To the public

To Whom it may concern,

          Don’t you enjoy a nice lazy sunny afternoon just walking down the streets past your local park with smiling children running around? It must be nice to know that you can relax and enjoy your day carefree with no worries in the world, I know I do. However not everybody can enjoy the same feeling of security as we all do here back here where it’s safe and sound to roam the streets. In Asia, Africa, and Europe there are countries and villages that can’t take a step down the road without thinking twice. Why? Because they have a chance that may end their life right then or there, or worse blow off an arm or two and become scarred with trauma.

                Not much people can enjoy a peaceful day knowing that they are living in a hazardous area filled with landmines, and what’s more scary is that it’s been years since these mines have been planted, and even after more years there are countless of them still existing. What’s more frightening is that nobody knows exactly how many there are. There are no such large machinery that have been thought of that can detect and DE active these mines at a large scale, and the dirty work is being done in teams to remove just one mine out of hundreds. However with time comes progress and results, and that concludes in results.

                When fear of a plague or disease outbreak happens everybody gets frighten and afraid of catching that virus. The concept is similar to the problem with these landmines; with years of fear with a disease, a cure is eventually found or even a vaccine to prevent the problem. With years of fear of stepping on a random landmine so have the evolution to fight against this problem and a whole new resourceful way of detecting these bombs are created. Rats are the cure in this analogy. A man named Bart Weejins have trained and trialed with rats to have them sniff off mines in the dirt. He used the basic training method of using a clicker and treats to have them search holes for five seconds (Which are long for rats) and then trained them to detect the smell of metal out of ten holes. The final product is in the field using rats on leashes on the actual mine fields to sniff off landmines.

                This is extraordinary. I thought the future for mankind would be in the hands of technology that is why I had high hopes that technology would be the next step to the fight for finding mines. But to my knowledge it is the use of biology. Although the progress of clearance of landmine is showing some results, it was without the use of technology. So in this case, technology isn’t always the answer for an efficient method.

Revised Personal Statement

            Looking up the bright sun shining in hues of crimson red, golden yellow, and orange; feeling the rays on my face I can’t help but smile at how good it feels to have the warmth touches every part of my face, body, and arms. But what happen when that heat gets too hot, as hot as an explosion blowing off my limbs. The scorching pain and throbbing feelings of your nerves severed and torn off. Afraid that no matter where you step there are always a random chance that you may step on a bomb. You don’t even know the statistics because you don’t know how many bombs there are or what areas they are implanted. Confused and scared are what drives your life when you walk down the streets in landmine infested countries. The use of technology are limited when it comes to the process of detecting landmines, but that doesn’t limit to what technology can do to assist to solving the problem.

            Landmines are such delicate device operated with a panel and pin that triggers the bomb. The slightest pressure on the right spot can trigger the pin and lighting the fuse to explode into hundreds of shards attacking its surroundings. Painful yes, what the problem is right now is detecting these well hidden devices but technology may not be the solution needed to find them. A man named Bart have trained rats to sniff and locate various mines in large fields. Such a revolution in the progress of this struggle to clear mine fields, and technology wasn’t the one that would further the progress of detection and disassembling these threats. However that doesn’t mean that they are still for naught. There are various ways that these technology can still assist with the struggle.

            As an engineer I know that there are still countless uses for technology that can always be helpful in any occasions. We still use vehicles, metal detectors, and even phones and radars to locate people and to transport from one spot to the next. I believe we can further technologies use capacity to even greater extent and become more beneficial for our uses. Like to limit the blast radius of disarming landmines to prevent further destruction from a detonation. I believe that although technology wasn’t the main tide turner for the progress of mine clearance, its use is still a huge factor for any kind of occasions. Nevertheless technology is still our greatest assets and will always be needed.

