Blog 9 - How Bad is Brazil's Crime?

Summary:

This article gives some insight on what is going on in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. There was a video clip included in the article showing just how serious mugging has gotten. This clip was of a live television show where a lady was being interviewed and upon being asked if she was afraid of the crime in Rio a mugger came up behind her in attempt to steal her necklace. He managed to break it, but ran off before he could grasp it. The increasing crime rates have become a big deal with the World Cup coming up in only two months. Brazil officials are trying to get this under control before the tourists start coming in for this major event. Despite the attempts to control the street crime, it is still going up. There has been recent reports that tourists credit cards are being duplicated at ATMs in Rio's main international airport. Other crimes include cell phone robberies which have gone up 121%, robberies on the bus which have gone up 118%, and murders have went up 18%. An aggressive police program, pacification, has been enforced to create peace. Rio has ordered the police to be stationed in bad neighborhoods or shantytowns. 

Analysis:

This article shows how corrupt different places of the world are becoming. Even those these events are happening on the other side of the world, they still affect us as U.S. citizens. I mentioned in my summery that the World Cup is rapidly approaching and people from all over the world will be in attendance. It is really important for Brazil to get this crime under control, because if they don't the amount of people that will show up for this event will be affected. That will happen because no one is going to want to go to a supposedly "fun" event and have to worry about being robbed in broad daylight. Crimes such as this aren't high in Brazil only. The United States and Russia also have very high crime rates. This is an issue that we should get under control as one. 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/04/10/301414958/live-on-brazilian-tv-woman-talking-about-crime-gets-attacked

Blog 8 - North Korea Will Execute 200 Supporters of Jang Song Thaek

Summary:

This article goes into detail about how North Korea is planning a public execution of two hundred people. The execution will take place at a shooting range in the Military Academy. The people that are being executed have been labeled as supporters of Jang Song Thaek. Thaek was a top official in the Korean Worker's Policy. He was executed in December of last year for attempting to overthrow the Korean government. The government of Korea was so upset by Thaek's acts that they are now targeting his supporters. Along with the two hundred supporters being executed, over one thousand of their family members will be forced into concentration camps. It was noted in the article that this public execution is going to be used to make an example.

Analysis:

I chose this article because it relates directly with the lecture in class about why people go to jail and the ways that we try to stop people from doing wrong. This article reminded me of deterrence. Deterrence is the use of a punishment or threat that acts as discouragement to people, so that they won't do wrong. By Korea stating that they are doing this to make an example of them makes plenty of sense. They are trying to show the citizens how serious they are about these issues. During the lecture you stated how the ultimate form of deterrence is capital punishment especially when it is done publicly. Korea knows this and that is why they chose to go this route. I feel as though it's very extreme, but that's in comparison to the way we live in the United States. Everyone has a different way of living and public capital punishment and use of concentration camps may be acceptable in other countries and places.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/north-korea-execute-200-supporters-jang-song-thaek-article-1.1744668

Blog 6 - Afghanistan accuses US of killing woman, 7 children in airstrike

Summary:

This article discussed an interaction between Afghanistan and the United States. I chose this article, because I don't hear too much about broken agreements between two countries. On Tuesday night, seven children and one adult was killed by an airstrike by the United States. This was a big deal because of the fact that Afghanistan and the US had a mutual agreement that things like this wouldn't happen. Because of this event that took place, Afghanistan is very disapproving of the US and their acts. This isn't the first event where the US has betrayed Afghanistan and the agreements that were made between the two of them. Just last year a sergeant was sentenced to life in prison for killing sixteen Afghan civilians in their homes. Afghanistan is now in a very awkward place, because of the decisions the United States made.

