NASA Bids Adieu To Spirit Mars Rover

The Spirit Rover that NASA sent to Mars in 2004, is not expected to be used again.  Spirit, and it's twin Opportunity were both sent to Mars in 2004, to explore the red planet.  Spirit has had a rough time on Mars, as over the years it had two wheels stop working, it faced a few hard winters, it started sending nonsense data back to Earth, and more.  This robot, has caught the world's attention with all of it's mishaps on the red planet, but now it seems it has faced it's doom, after getting stuck in a sand pit.  NASA has set up listening posts all-around the world, to hear even the tiniest peep from the rover, but nothing has been heard, since the last contact with the rover, before the last Mars winter.  NASA believes that the harsh cold, of temperatures of down-to -55 C, which is the coldest that is has experienced on Mars, may have damaged Spirit's electronics, after the engineers could not properly position the solar panels, which then did not provide enough energy to power it's heaters.  The rover, Opportunity, now is the only moving rover left on Mars, after NASA said goodbye to another rover Phoenix, in 2008, after it had spent five months studying an Arctic Plain on Mars.  NASA says that Opportunity will not be alone for a while though, as they plan to send, a rover the size Mini-Cooper in summer 2012.

I believe that The Mars rovers were a great success, with Opportunity, and Spirit, both almost seven years of exploring on the red planet.  I believe that the rovers have provided us with more information, and a better understanding of Mars.  I also believe that the engineers Spirit have done an excellent job at continuing to work on Spirit through all of it's technical mishaps over the years.  They have persevered immensely, and have gotten through situations where I am not even sure what I would do, and think that almost all hope is lost.  I am pretty sure, that if one of the tires on a rover, that is on a different planet, stopped turning, I would be a little lost, and worried about it we/I could get the rover moving again, but that is what these engineers have gone through, and managed to pull off, which is extraordinary.  The information that we have gained from these explorations, I believe, are well worth the time, and the effort to put all of these massive projects together.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2011/05/24/science-spirit-mars-rover.html

Que. Floods Recedes As More Soldiers Arrive

Over the last few weeks, water levels in Southeastern Quebec have been fluctuating from high, to receding, and back to high again.  Last week, the water levels were beginning to recede when it started to rain, and the wind picked-up, which put water levels to an all-time high.  Later on Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that flood waters had receded by 18 centimetres in 24 hours.  A trend meteorologists predicts that this will continue for a few more days ahead.  The flooding began in early May, and has so far forced-out 1,000 people from their homes, and has flooded more than 3,000 homes since.  On Monday the water levels reached a high, as high gusting winds pushed water into the already full Richelieu, from Lake Champlain.  Soldiers from The Canadian Army have been sent into help with relief events, and provide help where necessary.  Two hundred and fifty new reserve soldiers arrived from CFB Valcartier to help with relief effort, which now puts the number of military personnel at 500 military personnel in the area.  The military personnel arrived, after Quebec Premier, Jean Charest, asked for more help in the relief area's on Monday, and the next day the soldiers arrived.

I believe that this is a very unfortunate matter, which cannot not entirely be prevented, but certain steps, and measures can, and have-to be taken to ensure there is no loss of life, or injury, and reduce the amount of property damage.  I believe that having soldiers sent to the flooded area's to try, and help with problems in the area is an excellent choice, since the more people to help, the better.  This adds more people for sandbagging, and other relief efforts.  This matter is hard to prevent entirely, but by having a detailed evacuation plan that all of the residents in area's that have been flooded before, and this time, would help with a safe evacuation of all of the residents.  To prevent property damage, it is a bit harder, as water is harder to control, especially when there is so much of it, but some improvements could include, building more dikes to try,and maintain the water in heavily hit area's, now, and prior floods.  I believe that this is a very unfortunate matter, but there are a very safety precautions that can be taken to reduce to the injury, and loss of life, and to property.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/05/24/flooding-quebec-richelieu.html

Busy Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast

This year for the Atlantic Hurricane Forecast, is predicting 12 to 18 named storms that will hit the U.S., and surrounding area.  The U.S. National Weather Service is also predicting that 6 to 10 of these storms will be hurricanes.  Three to six of these storms are supposed to major storms, which is at least a category three hurricane, and the winds in these storms can possibly be gusting up to 180 kilometres an hour, the U.S. National Weather Service added.  The storms are supposed to hit The Atlantic Coast harder than the last few years.  People are probably worrying again in the southern states, after what happened with Hurricane Katrina.  Analysts say that the reason for the spike in the predicted amount of storms, compared to last year is, because the temperature is warmer is than usual, the fact that the weather phenomenon La Nina is supposed to be present in the hurricane season this season, seasonal climate models suggest that an above-average hurricane season is likely.  These storms, also have the potential to travel up The Atlantic Coast, and hit Canada.

