Research Paper Final Draft

Danny
Mr.Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Research Paper – Final Draft
May 4, 2005


Oil Pollution in Chechnya

Abstract

Chechnya is very critically polluted by oil and their environment has been damaged seriously for a long time. There are no fish in the river and people are suffering from disease. Also, the Russian government is pressuring Chechnya’s people. As a result, people are struggling to survive. There are several reasons for this problem – illegal oil extraction, producing low-quality oil, poor management of industrial equipments in Soviet times and the war between Russia and Chechnya. The Russian authorities pressure Chechnya’s people to control Chechnya again. For example, they pressure Chechnya’s refugees by switching off electricity and gas supplies. To solve this problem the Russia authorities has a program of cleaning up Chechnya, but this budget is inadequate. So how do they solve this problem? This paper offers a theory about what things should be done by the Russian government and how they could solve the oil pollution problem, and furthermore, what things should be done to guarantee the rights of human beings in Chechnya. The Russian government must offer more money for cleaning up Chechnya, change standards and regulations and protect people and environment.


Many places in the world have been suffering from pollution and Chechnya is a good example. Chechnya is located in south west of Russia and is considered a serious environmental disaster area. The first problem with oil pollution in Chechnya is that the ground and lands have been polluted critically for a long time. For example, people can pump oil simply into the lake using a container and the ground has been polluted seriously by petrol and oil products (Russian TV, 2004, para2). The second problem is that now there are no fish in the river, Sunzha, there is only oil in the river (para4). Russian TV mentions, “near the Sunzha there are tens of illegal mini oil-production plants,” and they pump out the oil without purification (para4). The last problem is that people are suffering from diseases. According to the republic’s Health Ministry, many children endure from bronchitis and the gas from oil products has caused “new form of diseases” (para9). Why do they have this serious oil pollution problem? There are several reasons for oil pollution. One is that people are illegally extract oil and produce low-quality oil to survive because people in Chechnya don’t have adequate conditions for living. The second reason is the poor management of industrial equipments in Sovie t times. Chechnya could not replace their industrial equipments because of the unfinished war between Russia and Chechnya. The last reason is the Russian government’s pressure and the war. Chechnya broke away from Russia in 1991, but the Russian government wants to control Chechnya again. However, Chechnya does not want Russia’s help; they want only to break away from Russia. To solve this problem, the Russia government has a program of cleaning up Chechnya with US $500,000. But experts argue that this budget is not enough to recover Chechnya (S. Blagov, 2003, para2). In my opinion, the government of Russia has to make some solutions for Chechnya’s oil pollution because such pollution has affected human beings and nature seriously and it can cause bigger environmental disaster in the future if the pollution is not solved by the government. I think what the government can do is giving a bigger budget for solving oil pollution, making laws about dumping oil and illegally extracting oil and strictly enforce them, providing people in the area of oil pollution better conditions of life and not to pressure Chechnya’s people.

To begin with, the Russian government should give more budgets for this oil pollution. As I stated in the introduction, the Russia government has a program of cleaning up Chechnya with US $500,000. But according to experts, this budget is not enough to clean up Chechnya. On this point, I think Russian authorities have to take action about it. For example, Russian authorities should ask for more money from the EU or some outside agencies because according to S.Blagov (2003), oil pollution damaged neighbor countries and environmental pollution is not only a problem for one country. If European countries do not do anything to solve the problems of Chechnya’s pollution, they also will face a similar environmental disaster as Chechnya. In addition, the Russian government should increase the budget for the cleaning program because most of oil pollution was caused by the war between Russia and Chechnya and needs of quick income. According to S.Balgov (2003), “the recent oil spills in Chechnya are a consequence of what they call the “Chechen bandit economy,” after 1991, when the Chechens declared independence, local warlords started splitting up the oil business in the region among themselves to make quick profits on illegal extraction” (para8). “Much of the Chechen oil sector’s infrastructure was badly damaged in the subsequent war”(para9). The Russian government and European nations must remain it in their memory; ‘fix it before it breaks’.

Second, the government should change their environmental standards and regulations. According to Ria Novosti (Dec 20, 2004), “the environment protection system has no openness at all” (para2). In addition, the Russian TV states, “the tens of illegal oil-production factories which do not observe any health regulations are to blame” (Oct 23, 2004, para1). In this situation, I think the government must control their companies very strictly because most companies are not spending much money for cleaning industrial wastes that causes environment pollution critically. For example, by making standards and regulations about dumping oil and illegally extracting oil, and penalties and rewards such as big fines for polluters and opportunities of investment, the government has to encourage their companies to protect their environment.

