10,000+ books!

We've reached 10,000 books! Awesome job, guys and gals. You've worked hard and put a ton of time into it - thanks! Invisible Children can add our 10,600 + books to their total of 350,000 books.

Blog #6 - China and pollution concerns

Pollution is a big problem in China since they now have become the world's manufacturer. It is blamed for raising the birth defect rate 40% just since 2001 (http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/charity-news/pollution-china-defects-.htm). There was major concern over air pollution and how the athletes would perform under those conditions.

According to China Daily, http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-02/24/content_7508856.htm, a government official is quoted as saying:

"'The general situation of environmental pollution does not allow us to be
optimistic,' Zhang told a national meeting on pollution control in Shanghai.
'The fundamental way to overcome this is to continue to press enterprises to
reduce pollution emission through technology and management,' he said."

90% of China's lakes and underground water is polluted, according to the same article.

Because China's pollution affects the world, do you think that China should be pressured to fix its pollution problems? If so, who pressures China to do this? U.S.? U.N.? How should China pay for these fixes? Taxes on manufacturers? Foreign companies pay for it?

Minimum 150 words, due Friday, 2/27.

Link to "China Makes, The World Takes"

All right. Here's the link to the Atlantic Monthly article, "China Takes, The World Takes."

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200707/shenzhen

A slide show of pictures that goes along w/ life in China. http://podcasts.theatlantic.com/2007/06/made-in-china.php

Questions for "China Makes, The World Takes."

Intro pgs. 49-52

1. How has trade with China been beneficial to both China and the West?

2. How is the rise of China today similar to the rise of 19th Century America?

How It Works: The View from the Four Points pgs. 52-65

3. How does Shenzen's growth parallel that of China?

4. What did it mean Shenzen to be a "special economic zone"? How did this status help the city become a huge manufacturing center?

5. What does the term "Mr. China" mean? Why has it been so difficult for someone to keep this title?

6. Describe the life of a typical migrant worker who has left the countryside and moved to the city looking for work.

7. What is the work week like for a typical factory worker? What do these workers do after working in the factory for 2-3 years?

8. Who were the first entrepreneurs that came to Shenzen? Why did they come?

9. What are the two reasons (low-road, high-road) why American buyers keep secrets about their Chinese suppliers?

10. Why are Chinese factories attractive to those companies who have / need a quick turn-around time?

11. How is the Inventec Computer factory like the "Ford Motor Company's old River Rouge plant"?

Good For Us - For Now pgs. 65-72

12. The 11th Five Year plan in China is named "harmonious society" or hexie shehui. What does this 5 year plan attempt to do?

13. How does the Chinese government justify the low wages and terrible treatment of its workers?

14. The smiley curve shows where the Chinese workers come in at the manufacturing section. At both ends of the smile, America is there "where the money is." Why do you think it's important for America to be on both sides?

15. (p. 69) How have the Chinese helped out America's economy?

16. How do China and Japan's economic development differ?

17. What kinds of complications does America have to beware of when dealing with China in the future?

18. How is China trying to move out of the bottom of the smiley curve?

19. Why do you think the author has the opinion that manufacturing jobs that have been outsourced or sent to China will most likely, if never, come back to America? Explain.

Choose 10 total questions - you must do five that are bold and red, and you choose the remaining 5 questions to answer.

Due Thursday, 2/26/09

Blog #5 - Evaluation of book drive

Due Wednesday, February 4th. 200 words minimum.

Reflection time!

A couple questions to think about as we reach the completion of the book drive. As of Monday night, we have over 6,700 books; we're 2/3 of the way there!

So, here are the questions:
1. How do you think these books and money collected will affect the schools and kids of northern Uganda? Explain.

2. How do you feel that the Groves community has responded so strongly to the book drive? Why?

Thanks.