I believe that this is a very unfortunate matter which has to be dealt with almost every year.  Each year, people of these regions are devastated as they have their homes, and property destroyed by storms. Each year as well, more safety precautions are taken to try, and prevent the loss of life, and damage to property.  I think that it is also, just a poor geographical location to live in with all of the storms that pass through The U.S. Area.  I hope that with this high number of hurricane season predicted ahead of us people have a plan to evacuate the dangered area, efficiently, and effectively.  I hope that this hurricane season, is not as bad as it is predicted to be.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/05/19/jurricane-forecast-noaa.html

New Faces, But Stability Key In Harper Cabinet Shuffle

Stephen Harper, just recently announced his first majority cabinet members.  There were a few new faces, and a few shuffles, but Prime Minister Harper seemed to keep more experienced ministers in prior positions.  Prime Minister Harper said that he had to make some significant changes due to the fact of two retirements, and four election losses.  He says that the new cabinet is, "fundamentally about stability and continuity."  After the cabinet was sworn in at Rideau Hall on Wedenesday, Prime Minister Harper said that he never had a deeper roster of talent to choose his new cabinet ministers from.  Some of the new faces in the ministry include, Steven Blaney as Minister Of Vetran Affairs, Bal Gosal as Minister Of State For Sport, Joes Oliver as Minister For Natural Resources, and a few others.  Prime Minister Harper said, that he wanted to make as few changes as possible, and says also, that the MP's who were not given a promotion, will gain more political experience, which will give The Conservative Party Of Canada, a bright future in terms of possible cabinet ministers.

I believe that Prime Minister Harper did an excellent job at organizing his first majority ministry.  I think that the idea of keeping experienced cabinet ministers in there prior positions to the elections was a smart move, as Canada recovered from the recent recession with most of these cabinet ministers in the spots they are in today.  I believe that this was a smart decision to keep them like this, as Canada continues to recover from the recent recession, and the people who were in-charge before, should still be in-charge now.  I think that it is also good that there are some new ministers in the ministry, because there needs to be some new ministers as well, with some new ideas.  I think that his will bring some new, and creative decisions within the ministry, and will overall, improve the ministry.  Overall, I think that Prime Minister Harper did an excellent job at creating his new ministry, and made the right decisions with the placement, and how he keep where he put his cabinet ministers.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/05/18/pol-cabinet-shuffle.html

Pakastani Leaders Unaware Of Osama Hideout, Gates Says

After Osama bin Laden's death a few weeks ago, during a U.S. Navy Seal Raid on a compound in Pakistan, there have been some speculations that The Pakistani Government knew that bid Laden was living there for the last five years.  The question of whether, or not Pakistani Officials knew about bin Laden being within their country, is still unclear, but it is quite possible that they had no idea what so ever.  This is what U.S. Defence Secretary, Robert Gates, thinks as well.  He thinks that no, high-level government official knew about bin Laden living in their country, and has seen no evidence to show him that they did, and has, in fact, seen evidence to prove that they did not.  This issue is very controversial, because over the past ten years, ten billion dollars, have been sent to Pakistan in aid.  If it turns-out that Pakistan knew that bin Laden was living in Pakistan, then the bill in The Senate would not likely be passed, and The U.S. would stop funding aid to Pakistan.  This would mean that innocent people would suffer from this, because the money that The U.S. Government provides to Pakistan, is a very significant number, and it probably helps many people.

I believe that this is an unfortunate matter for Pakistan, because no one will believe that they did not know.  It is possible for Osama bin Laden to have crossed the Afghanistan, and Pakistan border, and then move freely about in Pakistan undercover.  The border between Afghanistan, and Pakistan, is desert, and mountains, which would make an easy task to sneak through the border at some place, un-noticed, and undercover.  Once he was in Pakistan, without the government not knowing of his presence in their country, then it would be quite simply to just lay low, and stay within the compound, that the U.S. Navy Seals raided on May 2nd, 2011.  I personally believe that it is most likely that The Pakistani Government, had no knowledge of Osama bin Laden being within their country.  I am not ruling-out that they knew, but I think that it is most likely that they did not.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/05/18/gates-pakistan-osama.html

Slave Lake Evacuees Complain Of Little Warning

The residents of Slave Lake, a town in Alberta, are complaining that they did not have enough warning to leave their homes, and be evacuated from the area before raging forest fires closed in from all around.  There was no word of evacuation, until the radio stations were closed, and police had to go door-to-door, warning people of the need to evacuate.  People had to find-out about the evacuation through social media, which is a terrible means of communication when lives are at danger.  Some of the evacuees were told to leave the area, when their homes were on fire already.  There needs to be more action taken to properly evacuate residents in a safe, and efficient way, to be properly evacuated before any danger is near the residents.  Officials say that residents in the area are not allowed back into their homes, for at least a week, and it possibly could be two weeks.  Many of the homes are being destroyed, and burned, and 7 RCMP Officers homes were also included in the destruction.

