http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/14/investing/japan-currency-war/index.html
The bank of Japan, BoJ, is taking steps to fight their deflating currency values. This means that as opposed the growing value of things in the US, the value of things in Japan are going down. While some may not see this as a problem, what it means is that people are waiting to buy since they see no reason prices will go up. And that is part of what is hurting the economy. The only problem with Japan's goal, is that raising the value of the Yen effects other countries currencies as well. And most governments, like most individuals, are concerned with themselves first. The BoJ plan to inflate currency by 2% may come under some pressure by key Asian trading partners such as China and South Korea. However the US official position is in support of the banks direction as we have been doing much of the same tactics in recent years. J
In my opinion we should all be saying "more power to Japan". They're taking initiative to stabilize their country. And doing this is something they believe will help the rest of the global economy. It is a big risk for the governor of the bank to be taking. And I think that not only we, but all other countries should support him in this. If we saw a chance to fix the economy and passed up on it, not only would the citizens of the country be mad now, but they would be made even generations later. It's tough luck that Japan's need to change their currency may have negative effects for others. But it's nothing worse than what would happen if Japan went bankrupt. Also, just because you are trying to do right for yourself doesn't mean you are trying to spark a currency war. Let's all sit back and keep our negative opinions to ourselves while we learn a lesson in initiative and progress.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Thai UN Fire
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/23/world/asia/thailand-refugees-fire/index.html?hpt=wo_c2
A fire broke out in a U.N. camp in Thailand yesterday and killed 32 refugees from Myanmar. At least 100 other people were injured, some quite seriously. The camp effected was the Ban Mae Surin camp. Outside of the people injured, hundreds of huts were destroyed leaving 2,300 refugees homeless.
Previously I have written on another fire. The fire that happened in the South American night club. It is kind of amazing to see how often these things seem to occur. After reading the initial article I also happened to read a few of the comments. One of which was by someone who used to work at different UN camps in Thailand. This person blamed the UNHCR for criminal negligence based on their experience of a cholera outbreak. I think that on top of how sad it is that these people died in the first place, the fact that the UN is maybe at fault is even worse. The very people who are supposed to protect the world and those at risk are putting them at risk. The fact that there are multiple instances where the UN has been involved with the harm of those it is sheltering is something that the whole world needs to investigate. Let us pray for the safety and strength of those affected, as well as the progress of the world in safeguarding its people.
A fire broke out in a U.N. camp in Thailand yesterday and killed 32 refugees from Myanmar. At least 100 other people were injured, some quite seriously. The camp effected was the Ban Mae Surin camp. Outside of the people injured, hundreds of huts were destroyed leaving 2,300 refugees homeless.
Previously I have written on another fire. The fire that happened in the South American night club. It is kind of amazing to see how often these things seem to occur. After reading the initial article I also happened to read a few of the comments. One of which was by someone who used to work at different UN camps in Thailand. This person blamed the UNHCR for criminal negligence based on their experience of a cholera outbreak. I think that on top of how sad it is that these people died in the first place, the fact that the UN is maybe at fault is even worse. The very people who are supposed to protect the world and those at risk are putting them at risk. The fact that there are multiple instances where the UN has been involved with the harm of those it is sheltering is something that the whole world needs to investigate. Let us pray for the safety and strength of those affected, as well as the progress of the world in safeguarding its people.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Face Tats
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/08/tech/social-media/apparently-this-matters-face-tattoos/index.html
This article is about face tattoos. In this article the author talks about a couple in Russia, Rouslan and Lesya Toumaniantz. Rouslan is a tattoo artist whom in the past tattooed 56 stars on a young womens face who publicly said she only asked for three. The women later came out that she in fact asked for 56 and was only worried about her fathers opinion. Now the crazy thing about this couple is that Lesya, who met Rouslan over the internet, after twenty-four hours of physically meeting Rouslan, let him tattoo his name on her face. Crazy. The other thing this article speaks of is how people view facial tattoos, and how in the future the author believes they will be more accepted. (Like with nose rings.)