Analysis:

Because of these choices, Afghanistan is in a state where they have to increase the protection around the country. I am more than sure that these strings of events are making Afghan civilians considering even staying there. I say that for the reason that they never know when things like this will happen. The part that has Afghanistan baffled is that these events are coming from the United States, a country where agreements and mutual decisions had been made with. This is definitely a social problem. The US is threatening the lives of many civilians, it is social in origin, and it harms the society in the sense that it threatens what we believe a society should be. The only way that Afghanistan can move forward from this is to stop ties with the United States and build up their country alone or either form alliances with other countries.

http://rt.com/news/afghanistan-airstrike-children-killed-670/

Blog 5 - Oscar Pistorius trial: Witness recounts accidental shooting in restaurant

Summary:

This article discussed a few significant events to occur in South Africa. These events were tied to Olympic star, Oscar Pistorius. The article opened up speaking of Oscar “accidentally” firing a gun under a table at a restaurant. The mishap luckily didn’t injure anyone, but the real problem came when he asked his friend to take the blame for shooting the firearm. His friend took the blame, but that seemed a little sketchy. One month after this event, Oscar was involved in another shooting. On Valentine’s Day of 2013, Oscar was accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend in his home through a locked “toilet door”. Oscar made several statements implying that it was simply a mistake and that he mistook her for an intruder. Neighbors of Oscar had given statements in court that they could hear the scream of Oscar’s girlfriend. Four shots were fired, so why didn’t Oscar realize there was no intruder after hearing his girlfriend scream after the first shot? These questions were brought up in the recent court case, but in the end Oscar Pistorius plead not guilty for murder and a firearms charge. Whether Oscar will be found guilty for premeditated murder or culpable homicide will be announced within the next few weeks. 

Analysis:

This event shows that fame and money only makes things worse. I say that because of the fact that even though Oscar is an Olympic star known as the “Fastest Man on No Legs” he still can’t be satisfied with life. No matter how much money we circulate in the world things like this will only continue to happen. This Oscar Episode is only shining more light on South Africa’s out of hand gun violence and crime rates. Residents of South Africa have reported being fearful of break-ins and various violent events such as this. Event such as these make the country or city that it took place in suffer. After hearing about violent events like these people will fear to travel and that will hurt the country greatly. We need to look at these situations and figure out a way to prevent them from happening. 

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/05/world/africa/oscar-pistorius-trial-third-day/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

Blog 4: Dozens Killed in Spate of Nigeria Attacks

Summary:       

  On yesterday, Saturday March 1, 2014, a series of violence led to the death of at least three dozen people. Around seven o'clock that evening a large group of attackers came into the village riding motorcycles and four-wheelers. During this time residents were preparing for prayer. The attackers randomly opened fire with AK-47s, rifles, and rocket propelled grenades. During that time they had killed thirty-nine people. The blame has been pointed to an Islamic group by the name of Boko Haram. Boko Haram has attacked this village several times over the past two years.The attack on this village occurred after two explosions in a nearby city. Dozens of people died in these twin attacks as well. 

Analysis:

  This article shows that the amount of violence that is happening in the world is ridiculous. Things of this sort has happened in the United States quite a bit. There has been the attack of the Twin Towers, the Boston Marathon bombing, the Sandy Hook shooting and so much more. As I researched the Islamic group, Boko Haram, I saw that they had began their operations peacefully within the first couple of years and then they resulted in violence. This gets my mind to wonder. Why would violence be the key? Why is it that this group can't be stopped? Why is it that we keep allowing innocent people to be killed? As a whole, we have to work together to get our levels of violence down to a minimum. 


http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/02/world/africa/nigeria-blasts/index.html

Father's horror as he returns home to find 'wife had murdered their sons and then killed herself'

Summary:       

  An article was published on January 10, 2014 about a murder and suicide case that happened in Harrow, North London. An accountant named Sakthivel Vageswaran, who is originally from Sri Lanka, came home from work to find his wife and two young children dead in their home. He walked inside the house and saw that this five year old and eight month old sons were in black bin bags. Frantic, Vageswaran started to scream for his children after calling the police. His wife, was suffering from post-natal depression, killed her two children and then strangled herself. The neighbors stated how they heard the couple arguing all the time and also stated how Mrs. Vageswaran reached out and called some of her close friends the day before but no one answered. They was said this was a cry for help. The next day when her friends tried to reach her, no one could. One of the neighbors also stated how she overheard Mrs. Vageswaran yelling about the baby crying and the pressure of having another child was weighing on her heavy. She could not deal with having two children and in return ended up killing them and herself. Mr. Vageswaran is devastated at what has happened and has stated that he can't even step foot back into his own home.  

