Migrant Workers
Kristen Kohles, Giana Langrehr, Brian Matejevich, Sam Foard, Katie Davis
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Strive To End Apartheid
Kristen Kohles
11/18/10
Human Geography
Striving to End Apartheid
The year 1948 was the beginning of it all. It was then that the white South African electorate voted into power a political party that stood for Afrikaner domination and total racial segregation (Readers Digest). This became known as the apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid is a social policy or racial segregation involving political, economic, and legal discrimination against people who are not white (Readers Digest). Although this total separation became an official policy after the victory of the National Party election, its foundation had been laid nearly half a century before by British Government officials, in another policy called segregation (Readers Digest). The whites benefited from the apartheid, while the blacks and other non-white groups suffered. It took so long to end the apartheid because the whites were highly favored and had a lot more power, money, and control.
Race laws touched every aspect of social life. There were laws that prohibited the marriage between non-whites and whites, some authorizing ``white-only'' jobs, and others restricting each “group” to its own residential and trading sections of cities and towns (Readers Digest). This restriction was done by controlling the purchase or occupation of land or dwellings in specified areas (Readers Digest). All blacks were required to carry ``pass books,” which contained fingerprints, a photo and information that gave them access to non-black areas (The History of Apartheid in South Africa). In 1950, the Population Registration Act required that all South Africans be racially classified into one of three categories: white, black (African), or colored (of mixed decent) (The History of Apartheid in South Africa). The colored category included major subgroups of Indians and Asians. Classification into these categories was based on appearance, social acceptance, and descent (The History of Apartheid in South Africa). A person could not be considered white if one of his or her parents were non-white (The History of Apartheid in South Africa). The determination that a person was ``obviously white'' would take into account ``his habits, education, and speech and deportment and demeanor'' (The History of Apartheid in South Africa).
Black South Africans were steadily deprived of fundamental rights and liberties (The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology). They were not allowed to participate in the political life of the country, and subject to repressive laws and regulations (The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology). There were ten reserves called "Bantustans" (or the so- called "homelands") assigned to Africans, one for each of the "national units" of the African population as defined under the apartheid system (The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology). These were scattered into 81 separate and un-attached pieces of land (The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology). Although Africans outnumbered Whites by more than 4 to 1, these reserves constituted only 13 per cent of the land in South Africa and contained some of the most barren and unfertile areas (The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology). This was known as The Bantu Authorities Act, established in 1951, and was a basis for ethnic government in these African reserves (Readers Digest). This was another one of the government’s priorities, to strip Africans of the last remainders of their access to the white political system (Readers Digest). These homelands were independent states to which each African was assigned by the government and all political rights, including voting, held by an African were restricted to the designated homeland (The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology). The idea was that they would be citizens of the homeland, losing their citizenship in South Africa and any right of involvement with the South African Parliament (The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology). This eventually made them aliens to their own country, applying that Africans living in the homelands needed passports to enter South Africa (The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology). From 1976 to 1981, four of these homelands were created, denationalizing nine million South Africans (The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology).
Until 1991, South African law divided the population into four major racial categories: Blacks, Whites, colored and Indian/Asian (Demographics of South Africa 2). Although this law has been abolished, many South Africans still view themselves and each other according to these categories (Demographics of South Africa 2). South Africa has a population of over 47 million people of diverse origins, languages, cultures and beliefs. According to the demographics of South Africa, the population is divided into the four major racial categories (Demographics of South Africa). The Blacks constitute 79.5% of the total population and are further divided into several ethnic groups including those from Angola and Mozambique (Demographics of South Africa). The Whites constitute approximately 13% of the demographics of South Africa (Demographics of South Africa). They are primarily descendants of Dutch, French, English, and German settlers who began arriving at the Cape in the late 17th century (Demographics of South Africa 2). Coloreds are a mixed race and make up 9% of the population while Asians make up 2.5% (Demographics of South Africa). Coloreds are mixed-race people primarily descending from the earliest settlers and the indigenous peoples (Demographics of South Africa 2). Most Asians descend from Indian workers brought to South Africa in the mid-19th century to work on the sugar estates in Natal (Demographics of South Africa 2). The demographics of South Africa stand out for its ethnic diversity (Demographics of South Africa).
