Firearms From U.S. Being Used in Mexico For Drug Violence

Summary: Since late in 2006, Mexican cartels have been taking advantage of the United States gun laws, and smuggling thousands of guns across the boarder to use in an escalating Mexican drug war. Already, it has taken over 31,000 lives, and it has been discovered that about eighty percent of the guns being used are coming from the U.S. The Mexican drug traffickers are hiring Americans to sell the guns to them. So far it's been working effectively for them because they have seized over 90,000 American weapons. Payments are up to $200 for the weapons. Many Americans don't realize what the use of the weapons are for, therefore they have no clue that the intentions for the guns are to kill other innocent people. It's been noted that the recent increase in purchases is fueling excessive violence in Mexico, and experts are beginning to see the direct link. Most purchases have been along the Southwest Boarder. The guns are not being sold to honest hands, which gives great reason for the U.S. to begin taking charge and having a say in the matter.

Opinion: This is a very serious situation that is falling into the hands of the United States. Experts say that we are being caught red handed, but is it really a criminal matter and our fault if no one knew the intentions for the weapons. The U.S. shouldn't be blamed for the matter unless there is proof that sellers had recollection of the uses for the guns and knew about the violence happening in Mexico. Even though I don't believe we are responsible for the loss of innocent live in Mexico, I do believe that it is our duty as a neighboring country to step in and help. In a way we have been a part of this blood shed and out of the goodness in our hearts, we should help try to clean it up. Mexico is becoming a scary and violent place. This isn't good for them or us. If we want to keep everyone safe, help our people, their people, and both of our economies, than something needs to be done about the drugs, guns, and violence.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40572312/ns/world_news-americas/

Warm, Beating Hearts Offer Transplant Hope

Summary: In Los Angeles a woman with the name of Andrea Ybarra, was donated a heart that was beating before the doctors even transplanted it. This is a new operation that has been mostly done in Europe, but now it has been brought in the States and seems to be working with positive effects. Usually when organs are transported for donations, they are put into and ice box, if you will, and a chemical is injected into it to make it stop functioning and stay preserved. Although the doctors don't have much time to get it into the donor patient. The organs only stay fresh up to 4 to 6 hours. This also means that when someone needs an organ they can't look too far away for a donor because of the minimal time gap. The longer it takes for the transplant to occur the greater the chances are for death or disease of the patient. Now, specifically for hearts, they have found a way to get around the problem. Recently hearts have been placed in a box where blood is pumped through it and it is kept warm. This way it never stops functioning and there is more time for the transplant to take place. If experts are able to preserve hearts longer it could greatly change the field.

Opinion: I think that this new discovery is fantastic! What a break-through in science. Many more people are going to be able to find donors because they will be able to look farther away from home. There will also be less risks because the heart never stops beating; when it gets put into the patient, it feels like the heart has always been a part of them and that they feel as good as new. Therefore, I think this new discovery is an all around win. Something like this has needed to happen for awhile. It may also make people more willing to donate their organs. If there is a greater chance of knowing that their organs will be able to be used, they will more than likely be more willing to donate. I know that I am signed up to be an organ donor and I only hope that someday I can save someones life. With this new found technology there is a greater chance that my heart could save somebody and that make me really happy, I'm sure as well as the people on the donor waiting list. It's a beautiful thing.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40518894/ns/health-heart_health/

Town That Disney Built Became A Crime Scene

Summary: In Celebration, Florida, this week brings nothing to celebrate. For the first time in 14 years the town and wonderful community endured their first homicide. Just five miles South of Walt Disney World, residents were shocked by the news that the 58-year old neighbor living on the bottom floor had been killed. No one had seen him in days and so they filled a missing person's report, but found that it was too late. This type of crime is very rare for the kind and giving community of Celebration. The biggest criminal reports they get are that of if a bike were to be stolen, not murder. Inhabitants of the town are starting to become frightened and wonder if this is the same town that they once had known it to be, but officials and specialists are quickly calming their nerves by letting them know that the incident was isolated. Over the years there has been crime in Celebration, but always much less than neighboring communities.

Opinion: I think it is always sad to hear criminal news reports, and terrible actions, such as this, taking place somewhere that is said to be high class and safe. It makes people feel like there isn't a secure place to go and live in peace, but I disagree. Even though things can happen in the nicest of places, I don't think that automatically makes them a bad place to reside. Celebration is a good community and has been for fourteen years. They shouldn't let this get in the way of their views of the area. It was a freak case that may take time to recover from, but all in all Celebration should go back to the way they acted and saw their neighbors before the heartbreaking news. If they were as strong of a community as they said they were prior to what happened, then I know that they can pull together and get back to the happy place that they were at. Neighbors and friends can make all of the bads in life disappear.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40476879/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/