Conflict Diamonds: A Research Topic

Diamonds are considered a luxury in today's world. Such precious stones are worn as jewelry, sparkling as a symbol of wealth and social class. It is even advertised that "diamonds are a gal's best friend." With all the excitement that floats with having a diamond, one would be blinded by the truth that truly hides behind each and every stone. Each diamond has its own history. For conflict diamonds that was mined, I'll tell the story...

Throughout history, diamonds have been seen as the most precious and valuable thing to have because of its rarity and complexity of achieving. Such magnificent and beauty is brought about through mining stones and rocks that have been compressed for millions of years bellow the earth's surface beneath layers of stones, marbles, and earth. From then on, each stone that is believed to contain diamonds are cut and cleared into clarity in which a precious stone is brought about and glimmers while shined before a light. The difficulties of obtaining and producing this is the reason why diamonds are expensive, thus being the main fundraiser for combat guerilla armies in many third world African nations.

Since tension between opposing views between the government and the guerilla armies, guerilla armies raise funds by selling illegal diamonds into the black market for funds to purchase warfare weapons against the state. In doing so, they've forced and threatened innocent citizens to dig up diamond mines, shedding their blood sweat and tears. Children were forcefully brought up and raised by guerilla armies in order to brainwash them into joining the regime and fighting against the state's government. Lots and lots of death has resulted in this illegal, dangerous, and unfair mining of diamonds. The guerillas have murdered people from children to the elderly in hopes to instill fear among the citizens around them, leaving them no choice but to either die or survive by mining these illegal diamonds.

The production and selling of this kind of diamond also brings about wars and tension between many African nations because parts of Africa have been used as stopping points or trading points of weapons and diamonds in the black market. Because of this, the United Nations have created the Kimberly Process, which was a certification agreement that certified wether a diamond was of qualifications of legal diamonds, properly mined, to be sold in the market, or completely illegal, thus cannot be sold. The Kimberly Process however was a complete failure because many leaders of various nations prefer underground trading because it brings in greater wealth to the leaders.

Although much emphasis has been placed to end such mining, there is till illegal mining going on today somewhere in the world. The guerillas still exist and they're not going to give up that easy.

Squirrels: Are they on crack cocaine?

Here's something random-- the squirrels on grounds ought to be considered armed and dangerous.

So, today, as I was going on with my normal daily routine, I was happened to encounter yet another chaotic squirrel on grounds. The first time I encountered a crazy squirrel, it jumped out of the trash bin and hissed at me (who would've known that squirrels could hiss?). This time, I encountered a crazy squirrel grasping tightly onto an acorn like there world was coming to an end. In the squirrels part, his world might have been coming to an end because moments after I spotted him, another squirrel, with no tail, appears before me and attacks the poor little squirrel holding onto the acorn.

What is wrong with this nature? I don't quite understand why the squirrels seem to be mutant squirrels. It's kind of scary in fact, and I don't get why. It seems as if theses squirrels stepped out of the Ice Age movie and continued on with their race against the competition for the acorn in our world. Seriously, these squirrels were killing each other for it. They chased one another up the tree, while one squirrel had the acorn in his mouth, and back down the tree once again before me. I sat there with curiosity, wondering if I should break up a little pathetic squirrel fight or watch with amusement. I decided to see what would happen next, and luckily, I got to see some squirrel fighting. The squirrel with the acorn jumped on the other squirrel, jumped off, and threw the acorn at him. It was a perfect shot too. Then, they begin fighting like dogs in a dog fight. So I reached in to get my camera hoping to get the video, but after my making my attempts, they saw me, stood there for fifteen seconds, and ran off.

This was seriously the most interesting and random thing I've seen squirrels do. I'm from the suburbs of Norther Virginia, right outside of Washington, D.C. I've spent a lot of time both in my neighborhood and in D. C., and honestly, I've never seen squirrels act as mutant like as these. I don't know what it is they're eating or what influence they had, but these squirrels are truly unique.

That was my random story for the day. Thanks for tuning in :) Please tell me about your experiences with the squirrels here at the University of Virginia.

President Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize: A World Class recognition or a premature selection?

Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in promoting relations with Arab nations and construction of a better understanding between worlds.

Recently on the news, it was broadcast the the Nobel selection panel has award President Barack Obama, of the United States, the Nobel Peace Prize. Nobel prizes are given in many areas that lead to world class excellence. Obama was nominated, along with 208 other nominees, just two weeks after his inauguration into office for the Peace Prize. There seems to be arising oppositions to his recognition because President Obama barely entered office and was up against 208 other nominees that worked extremely hard for years in promoting peace and equality among nations.

The juxtaposition that President Obama meets with his advisers about the current war in Afghanistan and receiving this compelling honor the same day questions many active citizens of the United States, and citizens of the world. Does Obama truly deserve this award for his caliber, or is this decision too premature because there hasn't been and success yet thus far.

From my point of view, President Obama is a wonderful man, and he is a symbol of America's "Change" in perspectives all around the world. People all around the world focussed on the 2009 presidential election as a sign of hope. When former Senator Obama took on the win to become the next President of the U.S., it introduce a new era of expectations for new constructive institutions and actions to better the world in economic areas, war, and relations with other countries.

However, I feel that the decision for President Obama to accept the award should have been dealt otherwise. I understand that the panel has selected the President for his efforts to promote peace and relations in Arab nations, but it was too soon to tell because he hasn't even been in office for a year. He wasn't even elected as President a year ago. Also, how could they consider him for this award when he was just nominated after being in office for two weeks. The man was still getting oriented with his executive duties at the moment.I'm not saying that he's not a great guy, I actually believe that he does deserve a Nobel Prize, just not this time because it's too soon to tell.

I've seen other people who've been trying to promote peace for years that qualify just as much as President Obama. For example, every time I take a trip to Washington, D.C., I find myself in the presence of an old lady, a refugee from Russia, who protests by herself in a little corner, in front of the white house, on the mall, or anywhere she can speak to people. She barely speaks English, but she protests about the construction of nuclear weapons and she delivers the message to end it. She brings with her pictures, signs, and various items that showcases the dangers of nuclear weapons in the east and with the little English that she speaks, she is able to connect with the people on the streets and tell her story, causing people to shed tears. After her story, she asks that we do as much as we can to promote peace and end the construction of nuclear weapons. With her, she carries a peace sign that followers are allowed to take pictures with and deliver her message.

This is a women with a caring and courageous heart who does as much as she can to make a difference in the world and promote peace. In my opinion, she has placed as much effort her tiny little old body allows her to, and have touched the lives that she has came in contact with. She as well had the same qualifications as President Obama for the Nobel Peace Prize and could have received the honor just like him. In fact, it seems to me that because she has been doing this for a number of years and has devoted her life to it, she might deserve it more.

I'm not saying that the prize should have been given to her; I just believe that there must have been someone who was more qualified and has made a greater impact and difference than President Obama currently.

The proper thing that President Obama should have done was sincerely decline the Award. He accepted the Award on behalf of America, showcasing that we are on the road for a change. Yes, America is grateful for such recognition, but if the President would have declined the award, it would show to the world that America is on a road to recovery and promoting peace, but we aren't satisfied until we achieve such goal. When that day arrives, then can we be more happy and prideful in President Obama receiving the award.

This is the peace sign that I encountered when listening to the old lady protest. Behind me is her display used to support her protest.