Analysis:

  This article shows that America isn't the only place that is in trouble. Events such as these represent much more than they appear to be. When I hear of things like this I can't help but to think that we are in trouble as a whole. We have to get our levels of crime and violence under control. Crime and violence isn't something that is limited to only one country. It takes place in all areas and it's, quite surprisingly, the same things that are happening in our very own cities. It's quite mind-boggling to try and figure out why things such as this happens. Crime and violence is something that no one can put their finger on. We have to evaluate each situation and approach it carefully. That's what it is all about. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2537211/BREAKING-NEWS-Woman-dead-two-children-suspected-murder-suicide.html

Blog 2 - Car Bomb Kills 5 Outside Airport in Somalia

Summary:      
 
  On Thursday, February 13, 2014, there was a major explosion located in Mogadishu, Somalia. Located by the entrance of the international airport right beside a restaurant, a car loaded with explosives blew up. This explosion left at least five people dead and twelve injured. Witnesses made statements that the attack seemed to be planned for a passing United Nations convoy. This attack was later owned up to by the Shabab, which is a militant Somali Islamist group. The Shabab is trying to control Somalia bit by bit. The constant attacks from the Shabab has left Mogadishu scarred. Last week they banned the use of Internet.

Analysis:
  This article shows how power and control is becoming a serious problem. Violence and control issues are becoming more and more of an issue as time goes on. Mogadishu has a mayor, Mohamud Nur, who since taking office has had various reforms to improve the cities security. So, if Mohamud is all about the safety of his city, why is he allowing this militant group to cause harm to the citizens and people traveling through their city? It doesn't make sense to me. We have to take responsibility of ourselves and become more aware of our surroundings. If the people of Mogadishu were more aware of the car resting by the entrance of the airport, maybe this explosion could have been prevented. Airports have security, so as a part of monitoring who is coming in and out of the airport they should be monitoring what is happening around the perimeters of the airport as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/14/world/africa/car-bomb-outside-airport-in-somalia.html?ref=world

Blog 1 - ICC opens CAR 'war crimes' preliminary investigation

Summary:
        
 Earlier today, an investigation has been started by the chief prosecutor to look into the war crimes happening in the Central African Republic (CAR). This all began over a year ago when Muslims seized power. CAR has been in mayhem ever since. There has been a series of brutality reported mainly between two groups of people: Christians and Muslims. The violence in CAR is at an all time peak with mob killings, rape, sexual slavery, robberies and destruction of property. These acts of violence have all been directed towards the Muslims. On last Friday, thousands of Muslims piled onto trucks to leave the city. As they were leaving one man fell from the truck and was brutally murdered and lynched. As the Muslims fled the city Christians began to cheer, happy they are getting what they want.

Analysis:

This article shows just how big a deal violence is for us all over the world. One would think that this sort of violence wouldn't be associated with two major religions. In my opinion, this is definitely a social problem. The reason I say that is because it fits all three of the requirements. It is social in origin, it's harmful to many people, and it conflicts with what we believe a society should actually be. I would actually want to know why isn't any repercussions being offered for these terrible acts? I find it quite sad and disturbing that this has been going on for over a year and by the looks of it it isn't near the end. There has to be some way for this to get under control. I don't understand why the chief prosecutor waited until it got this bad to want to start an investigation. In my opinion, the investigation should been started when the problem first evoked. I feel as though this is what's wrong with the world on so many levels. Officials would rather wait until the last moment or until the situation is at no point of return to attempt to look into it. We need to be more attentive as to what is going on around us, so that we can make the world a better and much more safer place to reside.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26089189

Topic: Crime

During the course of this semester I will be focusing my blog posts on crime and violence. I decided to choose this topic for the simple fact that each and every day there is something terrible happening in the world. From massive shootings, homicides, and other violent crimes we have people living in fear. I strongly believe that it is a shame that parents have to fear sending their children to school because of events that have taken place such as the Sandy Hook shooting.Throughout this semester I will be discussing various events taking place internationally that need to be brought to our attention. I believe that if we become more aware as to what's going on in the world we can make it a better and much more safer place to live.