The Internets Impact on Citizen Participation

The internet has had a profound impact on citizen participation. I myself provide a perfect example for this. During my community service project for school this year, I found the internet s a huge resource for me, providing information on my subject of homelessness, and providing information on where i could volunteer. I was able to find an amazing amount of information on my topic using the internet, narrowing my search down from world hunger and homelessness down to just the problems linked with the Bay Area. In our modern day society, more and more people are relying on the internet as a main source of information. It is an amazing tool for education; providing information on almost anything imaginable. While the internet does provide a lot of good important information, there is also false and biased information as well. It is important for people to check the sources of the information they are receiving  online to insure that it is reliable. When used correctly, the internet can provide useful information that allows citizens to participate in almost anything imaginable, from political campaigns to community service.

Political Advertising

Campaign commercials play a significant role in todays political elections. It is an opportunity for voters to be introduced to a candidate and their beliefs and policies. In the recent election for Governor of California, candidates Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman battled to gain the popular vote. Political advertisements played a huge role in the election. Out of the two videos posted above, I believe Jerry Brown does a better job of getting his point across by really attacking the opposition. He creatively incorporates Meg Whitman into the commercial, and attacks her campaign using her direct words. His aggressive approach of advertisement got the point across easier for me to understand, and really pointed out flaws in the other candidate. While Meg Whitman's commercial was more informative on plans and policies, I found it almost boring and dull. These campaign commercials play a significant role in elections, and are the deciding factors for many Americans.

Political Commentary on TV

Political commentary on television has transformed from a simple method of gaining information, to a media dominated by newscasts formed off of political opinions. Todays major television news programs are almost all  centered around political parties. While some are more extreme than others, these opinionated facts seem to cloud the truth from the American people. More and more people today are using these biased resources as the basis of many of their political beliefs and decisions. I believe it is essential for voters to receive unbiased information in order to make a proper and fair voting decisions. Although some TV broadcasts can be highly opinionated, there are still newscasters that do a great job getting the point across in a funny and entertaining way. John Stewart is one example of someone who can attract an audience using humor but also delivers an interesting, less biased story.In this video, he does a great job of pointing out the major flaws of other biased newscasters such as Glenn Beck.

Government Censoring Media

The way war is reported by the media has a huge affect on the public. Graphic scenes of wounded soldiers and battle scenes can depict the war in a way that alters opinions. The government played a key role in censorship of  the Gulf War. The Allied Coalition sought to "ensure that the media reported the truth as the military saw it". Many argued that what the press was allowed to see during the war did not depict the whole story, and rather the story as the U.S. government wanted it to be told. The military won extremely positive coverage during the war as a result of  restrictions on issues that they wanted to be censored from the public, press pools, and provided limited access and coverage. I believe this was totally wrong. The public should be informed on the truth, and should understand what is truly happening in the war in which our citizens are dying for. The government has recently begun lifting these restriction for the current war in Iraq. It is important for the people to be educated on the truth of the war, not a censored opinion of our military's success. Read More Here

Online Print Media

One source of online and print media that has caused a lot of distraction to politics in the United States is the claim that Barack Obama's birth certificate is fake. This controversy is a way to smear Obama's political campaign in future elections, and create attention over false information. It has escalated from a small scale issue, to its current status with the media, involving world leaders such as Donald Trump. Overall, this false information is only distracting the public from the important issues in our society. Glorifying this false information is only taking away from the true values one should seek from their political leaders.
Read Article Adressing the Issue

New York Times Co. v. United States

The Vietnam War gave rise to a massive amount of public protest. Daniel Ellsberg, who was opposed to the war, worked as a political scientist for the pentagon. in 1971 he stole and copied a classified paper which would later be known as the pentagon papers. He turned these classified documents over to the New York Times, who began publishing them. On june 15, the federal government was granted an order stopping the Times from publishing the papers. The case was appealed to the United States Supreme Court inn a matter of days, raising the question of weather its publication was a matter of national security. The courts 6 to 3 decision was issued per curiam. Justice Black wrote, " the press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the  people". I agree with the courts decsion on this case, although my opinion may change depending on the documents being released. I believe the people should have the right to see these documents, and understand what its government is doing.
Read more here

