Final Wrap Up!

I think this class was great. I really learned a lot about different current events, and what is going on  in the world around me. However this was my first online class, I'm not sure online classes really work the best for my way of learning. I prefer to be in  a classroom were I can interact with my professor and fellow students. I truly enjoyed this class and really liked the student-professor interaction. I was nervous when I took this online class because you just never know. I appreciated your fast responses to all the questions that I asked. It was a pleasure to be in your class this semester. 

I learned a lot about the world, things I would have never read up on if it was not for this class. One new skill I learned was how to Blog! before this class I never wrote a blog before in my life. I think its a great way to express your opinion on things that interest you. I most definitely will take my knowledge on how to blog, with me into the future. Its a great way to do assignments. 

I really liked the energy crisis topic. It was my favorite topic that I got to write a blog about. It was something I really enjoyed because, I really try my hardest to be "green" and it is a very serious matter. I don't think people  understand how bad it is not to care about the environment.  It was really great that we got to write a blog on how we can save our planet and what other people can do as well to keep the world a safe and happy place.

I learned a lot about my self as a student taking this class. I learned what sides I take when it comes to politics, and what my views are with certain laws. I also learned that online classes are not the best for my performance. I think I'm a much better student actually being in class. I kind of felt I waited to the last minute to do some of my assignments. But as long as I organized my time, and stuck to the schedule. my work got done.

Blogging was one of the newest skills I learned from taking this course, during the spring semester. I really enjoyed doing my assignments as a blog. I think it was a great way to do an assignment in a way that was fun and exciting.  Also it was a great way to improve my writing skills. And becoming a better student at writing essays.

 I must say that the past several weeks have been extremely valuable to me. I have learned many new techniques. I felt this was a valuable course and allowed me to get a good grasp on what is going on in the world. I am aware of a lot of things I was not before this class, from drones, to Israel and Palestine, to gun rights and the world energy crisis. This class was filled with great information, I really enjoyed learning. I truly really enjoyed this class. I would recommend taking this class to anyone.

In Drone We Trust?

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), otherwise known as drones, are remotely-controlled aircraft which may be armed with missiles and bombs for attack missions. Since the World Trade Center attacks of Sep. 11, 2001 and the subsequent "War on Terror," the United States has used drones to kill suspected terrorists in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and other countries. According to( Procon.org) "The Pentagon operates some 7,000 drones while the CIA operates around 30,and each drone costs anywhere from $5 million for a Predator to $14.4 million for a Reaper. The Department of Defense's fiscal year 2012 budget estimates included nearly $5 billion for drone research, development,  and procurement (around 1% of the overall DoD budget), with additional funding that is classified." 

I personally think drones are a good idea if they help win the war on terror, and save the lives of our men and women who are fighting for our country.I have found 12 Pros of drones 11 cons according to Procon.org

PRO US Drone Strikes

• Drone strikes make the United States safer by decimating terrorist networks across the world
• Drones kill fewer civilians, as a percentage of total fatalities, than any other military weapon, 
• Drones make US military personnel safer. 
• Drone strikes are cheaper than engaging in ground or manned aerial combat. 
• Drone strikes are legal under international law,
•  Drone strikes are legal under US law.
• Drones limit the scope and scale of military action.
• Drone strikes are subject to a strict review process and congressional oversight.

• Drone strikes are carried out with the collaboration and encouragement of local governments, and make those countries safer. 
• The United States cannot risk falling behind the rest of the world in the development of drone technologies. 
• Drone pilots have a lower risk for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than pilots of manned aircraft and other battlefield soldiers. 
• The majority of Americans support drones. 

                            Protesters burn an effigy of a US drone in Sanaa, Yemen on Apr. 12, 2013.

CON US Drone Strikes

• Drone strikes create more terrorists than they kill
• Drone strikes target individuals who may not be terrorists or enemy combatants
• Drone strikes kill large numbers of civilians and traumatize local populations.
• Drone strikes mostly kill low-value targets who are not significant threats to US safety and security. 
• Drone strikes violate international law
• Drone strikes are secretive, lack sufficient legal oversight, and prevent citizens from holding their leaders accountable
• Drone strikes violate the sovereignty of other countries. 
• Drone strikes allow the United States to become emotionally disconnected from the horrors of war.
• US drone strikes give cover for other countries to engage in human rights abuses.
• Drone strikes are extremely unpopular in the affected countries.
• Many drone operators have emotional and psychological stress.

There are a lot of pros and a lot of cons to this situation. I believe in whatever makes our country safe from the "bad guys." If drones are strictly used for one thing, and that is to fight our enemy than all is good. However if the gov. thinks of taking advantage of innocent american civilians by using drones to spy, that is not right. Using the use of drones to spy is violation of our 4th amendment. If the gov. sticks with using the drones to keep its citizens safe and not to spy on us I see no problem with the use of drones at all.