The hostage drama that happened in Manila, Philippines last 23rd August 2010 was really a very sad and heartbreaking event. Lives were lost, children and foreigners traumatized - an event that ended in blood. Truly, this will be one of the challenges that the Philippines will have to go through and rise amidst the difficulty and shame that it brought about.
There has been a lot of speculations that the police are incompetent and that no one will be safe in the Philippines. The government, media and the police are pointing fingers with whom to blame as to the bloody ending of the hostage drama. I think though that instead of washing their hands, they should just think of a way to make everything better. In terms of tourism, investments, being prepared to handle such crisis in the future and assuring the safety of all tourists and PRs, we Filipinos should stand up and rise again. We should treat this as a learning experience to make our country a better place to live in.
To the families who lost their loved ones on this unfortunate event, I offer my prayers and apologies and hope that in time, we'd be able to surpass all this.
So, until now, the question still remains: Will the Philippines be a safe place for everyone?
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
How badly did the war on terror hurt human rights?
The September 11, 2001 attacked in the New York World Trade Center and other US’s establishments that have caused the death of more the 2900 people has shaken the stability of the United States. This has brought President Bush during his administration launched “War on Terrorism” (Cainkar, 2004). But the attacked has not only mark the launched of the war against terrorism but to greater degree, it has by forced has violated the rules of human rights. The violation would be best discussed through the human rights litigation issues and its examples.
Human rights litigation as manifested by several issues of “arbitrary detention; torture and ill treatment, extraordinary rendition, extraterritorial application of human rights norms and the creeping reach of the ‘terrorism ’ label”, became the distinguishing characteristics of how the war on terrorism has violated the human rights. Each of these issues illustrated by different cases has highlighted the severity of the impacts that the war on terrorism has brought to human rights (Duffy, 2008). This implies that human rights litigations that have put citizens and nations beyond the law have caused bad or negative impacts on human rights.
The “Guanta´namo anomaly” signifies the violation of human rights on arbitrary detention as it deprives the right for habeas corpus and the lawfulness of trial (McClintock, 2009) of the detainees. The Scandals of Baghram or Abu Ghraib has shown the violation of human rights trough torture or ill treatment. The Practice of cruelty or torture, which equates to inhumane and degrading treatment, clearly shows the severity of the violation that the War on Terror has inflicted in human rights (Smeulers and van Niekerk, 2009). The third issue: “Extraordinary rendition” has manifested a series of violations on human rights: torture, arbitrary detention and other serious violations. This implies the person’s removal of its right from the protection of law (Sciolino, 2006). The issues on the “terrorism label and its implications for alleged tourists and other associated with them” has clearly shown the branching levels of violations that it has caused in the security of regional, national and international level. These cases and issues of human rights violations due to the War of Terror initiated have shown that the intelligence or the judgment made has “involve defiance of the most sacred human rights norms, notably torture and arbitrary detention” (Duffy, 2008).
These impacts have been further supported the above arguments by Fitzpatrick as he enumerated the various impacts of the human rights were as follows: pre-emptive control and strategies for liberty and fundamental fairness has been affected; humanitarian rules became unclear; the derogation measures has been affected in terms of it’s principles of legality, non – derogability, and more; human rights protection in territorial aspects have become uncertain; refinement of concepts of non-discrimination on the basis of nationality and problems of guilt by association; and threats to the integrity of refugees (Fitzpatrick, 2003).
The “War on Terror” as initiated by the Bush Administration due to the September 11, 2001 attacked has caused negative impacts to Human rights. These negative impacts as shown through the cases in human rights litigation include arbitrary detention; torture and ill treatment, extraordinary rendition, extraterritorial application of human rights norms and the creeping reach of the ‘terrorism ’. Furthermore, the humanitarian rules became unclear, integrity of refugees has been affected and humiliated, and pre-emptive control and strategies for liberty and fundamental fairness has been affected.
Human rights litigation as manifested by several issues of “arbitrary detention; torture and ill treatment, extraordinary rendition, extraterritorial application of human rights norms and the creeping reach of the ‘terrorism ’ label”, became the distinguishing characteristics of how the war on terrorism has violated the human rights. Each of these issues illustrated by different cases has highlighted the severity of the impacts that the war on terrorism has brought to human rights (Duffy, 2008). This implies that human rights litigations that have put citizens and nations beyond the law have caused bad or negative impacts on human rights.