Gitlow v. New York

Benjamin Gitlow was convicted for violating the 1902 New York Criminal Anarchy Act. He was charged as a result of two publications, advocating "mass industrial revolts". He argued that the first amendment incorporated under the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment protected him. The United States Supreme Court found him guilty, in a 7 to 2 vote. Justice Edward Sanford concluded that "utterances advocating the overthrow of organized government by force, violence, and unlawful means" are unlawful.
I agree with the court decision on this case because someone advocating the overthrow of our government is a threat to the peace and well being of our country and people. Read more here

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas

Brown represented a collection of cases, all tied together in that black children had been denied admission to segregated white public schools. This case brought up the previous decision of Plessy v. Furguson, questioned weather separate but equal was constitutional. The court decided unanimously in favor of Brown. Chief Justice Warren decided that segregating schools " has a tendency to retard the educational and mental development of negro children and to deprive them of some of the benefits they would receive in a racially integrated school system". He concluded that separate but equal has no place in the field of education. I completely agree with the courts decision on this case. I believe everyone should have the equal right to a good education.
Read more about the case

Gideon v. Wainwright

in 1963, Clarence Earl Gideon was arrested for breaking in with intention to burglarize.  At his trial, he was refused a court appointed attorney, because the state of Florida did not provide attorneys for capital cases. Conducting his own defense, Gideon was sentenced to five years imprisonment. From prison, Gideon wrote a hand written petition requesting an appeal from the United States Supreme Court. His case was accepted by the court to examine the decision in Betts v. Brady, which established that council was not appointed for capital cases. The court decided in his favor, establishing that "any person haled into court, who is too poor to hire a lawyer, cannot be assured a fair trial unless counsel is provided for him". I completely agree with the courts decision to overturn the decision in Betts v. Brady. I find it shocking how they could expect someone with no previous experience to defend themselves properly in a court of law without any representation.

Read more here

Miranda v. Arizona

The Miranda decision was compiled from four similar cases with the same constitutional issue. In the main case, Ernesto Miranda was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona on charges of kidnapping and rape. After a long interrogation, he finally signed a written confession and was later found guilty. Miranda appealed to the United States Supreme Court, stating his fifth amendment right was violated: he should not be compelled to be a witness against himself. In a 5 to 4 split vote, the Supreme Court decided to overturn Miranda's conviction, claiming there must be procedural safeguards in order to protect the accused. I believe the court made the right decision on this case. Everyone accused of a crime must be read and aware their rights, and have an opportunity to be rightfully protected in an interrogation.
Read more on the case

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

In 1973, the University of California at Davis used separate admissions process for minority students. When Alan Bakke was refused admission, with a science grade point average slightly lower than average and a high aptitude test score, he sued the Regents for a place at the medical school. After the California Supreme Court decided in his favor, and ordered him admitted to the medical school, the Regents appealed to the United States Supreme Court.  After two separate 5 to 4 votes and majorities, the court ruled that the special admissions criteria for minority students violated the fourteenth amendment. The court decided that the Universities admission process imposed disadvantages to some, such as Bakke. I believe the court made the right decision. I feel that college admissions are a very important part of our modern society, and that everyone should have an equal opportunity to be accepted.

Read more about the case

Miller v. California

Miller was prosecuted for mailing out large numbers of sexually explicit brochures. The court voted in favor of California in a close 5 to 4 split. His case was appealed to the United States Supreme Court because he believed the first amendment guaranteed his right of free speech and free press. This being one of the first cases of its time, there were few regulations and standards for what could be released to the public. The courts decided to propose three new guidelines for offensive material, as well as leaving the determination of actual tests to local powers.  I believe this was the correct decision for the court to make. I was surprised by the 5-4 split, but I believe those justices were just standing up for the first amendment.
More on the case

Plessy v. Furguson

In 1890, Louisiana law required the railroads to "provide equal but separate accommodations for the white and colored races". The case of Plessy v. Furguson was centralized around this issue: Plessy, who was one eighth black, refused to move from the white section of the train, forcing law enforcement to arrest him. After losing his state court case, it was appealed to the United States Supreme. Plessy claimed his case was a violation of the thirteenth and fourteenth amendments. The courts ruled 7-1, with one member absent, that Plessy was guilty. I believe this was a result of the struggle between races during that time period. Many people in the south still had an influence from slavery that clouded their judgement. I think it was very courageous of the one judge, Justice John Harlan to stand up for what he believed in, and not support racism. 

