The U.S. Government has begun plans to utilize a "virtual fence" on the border of the United States and Mexico. This form of border control is 370 miles of pedestrian fencing and 300 miles of vehicle barriers to be completed by the end of this year. The biggest targets of this new form of border control are illegal immigrants and drug smugglers. This highly advanced software can control cameras and lock on targets instantly. 98-foot tall, unmanned surveillance towers use very advanced surveillance software to carry out all of these operations.
This story is extremely important and encompasses many elements of news. First, we see the element of conflict: the U.S. versus Mexico. The amount of illegal immigrants currently is not controlled and this is a way for us to regain control. The conflict is the government versus the illegals and drug smugglers. I also see the element of importance because illegal immigration and the war on drugs is something that concerns a lot of people. This new fence may be seen as a resolution to some of the problems. (The Washington Post, 2/22/08, p. A12).
My favorite story of the week is the Bush administration's global initiative to triple the amount of money used to fund AIDS research. The bill authorizes $50 billion over five years to treat infection, prolong care, and care for orphans who's parents have been taken by HIV/AIDS. This story has the element of importance. AIDS is a global problem, here and overseas. It is spreading rapidly and with no cure in sight, everything else that can be done, should be. (The Washington Post, 2/28/08, p. A1).
The Supreme Court yesterday gave the benefit of the doubt to a FedEx worker who claimed age discrimination...(The Washington Post 2/28/08, p. A6). The Senate yesterday continued a heated debate on a bill to start withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq within 120 days...(The Washington Post 2/28/08, p. A3). Sen. John McCain accused Sen. Barack Obama of making ill-informed comments about Iraq and al-Qaeda...(The Washington Post 2/28/08, p. A1). Relatives of the four girls whose decomposed bodies were found last month in a Southeast Washington row house have hired lawyers...(The Washington Post 2/28/08, p. A1). U.S.-backed Sunni volunteer forces are increasingly frustrated with the American military and the Iraqi government...(The Washington Post 2/28/08, p. A1).
