer through several more years of extreme had work and pain. 

http://thebottomline.as.ucsb.edu/2013/02/hope-for-humanity-popes-resignation-raises-questions-over-the-validity-of-christianity-and-religion

Here’s why things cost more here than in the U.S

Here’s why things cost more here than in the U.S.

On review at the Canadian Senate, are the cost differences between the American and Canadian businesses. After inspecting several different items that travel between the United States and Canada, they came to the conclusion that Canadian consumers feel “Ripped off” because they will end up paying more for products that (For example) are made in China, move to America then pass the boarder to Canada. In Canada the Tariff is 18% well in America it is 2.9% this was originally set up to protect Canadian manufactures, but they are all gone now.

 

First of all, I completely agree with this post. Why is it that I have to pay more money in Canada then what I would have to pay for in America? Not only has the US benefited off of this gap in the system, but they exploit it. Why purchase a $50,000 car in Canada when it is $45,00 in America? Would it not be worth it to drive down the two states and purchase it there? And then you look at the Tariff percentage and you almost jump out of your seat. So then I must ask why do Canadian’s have to pay more for products?

http://www.thestar.com/business/personal_finance/2013/02/06/canadaus_price_gap_senate_report_due_today.html

GO launches new Quiet Zones on Barrie trains

This idea is to reduce the amount of noise produced inside the GO trains that move around the Barrie area. It will require passengers with headphones, cellphones or any noise making device to be keep off or have the volume turned down at specific times and in specific areas. This would also require that the devices to not bleed noise. This is in an attempt to reduce the noise during the early morning and late nights. An example, on a 90 minuet train ride at 5:00AM, if someone has a pair of headphones that are bleeding deathcore music through the car, the other people on that car will be possibly attempting to sleep or have a rest.

I actually completely agree with this new rule. I feel that disrupting people in GO trains are not only an annoyance, but a bad representation for themselves. This restriction to the noise will helpfully reduce the ever more stressful conditions of some of the passengers of the go trains as well as improve the general condition of the riding experience on a GO train. I feel though that unless this rule is heavily enforced, it will probably fail. A good way to do this would be to have a guard on every train, able to regulate the noise on each car

. 

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/02/05/bulgaria_says_hezbollah_had_canadians_help_in_july_bomb_attack.html

Vancouver police seek motive in stabbing of 7 people

Early in the week, Vancouver witnessed a brutal attempt from one man to take the lives of others. This 33yearold man walked into an apartment building on Barclay Street (Vancouver) and proceeded to stab 7 different people, three men and three women are current in the hospital and on3 police officer was treated on the scene. It appears that there was no motive for this man to stab any of these people, and this confuses police more when we see that the victim’s and the stabber have no relationships or connections to one another. This seemingly ‘random’ act of violence against these seemingly random people brings a serious problem that our American Friends have been having, to our country.

This not only prompts the conversation of possible mental health but brings the more American ideals to the table. We ask the question, what if one of these 7 people had a weapon? Well we look at the 7^th victim, a police officer. Not only was he armed, but once he and his unit had showed up, the Stabber was placed under arrest [More than likely at gunpoint] so then we ask, what if one of the 6 civilians was armed? What if the first person who was stabbed had a concealed firearm? Would 6 other people have to have been injured? What if the police did not show up? This story could have been titled, “Man Stabs 20, 30,40 people” in that apartment building. But what stopped him, another weapon. So now we are not only dealing with a possible mental health problem, but a problem that Canada seems to have; the ability to defend yourself. In our laws, it is written that you have the right to use equal force to defend yourself against an attacker. So If someone comes at you with a knife, you can use a knife or less lethal weapon to defend yourself. If someone comes at you with a Gun, you can use a Gun or less lethal weapon to defend yourself. But if someone comes at you with a knife and you shoot him, you can go to court can see possible jail time? The last time I checked, people who get shot or stabbed do not carry around every type of possible weapon so that they can pick what to use when threatened. In a life or death situation, you should have the right to use any force necessary to defend yourself. This would not only save lives, but prevent future attacks from ending in more than just one person getting hurt.