Read more about the case: click here

United States v. Nixon

During President Nixon's 1974 reelection campaign, burglars broke into the Democratic National Committee who had alleged ties with the president. This led to a private investigation with a special prosecutor who would attempt to subpoena some private conversations from the oval office. The President was forced to turn over the tapes after a unanimous decision by the supreme court decided he did not have the executive privilege to refuse. I completely agree with the courts decision and believe that the president should not have the right to hide the tapes. The court found that the Presidents claims that the documents were confidential and that the principle of separation of powers was not enough to win the argument.

Roe v. Wade

While the sate does have the peoples safety and best interest in mind, the government must follow the rules of the constitution. In the case of abortions, the government does want to protect the unborn child, but also must look out for the best interest of the parent. In the case of Roe v. Wade, Jane Roe made the case to a Texas judge that a fetus was not a person  in the eyes of the law, and therefor she should have the right to an abortion, and that her decision to get an abortion  should be protected by the right of privacy.

The Final Product: Community Service Paper

Part I:

 When most people think of the issues of homelessness and hunger, the first thing that comes to mind is often the massive homeless populations crowding third world countries. It is true that roughly 98 percent of the world’s homeless population occurs in underdeveloped countries, but many forget about the remaining two percent of that population (2011 World Hunger). The most recent study by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that 925 million people across the world are undernourished (2011 World Hunger). These people who are undernourished, are not receiving the essential elements to maintain or promote normal growth and health. I focused my efforts on helping the homeless population in my local area, the remaining two percent of the statistic, which many often overlook.

The issue I addressed for my senior year community service project was the hunger and homeless problem in the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite our reputation of being the center of high technology, there is a segment in our affluent population is neglected and need of our help. The Alameda County Food Bank reports serving 250,000 unduplicated individuals each year, or one in six Alameda County residents (Crossman). The study also showed that these numbers are steadily increasing, and that the number of children in need of emergency food is rising at a disproportional rate.  It is important for our community to be active, and support these underserved communities by volunteering with organizations such as the Alameda County Food Bank, that provide meals for thousands of people in need in the East Bay. These organizations are one of main solutions we have to profound issues such as hunger and homelessness, and they depend on community volunteers and funding to survive. It is important for our community to give back to those who are less fortunate. Donations are a major source of the food that arrives to the food bank and the logistics behind what can be distributed among those in need. While some of the food is donated as fresh produce, the food bank relies on the many canned goods and nonperishable donations by food drives at local schools and businesses. This is a simple contribution that allows our entire community to give back with little effort. A simple cash or food donation can go a long way to support those in desperate need. Another way for people in our community to lend their support is by volunteering. The food banks and other organizations which support the homeless rely on volunteers to help package and distribute food, due to limited funds available for employees. The food bank also relies on corporate sponsorships to raise funds. It is important to give back and donate to the community in any way possible.

Part II:

Although it may seem like the Federal government has little affect on he homeless and hungry, the bills and budget cuts created in Washington have serious affects in all social classes; “As if the proposed California state cuts aren't enough, Oakland also is about to feel the wrath of the federal government's budget cuts. That's because under the budget proposals offered by both the White House and the U.S. Congress, the city stands to lose millions of dollars for some of its bread-and-butter social programs” (Ward). The series of cuts would include the city’s homeless and community development grants, called Head Start. The state government plays a key role in the struggle to end hunger and homelessness as well: “State policymakers administer a range of nutrition assistance and feeding programs including food stamps, WIC, school lunch, school breakfast, after school and summer feeding programs” (). These programs provide the solution for many hungry Americans lacking the money to support themselves. Many of these programs are linked with schools, providing children with the food they need to survive.