            Although not directly, I know that an improvement in technology doesn’t hurt to help further the assistance for other people and various modes of things. Per say if cars were to travel at much quicker speeds than the travel time between one areas to the next is shorter, thus allowing more time to actually clearing more fields. Or even a suit that was created to limit damage taken from a blast, imagine how many lives would be saved, and image how safe the procedure may actually become. This can result in more volunteers to come join the cause since they would know that they are now in safer hands.

            I believe that despite anything, technology is still a big factor for everything. Although it can’t do major things such as delivering a baby, or understand the needs of humans, and in this case disarm a landmine, it still has very help attributes that prove useful for any cause. When it comes to delivering a baby it can measure the heart rate the mother’s heart is giving out. For the needs of humans it may not understand what our problem is but it can help monitor our behavior. And in terms of the landmine battle, it probably can’t disarm a mine but it is still helpful when it comes to traveling from field to field, or detecting them. Nevertheless no matter what, technology is there to be by our side.

How do I feel now

             Since my trips to Asia I've always been afraid to step inside a jungle or unknown path, the reason why is because of the landmines. A couple years back many countries in South East Asia including mines have been participating in warfare. The aftermath of this are the infestations of landmines that still pose risk of detonating and killing anyone in contact. A child's innocent game of kick ball can turn into a factor of their death.

             From my initial knowledge I knew that this issue have been ongoing and that the deactivation of these mines were done by hand, but why not technology. Technology was used to create these weapons why not disarm them. Learning and looking in depth about this topic touches you right on the heart. To hear about the stories of families scarred by these mines. I was hoping that man would soon invent a new machine that can help turn the tables in this struggle for security, but To my disappointment though, I found out that technology isn't always the way to go.

           When I was looking and reading about what kind of methods can be optimized and used to improve the detection of landmines i had in mind like a thermal detector, or even a stronger large scaled metal detector that can pick up landmines frequencies. However the next big thing isn't a new machine, its all about rats. Rats that can sniff out bombs in the dirt is magnificent! But it does make me think twice about machines though. I though that only way to show progress would be via upgrades, or a whole new form of technology. But to the fight of clearing landmines it is the rats who are the tide turners in this war for security. 

Bonus Video: Close up on Aki Ra disarming a landmine by hand

Disarming a landmine by Hand video by Trent Harris

Amazing, Man teaches rats to sniff out Landmines.

Bart Weejens: Rats learning how to sniff out targets

            A man who grew up obsessed with rats, turned his interest into a hero of society. As a kid Weejens had an interest with rats, he grew them, took care of them, and even sold them as a child and today because of him they can be viewed as creatures of Hope. Vermins into instrument of the greater good Rats are now taught to sniff out landmines. By using basic training skills scientists have taught rats step by step to sniff out certain targets by using a clicker to indicate success in training and rewards as an incentive. 

            While he speaks to his audience he uses a couple of fallacies in his speech and it does make him sound good too. First fallacy he uses is number #9 (Assume a posture of righteousness) in 11:22 he starts talking about how "you may think this is about rats" and then talks about how it is actually about the better of the people, to empower powerful detection tasks and to foster a sustainable world. However in the end it is about the rats, because they are risking their lives and being tested to handle such a dangerous task. 

            Despite using rats in this project, and risking their lives on such a dangerous task; I must admit this is a wonderful discovery. To track out landmines with such a skilled creature is so magnificent. The rodents aren't heavy enough to detonate the artillery shells and they are trained to sniff out the bomb, and their spawns will grow up learning the same skills which would hone this ability. I must admit that this is beyond anything, that it gives so much hope to many people and countries. All without the use of technology too...

Ex-Ravager's Remorse and Atonement

Aki Ra: Former Khmer Rouge Soldier Disarm Landmines By Hand. By Kathryn Hawkins.   