Third, the Russian government should provide people better conditions of life to people and companies. People have been suffering from disease such as tuberculosis, viral disease (hepatitis A), intestinal infections, bronchitis and other new form of diseases, for a long time. According to S.Blagov (2003), “following years of war and continued armed hostilities, the Chechen population became largely dependent on illegal oil extraction to survive” (para6). S.Isayev also states in the article that “Chechnya ecological situation dramatically affects birth rate” and “only six out of ten newborn infants on an average survive” (para2). Moreover, according to the Russian TV (2004), lots of children endure from bronchitis and the gas from oil products has caused “new form of diseases” (para9). The government of Russia should move to protect Chechnya’s people from such critical situations as serious pollution that affects human beings hazardously. For example, first the government should ask for not to extract “low-quality oil” by offering better conditions of life. Second, the government has to ask for outside agencies for cleaning equipment to help clean up. Third, the government must replace their industrial equipments that spill out oil into the river and ground. Fourth, the government has to educate people and companies how the influences of low-quality oil have polluted their ground and rivers, affected badly on their health. Lastly, the government should encourage industrial companies to filter the pollutants and wall up leak of the oil by supporting the new industrial equipment. I believe that it is going to reduce oil pollution increasingly and oil pollution problem can be gradually solved. Moreover, if the Russian government provides better welfare services to Chechnya’s people, this critical situation will be reduced. But the problem is the Russian government is not going to do that because of political and economic reason, and the government of Chechnya is not developed enough and doesn’t have adequate money and time for doing that.

Finally, the Russian government should not pressure Chechnya’s people and infringe their human rights. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Chechnya declared its independence from Russia in 1991, but Russia didn’t want to lose more their area, especially the land of oil; Chechnya (C.Ingold. June, 2002. para6). As a result, Russia army moved into Chechnya and managed it. According to S.Blagov (2003), they pressure Chechen refugees to move from refugee camps into Chechnya by “switch off electricity and gas supplies” (para16). In this situation, the Russian government should solve this problem in other ways, for example, by providing Chechen’s people better conditions to live, Russian authorities make them to move spontaneously into Chechnya. If Russian authorities give constantly Chechen’s refugees such pressures, UN and Human Rights Organizations should restrain and manage their inhuman behaviors. The most difficult problem is that we should make Russia agree to this because Russia doesn’t want to lose Chechnya.

In conclusion, the war between Russia and Chechnya made this oil pollution critically, but they should solve this problem to protect Chechen people. While nature and human beings of one nation have suffered from environmental disaster and war for a long time, if the government of the nation does not take a action about it, it means the duty of the government is going the wrong way as everybody know. What can solve the problem of one nation is only the government of the nation. As I described before, the government should offer more money, change standards and regulations, provide people better conditions of life and not pressure Chechnya’s people. In other words, the government should guarantee the rights of human beings in Chechnya. If the Russian government continues to pressure Chechnya’s people and don’t finish the war, UN and outside agencies should restrain and stop their inhuman behavior and the war in Chechnya. Otherwise, they will face a more critical environmental disaster. They must remain it in their memory; ‘fix it before it breaks.’




Bibliography

Russian TV report (Oct 23, 2004). Oil Pollution in Chechnya reaches critical levels. Lexis-Nexis. Retrieved Apr, 1, 2005 from: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=4a0ffaa29e50d5ea90a310b31d6c812d&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVb&_md5=158f8a8f4438e519fb5ff32834fcd0ce

Blagov, Sergei. (Jan 03, 2003). Environmental disaster in the making. Asia Times. Retrieved Apr 8, 2005, from Johnson’s Russia List, http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/7003-13.cfm

Novosti, Ria. (Dec 20, 2004). 90% of Russian industry enterprises have no ecological programs. Lexis-Nexis. Retrieved Apr 13, 2005 from: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/printdoc

Isayev, Said. (Nov 4, 2004). Ecological situation dramatically affects birth rate. Lexis-Nexis. Retrieved Apr 29, 2005 from: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=efd12017b2494e70a7b33f159ee6d19d&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVb&_md5=5c20c57227eccab1ce6447a4339e17a4

Ingold, Christopher. (June, 2002). Chechnya Conflict and Environmental Implications. The Inventory of Conflict & Environment. Retrieved Mar 28, 2005 from: http://www.american.edu/ted/ice/chechnya.htm

Energy Information Administration (EIA). (May, 2004). Russia: Environmental Issues. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Retrieved Mar 28, 2005 from: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/russenv.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Dec, 2004). Understanding Oil Spills And Oil Spill Response. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Retrieved Apr 28, 2005 from: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/pdfbook.htm

Interview

Danny
Mr. Leverett
Newstalk class
Group Project
04/29/05

Interview
Group Topic: Smoking Policy at SIUC
Interviewee’s position: Matt Durski (Previous Smoker, graduate student at SIUC)