One issue we have talked about in class that may directly affect the future of these programs is the California budget crisis, as well as the national debt. The budget cuts across the board in California have forced elected officials to make cuts on our government spending, which include the food banks and other hunger organizations; “State lawmakers appropriate funds for many of these programs and often provide discretionary funds for food banks and pantries” (Steisel). Our state elected officials must understand that people rely on these food sources, and without the proper funding these organizations cannot survive. The people who they represent must do their part in this also, making sure their opinions on the matter are heard. People can make their opinions heard by simply writing letters to their local government leaders, governors, and even Congress representatives. State elected officials, as well as community leaders and city officials, such as mayors, play a key role as well. It is their job to engage the public on these issues, making them aware of hunger issues and how they can lend a helping hand.

I feel that my own Lamorinda community does a fairly good job at making citizens aware of hunger issues and donating toward this cause. The schools in our district, ranging from elementary to high school, run food donation programs that supply food for the Contra Costa Food Bank. At my elementary school, the teachers did a great job of providing an incentive for the students to donate. The class with the most donations, of both cans and cash, would be able to spend the day helping load the truck and bringing the food to the Food Bank. At my high school, I personally worked at the food bank as a volunteer with my athletic team. We had the chance to participate directly in helping others at the food bank. I feel that involving the schools in this program provides the opportunity for teachers to educate their students on these issues. The community must be aware of the problem to take action to help solve it. And involving students brings the message home to not only to the kids, but to their parents who are potential donors.

Part III:

I focused my community service efforts in two locations, both volunteering at the Alameda County Food Bank and serving food to the homeless at a local East Bay church. First, I volunteered feeding the homeless on a Saturday at St. Mark's Church in Berkeley. As I arrived at the church, I was surprised to see about 50 to 75 people waiting outside the door in the pouring rain, waiting to be let in and served food. I was assigned the job of a server at three of the many tables set up in the dinning hall. The church had prepared a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for patrons, including turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and some small side dishes. I was shocked by how good the meal looked, based on the huge amount of people they needed to serve. Finally, after some preparation, we opened the doors, and people began to flood into the building, filling the seats quickly. All of the servers then started bringing plates around to every table, at which we had placed an equal amount of food. All of the homeless people I served were very grateful for the meal they had received. They were polite and thankful. We then started serving seconds, which almost every person asked for, sometimes multiple times. After the food was gone, and everyone had left, we finished up our work by cleaning off the tables and putting everything away. Overall, I thought it was a good experience, and it gave me the chance to understand how fortunate I am, and how important it is to give back to my community.

In my second volunteering opportunity, for this project,  I  worked at the Alameda County Food Bank. The Food Bank was organized in a completely different way than the church in which I previously volunteered. I was expecting to see a large warehouse where all of the food was being delivered and distributed. I was certainly not expecting the large office space and staff they had dedicated to helping those in need. After getting a short tour of the Food Bank, I arrived at the enormous warehouse in the back of a building where I would be spending my volunteer hours. I was assigned the job of bagging apples, which would later be distributed across the county to those in need. At the end of the day, the group I had been working with bagged a total of over 3,000 pounds of apples!

After our volunteer work, the Food Bank personnel took us into the office area of the building where they showed a PowerPoint presentation outlining the type of work the Food Bank performs, and how volunteers can help. The presentation revealed some startling facts that brought the Bay Area hunger problem into perspective; “In 2010, the Food Bank distributed 20.1 million pounds of food – 52% of it fresh fruits and vegetables... The Food Bank distributes enough food for 300,000 meals weekly”(Crossman). I never understood how significant this issue was in my very own community. Every day, thousands of people in the Bay Area alone, struggle to find their next meal. I believe both local and federal government action is necessary to resolve or improve this problem. The current government action of providing food stamps and setting up small programs such as a school lunch are not providing enough of a solution to the problem. It is time for our local, state, and federal government agencies to recognize the issue of hunger and homelessness, and provide a answer.