I think this article is very interesting. In the future I would like to get tattoos, but not on my face. I think that they can be good tools of expression. Some however are just grotesque. This level of "devotion to each other" is somewhat strange. I agree with what the article says about how it would be more acceptable to have a small script by the eyebrow. The large type all across the face, while it looks neat, is crazy. I think that everyone is just trying to find ways to make themselves stand out and be different. And getting married to a tattoo artist, would make tattoos an easy convenience. I was a little uncomfortable about the final statement of Lesya's saying, "I'd like him to tattoo every inch of my body." What does everyone else think of getting tattoos? Tattoos on your face?
This article is about face tattoos. In this article the author talks about a couple in Russia, Rouslan and Lesya Toumaniantz. Rouslan is a tattoo artist whom in the past tattooed 56 stars on a young womens face who publicly said she only asked for three. The women later came out that she in fact asked for 56 and was only worried about her fathers opinion. Now the crazy thing about this couple is that Lesya, who met Rouslan over the internet, after twenty-four hours of physically meeting Rouslan, let him tattoo his name on her face. Crazy. The other thing this article speaks of is how people view facial tattoos, and how in the future the author believes they will be more accepted. (Like with nose rings.)
I think this article is very interesting. In the future I would like to get tattoos, but not on my face. I think that they can be good tools of expression. Some however are just grotesque. This level of "devotion to each other" is somewhat strange. I agree with what the article says about how it would be more acceptable to have a small script by the eyebrow. The large type all across the face, while it looks neat, is crazy. I think that everyone is just trying to find ways to make themselves stand out and be different. And getting married to a tattoo artist, would make tattoos an easy convenience. I was a little uncomfortable about the final statement of Lesya's saying, "I'd like him to tattoo every inch of my body." What does everyone else think of getting tattoos? Tattoos on your face?
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Eff yeah: Ravens
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/03/us/sports-super-bowl/index.html?c=homepage-t
This article talks about how the Ravens won Super Bowl XVII. In the article they mention every score of the game. Also mentioned in the article is the power outage shortly after half time. Finally the article talk about Joe Flacco being named MVP. (it doesn't really. But it should have).
I must say that I watched the entire game and am a Baltimore fan, and have been for years. This broadcast was really good for the first half, and then the game became good as well in the second. In my opinion the best play of the night was Jones kick off return for 108 yards to tie the all time record. (they should have let him keep the 109, but he hopped before he caught the ball.) Jones in my opinion should have been voted MVP. But oh well. Flacco played a heck of a game all day and read his offense well, so he was a good pick.
I think that the 49ers caused the power outage to ruin Baltimore's game an actually become a team. But that is still under review. However it took a really long time to fix it. This was over all a great game to watch (as long as you exclude the half time show). I am already looking forward to next year. Go Ravens! 34-31.
This article talks about how the Ravens won Super Bowl XVII. In the article they mention every score of the game. Also mentioned in the article is the power outage shortly after half time. Finally the article talk about Joe Flacco being named MVP. (it doesn't really. But it should have).
I must say that I watched the entire game and am a Baltimore fan, and have been for years. This broadcast was really good for the first half, and then the game became good as well in the second. In my opinion the best play of the night was Jones kick off return for 108 yards to tie the all time record. (they should have let him keep the 109, but he hopped before he caught the ball.) Jones in my opinion should have been voted MVP. But oh well. Flacco played a heck of a game all day and read his offense well, so he was a good pick.
I think that the 49ers caused the power outage to ruin Baltimore's game an actually become a team. But that is still under review. However it took a really long time to fix it. This was over all a great game to watch (as long as you exclude the half time show). I am already looking forward to next year. Go Ravens! 34-31.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Brazilian concert fire
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578267570104041576.html?mod=WSJWorld__RIGHTTopStories
A fire that seems to have been accidentally ignited by performers swept through a crowded nightclub in the small town of Santa Maria in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing mainly college students. The students came to a club called Kiss to hear a popular group called Gurizada Fandangueira play Brazilian country music. Around 2 a.m. at least one performer lit what was described as an emergency traffic flare and waved it around to the beat.
