Bogus Beauty

Over the years, the perception of beauty has greatly changed for many people. Nowadays, the definition of beauty has shaped itself into a person being flawless from head to toe. Photographers of models and celebrities have started to use technology, such as photo shop, to alter one’s natural beauty from a simplistic retouching of “a stray hair put in place” to an extravagant change of “shedding ten or twenty pounds” off a person’s body! Hany Faird, a computer science professor and a digital forensics expert, says anyone can be made “beautiful” because once you “fix one thing, then another, pretty soon you end up with Barbie,” which goes to show how misleading and immodest these retouched images can appear.  These impeccable pictures posted on magazines, television ads and billboards have sparked feminist legislators in Britain, France, and Norway to want digitally altered photos to be labeled because they are adamant to ones self-image and display false views of beauty. Dr. Farid along with a Ph.D student, Eric Kee, in computer science felt so strongly towards the alterations of photos that they are proposing a unique software tool. This software tool will be used for measuring, on a scale of one to five, how much beauty and fashion photos have been altered. This software tool will help separate the real pictures from the digitally edited fake images that are displayed in magazines, billboards and advertisements. 

In my opinion, I strongly feel that pictures displayed to the public that have been extremely altered should be labeled. People need to realize that these beautiful pictures, which show models being “perfect,” require extreme measures of editing. Labeling pictures permits the public to understand that an image has been altered and that the person didn’t really look flawless in reality. Many people base how they want to look on these pictures and they will do anything to achieve those looks. Some people have eating disorders because they have a low self esteem looking at these pictures and are willing to risk put their health and safety at risk. Everyone needs to realize that you can be beautiful with the skin your in.  Falsity doesn’t make you any different; it only makes you appear different. I don’t see why anyone would feel the need to appear as something they aren’t because all they’re doing is being non-genuine to them selves. I know I’m not perfect. I don’t wear a size zero, my eyes are kind of small, and my nose has a bump on it, but I’m okay with that. For me, it’s the quality of my character that makes a difference. I think celebrity magazines and photo shopped images astray from this crucial point. They misrepresent an ideal figure and the way every person should look. This is why I strongly agree with labeling pictures that have been altered. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/technology/software-to-rate-how-drastically-photos-are-retouched.html?_r=2

LOHR, STEVE. "Software to Rate How Drastically Photos Are Retouched - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/technology/software-to-rate-how-drastically-photos-are-retouched.html?_r=2>.

The Bullying Stops Here

Everyday we hear stories about people who have committed suicide because they have been tortured and tormented by school bullies. Recently, the death of a woman’s fifteen year old daughter, Marjorie Raymond, has left her mother questioning how the tragedy of losing her daughter could have been prevented. In the suicide note that her upset mother had released, Marjorie placed responsibility on her classmates for making her life “unbearable” due to the bullying she had been facing for the past three years. She also mentioned in her suicide note that “it’s the fault of the jealous people who want to destroy my happiness,” which displays that the bullying was taken too far and it greatly transformed her self-image. Due to many similar cases in the past, Ontario premier, Dalton McGuinity has recently presented a legislation that would subject schoolyard bullies to “tougher measures.” This legislation outlined “inappropriate behavior,” such as gender-based violence, sexual assault, bullying, and situations linked to homophobia would impose a legal reasonability on school boards to take powerful measures against bullies, including expulsion. Most reactions to the bill have been positive. McGuinity is hoping this new bill will result in less children feeling hopeless and will not resort to extreme measure in order to break loose from the pain.

