http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jun/15/the-low-countries-new-low

The Low Countries' New Low

This article describes the political developments in both Belgium and the Netherlands, who both had elections only a few days apart, and both had right wing, near-nationalistic victors. In the Netherlands, the Freedom Party had the highest growth. This party is openly anti-Muslim and believes the Netherlands is only for the white Dutch people. Behind them are the anti-EU VVD and the socialist PvdA, says the article. In Belgium, the nationalistic NV-A won the elections in Flanders with the socialists being the largest party in the French-speaking part of Belgium. In neither of the two countries the masses have shown shock after so many people voting for ethnic lines. Both countries, once known as the low countries, are still low according to the writer, but rather low in the writer's opinion.

My opinion:
I think the writer of this article hasn't done her homework. Calling the PvdA socialist is just factually wrong, and I think that strongly devalues the article. Apart from that, I do agree to a certain extent: I also hoped the masses would have shown some disgust, horror or shock at the rise of a party suggesting ethnic registration and promoting censorship by wanting to legally equalise the Quran to Mein Kampf. Also, I think this article partially shows developments throughout Europe and throughout the world after the Freedom Party's rise in recent elections. These developments all indicate the Netherlands' loss of its tolerant, liberal image, which I think is at the very least a pity, but is probably also something we should consider worrisome.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/18/firing-squad-executes-death-row-inmate

Utah firing squad executes death row inmate

In Utah, Ronnie Gardner became the first man in 14 years to receive the death penalty through firing squad. He had been on death row for over twenty years after committing several murders. Utah and Oklahoma are the only two American states that still offer the possibility of a firing squad as an alternative for the lethal injection. Gardner's daughter Brandie (33) said her father was in favour of the death penalty, but she opposes it because of her religion. Family members of one of Gardner's victims were present to witness the execution. Another victim's family said the victim would not have wanted this since he had always opposed the death penalty.

My opinion:
I am utterly disgusted after reading this. Especially since the article describes the exact process of the death penalty and therefore of the last few minutes of the life of this man. I do not understand how they can allow people to watch while the verdict is being executed and in my opinion that should be forbidden immediately! Even if they believe someone deserves the death penalty, it still should not be a 'show' for (families of) victims to watch and enjoy. I truly cannot believe this still happens in a world that I considered to be civilised.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/10/autism-parents-view-genetics

Parent's view on genetic link to autism: 'I don't want it to be eradicated'

Recent studies have shown certain genetic variations to be more common in people with autism, and in this article a parent of two children with autism and one without gives her opinion on the new discoveries. She explains her happiness with the discoveries as they confirm that autism is not caused by neglectful parenting, but also take away the common thought that autism is a purely genetically caused disease. She does, however, not want her children to be cured, even if the current discoveries may lead to such a cure, because she sees autism as a personality trait rather than as a disease.

My opinion:
I am very curious about all the recent developments concerning autism, but do, to an extent, disagree with the parent in this article. I can see why she dislikes calling it a disease, but on the other hand, I think it is very personal if autism is a gift, a disease, or both. For that reason I believe that a cure should be researched, especially since we cannot foresee whether this cure would take away all symptoms of autism, or only the ones considered negative. The creativity she mentions, for example, may also be part of the person's character rather than of the condition. Therefore I do not support her negative attitude towards a cure for autism.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/jun/13/ivf-malformation-risk-doctors-warn

Doctors should warn of IVF defect risk, says report

Geneticists feel that doctors should warn couples that want to try in vitro fertilisation (IVF) about the risk of malformation. This was said today after French scientists published their research into the malformation of IVF-children, showing that approximately 4% of these children has some sort of a malformation. The scientists say these malformations are the result of multiple factors, but age is not one of them. The parents of these malformed children are not older than the average parents. Therefore, the scientists decided more research is needed on several specific aspects of IVF, to explain the malformations.

My opinion:

I agree with the geneticists, I think it is vital to inform couples about such a risk before letting them enter the process of IVF. Even if the risk may seem rather small, it is something couples should be aware of and take into consideration when they decide whether or not to go for IVF. In my opinion it would be completely unethical for a medical professional to keep this information to him- or herself, but I also think it is important to research the exact cause of these malformations so they can possibly be prevented or be linked to specific features of the potential parents.

Barack Obama: "BP chief would be fired if he was working for me"

Following the now six week long oil drama near Mexico, American president Obama said he would have fired BP-boss hayward if Hayward had been in his staff. Hayward has had lot of criticism lately, after having lied about how far the oil spread (he claimed it was only on the surface, but the oil has spread until 3300 ft.), saying "The Gulf of Mexico is a really big ocean!" to trivialise the problem and posting "I want my life back!" on his Facebook when several of his employees were killed in the explosion on the oil rig. Obama's remarks are apparently part of the administration's strategy to distance themselves from the oil disaster.

My opinion:
I feel Obama has a point when saying he would have fired the BP-boss, because I feel the man is completely out of line. Complaining he wants his life back when many families just want their father or husband back, joking about the size of the disaster and simply lying about the consequences of the oil in the ocean, are all actions that cannot be allowed in my opinion. I do think, however, that Obama might not have been the right person to say this, as I believe this appears very close to power abuse from President Obama, because he is, after all, the president of the USA, and I think you put quite some pressure on someone if you are the president of the USA and saying someone should be fired. Of course, if this is all part of their strategy, the administration has surely realised this.

World Cup 2010: England need Wayne Rooney's short fuse says John Terry

Former England captain John Terry thinks Wayne Rooney's temper will not be a problem during the World Cup. During a warm-up game with a local club, Rooney was sent off for swearing at the referee, Jeff Selogilwe, who warned him not to do that at the World Cup for it could cost him the finals.

Rooney also caused problems at the previous World Cup, when he was sent off in the QF, but Terry believes Rooney has grown up a lot ever since, and that the team could have done with a bit more of that aggression.

Rio Ferdinand, the currently injured England Captain, backed Terry's assessment. He points to Rooney's hugely improved disciplinary record in recent seasons. Other teams in England's group C have already been suggested to target Rooney's suspected temper.

My opinion:
I believe Rooney should calm down a bit more. Swearing at a referee in a warm-up game against some local club is really not necessary, and such behaviour may indeed cost him the finals if he behaves the same at the actual World Cup. Also, I think Rooney's behaviour does not show much respect towards the referees, and I believe that alone is enough reason for him to lose his temper some more. Football players are rolemodels, and Rooney, being one of the England stars, should be aware of that. He should show respect towards the referee to show the little children that look up to him that you should not swear at a referee. Also, I believe his behaviour may be harmful to England's chances in the World Cup.