SIUC’s policy for health and safety bans smoking within twenty-five feet of building entrances, selling cigarettes in the Student Center and smoking cigarettes in personal offices. SIUC also holds an anti-smoking campaign that targets college women. However, according to the chair of the committee John Jackson, the smoking policy has not been able to influence smokers at SIUC. I think a lot of schools are also having the same problem and when they are trying to make smokeless campus themselves. Because I’m interested in this issue I chose to interview a graduate student at SIUC, Matthew James Durski. This is a summary of the interview concerning the smoking policies at SIUC.
First of all, I asked him if he knows about the smoking policies at SIUC or not. He said, “No, I don’t know. I even didn’t know about the ban of selling cigarettes in Student Center before this interview.” And when I asked him, “do you agree with this policy or not? Why?” he stated, “yes, because cigarettes can be very addictive and bad for your body. Sometimes I walk outside and I feel like I am walking into a bar.” I asked him about whether or not he thinks this policy can reduce the amount of smokers at SIUC, and he replied that he doesn’t know, because if somebody wants to smoke, they can do it 25 feet away from the building. Also, if somebody wants to buy cigarettes, they can go to the store. He told me that he thinks cigarette trash is so ugly; they should be thrown in the garbage. In the question of that now Student Center doesn’t sell cigarette, if it can influence smokers or they are just losing their income, he told me that he thinks it can influence smokers because it’s more difficult to buy cigarettes. He said, “I don’t know if the Student Center earns money from cigarette sails because cigarettes are so highly taxed.” In the last question, “which one is the best way for reducing smokers; encouraging, education program or more strict regulation, and why?” he said, “A combination all of three, because, first, we need the cigarette industry to be regulated, so our educational programs are implemented. Once our education programs are implemented, we need to encourage students continuously to avoid their becoming addicted to cigarettes.”

British Court: Embryo in Vitro OK

This article is about British couples can have babies in vitro for curing their sick children. The Hashmis family has tried to produce a child with tissue compatible, but they had a abortion. Some people argue that it could cause the creation of babies for spare parts.

I'm not sure weather it is wrong or not. We can discuss it is helpful for sick children or it just cause abortion and the creation of babies for spare parts.

Synthesis Essay Exam

Danny
Mr. Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Synthesis Essay Exam
04/25/05


Foreign Students

In the US, there are a lot of foreign students from Asia, South America, Europe and Africa. They are studying with American students and the US’s universities are providing many programs to foreign students. As a result, the number of foreign students has been increasing and the US’s students have a lot of opportunities for cultural exchanges. Therefore, foreign students are very important for the US, because they contribute a lot to the US communities and economy.
To begin with, as the number of foreign students has been increasing, foreign students are providing a lot of opportunities of cultural exchanges to American communities. For example, according to T. Deaver, “foreign students add a new dimension to small communities. Foreign students provide cultural diversity to small communities and thus provide opportunities for cultural exchanges that otherwise wouldn’t be possible” (T.Deaver, 1980, p120-129). In addition, according to H.J. Marjo, “Recent research has indicated that the presence of foreign students on college campuses increases cross-cultural understanding. This is important in our highly interdependent world” (H.J. Marjo, 1960, p14-58).
Moreover, foreign students are very important for the American economy. For example, according to M.Howard, because of baby boom generation’s moving to middle age, many colleges and universities income had decreased. In order to preserve their income, colleges and universities recruited foreign students (M. Howard, 1984, p200-215). In addition, according to A.Ley, “If we assume that 300,000 foreign students spend $10,000 per year in the United States, we can see that 3 billion dollars are contributed annually to the American economy through international education. This money goes into the university communities as well as into the university and college treasuries” (A.Ley, 1985, p21). J.Zukoff also states in his article, “University communities with large numbers of foreign students also develop businesses that meet the specialized needs of the foreign students. These businesses employ local residents or students and then contribute to the tax base of the community” (J.Zukoff & M.Williams, 1985, p57-69)
I think that foreign students have been providing a lot of opportunities of cultural exchanges and economic benefits to the United States communities. In order to preserve or increase the number of foreign students in the United States, the United States colleges and universities should provide better programs to foreign students and better conditions of their studying.



References:
Deaver, Thomas, (1980), Foreign students and the community, Higher Education, 5, 120-129.
Howard, Mary, (1984), Foreign students and colleges, Higher Education, 6, 200-215.
Zukoff, Jane, & Williams, Mark, (1985), The foreign student, Research in Higher Education, 14, 57-69.
Marjo, H.J., (1960), The advantages of foreign students in the student body, The New School, 1, 14-58.
Ley, Arthor, (1984), The economics of international education, The New Gazette, 33, 25-39.

