News for the Week of April 19th

1. Entous, Adam. “American, Italian Hostages Killed in CIA Drone Strike in January”. Wall Street Journal Online. Wall Street Journal. April 23 2015. Web. Available:

In Pakistan an American and Italian that were being held hostage by al-Queda were killed by an American drone. President Obama who has been expanding U.S. drones took full responsibility for the deaths of the hostages. He knew about the deaths when he met when he met with the Italian Prime Minister, Mr. Renzi, and didn't tell him at that time. He claimed that he wanted to first think of a plan for sharing the news with the families. It takes a couple weeks for the CIA to find out who was killed in drone strikes, although the number of strikes has gone down sharply.

This doesn't seem like something that could actually happen. If these drones are expanding you would hope that they would have them under control if they are actually doing anything. I also don't think it was correct for Obama to not tell the Prime Minister right when he found out. I don't think it should have been his decision to wait and tell them when he thought it was the right time. In the future it seems like these will be used more and more, but I believe that they should make sure they are safe enough especially after an incident like this.

2. NA. “Baltimore Freddie Grey death protest turns violent.” BBC News Online. BBC News. April 26 2015. Web. Available:

25 year old Freddie Grey was killed while in police custody. In Baltimore riots about police brutality suddenly turned violent even when the sister of Freddie Grey said he wouldn't have wanted this. He is one of a few African Americans who have been killed very questionably by the police. The killing of innocents has sparked a few riots around the country and some are starting to get a bit dangerous. On May 1st the police will release their findings about those involved in the death of Freddie Grey.

Although the death of Freddie Grey is very upsetting, there had to be a reason for the police to be involved. The media plays a huge part in police brutality and it is hard to actually know the real truth. Was there a reason why Freddie Grey was running away? Or was he actually just attacked, and was this necessary at all? The media would never show 100% of the real story and its hard to make any judgment about the situation especially since all the media sources will be saying something different.

3. Mccormack, Simon. “Bruce Jenner Interview Draws Huge Ratings”. Huffington Post Online. Huffington Post. April 25 2015. Web. Available:

Bruce Jenner’s interviewed aired with over 16 million people watching. That night his life changed when he finally told the world he was a women. Former Olympian decided to tell the world she was a transgender. This was a huge decision and people around the world are reacting in very different ways. She says she didn't want to disappoint anyone with her decision.

I have a lot of respect for Bruce Jenner. This must have been very hard to go through, and it doesn’t seem like there was a lot of support from any type of family. It makes me very upset about how she doesn’t want to dissapoint anyone. This just shows that she doesn’t feel accepted for who she is and that is completely wrong. Even though transgenders should be accepted, the reaction to this interview was hideous. Not only on the internet but on other shows, people completely trashed Bruce Jenners decision. That to be is very disrespectful for someone who just wanted to finally let people know the truth.

News for the Week of April 12th

1. Dorsey, Steve. "Boko Haram adopts ISIS' Bloody Religious Cleansing Strategy." Fox News Online. Fox News. April 19th 2015. Web. Available:

The group Boko Haram has adopted ISIS's idea of cleaning out Christians in Nigera which is very dangerous for the millions of followers of Christianity. The United Nations are trying to figure out a way to fight Boko Haram and stated that they are the most dangerous Islamic extremist group in the world. The group goes after girls and school children, 200 girls have been taken by the group and this will continue. They use the excuse of religious freedom to advocate for all the wrong they are doing in the world. Nigerias new president says he will do nothing about Boko Haram and the election was obviously manipulated by the group.

It is truly disgusting how a group like this can still today be functioning. We as humans have grown so much and it is hard to believe that there are still groups like this out there. It is hard to imagine how we are able to watch this happen and do nothing. At the same time, what is there to do? It seems like there is almost nothing we can do, without harming innocent people. What would we do, if we could do something? Groups like these will never go away until they get what they want, and according to this article that is a full Islamic State.

2. Associated Press. "Iraqi Soldiers Retake Key Oil Refinery from ISIS Militants." Fox News Online. Fox News. April 19th 2015. Web. Available:

 U.S soldiers were able to retake one of the biggest oil refinery from ISIS in Iraq. Although ISIS was able to carry out an attack and take over a small part of the refinery.This was considered a victory against ISIS, with the help of airstrikes by the United States. Nine people were killed by ISIS in the attack and take over of the small part of the refinery. In Baghdad, 40 people were killed by ISIS suicide bombers and  6 more in other incidents.

Although this was a victory against ISIS, its hard to believe it can be a victory with this many people dead. I also have to think that the people that were killed were innocents. The victory may have come in part because of the help from the United States but I don't think we should be that involved in it. If anything it will make us more of a target than we already are. This is a hard point to argue especially since the turn out was a victory, but what if they were more powerful? Would we be the first country they would come after, especially since we are so involved with what they do? Is it our job as a super-power to get involved in conflicts like this? I don't believe it is but then again, that is a vry hard point to argue.