I think that this new bill being introduced is the best thing that anyone has tried to enforce! Everyday at school I see at least one person being bullied. Sometimes I even witness friends bullying their friends as a joke making ludicrous comments like “you’re ugly” or “your fat,” which seems really absurd for a friend to say. However, it does happen and I think that bullies that go to the extent of verbally and physically breaking someone down are cowards. They have nothing better to do in life so they go and ruin other people’s lives by committing heinous acts. Often in life many of us don’t realize how powerful our words can be, until a situation has already gotten so far out of our reach to fix. Throughout my years in elementary school I encountered many situations where I was bullied by fellow classmates because of my religion. Honestly, I remember going home at times and crying because the bullying had gotten so out of control. For the majority of the time, a teacher simply giving a person a warning is not enough. I think that the introduction of this bill will help people rethink their actions before following through with them because there will be harsher consequences.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/will-new-legislation-stop-bullying-problem-in-school-.html

 Will new legislation stop bullying problem in school? | Daily Brew - Yahoo! News." Yahoo! News Canada - Latest News & Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Dec. 2011. <http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/will-new-legislation-stop-bullying-problem-in-school-.html>.

Ottawa makes a controversial move on Attawapiskat finances

 

The Attawapiskat in northern Ontario has been placed under third-party management by the federal government. The federal government has taken control of the funding for the reserve and has ordered an audit to find out where federal funds have been spent. John Duncan, Aboriginal Affairs Minister, was filled with strong emotions of frustration towards the government of Canada because funding which is “normally managed by the First Nations directly,” is being taken away from their community. John Duncan told the House of Commons that “urgent health and safety issues,” are requiring immediate action as the James Bay community continues to struggle with a housing crisis. This housing crisis was declared, by the Attawapiskat, a month ago. Many residents are living  in construction trailers or shacks that are not insulated nor have running water. These are poor conditions for any human being to be prone to. When Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence first heard about this news she was shocked to the say the least. She said, “to put us in third party while we’re in crisis, that’s very shameful and a disgrace from the government,” which I strongly agree with. Stephen Harper responded to all the comments and feelings that have built up in regard to the issue by saying that “the government had spent some $90 million on Attawapiskat since he entered office in 2006,” which sounds very obnoxious to say.

I don’t think the government is doing the best and most efficient job they “can for ensuring the reserve is operating properly and meeting the public health standards.” I feel that the First Nations people are not being listened to or treated fairly. They are being ignored and the government is thinking about what is beneficial to them selves. For example, the First Nations people have clearly stated that they are experiencing housing problems; however it doesn’t seem as though the government is caring too much about it. All they are focusing on is figuring out where federal funding has been spent, which I find to be ridiculous! Looking at the way the government is handling this issue and the way that the First Nations are living in conditions with no education, water, or housing might leave people reconsidering if Canada could be considered a third world country. Personally, I think that Canada is a well developed country compared to countries such as Africa or Afghanistan. Everyone may not be living in riches; however there isn’t any place in the world where you don’t have people who are struggling to find ways to survive. A third world country is one that is less advanced and Canada has a decent economy and they do have free health care so I don’t think it could be portrayed as a third world country. Also, the comment that Stephen Harper made about “the government spending $90 million on Attawapiskat since he entered office in 2006,” doesn’t shed a bright light on the government. The fact that the government isn’t providing any financial training or education in this area shows the government’s lack of concern for the development of the Attawapiskat community. If they had provided some sort of financial education then this problem wouldn’t have escalated out of hand.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/11/30/attawapiskat-wednesday.html

"Attawapiskat finances put under 3rd-party control - Canada - CBC News."CBC.ca - Canadian News Sports Entertainment Kids Docs Radio TV. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2011. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/11/30/attawapiskat-wednesday.html>.

