Joseph Abdul
2/21/14
Democracy Now: week 4
The topic of climate change is becoming more and more significant. The drought in California, record-breaking snow on the East Coast, major flooding in England, and rising temperatures in Russia are some examples of the issue. Most politicians find it easier to be reactive rather than proactive. Thus a lot of money is being designated to building shoreline walls to protect from flooding. On the other end of the spectrum, winter Olympic athletes are rising against big corporations that are profiting from fossil fuels. In this years winter Olympics temperatures had reached 60 degrees. This is hotter than last year’s temperatures during the summer Olympics in England. According to Bill Mckibben, author of “Oil and Honey”, the weather patterns we are seeing today are accurate with scientists’ predictions three decades ago. The climate issues need to be taken seriously soon or the next generations will suffer.
On other news, Edward Snowden, former NSA counsel, leaked NSA files and documents that accused the government of wrong doings. The NSA has assisted the CIA assassinating suspected terrorists overseas by providing spied information. Also, some of the files compromised some Americans’ privacy. Email, phone, and Internet browsing records are now in the wrong hands. Are his actions patriotic or traderish? These practices are known to result in murders of innocent people who have no connections with terrorism whatsoever. Some Americans still believe that it’s the right thing to do to defend our country while others are more concerned about their privacy and want to know what the NSA is doing.
With all the latest NSA issues, I can see a social movement in the making. As technology continues to develop, there will always be a dispute on laws controlling that technology and movements to take sides.
Links to videos:
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/13/this_should_not_come_as_a
http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/14/debate_was_snowden_justified_former_nsa
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