Nick S' Blog

A Grisly Crime Surges Into Spotlight As Mexico Shifts Drug War Strategy

Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN

In a world where violence is just a part of the daily news and we are so used to hearing about the ongoing troubles to stop it, it is more serious than we think in other countries.  After reading the CNN article by Catherine E. Shoichet, A Grisly Crime Surges Into Spotlight As Mexico Shifts Drug War Strategy, it is easy to see the conflicts that Mexico is continuing to have with its drugs and drug cartel problems, along with how it is affecting the lives of everybody within Mexico’s border.  This article gave an overview of the recent tragic events that have heightened the enforcement along with the new strategies to stop the on going problems and how the involvement by the U.S is helping.

Shoichet opens up the article with a quote showing the severity of the events from Mexico’s state-run news agency, Notimex.  “Seven bodies sat slumped in white plastic chairs placed near a central plaza in Uruapan, Mexico…the men appeared to have been killed by gunfire, investigators believe organized crime groups are to blame,the targeted men were windshield washers and farm workers” (4-12).  Opening the article with this quote not only helps set the tone about the issue and the severity of the event, but shows the reader that something needs to be done to stop these acts of violence.  When reading this quote and opening statement, the words and phrases like “bodies sat slumped”, “killed”, and “targeted men” really put the topic into perspective.  These acts of violence are happening to everyday normal citizens.  But they are being targeted.  It helps sets a feeling of worry and a tone of franticness.  While reading this article It was easy to feel a little scared.  Later in the article, with knowing that something needs to be done, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, insures the reader and the citizens of Mexico that a new strategy is being pushed.  It is explained that it is aimed towards focusing on dealing with social and economic issues that end up fueling the drug trade and less on combating/fighting cartels head-on (27).  This not only shows that the President of Mexico knows the problems and is trying to stop them, but insures a sense of safety, commitment, and a safe, peaceful future in the time to come.

Shoichet goes into explaining the new strategy of President Enrique Pena Nieto and how the U.S approach to the topic is shifting, while explaining that with politics, it will take time for change to happen.  He goes on to tell the reader how the citizens don’t want to wait for the government to make change.

To add to the new strategy that will take effect in the time to come, Shoichet explains that troops already deployed to roam and secure the streets from former President Felipe Calderon, will more than likely remain there for the next year (67).  Before explaining the involvement of the troops, Jose Carreno, a Mexican journalist who has covered the governments security strategy  told CNN; “There are no miracles, in economics, there are no miracles, and in security even less so.  They are things that happen little by little, gaining ground piece by piece” (61).  Sergio Mejia, head of restaurant and business owners in Acapulco, added “We think the government is very timid, very slow.  If there is no immediate response, it leaves us no choice but to join the fight” (71).  Just from hearing two citizens perspectives, we gain the knowledge that the citizens want a fix now.  It can’t wait any longer.  With the involvement of the U.S, the U.S. State Department said that some of the efforts to fight combat cartels in Mexico have paid off (79).  Some of the Major cartel leaders have been captured.  They go on to add that the number of annual deaths because of drug-related violence, declined from 2011 to 2012 (80).  Shoichet then stated that the “U.S has provided $1.1 billion in security aid to Mexico since 2008 through the Merida Initiative” (85).  This not only shows the U.S’s approach to the drug cartel issues in Mexico, but shows that the U.S is seriously involved in the attempt to halt the violence of the drug cartels.

Understanding  and realizing the real issues of the drug cartel related violence in Mexico is crucial.  Innocent citizens are being targeted and killed for no reason.  It is an act by the cartel’s to show that they are here to stay and that nothing can stop them.  But as a citizen of Mexico and being a citizen of another country, it is easy to see that something needs to be done before an entire country is in war with each other.  While on the other side, some citizens of Mexico believe that the public and media are making the issue seem bigger than it really is.  But even if so, innocent lives are being taken from families that have nothing to do with any of the violence.  The death of seven farmers and windshield washers is enough to prompt a need for change.

After reading this article and continually hearing about this issue in the news, it is easy to see why change is needed now.  It is, to me, a very scary thing to think about.  This could easily happen in any country anywhere.  Even the U.S.  Only time will tell if the new strategy by President Enrique Pena Nieto will work.