Love Lockdown

We have all seen that cute couple in our life that’s always together holding hands, giggling away and brining out the best in each other. Couples are always looking for ways to show off their everlasting love. A new trend of attaching padlocks to bridges or fences appears to be gaining popularity in Toronto. However, before this new fad could get started, the city of Toronto has put a stop to it. At the Humber River foot bridge, according to the Toronto Star, a crew of workers showed up carrying lock cutters to cut a couple dozen locks that were attached to the bridge’s cables. Now, only three remain.  Kevin Bowser, city parks manager, said that the main concern with all these locks being attached to the bridge is that " they just don't look good,” especially when they start to rust. Furthermore, he mentioned that part of the reason for removing all the locks was that “structural problems” may arise if lots of people start to leave locks on the bridge. Although Toronto is against the idea, in other countries bridges and gates are filled with locks. Couples who are deeply in love often write a note on the lock and throw away the key, which represents locking their love eternally. For example, the Lovelocks website reads, “around the world cities from Moscow to Rome are filled with fences, gates and poles adorned with padlocks.” These locks “connect people” around the world with the one thing that unites everyone: love.

I simply don’t see anything wrong with couples in love putting a lock on a gate or bridge to represent their “physical embodiment of emotions,” that they feel for one another. It’s actually adorable! I think that it’s silly for the City of Toronto to put a stop to these locks being put up because they are not causing anyone physical or emotional harm. People who are deeply in love with each other are expressing themselves not only to their significant other, but for the whole world to see! It’s a very artistically creative way going about expressing oneself. All around the world people have various ways of expressing their love for people. Some people engrave their names into a tree at a young age and come back years later to experience the feelings they felt for that person at a certain point. Everyone has their own way of showing off their love. I don’t think it’s fair to take away the sense of happiness someone gets from putting a lock on a gate.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/city-toronto-halts-lovelocks-fad-humber-river-foot-201428156.html;_ylt=Aqial8RMNZWLxcyhfqLFWDSTssB_;_ylu=X3oDMTFncWJzY28yBG1pdANCbG9nIEluZGV4IGJ5IEJsb2cEcG9zAzk2BHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dJbmRleA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFvZzc0cXR2BGludGwDY2EEbGFuZwNlbi1jYQRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

Chittley , Jordan . "City of Toronto halts new Lovelocks fad on Humber River foot bridge." Yahoo News. N.p., 10 Dec. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. <ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/city-toronto-halts-lovelocks-fad-humber-river-foot-201428156.html;_ylt=Aqial8RMNZWLxcyhfqLFWDSTssB_;_ylu=X3oDMTFncWJzY28yBG1pdANCbG9nIEluZGV4IGJ5IEJsb2cEcG9zAzk2BHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dJbmRleA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFvZzc0cXR2BGludGwDY2E

The person behind the computer screen

The next time you use social websites you may want to think twice about who you're talking to. A twenty year old man has been arrested and may possibly face charges of sexual interference associated with a thirteen year old girl from Chilliwack. The parents of the girl, whose name is not yet being mentioned, came to the police complaining that their daughter had been involved in a sexual relationship with a man from Surrey. The girl had met the guy through online social website like Facebook and Peer to Peer. The two had multiple conversations where they shared explicit picture of themselves with one another. Later on, the two met face to face more than one time where sexual offences were committed. The man was arrested and released from custody under condition that he would have no association with the young girl. 

Although this story is short and simple, I like the message it portrays. Many of us put ourselves onto the internet for everyone to see. We use networking sites daily to communicate and share personal information with people we know or people we haven't met in person. There is a certain risk we take exposing ourselves to billions of people to see. For example, the girl mentioned in this article was under aged and the man who was talking to her took advantage of that. He knew that this girl was under aged because they had met in person, yet he still got involved with her sexually. Through the several conversations he had with this young girl who knows what he could have said. He could have misled the girl into believing he loved her when in reality he just wanted her for sex. This goes to show how misleading people can be, regardless of how they appear to be over the internet. Anyone can pretend to be nice through a computer screen and hide their true intentions, which is why it’s important for people to understand all the risks involved with talking to strangers over the internet. Personally, I stay away from the computer as much as I can. I don’t post my pictures or give out any personal information over the internet. I feel uncomfortable exposing myself to so many people in the world because I simply have never met them. I would never talk to any strangers over the internet either, let alone meet up with them in person. I think it’s hazardous to not just my safety, but anyone’s safety who tries this. Hopefully the girl took away a life lesson from this experience and the man has no intentions of trying anything like this again in the future.