I believe that when the residents return to their homes, there has to be a proper evacuation plan implemented, so that if there ever was another forest fire nearby, and there was a need to evacuate.  This is an essential need for a community that has had problems like this in the past, or could potentially have problems like this in the future, for the safety of it's residents.  This plan needs to be implemented immediately, for the safety of it's residents.  I think that as soon as people are allowed back into their homes, and The Town Council can assemble, then they need to have this issue at the top of their, "To Do List."  As for the effort that was made to make the evacuation possible, I believe that they did an excellent job at trying to go door-to-door to try, and communicate the danger that was heading their way.  This matter is very unfortunate, but some safety measures can be taken to prevent lives being at a greater of a risk.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/05/17/slave-lake-tues.html

Afghan Chopper Crash Was "Choatic": Reporter

Early Monday morning, a Canadian Chinook Helicopter crash landed in a remote part of the Panjwaii in Afghanistan.  The helicopter crashed on landing at night, when the pilot misjudged his altitude, and the helicopter flipped on it's side.  On-board the helicopter were 25 soldiers, 5 crew members, and one reporter.  The reporter said that it all happened so fast, and there was hardly any time to think about what was happening.  The helicopter flipped on its side, sending all of the soldiers on one side of the helicopter toppling onto the other soldiers on the other side.  Luckily enough, there were no insurgents in the area, and so the personnel on-board were able to secure the area around the crash site.  Four soldiers were injured in the crash, one was seriously injured, and was loud at the site of the crash, because of the injuries he sustained.

I believe that this is a very unfortunate accident, and it was human that caused it, so there is some room for improvement.  Night landings in a helicopter can be extremely tricky, and it was human-error that this accident happened.  Taking away from this accident, I hope that now The Royal Canadian Air Force (The RCAF) should include some more night landing training into their helicopter pilot training.  This would hopefully prevent further accidents, like this one, in the future.  The reporter on-board the helicopter during the accident, has described the accident in detail, and it truly sounded chaotic.  I am just glad to hear that no soldiers were killed, or more were hurt.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2011/05/16/afghan-chopper-crash.html

Giant Wolf Epidemic: Huge Packs Of Giant Canadian Gray Wolves Terrifying Idaho Residents

There have been many wolf attacks on humans in the Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming region after some Giant Gray Wolves from Canada have drifted down into the states.  The attacks started out with farm animals in all of these states, and then now the attacks have started on humans.  In 1995, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services released into the wildlife, and now since then the wolves have reproduced in massive numbers, and there are now around 2000 wolves, and now travel in large packs.  These packs can come-up to a possible 20 wolves.  These wolves are killing machines, and will eat a human.  Officials are saying that people should stay away from these wolves if possible, if they are to come into contact with one.

I believe that this is a very unfortunate incident, where human lives have been taken, and at risk.  If I lived in the area, I may think a second time, before taking a walk around in a forest, or if I owned a large property, because of the fear for my safety, and others.  I think that that animal agencies should be taking more action to prevent these attacks in the future.  I believe this could include capturing some of the wolves, and then releasing them into the wild elsewhere.  It is unfortunate that action has to be taken to prevent these attacks in the future, but human lives are at risk, something has to be done.

Link: .http://unexplainedmysteriesoftheworld.com/archives/giant-wolf-epidemic-huge-packs-of-giant-canadian-gray-wolves-are-terrifying-idaho-residents

Belarus Subway Blast Death Toll Rises To 12

On Monday, an explosion in a subway in Belarus has now killed 12 people, and wounded 200 others.  They say that they have now identified a person of particular interest, and are looking for him.  The bomb was apparently placed under a bench in The Oktyabrskaya Station, and then it was left there, and it was detonated by a radio-controlled device.  Many victims who were injured in the blast have lost arms, and legs.  The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko is the last dictator still in Europe, and he apparently won the election in December, but internationally the final result was that he rigged the election.  He has been in power now for 17 years, and apparently keep the Soviet-style of governing the country.  Since the blast, people have gone to the site, and have placed flowers there.