South Korea Warns North Of  ‘Strong Response’  To Any Attack

Jethro Mullen and K.J. Kwon, CNN

In a world with the news constantly changing and new updates to the heavily watched North Koreans, we are constantly hearing the country’s name and their newly announced remarks or plans to countries around the world.  After reading the CNN article, by Jethro Mullen and K.J. Kwon, South Korea Warns North Of ‘Strong Response’ To Any Attack, it easy to see why the statements by North Korea is something to pay attention to and something that will not leave our attention for a long time.  The new statement against South Korea and the U.S came moments after the U.S flew stealth fighter jets close to the tense region as a joint military exercise with South Korea.  It is easy to see how the remarks by North Korea are being taken very seriously and actions taken to insure safety, and how the conflict between North and South Korea is bringing the U.S into the situation further.

Mullen and Kwon open the article with a quote describing what prompted the new conflict.  “The South Korean president on Monday warned North Korea that any provocative moves will be met with “a strong response…If there is any provocation against South Korea and its people, there should be a strong response in initial combat without any political considerations” said President Park Geun-hye (1).  The statement by South Korean President Park Geun-hye not only shows her intentions, but shows the level of seriousness that the country of South Korea is in.  When reading this opening statement, the words like “provocation”, “response”, and “political considerations” help show the severity of the situation.  These statements by all the countries involved are not something to be taken lightly and thought of as something fake or a trick.  As the threats and statements from North Korea continue to surge the news, they keep getting worse in plan, tactic, and detail.  Mullen and Kwon remind us that when North Korea declared a ‘state of war’ with South Korea, that the two countries have never been in a stage of “non-war”.  After the conflict in the 1950’s, the Koreas ended in a truce, not a peace treaty (30).  To display strength, Mullen and Kwon tell us that “Washington’s recent announcements concerning practice flights over South Korea by B-52 bombers and B-2 stealth bombers, both of which can carry both conventional and nuclear weapons, have not been lost on Pyongyang” (41).  These acts were later described as “acts of hostility” by Pyongyang. This not only shows that the countries of North Korea, South Korea, and the United States are not taking the matter lightly, but proving and showing that the matter could and will be used with aggression and force if needed.  A statement that this is a serious matter.

Mullen and Kwon go into more depth about countries displaying their view and strengths on the topic along with what other countries are calling for.  While reading this article, along with other articles and watching the news, it is easy to see how the statements made by one country and one ruler affect the whole world.  Many countries are voicing their opinions on the matter.

To add to the United States flyovers, Mullen and Kwon add  that “U.S. and South Korean officials have been trying to strike a balance between acknowledging that the North’s rhetoric is cause for concern and at the same time playing down the severity of the threat” (63).  Park Geun-hye stated that she was “viewing the threat from North Korea in a serious manner” (68) while a senior U.S. Defense Department official saidthat there are “no indications at this point that it’s anything more than warmongering rhetoric”(70).  As being shown, there is already confusion and debate on whether the alleged threats are true or fake.  Mullen and Kwon also add that Pyongyang cut of a key military hotline on the border along with threatening to shut down the complex.  A joint economic cooperation zone between North and South Korea.  To counterbalance the statements and actions of Pyongyang, the journalists state that North Korea’s traditional allies, China and Russia, are calling for calm in the tense region.  Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei stated “We hope relevant parties can work together to turn around the tense situation in the region” (97).  She described peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as “a joint responsibility “(98).

In the last part of the article, Mullen and Kwon state that some analysts have noted that Pyongyang has carried out some sort of military provocation within weeks of every South Korean presidential inauguration (110).  This shows that maybe North Korea is just talking big or throwing their power and voice around.  South Korean President Park Geun-hye only took office five weeks ago in February.

All the news articles and stories regarding the threats of North Korea are very eye opening.  It is hard to think about a majority of the world being at war with each other if the comments and threats were to escalade.  Along with that, it is easy to see why some people take the threats very seriously, and why we should insure our safety; and why some people firmly believe that North Korea is just talking big.  Only the time to come will hold the truth in any comments made.

North Korea Issues New Threat To U.S Bases

Jethro Mullen, CNN

In a nation where freedom, self control, and the feeling of being safe everyday with everything we do is taken for granted; there are problems and flaws that are among us.  After reading the CNN article by Jethro Mullen, North Korea Issues New Threat To U.S Bases, it is easy to see how other countries and people around the world don’t think of us the same.  To other countries we are not perfect and they want to get back at us for what we have done.  It is easy to see the threat that we are under and why some people believe that this might happen and how some people believe that America is getting messed with.

