Explanation of my Rankings

Out of the rankings that I choose, I feel that the biggest threat on a global scale which incorporates all other levels, is the environment. I think that we can all agree, except for some ultra-conservative denying scientists that this is a huge threat which we all equally face. The article which I bookmarked deals with how NASA;s mission was recently changed. This obviously is a concern for the environment, since if organizations like NASA have their ability to research the effects of global warming ripped from under them, this not only is a problem for the environment because we are ignoring the problem, but also since we are controlling the discourse. If research of the environment is slowed down or even halted in some areas, it keeps the problem out of the limelight, a major bonus to the energy sector which is invested in this issue being pushed to the margins. The other ranking which I believe is a large threat on the state level is the proliferation of WMD’s. Countries like North Korea which has 100,000 well-trained special operations forces and one of the largest biological and chemical arsenals poses concern for state security. Supposedly North Korea has stockpiles of biological weapons like anthrax and the plague (see the bookmarked article on North Korea that I posted). It is also impossible for us to know how much of a threat Russia poses to us since we do not have a correct count on what and how many WMD’s they have.
On the other side of the spectrum I believe that pandemics are one of the smaller threats posed to every level of analysis listed in the matrix. It is important to note that I am simply basing this from my own perspective. As a resident of the United States my ability to perceive Bird Flu, Anthrax and AIDS as a massive threat is tainted by my inability to identify with those things in my immediate surroundings.

Posted by Samantha Munro on October 1, 2006 10:32 AM | Permalink

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