            Lately a hand full of people are going around working with each other as a team to clear the fields sweeping with landmines from the past-war. Everyone has their reasons to help rather it be because they are a humanitarian, or if they just want to support the cause, there are different individuals trying to help the cause. One man however has does it because he wants to fix what he have done which was wrong. At a young age, Aki Ra was forced to enlist into the rankings of the Khmer Rouge and took part in the problem addressed; the planting of land mines. He talks about his experience walking through the jungles with bags full of these bombs, throwing them randomly as they walk. Today he feel remorse for what he have done back then and wants to atone for this. What he does now is dangerous, but with his professional skills, he have never once gotten injured by his profession (maybe some cuts and bruises from traveling but that’s it). He goes around areas that he remember where he had been and planted land mines and disarm them. His determination is to make his home safer for children who have and are prone to being affected by this hazard

          I just got to say wow, I would be afraid to go through a jungle, and not just that but infested with landmines ! To take a fatal step at any time, I wouldn't even think twice of entering. Aki Ra is brave and determine, despite his actions in the past this is more than admirable enough to forgive him for what he had done as a child. Katheryn Hawkins found a great man who is risking his life to make life better for children. He also take in children who have been damaged and lost a limb or two by these landmines and use his funding to take care of them. Although his childhood he had been force to ruin many lives, today he is using the rest of his life to help protect others.

            How can you not feel such admiration in this man. Somebody can go and create a fundraiser to one day cure Leukemia, or support beast cancer, but this one man is doing more than just do something. He is getting results. Ra goes into the fray risking his life, not much people would do that. Using only his hands, a metal detector, and his trusty tools he hand disarm these death gadgets that could explode with the wrong applied pressure. I can never find myself to do something so dangerous, even for a good cause.



Link to the article:
Aki Ra- Former Soldier who now goes around disarming landmines for the safety of people.

Skype Session with Vilaxay Inthaxoum

        Remember the place I talked about COPE? Well when I visited back them, I was toured by my teacher's old college friend Xay(short). What he does now is well, he works at COPE and what he does is not as dangerous as digging for landmines and propping them out of the Earth. He actually goes down with his colleagues to villages to help fight against the issue. Now Laos isn't that big compared to other countries; I know because I actually went across Laos all the way from the northern part all the way to the bottom to cross over to Cambodia on my travels. However his job is to go all over to educate people to not go hunting for landmines on their own and to get support for the teams who should be the one who actually go hunting for them. Now before I start with the dialogue of our interview let me give you more about the situation of you would understand more about what Xay's job is actually about.

(Xay and his boss)

        Although landmines are dangerous, you would expect adults and children to stay away, sadly they aren't. In such poor countries such as Laos where Xay grew up and lives, villagers are still in need of money to prosper. Like how we would collect cans and recycle them for money, these villagers are trying to recycle any scrap metals they can including landmines. Children as young as your average elementary school kids are going around with metal detectors trying to find these bombs and disarm them themselves, only to lose their own arms. Why? Because what would any other good kid would do, just as parents don't want to see their children struggle, so goes the kids.

I originally wanted to interview my teacher but she couldn't really help with my topic. Luckily I have met Xay back in my travels. Fortunately for me too contacting him wasn't as hard thanks to modern day technology! I found him on Facebook using the email address my teacher have given me(I was afraid he may not check his email often) and was able to schedule a Skype session with him on November 23rd 2013. As a busy man as he is I only had one shot for a face to face interview so I had to plan out my questions carefully to get as much information as I could about my topic, and one by one I asked away until we were done. I won't go into the small chatter we had about reminiscing on the experience we all had in our travels together but I will display only the dialogue of the questions I asked. Here goes a fragment from the dialogue of the interview:

Me: "Alright, here is my first question for you. I know that you guys help people with lost arms and legs by creating fake ones for them, and rehabilitating them that's why you guys are called COPE right? But what is it exactly is your job?"

Xay: "Well I don't actually create any of the prosthetic, nor help any of the patients instead I have colleagues and I meet with them."
"What we do is create events and find sponsors to help fund our organization so we would be able to provide patients with free prosthetic and we want to spread the awareness of the dangers of landmines to everyone.