The African National Congress (ANC) led the opposition to apartheid and many top ANC leaders, such as Nelson Mandela, spent decades in South Africa's prisons (The World Fact book). Internal protests and insurgency, as well as boycotts by some Western nations and institutions, led to the system's eventual willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition to majority rule (The World Fact book).
Nelson Mandela was widely accepted as the most significant black leader in South Africa and became a potent symbol of resistance as the anti-apartheid movement gathered strength. In Transkei South Africa on July 18, 1918, he was born Rolihlahla Mandela (Nelson Mandela – Biography). His father was Chief Henry Mandela of the Tembu Tribe (Nelson Mandela – Biography). Mandela himself was educated and qualified in law by 1942 (Nelson Mandela – Biography). He then joined the African National Congress (ANC) in 1944 and was engaged in resistance against the ruling National Party's apartheid policies after 1948 (Nelson Mandela – Biography). He went on trial for treason in 1956-1961 and was found innocent in 1961(Nelson Mandela – Biography).
After the banning of the ANC in 1960, Nelson Mandela argued for the setting up of a military wing within the ANC (Nelson Mandela – Biography). In June 1961, the ANC executive considered his proposal on the use of violent tactics (Nelson Mandela – Biography). Mandela was arrested in 1962 and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labor (Nelson Mandela – Biography). In 1963, when many fellow leaders of the ANC and the “Umkhonto we Sizwe,” formatted by Mandela, were arrested (Nelson Mandela – Biography). Mandela was brought to stand trial with them for plotting to overthrow the government by violence (Nelson Mandela – Biography). On June 12, 1964, eight of the accused, including Mandela, were sentenced to life imprisonment (Nelson Mandela – Biography).
During his years in prison, Nelson Mandela's reputation grew steadily and he consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom (Nelson Mandela – Biography). Nelson Mandela was released on February 11, 1990 (Nelson Mandela – Biography). Even though he was in jail for a while, his work was remembered and carried on. In 1991, at the first national conference of the ANC held inside South Africa, Mandela was elected President of the ANC (Nelson Mandela – Biography).
Many people were striving to end apartheid and the Africans had many supporters. "Sun City" was a protest song written by Steven Van Zandt and recorded by Artists United Against Apartheid to convey opposition to the South African policy of apartheid in 1985 (Artists United Against Apartheid). In 1991 President de Klerk obtained the repeal of the remaining apartheid laws and called for the drafting of a new constitution (South Africa under apartheid). The apartheid was finally ended in 1994 when the first free multiracial elections were held (South Africa under apartheid). Millions of new voters chose from The Afrikaner National Party, the black supremist Inkatha Freedom Party, and the moderate ANC (South Africa under apartheid). The ANC received the most votes and Nelson Mandela was elected President by the new Parliament (South Africa under apartheid). Apartheid was officially over.
Work Citied Page:
"The UN and Apartheid: A Chronology." UN Chronicle (U.N. Dept. of Public Information). Sept. 1994: 9-14. SIRS Researcher. Web. 18 Nov. 2010.
"Nelson Mandela - Biography". Nobelprize.org. Web.18 Nov.2010 <http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1993/mandela-bio.html>.
“Demographics of South Africa.” 123independenceday.com. Compare InfoBase. Web. 18 Nov. 2010.
“Demographics of South Africa 2.” Wikipedia.com. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 18 Nov. 2010.
“The History Of Apartheid in South Africa.” Web. 18 Nov. 2010.
“The World Fact Book.” CIA Fact Book. Web. 18 Nov. 2010.
“Nelson Mandela - Biography". Nobelprize.org. Noble Media. 2010. Web.18 Nov 2010. <http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1993/mandela-bio.html>.
