maandag 23 mei 2011

Young adult spent over 20,000£ on plastic surgery

Summary
A woman who lives in the West Midlands has spent over thousands of pounds on plastic surgery and on her appearance. She is a single parent; she has a daughter who is two years old. When she was thirteen she became a model after someone picked her out at a store. The modeling job made her realize the importance of her appearance. At eighteen she had her first plastic surgery by enlarging her breasts. Afterwards she ‘’improved’’ her nose, eyebrows, lips, teeth, and brow. In addition to these surgeries she occasionally tans her skin by going to a salon and by taking drugs. She also has hair extensions and buys expensive make-up. The woman is now twenty years old, she is afraid of wrinkles and other facial lines. As a solution she uses Botox regularly. However she does not want her daughter to have plastic surgery. Just ‘’improving’’ her breasts is enough in the future.

Words: 155
Link: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/fashion/beauty/3595135/20-year-old-cosmetic-surgery-addict.html

Opinion
While I was reading this article my jaw dropped. When I finished reading I was lost for words. This is unspeakably absurd and sad. This woman has clearly a twisted view of perfection. There is no such thing as perfection, she is very delirious. I saw a picture of her when she was thirteen, she looked much better. I am worried about her daughter as well; I hope that she does not end up like her mother.

Headmistress cancelled school trip to a Mosque

Summary
A primary school in south-west London scheduled a school trip to a mosque on the 24th of May. This trip was recently cancelled by the head mistress because she thought it was unsafe for the children. The death of Bin Laden received a mixed reception. Most people were relieved and glad that the terrorist is finally dead. However there were some who protested against his death, and declared that more attacks are going to happen. Consequently many people are afraid of visiting places where attacks could happen for example airports, famous buildings and Mosques. The headmistress stated she received positive reactions; however some parents are appalled by the cancellation. The trip was part of a project which goal was to educate children about faith and other cultures. The parents thought that the cancellation was not discerning, and it could give the wrong impression about Muslims.

Words: 152

Link:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1389818/Primary-school-mosque-trip-cancelled-ridiculous-Bin-Laden-revenge-fear-headmistress.html

Opinion
I think that the cancellation was beyond the pale. By preventing children to visit Mosques the headmistress is teaching them that Muslims are dangerous. The children will not learn anything about other cultures, especially the Muslim culture. The Mosque is an essential part of the Muslim culture. The headmistress is also presumptuous by thinking that the Mosque which they were supposed to visit is going to be attacked. The chance that Bin Laden’s supporters are going to attack this Mosque is highly refuting. I think that the headmistress should be taught about faith and other cultures, not the children.

zaterdag 14 mei 2011

Sixty year old woman brutally murdered

Summary
Recently there was a horrific murder of a sixty year old woman in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. She was beheaded and stabbed several times. Her identity was unknown, until not long ago. She was identified as Mrs. Jennifer Mills-Westley, a woman who is retired. She was travelling after her retirement between France and Tenerife. She was on holiday in Tenerife when she was bothered by the behavior of a twenty-eight year old man. After she sought the security guard for help, the man attacked her brutally, causing her death. Now that her identity is known, her funeral can be organized by her family-members and friends.
Words: 111
Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/8513865/British-woman-beheaded-in-Tenerife-named.html
opinion
The headlines caught my attention. I was horrified that someone could murder in such a cruel manner. The fact that the victim is a harmless retired sixty year old woman made me shocked. The attacker is very cruel and a coward. She could not have defended herself even if she had tried. The murderer should be punished, sending him to prison for life would be the best solution. He does not deserve the death penalty.

Old laws are not enough against new drugs

Summary
Results have proven that the current laws for UK drugs are not fit for the new drugs. This was informed at the 40th anniversary of the Drug Act recently. Forty years ago these laws were providing sufficient protection which controls new drugs and expels the dangerous kind. However as society grows with the ages, drugs also grow and become modern. This trend causes a surge of ‘’new drugs’’. These drugs have adjusted to the current law, and therefore access can be granted easily. As an initiative these drugs will be analyzed. As a result the current laws will adjust to the new drugs.
Words: 111
Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/may/14/drug-laws-bans-legal-highs

Opinion
I also think that some laws are outdated, which can generate new problems. People can get access to drugs easier than a couple of years ago. I am also relieved to find that the UK also has problems with the old laws. The best solution is the adjust these ‘’old laws’’ or to make a new law against the illegally usage of drugs.

donderdag 12 mei 2011

Famous designer sued and fired

The famous designer John Galliano was sued by three people. They claim he has used improper and racist language against them. It started when a couple in Paris were attacked by severly improper language. They were assaulted by the designer who yelled angrily at them. After they called the police and sued the designer, another person stepped forward with the same complaint. In the case there is even prove of the attack. The designer was filmed while he was verbally abusing the victim. Eventually the designer was fired, and he is expected at court in June. The reactions are not positive. The famous company Dior fired Galliano from their campaign. An advisor who has worked for him over eight years broke all contact. The designer will probably face over six months in prison.

Words: 140
Link: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG8509639/John-Galliano-to-stand-trial-in-June.html

Opinion
I think that the only reason this item is published because the designer is famous. If he man was not famous this news was not published. According to the article it seems as if the designer is some kind of saint. However he is a man, and being famous does not give his the right to bully everyone else. The designer deserves what came over him. I do not symphatize with him at all. He should be punished like everyone else.

Ninety-one year old is convicted of crimes involving the holocaust

An elderly is recently convicted for five years imprisonment. He is found guilty for murdering thousands of jews in an concentration camp. The results of further research prove that the man was not a high-ranked nazi official, he even had the lowest status in the camp, according to the testimonies of guilty nazi officials. Consequently he had low and unimportant tasks, such as ushering the victims in the gas chambers and disposing of the bodies. Despite his low status, many people agreed with the sentence. These people were especially family members of the victims, and they thought the sentence was pertinent. They felt that every one who contributed to the unspeakable crimes at the concentration camps should be punished. However the convicted man disagrees, claiming he was a victim not a murderer. He states he was a victim because he was forced to work in the concentration camp, and that he was forced to do these tasks.

Words: 157
Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/12/john-demjanjuk-guilty-nazi-war-crimes

Opinion
My opinion of this matter has not been determined. I am very keen that every person should be punished for the crimes they committed. However the man in question is far too old to be punished. The punishment has no use, he shall die soon anyway. Therefore imprisonment has no sense. Why did they not convict him earlier, when it could be much more effective? I have no idea what should be done, or what a proper punishment should be, since no punishment has use.

zondag 1 mei 2011

Tension and violence grows in Uganda

Summary
In Uganda the president has been ruling over twenty-five years. During his reign the oppostition was growing gradually, and the tension continues to grow. The rise of austerity has not contributed to the decrease of tension. The inhabitants are becoming restless, and the opposition is also becoming stronger. The violence and tension have wrought to their highest when the oppostion leader was arrested. The arrest was likely to penalize the opposing party. The aftermath of the arrest was the rise of protests in the capital of Uganda. Many people were protesting, and when the police arrived the violence started. Many innocent people were among the victims.

Words: 106
Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/29/uganda-rebellion-crackdown-besigye-museveni

Opinion
I have heard of the violence in Africa, and sometimes the situation seems surreal to me. Perhaps because the violence occurs faw away, and I do not have a connection with it. However I strongly dislike any form of violence, especially when innocent people are involved. Therefore I strongly dissaprove of the situation in Uganda. I think that the president sent the police force to stop the protests. They should not have used violence. The president should have considered the violence as a severe sign to change his way of ruling. I hope that the situation will become better, however I also realize that this prediction is a bit naive.
Words: 110