Me: "When you mean sponsor, what do you mean?"
(I knew what this meant, I just felt like I should ask)

Xay: "Donations, sponsorship, grants, or anything we can get that will help us fund for our projects and other events. Awhile back we had festivals, galas, and even a concert to raise awareness of landmines." (I asked for a couple of flyers which he emailed me)

Me: "It may be hard for me to understand this, but why raise awareness in your own country? I mean while growing up wouldn't your parents know better to warn you and tell you scary stories while growing up about being careful where you may go to play? Since it is your home area that is infested with landmines wouldn't the residence of that country already know better about the issue going around?"

Xay: "We try and reach out to other countries to get sponsorship, and maybe to collaborate on projects to help get teams to clear minefield in different areas around Asia. And yes while growing up my mother have always told me to not go into places I have not been to before. But other kids want to dig up the landmines for their families"
"We go into villages and spread awareness about the landmines and try to convince adults to keep themselves and their kids from digging up landmine for money"

Me:"How does digging up landmine give you money?"

Xay:"The villagers down to the south are very poor, here in Vientiane is the most industrialize city in Laos. To try and get money the kids would go get their dad's metal detector or find one and go look for these mines and use the scrap metal to sell for money since they can be recycled."

Me: "I see. Do you guys get a lot of injured patients going to COPE?"

Xay: "We get a good amount of patients, but we can get more. Not a lot of people have internet access like we do in the city. So we are trying to spread the word to villages and other countries so that we can help others and give them hope. Also if we can get enough funding we can try and create a system to go get those people who cannot come here on their own because they don't have no way or no money to see us."

Me: "Do you like your job? What is it like to work there?"

Xay: "Its okay. I have a lot of deadlines and meetings but it is not hard, it just take a lot of time to get done. Sometimes I work a lone in my office with one or two other people and once in awhile we all meet together and discuss our plans and what we all need to do."

Me: "Okay one last question, I know you don't look for landmines but how do you guys look for them"

Xay: "They use a metal detector and a sharp tool like a knife or screw driver. They go in groups with metal detectors and go through the road or sides through trees until they find something with their metal detector. Next they carefully sweep the dirt until they find the bomb, if they apply too much pressure by digging than they can activate the bomb. Then they take the knife and cut the side of the bomb and find the trigger and rip that out then cut the wires apart. That's it" (Sounds so simple...)

Me: "Is there an easier way to find these bombs? Like a new type of machine or something?"

Xay: "No a machine would be too heavy and active the bomb and I don't know what other machine there could be"

Me: "Well when I meant machine I didn't mean a car or anything but I meant like a stronger metal detector or anything?"

Xay: "I don't know."

Me: "Oh it's okay Thank you so much Xay! Keep in touch"

Xay: "No problem"

Skype Call Ended.

Reviewing "Sowing The Dragon's Tooth" By Philip C. Winslow

                The book “Sowing the Dragon’s Teeth” by Philip C. Winslow is about the Landmine problems in areas that were affected by war, and what’s still left are these buried bombs that still haunts the residence of these countries. Breaking down his book Winslow first talks about the problem about these mines that nobody knows exactly any of them are and that they pose a threat to everybody no matter where you are since it’s a random encounter. Than the book goes deeper into chapters such as “Mines are not my problem”(56) and “Under siege”(81) which he address about the problem at that time. Than before it gets to the end it talks about what is being done now to educate other people about the Land mine problems in his chapters like “A museum of Crutches” (105). In these chapters he is very informative about the problem and the solution that could have been done to avoid further damage such as the ban of future use land mines.

                Near the end of his novel, Winslow held interviews, and spoke with victims of these random encounters that have scar villagers with missing limbs and talks about their struggle. They are truly the luckiest survivors in the world-to walk happily down the road, and out of nowhere detonate a landmine blowing off your flesh and bones. The painful agony, the explosive impact and maybe getting impaled by shot out random metal shards and to still live. That is truly a blessing, and the fear to just drive a truck down the road still haunts the people despite the accident of blowing off one mine, because there are still hundreds of them still laying around. Philip C. Winslow’s novel “Sowing the Dragon’s teeth” is a touching piece that hits all the points from the beginning to end on the issue on landmines.