3. Fantz, Ashley. "'Genocide' Charged as Boat Capsizes in Mediterranean". CNN Online. CNN. April 19th 2015. Web. Available:

A boat with 700 immigrants from Libya trying to get to Europe sank and some people are accusing it of being a genocide. They were put on a very unstable boat with almost no chance of survival if the boat was to sink. Just a couple days before, 400 people were put on a boat that sank in the Mediterranean. People aren't going on the boats on their own volition, and some are even held to gun point. Women, men and children alike are being forced onto the boats and they most likely know they won't live on the boats.

It's hard to believe that people are stooping this low at this age. How could people be so brainwashed to the point where they are even putting children on boats to die? It seems so unrealistic to me and its very hard to even imagine. How could one person point a gun at a small child and tell them to get on the boat and die or be shot right then and there? The criminals clearly know what will happen to the people, even though it has been claimed to be an accident.

News for the Week of April 5th

1. Davis, Julie. "Obama Denounces Attempt to Derail Nuclear Deal With Iran." The New York Times Online. The New York Times. April 12th 2015. Web. Available:

 A lot of Republicans are getting nervous about the Nuclear Deal with Iran. The final agreement is supposed to be finished by June 30th and Obama has to make sure the deal will work out in Americas favor before he signs it. Obama says he is disappointed that people are derailing the deal before he has even signed it and seen if it will work. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that Iran will not comply with the crucial conditions and want sanctions to be lifted after the deal has been signed. Obama doesn't want anyone to prejudge the deal before they have made a decision if they will even sign it or not.

Obama is upset about peoples reaction to his soon to be signing of the Nuclear Deal with Iran. I believe that there is a very strong reason why people are worried about the deal. Iran is asking for sanctions to be lifted directly after the deal, something that the United States swore never to do. If Obama had just signed the deal, would he allow the Congress not to lift sanctions? Does he have any power over this at all and if he does would he lift the sanctions or not? We have no idea how Obama will react to this, and that is concerning to me.

2. Associated Press. "Video Purportedly Shows ISIS Destroying Ancient Iraqi City of Nimrud." Fox News Online. Fox News. April 12th 2015. Web. Available: 

 In Iraq, an ancient city, Nimrud was destroyed by members of the Islamic State, better known as ISIS. A video was found of Islamic State militants hammering, bulldozing and blowing up the city. Members claim that it is their duty to destroy any idols and statues that don't worship their god, Allah. The video was found late Saturday night, April 11th on a militant social media account. The city of Nimrud was dated back to 13th century B.C, where many discoveries of writing and arts were found.

This is very disturbing to me, considering that most religions in the United States live in peace here. The idea that one group of people could do this much damage to a place that wasn't even affecting them is completely heinous. Another thing that concerns me is how the United Nations knew that their was looting and damaging to the city and they didn't take action. I don't believe that one country should go in and try to fix their problems, but what is the United Nations for if they aren't going to try to stop something like this? It is also hard for me to believe that this would have been any different if their were people living in the city. It seems to me that nothing is stopping ISIS from killing innocent people to honor their religion.

3. Associated Press. "Sudan's al-Bashir Set to Extend 25-year Reign Despite War Crimes Charges, Insurgencies." Fox News Online. Fox News. April 12th 2015. Web. Available:

In Sudan, president Omar al-Bashir is set on extending his 25 year rule, even though he is wanted for war crime charges. During the Dafur conflict, 300,000 people were killed and another 2 million were displaced. An election is taking place this month with 16 other candidates, whom most citizens have never heard of. The elections are so rigged and pointless to the people that some won't even vote. If, and most likely when, al-Bashir wins the election, he can't be charged for his war crimes, and there is nothing the people can do about it.

Its hard to believe that people can live in the conditions that they are today. A president that murdered that many people and is still able to be a leader of a country isn't what innocent people deserve. It is also awful that the people are so used to rigged elections , they aren't even trying to fix them anymore. Their "normal" life isn't fair and I'm not even sure if they realize it or not. Its hard to believe that they wouldn't try to do anything if they didn't think this was normal.

Prisoner badge with number worn in Buchenwald concentration camp

"We were told to roll up our left sleeves and file past the table. The three "veteran" prisoners, needles in hand, tattooed numbers on our left arms. I became A-7713. From then on, I had no other name." (Wiesel 42).

Upon entering the concentration camp, all Jews are given a number and now are called that number by everyone around them. Although close family members will still call prisoners by their name, they are used to being called by a letter and a coupe numbers by the time they leave the camp. They can’t talk back or else they will be beaten or even killed, so they must respond to their given “name”.

When the prisoners enter the camp they are told to strip off their clothes and give the few items they were allowed to bring with them to the camp. They were given new clothes and put through a disinfecting shower and then they proceeded to the camp. The only thing left of them is their identity and who they believe they actually are. As they go weeks and months in the camp, prisoners even seem to forget both of those things. It seems like the only thing they have left is a name, which is almost as empty as they are, but at least it is a piece of them. When this is taken away from the prisoners, it doesn't seem as if they have anything left but a body. Almost all beliefs they came into the camp have left them when they leave and not even a name is the same as when they came in. It is completely unfair to take away the one thing that is intangible, but they take it away anyway.
The camp is completely unfair for everyone in them but to make it more unimaginable they take away the only thing they think they have left.