Month: May 2016

Reflection to Brazilian private police

Reflection Erika Hirayama
-Summary-
The article was about a private “police” in Brazil. It has started its activity since December 1st last year and it is been paid. Agents have detained about 600 people for possession of drugs and some for theft so it can be said that it achieves a certain result. However, the target of private police are dark-skinned and homeless and they have removed some homeless so this move is controversial.

-Opinion-
It is sometimes necessary for citizens to protect themselves because police are not perfect so I agree to this movement in this point of view. However, since it is a private police and don’t have such rights like the public police have, it has to learn their place. In this activity, this “police” judge people by how they look like. People have rights to live in wherever they wish to live and this can be said even for homeless and dark-skinned. I thought this is kind of a discrimination and this may be one of the reasons why the government regards this activity.

※I had a trouble with my pods press so I asked Reina to submit for me.

Earthquake in Ecuador and Japanese government’s dealing with earthquake disaster

In April 17th of 2016 a really big earthquake happened in Ecuador .The official figure of the number killed was 233.I think there were two main problems in this case.

First,the government of Ecuador didn’t issue a tsunami alarm even though the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami was able to happen.If the government had spread the alarm the number killed could have decreased.But it’s problem related with political system so it’s not easy to change.

Second,in Ecuador many houses are not earthquake-proof.Though more and more houses have become earthquake-proof residence,mast of them are still not.

But the government of Ecuador has made effort to solve this problem.For example,the president of Ecuador already promised to adopt a policy.In that policy the president promised millionaire tax to raise the billions of dollars needed to rebuild a country which didn’t recover from disaster yet.And the president,Rafael Correa visited Disaster area and hugged children.

On the other hand,Japanese prime minister,Shinzo Abe canceled the visit to Disaster area,did’t recognize the earthquake in Kumamoto as major disaster and even misled earthquake victims to stay at home.Because of that misleading many people were crushed to death.

Of cause the government has many tasks but now Japanese government deprecate this earthquake disaster too much.I really hope that the government more consider this  problem and disaster area will restore as soon as possible.

Brazil political crisis: Rousseff impeachment to proceed after anulment decision rversed

Summary

I read an article about Brazilian politics. It content is political crisis that Ms Rousseff who is Brasilian president impeachment to proceed after annulment decision reversed.  She was doubted whether she get a bribe. She was brought to trial at the Supreme Court.  She would be forced to stand down for 180 days.  The court decided guilt for her.

Opinion

My opinion is that she made the bad thing. It is natural that she is punished. The case operates Rio Olympic. Brazil has to hold the Olympics without presidents. That’s very difficult because arrangements will change. Brazil has no time when I’m having trouble.

The case that it likes this Brazilian politics case was happened in Japan. Mr Masuzoe who is governor of Tokyo used money that the pay for the people. Mr Masuzoe think that the money is necessity for political activity.  Surely money is necessary for politics. However it is bad thing to offend the law. Then this situation is similar the Brasilian case.  Japan will hold Tokyo Olympic in 2020.  Mr Masuzoe lead this Olympic, so Mr Masuzoe has to excuse about that case.

I think the Japanese isn’t supposed to ignore this Brazilian case from such thing. How does Brazil have to hold Olympics? We should notice this case.

I learn about difference meaning, bribe and bribery. Bribe is to remit the money. Bribery is to give action.

Death toll in Ecuador earthquake passes 650

Ecuador government has announced that the death toll from Ecuador’s devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake last week risen to 654 people. The earthquake of April 16 injured around 12500 people. Several strong tremors and more than 700 aftershocks have continued to shake the country since the major quake. Tremors are expected to continue for several weeks and more and more buildings are destroyed. Survivors in the quake zone were receiving food , water and medicine from the government and scores of foreign aid workers .  However, Correa  president of Ecuador has acknowledged that bad roads delayed aid from reaching some communities. The government has said it will temporarily increase some taxes, offer assets for sales and possibly issue bonds abroad to fund reconstruction.  Lower oil revenue has already left the country of 16 million people facing near-zero growth and lower investment.

In my opinion, the damage caused by the quake in Ecuador will be left for a long time. A shortage of infrastructure in Ecuador has an effect on this situation. We should recognize an abuse that is caused by the lack of infrastructure and make effort to improve the surroundings. However, it is difficult to do for us, and even the government. Therefore, we have to start on meditating on the situation and damage in a stricken area.

 

 

Rousseff impeachment to proceed after annulment decision reversed

Summary

Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff was impeached for manipulating public accounts ahead of her re-election in 2014. She utilized bribes which her election staff accepted as an election campaign fund. She would be forced to stand down for 180 days while she is tried and vice-president Michel Temer would assume the presidency in the interim.She appeared to be given a last-minute reprieve after the interim speaker tried to annul in last month’s congressional vote in favour of impeachment. But speaker refused to send the vote back to the lower house.

Opinion
Ms Rousseff would be forced to stand down for 180 days. And official countdown to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games is fewer than 100 days. In addicion, vice-prsident Michel Temer who would assume the presidency may also be impeached. He may also concerned an illegal campaign donations. So 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be held without president. Some experts say it won’t affect Olympic Games. But I think absence of the top position will have many obstacles. Many problems suddenly appears while Olympic Games. But nobody can make a decision. As a result,I think Ms Rousseff impeachment should be reprieved.