                Philip C. Winslow uses much of an explicit voice in his novel “Sowing the Dragon’s teeth” and does so with a strong tone. He speaks straightforwardly about the problem with evidences such as testimonies and experiences from victims who have made contact with these bombs. I would like to say he is using the Fallacy #4 (Appeal to Experience) but I wouldn’t be too sure if it is valid since he is using someone else experiences. Later on in the chapter he also uses the Fallacy #5 (Appeal to fear) to aid in his goal with this book which is a campaign to ban land mines. Overall I want to say that he uses the Fallacy #9 (Assume a posture of Righteousness) because although he is giving us painful experiences from victims, and the sadden truth about the problem of mines in the end he talks about the campaign to ban mines. And from his title “Sowing the Dragon’s teeth” he mentions in his summary that he wants to remove this dragon tooth from the earth so people can return to live on it peacefully. A voice of righteousness.

                I would love to say that if you had done past projects on issues like the Khmer Rouge, or Secret War in Laos than I recommend this book to you. Any Asian History major, or anybody interested in the culture of South East Asia, or the problems about the aftermath of any war should read this book. Although the problem with landmines are focuses more in Cambodia and that region, there are many other places affected by these remnants of war and literally for they still kill. Personally I use to be intrigued with the Khmer Rouge in the past and I thought I knew enough, but reading more in depth, and reading this book, you can never know enough. Not one person can expect to know about every single pain each person have felt from a loved one loss from a landmine. It’s like a life being plucked away at random, and it’s exactly that. As touching as the book is, it’s true; if you have a passion for that region of studies than I would high recommend this novel for it talks about the issue from start to present.

                Although this book doesn't provide me directly with a reason why they haven’t tried looking for better methods to deactivate landmines and if any other procedure can be made it does give me an idea. Something it does help me understand is that the measures people are taking to stop these bombs from a prospective view which is to ban the use of landmines. Another great thing about this book as well (as browsing through a couple of others) is the passion that many are showing towards the fight for the removal and ban of landmine. When I first decided to take on this subject I believed only a few cared about the issue, going more in depth I realize that there are more than I had picture. If I were to look the amount 1% I would think that’s the lowest number ever, but 1% of a million is 10,000 and surely that is a lot!

Quotes:

                “Old black basketball sneakers and sun-bleached bone fragments lie mixed with the steel and make no sound at all.” Winslow’s (Page 7)

                “Based on information about who laid mines where in Angola in 1990 and the description of Chisola’s wounds, the device she stepped on was most likely one of these ….” Winslow’s (page 25)

                “Then, for a month, Loje carried her everywhere, even to the toilet, on his back. She has only one reflective comment on those days: ‘If I had had poison, I would have killed myself.’” Winslow (Page 28-29)

The Organization of COPE

                In retrospect and from my recent experience this summer I have visited an area that luckily pertained to my subject matter. The facility that I have visited in my trip to Laos was called COPE. Cope is the provider of prosthetic, orthotic and rehabilitation services in Laos and other countries. Their motto “Helping People Move On” and literally. Villagers who have lost an arm or leg can come here and get a fake plastic one made for them, with basic kinetic functions to let them use basic hand/leg functions such as bending their knees to walk with their prosthetic legs. They have a separate building for the production of these prosthetics, they first make a mold using the patients opposite legs and use markers to draw on the mold and create a diagram to ensure right measurements for the patient. Using a special substance, the builders pour the special liquid into the mold creating the base of the prosthetics, and using sticks for support and shaving down some part of the fake legs (to create balance) they add a strap which will bond the prosthetic and patient together. What is also nice about this facility is that it doesn’t just create prosthetics for victims, but they also help rehabilitate them and educate everybody on the issue. The saddest part was the drawings drawn by victims especially children, of their story and witness the deaths of their family members. They also have displays of different bombs and landmines around and there components, and a display of a real villagers home (Which looks like a treehouse) and it looks like a still-like scene of a bombed house. What was also neat was that they had an example of how they helped their patients. For example if a patient only had one arm, they created something called “The Box” where there were a box with two arm slots, of course you pretend to stick both arms inside each slot although you had one. But although that seemed pointless it isn’t! One side of the box had mirrors that reflects the other arm. So when you stick your arms inside it feels as if you still had both arms! It was a mental trick but it felt so real. Commentary from patients were heart breaking as you see them cry that they felt like they still had both arms.

