Ontario "opens arms" to the homeless

In a safer area near the Ontario ariport, 250 homeless people have pitched tents over the past six months, to government approval. This community spans across open lots, spilling into side streets, a welcome change from cars and brideges that many residents here usually inhabit. For many, this is the change that will save lives. With food, water, showers, portable toilets, and police security, the city has "put their homeless on display." People from various backgrounds including mental illness, alcoholism, pregnant women, parolees, and others that have fallen on hard times inhabit the "tent city." One assault has occured and police warn that the "rest area" is not a place for children to play or families to visit. Rather, airborne illnesses and sporadic violence are factors that cannot be completely fixed by police.

Despite the dangerous factors that inhabit the area, I was interested in this story because it seems like a step in the right direction. As opposed to some cities that practically ban homeless, Ontario has provided a location that people can find their basic needs met, including security. Many homeless shelters are helpful but so many are also dangerous. With on-site police, Ontario seems to be working in favor of the people. It is refreshing to read about a city invested in their citizens instead of fighting against them. Of course, this option is not ideal in any way but it is certainly a hopeful, promising change.

News Jan 29th- Feb 4th

1. Edwards plans to quit race for presidency. With out a single win in the primary elections, the senator announced Wednesday that he will resign from his nomination.

2. "Spears' 12-police escort prompts call for paparazzi limits:" Councilman Dennis Zine plans to push for a meausre that will create a "personal saefty zone" to protect public safety.

3. Department of Labor reported Friday that 17,000 jobs were lost in January. This is the most striking and clear evidence that the U.S. may be headed to a recession.

4. Judge grudingly absolves the Army Corps of Engineers of liability in the flooding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, due to the 1928 Flood Control Act which grants legal immunity to government.

5. Maria Shriver joins her Kennedy family, officially endorsing Obama.

6. For the first time in decades, CA plays an important role in presidential race.

7. Ontario "opens arms" to homeless.

8. Questionable meat promtpts many CA school districts to stop serving the allegedly "downer" cattle product.

9. Finally the writers and big wigs sit down; if their meeting is successful the Oscars and Fall seasons could be salvaged.

10. NY Giants steal the Patriot's winning streak in the Super Bowl 42 Sunday.

Dannon

Dannon products like Activia, Activia Light, and DanActive claim to be "clinically proven" to have health benefits. A law suit claims however that the advertisements are false, that the yogurt is not so special. Advertised as immune-boosting and helpful to the digestive system, Dannon claims their bacterias are unique. New information may negate this however. If Dannon is proven to have falsely advertised, the company will pay an estimated $300 million to "everyone in the U.S. the purchased their product."
I was very interested in this article because health news is important to me. I have always enjoyed reading about biology and nutrition, so this article especially caught my attention. A food that will not only improve immunity but also enhance one's digestive system? What a miracle right? I think this issue should remind us that there is no miracle food, pill, or exercise. Health comes from commitment, not an easy fix. Although I appreciate greatly the LA Times reporting of this particular story, I would have really liked to have seen more information about the science and biological facts. I would have liked to see perhaps a link to a more comprehensive study on the subject.

News Jan 22nd-28th

1. Heath Ledger's autopsy is inconclusive. Sleeping pills, pneumonia, and various other drugs are suspected to lead to evidence of 28-year-old actor's death.


2. Dannon sued for false claims that some yogurts assist immune system.



3. Russia adores murder suspect: Andrei Lugovoy embodies Russia's Western defiance upon taking position in parliament.

4. The spreading "tribal war" in Kenya continued Saturday: angry gangs defied political elections.

5. Anti-Immigration sentiment in Germany stimulated uproar for young voters.

6. 20-year-old musician is the youngest member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and set to play violin at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

7. Sundance film festival reigns in honors for Hurricane Katrina documentary, "Trouble the Water."

8. Director's Guild named the team directing brothers, Joel and Ethan Coen best directors for their 2007 film, "No Country for Old Men."

9. Military Air Collision in 1958 that left 48 people dead will be memorialized at a service this Friday, February 1st.

22-year-old American Mother of young twins indirect casualty of Iraq war?

