Entry #8 - October 7th 2013

Subaru, dog's best friend

BBC

In an effort to keep a good relationship with Subaru's "canine-loving car-shopper's", Subaru of America teamed up with the non-profit Center for Pet Safety to put a group of commercially sold harnesses to the test.  The team created an independent US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing laboratory to hold the test of three types of dummy dogs; a 25lb terrier mix, a 45lb border collie and a 75lb golden retriever.

The dummy dogs under went the same type of crash testing that the human dummies under went and I think that this is very realistic.  I also think that this was a smart idea because I am a dog loving person and if I knew that my dog would be safe it would make me feel reassured nothing would happen to them.  I am disappointed though that these harnesses are not made for bigger dogs because I have two Bernese Mountain dogs who are both heavier than a 75lb golden retriever, one is around 90lb and my other one will be around 130-140lb, he is a puppy right now.  Overall I found that the products did not live up to my standards because of the weight restrictions, variety and because of the lack of product integrity.

Entry #7 - October 6th 2013

U.S. government shutdown: Security services stretched thin

CBC News

Recently, on Wednesday, US intelligence officials said "the government shutdown is seriously damaging the intelligence community's ability to guard against threats". They have kept counter terrorism staff at work as well as staff sending information to troops in Afghanistan.  The US Intelligence officials think that the threat will increase daily with fewer spies to track targets.  The director of National intelligence, James R. Clapper, told the US Congress last Wednesday that around 70% of employees have been furloughed.  It does not look like the shutdown will end.  When Clapper was asked to quantify the damage done by the shutdown he said "the risk is 75% higher than it was yesterday, the danger here will accumulate over time. The damage will be insidious, so each day that goes by, the jeopardy increases."

I think that the US intelligence officials are right saying the government shutdown is seriously damaging the community's ability to guard against threats.  I agree with them as this could be a very disabling thing.  Many people are out of work because of this situation.  I think that the government should try and resolve this problem quickly because there are a lot of people in need of jobs.  This will only increase the debt load in the United States even more because of the people that are out of work.

Entry #6 - October 1st 2013

Police defend $140 ticket issued to cheerleader during Western homecoming

CTV News

Last week, at the Western University homecoming a group of cheerleaders started to perform a cheer in the middle of the street on the way to the football game. After performing their cheer they were given a ticket of 140$ by the London police. The ticket said the cheerleaders caused “a nuisance in the street” with their routine. About 250-300 spectators ran out onto the road specifically towards the cheer, which was in the middle of the road. "On-scene officers were quite surprised that cheerleaders would be in such an environment, performing cheers where you're throwing people up in the air and catching people" said Deputy Police chief Brent Shea. On Monday, the university issued a statement about the ticket. “Western’s championship cheerleading team is known the world over for delivering incredible performances. The university believes strongly that an impromptu performance by some of the cheerleaders en route to campus was well-intentioned,” the statement read. Shea said that although police issued 270 tickets during the homecoming celebrations, no one was injured and there were no major incidents other than the large crowd on Broughdale Ave.

I agree that the police had to do something about the cheer leaders but i disagree with the police giving the cheerleaders a ticket for 140$.  I agree with the police, while they had to do something to get the cheerleaders off the road, but do not think that giving them a ticket would help.  I think the police should have tried to corral the people off the road and out of the way, not give a ticket for 140$.  I disagree with the fact that they were given the ticket i think that in all fairness they were trying to build spirit for the homecoming football game and were not at all trying to cause "a nuisance in the street".

Entry #5 - September 30th 2013

Canadians detained in Egypt should be released 'immediately': PMO

CTV News

Recently, on August 16th two Canadian men were arrested in Egypt and detained in a notorious prison.  The Toronto filmmaker, John Greyson and London doctor Tarrek Loubani were detained on August 16th.  While passing through, riots were in the process of happening and when Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson came to a checkpoint they were arrested and beaten.  The Prime Minister's Office said "In the absence of charges, Dr. Loubani and Mr. Greyson should be released immediately."  The two men could be held up to two years without having charges laid against them.

I strongly disagree with the Egyptian government holding these two men.  These men were going there to help teach and give assistance with emergency medicine.  I agree that these men should be released, especially with no charges being laid against them as of now.  Also I think that the Canadian government should be putting more pressure on Egypt to release these men.