                This institute was created to help the victims from bombing and land mines during the war and post-war times. The people who works with Cope works hard to make the victims of landmines and bombing a bit more easily so that they can move on. By creating prosthetics for these victims they can physically move on, no need for limping or crutches to support themselves up, now they have a fake leg that can perform the basic functions of a real one. They also don’t just focus physically on the patients, but mentally as well. To help them cope for a bit they have created a special box which allowed the patients to feel as if they had a second arm again. This helps them get the feeling back of what it’s like to have some sort of nerves in that area that was loss. What they have done that took things a bit further for the good of these victims was that they also educated the non-victims with stories and video documentaries from actual victims. The sorrow in their stories allowed many to understand what they are going through, and give them a sense of respect. By doing these things the institute of COPE really does make a huge difference for these people of great loss.

                I thought I knew what needed to know about victims with missing limbs, as horrible as it sounds but I use to think that they were just people who were in accidents and just got an arm or two blown off. However I was dead wrong, and I shouldn’t even use the word dead because these people could have been dead but were lucky enough to live. Going through the Cope institute and reading the pictures drawn on the walls by children I couldn’t help but drop a tear. Stories like somebody’s grandmother walking to the local market and never coming back because they found her that night with her limbs blown off. These victims have faced more hardship than anybody can really understand, to lose a loved one, or to lose a piece of yourself. It’s worse than anyone can imagine, I can complain that I lost a good grade, but what is that compared to losing an arm. During that whole trip I would have to say the education part is the most valuable thing I’ve gotten from there. How misfortunate it is for children and villagers to succumb to such wounds that they don’t even deserve. If the wars and genocide weren’t enough for these people to deal with, I think it’s worse that the aftermath is still there present to become a risk to these people.

How do I feel so far

          I love this topic, or if anything feel deeply about it. I remember as a child I would run through the park and fall, then cry to my father about my cuts and bruises. A child running and falling followed by an explosion, compared to that I don't think I should complain about a cut or two. Not many people know about the wars and conflicts in oversea countries, let alone the dangers still left by them. Landmines are issues bigger than you think. It feels so hard to sleep in bed knowing that your day can end at any step taken, and not just yours, but even your mother, father, little brothers, auntie, uncle, about any loved one.

         I just find it so crazy how that here at home almost anything seems possible. We can track down anyone just about anywhere. We can communicate with each other without seeing them across continents. We are even capable of leaving this world in a rocket ship, but to locate all the landmines in an area and disarm them, why is it that it takes so long. Why is it that years have passed and nobody can find a solution to this problem quick. I would expect a bunch of metallic objects that are similar in structure in the dirt shouldn't be so hard to identify using such equipment we have on hand. I assumed with today's technology man can analyze one of the land mines that they find, figure out its structure and an element that can stand out from dirt and build a machine to track them. Does the landmine emit some kind of heat? Can we use a thermal camera to see the landmines in the cold dirt? I believe there can be a easier way its just that nobody is looking at the right direction.

What does it mean?

