Earthquake hits Indonesia

On Monday a earthquake was hit Sumatra, Indonesia. The epicenter of the earthquake was said to be 8.8 miles deep, meaning that this was a large earthquake that was felt in 5 other towns. The quake was initially measured at 7.2 on the scale so it alarmed the country sending out a tsunami warning. Indonesia is prone to earth quakes and volcanic activity because it is located on what is called the Pacific Ring of Fire. Sumatra had a large tsunami hit the area in 2008, that is why the warning got out so fast because of previous experiences.

I think that it is great that finally countries have learned and taken initiative in helping build the own infrastructure. Since the earthquake hit Sumatra and the scientists warned the country fast enough to warn everyone of the tsunami that could potentially be caused shows how much they are improving their living conditions in that country. It is also good because since they do live in the so called Pacific Ring of Fire, if they can keep getting warnings out fast enough less people will be harmed by future natural disasters.

Bus and Train Collision

A bus was attempting to cross a railroad track in Ukraine at 9 am in the morning. The bus driver did not give any attention to the sirens that were going of indicating that there was a train coming across the tracks. The train collided with the bus killing 41 of the 49 passengers not including the driver. Ukraine has said that number is most likely to rise because the people who did survive were in very poor condition.

I think that this whole accident is pure stupidity. It is almost one hundred percent the bus drivers fault for this accident. If what is said true about the sirens going off and the bus not yielding to them, then who other than the drivers fault could this be? The families of the people that died now are suffering from a loss to a person they loved because of one person carelessness. I feel that things like this could be prevented in other countries just by having better trained people.

Firefighters Refuse to Put out Home Fire

In a small town of South Fulton, Tennessee a fire station was called to come aid a house fire that was outside of town. But the station would not respond because the house was not in city limits and they did not pay there fee of $75 dollars. Because of this they let the families house burn to the ground along with all of their possessions and 3 of their pets. The firefighters did tend to the area for the fire though, but not for the families house, they contained the fire so it stayed in their lot and not the neighbors because they did pay the $75 fee. They would not allow the family to pay them on the spot because nobody would pay in advance if they would be able to do that.

I think that its ridiculous that they let the fire burn the house to the ground. I disagree with them doing that because it is their responsibility to help out people in need and save houses or buildings that are being consumed by flames. I think that they should have a rule that makes u pay more if u pay on the spot because either way people are going to lose more money if the whole house is destroyed. They have to change the rules inside this small town because that family is completely out of a house over a stupid little rule.

ISSUE #2 -Spending What We Can Afford

In 2007, Congress passed the Pay-as-you-go budgeting also known as "Paygo." It is where people can only pay for what they can afford. People feel that this knew budgeting bill will not help out the country because it will cause taxes to be raised in order for the Government to be able to afford there fundings. Americans also feel that it will make a big dent in the economy. They also think that since the families of America will follow the purchase what you can afford the government should follow.

I think that this new Paygo budget will not work because the government will not be able to follow its own rule of purchas what they can afford so they will be forced to hike up taxes like many Americans think. I also think that because of this it will hurt the economy also because Americans will be forced to spend more on the taxes and not into other goods that help boost our economy. I believe it will also restrict on our spending of National Emergencies because the government will not be able to afford it. http://www.gopac.org/


Brian E Issue 1-http://briansoccer77.blogspot.com/2010/10/federal-budget-blog-issue-one.html
Andy Brian Strater Issue 3- http://astrater.blogspot.com/2010/10/issue-3-social-insecurity.html