Argument Essay

Danny
Mr. Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Argument Essay 1
04/18/05


Oil pollution in Chechnya


I became interested in oil pollution in Chechnya after reading several articles about it. Chechnya has been polluted very critically by oil for a long time. There are no fish in the river and people are suffering from bronchitis. There are several reasons of this problem. One is that people illegally extract oil and produce low-quality oil to survive. Another reason is that oil leaked into lands and rivers because of poor management of industrial equipments in Soviet times (S.Blagov, 2003). Finally, the Russian authorities pressure Chechnya’s people, for example, pressure refugees by switching off electricity and gas supplies. As a result, people are struggling to survive. To solve this problem the Russia authorities has a program of cleaning up Chechnya with US $500,000. However, Chechnya does not want Russia’s help because Chechnya wants to break away from Russia. Oil pollution has been critical during the war between Russia and Chechnya. I think Russia government should treat this problem practically and Chechen people in a peaceful way than they are currently doing.

To begin with, to solve this problem, Russian government should gather more money because according to S.Blagov (2003), Russian ministry made the clean up program and assigned US$500,000 (Asia Times, 2003, para2). However, some experts say this money is not enough to recover Chechnya. In this point, I think Russian authorities have to take action about it. For example, Russian authorities should ask for more money from the EU or some outside agencies because environmental pollution is not only a problem for one country. If European countries do not do anything to solve the problems of Chechnya’s pollution, finally they also will face a similar environmental disaster as Chechnya. They should ‘ fix it before it breaks’.

Second, the Russian government should provide people better conditions of life. According to S.Blagov, “the Chechen population became largely dependent on illegal oil extraction to survive… then refine into primitive low-quality gasoline, while all by-products are dumped into nearby rivers.” Poor management of industrial equipments in Soviet times causes this problem. In addition, according to the Russian TV (2004), lots of children endure from bronchitis and the gas from oil products has caused “new form of diseases.” I think if the government rises up a quality of life in Chechnya and asks for not to extract “low-quality gasoline” by offering better conditions of life, leak of the oil will be reduced increasingly and this problem can be gradually solved. The government of Russia should move to protect Chechen people from such critical situations as serious pollution that affects human beings hazardously.

Finally, the Russian government should not pressure Chechen refugees. According to S.Blagov, they pressure Chechen refugees to move from refugee camps into Chechnya by “switch off electricity and gas supplies.” I think that they should solve this problem in other ways, for example, by providing Chechen’s people better conditions to live, Russian authorities make them to move spontaneously into Chechen. If Russian authorities give constantly Chechen’s refugees such pressures, UN and Human Rights Organizations should restrain and manage their inhuman behaviors.
In conclusion, the war between Russia and Chechnya made this oil pollution critically, but they should solve this problem to protect Chechen people. What can solve the problem of one nation is only the government of the nation. Moreover, the Russian government should guarantee the rights of human beings in Chechnya and UN and outside agencies should restrain and stop their inhuman behavior and the war in Chechnya. Otherwise, they will face a more critical environmental disaster. They should remember “fix it before it breaks.”




Reference:
Russian TV report (OCT, 23, 2004). Oil Pollution in Chechnya reaches critical levels. Lexis-Nexis. Retrieved Apr, 1, 2005 from:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=4a0ffaa29e50d5ea90a310b31d6c812d&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVb&_md5=158f8a8f4438e519fb5ff32834fcd0ce
Blagov, Sergei. (Jan, 03, 2003). Asia Times. Environmental disaster in the making. Retrieved April 8, 2005, from Johnson’s Russia List,
http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/7003-13.cfm

Summary-Response Exam

Danny
Mr. Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Summary-Response Exam
04/15/05


90% of Russian industry enterprises have no ecological programs


Summary
In the article, “90% of Russian industry enterprises have no ecological program” from the RIA Nopvosti (Dec 20, 2004), the author introduces that “Russia urgently needs new environmental standards and regulation tools” (para1) and we can’t see the real environmental protection records in Russian industry (para2). According to the ministerial experts, they found 80~90% of Russian companies have no ecological program and these companies are in a better economical situation than ecologically clean companies (para3). In addition, according to Mr. Zabelin, “the cleaner companies are more attractive to tentative capital investors,” and pollution fines -“for a ton of prussic acid makes 205 rubles and for a ton of potassium cyanide, 5,500 rubles” (para4) - are completely ridiculous (para4). According to corporate ecological ratings (in 2000), “Slavneft was among the first to offer its pollution statistics” and “fully privatized (prar5). Mr. Martynov states clean production should increase corporate money (para5).
But the agency head claims that ecological ratings definitely expedite environment protection (para6).



