Benjamin Mao

Pd.6
2/27/14
http://www.npr.org/2014/02/26/275978805/fed-up-with-zero-tolerance-advocates-push-for-change
In Fed Up With Zero Tolerance In Schools, Advocates Push For Change (February 26,
2014) , Laura Isensee argues that the Zero tolerance policies, which suspend students for
misbehaving, implemented in school systems discriminate against African Americans, Latinos
and disabled students. For example, an African American is four times more likely to get a ticket
than a white classmate for the same infraction. Minorities dont succeed if they arent in class.
Even though school systems try to be fair in their judgment, there is an unintentional association
with black for bad and white for good, says Michal Harris, a district attorney.
I could imagine that this article would be used to question the validness of Zero
tolerance policies. Any action on the part of students, even if it was meant to be a joke,
might land them in trouble with the law.
In As Putin Orders Drills in Crimea, Protesters Clash Shows Regions Divide
(February 26, 2014), Andrew Higgins and Steven Lee Meyers reported on the recent
upheaval in Ukraine, heightened by Russian President Vladimir Putins attempt to reassert
Russias influence on the region. Tens of thousands of Russian troops were put on alert to
test the armed forces response to a political crisis, says General Shoigu, Russian minister
of defense, right on Ukraines doorstep. Meanwhile in Crimea, thousands of ethnic Russians,
who want Russian protection from Ukraines new government formed after the ouster of
President Viktor F. Yanukovych, clashed with Crimean Tartars, the regions indigenous
Turkic, Muslim population who want to keep Ukraine independent. However, Russian
military intervention in Ukraine is impossible, according to Valentina I. Matviyenko, the
chairwoman of Russias upper house of Parliament.
This article could be used an excuse for Russia to invade Ukraine, if the situation became
violent enough and Russians started dying. All Putin would need to do would be to point
to Ukrainian governments inability to quell the riots and he would be able to send in
troops to restore order.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/27/world/europe/russia.html

In Deadly Terror Attack in Southwestern China Blamed on Separatist Muslim Uyghurs
(March 1, 2014), Hannah Beech claims that the Uyghur attack on a train station, leaving 29 dead
and 130 wounded, was in response to Chinas repression of the Uyghurs. According to Chinas
state run Xinhua news agency, the assault was, organized, premeditated and violent. Uyghurs
want an independent state due to what they call limits on freedom of worship and career
opportunities. The Chinese government, for their part, has attempted to modernize Xinjiang,
where most Uyghurs live, by building high-rises and shopping centers. Any news of a terrorist
attack will only hurt their (the Uyghurs) cause, says Hanna Beech.
Benjamin Mao
Pd.6
2/27/14
I could see how this article could hurt the Uygur cause. Although the Chinese
government certainly is treating the Uyghurs as second class citizens, that by no means
justifies the mass killing of innocent people in a train station just to make a point for
independence.
http://world.time.com/2014/03/01/deadly-terror-attack-in-southwestern-china-blamed-on-
separatist-muslim-uighurs/