“Artists United Against Apartheid.” Wikipedia.com. September 2010. Web. 18 Nov. 2010.
“South Africa under apartheid.” Wikipedia.com. Wikimedia Foundation. November 2010.Web. 18 Nov. 2010.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Reflection Essay
Kristen Kohles
10/15/10
After watching the videos in class and discussing how the distribution of food has changed not only in just the United States, but all over the world, my outlook on the food I eat has been completely altered. The videos were a wakeup call for me, as they should be for most people, because I learned exactly how the food I consume is produced. Because the videos were very realistic, it caused some negative reactions from me and my peers. The class discussions that were held were very helpful because it was good to hear everyone’s input and opinion on how they feel about this “secretive” food production system. I consider it “secretive” because companies all over the world do not want their consumers to know the truth of how and where their products are actually made. But now that some of us have a better understanding, I hope others will join me in making changes in the way I eat.
The image of a farm was once seen as a large or small piece of land, lush in plenty of grass, crops, and animals. Now a days, this scene no longer exists in many places. Many farms currently are not very “green” anymore and have made some other major changes. One of these changes includes what they feed the animals. Cows, in our old image of an average farm, would feed on grass and grow and “get big” naturally. Today, many farmers are feeding their cows corn. This seems very not normal but the farmers’ motive for doing this is to save money. Corn is a major crop grown nationally and is in abundance. Since there is so much corn, the demand for it decreases, resulting in a very cheap price to pay for it. Yes, in a way, this does make sense for farmers to do this, but it does not benefit the cow. While they can always provide their cows and cattle with plenty of it, the corn doesn’t not give them the same nutrients as grass. The grass also provides the cow with all the natural minerals and vitamins it needs to live. Because the cows are lacking in all of these, their diet is not as good as it could be. Without even being given an option, the farmers continue to feed their animals corn. To get all the same effects of the grass, the cows are injected with chemicals and steroids. The steroids obviously increase the cow’s growth, resulting in more “useful” meat. Also, artificial minerals and vitamins are mixed into their food. I personally would rather eat meat from cows grown and fed naturally, but that’s just my opinion. Maybe other people are okay with knowing their food has been injected with hormones and chemicals.
Another point of the videos that caught my attention was how easily food poisoning and viruses such as e coli and salmonella are spread. I don’t go to fast food restaurants much, but when I do, I am not one to order a burger. I have always known that it’s not real beef, only about 20% of the burger is actually beef, and the videos just proved and enforced my point. I usually will order a salad, but even the chicken on my salad, was injected with steroids and chemicals to help to chicken “get bigger.” But the thing that is really important and makes me never want to eat fast food again, is how dirty the kitchen is. Employees need to wash their hands thoroughly, wear gloves and hair nets, and separate the different foods and utensils. This means that they need to be careful not to use the same knife to cut into meat as they do to cut up a tomato. This is because the meat could contain e coli, then would be spread to the tomato that easily. There have been many cases of people getting some form of food poisoning each day, and will continue to be more if the health regulations are not changed. Also it is extremely important for people to make sure they wash their fruits and vegetables before eating them. This is because the food is dirty. It has been through many factories and on many trucks. Something such as grapes, need to be washed because they most likely have preservatives, fertilizers, and other chemicals still on them. The factories and people handling the food aren’t clean and this is a contributing factor for people getting food borne illnesses. There are many people out there, telling their personal stories, or stories of others, trying to convince and teach people about the truth behind their food. More people need to listen and become more educated about this, even if it’s just watching videos in class.