The disaster ranks among Brazil's deadliest fires in decades and many images of the aftermath are unprintably gruesome. Often a macabre scene of intertwined bodies piled together so thickly that the nightclub floor is all but covered. A rescue worker told reporters there were so many bodies it was hard to reach the back of the club. Brazilian officials are expected to investigate whether the exits were clearly marked and whether the nightclub had exceeded capacity. At least 232 people were killed in the fire at the club and at least 116 were injured, many from inhaling smoke. The Brazilian military used helicopters to transport grave cases to hospitals in the state capital Pôrto Alegre.
This is an unbearably tragic thing to hear about happening in the world. I can not imagine what it would be like to be the people in the fire who could not get out of the club and were stuck in the smoke and flames. Or to be the family members who lost ones precious to them because they chose to go have fun at a club. It is both hard and incredibly easy to believe that this fire was caused by a flare lit by one of the band members. I can't imagine what would have possessed them to do this though in such a venue. It was a horribly dumb thing to do. I can not think of a worse death than to be burned alive. The amount of those killed in this accident and not necessarily even able to be easily identified as their flesh would have burned away. It is terrible to have to wonder wether the exits were working or if there were too many people in the building just because the owner wanted to make more money. I hope that both Brazil and the families and friends effected by this disaster are able to reach peace and that nothing like this happens in the future.
A fire that seems to have been accidentally ignited by performers swept through a crowded nightclub in the small town of Santa Maria in southern Brazil early Sunday, killing mainly college students. The students came to a club called Kiss to hear a popular group called Gurizada Fandangueira play Brazilian country music. Around 2 a.m. at least one performer lit what was described as an emergency traffic flare and waved it around to the beat.
The disaster ranks among Brazil's deadliest fires in decades and many images of the aftermath are unprintably gruesome. Often a macabre scene of intertwined bodies piled together so thickly that the nightclub floor is all but covered. A rescue worker told reporters there were so many bodies it was hard to reach the back of the club. Brazilian officials are expected to investigate whether the exits were clearly marked and whether the nightclub had exceeded capacity. At least 232 people were killed in the fire at the club and at least 116 were injured, many from inhaling smoke. The Brazilian military used helicopters to transport grave cases to hospitals in the state capital Pôrto Alegre.
This is an unbearably tragic thing to hear about happening in the world. I can not imagine what it would be like to be the people in the fire who could not get out of the club and were stuck in the smoke and flames. Or to be the family members who lost ones precious to them because they chose to go have fun at a club. It is both hard and incredibly easy to believe that this fire was caused by a flare lit by one of the band members. I can't imagine what would have possessed them to do this though in such a venue. It was a horribly dumb thing to do. I can not think of a worse death than to be burned alive. The amount of those killed in this accident and not necessarily even able to be easily identified as their flesh would have burned away. It is terrible to have to wonder wether the exits were working or if there were too many people in the building just because the owner wanted to make more money. I hope that both Brazil and the families and friends effected by this disaster are able to reach peace and that nothing like this happens in the future.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Greek Mall Bomb 1/20/13
Two Wounded in Bomb Blast at Greek Mall
By ALKMAN GRANITSAS
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324624404578253423434568716.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsFifth
Two security guards were slightly injured Sunday in a bomb blast at an indoor suburban shopping mall north of the Greek capital. The blast caused modest property damage, and was preceded by warning calls almost an hour beforehand. The blast comes after recent attacks against journalists and the country's governing center-right party that has awakened fears of a new terror campaign by radical Greek leftist groups. Other incidents include, unidentified gunmen fired shots at the offices of Greece's ruling conservative party, a series of bomb attacks against five prominent journalists, and the targeting of the brother of Greece's government spokesman. The attacks resemble past strikes by Greece's shadowy left-wing urban guerrilla groups and appear to be linked to recent efforts by Greek authorities to crack down on self-styled anarchists, illegally occupying buildings in the center of Athens. The mall bombing was a rare attack on a commercial target. The timing of the blast and placement of bomb has also raised unease, possibly signaling a new trend or shift away from past such attacks. Previous bombings have generally aimed at minimizing casualties. Many are conducted in the middle of the night, and aren't aimed at the ordinary public or tourists.