The “Guanta´namo anomaly” signifies the violation of human rights on arbitrary detention as it deprives the right for habeas corpus and the lawfulness of trial (McClintock, 2009) of the detainees. The Scandals of Baghram or Abu Ghraib has shown the violation of human rights trough torture or ill treatment. The Practice of cruelty or torture, which equates to inhumane and degrading treatment, clearly shows the severity of the violation that the War on Terror has inflicted in human rights (Smeulers and van Niekerk, 2009). The third issue: “Extraordinary rendition” has manifested a series of violations on human rights: torture, arbitrary detention and other serious violations. This implies the person’s removal of its right from the protection of law (Sciolino, 2006). The issues on the “terrorism label and its implications for alleged tourists and other associated with them” has clearly shown the branching levels of violations that it has caused in the security of regional, national and international level. These cases and issues of human rights violations due to the War of Terror initiated have shown that the intelligence or the judgment made has “involve defiance of the most sacred human rights norms, notably torture and arbitrary detention” (Duffy, 2008).
These impacts have been further supported the above arguments by Fitzpatrick as he enumerated the various impacts of the human rights were as follows: pre-emptive control and strategies for liberty and fundamental fairness has been affected; humanitarian rules became unclear; the derogation measures has been affected in terms of it’s principles of legality, non – derogability, and more; human rights protection in territorial aspects have become uncertain; refinement of concepts of non-discrimination on the basis of nationality and problems of guilt by association; and threats to the integrity of refugees (Fitzpatrick, 2003).
The “War on Terror” as initiated by the Bush Administration due to the September 11, 2001 attacked has caused negative impacts to Human rights. These negative impacts as shown through the cases in human rights litigation include arbitrary detention; torture and ill treatment, extraordinary rendition, extraterritorial application of human rights norms and the creeping reach of the ‘terrorism ’. Furthermore, the humanitarian rules became unclear, integrity of refugees has been affected and humiliated, and pre-emptive control and strategies for liberty and fundamental fairness has been affected.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The dangers of energy drinks
The dangers of energy drinks
Most energy drink’s manufacturing companies claim their products as effective energy booster. It has been years that consumers would sort to energy drinks in order to keep themselves alive and energetic as they combat with their heavy or hectic workloads or tasks. However, the question behind: is it healthy to drink energy boosters when the energy it contains were chemicals or drugs? This would lead to the main thesis of the paper: What are the dangers of energy drinks?
A. Lipovitan - is an energy drink that claims as a good source of endurance or stamina and energy. It has been said to be that the energy enhancing vitamins has been incorporated and processed into liquid form for the body to quickly absorb the energy it contains. The primary ingredient of the product is taurine and caffeine. Taurine is an organic acid known as sulfonic acid. For every 100ml bottle contains 64 calories, no fat and cholesterol and 16g of Carbohydrates. The product has been manufactured by Taisho Pharmaceutical CA, Inc
B. Red Bull – is an energy drink that claims that the product as part of their slogan “gives wings”. Furthermore, it has been said that it would elevate performance metabolism, reaction and concentration speed, and improves emotional condition. The following were the ingredients used in Red Bull: taurine, caffeine, glucuronolactone, B vitamins, glucose and sucrose. For every 250ml of Red Bull, it has 110 calories, 200mg sodium and 28g of carbohydrates. It was manufactured by Red Bull GmbH.
C. Rockstar - is an energy drink manufactured by Rockstar Inc. It contains taurine, sugar and caffeine as the primary ingredients and different herbs such as ginseng, seed of guarana etc.
From the comparison of the above data, it could be drown that majority of energy drinks contains taurine and caffeine. Caffeine is the central or main ingredient of every energy drinks. It is a drug which is classified as stimulant. In fact it has been claimed as the stimulant of the CNS (Central Nervous System). Tuarine on the other hand serves as an antioxidant to the body. Aside from which, most energy drinks contains the following: acaj, guarana, acai, carbonated water, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone, maltodextrin and inositol. This would imply that most energy drinks don’t contain carbohydrates from the natural source of energy for the body from eating rice, potatoes, bread and other Go foods.
Among the desirable effects of energy drinks were the following: improve performance on both mental and cognitive, and alertness (Van Den Eynde, et.al, 2008). Furthermore, it could increase endurance of the muscles. These have been attributed to the effects of caffeine as stimulant to the body. In moderation, energy drink is helpful but since caffeine and other drugs included are addictive there are tendencies of overdose and addiction. These would lead to the undesirable effects or dangers of energy drink to the body.