I believe that these are unneeded explosions.  Any explosion is unneeded, and there should not ever be a reason for one.  I think that these incidents are inevitable though, and the only way to try, and prevent this issue, would be to set-up an airport style of security, in which each patron goes through security each time the would like to travel by subway. This is not ideal though, since the subway is a major industry in Belarus, and a major means of travel, and to place security into the subway stations, it would not be as efficient as other means of travel, because it would create long line-ups, and wait times.  I believe that this trade was un-preventable, and the police are, I am sure everyone else is doing their best to figure-out who did this, and try, and help the people who were hurt.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/04/12/belarus-subway-blast.html

Leaders Make Debate Pictches, Trade Barbs

On April 12th, 2011, it was the english leaders debate.  The debate consisted of the four main party leaders, Stephen Harper (Conservative), Micheal Ignatieff (Liberal) , Jack Layton (NDP), and Gilles Duceppe (Bloc Quebecois).  This election's debate excluded The Green Party Leader, Elizibeth May, which was a decision which was made be the broadcasting consortium.  The leaders discussed various topics, from immigration to Canada's presence on the world stage.  Some highlights within the debate included, NDP Leader, Jack Layton, accusing Micheal Ignatieff of being Stephen Harper's "best friend," the talk of the coalition, health care talks, and more.  It was heated at times, and some excellent points were made by each party.  Stephen Harper was almost asking Canadians it seemed, to vote a majority government in his favour, and bargained with that by saying that Canada does not need to be have as many elections as we have in the last few years, and we need a stable government to be able to pass bills in a timely, and efficient manner.

I believe that Stephen Harper won the debate, if there was a winner to be decided.  I personally watched the debate live on t.v. and, he maintained a calm, cool, and collective attitude throughout the debate.  One aspect of Stephen Harper's debating, was that he looked into the camera, and talked into it, whereas the other party leaders seemed to periodically look into the camera, but spend most of their time looking at the other party leader while debating with them.  I also agree with what Stephen Harper said about Canada needing a majority government, and that will make the passing of laws much easier, and efficient.  I believe that this leader's debate was informational, and a good perspective of what each leader will want to do, if they, and their party are elected into office.

Links: Story: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/12/cv-election-debate-main.html#

Picture: http://www.cbc.ca/

Veiled Women Arrested at Paris Protest

The first ban on veils in the world was put into effect on Monday, in France.  The French Government says that this new law will help to protects it citizens from inequality, and extremism.  The new law says, that in short, you cannot have your face covered while in a public place, or you can be arrested.  Not even a day had passed, when two veiled women were arrested at a protest for wearing a veil.  The rules are that if you are arrested wearing a veil, you are fined 150 Euros, and no jail time, but if you make someone wear a veil, you face a 30,000 Euros fine, and up to a year in prison.  If you make a minor wear a veil, then you could face double that.  Italy has a similar law of where you cannot have your face covered, but it seems that this law made by France is actually targeted at veil-wearers more, or less.

I believe that this law is completely unfair, and unnecessary.  If the country is run democratically, then it should be a free country, and the citizens should be able to do what they want, and in this case, wear what they want.  There is no doubt in my mind, that there will be lots, and lots of controversy over this issue.  The decision to wear a veil is a personal choice, which also relates to the persons religion.  I have to say that The French Government did not make the right choice in my mind, and I am sure in many other peoples minds.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/04/11/paris-france-islamic-veil-arrest.html

Japan PM Urges Calm As Nuclear Level Raised

Just recently, Japan Officials have raised the Nuclear warning of The Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant Nuclear danger.  Officials have raised the warning from a 5 to a 7, which is the same level that Chornobyl was at when it melted-down in 1986.  The level was changed since recent studies have shown that there is some increased radioactivity around the area.  Even though the level is the same, the radiation emission is only 10% of what Chornobly's radiation emission was.  Up until this new announcement, Chornobyl was the only nuclear plant to have a rating of 7, and for some background information The Three Mile Island incident of 1979 was rated a 5.  With this new warning, The Government of Japan has also extended the evacuation zone to anywhere within 70km of the nuclear power plant.  The Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant was damaged after a tsunami hit the plant.  It went through all of it's proper steps of proper shutdown, and prevention of a melt-down, but after all of it's back-up plans, it still began to go into a partle-meltdown.  Japan itself has still been getting after shocks, and two in the last two weeks, with both magnitudes being over 6.0 on the Richter Scale.  The Government of Japan has now also raised the death toll to 13,219 people, and also there are still more than 14,000 people still missing, and more than 145,000 people in evacuation centres.