When Walter Smith returned home from his service in Iraq, the Marine showed signs of post traumatic stress disorder that would escalate into something more. The young father of twins, was a practicing Mormon before being deployed. The traumatizing experience in Iraq however, led him in a downward spiral. Upon his return, Smith was drinking and smoking and "unsure if he believed in God." In March 2006 Smith drowned Nicole Marie Speirs, the 22-year-old mother of his twin children in the bathtub. “There was no intent,” said Gary K. Searle, the deputy Tooele County attorney. “It was almost like things kept ratcheting up, without any real intervention that I can see, until one day he snapped.” Speirs parents are outraged by the representation of the case, believing Smith's behavior is that of a conscious murderer.
I really appreciated this story that I found in the LA Times. I think this issue of Post Traumatic stress is huge in criminal cases, especially those involving military. The conflict is both morally and mentally shaking: how can we blame the man that sacrificed his sanity for our country? On the other hand, how can we not bring justice to the life of Speirs? I think that members of the military deserve to have intense support including psychological evaluations. I am glad that this case is getting National attention because I think Americans need to be aware of the emotional and mental damage of war as well as the immediate repercussions. I think the LA Times did an excellent job on this story-it was well informed, interesting, and a very important, newsworthy article.

Jan 15-21 news

1. FDA says consuming meat or milk of cloned animals is safe. Tuesday the NY Times reported that the long-debated topic over eating cloned animals is actually unharmful and manufacturers will not need to label such meat as "cloned."

2. Kenya protests on Wednesday escalate the violence between police and demonstrators.



3. Holiday weekend is last chance to enjoy Disney's 'It's A Small World' before major renovation. The boats and interior attraction are the original pieces of the ride that debuted at the World's Fair in 1964. Disney officials have "not yet decided" all the "rehab" choices for this family favorite.



4. 22-year-old American Mother of young twins indirect casualty of Iraq war? Does post traumatic stress disorder explain a Marine's drowning of wife in their bath tub?



5. A Cutting Tradition: Indonesian Women partake in ceremony that removes female genitalia for "purity and beauty."



6. Oscar noms announced despite the looming cloud of writer's strike. "Atonement," "Juno," "Michael Clayton," "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" are the best picture nominees.

7. Fed cuts interest rates to 3.5% in an effort to take emergency action amid a global stock sell-off and increasing fears of a U.S. recession.

8. Presidential candidates run a tough competition in California to capture the Latino voters' interest. ' I'm not going to vote for someone just because they go to King Taco,' says Mendoza, a California Latino voter.

9. Environmental chemicals suspected in younger puberty ages for American girls; eight years old is no longer abnormal.

10. Monday night's debate turns sour when Obama and Clinton exercise personal attacks against each other that jeer the crowd.

Paralympic world record setter denied admittance to Olympic events because study deems his prosthetic legs an unfair "advantage."

Oscar Pistoris had both of his legs amputated as an infant, but has managed to defy the incredible odds against him, setting paralympic world records. The Track and Field governing body ruled against him on Monday, however. The committee ruled that Pistoris' prosthetics gave him an unfair advantage because the carbon fiber prosthetics “should be considered as technical aids which give him an advantage over other athletes not using them.”
I am glad to have learned about this interesting story because this issue delves into the battle of technology, law, and human capability. Where is the line between pure physical strength and skill and technological enhancements? Although Pistoris has clearly discovered means to overcome his physical challenges, Olympic officials do need to create rules that will apply as technology continues to adjust our would. I think the coverage by the New York Times for this story was well done, informative, and very interesting.

1. Kerry endorses Obama.

2. Cue the gluttony: Environmental Triggers may play a significant role in America's overeating.

3. Bush warns that Iran threatens Global Security.

4. Sex and the Teenage Girl.

5. Indonesia's president, Suharto, battles failing organs while support is echoed in nation-wide prayer.

6. Paralympic world record setter denied admittance to Olympic events because study deems his prosthetic legs an unfair "advantage."

7. Carona, Orange County's mayor, quits Monday to focus on proving innocence in fraud, conspiracy, and witness tampering charges.

8. Supreme court denies appeal Monday that prohibits terminally ill patients access to experimental drugs.

9. New Sunni Strategy shifts U.S. focus from neighborhoods to the parliament in an effort to get government jobs for thousands of men now working in local security programs.

10. Britney Spears is a no-show at her own custody hearing.