Response
There are a lot of environmental problems in Russia, but Russia has no standards and regulations. It causes a bad investment situation and makes Russia a desolated area. I believe that if Russia improves their environment and strictly controls their industry, they will get more foreign investments. Furthermore, they will be able to improve their industry more efficiently.
First of all, Russia government should change their environmental standards and regulations. According to RIA Novosti (Dec 20, 2004), “the environment protection system has no openness at all” (para2). I think Russian government should control their companies very strictly because most companies are not spending much money for cleaning industrial wastes that causes environment pollution critically. For example, by making standards and regulations, and penalties and rewards, the Russian government should encourage their companies to protect their environment.
Second, the Russian government should replace their industrial equipments. I think that Russian industry has not improved much from Soviet times and they are still using the old equipments in factories. For example, according to RIA Novosti, “80 to 90 per cent of local industrial companies turned out to have ecological programs at all” (para3). I think why they don’t have ecological programs is that they don’t have enough equipments to clean their pollutants. I believe if the Russian government provides their companies more developed equipments, they will be able to protect their environment.
In conclusion, I believe if the Russian government provide more good conditions to their companies, and make environmental standards and regulations, their companies could enhance more corporate capitalization. Moreover, Russia will be able to be a well-organized industrial nation in the future.


Reference:
RIA Novosti (Dec 20, 2004). 90% of Russian industry enterprises have no ecological programs. Lexis-Nexis. Retrieved Apr 13, 2005 from: http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/printdoc

Research Proposal

Research Proposal
Danny
Mr. Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Research Proposal 2
04/15/05

Oil pollution in Chechnya

I became interested in oil pollution in Chechnya after reading several articles about it. Chechnya is very critically polluted by oil for a long time. There are no fish in the river and people are suffering from bronchitis. There are several reasons of this problem. One is that people illegally extract oil and produce low-quality oil to survive. Another reason is that oil leaked into lands and rivers because of poor management of industrial equipments in Soviet times (S.Blagov, 2003). Finally, the Russian authorities pressure Chechnya’s people, for example, pressure refugees by switching off electricity and gas supplies. As a result, people are struggling to survive. To solve this problem the Russia authorities has a program of cleaning up Chechnya with US $500,000.

I plan on writing that three things should be done about oil pollution in Chechnya. First, the budget should be more appropriated and they should ask for help from EU and European nations. Second, the government should provide people better conditions of life. Finally, the Russian authorities should guarantee the rights of human being in Chechnya.

I have found a variety of articles that give background information oil pollution in Chechnya and a useful website that helps to describe the problem. I still need and article about how they could solve this problem.


Reference:
Russian TV report (OCT, 23, 2004). Oil Pollution in Chechnya reaches critical levels. Lexis-Nexis. Retrieved Apr, 1, 2005 from:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=4a0ffaa29e50d5ea90a310b31d6c812d&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVb&_md5=158f8a8f4438e519fb5ff32834fcd0ce
Blagov, Sergei. (Jan, 03, 2003). Asia Times. Environmental disaster in the making. Retrieved April 8, 2005, from Johnson’s Russia List,
http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/7003-13.cfm

Oil Pollution in Chechnya

Danny
Mr. Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Preliminary Outline
04/14/05

Oil Pollution in Chechnya

Thesis: Oil pollution is a very serious issue in Chechnya and the Chechen government should do several things to solve this problem.

1. Introduction
A. Background Information
1. What is the problem with oil pollution in Chechnya?
a. Ground and lands are polluted critically.
b. There are no fish in the river.
c. People are suffering from bronchitis.
2. Why do they have oil pollution problem?
a. People are illegally extract oil and produce low-quality oil.
b. Oil leaked into lands and rivers because of poor management of industrial equipments in Soviet times.
c. The Russia government’s pressure and the war.
B. Role of the government on control of oil pollution
1. The Russian government has a program of cleaning up Chechnya with US $500,000.

2. Thesis: Oil pollution is a very serious issue in Chechnya and the Chechen government should do several things to solve this problem.

3. Main Arguments
A. The Russian government should gather more money.
1. The government should ask for more money from EU and European nations.
2. increase the budget for the cleaning program.
2. “Fix it before it breaks” (they will face more problems in the future).
B. The government should provide people better conditions of life.
1. They should protect people from disease.
2. They should raise up the welfare services.
C. The government should not pressure refugees.
1. don’t switching off electricity and gas supplies.
2. should not infringe on human rights.

4. Conclusion
A. What can solve the problem of one nation is only the government of the nation.
B. The Russian government should guarantee the rights of human being in Chechnya.
C. UN and outside agency should restrain and manage their inhuman behavior and the war.

Snowboarding

Danny~~~

Take a break..

Peak 7. take a break..

At peak 7

At peak 7 with S.D

Breckenridge

Breckenridge

Twins

Twins :)

Danny in Colorado

Danny in Colorado

Colorado S.D & S.H

S.D & S.H

Colorado with H.S

with H.S

Family Drama

This article, "Family drama", is about the British Royal's wedding. Some British think this wedding should not be allowed because Camilla is not the royal's and Charles should choose one between the throne and the love. But the others think this wedding is a romantic wedding (soap opera wedding)and a fruition of 35 year's love. Anyway, this wedding is one of the biggest issue controversial.

I think that Charles achieved his first love , but he will keep face blames from the dynasty or could not get the throne. I'm not sure if their dynasty could keep a royal family or not. What do you think about it?

By Danny

Essay 1

Danny
Mr. Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Essay Exam Practice
04/06/05

Since 1800, people in US have moved to urban area for searching jobs and a better life (pg 25). It made cities bigger and bigger. They had to product more automobiles and highways so that people could move easier. US connected cities to cities by building a network of highways. People in US tend to have their own car because cars are expression of power, sex, success and excitement in their society (pg 26). Lewis Mumford means that US is connected by a network of highways and people love cars.

Urban sprawl is a situation that cities are getting bigger in population, but people are spreading out the middle of cities. There are some reasons. People tend to live in suburbs because they want to have own house and cars, and enjoy country life. Also cheap gasoline, plenteous lands and highways made people to move out of cities (pg 26). Especially cars helped make people to move out of cities.

In U.S.A, many people depend on their cars. It has caused a lot of problems – accidents, air pollution, smog and disease, but the most dangerous problem is pollution. In US, cars are making 50% of air pollution (pg 27). Using cars is one of reasons of air pollution because as people use cars more and more, they need more oils and make gas. It makes air pollution and hazy smog. People are suffering from bronchitis and getting new forms of the illness. In addition, making cars also cause the air pollution. By making cars, factories are pouring out gas and oil that make lands to be polluted and people to be in pain.

Environmental disaster in the making

Danny
Mr. Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Summary-Response
04/08/05

Environmental disaster in the making

In the article, “Environmental disaster in the making” from The Asia Times (Jan, 3, 2003), S.Blagov introduces that Chechnya is an “area of environmental disaster” and the government has a plan of cleaning up their polluted soil and water with only US$500,000 (para2). According to official government estimates, 30% of Chechnya’s land and many rivers are polluted by oil waste, but the amount is not enough to recover their land and water (para4). Chechen’s pollution has worsened from the Soviet era because of their poorly managed equipments and during the war Chechen produced low quality oil that poured into lands and rivers (para5-6). As a result, the separated republic and another 40% are zones of environmental disaster (para7). Chechen’s production of oil and gas has declined since 1971 because “Russian troops systematically blew up oil wells, reservoirs and pumps so as to cut the revels off from their fuel and financial sources” (para9). Because there are lots of oil wells that are poorly managed in Chechnya, too numerous oil and oil products are pouring out from oil wells (para10). Russian official describes Chechen’s environmental situation has been recovered and insists it means a proof of end of the war. In this reason, they pressure their refugees to come back from refugee camps and “switch off electricity and gas supplies.” But UN and Human Rights Organizations criticize such a pressure of Chechnya’s government and authorities (para14-17).

To begin with, in my opinion, Russian government should make some practical solutions what they can approach in many ways for pollution of Chechen. S.Blagov describes Russia’s ministry made the clean up program and assigned US$500,000 (Asia Times, 2003, para2). But some experts argue the budget is not enough to recover Chechnya (para4). In this point, I think Russian authorities have to take action about it. For example, Russian authorities should ask for more money from the EU or some countries surrounding Chechnya such as European nations involved environmentally together because environmental pollution is not only a problem for one country. If European countries don’t do anything to solve the problems of Chechnya’s pollution, finally they also will face a similar environmental disaster as Chechnya.

Second, before the government of Russia approaches this pollution problem, they should raise up welfare of people in Chechnya because the people in Chechnya need better welfare service for a living. As the article says “the Chechen population became largely dependent on illegal oil extraction to survive… then refine into primitive low-quality gasoline, while all by-products are dumped into nearby rivers” (para6). Because of their low quality oil that leaked into lands and rivers, wide areas in Chechnya have been polluted for a long time (para7-8). Also this problem is caused by poor management of industrial equipments in Soviet times (para5). If the government raises up a quality of life in Chechen and asks for not to extract “low-quality gasoline” by offering better conditions of life, leak of the oil will be reduced more and more and this problem can be gradually solved. But the problem is the war between Russia and Chechnya. Chechnya was built as an independent country in 1991, but Russia have attacked Chechnya to control them again. As a result a lot of Chechen are facing crisis of ruin.

Finally, I think if Russian authorities want Chechen’s refugees to come back to Chechen from refuge camps in Ingushetia, they should not pressure their refugees to move into Chechen like “switch off electricity and gas supplies” (para16). They should solve this problem in other ways, for example, by providing Chechen’s people better conditions to live, Russian authorities make them to move spontaneously into Chechen. If Russian authorities give constantly Chechen’s refugees such pressures, UN and Human Rights Organizations should restrain and manage their inhuman behaviors.

In conclusion, the most important thing is that Russian authorities should change their minds for this situation. The Russian government should treat this problem practically and ask for the help to other countries surrounding Chechen. The government needs to rise up a quality of life in Chechen for solving a problem with leak of low-quality oil. In addition, for moving the refugees to Chechen from Ingushetia, Russian authorities should treat them in a more peaceful way than they’re currently doing.