Mullen opens the article with a quote stating what was recently said concerning the attacks by the Supreme Command of North Korea in Pyongyang.  “It will put on the highest alert all the field artillery units including strategic rocket units and long-range artillery units, which are assigned to strike bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor troops in the U.S. mainland and on Hawaii and Guam and other operational zone in the Pacific, as well as all the enemy targets in South Korea and its vicinity” (4).  This not only shows the plans and strategy of North Korea, but shows how they are going about it.  When reading this quote, the words like “highest alert”, “strategic rocket units”, “strike bases”, and “imperialist aggressor” shows the aggressive nature of these threats.  It is not something to be taken lightly and as a joke.  North Korea, in the past, has commented and showed their troubles and hatred towards not only the U.S, but other countries like Japan and the Republic of Korea (28).  In response to this, Lt. Jack Miller, a Pentagon spokesman, said “The U.S. is fully capable of defending ourselves and our allies against an attack by North Korea.  We are firmly committed to defending the Republic of Korea and Japan” (25).  This not only shows the different viewpoints between the two countries, but insures safety, commitment, and integrity of the U.S to it’s 7 billion people.

Mullen goes into reassuring the reader that the comments concerning the threats, have been the same issues threatened for the past few weeks.  He goes on to say how nothing has come from the remarks made in  Pyongyang.

To add to Mullen’s remarks about the alleged threats, he stated that North Korea is still years away from developing the technology that they claim to have.  He is talking about the capability of armed nuclear missiles that North Korea claims to have.  He goes on to say how North Korea has been threatening the U.S with these attacks for years now (42).  Mullen does give credit and reassure the reader that North Korea does have “plenty of conventional military firepower, including medium-range ballistic missiles that can carry high explosives for hundreds of miles” (44).  We then are told that the tensions have heightened since North Korea launched a long-range rocket in December and conducted an underground nuclear test last month (49).  It prompted the U.N. Security Council to take action.

Realizing and understanding the real issues of this topic is crucial in how Americans view the dilemma.  Many things can happen from this.  If the threats are true and accurate, America could be in a time of much stress, worry, a worsening economy, and even war.  Many Americans and people in general believe that North Korea’s threats are just them talking big.  Acting bigger than they really are.  But how would we know?  People are not even allowed into North Korea.  While on the other side of the argument, some people believe that North Korea will hold truth to what they are threatening.  Whether that be today, tomorrow, or in the time to come.  No matter what  individuals think, it is hard not to see that they are mad and have something against us and our country.  It is not hard to see that their plans are vivid and scary as well.

After continuing to hear about this issue in the news and reading this article, it is, to me, a very scary thing to think about.  We will never know what will happen till it does happen.  And that is enough to make me think.  Only time will tell what will come of these new threats.

Thousands pack St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ Inauguration

Laura Smith-Spark. Richard Allen Greene and Hada Messia, CNN

In a world where much change is happening and much chaos is among many societies; change is necessary to keep up with the ongoing challenges and dilemmas.  After reading the CNN article by Laura Smith-Spark. Richard Allen Greene and Hada Messia entitled, Thousands pack St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis’ inauguration, it is easy to see why the change of a Pope is such a big part of many people’s lives and a huge change in todays world.  This article gave an overview of the time when Pope Francis was revealed along with showing his style, the way he conducted and portrayed himself to his new millions of followers.

The journalists and writers of this piece started of by setting the scene and tone of the moment the Pope was announced to the public.  “It was with a call for the protection of the weakest in society that Francis was officially inaugurated Tuesday as the Catholic Church’s 266th pontiff, before a crowd of tens of thousands bathed in sunlight” (1).  This not only helps set the tone and setting for the piece, but shows the simplicity and personality of the new Pope in several ways. With the quote “call for the weakest protection”, it shows that Pope Francis has nothing to hide from his people.  It shows simplicity and his will to be with the people and not stand above them but with them.  By stating that Pope Francis is officially the “Catholic Church’s 266th pontiff” we see as the reader how important this is to some people’s society. It shows history.

This article doesn’t just stay on the topic of announcing Pope Francis to the public.  Later in the article, the journalists go into stating how the Pope interacted with his people and his new ways.  His simplicity and his way of conducting things compared to his predecessor Benedict XVI.