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Surrey+faces+charges+with+year+Chilliwack+girl/5867095/story.html

Province, The. "Surrey man faces charges for sex with 13-year-old Chilliwack girl." The Province | Latest Breaking News | Business | Sports | Canada Daily News. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. <http://www.theprovince.com/news/Surrey

Fake it to make it

People in the world will go to great lengths for any amount of money they can get their hands on. Money was the motivation for a forty-six year old Swedish man who coerced his daughter to fake she had autism in order to qualify for public assistance. The father of the daughter has been sentenced to four years in prison for committing such a vile act. He told the Nation Social Insurance Agency and local authorities, from 2003 to 2010, his daughter often struggled to express herself and acted “infantile.” He mentioned that she was solely able to communicate with body language and sounds. He further went to say this lead to her diagnosis of autism. The government distributed him around $3,574 a week, for support. The girl who is currently eighteen years old ran away from home with her boyfriend and informed the police about what her father had been doing. The girl was examined and was found to have a high level of mental ability and was not autistic. In total, her father received about $343,100 in public benefits for his daughter, but is now facing a long and miserable four years in prison. 

I think that this man is a disgrace to humanity. His actions go to show how greedy and insensitive a person can be just to receive any sum of money. This man faked that his daughter had autism, which isn't right in any situation! There are people who suffer from this disorder and it's not something you go around pretending someone. People who have this disorder face many challenges throughout their daily lives and for people to fake not just autism, but any disorder is cruel. I think that justice has been served and this man will have four long years, ahead of him, to think about what he did. I also think that he should genuinely apologize for what he has done. 

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/12/15/Dad-gets-prison-for-daughters-fake-autism/UPI-47651323965982/

"Dad gets prison for daughter's fake autism - UPI.com." Latest news, Latest News Headlines, news articles, news video, news photos - UPI.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. <http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/12/15/Dad-gets-prison-for-daughters-fake-autism/UPI-47651323965982/>.

The ice is melting!

 A recent report shows that Arctic sea ice has significantly declined in the last fifty years than it has over the course of a millennium and a half, which means our polar bears, will become priceless. In the leading scientific journal, “Nature,” the study declares that the current decline has lasted longer than any previous sea ice drop and “man-made factors,” are to blame not “natural processes.” Christian Zdanowicz, author of the study, and his team used many different methods to examine elements such as ocean sediments, tree rings and ice cores from glaciers to compare their data with previous observations that have been recorded from the last couple of centuries. With their data they have concluded that the rise in air and water temperature in the last fifty years has greatly dominated the changed we are now seeing in the Arctic Ocean. According to experts, climate change is happening quicker in the Arctic Ocean compared to anywhere else on the planet, which is scientifically proven by the sea ice levels declining. If all the ice slowly melts many of the northern ecosystems will be affected. For example, our “$6.3 billion dollar polar bears,” require the sea ice because it’s a part of their habitat. If the sea ice is gone then the population of the poplar bears, along with the region’s plant life will start to dwindle at mass rates, as well.

As the reality of climate change sinks in I am starting to grow more agitated about what will become of our planet. This is not a new issue that has been brought up. Many of us have known about climate change, including myself, and we have sat back watching it slowly consume us. However, I find it odd that the scramble for solutions hasn’t begun yet. What exactly are we waiting for? I think that there are so many things that the human population can do in order to make a difference and reduce their carbon imprint. For example, we can do the simplest of things such as walking instead of driving a vehicle or we can start buying locally grown produce. As a human population I feel like there is so much we can do to deal with problems associated with climate change. We just need the determination to get the wheels in motion.  Honestly, I try to do something good for the planet everyday. Sometimes I carpool with a friend to school or I take a quick shower instead of a bath. I think that if everyone tried to do one good deed for the planet a day then we wouldn’t have this problem of climate change we are all suffering from now. Regardless of all the evidence that is being presented to people many believe that climate change is not really happening, which I find is stupid. It feels like everyone needs wake up and see the evidence that is being presented right before their eyes! The polar bears could become extinct and the finger points directly at us humans. If we fail to change, there will be major consequences for our planet. 

