A dishonest student movement

I don’t agree with the term dishonest. After all the students have every right to defend their rights. I would like to ask a genuine question: why did the govt. have to lift the tuition fee freeze in the first place. The provincial govt. has a lot of income generating resources. They can easily raise the amount of grant to various educational institutions in order to keep the extra burden off of the country’s future workforce. Even a small burden on the already cash strapped students can take a toll on their grades or worse can force them to drop out.

I fail to understand that why these educational institutions and the govt. can’t leave the students alone and let them study in peace. In one instance a question has been asked that is it worth to skip classes for a paltry increase in tuition fees. I would like to put light on last year’s Ontario College Teachers strike. The students lost 2 months of valuable study time. The semester was never extended to provide extra classes, which compromised the quality of education to a great extent. The evaluation standard in some colleges was unfair. And on top of that, the students never received any refund for this downtime. All this happened due to the indifferent attitude of the provincial govt. and if due attention was paid at an appropriate time; the conflict would have been resolved in the first week itself.

Some students work more than one part time job to pay for their tuition fees and other expenses and merely break even at the end of the semester. In my view this protest can be rightly given the name of a strike as the students should do everything to convey their message that they do not want any tuition fee hikes, even though it’s a small amount.

The tabs: no men allowed

Gossip is an essential characteristic of women. What’s going on in someone’s personal lives is their personal business. They are always on the hunt for this kind of information. Their best bet in this ‘bounty hunting’ is gossip magazines: Star, People, etc. In the past year and a half, I have seen almost all the cover pages full with the coverage of Brad and Jen’s breakup and his resulting romance with Angelina Jolie. Every minute detail ranging from Jen’s desperate phone calls to her ex-husband, to her breakdown during shooting some movie was discussed.

And I totally agree with the fact that women like to read about other women behaving indecently. That is the only reason we find exclusive coverage of drug abuse acts by famous female stars like, Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Some magazines go to the extent of finding out how much money do these stars spend every month on various activities such as shopping, fitness, partying etc. That is exactly what readers like to know as they get an insight into the lives of their ‘role models’.

Men on the other hand are not passionate about these kinds of gossips. They are preoccupied in their own world of fancies such as cars, video games and sports. They are least concerned about the personal lives of these icons which appear in these gossip magazines. That is the main reason that men seldom find their way into these magazines. As a result, these tabloids are least interested in covering major stories involving leading male stars of the day.

NBC executive slams Apple for "killing music industry"

Apple has always been credited for introducing revolutionary devices. First it was the Mac and then came the mother of all MP3 players, ‘Apple IPod’. Apple kind of did kill the music industry but at the same time improved it.

Sure, they have decreased the value of CDs and music itself, but on the other hand they have made it more convenient and easy to download music. It’s a lot easier and cheaper to download one track that you like rather than purchase a whole CD for tracks you may not even like. Apple even gives you the chance to preview the track online before you purchase, so if you do like the CD, you can just purchase it online and receive it directly on your PC. Downloading music online just makes it easier for you to transfer it to your ipod.

Technology has just made it easier to have thousands of songs, movies and photos in a small hand held portable device rather than carry about a dozen discs with 12 songs and having to constantly change the disc you want to hear another artist. Even though there was a presence of mp3 cds which used to handle about 130 songs, iPod helped save a huge amount of time with its unique feature of making playlists.

But if you really look at it, it’s not Apple that is killing the music industry, it’s the internet and all the illegal downloading and piracy. Apple may have influenced an increase in the illegal downloading but that is why they are offering these tracks to download at a low price because who really wants to pay for something when they can get it for free. Apple tries to promote legal downloading of music, even with their free song download promotions done through some companies such as Coke. In my view they are trying to save the music industry, not killing it.

Video of airport Taser death released

I would term it as a sheer barbaric act committed by the RCMP, which is often accused of using excessive force against people who break the law. It was barely a year ago that an Albertan died in Red Deer after being tasered three times by the RCMP. In that case, a local called 911 and reported that a person was smashing car windows in a back alley. Police got away by giving an explanation that one of the officers was hit by the man using the wooden handle of a pitchfork. The person remained in comma for about three weeks and later died. In that case, there was no video footage recorded and there is no way that we can know about the truth.

In the Vancouver airport video released last week, we can see a person who is visibly nervous and by throwing things around he is trying to communicate with the airport authorities and wants them to know that he needs their help. This person had no idea where he was and there was no support staff at the airport which would have been able to help him out. He spent nearly 10 hours at the airport after landing and knew nothing about the whereabouts of his mother who came to receive him. In an interview with his neighbors in Poland, it was revealed that Robert Dziekanski had left his country to seek better life in Canada. Robert could only reach to the door of this heaven he seeked, but sadly he could not cross this door.

