Vmargolius's Blog

Stepping Up To Help Those In Need

vmargolius — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:58:12 +0000

Yesterday morning, news made way to the United States about a devastating earthquake in Haiti. It was the worst earthquake to hit Haiti and in no way were they prepared. One might assume the damage of the buildings alone would devastate their citizens, but it ran much deeper than that. The problems came from the effect of the earthquake that many people would not consider to think about. For example they did not have the equipment to lift large pieces of the newly destroyed buildings that left people trapped under tons of cement and heavy building materials. The climate of Haiti is also around the 80’s this time of year, leaving all citizens dehydrated since their filters were also destroyed in this natural disaster. Their prison along with homes and buildings also collapsed allowing prisoners to be set free.
Countries all over the world have stepped up to help Haiti by sending water, bulldozers, doctors and military personnel. Along with these volunteers, people have sent donations to the red cross to contribute to their earthquake relief. Volunteers do not know where to begin to help; they have tried to rescue all those they can that are still trapped in building. While doing that, there are people suffering and dead on the streets. It is truly touching to see when a country that started off as pour as Haiti, other counties quickly step in to help relieve them following their tragic accident.

Holiday Horror

vmargolius — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:01:57 +0000

The United States has recently been forced to wake up. Over the winter break many people were traveling throughout the world to uncountable destinations to celebrate the holiday. A flight headed to Detroit could have left the country in panic that we are now experiencing. The flight contained a passenger that did not have the best in mind for fellow passengers and potentially those presiding in Detroit. He attempted to blow up the plane by a mixing of chemicals. Parts of the chemicals were sown into his own underwear and during his attempt had caught on fire catching the attention of all passengers. Fortunately it was taken care of in time and no one was injured in the process. It is a situation like this after September 11, and the “what if” aspect that keeps some people awake at night. The authorities in Amsterdam say that intelligence officials indicated he should have been searched once more but the message was not clear. Security should not hesitate to search a passenger, better safe than sorry; it could affect more people than they could ever imagine considering again the events of September 11.
Christmas day is known as one of the busiest travel days of the year, but this fact should not weaken the amount of precaution that is taken upon each passenger. Many American Citizens as well as the President have been pre-occupied with the economy, health care and so on. This event sent warning to citizens; had his plan succeeded, it would be a different situation. President Obama has quickly taken action to assure that nothing like this could happen again. Although the United States suffers from great debt as well as many of the citizens from the poor economy, safety has to be considered first.

Defeating Terrorism

vmargolius — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:13:13 +0000

A thin line lies between when parents should still intervene when they witness their children make poor decisions. One family suspected their young adult son after viewing “a disturbing farewell video” to be a terrorist after his absence to the Middle East with no warning. Their suspicion was correct but needless to say, tattling on their child to their school for playing hooky is far from the magnitude of telling the F.B.I they are a possible terrorist. It took strength for this family to come forward considering it would ruin their reputation as well as their relationship with their son. In many cases the parents are the ones to know last when their child has a problem or view it as their own and try to help fix the problem while keeping it private. This family realized this was out of their hands and saw turning him in as their only resort, which possibly other families did not see as a clear choice. Their son was probably not what most people stereotypically believe would resort to terrorism; he was studying to become a dentist at Howard University.
Hopefully, by this family coming forward about their beloved family member for his own good, will begin to bring more people the suspect the same of their loved ones to come forward as well. If those that are involved with terrorism step down and realize how much their family cares, it may reduce reoccurring problems in the Middle East.