I personally believe that this is a tragic incident that could not have been prevented.  Some may try, and argue that there could have been more rules, and regulations regarding safety, and proper shut-down.  If you really think about it though, it is a Nuclear Reactor, and there is only so much we can do to prevent this, and if The Japanese Government is doing all that they can, or could, before-hand then I do not have a problem with it.  I believe that, because Japan is a nation that is rocked with many earthquakes over time, then they should have the most advanced, and innovated equipment regrading safety, and proper shut-down procedures.  They need to get their power from somewhere, and Nuclear Power is the cleanest non-reusable source, and then it only makes sense for them to use Nuclear Power to produce power for their country.  I believe that this is a tragedy, that could not have been prevented, but can be improved upon in the sense that they should have the best technology, and proper shut-down procedures.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/04/12/japan-radiation-tuesday.html

Controversial Quebec Liberal To Remain In Race

The Liberal canidate in the riding of Manicouagan in Quebec, Andres Forbes, was apparently dropped by his party last week after he made some controversial comments about Aborignal People. Forbes apparently said that Aboriginal People are "featherheads" and lazy.  This raised lots of contreversity, and enough so for Liberal Party Leader, Micheal Ignatieff, to kick Forbes out of the Liberal Party.  Since Forbes has already been nominated for the election, the party cannot fire him as a canidate, and he is not quitting, which means that as of right now, the Liberal Party has no canidate for the riding of Manicouagan, Quebec.  Since he still wants to run in the election, he will be an independant canidate, but still show up on the ballot as a memeber of the Liberal Party of Canada.  Since the Liberals cannot technically have a canidate in that riding, they are a little disturbed by this.

I believe that Andres Forbes' comment about Aboriginal People being "featherheads" and lazy was completely uncalled for, and he should be ashamed that he even said that.  I think that as a canidate, he should resign form the election, because of his actions.  The Aboriginal People were here before us, and I am probably sure that they helped with their knowledge of their land to save more than a few European explorers, and travellers.  The fact that he has stayed in the election has probably angered more than a few people across a Canada.  Even with an apology, I believe that he should still drop-out of the election, because his actions were inexcusable, and since they cannot be met with any formal punishment, then I believe that he should resign himself.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/04/11/cv-election-liberal-forbes.html#

Gbagbo Arrested In Ivory Coast: Reports

On Monday, President Laurent Gbagbo was arrested by rebel troops.  There has been a lot of up rise in The African Nation since last year when President Gbagbo supposedly rigged the election which was actually won by the opposition leader and internationally recognized winner Alassane Ouattara.  President Gbagbo was trying to hold on until the in a bunker within his presidential compound, until today where French, United Nations (UN), and rebel troops arrested him.  They now are being held within a hotel in Abidjan where Alassane Ouattara, and is now being guarded by UN Police.  Even though Gbagbo was arrested, gunfire could still be heard on the night of his arrest from Gbagbo supporters who still do not believe their leader has been arrested.  The French, and The UN both deny participation in the arrest, and so does the opposition leaders, but apparently the French were rumoured to have bombarded that area hard, and then provided some ground support with armoured vehicles.

I believe that some of the African countries, such as Ivory Coast, may be corrupt, and the threat of more, and more possible up rises in that part of the world are almost inevitable.  After what happened in Eygpt, it almost seemed like it opened new doors, and sparked new ideas for countries who are corrupt.  I believe that it is likely that we see more of these demonstrations of displeasure by the citizens of a country.  Right after Eygpt, Lybia started to up rise, and the number of protests in the world went up quite significantly in a short period of time.  I do not see these protests as a bad thing, but a great thing, one that shows that people have had enough, and that in this day and age, people will take a stand on what they believe, and that is exactly what these citizens are doing.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/04/11/ivory-coast-gbagbo.html

Floodwater Recedes North of Winnipeg

Once again this year The Red River flooded some parts of Manitoba causing evacuations all across the province.  It seems that every year, there is a little bit of ice build-up and then the water spills over the banks of the river putting property, but more importantly life at risk.  Just like every year, volunteers worked vigorously to try and save homes by filling sand bags and then building dikes to try and protect homes at the last minute before the floodwater came.  In total this year, thirty-four homes were evacuated in bedroom communities just north Winnipeg.  There is some good news for these home-owners though, the floodwaters dropped over Saturday night, and they may be allowed back home soon.  Crews are working on pumping water out of low-dikes and clearing two homes where there basements were flooded now that on Sunday morning, no water was touching the emergency dikes.