Preliminary video review done by various police services in different states in America have revealed that there were enough police officers at the airport who would have been able to calm down the person by verbally interacting with him. Still if there was no way out, they would have been able to physically overpower him as they have been well trained to do so. Rather they chose the easiest way out and went ahead in giving him a 50,000 Volts electric shock. And even upon doing so, they mercilessly tried to overpower a visibly shaken person who was already moaning in pain. And there he was lying dead within seconds of the beginning of this fatal ordeal.
It is a shame for the country’s elite police force which was mounted for one sole reason, protection of its population. I would like to say that despite Amnesty International Canada’s repeated calls for a suspension in the use of Tasers until more studies are conducted on their use, why its use has not been discontinued. And we should also have new laws in place to discipline such peace officers whose actions are in contradiction with their sworn in responsibilities.

Is China becoming a superpower in Africa?

This article gives us an excellent insight into the dangerous propaganda being pursued by China, better known as the ‘Sleeping Dragon’. It has been a decades old Chinese policy to pursue its own goals and not give a damn about human rights violations. The world better knows about the way this communist regime treats its own population. And by playing this investment game in Africa, it is trying to oblige the authoritarian rulers in various African countries. Chinese government has two basic motives, exploitation of Africa’s natural resources and a guaranteed market base for its finished products. Chinese companies established in the continent are often accused of labor law violations. There is a predominant Chinese presence in the African oil industry. In the last two decades, China has seen a double digit growth in its economy. It is the fastest growing economy in the world. It is also a member of the UN Security Council. Being a member of the UNSC, it has a moral obligation to coerce the rogue nations in Africa, such as Sudan, to abandon state policy of ethnic cleansing. Sudan has witnessed one of the worst genocide in recent history. In addition to that, the present regime in Sudan has refused the repeated requests for United Nations Peacekeeping Force to be deployed in Darfur. China being the biggest trading partner of Sudan must use its diplomatic clout to persuade the Sudanese govt. to allow the UN Peacekeeping Force into the country. But in order to please the Sudanese Govt., China has vetoed all the Security Council resolutions directed against Sudan. What can be more disappointing than the fact that China is a leading arms supplier to Sudan, which in turn are used for human rights violations and ethnic cleansing of its population. Thus, I would say that China is becoming a superpower in Africa. It is more interested in the colonization of African countries and wants to serve its own vested interests at the expense of human rights violations being done by various autocratic rulers. It is using its position to undermine the pressure for badly needed social and economic reforms.

Sex and marriage with robots? It could happen

Well it is a very disturbing article I have read in a while. According to my point of view, humans are gifted with an excellent organ known as ‘brain’. Human brain is god gifted with exceptional reasoning and intelligence. Emotion is the most creative function of the brain. This is one of the few characteristics which differentiate between humans and robots. Even though robots will become more human-like in appearance, function and personality that many people will fall in love with them, have sex with them and even marry them, still we should not fail to understand that these similarities in personality and knowledge are all programmable. We are talking about spending our lives with machines and making them our life partners. I would term it as sheer insanity because this similarity in personality and knowledge is the work of software after all. I cannot even think about acquainting my life with ‘something’ that has been programmed. And that it has no thinking and reasoning of its own. I mean two humans can have different opinions and they can argue on it to root out the differences and that’s how we can put our reasoning to work. Rather than spending our life with something which has been programmed to adjust and accommodate with us according to our thinking. That’s absolutely wrong because then every human being who will be committed in this kind of human-machine relationship will expect every other person to behave like a machine in the same adjusting manner. Human life will be a chaos!

Voters Roundly Reject MMP

The proposal to change the way Ontarians elect MPPs was given a thumbs down by the voters in the current provincial elections in Ontario, which in my opinion, is very unfortunate for the future provincial elections as it will not reflect the popular vote. Mixed member proportional voting system (MMP), is a voting system used to elect representatives to numerous legislatures around the world. In this system the voters not only vote for various candidates fielded by their respective political parties but are also asked to vote separately for a party. This system is currently in use in the following democracies around the world; New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, Bolivia, Venezuela, United Kingdom and Lesotho. Had this system been in place, the outcome of the current provincial elections in Ontario would have been different. Even though the similar proposals have been shot down earlier in Prince Edward Island and British Columbia, my personal opinion is that we have to intensify the campaign to educate people about the positive impact this system would have on the outcome of future elections in the province of Ontario. By implying this system, the election results would more closely reflect the popular vote. Not all of the above mentioned democracies adopted this system in a single referendum. If it took two referendums for New Zealand to adopt this system then we should also put it to test again in the next provincial elections.

