shane’s blog

  The Renaissance was the period when new ideas, knowledge and inventions flourished. People started to do what they believe in instead of doing exactly as god says. Many famous pieces of art were created along with useful machines such as printing press. Ideas such as humanism came into being and people were not obsessed with religion. As a matter of fact, some people like Martin Luther began to challenge the Catholic Church’s ideas. They were the Protestants. Trade and exploration grew. For example, Columbus found America and Marco Polo went to China. People in the Renaissance were very wealthy and knowledgeable. However, on the other hand, I noticed that the society in the Renaissance was not very liberal in some ways.  There were laws about limiting the consumption of highly expensive clothing, food and games. I thought people were allowed to do anything.  

What did I find interesting about this topic and what did I like about the initial blog posting?

 First of all, I was interested in this topic because terrorists attacking people in Iraq is a big issue througout the world. Furthermore, it is discussed a lot by many people. I liked Farrah’s initial blog posting because it was very informative and a vast array of stastics were suggested. Also, it was well organized.

How are the events connected?

As Farrah has told in her presentation, there was a suicide bombing in Iraq which caused high casualties. In addition, high government officials are worried about the attacks. I have found an article similar to Farrah’s.

This time, the U.S. soldiers were attacked by the insurgents. It happened last Saturday (12 May, 2007). The incident took place in Southern Baghdad and the insurgents did an ambush on the U.S. military convoy. 4 U.S. solider and 1 Iraqi soldier were killed and 3 U.S. soldiers have been captured by the terrorists. Now, the U.S. army is searching for the soldiers with the best of its ability but the insurgents warned that they will harm their prisoners if the searching continues. So far, 49 soldiers have been killed in Iraq this month.

The biggest similarity between Farrah’s article and my article is that it happened in Iraq and involved terrorists. Also, people were attacked and killed in the incidence except for the victims were soldiers on my article. The gorvernment officials are worried about this on both Farrah’s and my articles.

(Taweeq, Mohammed and Karadsheh, Jomana). “Iraqi insurgents warn: Stop search for U.S. troops.” CNN.com, 0110 GMT (0910 HKT), May 14, 2007. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/05/14/iraq.main/index.html  (15 May, 2007).

Link to article

Link to Farrah’s blog

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/WORLD/meast/05/14/iraq.main/story.iraq.search.ap.gifhttp://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/WORLD/meast/05/14/iraq.main/story.iraq.search.ap.gif

http://counterterrorismblog.org/maps/baghdad-map.jpg

My knowledge about the people in the Renaissance time grew more during the class. First of all, I noticed that there were many more notable people in the Renaissance other than Da Vinci, Miachaelangelo or Marco Polo. There was people like Martin Luther, who fought the teachings of the Roman Catholic and indulgences. Also, there was a poet and playwright from England called Christopher Marlow. Furthermore, I got to know about Miguel de Cerventes, who was a Spanish writer. I also learned more about the people I already knew. I was told that Michaelangelo did not get much support from his parents in art when he was young. In addition, I learned that Da Vinci was not only a good painter, but an inventor and a scientist. However, I was surprised to know that not all of the people were nice and modest even though they did great things. For example, Henry the 8th was a notorious tyrant and many murdered many people with little reason. Michaelangelo was very arrogant and thought he was a better artist than everyone.

If I was to do this assignment again, I would make the interview more realistic. I would put more effort on my voice because it sounded too exaggerated on my interview. Next time, I will try to make it sound normal. Also, I will do more rehearsals with my partner before the interview, so that it goes smooth without any stops or mumbling. The interview would go a little slower because I want to get the pronunciations clearer. Finally, I would try to do more research as this would enable me to give more accurate information.

