Who is afraid of Ai Wei Wei?

 The Guardian, a UK news organization, has a whole page for the guy.   Check out the video in the left hand corner to get a sense for who he is.  Then take a look at some of the headlines and read one.


       this is AI Wei Wei                                              



This is a cool story of a female street artist who is bombing China with cans of spray paint and Ai Wei Wei's face.  .From Urban Photo



So the question is.......





                              AND WHY?

Five Steps To Becoming a Taliban Suicide Bomber

In this TED talk video, "Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy takes on a terrifying question: How does the Taliban convince children to become suicide bombers?"   Ms.  Obaid-Chinoy asks an existential question to the audience nearing the end of this 8 minute clip.   How would you answer it?   
http://www.ted.com/talks/sharmeen_obaid_chinoy_inside_a_school_for_suicide_bombers.html

Afghanistan Bombing Kills 13

Here is an article from the Huffington Post discussing last week's bombing of military forces.  In your own opinion, What do you think that America should be in Afghanistan?  As a reminder, this is a touchy subject for many and some of us have family and friends there.  So, keep it constructive.  

Is 1 Israeli worth 1,000 Palestinians?

FOX NEWS-  Here is a short video from David Siegl, Israeli Consul General L.A.,  discussing the release of  of an Israeli soldier who was released from 5 years of imprisonment under Palestinian occupation.  His release was a prisoner trade for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.   Do you think that the release is worth it?   Do you think America would do the same for one of its soldiers?    Should we consider the possibilities of such acts?   

Pink Fatigue?   An Existential Conundrum.  Are we too much into Breast Cancer?   

In this short radio discussion from NPR, have we gon overboard with Pink and breast cancer.  Do you agree or disagree with what is said regarding awareness vs. treatments?  What should we be spending more of our time on?          Do you know they make pink guns for fundraising?   Ironic.                                        

Paul Rusesabagina, No 'Ordinary Man'

If you are going on our Field Trip to meet Paul Rusesabagina this is a good video for you to listen to.   It's from NPR (National Public Radio) and discusses the amazing story of his survival and how he saved the lives of 1200 people with no support from international intervention.  How do you forgive the atrocities that you experience in order to live?  Would you let a lion into your house?   Also check out the clip from his autobiography     

Yang Lan, the Growth of China, and the Rise of the New Super Power?

Check this speech out from TED.   TED is a non-profit dedicated to building and sharing new and ground breaking ideas with the public.   They invite the "whicked smaaat"  to discuss new and creative ideas with a larger audience.   Yang Lan, a famous Chinese journalist,  discusses the growth and changes in China and offers a growing "liberal" ideology taking place.   Do you think that China is going to take the place of the United States as the number 1 super power?   If so, why or why not?