Marriage Withering

"Marriages are made in heaven" is an old saying. Institute of marriage, considered as a union of two bodies, minds and hearts and blessed by God Himself is under threat. It is slowly withering away and being replaced by live in relationship. In Canada, more than 50% are in live in relationship. Both the systems have their plus and minus considerations.

To live in a society one has to abide by certain social norms. Secondly, there is no commitment without marriage. A social and emotional security that a girl looks for in a relationship is lacking without marriage. An emotional support, the little good things in life that we look forward to when one comes home after a day’s hard work can never be replaced by any form of live in arrangement. Thirdly, future of children is definitely at stake without marriage. There is also a respectability attached to a married couple and looked up to in any social function,when a couple lives together outside of marriage, it is called a live in relationship. If one likes a person and start living with him/her, the very next morning, i might wake up and start liking someone else and move in with that person. This will encourage the ‘Animal Farm’ culture.
In a live in relationship one gets nothing. There is no foundation for that relationship except for momentary physical attraction and moment these needs are met, one starts finding fault with his/her partner and walk out. Marriage binds some sort of discipline.

If there are so many minus points for live in relationship, then why are so many young couples adopting this arrangement? Firstly, the economics are forcing live in relationships. Accommodation in big cities is so expensive that young couples have no option but to resort to a live in arrangement.
Young couples are afraid of problems of divorce, dividing up property, alimony and issue child custody etc.

Looking at pros and cons, it emerges that there is no commitment in a live in relationship, but at same time one always wants to know his/her partner. When we date someone, we see the best in that person. But when we interact with the same person more closely, we see the best and the worst in him/her. An extended courtship period gives a good outlook for a would be marriage. It should be a step towards marriage. One must realize that no matter how advanced and modern we may become, there is always some near and dear ones around you who might get hurt because of one’s live in status.
Marriage is a tradition while live in is a trend. Trends come and go but traditions are maintained.

Ottawa signs on to rival emissions pact

Mr Stephen Harper while using UN forum to save Kyoto protocol, announced
Canada’s decision to join Asia- Pacific partnership, which is considered anti Kyoto
by Environmentalists. Asia- Pacific Partnership was created by Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and the United States and now Canada will be the seventh member. This partnership categorically rejects any mandatory cuts in green house emission, contained in Kyoto which emphasizes 50% cut in green house gases.

Canada after joining Asia-Pacific at New- Delhi, wants to coax other members to join the partnership after Kyoto expires in 2012. Mr Harper has set a very long term target of 60% to 70% cut in emissions by 2050 and also emphasize a binding target on other six partnership members. United States has already rejected 50% cut as contained in Kyoto. It is pertinent to mention that without these major emitters involvement, no global protocol can be effective. Mr Harper also recommends 2006 as base line rather than Kyoto’s 1990 and defended his 2050 target which is several decades away by introducing some intermediate milestones.

While world leaders were beating around Bush, literally and metamorphically, a very young Canadian Catherine Ganther, only 18 years old stole the show. Speaking on behalf of environmental organizations, in a pointed and focused approach emphasized that there is only one road to safe climate and that leads to Bali in December and that conference must extend the Kyoto agreement.

Harper’s double cross game with Kyoto Protocol is not understood since Canada is spearheading the environment protection and must have definite targets for any meaningful roadmap to safe environment.

http://www.cbc.ca/national/specialfeatures/photogallery.html?dataPath=/photogallery/news/gallery_724/xml/gallery_724.xml

Should your daughter get the HPV vaccine?

Should your daughter get the HPV vaccine?
We are living in a jet age and children are getting exposed to facts of life at a rather early age. TV, Internet and other forms of mass media communication leave nothing to imagination and push the children to experiment with the forbidden fruit in their very early formative years. Children with their limited knowledge, shyness, inhibitions and intent of secrecy can become a victim to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) which can mature into cervical cancer.

