Blog Project 2: Oceania

Article # 1(New Zealand): Forgiveness for school stabbing

The incident of stabbing has shocked and amazed the entire country because of the following events: given the ages of those involved, the victim is still in the state of comma and forgiveness was given to the attacker. First of all, this incident was very outrageous considering the fact that an 11-year-old boy stabbed his same age classmate with a pair of scissors, right after the teacher left. The victim got stabbed in the right temple and luckily there is a “good chance” that he might be awake from comma soon. Amusingly, the family of the victim has forgiven the attacker by manifesting their will, "We don't hold grudges, we remember the Lord's Prayer. That's how they feel." In conclusion, forgiveness for primary school stabbing was an attention-grabbing incident that took place in New Zealand.

I chose this article because I believe prevention of this kind of incident is urgent because in the 21^st century, psychological stress is severe in all ages possibly due to competitive educational system starting from an early stage of life, easily access to violent games and television shows and lack of communication within family. Today, competition is too severe in every field and is encouraged from early childhood which might affect child’s brain development due to excess stress exerted. In addition, advancement in technology and internet not only did provide us with unlimited materials, but also inappropriate information, such as violence or sex-related, is readily accessible by men and women of all ages and exposure to those from early childhood might lead to children who cannot tell reality from fantasy world. Lastly, due to busy lifestyle in the 21^st century, deep communication within family rarely takes place, so the child can be misguided. In conclusion, mental and emotional stress should be reduced especially in the early childhood to prevent children from developing irregular mind and thinking.

Sources:
Bilby, Lynley. "Forgiveness for School Stabbing - National - NZ Herald News."The New Zealand Herald. N.p., 29 June 2014. Web. 29 June 2014.

For more details, please visit the following URL <http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11283913>.

Article # 2 (Australia): Australia’s Graphic Cigarette Pack Warnings Appear to Work

Ever since mandatory plain packaging law, where logos were all removed but addition of health warnings, images of cancer patients or dying smokers, has been introduced in Australia, many changes have occurred in the rate of cigarette purchase, the rate of youth smoking and the excise policy. According to the country’s Bureau of Statistics, a household consumption of smoking showed 4.9% drop. Furthermore, the rate of youth smoking is at its low records in Australia, which is a very encouraging trend since the intention behind plain packaging law was to limit the appeal of brands like Marlboro and Camel to young adults. However, the negative side of this law was that it led to a rise in illegal tobacco products in Australia, so the government recently is forcing the companies to price the brand lower, introducing the cheapest legal pack of 25 cigarettes, which raises the concern that such low prices would attract younger smokers. In conclusion, plain packaging law seems to have an overall positive impact in aiming its purpose.

This article caught my attention because when I think back, smoking was the worst method to deal with stress and I really want smokers to find a way to quit tobacco due to very obvious reasons: smoking attributes to pollution, serious health effects on smokers and 2^nd hand smokers. First of all, pollution is already a severe problem due to various human activities such as industrial productions, excess amount of carbon dioxide and from cigarette smoke. In addition, smoking accounts for 90% of lung cancers as well as causes cancer in other parts of the body such as peripheral vascular disease, coronary heart disease and so much more. Also, the effect of passive smoking is not minor to be dismissed because it increases a non-smoker’s risk of developing lung cancer or heart disease by approximately 25%. In conclusion, quit smoking immediately for your own sake and surroundings. 


Sources:

Innis, Michelle. "Australia's Graphic Cigarette Pack Warnings Appear to Work."The New York Times. The New York Times, 11 June 2014. Web. 29 June 2014.

For more details, please visit the following URL <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/12/business/international/australias-graphic-cigarette-pack-warnings-appear-to-work.html?_r=0>.

Article # 3 (Australia): Man fined $5,000 for repeatedly kicking dog amid relationship problems

A man was charged with fines from Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) for following reasons: animal abuse, brutality and unable to manage one’s temper appropriately. To begin with, this man got reported to the RSPCA after a passerby witnessed that he was hurting his own Rottweiler Herpes. Moreover, it was observable that the dog had continually beaten up by its owner because of all the injuries from fractured ribs, bruises and swollen hocks and elbows. Finally, the man confessed that he was just irritated and upset with his girlfriend at that time and now he has been ordered to pay total of $5,000 as well as banned from owning any animals for five years. In conclusion, the man obviously needs to atone for mistreating animals.

After reading this article, I, as an owner of a dog and a cat, feel that stricter law for animal abuse is needed in order for people to take serious responsibility in having pets because they are not for us to control over, animal cruelty is unethical and a warning sign of criminal conviction. First of all, pets are brought to be a loving companion, not for humans to feel superior and control over. In addition, animal abuse is unethical because if you injure another human you might get sued, but if it is your own pet, who are they going to tell? Finally, animal cruelty is not a minor act to be discharged because it is often a step towards becoming a pathological killer. In conclusion, charging fines and requiring community service are not enough penalties for animal abuse, hence, punitive laws are urgent.

Sources:

Mayes, Andrea. "Perth Man Fined for Repeatedly Kicking Dog." ABC News. N.p., 24 June 2014. Web. 01 July 2014.

For more details, please visit the following URL <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-23/man-fined-for-kicking-dog/5544928?section=wa>.