Proliferation of Weapoms of Mass Destruction

The dictionary defines the word proliferation as a rapid and often excess spread or increase. Thus we can then conclude that weapons of mass destruction (WMD) are rapidly and excessively spreading throughout the world. Many leaders are searching for ways of reducing proliferation, but it’s a challenge that could be considered utopic. It would require a worldwide effort to stop this proliferation, but there are too many power hungry and scared people that would not cooperate in fear of losing control or the means of control.

WMD may be classified into various categories. There are nuclear, chemical, biological and radiological weapons. These weapons are considered the most dangerous and powerful known to man. They have the enough destructive power to bring harm in large scale to humans, man-made structures, natural resources and the earth’s biosphere in general, thus the reason for the term “mass destruction”.

During the WWII, the United States led a project named, “The Manhattan Project”, which led to the creation of the first two atomic bombs used against a nation. The first one was “Little Boy”, launched at Hiroshima, and the second was named “Fat Man”, launched at Nagasaki. These two incidents gave end to WWII, but at a high price. Not only were many innocents killed, but this also created a fear in every nation plunging the nations of the world into a race to develop these WMD in order to feel safe and defend itself against such an attack.

Today there are approximately 31 nations of the world, known to possess WMD and around 32 different treaties regarding these weapons. Treaties are as far as it goes when it comes to eliminating these WMD. Even if every weapon was destroyed, this would not solve the problem. Why? Somebody would create or find the means to create another one.

In conclusion, proliferation of WMD can be considered impossible to eliminate, due to the fact that it represents power in a world driven by power and greed. Even if a nation “claims” that they have destroyed their weapons, there is never a true guarantee that they haven’t kept one hidden. It’s worrisome to think what would happen if one of these weapons was launched and everyone followed suite. It would definitely be an impressive fireworks show from space.

Causes of Poverty and Ways to Alleviate

Poverty affects the world at an increasing rate, especially nowadays, when powerful economies have been experiencing downfalls. When the people that have money are hurting, everyone down the chain is going to feel it even more. Some places are just now beginning to see increase in poverty and have no preparation or plans to deal with this issue.

Due to this new experience by many, the issue of poverty is at a new and greater awareness level. Poverty is an issue that has been consuming individuals and families for thousands of years, yet those with the means to help, pretend to be blind to it or just don’t care because they aren’t the ones being destroyed by poverty. But now, it’s beginning to affect people all around the world at one level or another. Those that are starting to live it are now a little more willing to help others less fortunate than themselves.

One of the main causes of poverty, if not the greatest, is the lack of education. With a better education, doors are opened for infinite possibilities. In a sense, education is the survival school for life. With it you learn a trade, how to grow with it and manage it. Education also instills important concepts for success such as discipline, motivation, goal setting, sense of competition, manners, etc. These are all elements that pave a road for success.

In remote areas such as Africa, in which the top ten poorest countries are found, poverty is caused by lack of resources, constant violence and power struggles. In these areas education would instill a greater sense of prosperity and equality amongst the population. Teaching ways of survival using the resources they do have. Education will help in directing all their negative energy and actions towards growth and team work for a greater well-being all around.

Using education to alleviate poverty in a place such as Africa, will serve as a model for the rest of the world dealing with this issue to find hope and a means of reduction. There is a saying in this continent, “Africa is Africa”. If it can happen there it can happen anywhere.

Letter of Apology for Not Attending Globalization Week

Robert Reeser

San Jose, Costa Rica

Globalization Week

Organizer

ULACIT

San Jose, Costa Rica

Dear Globalization Week Organizer:

I was really looking forward to attending several of the activities planned for globalization week, but unfortunately my class schedules and work issues prevented me from assisting. Though my efforts to dodge other duties in order to attend were fierce, the situation could not be helped.

I hope that you understand my absence and nature of the situation. I also wish that you will soon organize more events for the week focused on recycling and the link it has to the many issues that affect our society such as pollution, homelessness, job deficit, crime, and drug abuse; as well as ways to increase the country’s economic power along with a national sprit de corp.

Topics such as these need to be discussed more in depth throughout the university, combining the topics with classes. The fact that ULACIT is no longer applying tests offers a great opportunity to grow. Classes should be focused on learning through experience. This means that each class works together assigning teams amongst each other to accomplish a common goal that will help create solutions to negative issues.

By these means of learning through experience they will graduate better professionals with a resume that reflects their contributions and experience in forging a better nation. I believe that through this effort, ULACIT can spearhead a new form of education that will create wise and knowledgeable leaders.