More than One battle of energy drink per day could lead to irritability or bad temper, nervousness, urination becomes frequent, sleeplessness, arrhythmia or irregularities of heart beat or rhythms and upset stomach (Loeb, 2009). Furthermore, it could cause dehydration since energy drinks have no electrolytes that would replace the loss of body water as the energy has been burned out or maximize (“Sport Diet Dilemma”, 2009).
Based from the analysis of gathered data, the dangers of energy drinks could lead to severe physical and psychological damage when not handled properly. The ingredients used as stimulants are drugs that could induce addiction to the consumer.
Most energy drink’s manufacturing companies claim their products as effective energy booster. It has been years that consumers would sort to energy drinks in order to keep themselves alive and energetic as they combat with their heavy or hectic workloads or tasks. However, the question behind: is it healthy to drink energy boosters when the energy it contains were chemicals or drugs? This would lead to the main thesis of the paper: What are the dangers of energy drinks?
A. Lipovitan - is an energy drink that claims as a good source of endurance or stamina and energy. It has been said to be that the energy enhancing vitamins has been incorporated and processed into liquid form for the body to quickly absorb the energy it contains. The primary ingredient of the product is taurine and caffeine. Taurine is an organic acid known as sulfonic acid. For every 100ml bottle contains 64 calories, no fat and cholesterol and 16g of Carbohydrates. The product has been manufactured by Taisho Pharmaceutical CA, Inc
B. Red Bull – is an energy drink that claims that the product as part of their slogan “gives wings”. Furthermore, it has been said that it would elevate performance metabolism, reaction and concentration speed, and improves emotional condition. The following were the ingredients used in Red Bull: taurine, caffeine, glucuronolactone, B vitamins, glucose and sucrose. For every 250ml of Red Bull, it has 110 calories, 200mg sodium and 28g of carbohydrates. It was manufactured by Red Bull GmbH.
C. Rockstar - is an energy drink manufactured by Rockstar Inc. It contains taurine, sugar and caffeine as the primary ingredients and different herbs such as ginseng, seed of guarana etc.
From the comparison of the above data, it could be drown that majority of energy drinks contains taurine and caffeine. Caffeine is the central or main ingredient of every energy drinks. It is a drug which is classified as stimulant. In fact it has been claimed as the stimulant of the CNS (Central Nervous System). Tuarine on the other hand serves as an antioxidant to the body. Aside from which, most energy drinks contains the following: acaj, guarana, acai, carbonated water, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone, maltodextrin and inositol. This would imply that most energy drinks don’t contain carbohydrates from the natural source of energy for the body from eating rice, potatoes, bread and other Go foods.
Among the desirable effects of energy drinks were the following: improve performance on both mental and cognitive, and alertness (Van Den Eynde, et.al, 2008). Furthermore, it could increase endurance of the muscles. These have been attributed to the effects of caffeine as stimulant to the body. In moderation, energy drink is helpful but since caffeine and other drugs included are addictive there are tendencies of overdose and addiction. These would lead to the undesirable effects or dangers of energy drink to the body.
More than One battle of energy drink per day could lead to irritability or bad temper, nervousness, urination becomes frequent, sleeplessness, arrhythmia or irregularities of heart beat or rhythms and upset stomach (Loeb, 2009). Furthermore, it could cause dehydration since energy drinks have no electrolytes that would replace the loss of body water as the energy has been burned out or maximize (“Sport Diet Dilemma”, 2009).
Based from the analysis of gathered data, the dangers of energy drinks could lead to severe physical and psychological damage when not handled properly. The ingredients used as stimulants are drugs that could induce addiction to the consumer.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Twilight is a Failure for a Vampire Story
I admit to being one of the avid fans of the whole Twilight book series. I read all the books as well as Midnight Sun, Stephanie Meyer's unfinished book about Edward. I was in it for the gory and majestic vampiric nature of the story, although the love aspect also had me hooked. Book-to-film adaptations are common nowadays. A book earns the bestseller status and next thing you know, a film is on the way.
As for the Twilight film saga, I'd say it is over-hyped like Ricky Hatton or a shot Roy Jones. Despite the de facto of a lot of fans (including me), there is no doubt that this gay vampire film saga still has a large fan base, most of which are teenage girls. I'm making it clear that I was a fan of the books, not the movies. The books weren't that bad considering there were no graphical images of Bella and Edward. But when the first movie installment was shown, I resigned myself and vowed not to watch the remaining installments. I'd give Twilight three stars out of five. It skipped a lot of stuff from the book. It was also traumatic hearing girls screaming at the cinema. It seems everybody has forgotten that it is a vampire film. Where are the gory details? As a matter of fact, nobody gave vampires the recognition they deserve as legendary creatures of folklore and culture. I have so much respect for vampires as creatures of literature. Even though there were a lot of crappy vampire films, with Interview with the Vampire being an exemption, at least vampires weren't portrayed as melodramatic creatures.