Something as simple as a little kid drinking a glass of milk could now be considered dangerous. This is because the milk also contains many hormones and steroids, causing children to develop earlier than normal. This is just one other reason why many people today are starting to buy organic. I think it’s a good idea and want to start going organic. Organic food is naturally grown with no added hormones or other chemicals. This just helps you know that the food you eat is more safe and natural. You can feel safe about what you eat when you go organic, because the organic food has to be certified by the USDA and needs to pass all the regulations to be considered an organic food. Organic food also takes people back to that image we used to know as an average farm, a farm with grass and animals actually eating the grass. More people should consider buying more organic products or even becoming a vegetarian. After watching some of the scenes in the videos, I know that thought crossed my mind more than once. My mom and I only eat veggie or turkey burgers, showing that we are aware of and care about what is put into our food. I understand that it is cheaper to produce food in other countries, but after hearing all these facts and facing the reality of our food, I hope more people will be smart and buy locally.
I was most surprised at how careless people can be sometimes. For your health and the health of others, people need to be more cautious with what they buy. Employees need to take charge and make sure the kitchens are clean, and kept that way. The videos we watched in class really showed all the hidden information companies don’t want us to know. I’m going to try my best to change my diet and the diet of my family too. I will read labels, wash food more thoroughly, and only order/eat something that I know is considered “real food.”
Food Distribution Map
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109265955270225738222.0004925888f51020537cf&ll=38.272689,-105.117187&spn=102.420428,296.71875&z=2
New Jersey to Maryland- 129 miles
Connecticut to Maryland- about 300 miles
Idaho to Maryland- about 2,450 miles
California to Maryland- about 2,820 miles
Nebraska to Maryland- about 1,400 miles
Oregon/Washington to Maryland- about 2,750 miles
Minneapolis to Maryland- about 1,200 miles
Michigan to Maryland- about 750 miles
Texas to Maryland- about 1,600 miles
Missouri to Maryland- about 950 miles
Florida to Maryland- about 1,000 miles
Illinois to Maryland- about 800 miles
New York to Maryland- about 200 miles
Ohio to Maryland- about 430 miles
Pennsylvania to Maryland- about 200 miles
Just in the United States, my food travels a total of about 16, 979 miles.
The delivery trucks that get about 10 miles per gallon, would use about 1,698 gallons of gas.
The price of gas is $2.75 per gallon so the total cost for all this gas would be $4,669.23
New Jersey to Maryland- 129 miles
Connecticut to Maryland- about 300 miles
Idaho to Maryland- about 2,450 miles
California to Maryland- about 2,820 miles
Nebraska to Maryland- about 1,400 miles
Oregon/Washington to Maryland- about 2,750 miles
Minneapolis to Maryland- about 1,200 miles
Michigan to Maryland- about 750 miles
Texas to Maryland- about 1,600 miles
Missouri to Maryland- about 950 miles
Florida to Maryland- about 1,000 miles
Illinois to Maryland- about 800 miles
New York to Maryland- about 200 miles
Ohio to Maryland- about 430 miles
Pennsylvania to Maryland- about 200 miles
Just in the United States, my food travels a total of about 16, 979 miles.
The delivery trucks that get about 10 miles per gallon, would use about 1,698 gallons of gas.
The price of gas is $2.75 per gallon so the total cost for all this gas would be $4,669.23
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Food Journal
Monday:
Dinner
Tuesday:
Breakfast:
Dinner:
Breakfast:
Breakfast:
Apples imported from New york.
* Each day i also drank John Carroll's tap water for soccer practice.
Dinner
- Meatloaf (ground beef- Safeway brand, eggs- Lucerne, bread crumbs- Progresso, onion, bbq sauce-Kraft, salt- Morton, pepper- McCormick, milk- Lucerne)
- Apple Cinnamon Bread (flour- Gold, sugar- Safeway brand, baking soda- Arm & Hammer, vanilla- McCormick, vinegar- America's Choice, cinnamon- McCormick, eggs- Lucerne, vegetable oil- Wesson, Apples- Imported from New York)
- Water- Shop Rite Spring water
- Doritos- Frito Lay
- Apple Juice- Safeway brand
Tuesday:
Breakfast:
- English muffin- Thomas, with butter- Countrycrock
- Orange juice- Tropicana
- Turkey and cheese sandwich (turkey breast- Primtaglio, cheese- Kraft, mayo- Kraft, mustard- French's, bread- Pepperidge Farm)
- Banana- Chiquita
- Water- Shop Rite Spring Water
Dinner:
- Lasagna- Stoffers
- Grape juice- Safeway brand
- Toast- Pepperidge Farm
- Granola bar- Quaker
Breakfast:
- Honey Bunches Of Oats Cereal- Post
- Milk- Lucerne
- Orange Juice- Tropicana
- Pb & J sandwich ( Bread- Pepperidge Farm, penut butter- Jif, jelly- Smucker's)
- Banana- Chiquita
- Goldfish- Pepperidge Farm
- Mashed Potatoes- Countrycrock
- Chicken- Safeway brand
- Apple juice- Safeway brand
- Ketchup- Heinz
- Sushi- Fujisan
- Party mix- Utz
Breakfast:
- Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal- Post
- Orange juice- Tropicana
- Milk- Lucerne
- Turkey and cheese sandwich (turkey breast- Primtaglio, cheese- Kraft, mayo- Kraft, mustard- French's, bread- Pepperidge Farm)
- Banana- Chiquita
- Cheese Crackers- Keebler
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich- (Bread- Schmidt's Old Tyme, cheese- Kraft, butter- Countrycrock)
- Ketchup- Heinz
- Tomato Soup- Campbell's
- Milk- Lucerne
- Goldfish- Pepperidge Farm
- Party mix- Utz
Apples imported from New york.
* Each day i also drank John Carroll's tap water for soccer practice.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
From Persian Insults to a Foreign Language Films
The first part of Patrick Cox's radio show was a disturbing Persian insult by a high ranking official, the Iranian President. He used a crude expression while welcoming high ranking people from Tehran. This type of language is not used in public and created a public uproar. He said that "the bogeyman snatched the boob." This is something the Iranians say when they have missed out on business opportunities or when nursing moms stop breast feeding. The reason he used such crude language was so he could seem more down-to-earth so that the crowd could relate better to him. In order to do so, he was trying to speak in a more casual manner.
The next part of the radio show discussed a remote community whose lifestyle is being threatened by global warming.These people live an ancient lifestyle. They hunt in kayaks, use harpoons, and travel by dog sleds. The poeple of Inuit are the last hunter-gatherers left. The population ranges from 70-1,000 people. Herbert, an anthropologist, is going to study their culture and live their way of life for a year. He will eat what they eat, things such as sea mammals and Arctic cod. He is not the first one to observe the oral culture of these people. The difference is that he will record their culture in their own language, not Danish. This is to help preserve their way of life as a result of global warming. If an iceburg lands on the Greenland coast, they will have to alter their lifestyle.
Another part of the show was a discussion about foreign language films in the U.S. They used to be huge hits but not anymore. In order for a foreign film to be considered a gold standard, it must clear 1million dollars. The last film shown in the U.S was a drama about a Palestinian community and that only made $600,000. The reason for this is that there is too much competion in the movie industry. You have to give people a reason to watch these films. Typically if a film is released in New York and gets a good review, it will be shown elsewhere. To be successful, it must be a good movie.
To end the radio show, Patrick talked to a language nerd. Hindu people use words with very different meanings to say the same thing. For example, depending upon the verbs used, yesterday and tomorrow can mean the same thing. Apparently it is very easy to get lost because "go straight" and "turn right" are the same word.
The next part of the radio show discussed a remote community whose lifestyle is being threatened by global warming.These people live an ancient lifestyle. They hunt in kayaks, use harpoons, and travel by dog sleds. The poeple of Inuit are the last hunter-gatherers left. The population ranges from 70-1,000 people. Herbert, an anthropologist, is going to study their culture and live their way of life for a year. He will eat what they eat, things such as sea mammals and Arctic cod. He is not the first one to observe the oral culture of these people. The difference is that he will record their culture in their own language, not Danish. This is to help preserve their way of life as a result of global warming. If an iceburg lands on the Greenland coast, they will have to alter their lifestyle.
