the last post ever

http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2013/08/psychosomatic-medicine

                A recent survey indicated that Korea turned out to be the least happy countries among 32 countries that participated in survey. As a Korean, I became concerned and wondered what would possibly make one “happy”. In modern society, endless stress people receive from financial desire and pressure to be perfect silently took joy away and placed dimness and envy in their lives. The article explicated two main physical sources that happiness majorly sprang from: eudemonic and hedonic behaviors.

                Before getting into further explanation, I’d like to define two professional terms. The word eudaimonia, where “eudaimonic” derives from, means: a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous. Hedonic means: to be marked by pleasure. According to the article, eudaimonia and hedonic behavior are phychosomatic medicines. Two sources, eudaimonia and hedonic behaviors, generate longevity and also enhance one’s health.

                Numerous people might consider prioritize affluence, but in reality, living a healthy life is the most needed requirement in order to be happy. Encountering death before indulging in the wealth one got won’t be enjoyable. The article indicated that eudaimonic behaviors originate from being content and satisfied. Therefore, one should view life with positive attitude rather than complaining with resentment.  All around the world, in countries such as Africa, thousands of children suffer from starvation, dehydration and diseases. One often overlooks the blessings and advantage one has in his or her life and complain or envy others for not having a satisfactory life. However, looking back one’s life once in a while and realizing how fulfilling and enjoyable it is will motivate one’s body to produce eudaimonia, which has medical effects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

the last new commentary

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/al-qaeda-leader-zawahiri-is-said-to-have-ordered-terrorist-attack/2013/08/05/9eb4799e-fe1b-11e2-bd97-676ec24f1f3f_story.html

                The security level is increasing every second ever since U.S. predicted movements Al Qaeda would make after the affiliation. The article reported that new leader of Al Qaeda, Ayman Zwahari, elevated the position former secretary of Osama Bin Laden, Wuhahaysi, to the number two position. U.S. government announced that such change in Al Qaeda concerned them, for it might be a signal of another destructive plan they have launched. Embassies and consulates in Europe, Africa were shuttered and their security level elevated.

                Reminiscing tragic 9.11 terrors, advancement of security and prevention seem like proper proactive solutions. The terror shocked the whole nation, for it caused a great casualty and tragedy. However, announcing the region with more advanced security publicly would not be the greatest idea. Al Qaeda, by accessing the mass media, will launch attacks on regions that the government did not predict to be attacked, which will consequently engender greater casualties.

                To be realistic, there’s not much a person can do in order to cease such malevolent plans of Al Qaeda.  However, Al Qaeda is usually anticipated to attack places that are crowded and has significance. Consequently, avoiding crowded place, historically significant sites and travelling outside of the country will decrease danger of being placed under threat.

                Al Qaeda has been and still is considered a serious threat to the maintenance of world peace. World leaders must seek a way to make concessions with Al Qaeda and pacify the danger of terror, for no more tragedy such as 9.11 is wanted by anyone.

                 

Korea Armistice Anniversary: Families Still Separated 60 Years After War

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/korean-armistice-anniversary-families-separated_n_3643602.html?utm_hp_ref=north-korea

                        60 years passed since Korea War took place and separated abundant family. Reunions among the family who split during Korean War had been controversial subject in Korea for several decades. The article contained myriad examples of couples who were forcefully separated during chaotic era of Korean War while seeking for refugees. Most of the time, people never acquire opportunities to reunite ever since due to the symbolic, physical wall that exists between North and South Korea.  Due to the barricade that has been blocking the communication between South and North, they have been postponing the reunions since 2010. The article starts with personal anecdote of a survivor of Korean War. Grief and sorrow she has could be clearly seen in the picture attached to the article and jerked tears from the readers’ eyes.

                         The stories that survivors shared reflected the agony they received throughout their lives from longing for the missing family members and efforts they made to raise their children on their own. Regardless of the discordant relationship North Korea and South Korea has at the moment, the reunions of the families should be done.

                         Family appears as the most basic structure of human relationships. Especially, in such competitive societies of modern days, family is where people obtain encouragements and strength from.  Due to the Korean War, survivors lost their family, residence, in other word, everything. Korea should make amends and support to the survivors, who are now aged and weak, and had to cope with catastrophe, such as death of acquaintance, during war time. Planning family reunions for them to reunite with the family they lost during war time would be the best reparation they could prepare, for majority of survivors dedicated their lifetime on seeking for the lost family member.

legalization of marijuana?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/marijuana-legalization_n_3529986.html?utm_hp_ref=drug-war

 

                The article reported that Colorado began applying the drug rules ever since the Zimmerman trial occurred and the disparities among the races emerged as a frequently debated topic. The rules specifically contained the required labels for marijuana, instructions for proper usage, list of pesticides as the state legalized the sale of marijuana for recreational use.  Regarding certain facts, changed marijuana label rules will decrease the number of disputes that happen revolving around marijuana, even though the legalizations of marijuana don’t seem like a good idea.  

                Though it may seem irrelevant, the another article that discussed president Obama attempting to enhance the disparities among the races indicated that only African Americans were accused and imprisoned for a long time for cocaine or marijuana issue. On the contrary, White people were never accused nor punished. However, new policy that requires marijuana and drugs to be properly instructed will decrease the danger of abuse of marijuana, which leads to consequence of decrease in incidents where people use marijuana illegally will naturally on a decreasing rate and the disparities among races that revolve around marijuana will slowly cease.

                Also, even though teenagers are not allowed to access drugs, it is widely known that abundant teenagers overdose drugs or smoke marijuana illegally. Not fully aware of the proper usage, bountiful teenagers died from drug abuse and such. Publication of newly constructed laws will instruct and lead less teenagers to death caused from drugs.

                Regardless, the legalization of sales of marijuana will most likely cause more disputes and chaos in the states. People who don’t meet requirements to legally buy marijuana will attempt to buy illegally and will tend to ignore the instructions suggested.

Do "diet" sodas really help your diet?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/diet-soda-health-risks_n_3606906.html?ir=Healthy+Living

                This article will shock the people who had been avoiding drinking non-diet sodas to not gain weights. Surprisingly, the article reported that the diet sodas, which are supposedly healthier than the non-diet sodas, turned out to be more harmful to one’s health than the non-diet sodas are.  Brain expects the calories as one’s body drinks sweet. However, when one drinks diet sodas, no calorie is absorbed yet only sweetened artificial flavor comes in, which motivates brain to seek calories that would satisfy the need brain felt.

                After hearing this, I began questioning if what we perceive is what it really is. The word “diet” attached in front of the word gave a positive tone to the word. Myriad customers were deceived by the word “diet” , believing it would be a better choice for their own body. Consequently, I began wondering if the labels “diet” would be the best choice. Since obesity emerged as one of the biggest problems in America, people began attempting to eat as healthy as possible.  Naturally, the word “diet”, which contains the meaning “less calories”, will definitely attract people.  People will grab a box of “diet-coke”, expecting it to be less fattening than the regular sodas do. However, diet sodas will crush their expectation by signaling brain a need of calories.

                Since diet sodas appeared to be more harmful to one’s health than regular sodas are, the diseases sodas would bring (although the article stated that the direct relationship between diseases and sodas are unclear) are unimaginable. For example, Coke is often used as a toilet washer due to the strong artificial flavor and chemicals included in it. One should try to avoid drinking sodas, even the “Diet” ones.

Calling for change

http://www.economist.com/blogs/pomegranate/2013/07/sexual-violence-egypt

                The article reported that Egyptian women have been constantly raped by men. Egyptian women stated that Egypt is not a secured country where the government would make efforts to prevent rape cases from happening. However, Egyptian women began a movement in order to acquire more protections as in means of prevention of rape incidents. The organization named Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment/Assault Initiative, a.k.a OpAntiSH, began officially submitting sexually abused case.

                However, despite the attempts OpAntiSH make to claim more protections for women, the situation has not been changed yet. The government has never been fully engrossed deeply in searching for the enhancements.  Such reports encouraged me to pose a question: is the government concerned with rape cases happening wherever and whenever? The answer I came up with was: no.

 The unaffected response of government was shown in the following quote: “Mr Morsi’s regime have done little to protect women from abuse” irated me. Although women might appear as less powerful gender due to the prejudice that was inherited from the ancestors, women deserved to be protected equally. Women were also citizens that deserve equal rights and protections.  

Establishment of new laws could not be an immediate solution, for it takes a copious amount of time to build laws and such. However, the government should gradually construct the laws that prohibit men from raping women. Additionally, people who violate such laws should receive punishments for invading other’s rights. Women should, instead of hiding, speak out by joining organizations such as OpAntiSH that are purposed to claim more protection over women.

Contaminated Lunches Kill 22 Children in India

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/18/world/asia/children-die-from-tainted-lunches-at-indian-school.html?pagewanted=2&hp

                I couldn’t hide my grief when I saw the title of the article. This tragic incident happened in India stole twenty two innocent children’s lives away. Majority of poisoned children’s parents had to watch their children helplessly dying in their arms. The reason turned out to be food containment. The cooking oil used to fry food was identified as the oil that had been used in insecticides.

            India government began serving free meals to over 120 million children in India. As free meals were served, attendance of children increased and rate of children suffering from malnutrition drastically decreased. It was relieving to learn such program has been supporting children who suffer from poverty and dearth of food source. However, after this incident, I posed a question: “is government really concerned with children’s health? Are they truly determined to dedicate money on enhancing the situation in India?”  

            However, doing fundraisers and making food donations could embellish a situation a little. India government is putting efforts to abet children who are in need of help. Yet, the government is facing scarcity of money. Naturally, government bought cheap oils, which engendered numerous children's death. Donation of food resources, especially food edible supplies, will decrease the possibility of such tragedy from occurring again.  Hopefully India government will pay closer attention on free meals that are distributed to children after this incident.

            Besides food provision, lack of medical support seemed to be another urgent problem as well. Clinical centers were crowded from suddenly increased poisoned children. Consequently, a chaos was created and bountiful children died while waiting for doctor's help. 

            The article consists of factual “hook”. At the beginning of the article, the brief explanation of the incident is suggested, which helps readers’ overall understanding.