Government programs could be set up, similar to food bank organizations, that could distribute food to those in need. In San Francisco, the mayor has established a program, “Care Not Cash”, that he says is responsible for a 28% drop in the homeless population (Fagan). This project aims to provide the homeless with housing and counseling, versus giving them money which may be spent for alternative motives. I believe that programs like Care not Cash may provide the solution to our homeless and hunger problems in the Bay Area. We must set an example for the rest of the world on how this issue can be overcome.

The homeless population as well as the thousands of people that go hungry in the Bay Area every day rely on resources made available by volunteers. It is important for our community to understand that any time, money, or food they donate goes a long way to benefit those in need. It is up to the community to solve this issue, by not only helping at a local level but contributing to the changes necessary on the state and federal level. Corporate sponsors are also a great source of donation for the Food Bank but local businesses and restaurants can also make a positive impact on feeding those in need in their local communities. Giving back to your community is something that not only individuals must participate in, but corporations and even small businesses.

The Community Service Project provided the incentive I needed to get involved in our community aid programs. This was my first experience working at a food bank or a homeless shelter, and both were very eye opening experiences. The opportunities taught me the importance of giving back to those who are less fortunate. I was shocked by the statistics I came across during my research. It made me aware of the huge problem our community, state, country, and even the world faces. The individuals I was able to meet while volunteering at the homeless shelter provided a unique opportunity to get a sense of what it is like to be in a situation were you are not sure when your next meal may come. Talking to these people gave me a chance to connect with them and understand they are no different from any other person. Many are hard workers that have struggled as a result of the bad economy or as a result of job loss or a catastrophic medical emergency in their family. Some may feel that to be homeless means that one must have a mental or other disability. But I found that many are simply victims of our current economy or of some personal misfortune.  I know that if I found myself in that situation, I would love to know there are people and organizations dedicated to helping. This project has provided me with an incentive to continue my support and volunteer hours. I now understand that I can make a difference in my community, and I have the opportunity to help change someone’s life in a positive way. Hunger and homelessness are not problems just seen in my community, they are global problems, and will require global effort to be solved.

The Bay Area Hunger Problem

The issue of hunger is a problem that most see as a foreign concept. the first thing that may come to mind is all of the poor underdeveloped countries crowded with homeless people. What you may not think, is that this problem is ever present in our local community.

"We concluded that the Alameda County Food Bank served 40,000 unduplicated individuals each week; that figure is now 49,000-a growth rate of 23%"   Read More

 With the huge amount of volunteer hours and donations, statistics like this are made possible. It is through the education of the people that this problem will be solved. It is important to always give back to those who are less fortunate in your community.

A Global Problem: World Hunger

Number of hungry people, 1969-2010

Source: FAO

"In round numbers there are 7 billion people in the world. Thus, with an estimated 925 million hungry people in the world, 13.1 percent, or almost 1 in 7 people are hungry." Read More

The statistics about the global hunger problem are startling. Roughly 98 percent of the malnutrition people in the world come from underdeveloped countries. Malnutrition in underdeveloped countries affects about 32.5 of children, or one in three. It is important for these underdeveloped countries to understand their huge problem, and take action to help stop it. 

World Hunger

Every day thousands of people across the world go hungry and undernourished. About 98 percent of the hunger population comes from people in undeveloped countries.

Number of hungry people in the world

925 million hungry people in 2010
READ MORE

It is estimated that by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization that about "925 million people are undernourished". The issue of hunger is a global problem that will take a global effort to solve. In order for this to happen, people must be educated on the issue, and the government must take steps to improve its support. 

Alameda County Food Bank

I had the opportunity to learn a lot about the bay area hunger problem while volunteering at the Alameda County Food Bank. After finishing my volunteer work, the director showed us a powerpoint presentation explaining the Food Banks role in the Solution, and showing various statistics about the hunger problem.