“He wore the simple iron cross that he’s had since he was appointed bishop and that he had on when he first appeared to the world as pope. And he chose black shoes rather than the red ones favored by Benedict XVI” (57).  This statement and description of Pope Francis goes into showing his simplicity and his originality. He isn’t a follower of past Popes, but still respects the history and the church.  It is easy to see why people have mixed views on Pope Francis because of how he is not like his predecessor.  But the fact that he is different is respectable.  “When the gathered faithful held up babies and young children for him to kiss, he obliged. He also stepped out of his sport utility vehicle to kiss the head of a man with a physical disability” (61).  The journalists here show the love and care that Pope Francis has for his many new followers.  Within this same section we know that it is not protocol for a Pope to leave their open-top vehicle to roam amongst the citizens.  Also stated in the article, is how when chosen to be the next Pope, you have the choice of riding in the Popemobile.  A bullet proof glass car that was installed when an attempt to assassinate John Paul II in 1981 occurred (71).  It again shows how Pope Francis wants to be “one with the people’ and “relate to them in all ways” while “bringing back the simplicity we all desire” (in video at top of page during Pope Francis’ address to St.Peter’s Square).

After reading this article, I found myself remembering watching this happen live after getting home from school.  I think that everything Pope Francis has done so far throughout his first couple of weeks is admirable and respectable.  I believe that everyone across the world desires simplicity and simple agreements like there once was.  Change can be bad and change can be good.  But it is all how everyone involved handles it and gets along with the situation at hand that will determine the outcome.  The fact that within one night, Pope Francis was relating to and acknowledging “strangers” shows that the years to follow will only be those of great change and insure us of better years to come.

Drone use in the U.S may require new laws, Senate panel told.

Carol Cratty, CNN Senior Producer

Today technology is huge controversy.  Debating whether or not certain technological devices help or hurt America in the military and our everyday life is the bigger picture in the current debate of drone use.  After reading the CNN article by Carol Cratty, Drone use in the U.S may require new laws:Senate panel told, it is easy to see why the topic is so controversial.  This article gave the opinions of high class senators and high ranking officials in some of America’s greatest organizations.

Cratty started off the article with a quote from Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy.  He said this statement about the issue.  “I am convinced that the domestic use of drones to conduct surveillance and collect other information will have a broad and significant impact on the everyday lives of millions of Americans,” (8).  This helps set the tone and the fact that there is controversy over the use of drones and that something needs to be done or talked about.  The diction of “conduct surveillance”, “enforce”, “authorization”,  and “monitoring” all play a key role in realizing the use and the effects of this very advanced technology.

The use of drones in the military doesn’t even come up in this article.  That shows that we have other issues with these drones that people need to know about.  Cratty goes right into telling the reader the use of drones within the communities now while also stating how and what some people believe they should be used for.

“The thought of government drones buzzing overhead monitoring the activities of law-abiding citizens runs contrary to the notion of what it means to live in a free society,” Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa said. “The small aircraft can be fitted with lightweight cameras” (18). While Amie Stepanovich, of the Electronic Privacy Information Center added “I think we do need to enforce a warrant requirement for drones in circumstances where they’re collecting criminal evidence, exceptions could be made for emergencies”(28).  The statement by Stepanovich is an appeal to logos.  It is like the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution that states for police and the Federal Government to need a warrant in order to search and look at ones belongs and property.  They bring up the logic and the point that we should have a say in whether or not we are being monitored by a machine in the sky for “security”.

While on the opposing side Michael Toscano, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International  said “The (Federal Aviation Administration) strictly regulates who, where, when and why unmanned aircraft will be flown. Operators of planes must get a certificate of authorization from the FAA, and the craft are to be flown under 400 feet and primarily in daytime hours”(46).  It brings up the fact that there are restrictions on what these unmanned aircrafts are able to do. But it is questionable.  Half of these drones are not able to be scene and that is why they are used in the military.  It makes you think and wonder if their is someone or something hovering 400 feet over us watching every move we are doing.

After reading this article, I found myself thinking about this issue a lot.  I have a brother in the Army and his view on drones is completely different than many peoples. Being that he has seen what they can do and what they are capable of doing in the Middle East.  I agree with what Stepanovich said.  I also agree that they are a very good piece technology to insure our safety in America.  But when our privacy and right to freedom is violated, it is a different story.  There should be restrictions on what these drones are able to do.  As a nation, we will only find out in time.