�Marco Polo was a person that had one of the biggest impacts in Europe in the Renaissance time. He was born on September 15, 1254 in Venice. His family were merchants and his father and uncle was abroad for most of the time. When he was a child, his�mother passed away�early. He learned many valuable skills such as�reading, writing,�math and trading. Then a big change came to his life�when he was 17. Marco Polo’s father�knew Kublai Khan, the�king of Mongols very well and they were invited to come to Cathay. (China was called Cathay in his time) So, Marco Polo, his father and uncle went on a 3-year-long journey to Cathay. There, Marco Polo was surprised to see a completely different world from Europe. He was simply impressed by the Mongols. He was surprised to see them use efficient things such as paper money, Cathay’s wealth and their social structure. Kublai Khan took a liking for Marco Polo as he could speak 4 languages. Marco Polo was made a high gorvernment official and went to places such as India or Burma for Kublai Khan. Life was comfortable in China and the Marco Polo became very rich. However, as Kublai Khan was getting old, Marco Polo and his family feared that some of Khan’s enemies might kill them if Khan passed away. So, with permission from Kublai Khan, they came back to Venice after travelling 2 years by sea. Back in Venice, Marco Polo told the people what he saw and learned in Cathay. Some people were highly interested in his new information while others chose not to believe him. Marco Polo published a book called “II Milione” which covered what he learned in Cathay. The book became very popular and people of Europe noticed that the world is very big. To this date, Marco Polo remains as a prominent figure in history for his affections on Europe.

Interview with Marco Polo (voice)��

http://www.nndb.com/people/076/000084821/marco-polo-1-sized.jpghttp://www.nndb.com/people/076/000084821/marco-polo-1-sized.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Marco_Polo,_Il_Milione,_Chapter_CXXIII_and_CXXIV.jpg/415px-Marco_Polo,_Il_Milione,_Chapter_CXXIII_and_CXXIV.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Marco_Polo,_Il_Milione,_Chapter_CXXIII_and_CXXIV.jpg/415px-Marco_Polo,_Il_Milione,_Chapter_CXXIII_and_CXXIV.jpg

“Taliban: Bin Laden plans
Iraq strikes.”CNN.com, April 25, 2007 < http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/04/25/afghanistan.dadullah/index.html> (April 26, 2007) 

What is the issue?

A Taliban general, Mullah Dadullah said that Osama bin Laden was involved in planning the suicide car bombing outside the Bagram Air Base in February. It is believed that bin Laden was targeting Vice President Dick Cheney. Dadullah also mentioned that bin Laden is involved in planning attacks in Iraq. However, he didn’t provide any proof. The vice president was more than half a mile from the attack on the air base. The Secret Service hurriedly evacuated him as soon as the attack broke out. It is said that more than 15 people were killed and 20 people were injured by the attack .

Who is involved?

Mullah Dadullah is obviously involved because he accused Osama bin Laden for being involved in all the attacks. However, he did not suggest any evidence. The victims, people and government officials of Afghanistan and Iraq are also not excluded as they might be attacked by the world’s most notorious criminal mastermind. Bin Laden is involved for sure because he has been accused for many attacks. Vice President Dick Cheney is in this as he was a target and the Secret Service because they have to protect Cheney.

 Who is affected and how?

General Dadullah is affected as people will keep asking him if he has proof that bin Laden is behind all these attacks. The people of Afghanistan and Iraq would be affected as they would fear to have unpredictable attacks on them. Bin Laden is affected because people will start to try and catch him even more than before. Dick Cheney, the Secret Service and the U.S. government would have some trouble because they will worry about attacks on them and on their people.

What would I do if I was directly involved?

First of all, I’ll ask Dadullah if he has any evidence about his statements in accusing bin Laden. If he keeps refusing to prove what it said, it might not be true. However, if he has clear evidence, I’ll do my best to track down bin Laden to prevent further attacks. Also, I’ll increase the security of important points in Iraq and Afghanistan. This will make changes to some people’s lives. If bin Laden is caught, the power of al Qaeda will be noticeably decreased as they won’t have a leader. This would make the people feel a little safer.