Reference: Blagov, Sergei. (Jan, 03, 2003). Asia Times. Environmental disaster in the making. Retrieved April 8, 2005, from Johnson’s Russia List,
http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/7003-13.cfm

A Family Plan

Danny
Mr. Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Essay Exam
04/11/05

A Family Plan

According to the article, “A family plan,” the government of Singapore changed its population policy. Because, in the 1960s, the government of Singapore limited their people to having no more than two kids, Singapore is not replacing itself in population (para2). It has caused many problems in productive and economic growth (para2). For example, middle class people produced fewer and fewer children because more educated women are not getting married (para3). In addition, many Singapore’s men don’t want to get married with educated women because they want to be the boss in the family (para3). Moreover, Chinese population possesses a large percentage in Singapore, but after the government’s policy of population limit, their population declined from 74% to 69% (para5).

This Singapore’s population policy is contentious. Some Malay Singaporeans think the government wants only to preserve a large Chinese population rates because Singapore should promote their productive and population growth (para5). If the government could move the middle class, especially Chinese, they would get a good result in this policy. But it will be a good policy only for Chinese, not for others, because Chinese will have more benefits (education, intensives and taxes, etc.) than others. But the government says,” the plan is for every on e of our citizens. The benefits are the same for all” (para6). The government thinks that they should cheer Malays too, because educated Malays are also producing fewer and fewer children (para5).

In Singapore, minority groups are occupying very small percentages-18% Malays, 8% Indians and others (in 1980) (para5). If Chinese population continues to possess a large percentage in Singapore, the small number of people (Malays, Indians and others) will lose their stance in Singapore. In other words, minority groups will not be able to have educational, health care, other social benefits, privacy or personal freedom and it will be difficult to preserve their culture, customs and religions in Singapore.

Oil Pollution in Chechnya reaches critical levels

Danny
Mr. Greenspan
EAP2 WW 052
Summary-Response
04/01/05



Oil Pollution in Chechnya reaches critical levels


The article, “Oil Pollution in Chechnya reaches critical levels,” from a Russian TV report, introduces the environmental situation in the Chechen Republic that is very critical (Russian TV report, 2003, para1). Russian TV states that the tens of illegal oil factories don’t notice any health and sanitary regulations so that there are a lot of lakes of oil (para1). Russian TV also says the ground has been polluted seriously by petrol and oil and now there are no fish in the river, Sunzha, there is only oil in the river (para3). Russian TV mentions, “near the Sunzha there are tens of illegal mini oil-production plants,” (para4) and they pump out the oil without purification. Russian TV says that in Groznyy, one of the top five towns suffering from environmental problems, oil plants are closed, but “oil still pours out of illegal outlets” (para5). Russian TV states, “the ecologists and representatives from the prosecutor’s office have inspected more than 200 abandoned oilfields need to be covered in concrete and closed.” (para7-8) Russian TV concludes by saying that according to the republic’s Health Ministry, a lot of children endure from bronchitis and the gas from oil products has caused “new form of diseases” (para9).


To begin with, I think the government of Russia should recover their ground to live. Because of oil pollution, one of the biggest problems in Russia, Russia is in an environmental crisis, even though they have closed many oil plants that pour out the oil. For example, Russian TV mentioned, “The ground has been polluted by petrol and oil products down to depth of 20 meters.” (Russian TV, 2004, para2) Russia’s ground is already polluted critically and if they keep polluting their ground, it’s so hard to recover. The government of Russia has to recover their land and water so that the bigger problems can’t be caused and their soil can be cultivated, unless they will lose their domains to live.

Second, I think the government of Russia should make some solutions for their people with pollutants. I guess the Russians already have protested about oil pollution. They have suffered from that for a long time. For example, in Russia TV report, “according to the republic’s Health Ministry more than 40 per cent of children suffer from bronchitis.” (para9) In this situation, I think it means the government violated the right of the Russians who live in their country. The citizens in Russia must have a right to live healthily and safely as everybody knows all over the world.

In conclusion, Russia has been troubled because of the oil pollution that is related with its’ oil-extraction plants. As this problem has been serious more and more, it brings many problems like ground pollution and new form of disease. To solving those problems, the government of Russia should move to protect their people from such critical situations as serious pollution that affects human beings hazardously. In addition, Russia should replace their system to protect themselves, otherwise they will face a serious disaster that couldn’t be recovered from. Russia should be conscious of environmental danger and take action about it.

