Fatal Stampede

Hinduism, is a very popular religion that is practice around many areas to this day. Most Hindus tend to live in the middle east and neighboring countries. There is a pilgrimage that Hindus take as a practice of their religion, they endure a long period of traveling by walking, and do it to be cleanses of sins and replenished by faith. In Allahabad, India, there was a terrible tragedy that occurred today. As people thousands of pilgrims arrived to the banks of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers a nearby stampede traveled their way. 30 people were killed, and several others were injured. The dead bodies were covered in white sheets, and some appeared to be young children. People were devastated by the event and were even more frustrated by the fact that the police didn't get involved soon enough.

I think that this is a very sad story. I think that the police should've had a plan in case this occured because this is not the first time that a stampede has broken out during the pilgrimage.  1840, 1906, 1954 and 1986 were also other dates where many fatalities occured due to the outbreak of a stampede. You'd think by now the people or police would have some sort of protection for those who are attending the pilgrimage! It's outrageous how many people still go to the voyage aside from the recent deaths. I'd be scared to participate in this, but it truly shows how strong faith is in the world. 


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/11/world/asia/deadly-stampede-at-the-hindu-festival-kumbh-mela.html?hp&_r=0

Fireworks lead to mass death in China

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9841381/Fireworks-explosion-kills-26-in-China.html

Fireworks, a clash of sparks and colors, a way of celebration, but also very deadly. In central China, there was a truck that was reported to have been loaded with firecrackers, that deployed and caused a huge scene of smoke, and destruction. This explosion occured near Sanmenxia in the Henan province, which caused many vehicles to fly off the (nearly) 100 foot bridge. The truck was loaded with many fireworks because it was Lunar Year and the people driving it were transporting these lethal explosives to a nearby area. Although the number of casualties is still unknown but many have been reported dead and or injured in nearby hospitals. The explosion led to the destruction of the Yahing bridge which has created a large amount of debris surrounding the area, and the south side of the bridge collapsed while the north side is still very unstable. 

I was very surprised and shocked by this story. I was astounded by the amount of destruction the firecrackers created, and I was devastated by the number of casualties. I think that fireworks are great, and very amazing things to gaze at, but the extent of how careless people have become causes them to be lethal. I assume that many of us have either lit a firecracker or watched one, and we can all say that they're pretty cool. It's also very important to realize it's dangers and downsides, because if you overlook the cautious instructions then you could lose a limb, or even your life. These days, it seems that our generation has been avoiding safety for some reason. For example, not wearing your seat belts, I mean its the logical thing to do, so why haven't we found a way to avoid tragedies like these? I want to know what set off the firecrackers, because the stories that I've read haven't really clarified that, but anyways my prayers go out to the families and friends of those affected by the explosion. 

Gun control?

http://www.starherald.com/news/nation_world/thousands-march-for-gun-control-in-washington/article_392a8bac-683b-11e2-980d-0019bb2963f4.html

         After the Sandy Hook tragedy a new controversy arose that would shape and create new ideas and thoughts about gun control. A march was held in Washington that consisted of thousands of people who wanted to repeal or limit gun ownership. The organization of protestors walked from the capitol to the Washington monument and were joined by figures such as Collin Goddard, a survivor of the Virginia Tech massacre. Molly Smith created a facebook page that was titled "One Million Moms For Gun Control" which sparked the though and protesting over guns. It wasn't the only source to do this, but after gathering 50,000$ from supporting organizations, many fled to Washington for the inspiring march.

         I myself do not completely agree with the ban of guns. I say that there should be a limit on what kind of guns you can buy, a background check on the buyer, and an in depth process that truly lets you become aware of the identity of whoever the purchaser of the weapon may be. Just as many pointed out in the march, buying a gun/weapon shouldn't be as easy as stores make it this day in age. I do not think that massacres would completely end if we banned guns, nor do I think that the sale of guns would stop if there is a law made. There are many illegal substances, items, and etc out in the world today where access is often fairly easy to reach, therefor I don't think repealing the 2nd amendment would make much of a difference. But that's just my opinion, what's yours? #GunControlOrNot?

The Church and sexual abuses

     How strong is your faith for God, if any? How observant are you of your religion? Today, Catholicism, Christianity, and etc, are all important factors in everyday life. Many people look at faith as a way of receiving salvation, as a way to worship God, and as a way to give and receive love from Christ. In Germany, this may not be the same for thousands of people, due to the horrifying acts they were forced to participate in that have scarred them forever. There was a story recently revealed on several child sex abuse cases that were staged by active members of the Roman Catholic Church located in Germany. The stories were discovered due to a hotline in Germany run by the church, where 1,165 people reported crimes where they were forced to participate in sexual acts. One way the church member would get the kids to participate in the acts, is by telling them that they would "be closer to God", as stated by former victim Claudia Adams. The most surprising thing is that the people who were forced to do these things didn't report them until decades after! Many of these crimes were committed several years ago staging between the 1950s and 1980s! 

     Being a member of the Catholic Church, this article truly struck me. It is terrible to think that the church members who we all look at to read us the words of God, the sacraments of the Church, and the religious advice we ask for in life, are the ones committing these horrific crimes that we try to avoid. It's also absurd to think that the people didn't report the incidents until years later! I know that they were young and telling the elders of their community of what happened may be difficult, or that fear of not receiving God's love or acceptance may have held them back from releasing the truth, but we as a community need to remind everyone that fear shouldn't be there to stop them from asking for assistance, because we will always be there to support them. Another factor that struck me is the fact that the church members would tell the kids that by participating in these acts would make them become closer to God. Not only does the thought disgust me, but it angers me that people who have power in the Church are abusing it and attempt to manipulate people through the use of their power!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/world/europe/report-details-sexual-abuse-of-children-by-german-priests.html?ref=europe 

I am fifteen years old, my mother's family is from Santiago, Chile, and my father's family is from Sinaloa, Mexico. I was born in Iowa, and moved to Los Angeles California. I lived in Guadalajara, Mexico for a short period of time. I volunteer a lot at my parent's daycare, Children's Heaven Daycare. My favorite sport is soccer, and my family has played it for many years. Many of my uncles played pro in Chile for different clubs. I enjoy visiting foreign countries, tubing, and jet skiing. I have never broken a bone, fractured anything, or tore a muscle before. I am very defensive about things I care about, and do not enjoy losing. I will be the first in my family to go to college, and complete it, if I continue working hard. I enjoy learning and going to school, and I have never received a grade below a C. I am a very organized person, and if I'm not organized I will clean whatever it is until it is spotless, because it constantly frustrates me.