"In 2010, the Food Bank distributed 20.1 million pounds of food – 52% of it fresh fruits and vegetables. The Food Bank distributes enough food for 300,000 meals weekly."      read more:

Working at the Food Bank made me aware of the huge amounts of volunteer work and donations needed to keep it running. It is important for people to give back to those who are less fortunate in their community.

The State Governments role in Hunger Issues

Although it may not seem like the state government is very involved with the hunger problem, they do organize food programs and supply funds. 

 "State policymakers administer a range of nutrition assistance and feeding programs including food stamps, WIC, school lunch, school breakfast, afterschool and summer feeding programs"  Read More

 Along with administering these programs, the state government also gives funds to food banks and pantries which supply food to those in need. It is important for state elected officials to educate the people about our hunger issues and inform them how they can help solve the problem. 

Bay Area Hunger Issues

"The recession boosted San Franciscans' reliance on food assistance in the year ended Aug. 31, even as the number of homeless stayed stable, according to a December report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Overall, San Francisco distributed 42.2 million pounds of food to food pantries and emergency kitchens last year, up 16% from the previous year, the report found. That echoed nationwide findings, with all but one of the 25 cities surveyed saying they distributed more food last year than in 2009. City officials say that to reduce hunger, San Francisco needs more affordable housing, higher food-stamp payments and changes to federal assistance that would reflect the high cost of living here, according to the report. At the same time, the number of homeless people stayed the same as last year -- at more than 6,000, according to the San Francisco Human Services Agency -- and emergency shelters didn't turn anyone away.

Departing Mayor Gavin Newsom is credited by community advocates with finding housing for thousands of formerly homeless people, which might have helped keep homelessness levels stable. San Francisco is one of 12 cities with stable or lower homelessness numbers in 2010, according to the report." To The Link

The Falling Middle Class

Social service providers have noticed a new class of homeless people resulting from the depression, that would normally be thriving in the economy. As a result of the recent decline in the economy, middle class workers are struggling to keep their jobs. Less opportunities are available in the work place due to budget cuts and downsizing, leaving many capable workers jobless as they search for employment.

"Homelessness across the entire nation is soaring, and experts say most of that growth is among people like Conroy - middle- to lower-middle-income workers - or families. But here's the tricky thing: They aren't all showing up in shelters yet." Read More

 It is important that our communities support these "newly homeless", and help get them reemployed and self sufficient. Along with volunteer help, I feel it is important for the government to help with the responsibility. Programs such as care not cash help homeless people get back on their feet, providing them with shelter and counseling.

San Francisco's Care Not Cash Program

In SanFrancisco, the mayor has established a program that he says is responsible for a 28% drop in the homeless population. This project aims to provide the homeless with housing and counseling, versus giving them money which may be spent for alternative motives. Although the mayor does claim such a high decrease in homelessness, some programs still project their numbers at normal levels, "It's an outrageous undercount, politically motivated,We've been looking at encampments and visit 15 different sites a week, and the numbers may have dropped a little, but we have not seen as dramatic a drop." Read More

I think it is important for homeless programs to focus their efforts to make sure they benefit the poor in the most crucial ways. The city has set up a perfect example of this with the care not cash program. Although the numbers projected by the mayor may not be as exact as some believe, what is important is that steps are being taken to support those in need.

Homeless Problems in the City, SF

According to a fourteen year long homeless survey in San Francisco by UCSF, hospitals will soon be crowded with homeless people. Studies have shown that the average age of homeless people in San Francisco has increased by nine years, from 37 to 46 during the years of the survey. 

According to the assistant professor running the study, "The already-troubling health issues for these older street people are not going to go away. They will just get worse, and we will see them in increasing numbers in our hospitals,If they don't go into the hospitals, many will simply die from living outside. Giving them a residence with on-site health care available will go a long way toward avoiding these troubles." This is a problem that takes the work of volunteers to solve. It is important that everyone is aware of the huge impact they can have on a homeless persons life by simply dedicating some of your time. It is essential for the homeless people suffering in San Francisco to receive help such as healthcare and housing.