According to Wikipedia, HPV vaccine is a safeguard against certain sexually transmitted strains of human papillomavirus associated with the development of cervical cancer and genital warts. HPV vaccine is being marketed by Merck Frosst Canada Ltd under the name of Gardasil and provides full immunity to four types of HPV. This vaccine is being given free to girls with their parents consent in schools generally in age group of 12 to 13 years, before they become sexually active. Presently the program is on in Ontario, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland. Rest of the provinces and territories have either delayed the program or not announced any decision yet. Ottawa has announced $300 million funding package for participating provinces.
Mother and Daughter Discuss HPV and Cervical Cancer - A girl student of class 8 attended one such lecture on HPV and Cervical cancer in her school and thereafter had an informal chat with her mother. She has been having friendly talks with her mother on similar issues earlier. The part of the informal talk are reproduced below for the benefit of those who are not very comfortable talking to their mothers on such issues or simply not so lucky as Daniel.(Idea taken from http://health.lifestyle.yahoo.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=3537&channel_id=2037&relation_id=29304
Daniel – Mom, we had a talk by the school doctor and she talked about HPV and the vaccine.
Mom – So what did you learn about HPV?
Daniel – I learnt the following facts about HPV and the vaccine :-
a. HPV stands for Human papillmavirus.
b. Cervical Cancer- HPV is a sexually transmitted disease which can develop into cervical cancer and genital warts.
c. How does HPV spread?- Sexual activity spreads the virus and it is the most common sexually transmitted disease.
d. How common and deadly is Cervical cancer?- According to American Cancer society, in 2007, there will be about 11,150 new US cases of invasive cervical cancer and 3,670 cervical cancer deaths. In Canada, about 1350 woman were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2006. On an average more than one Canadian woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer everyday.
e. At what age is one likely to get HPV?-About half of HPV patients are aged 15 to 24 years. Survey suggests that 3.7% of US girls have had sex by age of 13 years and 62.4% by grade 12.
f. What is the right age for preventive vaccine?-12 to 13 years of age which is an average age of grade 8 student. However it can be taken anytime from 9 years to 26 years.
g. What is Gardasil?- It is the new vaccine against four strains of HPV which account for 70% of cervical cancer and 90% of genital warts. It protects before the virus can reach you. However once diagnosed it can not treat for cervical cancer and genital warts.
h. Does Gardasil protect against all cervical cancers?- No.The vaccine does protect against the strains of HPV most likely to cause cancer.But it does not protect against all HPV strains.
i. How effective is the new vaccine? -Studies have shown it is 100% effective in the prevention of cervical precancers and noninvasive cervical cancers caused by HPV-16 and 18 in those not already exposed to those strains.
j. If someone is already sexually active, will this vaccine still work?- If a person has been infected with any of the four strains the vaccine protects against, the vaccine won't provide protection against that type. But it will prevent infection from the other three.
k. How long is Gardasil effective?- Research suggests the vaccine lasts at least four years. Long-term results are not yet certain. The protection might last longer.
l. Does the vaccine actually contain HPV or any live virus? -No. It has a virus-like particle, but not the actual virus.
m. Is Gardasil safe?- Clinical trial data have found it is safe.
n. Will the new vaccine make cervical cancer screens such as the Pap test passé?- No. Screening with a Pap test is still needed, since the vaccine does not protect against all cervical cancer.
o. Is this the only vaccine for cervical cancer? -There's a second vaccine in the works: Cervarix, from GlaxoSmithKline. Cervarix targets two HPV strains, HPV-16 and HPV-18.
Mom- That,s a good knowledge you have picked up. So do you think, we should go ahead and take the vaccine.
Daniel- I think so, but I am not sure of its side effects.
Mom- Well I have this information which I have taken directly from the Vaccine Information Statement
HPV vaccine does not appear to cause any serious side effects.However, a vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of any vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
Several mild problems may occur with HPV vaccine:
Pain at the injection site (about 8 people in 10)
Redness or swelling at the injection site (about 1 person in 4)
Mild fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit) (about 1 person in 10)
Itching at the injection site (about 1 person in 30)
Moderate fever (102 degrees Fahrenheit) (about 1 person in 65)
These symptoms do not last long and go away on their own.
Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it would be within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.
Like all vaccines, HPV vaccine will continue to be monitored for unusual or severe problems.
Daniel- Thanks mom, I think I will go ahead with the vaccine.
Mom- Good, not scared of the needle. Brave girl, C'mon give me a hug. And you can take my consent on the form.

Like Daniel's mother most of the parents say that anything that protects our daughter from cancer is worth the risk while some are worried about the side effects and feeling a certain uneasiness about dosing girls as young as 10 years with protection from STD. It often leads to some interesting though awkward family conversations. Adding stress to parents is the financial factor that if done at a later stage, it will be from their pocket and will cost $400/- for three doses over six months. Others feel that the whole program could be a massive marketing campaign since it involves big money and politicians recommending it may be only after votes.

Looking at pros and cons, it is better to be on safe side and it is a good idea to take the vaccine now. Even if the girl is very young and not sexually active, she is going to forget about it once the needle mark vanishes. She may be a virgin on her wedding night but who can be sure of her partner. Parents who are delaying the decision now may continue to postpone the vaccination later on also either due to financial reasons or time constraint.

Something which can be done today with lesser effort and no money, must not be delayed, especially when it means life and death of your child. Let us take an educated, safe and sensible decision now instead of an expensive action later.