We Are the World

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Homeless Left Out in the Cold

When the city's coldest night approached in Newark, homeless people had to take refuge anywhere warm they could find. Some chose to travel elsewhere to avoid the cold. Temperatures dropped to 13 degrees which enacted the cities "code blue" program.

Teams of outreach workers checked on street dwellers every two hours under the department’s “Code Blue” procedure, which goes into effect when the temperature or wind chill drops below freezing and is heightened when the readings fall below 20 degrees, according to Mr. Diamond.

While shelters were available for the homeless to stay in, many remarked that they don't like the shelters as much as fending for themselves. During times like this, the issue of homelessness becomes especially apparent. Although it's clear that something has to be done, it's also important to make sure that any government are effective and helpful to ensure government spending does not increase too much.

Rising Food Prices Means Rising Poverty Levels

A recent study shows that the rise in food prices is pushing more people in developing nations into poverty. Food prices have risen drastically since last year, causing some people to live on $1.25 per day or less. According to a N.Y. Times article:

The bank’s price index soared 29 percent from January 2010 to January 2011 (15 percent just from October to January). Wheat, maize, sugar and edible oils have seen the sharpest price increases in the last six months, with a relatively smaller increase in rice. The rising prices have increased the vulnerability of economies, particularly those that import a high share of their food and have limited capacity for government borrowing and spending.

In hard economic times like now, it's important to try to keep prices as stable as possible. The article suggests taking measures to "calm jittery markets" such as making investments in raising environmentally sustainable agricultural productivity, better risk-management tools, less food intensive biofuel technologies, and climate change adaptation measures. It is important to do whatever possible to make sure that this problem doesn't cause a more drastic level of poverty.

Counting the Homeless

It's no secret that homelessness and poverty is an issue that affects the U.S. as a whole. Recently, people gathered in San Francisco to help with the biannual homeless census. In order to receive funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the city needs a number of how many homeless people are living there. The people walked the streets and counted the homeless resulting in $18 million from HUD. In an interview with the N.Y. Times, mayor Edwin M. Lee reported on the growing issue of homelessness in San Francisco.

...the numbers were rising because San Francisco was a national destination for the down and out. “People come to San Francisco for a lot of different reasons, including the weather and our success in providing services,” Mr. Lee said.

Although no numbers were released in the article, in 2009 San Francisco’s homeless count found 6,514 homeless, including 2,709 people literally sleeping on the street, 1,516 in emergency shelters, 394 in jail and 98 in hospitals and clinics. It is clear that this is a serious issue, but there is no easy solution. For now, the best we can do is to provide the best services we can.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Safety Coming at a Higher Price

Last month a new security screening process was adopted at airports. The new full body scanners produce an x-ray picture of passengers full bodies. Many travelers feel strongly against having their naked outlines projected for all to see. Don't worry, there is another option: a full body pat down similar to what a suspected criminal would receive from the police that is far from gentle. Passengers have cried in protest that they are being sexually harassed and two pilots even filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security saying that their fourth amendments had been violated. The New York Times reports:

“For Fourth Amendment purposes, you can’t touch somebody like this unless you’re checking them into a jail or you’ve got reasonable suspicion that they’ve got a gun,” said John Wesley Hall, a criminal defense lawyer who specializes in search and seizure law.
“Here there is no reasonable suspicion,” he said. “It’s the pure act of getting on a plane.”

Passengers obviously want to feel safe when they travel, especially after 9/11, but many argue that the new full body scanners are crossing a line. While it is not doubt important that we keep air travel as safe as possible, there has to be a more comfortable way to ensure passengers that their flight will be completed safely. With the old system, there had been a few instances of explosive devices making it onto airplanes but experts point out that the new machined only detect metal, not plastic. Furthermore, there is a health risk involved with the X-Ray technology. Overall, many have concluded that the scanners only provide a false sense of security. If a change is not made, we will see many more law-suits and complaints arise in the near future.

Obama/ G.O.P. Showdown

Obama has decided to confront Senate Republicans about arms control. This will be his first real test of power now that he has to contend with republicans. Winning will prove his strength while losing will only reinforce the view that he has become weakened. The N.Y. Times reports that

The White House has only one Republican supporter, Senator Richard G. Lugar of Indiana. A survey of 14 other Senate Republicans who were considered possible supporters found none who were willing to publicly back the treaty. Ten of them said they were undecided or were waiting for the same assurances as Mr. Kyl, and four did not respond, suggesting that approval may depend on changing Mr. Kyl’s mind.

This test marks the beginning of the final two years of Obama's presidency. Whether he succeeds or not, the outcome will only show that having differing parties in the senate and in the white house does not create a more balanced government, but rather creates chaos and arguments.