Read More

The Lasting Effects of the Tsunami

Tokyo issued a warning on Wednesday for infants in Tokyo and surrounding areas not to drink tap water because of a high level of radiation detected in the water supply. Ei Yoshida, head of water purification for the Tokyo water department stated in his news conference,

"Iodine-131 had been detected in water samples at a level of 210 becquerels per liter, about a quart. The recommended limit for infants is 100 becquerels per liter. For adults, the recommended limit is 300 becquerels."

 Although the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on the fourteenth were so devastating, the effects of the radiation released as a result of the collapse of nuclear reactors will be a problem not just Japan, but the world will continue to see throughout the future.

The Allies Fight Back

The United States has recently decided to join the allies in the fight against Libya's dictator Qaddafi. The allies have established a no fly zone over Libya and have been taking out anti-aircraft weapons using tomahawk missiles. On Wednesday, after destroying these targets, the allies began targeting military units loyal to the dictator.

Muammar Qaddafi expressed his determination not to back down to his supporters on Saturday;

"We will not surrender. We will defeat them by any means. We are ready for the fight, whether it will be a short or a long one. We will be victorious in the end,This assault is by a bunch of fascists who will end up in the dustbin of history." Read More

Hunger Problems Around the World

The issue of hunger and malnutrition is a problem encountered in every corner of the world. Every day thousands of people die from starvation, and millions more are effected as a result of an inconsistent food supply. While the rich over consume, millions of people live in poverty without the essentials of life;

"The United States constitutes about 6% of the world's population and consumes about 40% of the world's resources.  "

It is important for people to recognize how fortunate they are, and understand the potential help they can provide to those who are less fortunate and in desperate need.

"At least ¾ of a billion people suffer from some form of malnutrition, and about 50,000 people die each day as a result of malnutrition." Read More

I have focused my community service efforts to support the issue of hunger, and in particular, the issue of Bay Area hunger. By working at the Alameda County food bank and St. Mark's Church serving the homeless, I have tried to make an effect on these hunger statistics. The issue of hunger and malnutrition is a problem that can be solved with the help and support of communities, nations, and the world as a whole.

Oil Prices Continue to Rise

As a result of the unstable situation within the government of Libya, the world has seen a steady increase in oil prices. Although Libya may not produce the huge amounts of oil that countries like Saudi Arabia does, the recent uprisings in the middle east suggest instability. As a result of the civil war in Libya, with Muammar Qaddafi trying to resist being taken over by rebels, the world has lost only less than one percent of its crude oil production. Even though this seems like such an insignificant amount, the result it had on the market and the rest of the world was far more significant;

"Crude oil futures have risen more than 20 percent...In the past six months, gas prices have climbed more than 70 cents, but in the past two weeks alone, they're up 34 cents". Read More

 One explanation for this significant rise in oil prices could be a concern that Saudi Arabia and other major oil supplying countries may deal with similar situations as Egypt and Libya.If this happened, there could potentially be a serious world crisis for oil. The collapse of the Saudi oil production would affect world gas prices as well as almost every other industry because of the heavy reliance on oil.

The Republican Party

Although I may not completely agree with some of the Republican parties policies, they do have many strengths that gain the support of many American citizens. The Republican party takes an opposite approach on tax reform compared to the tax raises supported by Democrats; "Cut taxes to stimulate economy and help families". Read more    

One weakness I believe the Republican party has is their lack of interest in environmental conservation. The Democratic party takes a much stronger stand on environmental issues, which will continue to become more significant as the effects of global warming enhance. Read More
One final weakness I see in the republican party is their lack of incentives to use alternative energy sources. I think it is a major mistake for the Republican party to oppose the kyoto protocol, which plans to reduce carbon emissions through the support of many nations across the globe.