Link to news article

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/WORLD.,east/04/25/afghanistan.dadullah/story.dadullah.afp.gi.jpg

http://media.maps.com/magellan/Images/Afghan-W1.gif

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/iraq/images/map.gif

Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) is commonly known as a great politician, who led Britain through World War II even though he also had some other talents. In school, he was a good athlete. He especially was good at fencing and swimming. When he was young, he was interested in military, so he went to a military school and became a soldier. He fought in a few battles and experienced some life or death situations. Sometimes, he even went to battle as a reporter for newspapers. As a politician, he was skilled in making strong and persuasive speeches. He proved himself as a great leader when he overcame World War II and was highly respected by the British. That wasn’t all. He was a great painter and an excellent book writer. Some of Churchill’s books became best-sellers. Judging by the facts, Churchill wasn’t only a politician but somewhat a Renaissance person.

http://historyplace.com/specials/calendar/docs-pix/churchill.jpg

Citation 

“
Indonesia buries earthquake dead.” CNN March 7, 2007. http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/03/07/indonesia.earthquake.reut/index.html (March 8, 2007).

Link to article  

What is interesting about this topic and what did I like about the Presentation?

This is probably the millionth time that an earthquake happened in
Indonesia. The scene of the disaster looks truly horrible and I feel sympathy for people who suffered from this incident. This is why I feel interested in this topic. What I liked about Victor’s presentation (Victor doesn’t have a blog yet) is that it was very straight-forward. Furthermore, it is simple and highly informative.

 The New Information

As Victor has informed in class, earthquakes happened in the western side of
Sumatra on March 6, 2007. At least 70 people died and the earthquakes were strong enough to be felt in Malaysia and
Singapore.

Now the government is busy burying the dead and sending supplies to the victims. However, the food, water and blankets is being sent at a slow pace. Most of the injured people have head injuries and are getting medical care. The rescue team is using heavy equipments to clear the site. However they think that no more people are under the rubbles. The Red Cross and the United Nations sent teams to help 
Indonesia. Victims are still waiting for support. 

People are still willing to give up their lives for a cause they believe in even today. In communism nations, (mainly North Korea) people are given very little rights and are treated rather harshly. Some people stand up for themselves despite having the knowledge that they might get killed. Another case is when their country is taken by another country. Many people in Iraq and Afghanistan are asking for the US army to go away and some even become terrorists to have their country themselves. (Religion also plays a big role to these people) Some travel to poor countries like Africa to help the people there even though it is a truly dangerous and uncomfortable. They provide the poor people with proper food, medicine and hygiene etc.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42587000/jpg/_42587289_train_ap.jpg

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42588000/gif/_42588329_india_map.gif

“Many killed in
India train blasts.” Children’s BBC, Monday February 19, 2007<http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6370000/newsid_6374600/6374631.stm> (February 20, 2007)

 

 

What is the issue?

 

A train that was heading to Pakistan from Delhi blasted on 19 February. The train blasted after traveling about 50 miles. More than 60 people had been killed from the blasts. An Indian government spokesman said that this incident is probably terrorism. However, this information isn’t for sure. Some passengers said that they heard two blasts at a place near Panipat around midnight. Many victims were from Pakistan and some were Indian military.

 

Who is involved?

 

First of all, the victims are involved obviously as they experienced the blast. The Indian government is also in this for sure because this blast happend in their country. Pakistan is involved as the train was heading to it.

 

Who is affected and how?

 

The victims are affected because some of them died, got injured and all of them had to go through this terrible incident. The Indian government is affected as they have to find what caused the blasts and find out if this was terrorism or not. The government of Pakistan is also affected because many of their people died in the blasts.

 

What would I do if I was directly involved?

 

I think the best solution would be investigating it immediately. This could be serious if this was done by terrorists as this would mean mortal danger on many people. If this was terrorism I will bring this matter up to UN to show how serious it is and get help in catching the terrorists. On the other hand, if this is simply because of the train being old and not working properly I will punish people in charge of the trains. I will show sympathy to the victims and their families. Finally, I would put more effort on keeping the trains and stations safe from any accidents. 

 

 

Religion had a big impact on people’s lives in the Middle Ages. People were asked to follow the rules of their religion and were punished harshly if they did not. Churches were in the center of towns as they were considered the most important buildings. Many monasteries and cathedrals were built. Tithes were paid to the church which were one tenth of one’s earning. People went on pilgrimages, which are long journeys to holy places despite pilgrimages could be dangerous. Some people chose to become monks. Monks had to live in a monastery and gave service to their religion and for the people. Monks were all males. Friars were homeless people and went around passing on the teachings of the religion.