Another part of the show was a discussion about foreign language films in the U.S. They used to be huge hits but not anymore. In order for a foreign film to be considered a gold standard, it must clear 1million dollars. The last film shown in the U.S was a drama about a Palestinian community and that only made $600,000. The reason for this is that there is too much competion in the movie industry. You have to give people a reason to watch these films. Typically if a film is released in New York and gets a good review, it will be shown elsewhere. To be successful, it must be a good movie.
To end the radio show, Patrick talked to a language nerd. Hindu people use words with very different meanings to say the same thing. For example, depending upon the verbs used, yesterday and tomorrow can mean the same thing. Apparently it is very easy to get lost because "go straight" and "turn right" are the same word.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Effects of 9/11
Kristen Kohles, Frank Mattes, & Brian Matejevich
September 8th, 2010
On the morning of September 11, 2001, a small group of dedicated fanatics hijacked four airplanes in flight, three of them crashed into symbolic buildings in various ways of what they found offensive about the United States, an changed the course of American history. Shortly after this occurred, a group of CRS analysts was called upon to assess the possible effects of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. economy and the ability of the government to deal with them.
September 11th not only affected the victims of these terrorist attacks, but also the international air travel industry. The United States had an immediate drop in arrivals of international visitors. For example, between the years 2001-2002, the global economy experienced a recession that reduced demand for air travel in general, but for the economy itself, 9/11 would have had to affect the price of an important product such as energy. Although visa policy did not change very much after 9/11, the security screening procedures that are part of the visa application process were made more standard and had greater restrictions. After the 9/11 attacks certain procedures related to immigration issuance and entry at the U.S. border were started as part of enhanced travel security protocol. Based on revised results, the terrorist attacks did not cause the economy to become weaker or irregular, the attacks on 9/11’s results were short lived. Overseas visitors to the U.S. went from a near 7 million to below 4 million after the event of 9/11. The U.S visa policy occurred after 9/11 although there were no major changes to the policy. Several security precautions related to visa insurance and visa entries were introduced. Even though the airline industry was already in financial trouble due to the recession at the time of 9/11, it severely compounded the industry’s financial problem. The federal government responded quickly to the attacks with an aid package that gave airlines the amount of up to $15 million. Insurance was one of the two industries profoundly affected by 9/11. The loss of personal property gave rise to the largest property and casualty claim in history, about $40 billion. Nearly 18 thousand businesses were disrupted by the attacks on 9/11 because most were in or around Ground Zero.
Airport security has come a long way just one year after the September 11th tragedy. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has passed and redone countless bills and acts trying to provide the safest, most efficient form of airport security. Changes on the airplane are the most visible security changes yet. Many planes have installed bullet proof, cockpit doors that secure the pilot and flight crew from the rest of the plane. There have also been attempts to install security camera systems so the pilots can monitor the cabin activity. Pilots also have been given the choice to carry a gun, for self-defense, but must be trained to use it. Security at airports themselves has come along much more slowly compared to the security on an airplane. These terrorist attacks helped open people’s eyes to the need of a more secure airport and how easily the old system was to manipulate. Airports all over the world need much improvement before they can truly be considered secure.