The Democratic Party

The Democratic party takes an approach to politics that I believe benefits the people. Many Democratic beliefs are based on equality and regulation. I think this is a major strength for the party that attracts many working class citizens. Democrats typically "Support an increase taxes on the wealthy to pay for public programs".   Read more 
Another strength I believe the Democrats have over the Republicans, is their answer to the major national problem of health care. The Democrats have a solution that will provide affordable health care for many Americans in need: " President Obama fulfilled a promise that Democrats have pursued for nearly a century: making health care available to all Americans" Read More Here
One of the weaknesses I believe the Democratic party has is their tendency to raise taxes. Although the money raised from these taxes supports infrastructure, many citizens don't support tax raises. The Democrats have come up with a system for taxation that attempts to help lower class workers who struggle to pay high taxes; "Taxes should not be used to increase the gap between the very wealthy and the very poor in the United States. Giving tax breaks to the rich while unloading the weight onto the shoulders of the poor, is wrong." Read More

A Healthcare Plan for the Homeless

20 years ago UC Berkeley students began to serve the homeless using a suitcase full of medical supplies. This idea has now expanded into a series of clinics set up in Berkeley, dedicated to providing basic healthcare for homeless adults and children. Students at UC Santa Cruz have adopted the mobile suitcase clinic idea as a way to support the homeless community in Santa Cruz, which accounts for one percent of the population.

"By giving our basic services and being mobile we can find out what is needed,” Petraki said. “Our goal is to fill in the gaps of what other clinics aren’t providing, like the free services.” Read More

 These students are providing the homeless with additional care other than what is offered by many food banks and community organizations. The student volunteers are reaching out to the homeless by providing mobile services that do not require people to make appointments. This program is run as a result of volunteer work and donated supplies. It is important for communities to continue to set up creative help opportunities such as the mobile suitcase clinic.

My Political Party

 
South-You are a Southerner-an egalitarian-which means that you advocate an increased role for the government in the economic realm. You are more or less pleased the government's role in the personal realm.

Community Service

My next volunteer job for my community service project of Bay Area hunger, was working at the Alameda County Food bank. This event was set up by my high school soccer coach, and I worked along side my teammates. We were assigned to the job of bagging apples that would later be distributed to those in need. After our work was finished, we were given the opportunity to learn some more about the issue of Bay Area Hunger. The Alameda County Food Bank had a presentation set up for us that revealed many interesting facts about our local hunger problems that were very startling. Some of these facts included statistics such as one out of every five people in the Bay Area has received help from the Alameda county food bank. Facts like this really made me aware that hunger was not an issue seen in poor third world counties, but it is also a major issue seen locally. Overall, we ended up bagging over 3,000 pounds of apples during our time spent at the food bank.  It is important to educate people about these issues that affect millions of people across the world.

My Community Service

So far, I have focused my community service efforts in two specific ways. First, I volunteered at feeding the homeless at St. Mark's Church in Berkeley. As I arrived at the church, I was surprised to see so many homeless people waiting outside the door in the pouring rain, waiting to be let in and served food. I was assigned the job of a server at three of the many tables set up in the dinning hall. The church had prepared a traditional thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, including turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and some small sides. I was shocked how good the meal looked based on the huge amount of people they needed to serve. finally, after some preparation, we opened the doors, and people began to flood in to the building, filling up the seats quickly. All of the servers then started bringing plates around to every table, which we had placed an equal amount of food on. All of the homeless people I served were all very grateful for what they had received. We then started serving seconds, which almost every person asked for, sometimes multiple times. After the food was gone, and everyone had left, we finished up by cleaning off the tables and putting everything away. Overall, I thought it was a good experience, and it gave me the chance to understand how fortunate I am, and how important it is to give back too your community.

Community Service Work

I decided to focus on the issue of hunger for my community service work. This is a major issue seen across the world, that affects many and is responsible for thousands of deaths every year. What most people don't realize, is that these problems are not only present in rural countries infested with poverty, but are also very present in our local communities in the United States and similar countries.

"Over 500,000 people are at risk of hunger every month. About 38-percent of this number are children"     Read More: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=resources/lifestyle_community/community&id=3283664

 I decided to focus my community service efforts more specifically, choosing to contribute my help on the issue of bay area hunger problems. So far, I have helped serve food to the homeless in Berkley, as well as bagging food at a food bank. This is only the start of my efforts, and I plan to continue providing my help where it is needed.