Without a doubt, vampires are the most fearsome creatures in myth. Aside from being immortal, they possess frightening abilities. As far as history is concerned, vampire folklore started with Count Dracula, a mythical figure linked to real man known as Vlad Tepes or Vlad the Impaler. Vampires are creatures of the dark which feed on human blood. They are also known for their violent and sadistic nature. All these qualities and attributes are either not present or softened in Twilight, making the story unreal from literary perspective.
Vampires have also made it to TV shows. We all grew up with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. These two shows also have the teeny bopper factor but they're not as melodramatic as Twilight. Aside from that, they correctly portrayed vampires as evil and sadistic creatures that victimize innocent humans. At the present, two vampire TV shows fare better compared to Twilight. The thing with HBO's True Blood and CW's The Vampire Diaries is the injection of human and vampire love story without destroying the original perception of Vampires. Compared to Twilight, these shows are more mature. People here get killed with blood spilling to the ground. While Edward can safely walk in broad daylight without burning, the villains in Vampire Diaries wear rings that protect them from the sun. The use of a magically enchanted ring is more acceptable compared to Edward's shimmering projection under the sun. Another thing that works for these great TV shows is mythology. Mythology enforces the rules, like for example vampires burning under the sun. Presenting vampire films without the rules of mythology voids the very term vampire. Without the rules that mythology impose, the subject is taken out its context.
What happened to Twilight can be seen as a reinvention of the popular myth. Stephanie Meyer deserves credit for shedding new light on the nature of vampires. However, the innovations in the characters could have been added in a more subtle and less radical method.
As for the Twilight film saga, I'd say it is over-hyped like Ricky Hatton or a shot Roy Jones. Despite the de facto of a lot of fans (including me), there is no doubt that this gay vampire film saga still has a large fan base, most of which are teenage girls. I'm making it clear that I was a fan of the books, not the movies. The books weren't that bad considering there were no graphical images of Bella and Edward. But when the first movie installment was shown, I resigned myself and vowed not to watch the remaining installments. I'd give Twilight three stars out of five. It skipped a lot of stuff from the book. It was also traumatic hearing girls screaming at the cinema. It seems everybody has forgotten that it is a vampire film. Where are the gory details? As a matter of fact, nobody gave vampires the recognition they deserve as legendary creatures of folklore and culture. I have so much respect for vampires as creatures of literature. Even though there were a lot of crappy vampire films, with Interview with the Vampire being an exemption, at least vampires weren't portrayed as melodramatic creatures.
Without a doubt, vampires are the most fearsome creatures in myth. Aside from being immortal, they possess frightening abilities. As far as history is concerned, vampire folklore started with Count Dracula, a mythical figure linked to real man known as Vlad Tepes or Vlad the Impaler. Vampires are creatures of the dark which feed on human blood. They are also known for their violent and sadistic nature. All these qualities and attributes are either not present or softened in Twilight, making the story unreal from literary perspective.
Vampires have also made it to TV shows. We all grew up with Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. These two shows also have the teeny bopper factor but they're not as melodramatic as Twilight. Aside from that, they correctly portrayed vampires as evil and sadistic creatures that victimize innocent humans. At the present, two vampire TV shows fare better compared to Twilight. The thing with HBO's True Blood and CW's The Vampire Diaries is the injection of human and vampire love story without destroying the original perception of Vampires. Compared to Twilight, these shows are more mature. People here get killed with blood spilling to the ground. While Edward can safely walk in broad daylight without burning, the villains in Vampire Diaries wear rings that protect them from the sun. The use of a magically enchanted ring is more acceptable compared to Edward's shimmering projection under the sun. Another thing that works for these great TV shows is mythology. Mythology enforces the rules, like for example vampires burning under the sun. Presenting vampire films without the rules of mythology voids the very term vampire. Without the rules that mythology impose, the subject is taken out its context.
What happened to Twilight can be seen as a reinvention of the popular myth. Stephanie Meyer deserves credit for shedding new light on the nature of vampires. However, the innovations in the characters could have been added in a more subtle and less radical method.
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