I believe that this is an unfortunate event, and that more actions should be taken place to try and prevent the flood almost every year.  I have never been to Winnipeg, but I am sure it is a nice city, and it is a shame to hear every year as a Canadian citizen about this trade.  It was just a bad location during the spring time every year, and other than that Winnipeg is probably a nice city.  I hope that one day I may visit the city, and see all of the tourism around Winnipeg, but of course I will have to be careful not plan my trip there in April.  This also goes to show the world that no matter what we do, or how advance civilization becomes, we are still vulnerable to Mother Nature's powers.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/04/10/man-flood-sunday-homes.html

May Not Welcome in Leader's Debates: Networks

Just like last election there is controversity over The Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May should be allowed to participate.  The Green Party does not have a seat in The House of Commons, and therefore some people in Canada believe that she does not get a spot in the leaders debate broadcast across the country.  Another point against The Green Party Leader, is that during the last election, she was included in the leaders debate she was rude to the other leaders of the parties.  As for who has the decision who gets included in the debate is up to the broadcasting consortium.  The Green Party may be a large political party across Canada, yet they still do not have a seat in The House of Commons.  Some people my argue that without a seat in The House of Commons, that does not make their leader eligible for the leaders debate.  Elizabeth May was included in the last leader's debate, but she turned-out to be rude to the other leaders.  May is determined to be included again this time around, but that decision is up to the broadcasting consortium.

I believe that to be included in the leader's debate, your party should at least hold one seat in The House of Commons.  Why should you be included in a discussion to have a say between party leaders, where you do not even have a say in The House of Commons?  From where I stand, as long as a party has a seat in The House of Commons, then they should have an invitation to the leaders debate, and if they do not, then they might just have to sit this one out then.  Another point that I would like to add is that, when the last leader's debate occurred in the last election, Elizabeth May was included, but was completely rude to the other leaders.  I believe that this alone, if I was a leader, would give me a reason almost not to want May included in the debate.  In the end, it does not matter, and Elizabeth May is right, that she has a right to be in the debate, and it probably would not bother the general public too much, and I know it would not bother at all.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/story/2011/03/29/cv-may-greens-debates.html#

Leaders Cross Country To Woo Voters

As of yesterday, Canadians will be heading to the polls on May 2nd to vote for who they think should run the country now.  This comes after The Conservitives lost a non-confidence vote yesterday.  Being only a minority government all of the other parties had to vote against the Convservitives to make the government fall.  Along with an election though comes with all of the bills on the table dieing.  This time around a big one was The Vetrans Bill that was passed in The House of Commons, and was ready to be voted on by the Senate.  Now it could take a whole another year for a single bill to be passed from around our current date right now.  This election is not needed, and Canada needs a government during the Lybian Crisis overseas since we have troops over their.The leader of The Liberal Party Michael Ignatieff was in Montreal the other day trying to get support for his party.  As for the rest of the leaders of the parties they are touring the country trying to get support for their party's.

I personally believe, that this elction was called for not a good reason, and should have been called in the midst of The Lybian Uprising, because we have troops over seas.  I believe that we need a government at this point, and time to oversea what is happening overseas.  Also, I see it as The Conservitives are going to win, and probably with more seats than they already had at this point, and time.  I just think that Michael Ignatieff will not win this time, he just does not have enough support from the citizens of Canada yet to be able to win an election, yet, and defeat Stephen Harper.  I also think that during the economic recession during Stephen Harper's term was handled very well.  Lets hope that when Canadians go to the polls on May 2nd, they take account of what Stephen Harpger has done for Canada over his last few terms as The Prime Minister of Canada, and vote for who they think who should run our country.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2011/03/26/cv-campaign-sunday.html

New Power Line To Japan Nuclear Plant Readied

After the devastating Earthquake that shook Japan earlier in March, The Fuskashima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant's cooling systems for 3 reactors were damaged my the massive 8.9 Earthquake on The Richter Scale.  Engineers say that they have successfully planted a power line to Reactor Number 2.  This means that hopefully soon the reactor's cooling system can be up, and running soon again.  Without the cooling systems, the reactors then went in a partial melt-down.  People were told to evacuate the area 20km around The Fukishima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.  Engineers, and the workers of The Nuclear Power Plant have been working on the situation since The Earthquake.  Crews have been trying to dump water from the air to try, and cool off the reactors.  As for the rest of Japan, the are still feeling aftershocks up, to last week, and maybe more, and last week, officials said that the death toll will rise over 10,000, hopefully it does not exceed that number.

