Children Killed in School Cont.

This super-duper recent article on the Afghani children definately proves what the government considers to be "worth-while sacrifices"

According to several officials, and contrary to previous statements, the U.S. military knew there were children at the compound but considered the target of such high value it was worth the risk of potential collateral damage.

So why the deception? You can never get a straight answer from anyone concerning matters such as this until it's too late. "Abu Laith al Libi, the al-Qaida commander in Afghanistan and a top lieutenant of Osama bin Laden" was supposed to be the target; however, MSNBC says:

The sources report that although six sets of remains besides those of the seven children were recovered, it's not clear whether Abu Laith is among those killed.

I'm sure if it was confirmed that Abu Laith was actually killed in the air strike that the military wouldn't be needing to explain itself so much. Also, if they had actually killed the top lieutenant, people would feel a hell of a lot better about the whole situation. But is it really for the better that civilian sacrifices were brought into this? War creates difficult moral dilemmas. Was the air strike justifiable? I might (a very loose might) say yes if the top leader was confirmed killed. Until then, my feeling are in limbo. Your thoughts?

Civilians Get The Brunt Of Airstrike

I heard this report on NPR's Morning Edition. (Which is really relaxing when you are driving, by the way, public radio has soothing voices) However, as much as I enjoy the soothing voices, reports like this are always unsettling. In summation, an air strike in Afghanistan killed 7 children at a madrassa school where "suspected al-Qaida militants" were hiding.

Al-Qaida militants? No way man! I feel like it's easy to justify any killing of civilians when they throw the words like insurgents, militants, al-Qaida, and suspected terrorists. Obviously, in a state of war, I am not so naive to think no civilian deaths will happen, but in 2007 (A mere 6 years of being in Afghanistan) things like this seem ridiculous. I really can see President Bush saying, "Sacrifices have to be made in the WAR ON TERROR." At the expense of the everyone involved apparently.

Military leaders have had this to say:

Coalition troops had "surveillance on the compound all day and saw no indications there were children inside the building," said Maj. Chris Belcher, a coalition spokesman. He accused the militants of not letting the children leave the compound that was targeted.

"If we knew that there were children inside the building, there was no way that that airstrike would have occurred," said Sgt. 1st Class Dean Welch, another coalition spokesman.

Obviously, this is an unfortunate accident, but it's also easy to pass the buck. Either way, no matter how you apologize, at the end of the day...America looks like a bunch of Yeti heathens to the international community. (Who already holds such a high confidence in our actions already.)

A fresh start and Why We Will Still Buy China's Toys/Dog Food/Everything

Today I opened the NYT, as I always do during lunch, and on the front page of the business section who was there staring me in the face AGAIN? China? Yessir. Wait, was this another article praising the Chinese for their excellent business ethics and rising economic power? Wow, what suck ups, right?

No, of course not. China dropped the ball again. {Here's the equation for the business section for further reference: China + Business Section = More consumer alienation.} This article was concerning the Thomas & Friends Trains that had a lovely deposit of lead in the paint that was slathered on the toys. Lead paint in 2007? Wait, before you get disgusted....read this first:

The recall issued last week covered products made from January 2005 to June 2007, suggesting that for two years RC2 failed to noticed that some of its best-selling toys were being produced with lead-based paint.

Holy lead trains Batman! Two years worth of manufacturing trains (Best selling!) that were contaminated with this paint. First, we have the pet food fiasco, then the toothpaste and cold medicine disaster, and now we have this situation. How much will the American people/World consumers of Chinese factory products take before they are totally alienated? How many kids across the globe watched George Carlin blow a whistle and tell stories while they slobbered all over their Thomas the Tank Engine from China?

After this, I’m definitely going to be more cognizant of where my children’s toys are manufactured,” said Mrs. Shultz, 33. "With my youngest son, everything goes in his mouth. I can’t take any chances.

Mrs. Shultz's son seems to be one of these aforementioned slobbering children. So, what does it all mean? China has another recall in its export industry. Consumers are annoyed with their obvious lack of quality and integrity. Does it mean that people will stop buying these products?

We’re not reconsidering our license agreement,” said a spokesman for Nickelodeon. “None of our products were affected, and they’re a good partner to us.

These recalls happen fairly often,” said Gerrick Johnson, an equity analyst with BMO Capital Market US.This recall, he said, “should not have any long-term damage.

RC2's stock also has not shown any significant damages as of yet due to the massive recall. Supply, demand, and the global consumers' willingness to pay for low priced goods will once again reign. China may be in the spot light often for botches such as these recently, but it hasn't seen to really have a negative effect on their exports. They make a myriad of products way too cheap for the majority of companies to not buy from them. China's rising economic power, however, will be under scrutiny as they grow. How long will it take for them to make repeated problems, such as this recent one, become scarce? The answer lies within the foundation of their societal and economic principles. The very foundation of the Chinese people must be changed in order to fix their constant industry mishaps. High business ethics along with significant policy reform is needed to deter companies from making these same mistakes. How long will it take for China to make these difficult, yet badly needed, changes? Time will tell; I don't have all the answers. I'm just here to make you think.