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Over 12,000 Students March in Support of Community Doctors in Venezuela

admin — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:54:37 +0000

Over 12,000 Venezuelan students marched in Caracas on November 5, 2011 in support of the National Program of Integral Community Medicine, created by the Bolivarian Government in 2005. The rector of the Bolivarian University of Venezuela, Angel Moros, said the march was facing a smear campaign run by an opposition group in Venezuela who are against the educational program. We just want to draw attention to the fact that they are not raising arguments to do with the people’s health” Moros said, adding that “malicious interests” lay behind the smear campaign.

The country’s opposition has criticized the program, claiming that a period of 6 years is insufficient time to train as a doctor. Keep maintaining that level and determination that you demonstrated throughout those years, since it means you have made an enormous effort,” said Moros to the new professionals. Gonzalez asked for respect for these professionals, who are also supported by the Law of Medicine, which stipulates the inclusion of integral community doctors in the national public health system. The National Program on Integral Community Medicine was created through an agreement signed by then president of Cuba, Fidel Castro, and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez on August 21, 2005.

Title: Over 12,000 Students March in Support of Community Doctors

Author: By Avn

Publication: Venezueanalysis.com

Url: http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6608

Student Researcher: Sean Lawrence, Sonoma State University

Faculty Advisor: Peter Phillips, Sonoma State University Similar Posts:

2010 World Cup: Issues In South Africa and FIFA

admin — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:38:25 +0000

While hosting the 2010 World Cup appeared to be a success for the South African nation, the ugly truth is starting to reveal itself. A slew of economic and social issues are looming over the country and more trouble is brewing. Rapidly worsening income inequality, economic calamities as debt payments come due, and a humiliating performance by the country’s soccer team first round exit are just a few of the issues in the country. Following the exit from the tournament, fans brought about a dose of xenophobia threatening foreigners to leave the country. Along with threats, Police General Bheki Cele has blamed foreigners for the high crime level and for marring the image of the country. Many believe Cele is using the foreigners as a scapegoat to cover his own national crime problems. The Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA), an organization tasked with promoting and protecting refugee and migrant rights, called xenophobia a “credible threat’ citing potential support of local political actors as a main reason.

Along with xenophobic issues, South Africa will soon be faced with a growing financial crisis. Although hosting the World Cup is a distinguished honor, it comes with a price. The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has been accused of being corrupt and having many high-ranking executives receive bribes from host countries. FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke openly bragged how they will spirit away $3.2 billion in pure profit – 50% more than the $1.8 taken from Germany four years ago. Along with this, “FIFA pays no taxes, ignores exchange controls, and is quite likely preparing South Africa for a currency crash in the process.” The corruption has allegedly spread into the police and has shifted the focus from fighting crime to aiding FIFA increase profits. Police arrested individuals for passing out anti-FIFA fliers along two Dutchwomen for wearing Bavarian beer logoed shirts as FIFA was said to be defending Budweiser advertisements.

Additionally, on the British documentary Panorama highlighted claims of bribery on high-ranking FIFA officials. Countries seriously vying for a World Cup bid are often puppets of FIFA. If they want to be a front runner bribery is the answer. Investigative reporter, Andrew Jennings received a confidential document detailing payments totaling around $100 million to FIFA. FIFA executive member Jack Warner was also accused of selling 2010 World Cup tickets on the black market for $84,000. He was previously reprimanded for illegally selling tickets for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Although FIFA claims issues are handled internally, critics feel that it’s time for a reform in FIFA’s governing body.

Sources: “What South Africa Really Lost at the World Cup”

Patrick Bond, Counterpunch.org, June 25-27, 2010

http://www.counterpunch.org/bond06252010.html

“Swiss authorities to look into Fifa cash for World Cup votes scandal”

Matt Scott, Guardian.co.uk, November 25, 2010

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/25/swiss-investigate-fifa-world-cup

“Panorama: Three Fifa World Cup officials took bribes”

Andrew Jennings, bbcco.uk, November 29, 2010

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11841783

Student Researchers: Emily Bichler, JB McCallum, Jordan Niespodziany

Faculty Instructor: Kevin Howley Ph.D.

Evaluator: Guangjun Qu Ph.D.

DePauw UniversitySimilar Posts:

Tax Time Difficulty for Same-Sex Couples

admin — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:05:38 +0000

As the end of the year is looming near, same-sex couples are finding it difficult to complete state and federal tax returns. While the couples have benefited from taxes in a state level, their unions are not recognized on the federal level. Couples must pay federal taxes on “employer-sponsored benefits provided to a partner.” Nine states; California, Massachusetts, Vermont, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Connecticut, New Jersey, Oregon and the District of Columbia are involved with the new tax filing situation. Couples married in California between June 16, 2008 and Nov. 4, 2008, must also file under “married.” While the couples do not receive the recognition and benefits of being legally married, they are required to pay the same taxes or perhaps pay extra on their federal tax return as a traditional married couple. Software, such as Turbo Tax, has made the new filing process easier for the same-sex couples.

“Tax Time Complicated for Same-Sex Couples,” John Caldwell, Advocate.com, 4/12/2010

http://www.advocate.com/Business/Finance/Tax_Time_Complicated_for_Same_Sex_Couples/

Student Researchers: Amy Block & Aimee Caneva, CSU Fresno
Faculty Evaluator: Sari Dworkin, Ph.D. CSU Fresno

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Another Salmon Disaster in the Making!

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:35:14 +0000

Irrigation in the Scott and Shasta river basins threaten salmon population. Water levels in these rivers are becoming so low that the fish cannot make it far enough up river to spawn. The reason for the low levels of water is that much of the water is diverted away from the rivers for irrigation on local farms. Farmers claim that the low levels of water are not because of irrigation but rather from too little rainfall. Research, however, has shown this not to be the case and that the problem in fact is the irrigation. Despite taxpayers spending 25 million dollars in an effort to restore the rivers and preserve the salmon, little has been done and the problem continues to get worse. This past August the water level was recorded at its second lowest level in history.

Title: Another Salmon Disaster in the Making!

Source: Rogue Valley Independent Media Center 6/9/2009

URL: http://rogueimc.org/en/2009/15347.shtml

Author: Felice Pace

Student Researcher: Anthony Sarganis

Faculty Evaluator: Erv Peterson

Sonoma State University: Sociology of Media, Fall 2009

Instructor: Peter Phillips, #02Similar Posts: