Issue #3: Safe to Eat?

This issue was about how in the last few years, there has been a huge outbreak in food-borne illnesses (E. coli being the most prominent). These illnesses have mainly been from fruits and vegetables, they caused hundreds to get sick and even caused some deaths. It is a good thing that we are trying to eat fresh produce- trying to eat healthy is always a plus- however, when you have to worry whether your fruit is safe to eat, that's when problems arise. Right now, fruit and vegetables are regulated/inspected by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so compared to meat, they don't have as strick of regulations (meat is regulated by the Department of Agriculture). Also considering the facts that fruits and vegetables are often eaten raw (so you don't cook off the bacteria) and that most of our fresh produce comes from the same place and goes through the same processing- therefore a large amount of produce can get contaminated and infect a large number of people, many people are considering whether to inforce new safety regulations concerning fresh produce. Supporters of this new idea say that there are too few inspectors and that something needs to be done, such as more funding for the FDA or another food-regulatory body. Opposers say all people (government included) who are related to the food illnesses/ outbreaks have responded the best they can to all of the problems. They also say that if more regulations are put in place, it will only increase the amount we have to pay for fresh produce which would lead to people eating more unhealthy because they won't want to pay for the expensive produce.

I think I'm going to be a fence rider on this situation. I can see how and why people think we could use new or upgraded regulations on fresh produce due to all of the bacteria/ food borne illnesses that have been caused recently by them, however I also see the side opposing the idea of new or greater regulations. I think it would be wonderful to feel more confident about buying fresh produce- not having to worry about it getting you seriously sick, however I would not enjoy paying more for the fruits and vegetables. I guess I would probably go more on the side of going with the new regulations just because even if I have to pay more, it might be worth it to know that it is less likely I will get food poisoning. Also, I don't really agree with the opposers saying that the government, growers, distributers, etc. have responed that well. Yes, they sent out the word and recalled the food, and yes they probably had inspectors come to figure out how the food got contaminated, but as far as I'm aware, they did not majorly change anything to prevent this anymore. So I'm still a fence rider, but leaning more towards supporting new regulations. The following link explains how the USDA is helping the FDA create new regulations: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm185278.htm

Issue #1

Issue #2

Cruise Gone Wrong

Passengers aboard a Carnival Cruise Lines ship were given an unexpected adventure on their trip. They left  on Sunday, and Monday morning at 6 am, things went downhill when a fire in occurred in the ship's engine room leaving them with no electricity, and no engine. The 3,300 passengers arrived at port today, three days after the fire happened. They were left with no air conditioning, no working elevators, no lights in hallways or rooms, and no hot showers. They also had no flushing toilets for 12 hours. Food was another questioned item, however the USS Ronald Reagan stepped in and delivered water and food for all passengers. Passengers also complained of having to brush their teeth with bottled water and showering in the dark. Carnival has apologized multiple times; they helped to arrange flights and hotels for when they arrived back at port, they also promised to re-emburse all passengers for this cruise and offer them a free cruise to take at another time. The Carnival employees received extremely high reviews from many passengers who said they did the best they could in the situation they all were placed in. 


Give me a break! Yes, I know that these people did not have the vacation they dreamed about: their vacations were ruined, but shouldn't they all be complaining less and thanking God that they are alive; that they were able to stop the fire before it got out of hand; that no one was even slightly injured from the fire? They are acting like it's a complete catastrophe that they didn't have electricity for three whole days, do they not realized that some people live EVERY day without electricity and that they have lived like that for months? And having to brush their teeth with bottled water... what's the big deal? I was in Mexico for 10 days and brushed my teeth twice a day with bottled water, it's not bad at all it's just like brushing your teeth at home, but you have to make the water "run." They also complain about showering in the dark... well at least they got to shower, it would have been much worse if they weren't even allowed to shower! And, yes, they didn't have the best meals, but consider this, they still got food whenever they were hungry. Think of all those people who don't have enough money to feed their families; those who only get one or two meals a week... yeah, now that spam and pop-tarts they ate are sounding pretty great. Oh and of course let's complain about not having air conditioning for three days, really people? I think these people are being drastically overdramatic and extremely selfish! Yeah, it may not have been the best vacation, but Carnival is giving them another one free, and they still had all of the money and luxury in their life to go on a vacation like that, not to mention now they will all be bragging about this and telling the story at every party. Maybe if they just stopped for a second and thought about how thousands of people live in worse conditions everyday then what they had to live in for a mere 3 days... maybe if they did that they could realize that there is so much more in our world than money, material possessions and complaints...
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/11/cruise.ship/index.html?hpt=T2 

"Giant Sinkhole Opens in Germany"

A loud roar on Monday morning signaled the opening of a giant sinkhole in Schmalkalden, a small town in eastern Germany. The sinkhole is measured at 130 feet across and 65 feet deep. When opening, the sinkhole  took a car with it, and has caused nine houses (twenty-five people) to evacuate the area. The cause of the sinkhole is most likely from natural causes, but is still officially under investigation. The effort to repair this disaster is going to begin today. Officials say that "more than one thousand truckloads of gravel [will] be needed to fill the hole.

Last year was the very first time I had ever heard of sinkholes, and they still amaze and confuse me. I don't really understand what happens down, beneath the surface to make a giant sinkhole suddenly appear... does the ground shift? Are there water systems down there that move causing the surface to change? Also, I would like to know if there are certain areas that are more likely to have a sinkhole appear. I have never heard of a sinkhole happening in the United States, or any surrounding areas, they have all happened in either Europe or Africa from what I remember. I also feel for the people who are in danger because of sinkholes. This one swallowed a car, who knows how many people were in that car, they will never be seen again. It must cost a fortune to have these disasters repaired as well... Maybe through more knowledge of these events and understanding, we can become aware of sinkholes and be able to protect more people, as well as save countries money.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/02/giant-sinkhole-opens-in-germany/?hpt=Sbin