KRISTA GOLF i mean GROTE :P

NATIONAL

U.S. passports made abroad

SUMMARY
Since the 9-11 terrorist attacks, the country has had to amp up its security. The U.S. passports are using more technology to prevent fraud. The down side to this action is that it has to be done outside of the U.S. There are many concerns that this is not a safe or smart idea. These chips are harder to fake but there is concern that it will be easier for these chips to be stolen or tampered with. The U.S. does not have the technology to create this advanced security measures. The companies abroad creating these say that there is no need to worry because the factories are secure and so are the vehicles transporting the materials.

OPINION
I don’t see a reason to freak out about this new technology. Even though passports are our keys to the kingdom, the step of the passport making process that is being done abroad is not that extreme. Only the chip and the blank cover are being created abroad and the rest of the process is still being done in the U.S. This new technology will be a benefit in the long run, so let’s just hope nothing goes wrong.

INTERNATIONAL

Tata for now

SUMMARY
What was once under control of the British thumb, India’s Tata motors is taking over British car companies, Jaguar and Land Rover. These companies were sold to ford years ago, but recently have been bought out again. The Tata enterprise is somewhat equivalent to the Trump enterprise in the U.S., but it is in India and growing globally by the day. They are well known for the 5th largest steel industry in the world and also make things from sugar and tea to the recently released cheapest automobile, the Nano. This is a flourishing company, and although it is not as popular in the U.S. as it is in other parts of the, its popularity will be spreading quickly.

OPINION
India is on the rise and I want to go there so badly. The culture there is incredible and the technology is surpassing ours in the states. There are so many people living in the country of India, so there is all sorts of knowledge available. I think in the next ten years or so Tata is going to be another house hold name the U.S. and Tata himself will be richer than Donald Trump or even Bill Gates.

NATIONAL

Muchas Problemas con Aviones

SUMMARY
Hundreds of the major airlines flights are getting grounded in order to go through proper inspection. The airlines are so concerned about passengers that they are overlooking proper inspection procedures. These inspections are costing many of the airlines millions of dollars, either in fines or fuel. Over the past five years the price per gallon has increased over three dollars. On top of that, many of the plains have to be inspected in other countries. Concerns are that the plains are not being inspected properly abroad even thought the costs are cheaper. In other countries the inspectors are not FAA certified like the ones in the U.S. so some people are freaking out. The airlines say however that it is still safe to fly.

OPINION
Inspection is kind of a big deal, especially when it comes to flying in airplanes. Many people have fears of flying because they are worried something could go wrong. I personally do not have a problem with flying but after all the recent problem and the need for inspection, I am a little uneasy about the whole situation. Now that the airlines are being pressured with procedure I’m sure things will be better anyway, but it would be nice to make sure that the plain you get on is going to function properly through out the trip. If plains have been working for so long with out these strict inspections, I’m sure it will continue to ok, I hope.

INTERNATIONAL

Not another sign of global warming :o

SUMMARY
A giant chunk of Antarctic ice has broken off from the Wilkins’s shelf much sooner than scientists have expected. The chunk is about seven times the size of Manhattan. This is one of the biggest pieces to break off yet and is a result of global warming. This is a sign of climate changing faster than expected. The ice in the Arctic has a big impact on global temperatures and if the ice starts melting then the sea levels will rise and the land temperatures can increase up to 7 degrees. It is a vicious environmental circle.

OPINION
I’m kind of lost when it comes to global warming. Part of me wants to think this is nonsense, but on the other hand I look at as the flood that Noah faced in the Old Testament. We are being warned of the warming, but there is nothing we can really do. Is global warming just another Biblical sign for the end of the age? Well I hope global warming is not true because Phoenix already gets hot enough in the summer. I am not sure I could take another 7 degrees!!!