http://smiley7130.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us http://smiley7130.tigblog.org/post/84499 A blood diamond can also be called a conflict diamond or a war diamond and when referred to it is a diamond mined in a war zone and sold, usually clandestinely, in order to finance an insurgent or invading army's war efforts.
This issue is an important one and is starting to get its spectators now. Now making a movie on it, news specials and even in songs. Rapper Kanye West raised the issue of conflict “blood” diamonds in his song “Diamonds” Conflict diamonds, diamonds mined and traded by rebel groups, have been the source of murder and mutilation in the small, west-African country of Sierra Leone.

In the song, West voices his own inner conflict with diamonds:
See, a part of me say keep shinin’
How? When I know what a “Blood Diamond” is …

In his video, West takes his message even further. The video takes viewers into dimly lit diamond mines, where children are forced to mine for “small bits of carbon that have no intrinsic value in themselves, and no value whatsoever to the average Sierra Leonean beyond their attraction to foreigners.”

According to a report by Partnership Africa Canada (P.A.C.), “upwards of 50,000 [have been] killed, half the population displaced, and more than two-thirds of its already severely limited infrastructure destroyed.” Meanwhile, the underground trade of illicit diamonds is booming. Conflict diamonds are valued “between 4 percent and 15 percent of the world total” and generate annual trade revenues of $7.5 billion.

This issue needs to be discussed and known. Most people don't even know what a blood diamond it, but maybe we can finally do something with this issue. This needs to stop, many innocent lives are lost over a diamond. This article is meant to make you ponder, so do that and discuss, do what you feel is right.
]]> Tue, 26 Dec 2006 13:08:00 EST http://smiley7130.tigblog.org/post/84499 40.6425000 -74.285833340.6425000-74.2858333 http://smiley7130.tigblog.org/post/66327 The Islamic laws, known as the Hudood Ordinances, were introduced by a military ruler, President Zia-ul-Haq, in 1979. They made a rape victim liable to adultery unless she could produce four male witnesses to the assault.
The main amendment approved on Wednesday takes rape out of the religious law and puts it under the penal code. That does away with the requirement for four male witnesses and will allow convictions to be made on the basis of forensic and circumstantial evidence.
It's about time these women got some rights!
Islamist lawmakers walked out of parliament, boycotting the vote, after leader Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman told the assembly the change to the law would encourage free sex. "This is an attempt to create a free sex zone in Pakistan," he said. "Existing laws are correct and should be maintained … The changes are not in line with Islamic teaching."
An amendment was introduced shortly before the vote setting down punishment of up to five years in prison for extra-marital sex, though sex outside marriage had always been an offence under laws on adultery.
I must say, women have deserved the right to call a rape an actual rape. To get four male witnesses would be nearly impossible! Thank you world for some consideration to females!


]]> Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:05:00 EST http://smiley7130.tigblog.org/post/66327 40.6425000 -74.285833340.6425000-74.2858333 http://smiley7130.tigblog.org/post/66027 One could learn more about this movie by searching the web for adrenoleukodystrophy or even watching Lorenzo's Oil with Nick Nolte and Susan Surandon, which is based on a true story.
The point of this is that ALD is not getting the attention it deserves and if you would like to help this cause in anyway visit the websites posted below to find out ways you can help. Please it is a good cause!

http://www.aldfoundation.org/
http://www.ulf.org/

Thank you~!
]]> Mon, 13 Nov 2006 23:13:00 EST http://smiley7130.tigblog.org/post/66027 40.6425000 -74.285833340.6425000-74.2858333