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/arctic-sea-ices-hit-low-says-scientific-report-182231670.html;_ylt=AqtSEhofREGSq6_aZV78yUOTssB_;_ylu=X3oDMTFndXBobmZsBG1pdANCbG9nIEluZGV4IGJ5IEJsb2cEcG9zAzczBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dJbmRleA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFvZzc0cXR2BGludGwDY2EEbGFuZwNlbi1jYQRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3#more-id

"Arctic Sea Ice." Arctic sea ices hit new low, says scientific report. N.p., 25 Nov. 2011. Web. 26 Nov. 2011. <ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/arctic-sea-ices-hit-low-says-scientific-report-182231670.html;_ylt=AqtSEhofREGSq6_aZV78yUOTssB_;_ylu=X3oDMTFndXBobmZsBG1pdANCbG9nIEluZGV4IGJ5IEJsb2cEcG9zAzczBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dJbmRleA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFvZzc0cXR2BGludGwDY2EEbGFuZwNlbi1jYQRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANibG9nBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3#more-id>.

Evidence that couldn’t be washed away

Thirty years after Natalie Wood drowned off the Carolina coast, while yachting, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has received additional information that the famous actress had an argument with her husband, Robert Wagner, on the night of her mysterious death, in 1981. A case which was surmised as an accident at the time, has now triggered sneaking suspicion which has lead the Los Angeles Country Sherriff’s Department to reopen the case in regards to the famous Hollywood actress. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials said in a written statement that recently sheriff’s homicide investigators had been contacted by persons who stated they had "additional information," in regard to Natalie Wood's drowning. However, this new evidence isn't going to be released to the public, yet. 

I think that the reopening of this case, after thirty years of it being buried away, is unusual. The additional information that has been brought forward in regards to Natalie Wood’s death must be very significant for the police to reopen her case. I don’t think a similar case with someone less high profile would be reopened after so many years have passed. Also, I think that the upcoming 30 year anniversary of her death is influencing the decision to reopen the case. It may not be a huge reason; however it's receiving a lot of attention from the public and the media. This could be a complete hoax, which you see occur everyday in the media. After all, Hollywood is known for its numerous amounts of attention seeking hoax to create suspense and give people something to gossip about. Nowadays, coroners could uncover information that they couldn’t thirty years ago. As the years have gone by, technology has greatly advanced and shaped the future lives for humanity. There are so many things that one wasn't able to do before that they can now easily do with the help of technology. With technology it's easier to track more evidence effectively and this could significantly play a great role in determining what really happened on the night of Natalie Wood's death. Although new information may appear and help with the case I don't believe that within 30 years so much could have possibly changed.

http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/2011/11/17/18984976.html

Whitcomb, Dan, and Reuters. "CANOE -- JAM! Movies: Cops to reopen Natalie Wood case." CANOE -- JAM! Entertainment and Showbiz. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Dec. 2011. <http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/2011/11/1

Mummified Baby

We have all spent nine months inside our mother’s stomach waiting for our one opportunity to enter into the world. For many people a child is a precious gift symbolizing their love for each other. However, there’s always that one person who doesn’t seem to agree with the crowd. A young Scottish woman, Kimberley Hainey, who wanted to purchase drugs, sold all her toddler’s clothes and toys. Declan’s body was found by Hainery’s stepfather, mother, and aunt in March 2010 in his bedroom. The boy was 15 months old. She was convicted of his murder. Regardless of pathologists being unable to figure out how her son Declan died, jurors still found her guilty. Her sentence is being postponed by Judge Stephen Woolan, until January 12th because of her pending psychiatric report. At the trial, Hainey denied killing her son and said that “he was the most precious thing in [her] life,” and that he was given drugs and wasn’t murdered.