“The terrorist attacks pushed a weak economy over the edge into an outright recession,” people have said. We now know, based on revised reports that the economy was not pushed over the edge by 9/11. At the time of 9/11 the economy was in its third consecutive year of downfall; the uprising of the economy wouldn’t start again until the 4th year. Several events took place before, on, and shortly after 9/11, that made the economy recover more rapidly than might have been possible. First, the Federal Reserve had eased up on people’s credit during the first 6 months of 2001 to stimulate aggregate demand. The economy takes a while to react to policy changes though. Thus, the public response may have been felt in the last 3 months giving the appearance that 9/11 had only a small effect on the economy. Second, the Federal Reserve immediately after 9/11 took action to avert people away from financial crisis. This was added to by support from foreign banks to push up the dollar’s price in world markets which helped the results of 9/11 from not spreading to other countries. Nevertheless, U.S. trade with other countries was disrupted. While oil prices were raised briefly, they returned to their original prices almost immediately after. The United States in particular experienced a sudden drop in international visitors visiting the U.S., particularly from those flying in from across oceans. The sudden drop in arrivals immediately following 9/11 in part showed widespread concern about the safety of air travel. Economic factors most likely also played a major role in reducing travel to the United States in the aftermath of 9/11. In addition to safety concerns and economic conditions worsening, the perception that U.S. visa policy became more restrictive in the aftermath of 9/11 may also have negatively impacted arrivals. Such perceptions started concern within the travel industry that the United States was becoming a less attractive travel destination and was damaging its image around the world to past visitors and the future visitors to the U.S.
Works Cited:
2013, By. "Travel Facts and Statistics
U.S. Travel Association." U.S. Travel Association. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. http://www.ustravel.org/news/press-kit/travel-facts-and-statistics.
"Air Traffic - NextGen Briefing." FAA: Home. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/briefing/.
"Airport Security after 9/11 Essay." Essays and Papers Online - Direct Essays. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. <http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/83940.html>.
"Airport Security since 9/11: How Far Have We Come?" Access Control & Security System Solutions
Security News for Security Industry, Access Control, Theft Prevention, Alarm Professionals. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. <http://securitysolutions.com/news/security_airport_security_far/>.
Department of Homeland Security
Preserving Our Freedoms, Protecting America. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. <http://www.dhs.gov>.
H.R. Rep. No. RL31617. Print.
"File:World Trade Center 9-11 Attacks Illustration with Bird's-eye Impact Locations.jpg." Wikimedia Commons. Web. 09 Sept. 2010. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:World_Trade_Center_9-11_Attacks_Illustration_with_Bird's-eye_Impact_Locations.jpg>.
September 8th, 2010
On the morning of September 11, 2001, a small group of dedicated fanatics hijacked four airplanes in flight, three of them crashed into symbolic buildings in various ways of what they found offensive about the United States, an changed the course of American history. Shortly after this occurred, a group of CRS analysts was called upon to assess the possible effects of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. economy and the ability of the government to deal with them.
September 11th not only affected the victims of these terrorist attacks, but also the international air travel industry. The United States had an immediate drop in arrivals of international visitors. For example, between the years 2001-2002, the global economy experienced a recession that reduced demand for air travel in general, but for the economy itself, 9/11 would have had to affect the price of an important product such as energy. Although visa policy did not change very much after 9/11, the security screening procedures that are part of the visa application process were made more standard and had greater restrictions. After the 9/11 attacks certain procedures related to immigration issuance and entry at the U.S. border were started as part of enhanced travel security protocol. Based on revised results, the terrorist attacks did not cause the economy to become weaker or irregular, the attacks on 9/11’s results were short lived. Overseas visitors to the U.S. went from a near 7 million to below 4 million after the event of 9/11. The U.S visa policy occurred after 9/11 although there were no major changes to the policy. Several security precautions related to visa insurance and visa entries were introduced. Even though the airline industry was already in financial trouble due to the recession at the time of 9/11, it severely compounded the industry’s financial problem. The federal government responded quickly to the attacks with an aid package that gave airlines the amount of up to $15 million. Insurance was one of the two industries profoundly affected by 9/11. The loss of personal property gave rise to the largest property and casualty claim in history, about $40 billion. Nearly 18 thousand businesses were disrupted by the attacks on 9/11 because most were in or around Ground Zero.
Airport security has come a long way just one year after the September 11th tragedy. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has passed and redone countless bills and acts trying to provide the safest, most efficient form of airport security. Changes on the airplane are the most visible security changes yet. Many planes have installed bullet proof, cockpit doors that secure the pilot and flight crew from the rest of the plane. There have also been attempts to install security camera systems so the pilots can monitor the cabin activity. Pilots also have been given the choice to carry a gun, for self-defense, but must be trained to use it. Security at airports themselves has come along much more slowly compared to the security on an airplane. These terrorist attacks helped open people’s eyes to the need of a more secure airport and how easily the old system was to manipulate. Airports all over the world need much improvement before they can truly be considered secure.
