Monday, July 13th

International: Zambia's arrest of editor triggers outbreak
In Lusaka, Zambia, Chansa Kabwela was arrested on July 13th, 2009. Kabwela was the editor of an independent newspaper who was charged with spreading obscene pictures to governemnt officials. Kabwela claims that she wanted to make officials aware of the consequences of the health workers' strike by spreading pictures of women giving birth in the streets. The Catholic bishops are urging the government to move away from the issue, claiming it is not a major one and that the government should focus on "violence away from the media". Many residents of Zambia claim that the charges against Kabwela are just being brought to harass and intimidate other journalists. I think that Kabwela should have the freedom to make a statement about her opinion on the strike but she should do it without exploiting other women. I am not sure if she had permission to photograph the birth of these babies but if not, I think she was in the wrong.

"Zambia's arrest of editor triggers outrage." MSNBC World News. 19 July 2009. Associate Press. 20 July 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32010161/ns/world_news-africa/#storyContinued.

Economic: Obama wants $12 billion for 2-year colleges
For my national article this week, I decided to do something that most of us can understand/relate to since we are applying to colleges this year..even if they aren't 2 year institutes. President Obama has released a $12 billion dollar plan to help community colleges prepare the generation of today's teens for careers. As he explains his plan, he notes unemployment rates are still up and will be for a while before the decrease. In noting this, Obama also made the point that many of the jobs lost, such as in the auto industry, will not be coming back. Because of this, this generation needs to be educated enough to obtain different jobs. Obama's plan includes competitive grants would be offered to 2 year colleges to try nwe programs and up the level of their training. Money would also go to renovating and more online class options. Obama claimed that although our economy is suffering, this is a good use for the money; claiming, "Time and again, when we have placed our bet for the future on education, we have prospered as a result." I think this is a good use of some funds but maybe not as much as $12 billion. Right now, in the U.S,'s situation I don't think money should be spent on renovating colleges where it is not crucial its exsistence.

"Obama wants $12 billion for two year colleges." MSNBC News. 18 July 2009. Associated Press. 20 July 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31906166/ns/us_news-education/.


National: Calif. governor, lawmakers reach budget deal
Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California, and the state's legistlative leaders have finally foudn a way to to close the $26 billion dollar shortfall to try and get the state back on solid ground with no more IOUs. If the agreement is passed, it will provide temporary aid to the states "epic fiscal crisis" by issuing more than $15 million in cuts. The rest will be made up by borrowing and moving money from other government accounts and speeding up the collection of specific taxes. If CA does receive the loans, it will be able to stop issuing IOUs, depending on the rate that the cash comes into the treasury. I don't have a strong opinion for or against the agreement I just hope that it works. If this agreement works, it will add to the positive efforts in making our countrie's economic state better.

"Calif. governor, lawmakers reach budget deal." MSNBC News. 19 July 2009. Associated Press. 20 July 2009 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32010922/ns/us_news-life/.