I deeply regret not being able to attend globalization week and would like to offer my most heartfelt apologies, eagerly anxious for the next event. Thank you for your time and understanding.

Sincerely,

Robert Reeser

Student of Business Administration

P.S. I am at your disposal in any way that I may assist.

Impact of Immigration on Receiving Countries

Since the beginning of time, man has been migrating to diverse locations in search of adventure, knowledge, a better future or because their fugitives. No matter what the reason for their migration, it brings positive and negative impacts to the region to which they migrated to. These impacts have created much discussion and arguments amongst countries with high percentage of immigrants.

There are people that resent immigrants and are convinced that they are responsible for the crime in their neighborhoods. There may be immigrants that do more harm than good, but there are locals that play that same role. The reason that there may be a higher percentage of immigrants involved in crimes is because they are in a foreign area where they are less recognized or known. This is mainly applied to those that migrate because of legal issues.

Many immigrants are just in search of a better future. Take Nicaragua for example. Most Nicaraguans immigrate to Costa Rica because the economy in their country is so bad. Lots of these immigrants have left their families and the comfort and love of their homes, in search of work and ways of sending money home to their loved ones. Yet in many cases they are mistreated and marginalized just because they are poor foreigners. Meanwhile they are also the ones who do the jobs that locals do not want such as hard physical labor under the scorching sun.

Other types of immigrants such as athletes are praised and welcomed to the point of changing nationalities. An example of this is Pablo Gabas, an Argentinian who is taking up the Costa Rican nationality to play soccer for the national team. This is considered a positive impact of immigrants.

Another negative aspect argued is that immigrants take jobs away from locals. There will always be room for growth as well as demand and supply. This negative could be seen as a positive just by going back to what was mentioned earlier. Most jobs that nationals don’t want to do are done by immigrants.

There are more positive impacts to immigration in receiving countries than there are negative. Without it great minds such as Albert Einstein would never have gone to a country which offered him the opportunity to contribute to mankind.

Global Warming

Global Warming

Many there are many opinions about global warming. Some claim that it has nothing to do with CO2. But the majority of people agree that it’s a real issue and needs to be stopped. So in an international effort to stop or slow down this problem, governments from all around the world have offered their own ways of helping. Some invent cars that run on alternative energy while others create laws that help fight global warming. These governments have all come up with great ideas and there may still be greater solutions to be pondered, but what will that matter if many of the people today cannot or will not take these solutions seriously? Many are the solutions which are set on the table, but people are either too lazy, self-involved or they don’t understand what needs to be done while others don’t believe that global warming exists. Some have the gall to speak out about global warming and that change needs to happen, yet they emit large quantities of CO2 and show no effort to reduce their carbon footprint.

Regardless of whether you believe global warming exists or not, the solutions offered for this problem makes sense at so many levels. Why wouldn’t somebody like to exchange the present energy sources or have clean air, water and environment? Imagine how lovely it would be to have clean rivers throughout the streets of San Jose. It would be incredible to get up in the morning and step outside for a breath of truly fresh air, absence of the smell of burning fossil fuels or any other gases and chemicals that contaminate our oxygen. Wouldn’t it be amazing to enjoy the few green areas found in the city, without having to see them loaded with trash?

Solutions to global warming, compliment solutions to other planetary problems. All of these issues are consequences that are birthed from the same womb. We shifted the balance of many systems. Many actions that have lead to our present state are rooted in one of two aspects; power hunger or seeking ways of making our lives easier and more comfortable. Some people would argue that this pursuit of comfort is not a bad idea, but they also forget that through discomfort, hard work and trials we form and strengthen character. So, to what point do these comforts really benefit me? If these aspects have led us to our current state, then perhaps doing the exact opposite may counter act and assist us in restoring our planetary condition.

Sacrifice is an important effort required on behalf of everyone, specially, those that are in positions of power and authority. These are the people that are in the spotlight and have, in a way, the obligation of leading others into a new way of life. They are in positions that amplify their voice. Sir Richard Branson a shared a similar idea during a podcast titled, “Walking with Giants”. Branson stated, “With extreme wealth, comes extreme responsibility”. To better lay this idea out and fully comprehend its meaning, the best quote would be Jesus Christ, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”.

The best solution for global warming are not the solution themselves, rather the people that can act on these. An idea requires more than just thought, it needs someone to put it into motion. As long as it remains just an idea, no matter how great, it will be useless unless acted upon. So why does the issue still linger of what needs to be done solve global warming? One could consider it to be a way of avoiding the responsibility and just letting others worry about it. With this in mind many people may be deterred with the overwhelming feeling that this is an issue too large for them to undertake and give up along the way.