“The terrorist attacks pushed a weak economy over the edge into an outright recession,” people have said. We now know, based on revised reports that the economy was not pushed over the edge by 9/11. At the time of 9/11 the economy was in its third consecutive year of downfall; the uprising of the economy wouldn’t start again until the 4th year. Several events took place before, on, and shortly after 9/11, that made the economy recover more rapidly than might have been possible. First, the Federal Reserve had eased up on people’s credit during the first 6 months of 2001 to stimulate aggregate demand. The economy takes a while to react to policy changes though. Thus, the public response may have been felt in the last 3 months giving the appearance that 9/11 had only a small effect on the economy. Second, the Federal Reserve immediately after 9/11 took action to avert people away from financial crisis. This was added to by support from foreign banks to push up the dollar’s price in world markets which helped the results of 9/11 from not spreading to other countries. Nevertheless, U.S. trade with other countries was disrupted. While oil prices were raised briefly, they returned to their original prices almost immediately after. The United States in particular experienced a sudden drop in international visitors visiting the U.S., particularly from those flying in from across oceans. The sudden drop in arrivals immediately following 9/11 in part showed widespread concern about the safety of air travel. Economic factors most likely also played a major role in reducing travel to the United States in the aftermath of 9/11. In addition to safety concerns and economic conditions worsening, the perception that U.S. visa policy became more restrictive in the aftermath of 9/11 may also have negatively impacted arrivals. Such perceptions started concern within the travel industry that the United States was becoming a less attractive travel destination and was damaging its image around the world to past visitors and the future visitors to the U.S.
Works Cited:
2013, By. "Travel Facts and Statistics
U.S. Travel Association." U.S. Travel Association. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. http://www.ustravel.org/news/press-kit/travel-facts-and-statistics.
"Air Traffic - NextGen Briefing." FAA: Home. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/briefing/.
"Airport Security after 9/11 Essay." Essays and Papers Online - Direct Essays. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. <http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/83940.html>.
"Airport Security since 9/11: How Far Have We Come?" Access Control & Security System Solutions
Security News for Security Industry, Access Control, Theft Prevention, Alarm Professionals. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. <http://securitysolutions.com/news/security_airport_security_far/>.
Department of Homeland Security
Preserving Our Freedoms, Protecting America. Web. 08 Sept. 2010. <http://www.dhs.gov>.
H.R. Rep. No. RL31617. Print.
"File:World Trade Center 9-11 Attacks Illustration with Bird's-eye Impact Locations.jpg." Wikimedia Commons. Web. 09 Sept. 2010. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:World_Trade_Center_9-11_Attacks_Illustration_with_Bird's-eye_Impact_Locations.jpg>.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Human Geography Definitions
Kristen Kohles
Globalization-
the process of globalizing something; specif., the expansion of many businesses into markets throughout the world, marked by an increase in international investment, the proliferation of large multinational corporations, worldwide economic integration, etc.
"Education, particularly higher education, will take Africa into the mainstream of globalization. "
-John Agyekum Kufuor
Culture-
- the ideas, customs, skills, arts, etc. of a people or group, that are transferred, communicated, or passed along, as in or to succeeding generations
"You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them. "
-Mohandas Gandhi
Civilization-
the condition of being civilized; social organization of a high order, marked by the development and use of a written language and by advances in the arts and sciences, government, etc.
"A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan. "
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
History-
A .what has happened in the life or development of a people, country, institution, etc.
B .a systematic account of this, usually in chronological order with an analysis and explanation
"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. "
-Thomas Jefferson
Progress-
To advance toward a higher or better stage; improve steadily
"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground."
-Thomas Jefferson
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