I believe that the workers at The Fukishima Daiichi Nuclear power Plant are doing an excellent job at trying to restore the power plant to it's normal self, or at least bring the risk level down a bit for the citizens of Japan, and especially the people who live in the surrounding area.  These workers are risking themselves being exposed to high levels of radiation while trying to restore safety in the reactors.  I believe that these workers should be provided with some sort of special benefits for them, and their families.  These workers are risking their health to help many other people in Japan, and if that does not show true bravery, then I am not sure what is true bravery.  I hope that Japan can overcome this disaster, and for the future, there is nothing you can do to prevent an earthquake, but you can have a plan ready for the next one, and hopefully that is what Japan will come up with in the future.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/17/japan-cooling-methods.html

End of The Road

Space Shuttle Discovery's last flight has now taken place after it's last 12 day mission to The International Space Space Station, and it is now safe on the ground, never to take flight again.  This concludes The Space Shuttle Program for Discovery, after it's 39th successful mission.  Over the years, it has taken more than 250 astronauts into space, and is the oldest Space Shuttle still in service in the fleet, with it's first flight on August 29th, 1984.  Within the last27 years, Space Shuttle Discovery has carried, The Hubble Space Telescope, the oldest man that has ever been in space, John Glenn, at 77 years old, it brought down the first satellite from space, back down to earth, and many more.

The Space Shuttle Program has had it's ups, and it's downs.  I would consider The Space Shuttle Program was a success.  It has provided a good route for transporting many important sections of The International Space Station, satellites, The Hubble Space Telescope, and more.  It had the two incidents of Space Shuttle Columbia, and Space Shuttle Endeavour where they both were destroyed, and killed all of The Astronauts on board.  Overall, I would say that The Space Shuttle Program was a success.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2010/10/29/f-shuttle-discovery-final-flight.html

Canadian Confirmed Dead in N.Z. Quake

The earthquake that rocked the country of New Zealand last month has now officially claimed the life on one Canadian.  On Tuesday, New Zealand officials confirmed that 60-year-old Marielle Falardeau was among the rubble in Christchurch.  In the police statement, she is described as vacationing with her sister, and she was supposed to fly home to Montreal, on February 23rd, a day after this tragic earthquake.  A spokeswomen for The Ministry of Forgien Affairs, said in an e-mail, that they have contacted the victim's family, and have offered counselling to the family.  In total from this magnitude 6.3 earthquake that rocked N.Z. on February 22nd, has now claimed the lives of 166 people, and also, damaged, or destroyed, thousands of buildings.

I believe that this is a tragic incident that cannot be prevented.  I think that The Canadian Government does a good job at trying to support the family f the victim, and all of the other things that go along with an overseas death.  As for relief efforts towards the earthquake, the rubble, and debris is still all around the city.  To help with this I believe that Canada should make a small contribution in honour of Marielle Falardeau, to help clean up the streets, and buildings of Christchurch.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/08/canadian-earthquake-victim.html

Pirates Kidnap 7 Danes in Indian Ocean

Starting about six years ago, Somali Pirates have began raiding vessel along the Gulf of Aden.  Last Thursday a distress signal was received from a Danish-ship.  On board the vessel, is a Danish couple, their three kids, and two crew members that work on board the ship.  Then on Monday morning, a Greek-Owned Cargo-ship, the MV Dover, was also hijacked, with 23 crew members on board.  This just highlights the concern for more, and more hijacking in the future months, and years to come.Just recently four Americans were travelling through The Gulf of Aden, and were taken hostage, and ultimately killed.  Over the years, The Somali pirates have taken larger ships too, once they took a large American freight ship.  The U.S. Marines were called in, and eventually it led to a stand-off, where the Somali Pirates fled the ship in a lifeboat, with the Captain, and they were eventually killed.

I believe that the problem with this is that there is no Coast Guard off the Somali Coast.  The Somali Government needs to organize, and mobilize a Coast Guard Unit as soon as possible.  The amount of ships being taken hostage, is enormous, and it is making people think twice about sailing through these waters.  I think that what The Somali Pirates are doing is completely wrong, and it is disturbing international trade roots in the Gulf of Aden.  I think that what the international community has done by sending large Navy Vessels to the Gulf is a good course of action.  The only problem is that no there is a larger military presence in the area is pushing the Somali Pirates farther down the Coast.  I believe that this problem will never be entirely solved, but clearly there are a few adjustments that could be made to help-out with this issue.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/02/28/somalia-piracy.html

U.S. Repositions Military Around Lybia

The U.S. are now repositioning their Navy, and Air Force around the troubled country of Lybia.  The U.S. are going to be lending hand at the Egypt, and Algeria border's.  Lybia's Leader Mommar Gadhafi, is not stepping down, and Hilary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State is calling for his resignation.  People have been rioting now for more that a week, and Gadhafi is not making any sudden movements to step down.  The opposition now holds a few cities within Lybia, and still Gadhafi has supporters.  Gadhafi has now began to harm his own citizens.  He has the army opening-fire on anti-government protesters to kill, and he has also bombed his own country.