The reality is that the solutions to global warming start like an avalanche. It begins with small pebbles of snow ice rolling down the top of a mountain, growing in size through snowball effect creating larger masses that will then move huge structures. A genius intellect isn’t required to understand the metaphor of pebbles representing actions performed by individuals. The question shouldn’t be, “How can we solve global warming”, but rather, “Who’s willing to act upon the solutions”?

So are you brave enough?

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence in Costa Rica

Domestic violence has been an ever increasing problem in Costa Rica, thus the reason for the government’s efforts to improve and better control this situation. Newspapers and television stations constantly report domestic disturbance stories from all over the country. The victims affected are not only wives and children, but mothers and husbands as well. Most people have a limited concept of what domestic violence is, which gives them the impression that they aren’t involved in it, but this essay is purposed to better educate them about it and give them a greater sense of awareness.

Most people define domestic violence as just a physical aggression, but in fact it covers a much broader range than that. Domestic violence may be verbal aggression or simple actions that do not involve words or direct physical contact, creating a psychological trauma to the victim. There are people that may read a story in La Nación about a husband beating his wife and criticize them, while they themselves treat their own wife or children with verbal insults or threating tones of voice. Then there are those that instead of using physical aggression or hurtful speech may simply lock a family member in a room or use actions such as ignoring an individual creating a feeling of unimportance in them. All these examples are different forms of violence which in the end affect the victim in a negative way.

This is an issue than can be found all over the world, but in Costa Rica it has such great magnitude, due to the fact that the culture is a very emotional one. Most domestic disturbances are born from emotions. Evidence of this is found in the news where the great majority of the cases are lover spats. A jealous husband, desperate for inner relief, either beats or kills his wife with the hope of relieving his pain. This clearly shows a lack of emotional control. Latin-Americans are known for being emotional, hence they are considered to be “caliente”. Another, cause of domestic violence is “chauvinism”. The husband beats his wife for any reason and the male children learn from example. The chauvinistic factor may be considered an attribute in the increasing amount of cases.

There are various ways and methods to solving this problem. Apply harsher laws along with better trained police having faster response time. It is very important that when an individual is arrested, that he doesn’t remain just locked up waiting to finish his time to just do it again, but rather during this time he is placed into a program where he may be educated differently as far as dealing with situations in a violent way. The mission is in trying to send him home a changed man, a better husband and better example for his children. Those that do not wish to change and continue to use violence are then subject to the full weight of the law marking him as a menace to society.

The solution isn’t that complicated. It’s a matter of women speaking up and real men educating foolish adult boys. Women need to speak up when they are faced with this problem. The tricky part is whether or not to jump in and rescue a domestic violence victim. There are cases in which a wife is being abused and a person interferes just to be yelled at by the victim to not get involved.

Bibliography

B., A. M. (2010, 02 19). La Nación. Retrieved 09 28, 2010, from www.lanacion.com: http://www.nacion.com/2010-02-19/ElPais/NotasSecundarias/ElPais2273922.aspx

Quesada, C. A. (2010, 09 21). La Nación. Retrieved 09 28, 2010, from www.lanacion.com: http://www.nacion.com/2010-09-21/Sucesos/UltimaHora/Sucesos2530584.aspx

Greetings Earthlings...

Hey what's up everyone? Welcome to my English IV blog. I'm not one to talk about myself, but since it’s a healthy practice to get to know each other, I’ll share a little bit.

I just quit working to attend school full time. I used to be a freelance tour guide and bartender. Before that I worked for the US government. I’m taking as many classes as I can so that I can finish school quickly. I’m also starting my own business in the tourism industry.

I like sports and any other activity that provide huge amounts of adrenaline. I also enjoy nature and mind games. I’m a firm believer in the fact that happiness isn’t found in what we can do for ourselves, but rather in what we can do for others. So I strive on helping others. I’ve learned that there is no higher rank than that of a servant. So consider me at your disposal with anything I may serve you with.

I’m currently living in an apartment complex, but I’m looking for a room to rent. When one seeks to build an empire, sacrifices are required. So if any of you know of a decent room to rent, give me a holler.

I do not have pets here, but back home I have 2 cats and a dog. This is a small number of pets than what I´m used to. I grew with many pets such as squirrels, toucans, parrots, dogs, cats, fish, turtles and my sisters. I really want to buy a black lab, but it’ll have to wait until I’m finished with school.

I have a serious looking demeanor, but in fact I’m a big goof ball that can’t stop kidding around. I’m a little shy at first, but after a few conversations I’ll chat your ear off. So be aware…

Good luck to all of you!