Author: Vanessa King

Turkey to Join EU?

- Vanessa King

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in negotiations with EU foreign ministers for Turkey to become a member of the European Union. Entry talks have been in the works since December of 2004, however the Prime Minister must first be able to show that Turkey is ready for what reposibilities come with being a European country. Human rights issues are being addressed in Turkey and much progress is being made. Today the talks are set to begin and may take up to a decade or more before a descision is met.

Human Rights Watch said that freedom of expression, torture and ill-treatment, freedom of assembly and internal displacement are all areas where important initial progress has been achieved but where significant additional efforts are needed to demonstrate lasting positive change. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said the deal also shows that there is no fundamental clash of civilisations between Christians and Muslims.

“On the contrary, if [Turkey] fulfils the same principles of human rights, then Muslims and Christians can work together.”

If the decision is met this could potentially be a very positive move for Turkey as a Country.

Musicians Have Good Hearts

- Vanessa King

A new study led by Italian and British researchers shows that music lovers experience reduced levels of stress and could be less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The faster and more complex rhythms the participants listened to the more sped up the breathing and circulation was while slower music had an opposite effect. Responses were most evident in those with musical training as they seem to have been trained to synchronise breathing with musical phrases.

The British Heart Foundation has made similar findings also showing associations between emotions and signs of good heart health. Dr Charmaine Griffiths, spokesperson of the BHF also added “One person’s Mozart may be someone else’s Madonna and it may be that different people find relaxation in different types of music”.
The researchers suggest the effects of slow rhythms and pauses could be helpful in preventing or treating heart disease and stroke. But if you personally find relaxation in hardcore techno or Megadeth that just may do the trick as well!

Previous research has also shown that music can improve athletic performance, improve movement in neurologically impaired patients, and even boost milk production in cattle! All signs point to KEEP ON GROOVIN!

Puppy miraculously survives!

- Vanessa King

align= A 6 month old puppy from Florida somehow managed to swallow a 13 inch serrated knife! Whats most miraculous about this story is not that the dog just managed to get it down, but that she survived! The Saint Bernard puppy, named Elsie, had the blade between her esophagus and stomach for about FOUR DAYS before it was removed earlier this week in a 2-hour operation. With only an 8 inch scar left on her tummy the puppy is now home safe and sound with her family (who is now wrapping their sharp objects in towels and placing them in high places).

Canadian Government increasing support for Addicts

- Vanessa King

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh announced yesturday that $851,000 in federal funding will be spent to help curb the crystal meth abuse by first nations across Canada. More than 340 aboriginal addictions counsellors and health workers will be trained in how to counsel addicts of methamphetamine. Measures to help prevent the use of crystal meth will also be part of the 30 hour certification program that the counsellors will learn at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.

“By training these skilled and experienced community workers in the prevention of crystal meth abuse, we are strengthening our response to this very serious health threat.” Dosanjh says.

Dosanjh has also reaffirmed Health Canada’s plan to spend, over the next three years, more than $6 million of its $29-million Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund on anti-drug programs geared to the West, considered to be one of the worst areas for meth and heroin addiction. Raising awareness and creating better support for users of meth and other debilitating drugs is a much needed step towards minimizing serious chemical dependancy in our communities.

The Kindness of Strangers

- Vanessa King

In the disasterous aftermath of hurricane Katrina it can seem almost impossible to look on the bright side of things. However in these kinds of trying times the kindness of everyday citizens can really make apparent the basic goodness we all share as humans on planet Earth. For example the 42 man volunteer rescue crew from BC who arrived in New Orleans on Thursday are just one of many groups of people lending their support where government officials are lacking. The team is the first and only urban search-and-rescue team deployed and operating in the area and is made up of police officers, ambulance personnel, doctors, firefighters, hydraulics experts and three search dogs.

With people like these and numerous other random ‘strangers’ selflessly lending their support it really brings to light that the goodness of people can be a powerful force indeed. A slightly nicer place to dwell than in the neglegent shadow of certain political leaders.

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