Controversies over Health Care

vmargolius — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:24:09 +0000

With the economic crisis occurring in America, everyone is searching for an extra way to save a buck. The government has been cutting down the money they give out to help the community as well as increasing taxes to support themselves. One area that the government has been cutting funds in is health care. Their vigorous move to deprive the public of proper health insurance has become very controversial. Politically, the group behind this push to trim health insurance has been the Republicans. Recently the Republican group made another attempt to lower the public’s health insurance. Fortunately the Senate voted 58-42 and dismissed the Republican attempt to lower health care. Republican Senator John McCain was the man that brought about this bill to lower health care and after it did not pass, the issue blew up in the media. Fox was quick to jump all over this hot topic and write this article. This is a controversial move on John McCain and the Republicans behalf. Many people can see this to be the right move, one that is necessary to slowly build up America’s funds in this finically tough time. America is in debt and many Americans, Republicans in particular, feel like we need to continue saving all the money we can. On the other hand, a good group of the American population, predominately Democrats, feel like the American health and rights are more important and should stay intact despite the economic drought. Ultimately the Democratic view, and view of the majority of the senate prevailed, and John McCain’s attack on America’s health care was cut short for now.

It’s About Time

vmargolius — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:16:16 +0000

After the unfortunate events on September 11, 2001, the president made sure there was money set aside if something as disastrous were to happen again. This money was put aside for natural disasters as well and would have helped the after math of hurricane Katrina. Not much before the hurricane, previous President George Bush thought to put that money to use in the never-ending war in the Middle East. Hurricane Katrina made some devastating destruction to New Orleans and at the time there was not enough help and money to go to the people living there. Parts of New Orleans today still has destroyed homes of people that once lived there and have to try and find somewhere else to live after losing everything they had ever known. New Orleans knew they were undersea level and were a hot spot for hurricanes to hit, resulting in barriers built to protect the city for a level 4 storm. The government knew this could cause a problem but did nothing to change it and when the hurricane was predicted to hit New Orleans at a level 5 it was too late. People that have lost their homes, everything they owned and loved ones are still looking to the government to aid them for what could have been avoided. These victims are finding the government to blame and the engineers that constructed the flood gates knowing that it would only withstand to a level 4 hurricane and hope to sue them. This problem has gone on far too long. These people have been ignored when the government did not do enough to help them. Their homes and entire town was underwater leaving them nowhere to go and with nothing to take with them. They deserve to be helped financially for what they lost and to reconstruct their homes. Residents of New Orleans suggest the government put up new levies and this time make them right to avoid any future destruction and loss of lives.

Devastation on American soil

vmargolius — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:34:30 +0000

With soldiers stationed in either Iraq or Afghanistan and minimal progress has been seen from their presence there, President Obama has been trying to decide the best approach. His choice is either to pull out troops all together, send more than plenty and potentially finish the job, or maintain the state it has been in and send about half the amount that would be recommended. Whichever he decides, it cannot favor everyone involved. While citizens have been concerned about lives being lost in the middle east, lives have been lost on American soil. This afternoon 12 soldiers were killed leaving 31 wounded while they were at an army base in Texas. It has been the front page on any news website regarding United States news, from videos to articles and opinions of what occurred this afternoon on the army base. This news was devastating considering whomever killed the soldiers was a soldier and fellow American themselves. At first, news stated and believed the shooter was killed, but in more recent news, the public has been told he is in fact still alive. All the American soldiers that were at this army base, were there in preparation to being deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Some have gone far enough to assume this shooting was done in retaliation to being sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. What will this negative outbreak in an American soldier show the rest of the world?

Health for Everyone

vmargolius — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:15:56 +0000

It is apparent that there has been controversy over the idea of the health care reform. A bill consisting of over 2,000 pages has been created in detail, hopefully to work in the most efficient way. I will not begin to list the debt the United States has, that would be an entirely different blog, but according to CNN this bill would cost over $1 trillion to be taken into effect. Providing the same health care for all citizens could be benefit everyone; those who cannot afford it and those that pay for a private practice. It would help those that already pay for a private practice because it would be regulated through the government and cost would be the same for any doctor of the same degree. It would be helpful for those without it since they would have access to good health and a guarantee they will be helped when they are ill. Those that are upper middle class, would have to pay a higher tax contributing to this is their salary exceeds a certain amount. The health care reform would cost a large amount as the years go on, but not nearly as much as it takes to get it started. Most people have viewed this as making a sacrifice now to ensure a better future for citizens of the United States. This is a difficult decision because on one side medical costs would be paid through by the government and in taxes, not right out of your pocket. On the other hand, your taxes could be going to someone that calls an ambulance that does not really need it and overstays visits in the hospitals, which can be extremely expensive. At the same time, if you were ill and needed medical attention, wouldn’t you want to be taken care of