Reference: Russian TV report (OCT, 23, 2004). Oil Pollution in Chechnya reaches critical levels. Lexis-Nexis. Retrieved Apr, 1, 2005 from:
http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=4a0ffaa29e50d5ea90a310b31d6c812d&_docnum=1&wchp=dGLbVlz-zSkVb&_md5=158f8a8f4438e519fb5ff32834fcd0ce

Difference of Big Fish

In the book, there were a lot of men who wanted to be in love with Sandra. Edward was one of the men, but he didn't do anything for a long time. However, in the film Edward saw the woman he's going to marry at the circus, but he lost her. So he worked as a circus member for three years and then went to Auburn to meet her. But she was engaged to Don Price.

The story of the book is more realistic than the film's. But I think Tim Burton, the director, made the film more interesting and funny. For example, when Edward met Sandra, time stops like they say when you meet the love of your life. I think that as the film was made by adding cinematics, we could feel the film is very interesting. I like it.

"Big Fish"

According to Joseph Lopez, "Big Fish asks us to let go of our common sense and simply believe that anything can happen." He also said, "and now think about how fun life would be if you could still be that gullible." I just agree with his opinion. After watching "Big Fish", I thought that how pure we were in childhood. And we simply believed fantastic stories although we had never seen them. I found out an important thing : that as I have grown up, how contaminated and how corrupt I am. But Edward Bloom had such a pure and neat spirit until he died. Edward Bloom wanted to be a "Big Fish" with his son and his son also finally understood his father. And he understood that a man could be great if he could be loved by his son. "Big Fish" really lets me think and realize a lot of things. Watching "Big Fish" is likely to take something out of my mind.

By Danny.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.
The time to repair theroof iswhen the sun is shinning.
Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
The secret of joy in works is contained in one word-excellence.
To know how to do Something well is to enjoy it.
Pay peanuts and you get monkeys.
Laughing is the sensation of feeling good all over and sgowing it principally in one spot.
The trees that are slow to glow bear the best fruit.
Keep your friends close,but keep your enemies closer.
No one can be right all of the time,but it help to be right most of the time.
It is a good thing for an uneducated man to read books of quotations.
Middle age is the awkward period when Father time start catching up with Mother nature.
A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returs home to find it.
To a friends house the road is never long.
The best mirror is a friends eye.
From what we get,we can make a living;what we give,however, makes a life.
When you look like your passport photo.it’s time to go home.
If you can find a path with no obstacles.it probably does not lead anywhere.
Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiosm.
If your ship does not come in,swim out to it.
If a window of opportunity appears,do not pull down the shade.
What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything ?
He who never made a mistake never made a discovery.
Truly nothing is to be expected but the unexpected.
A book is a success when people who have not read it pretend they have.
Anything your are good at contributes to hapiness.
The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them intto the impossible.
Art is the signiture of civilization.
An early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Nothing great was ever done without much ebduring.
Few things help on indiviual more than to place responsibility upon him and to let him know that you trust him.
Those who trust us,educate us.
Research is formalized curiosity.it is paking and prying with a propose.
If you are not failing now and again It is sign you are playing it safe.
The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.
Wher words fail,music speakes.
No great artist ever sees thing as they really are.If he did,he would cease to be an artist.
Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.
Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.
Only a fool thinks price and value are the some.
You cannot shake hands with a clNo day is so bad it can not fixed with a nap.
Speech is silver,silence is gold.
I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it.
Seven days without laugher makes one weak.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Time is a greatest innovator.
A man is not finished when he is defeated he is finished when he quits.
The internet is an audience of one,a million time is over.
The naked truth is always better than the best dressed lie.
Ignorance is not bliss-it is obivion.

Remember the Titans

Remember the Titans, this movie is about the first black football coach at a newly integrated high school in Alexandria, in 1971. Herman Boone, the new black football coach, displaced he white head coach and incurred the anger of white students and parents. Tentions run high between black and white players on the team. However, after training camp the team comes together and bonded together. The new friendships between the black and white players inspired white parents to open their mind to the black players and parents. They cheer his triumphant return home from a football game. I love ‘Remember the Titans’. This is the best football movie I ever seen. Remember the Titans is a phenomenal movie about racial prejudice and how a integrated high school football team can learn to get along. This movie makes me laugh, cry, and just say wow.

The Family Today

In “The family today” by Brown and Hood from Academic Encounters (2002), it says that in the United States the traditional family forms are decreasing and new family forms are increasing. First, in the United States the number of married women who work outside the home have tremendously increased. But there is frequently conflict if husbands and wives don’t share their households duties. Second, because of increased divorce, the number of children growing up with single-parent families have been increased. Especially, female-headed families have more problems than two-parent families, such as poor living conditions, problems at school, lack of social support and unemployment. Finally, because of the high rates of divorce and remarriage, stepfamilies have also become increasingly common. But stepfathers are likely to have problems with discipline. Stepchildren under age 18 may not accept their stepfather’s discipline. This is one of the main reasons that second marriages fail. In conclusion, in many countries the traditional families are relatively rare today and new forms of the family unit have become increasingly common.

Dec, 16th, 04. Mrs.Caldwell's home with AE1