Car Crash?

This weekend I read an article titled “5 signs you've been in a staged car crash” by Barbara Marquand. This article was published on Insure.com on December 12, but I found it on Yahoo News. The article was about staged car crashes and how to notice them. The article says that fake car crashes occur all across the U.S. and that the purpose for them is to get insurance money from car companies.

                I think that Barbara was genuinely trying to help the people who get in staged car crashes and I admire that she is trying to warn the public about this kind of threat. However, I can see people viewing this article as a guide on how to perform a staged car crash, even though I know that that wasn’t the intention.  When Barbara is describing the many ways that people have been taken by a staged car crash at an intersection, it could be seen as a guide to fake car crashes at intersections and when she is describing the signs of a staged car crash the signs could be seen as an inventory list.

                 This just goes to show that you should be careful who you say things to and when. I could be telling a police officer to be careful when someone is shooting armor piercing bullets and then all next week gangs would be stocking up on armor piercing bullets. I could be telling a child not to play with fire because they could get hurt and another kid would start making bonfires in his backyard. I could be telling somebody how to prepare for a staged car crash and then the amount of staged car crashes in Texas could go up 50%, or in New York, or all across the U.S.

                Then again, I’m just a high school student who has no knowledge of legal affairs so you can choose to ignore me if you wish.    

                My advice is if you are in a car crash the first and probably the only people you should be talking to are the police and your own family. Don’t take any advice from people that you don’t know about where to go and who to visit, especially if they’re the ones who ran into your car. If you want to be extremely safe then don’t drive a car and take a bus or taxis or space ship or teleporter or camel or some form of transportation that is not insured.

Snow Day. Gift or Problem?

This weekend I read an article on Yahoo news titled “Cold-snap stories: From frozen Vegas to the frigid Midwest, residents commiserate” by Jim Skillern. This article was published on 12/5/13 telling of some interesting weather stories. Apparently, not only Texas is experiencing cold weather this weekend. There have been stories of heavy snow, freezing rain, slick roads, and abnormally cold weather from places as far west as California to Oklahoma.

This article gives me some very mixed emotions about this winter storm. At first when I heard that there would be snow and a day off of school I was jumping for joy. Then, I remembered all of the assignments I had to do and I lost some of my steam power. Now the winter storm that I was hoping would give me that winter wonderland feeling has killed 5 people in Minnesota since Monday. I’m still going to look at this storm from the bright side, but anyone who is experiencing this weather should be careful.     

To anyone ages 5-15, don’t throw snowballs before checking for rocks first and wear as many layers as possible to keep you warm without suffocating yourself. Don’t build any snowmen, as soon as you give them a hat it’s like they come alive. Snow angels are fun, but I personally enjoy snowball fights. If you are a person for staying inside where it warm and dry then have fun with that.

Anyone who owns a car should either purchase snow tires or chains or stay off the road and stay home. If you can’t work from home, then this would be a good day to call in sick. If the power goes out at home then find a generator or build a fire. If the power doesn’t go out buy some hot cocoa and little marshmallows and relax. Ensure that if a power line snaps and falls in your yard not to touch the snow, ice may be frozen water but, it’s still a conductor of electricity. Last time there was snow in Texas a power line fell in our yard. I’m glad that my parents handled that because I would have just stayed inside and looked at it until the snow melted.

This is all the information I have on winter storms and if this information was unhelpful, I apologize, but in my defense I was raised in Texas and snow safety information isn’t really a necessity down here. Either way, enjoy the snow, have fun, and give Jack Frost my regards.   

Brazil Political info

This weekend I read an article titled “Political corruption in Brazil” by The Economist, published on November 23, 2013.  This article talks about how the former Chief of Staff to the President, José Dirceu, was arrested recently for bribery, money-laundering, misuse of public funds and conspiracy in order to win support in Brazilian congress. Henrique Pizzolato, who was also guilty of money laundering, fled from Brazil to Italy and Brazilian officials are still trying to get Italy to turn him over to them. The guilty party, which consists of 25 people, is still making pleas and arguments against their arrest to no avail.

This article both depresses me and impresses me because it is so horrible to think that José Dirceu, the most powerful man in Brazil, was making money off of his own country, but I’m impressed that Brazil caught him and is making such good progress on arresting the most of the guilty party. This man’s punishment will probably be lessened due to his social status and wealth which angers me in so many ways. He chose to cheat, lie, and steal, but he is going to get the best treatment he can get, even though he’s in jail. It is a step up from letting him roam free which happens all too often in Latin America for the wealthy or political officials.

I’m glad that there is some kind of change that has occurred in Brazil that gives the courtroom enough power to sentence the rich as well as the poor. Whatever Brazil is doing differently they should keep doing it because it seems to be helping them gain equality. I would like to hear some kind of statement from Brazil’s current president, Dilma Rousseff, about this accomplishment. If the people of Brazil work hard enough, then they might become the leaders in cultural revolution involving Latin America. There have been too many factors hindering social and economic equality and poverty in Latin America up to now.

Brazil will have to be the example for Latin America that the United States was for the world. America being an example should commend Brazil’s attempt at equality. It is the same kind of problems that African Americans have had in the U.S in the century following the civil war. However, America had a stable government during those times which Brazil does not, so the least we could do is support Brazil in these endeavors when we can.

PlayStation 4 Thefts

This weekend I read an article titled “PlayStation 4 launch results in series of game thefts” by Eric Pfeifer on Yahoo news. It was published on November 16, 2013. I was very surprised that these robberies took place after the consoles were purchased instead of being stolen from the store in which they were sold at. Three PlayStation 4 robberies were mentioned in this article. Two of these robberies took place in Bakersfield, California in a store. In both scenarios, the assailants were arrested. There was also a PlayStation 4 stolen in Kansas early in the morning. The assailants took the PlayStation 4 after forcing open the door to the owner’s home. There are suspected to be more thefts on Black Friday and the thefts are predicted to continue until the holiday season ends.

This article was very brief; however, it gives plenty of details as to when and how these crimes were committed. To be honest, I have no idea why anyone would steal the PlayStation 4. There hasn’t really been anything that I have heard about to cause someone to take such drastic measures. The PlayStation 4 is a great console. It has internet, movies, games, music, and plenty of room for extra data, good graphics, and fast connectivity but it isn’t worth stealing.  

A few reasons that you should not to steal the PlayStation 4 are:

1.      It will be less expensive later.

2.      A friend will probably let you play with it.

3.      YOU WILL GET ARRESTED FOR STEALING IT!

My advice to the rest of you, (who never intended on stealing the PlayStation 4 or won’t now that I’ve given you some good reasons not to) be careful to protect your PlayStation 4 if you buy one anytime between now and the early days of the New Year. Be sure to remember not to brag to anyone about your amazing PlayStation 4 because they might try to rob you and then “oops!” you won’t have one anymore.

Other than that I have nothing to add to the subject. Do not ask me if I prefer Xbox one or PlayStation 4. Whether or not there will be any or as many robberies for the Xbox one I have no idea. Be careful when walking around with valuable items. Don’t talk to gun wielding, ski mask wearing strangers about your expensive game consoles. They are not your friends and if they are anything like me they will not regret running away from that conversation with everything you own.