What can end discrimination?

vmargolius — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:43:42 +0000

A bill has been passed and is waiting to be signed by President Obama regarding penalties against those that involve in hateful violence again Gays and Lesbians. I am sure people have tried to pass a bill like this one before, considering many violent cases directly related to ones sexuality. I am not saying I am against this bill, but it will not stop violence or hate. It may reduce the violence to a lower number of cases, and make harassment not as public as it now is. The constitution states one is not to be discriminated against due to race, ethnicity, religious views and so on. Although this is enforced, some people are racist and sadly this does not stop them from expressing their dislike, no matter how destructive. This bill may be a step in the right direction, but will not solve problems motivated by dislike for ones sexuality.
Discrimination against people for their race and religion still have a long way to go as far as everyone being equal. Unfortunately crimes still occur due to hatred for a race or religion, and too many times it seem people do not acknowledge that factor. There is no way to prove the intentions of a crime if it is affiliated with prejudice of a certain group and so passing a bill to enforce punishment for this hatred seems ineffective. But by passing this bill, it may be to please Gays and Lesbians in that there is a punishment for discrimination against them.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/sns-dc-hatecrimes,0,2906605.story

Governmental Boundaries

vmargolius — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:49:37 +0000

Each year, United States citizens often feel obligated to take a flu shot. It has been more convenient than ever to receive a shot if not in a doctor’s office. Flu shots are advertised at local drug stores such as Walgreens and CVS as well as gas stations. Along with these local locations to receive the shot, they are at a reasonably low price. We first witnessed outbreaks of the swine flu over 6 months ago, the first few cases in Mexico. Along with the flu shot, now swine flu shots have become just as available since there have been more outbreaks in the United States. The swine flu is just another form of flu that can be cured the same way. Rest, sleep and fluids. Many people put too much energy into worrying about the swine flu, which is clearly unnecessary.
In New York, health care workers were told they would be fired unless they took the swine flu shot. Is it an employer’s place to threaten an employee’s job, in the sense of forcing them to have something injected in their body? Considering they are health care workers, it would make sense for them to receive this shot, if they will be treating people with the swine flu. A nurse’s argument was because of her job, she ordinarily takes many health precautions. I would understand the skepticism from getting this shot from someone with another profession, but being a nurse and giving patients this shot; I would assume they would not be opposed to this. On several occasions people that have received a flu shot, get the flu anyhow. If a nurse does not want the shot, I can not imagine anyone else would want to get it. One point she did make, was that she believes the government is overstepping their boundaries by having the vaccine injected in her skin. Who can justify what boundaries the government has on its citizen?

Bring our troops home

vmargolius — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:53:29 +0000

President Obama has been faced with a decision to continue the war in Afghanistan or to potentially end it. This has been an ongoing dilemma before President Obama, but this topic has recently made its way back to the top. President Obama met with both houses, which I can only imagine made his decision more complicated. One side was saying he should finish what was started and listen to who he appointed military commander. The other side said he needs to take his time to decide, and it is not something that should be rushed. No progress has really been made since troops were sent over there in 2001, which is now, unbelievably, 8 years ago.
The commander in Chief asked for more troops and Obama gave him half the amount he asked for. It seems like this may be an all or nothing deal. Either President Obama should send all the troops that are being asked for and possibly end it by having strength in numbers, or gradually send less and less troops and have the troops gradually leave Afghanistan. After reading many quotes said by those that attended the meeting, they know President Obama will make a choice that will benefit the United States, although he knows it may upset many people. Many people said that although he may choose what they were against, they still believe he will make a good decision and support what he chooses.