Sex Slavery in the United States

Many people do not realize the reach of the sex slave industry. First, what makes someone a sex slave? Simply stated, a sex slave is someone who is used for exploitation or profit using sexual means. They are often forced to endure brutal sexual acts many times each day.

The average price for a sex slave world-wide in $90 with profits in excess of $32 billion making slave trade the third most profitable criminal activity in the world (drugs are number one and weapons are number two). (International Justice Mission)

Most people think that the sex slave industry does not involve the United States directly, but it does. Last June, 389 people were arrested in 10 different states for being involved in child prostitution rings. (Reuters) The largest ports for slave trade are found in Texas and California with Houston, TX having the highest level slave trafficking in the U.S.

So, why should one work to get sex slavery stopped? Here are a few more facts:

--the average age of sex slaves is 14.

--64% of sex slaves sustain serious injuries, 24% have head injuries, 12% have broken bones.

--Sex slaves are usually very poor people lured with the promise of a better life.

--Sex slaves are typically controlled by beatings, forced drug addiction, and threats towards their families.

(International Justice Mission)

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Do you agree that sex slavery is a problem in the United States?

What steps should be taken to prevent and expose sex slavery?

HIV/AIDS in Africa

After clicking on the link for the article for “National HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework,” I experienced a mixture of shock and embarrassment. I experienced shock because I was surprised to find that Zambia had created a framework to combat HIV and AIDS within their nation. I then immediately experienced embarrassment that I felt this way. Why did I think African nations were not developing valid, viable plans of their own to combat the AIDS epidemic? It makes sense that they would want to make a positive difference in their own country. They are seeing the effects of the AIDS problem firsthand. I still wonder from where my misconceptions have risen. Is it because I only hear of the United Nations constantly pressuring African nations to take responsibility for their citizens? I do not remember hearing about good efforts and measures that African nations are taking on behalf of their citizens’ well-being. I only hear of corrupt governments that are leading to violence. I feel we could all benefit from hearing more of the positive impacts African governments are having on their citizens.

So, I continued to read in order to find out what the Zambian government was doing to combat HIV and AIDS and their effects. Their plans include many of the same plans I have always heard to combat AIDS: abstinence, education, one partner, etc. I also found it interesting that they too were working on providing HIV/AIDS victims with the proper medicines. Then I began to wonder how all their wonderful plans would be funded in such a poor continent.

Towards the end of the article, the author addresses the obstacle of funding in Zambia and other African nations. The author says, “Too often, districts and CSOs are asked to produce plans…to be told after that the financial resources are not available for their plans” and “it is often shown that it is not only lack of funding that constrains implementation, but rather uncertainty and delayed flows of funds.” I think these two lines get at the heart of the problem that governments in Africa are facing. First, they need money to combat the horrible problem of AIDS plaguing their countries. However, their economies generally are not strong enough to provide enough money to fund the projects they need to implement. Secondly, the funds they do have access to are, ironically, not easily accessible. The author talks about the “uncertainty and delayed flows of funds.” I realize that this refers to the bureaucracy and developing nature of their own governments. However, I wonder if it also refers to the slow flow of funding from other countries, namely developed nations. For example, the United States has often offered assistance only to be extremely slow in actually giving the assistance these countries need.

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What needs to be done to halt the progression of HIV/AIDS?
What is the United State's role?

NATO, the United States, and Afghanistan

Among other things that were discussed at the NATO 60th anniversary summit in Strasbourg, France, was the escalating desire to secure Afghanistan. Jaap De Hoop Scheffer, the NATO Secretary General, has been advocating the necessity of "finding a better integration of the military with the civilian" for some time. Yet NATO has been somewhat slow to act.

President Obama pleaded that Afghanistan needs to be invested in to secure dangerous areas - areas that are not only dangerous to the United States but to Europe as well. NATOs support of both money and troops shows, despite a history of slow action, that NATO is indeed behind improving the security of Iraq.

Also of note is the President Obama's impact on the European populace. His first trip to Europe showed similar crowds and excitement as the end of his campaign, and NATO leaders are ready to work with him. Any argument of the validity of investing in Afghanistan aside, one cannot deny that President Obama's leadership has bettered the United State's foreign image and stereotypes. The next few years should see more cooperation between the United States and NATO, as well as other countries and international entities.

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Is Afghanistan worth investing in?
Is President Obama bringing the United States into an era of more global cooperation?

Mexican War on Drugs

The recent violence on the border of Mexico and the United States calls for immediate action. The attacks and protest can be attributed to various drug cartels. While drug cartels have been a historic problem in Mexico, recent violence can be attributed to an uprising against the government under President Felipe Calderón with claims that the government is favoring some cartels over others. The government firmly denies this which has led to a propaganda battle between the drug cartels’ attempt to smear the government, and the government’s fight to keep the Mexican people on its side.

Violent acts continue to escalate, and death tolls among United States citizens have now become an important factor. The current status of the Mexican drug cartels’ power, activities, and defiance is a product of the lack of border security, insufficient Mexican police and military power, and the bribery of Mexican citizens.

The solution lies in various areas. Politically, the United States may have to act with military force to prevent a Mexican Civil War if Calderón’s government cannot contain the cartel. The insufficient Border Patrol allows the cartel to generally act unchallenged between the United States and Mexico, a vital source of their income. Drug problems and addictions continue to fuel the income of the drug cartel. Education is vital for stopping their progress. Future activities will dictate how we must react, but there are many ways to get involved with helping the people and proper government of Mexico.

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What steps are important to curbing the Mexican drug cartel?

What role should the United States play?