My view on this horrific scene across the sea is that no matter-what, you should never turn on your own people, no matter-what.  Even if he does not want to step-down as leader, as soon as your own people begin to rebel against you, you may want to take the hint that it is time to step down.  What Gadhafi is doing in Lybia is wrong, as he is being asked to step-down by many world leaders, and so far he has no listened to one.  I am not too sure in my mind if Gadhaif will actually step-down, but with more, and more world leaders calling for his resignation, it could come sooner, than later.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/02/28/world-libya.html

Cairo Day of Departure Call's For Murbarak's Ouster

Following my earlier blog post on the crisis

happening in Egypt at this time, President Hosni Mubarak is officially stepping down.  This comes, after a couple weeks of intensifying protests in the country's capital.  The people of Egypt again, want change, a change from their 30-year president, Hosni Mubarak.  People speculated that the protests would have gotten much worse if President Mubarak stayed in power until the September scheduled for September.  People claim that it has been too long that he has been in power, and that they want democracy now, and would not take the deal that their President had offered them.  This is an excellent example of what the people of a nation can do when they all band together, and work towards a specific goal.

I believe that the now former President Mubarak was the right move after many long days of protest, in the country's capital.  The protests were getting violent, and, Mubarak listened to what his people wanted, and, stepped down as President of Egypt, after a 30-year reign.  This comes after he announced before that he would be staying in office until the fall elections, but now his Vice-President will take over.  I believe that for the sake of his country, Former-President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak did the right thing by stepping down before the protests got-out-of-hand.

Link:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2011/02/04/egypt-mubarak-protests.html

Canadians to Flee From Eygpt on Monday Flights

As tempers are rising in Eygpt after almost seven days of protesting now, Canadians trapped there are looking towards their government to rescue them.  On Sunday night, Lawrence Cannon, Canada's Minister of Forgien Affairs, announced that Canada has chatered two planes, one Air Canada plane, and one other chartered plane to fly into Cairo.  When these two planes leave the now troubled city that some of the passengers once called home, just about 600 Canadians will be safe from the violence.  Thier safety does not come for free though, each passenger will have to pay for their own way out of the country.  This may not seem far to the passengers of the planes who are there on vaction since up until this point there has been no compensation for the flights that they had cancelled, or will miss, but to the rest of the country it seems like a far deal.  The speculation of who pays for thier safety has been in question since the rumours that Canada will be sending planes to go get their trapped citizens, because of the incident in Lebonan a few years ago, where Canada sent large ships to go get Canadian citizens, and Canada footed the entire bill.

The fact that the Canadians aboard these planes will have to pay for the cost of the flights seems fair.  The tax-payng citizens of Canada did not pay for their tickets over there, and why should they have to pay for their way back.  It may not seem so at the time, but when the next large intrernational crisis occurs, and the travellers have to pay for their rescue, then them too will agree with The Government of Canada's desicion during their international troubles.  I personally agree with the governments desicion on this crisis, and thought that the government handle this matter efficently, and effectively in a timely order.

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2011/01/31/egypt-canadian-evacuees.html

Alleged Tucson Shooter to return to court

The world was horrified a few weeks ago when U.S. Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head, 6 others were killed, and a dozen others were injured.  The alleged shooter Jared Loughner, is set to return to court soon after his first court appearance, when the judge ruled no bail.  If it was not for the heroism of some of the constituents at the meeting being held by Congresswomen Giffords this incident could have gotten more out of control then it already was.  People have argued over the problem over security of Members of Congress but the price to have a security detail on each member would be too high.  It is a policy though that they can be outfitted with security if they receive threats and other such reasons to concern America with the safety of their Members of Congress but very few have security detail.  It is obvious to American Tax Payers that there taxes would be too high if each important person in Washingston was assigned with a security and it personally does not appeal to most of them. 

With Health Care being a hot topic in Washington and reason of anger for most Americans now a days this could be a reason why Jared Loughner attacked the Congresswomen but it is not known yet and I am sure that as am I, everyone is longing to know why someone would do such a thing.

As for the case of Jared Loughner he is charged with one count attempting to assinate a member of Congress, and two counts of attempting to kill a federal employees.  Loughner also faces two other federal charges of killing Congresswomen Giffords aide and U.S. District Judge John Rolls.

As for now, it is likely that Members of Congress will be more cautious about going out to constituent meetings and other public events and I think that is a shame because Members of Congress should be out in the community and getting involved but who can blame them, right?

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2011/01/24/loughner-court-tuscon-shooting.html