The largest seizure of cocaine in Colombia

Summary
Police in Colombia confiscates approximately 8 tonnes cocaine hidden on a banana plantation from Colombian gangs. It was the largest seizure of cocaine ever, but according to Defense Minister, cocaine seizures are slightly larger in Colombia. The security forces have arrested 6,700 members of the gang group in this five years. The Colombian government said it would carry out an air strike against gangs dealing drugs in this month.

Opinion
In this article, Colombian government will carry out an air strike on gangs in order to wipe out them related to illegally drugs.

Certainly the measure is effective to the collapse of drug rings, but does the air raid lead to a decrease in the drug? I don’t think so. In my opinion, it is necessary to decrease the demand rather than the supply. Even if illegally drugs on the market decrease, the price will rather rise and drug dealers will gain benefits. Conversely, if the demand of illegally drugs decreases, the price will fall and a drug market will be declining.

So, we should pour our efforts into an education about a fear of drugs in order to reduce the demand.  The effect may not emerge immediately, but the effort will connect a decrease in illegally drugs in the future.

Colombia seizes record cocaine haul in Turbo

Summary

Police in Colombia say that they have seized a lot of illegal drugs; nearly eight tons of cocaine. The cocaine had been hidden on a banana plantation. Also, it belonged to a criminal gang. Nearly 1.5 tons of the drugs was ready to go out to the export. Colombian police estimate the gang has about 2000 active members. The Colombian government said it would lunch air raids against some gangs involved in drug trafficking and illegal mining.

 

Opinion

I used to believe that this seizure can help to decrease illegal drugs because the development of other industry reduce the business of illegal drugs.

However, Demon said that the strong demand of illegal drugs make the supply of illegal drugs. Demon’s plan is to permit illegal drugs under restricting rules. The rules are the government gives some companies a license which admit that the companies can sell the drugs legally.

His plan has a good point. The point is gangs and terrorists cannot make money by selling the drugs. Illegal drugs are the resource of the gangs and terrorists now. If illegal drugs become legal drugs, the resource disappear.

His plan also has a wrong point. People can get the drugs easily. The drugs are bad for their health. However, he points out that people change over time. For example, Smokers decrease gradually. Also, illegal drug addicts drop down someday.

When I heard his opinion, I was astonished at it because I could not think illegal drugs become legal ones. I can understand his reasonable opinion now. However, I believe the practice of his plan is very difficult. There is the problem of morals. Is it justice to get the drugs easily for the measure to disappear the resource of gangs and terrorists? It is too difficult to answer for me now. I realize that the problems of illegal drugs are very challenging.

Colombia and Farc rebels agreed

 Summary

 In Colombia, there is a dangerous left-wing gruop. The name of the group is “Farc rebels”.  The members of Farc are very guilty because they recuruit child soldiers. Unfortunately, the child soldiers always are victims of war, so the UN and other agencies helped them to reintegrate to society.

 In addition, Colombia government has agreed a road map for the release of child soldiers from “Farc rebels”, and it has been transformed into a political party. Thanks to these attemps, peace may finally return to Colombia.

 My opinion

 In my opinion,I am sorry to say that the peace of Colombia must be a brief one, because there are still great inequalities of wealth in the society.  Unless the government gets rid of the inequalities, a lot of people will be poorer and poorer. Without fail, they will be disatisfied with the government and raise an antigovernment riot again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bolivian President Evo Morales says Chile base is a threat

Summary
Chile established a military base close to border with Bolivia. According to the international rule, less than 50km prohibits setting of the base from the shared frontiers. Bolivian President Evo Morales complained the base is only 15km away from the border. In past, Chile invaded Bolivia in 19th century and Bolivia has been landlocked country ever since. So Bolivia wants Silala river as asouce of water but Chile wants the Silala river, too. Both countries have been at loggerheads for long years over access to the waters of Silala river. Now Chile is in favorable position by construction of this base. Chilean foreign ministry said, ” The base isn`t a militally installation but a equipment to stop attacks, robberies and drug trafficking coming from Bolivia.”

Opinion
I really think that Chile performed a very careless act if the construction of this base is not military purpose. As Chile invaded Bolivia in past, it is natural for Bolivian to feel uncomfotable and threat. Such an act lays the souce of fight and hardly excusable. I belive each country must behave more carefully.

The influence by impeachment of Rousseff

Summary

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is impeached and Vice President Michel Temer takes over as acting president while she is suspending.   There will be held the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro but now they have some problems. Is has been clouded not only by the political crisis, but by Brazil’s deep recession, a vast corruption scandal and the Zika virus outbreak

IOC President Thomas Bach believes that the preparations for the Olympics will not be affected by the political crisis.

 

Opinion

I think this political crisis will be affected for the Olympics because Rousseff is the Latin American giant’s first female president and one of the powerful women in the world.

It was the dictatorship that there has not been a single woman from 1964 to 1985. She stood out in the heavily male-dominated world of Brazilian politics. She made laws protecting women against violence and imposing quotas for black students at university.

Her saying reflects the nation’s voice because women and blacks are half of Brazil’s population. She is wining the nation’s trusts.

In addition, there are only males in Temer’s government. The preparations will not being carried out successfully because many people will protest against the government.

It needs many times to elect a new president. Therefore I think they should organize the investigating commission and the organization for Olympics that there are not only males and they are detached groups from the government.