I agree with the jury that the mother, Kimberley Hainey, played a role in the death of her baby boy, Declan. When you look at people who have drug addictions they will risk their own life to fulfill that craving for drugs that their body is dying for. I think that the mother did love her son. After all, she carried him around in her stomach for nine months. At some point, she had to feel a bond between with her and her son. I don’t think the mother was in the right state of mind if she did kill her son. I think the drugs she was on played a key role in altering her thinking. Perhaps she was in such a disillusioned state that she wasn’t even aware of what she was doing at the time. Often people who are taking drugs are mentally unstable and are unable to properly comprehend what they are doing. I think that this mother needs to get help with the problem she is facing. It’s very tragic that her child had to suffer from her addiction. As a parent she needs to be responsible for her actions and she clearly was not. I think that if you aren’t able to take care of yourself then you shouldn’t have a child at all. If pathologists ever do find that she wasn’t involved in her child’s death I think she still needs to go and seek medical attention. 

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/12/16/Mom-guilty-of-killing-toddler-left-to-rot/UPI-85701324016427/

"Mom guilty of killing toddler left to rot - UPI.com." Latest news, Latest News Headlines, news articles, news video, news photos - UPI.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2011. <http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/12/16/Mom-guilty-of-killing-toddler-left-to-rot/UPI-85701324016427/>.

Missing Child

After a three year old boy, Kienan Hebert, went missing from his Sparwood, B.C home during the morning of September 7th, police drew more than five hundred volunteers for a search. The RCMP are now thanking volunteers from Alberta and B.C who helped look for Kienan Hebert. A special ceremony was held where RCMP chief Supt. Mike Sekela presented twenty-eight letters of apperception to search -and-rescue and related organizations that played a major role in Kienan’s safe return. Mike Skela mentioned that minutes after Kienan Hebert was reported missing, these organizations were immediately doing everything they could to assist the police in looking for the boy. The family of the boy also appeared at the ceremony to give a personally thanks to the volunteers. Police have charged and arrested a forty-six year old man, Randall Hopley, with the abduction of Kienan. Kienan was returned to his home several days after his disappearance. Thankfully, there was no harm done to him. Police took the man linked to Kienan’s disappearance for a psychiatric assessment, which resulted in him being fit to stand trial. He will appear in court on December 19th for a bail hearing.

Nowadays, it is unbelievable what people are capable of doing. I cannot understand why this forty-six year old man felt the need to kidnap someone else’s child! At least the man had the decency to not cause any harm to this little boy and returned him to his parents. You would think at the age of forty-six someone would be able to understand right from wrong, but then some crazy occurrence like this happens. I cannot even fathom what the parents of Kienan Hebert felt not having their baby boy with them for seven days. I am really happy that they got their child returned safely back to them. No one deserves to feel like they are never going to get their child back. That being said, I’m eighteen years old and when I can’t find my mom in the store I still freak out! This little boy must have been terrified being with a man that he’s never met in his life. He spent several days away from his parent’s arms; however it’s a great feeling to know he is back with them. Police are saying that Randall Hopley will appear in court for a bail hearing, but I think this man should be locked up in prison. Clearly something is wrong with him if he thinks it’s normal to steal people’s children. This situation makes one realize how quickly something can be taken away from your life in the blink of an eye when you least expect it. 

http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/missing-bc-boys-search-crews-applauded-8

Press, The Canadian, and cbc.ca. "Missing B.C. boy's search crews applauded -  News - MSN CA." Breaking world, national and regional news - News - MSN CA. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. <http://news.ca.msn.com/top-stories/missing-bc-boys-search-crews-applauded-8>.