The Sun Shining Down

Anything truly is possible. Even in the elite olympics dreams that are dashed before they start have a way of finding their dreamer when they least expect it. Canadian Davey Barr thought his Olympic dreams were over. After not making the freestyle ski team in January, Barr was content to stay at home in British Columbia and watched his fellow country men compete. They were scheduled to compete Sunday and by late Saturday afternoon, Barr was at home planning to watch the event the following day. But anything is possible. Late Saturday evening, Barr got a call from the Canadian coach of the freestyle team asking him to come to Vancouver to compete in the Men's ski cross the following day. Canada's competitor and their backup both got injured and were unable to compete. So without a suit, room or any practice on the course Barr arrived in Vancouver. Barr's coach got him a suit, while the officials found him a room in the Olympic Village. With only two quick trainging runs down the course before competition, Barr instantly became the "Instant Olympian," getting 6th in the semi-finals. Though he did not qualify for finals, Barr certainly proves that even when it looks like there is no hope left, anything truly is possible and come true, you just have to believe!

In other news, a new Australian study shows the positive effects of fishing bans. In 2004, Australia issues a fishing ban on one-third of it's Great Barrier Reef. This ban of the past 6 years has shown positive effects on the life of the reef. The coral is less damaged, fish populations are rising, bigger fish are being seen, and sharks are coming back. This increase of the health of the reef proves equally good for both the reef and people who depend upon the reef. The scientist also believes that this study and protection will help with long-term sustainability of our oceans.

What is causing a greater environmental effects than pollution AND global warming? Well it is the legal and illegal pet trade. The pet trade, with the majority of species coming out os South-east Asia rivals the drug-trade, with extremely high profit margins and gang control exports/imports and territory. Basically what these people are doing is going into pristine forest and emptying them of all wildlife. This is now called empty-forest syndrome. The profit of this trade rivals the drug trade but has much less punishment. This craze is wiping out countless species, and threatening the extinction of thousands of others. As forests run out of the desired animals, they move on to the next. For just $4,000 dollars, you can get a smuggler to send you one of the most endangered animals in the world, the ploughshare tortoise. 43 million animals were exported out of South-east Asia in the last decade, and 100's of millions more were exported illegally. This crime must be stopped, without the wildlife in the forests, what point is having nature? SAVE THE EARTH!!!

A week flown by

Obama announced this week that he would finally be meeting with the Dalai Lama. Obama received some criticism early in his presidency for denying a meeting with the Dalai Lama over concern that a meeting would worsen ties with China. Even though he still believes that the meeting could possibly have harsh consequences with China down the road, he has now agreed to meet with him. The Dalai Lama has meet with every US president for the past two decades.

The early headlines of the American missionaries "kidnapping" Haitian children have been freed. Eight our the the ten missionaries were freed when the parents of the children taken told them they had willingly given them away in order for them to have a better life. Two of the missionaries are still be held for questioning, but they other eight on currently on a plane headed for Miami.

This week was also the hottest week ever. Literally the HOTTEST week ever. Physicists in a US lab have created matter at around 4 TRILLION degrees Celsius. This is the hottest temperature EVER reached by a lab. This matter represents the "quark soup" that scientists believe existed at the beginning of the universe.

First Post

Yesterday proved to be one of the most interesting days so far in this years Premiere League. The blues, currently ranked number one with 58 points went down under Everton with a score of 2-1. The new French super star on Everton, Saha, who just signed 2 weeks ago, scored both goals. One in the 33rd min and one in the 75th min. The lone goal of Chelsea came from Malouda in the 17th min. This loss proved a victory for close behind Man U, now 57 points with a tie from Aston Villa and Arsenal with 52 points after a 1-0 victory against Liverpool. Villa was able to keep the highly rated Man U at bay with a goal by Cuellar in the 19th min to keep the scored 1-1 after Man U scored in the 23rd min by a goal by Collins. West Ham, Walverhampton and Blackburn also pulled out victories in yesterday's matches.

In other news, a deal has finally been reached concerning the bailout of Greece. The EU's president Van Rompuy said: "Euro area member states will take determined and co-ordinated action if needed to safeguard stability in the euro area as a whole. The Greek government has not requested any financial support." Though the German Chancellor Merkel did state the deal will come with "string attached". Though since no exact details were given, the euro lost more once again to the dollar and pound.

Today also marks the 20th anniversary of global hero and legend Nelson Madela's release from prison. Mandela, 91, has made very few public appearances in recent years due to various reasons. Today, Mandela broke his precedent and made an appearance in parliament in Cape Town. President Zuma celebrated this momentuous anniversary with a speech about Mandela and how the World Cup this summer in South Africa will be a huge success in his honor. Though South Africa still has many problems, Madela's appearance helped to instill in the people and parliament that change can happen and that their is still hope.

Well that's it for today, hope you guys enjoyed the posts, there will be more to come soon! And remember "Your heart is free, have the courage to follow it" ~ Braveheart

Ciao,

Thomas