I think that it is crazy that these attacks are happening. I also sincerely hope that they are not in fact being switched to targeting civilians. In a country that is experiencing so much national hardship, one would hope its people would band together. Also, the fact that Greece supports a working democracy makes it astonishing that the attacks would be coming from a political party upset about losing. It is a good thing that the calls came in or else many more people may have been injured. I would however like to know where the tips came from and how the callers knew so far in advance. Even though I don't agree with the attacks I can see why they would be targeting to opposite political party, but targeting journalists who are just sharing the stories they're told to get is a cold move. Journalists have the power to make or break parties or candidates in democracies, so getting on there bad side isn't something I would go for. Greece needs to be helped so that they can shut down these potentially terroristic threats once and for all. And also the people in Greece need to realize that they must work together if they want to even save their country and continue to be a people. I wish the best of luck to all those who have been and will be effected by this unnecessary conflict. People truly are crazy.
By ALKMAN GRANITSAS
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324624404578253423434568716.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsFifth
Two security guards were slightly injured Sunday in a bomb blast at an indoor suburban shopping mall north of the Greek capital. The blast caused modest property damage, and was preceded by warning calls almost an hour beforehand. The blast comes after recent attacks against journalists and the country's governing center-right party that has awakened fears of a new terror campaign by radical Greek leftist groups. Other incidents include, unidentified gunmen fired shots at the offices of Greece's ruling conservative party, a series of bomb attacks against five prominent journalists, and the targeting of the brother of Greece's government spokesman. The attacks resemble past strikes by Greece's shadowy left-wing urban guerrilla groups and appear to be linked to recent efforts by Greek authorities to crack down on self-styled anarchists, illegally occupying buildings in the center of Athens. The mall bombing was a rare attack on a commercial target. The timing of the blast and placement of bomb has also raised unease, possibly signaling a new trend or shift away from past such attacks. Previous bombings have generally aimed at minimizing casualties. Many are conducted in the middle of the night, and aren't aimed at the ordinary public or tourists.
I think that it is crazy that these attacks are happening. I also sincerely hope that they are not in fact being switched to targeting civilians. In a country that is experiencing so much national hardship, one would hope its people would band together. Also, the fact that Greece supports a working democracy makes it astonishing that the attacks would be coming from a political party upset about losing. It is a good thing that the calls came in or else many more people may have been injured. I would however like to know where the tips came from and how the callers knew so far in advance. Even though I don't agree with the attacks I can see why they would be targeting to opposite political party, but targeting journalists who are just sharing the stories they're told to get is a cold move. Journalists have the power to make or break parties or candidates in democracies, so getting on there bad side isn't something I would go for. Greece needs to be helped so that they can shut down these potentially terroristic threats once and for all. And also the people in Greece need to realize that they must work together if they want to even save their country and continue to be a people. I wish the best of luck to all those who have been and will be effected by this unnecessary conflict. People truly are crazy.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
About me
My name is Ian Carstens and I am fifteen years old. My
favorite things to do are listen to music, read, and travel. I have been
reading since kindergarten and listening to music longer. As far as travel,
when I was two I moved to our city from San Diego. I have been to Hawaii, the
Bahamas, Laos, Thailand, Japan, Greece, France, and Italy. Plus various states.
My favorite place I have been is Thailand and it was great to learn about the
people’s culture. My favorite book would have to be either “Daemon” or “Full
Tilt” and I have read both multiple times. My favorite band is currently “The
High Kings”. Additional information includes things like, there are four people
in my family, my favorite color is blue, and my favorite ice cream is
chocolate.
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