What does it mean? This image depicts a child sitting on top of a bomb with the name "Alias". The child shows a sadden expression while sitting on the bomb, and why not as well? I would be sad or more likely scared to sit on top of a bomb, or even 5 foot from one. In countries with random landmines everywhere a child playing innocently in the field have higher chances to randomly set off a mine and die. That is what this image is showing us. The term Alias is the name used by someone that isn't their real name. Alias in this could mean anyone, and the kid sitting on top is representing anyone. In a country filled with landmine, its like anybody can be standing on top of a landmine right now and don't know it until their dead. 

What do these people(articles) got to say about this problem?

            Walking down a road in the country side can be so relaxing, with the breeze blowing through your hair and the warmth of the sun hitting your face. Sounds like a peaceful normal day just like any other right? Well there is always a chance that may change your life forever. One fatal step can result to the end of your life, a step on a landmine. If not dead than scarred, scarred with trauma, loss of large amounts of blood, and blown off nerves, limbs, and flesh. Because of the wars in the past what are left behind by those quarrels are the devices imbedded in the ground and never dug back up which are still active, ready to blow off on whoever unfortunate enough to step on one. Analyzing two articles about this issue they address the matter explicitly and makes assumptions implicitly; explicitly Luke Hunt from the Diplomat addresses the issue going on with landmines and the risk of how it may be prolonged, while Andrew Chambers from The Guardian expresses the problem as well and how it’s being dealt with; in both pieces they imply the need for the ban of landmines with other foreign countries through treaties.

            From the Diplomat, Luke Hunt wrote the article “Landmines Still Blight Southeast Asia” which he uses to address the problem of landmines remaining and still posing a threat to those in the areas. He goes on in his paper explaining about the rates of which how many individuals have suffered from the detonation from stepping on a mine and the trauma they are going through. What’s worse is that the use and production of mines may still happing in these areas. The reason is because the people fear that they may one day have a shortage on ammunition and firearms which results with protests from villagers. In Andrew Chamber’s “From Laos to Libya, Landmines Still Take Their Tolls On Civilians” Chambers explain the effects that landmines are having on civilians, and the progress that are happening to have these problem dealt with. Like for example, he mentions statistics and rates of the clearance of mines in Vietnam, Laos, and other countries and that they have made clearance of mine fields a priority.

            Although Chamber’s article from The Guardian speaks frontally on the subject of aid being needed and the priorities being shifted to the clearance of landmines, he implies that the need for these mines to be banned altogether. The assumptions of the goal in this article is written in the end “Until the moral revulsion at using these weapons is universally recognised through binding treaties, and until the international community is prepared to invest sufficiently in their clearance, countries such as Laos will be paying the price for decades to come.” Chamber’s (The Guardian) he states that unless this weapon is recognize, and “unless blinding treaties with other neighboring countries” are made to make the agreement on not using landmines than the problem would just get worse. He also throws in that the shift in attention should go towards the clearance afterwards, but by mentioning the need to create blind treaties first he is implying that this is the first priority to avoid further embedment of landmines. Assumptions found in Hunt’s article from The Diplomat are found near the end of this piece as well. Hunt’s mention in his work that “Perhaps Vietnam’s push for a regional initiative to resolve the land mine issue can change this picture by enhancing regional ties at a much wider level.” Hunt’s (The Guardian). From this the assumption that a treaty with other countries need to be made to resolve the land mine issues. If Vietnam pushed for a regional initiative by enhancing regional ties at a much wider level, he makes the assumption that from a large scale, Vietnam should take the first step and reach out to neighboring countries nearby and far to make some kind of plan which would help fix or keep the problem with landmines to become further problematic.

            Both piece of work by Chambers and Hunt have similar assumptions that the need for a large scale treaty and ban of landmines must be made to keep further problems to escalate. Although each piece addresses different aspects of the problem where Chamber’s mainly focus on the problem and how it is being dealt with now and Hunt’s focuses more on the problem and that the country is still going through production with landmines because of the fear of shortage with guns; both pieces end with the implication that the need for a treaty between all countries to stop the problem so that it may one day be resolved.

Citation:

Hunt, Luke. "Landmines Still Blight Southeast Asia." The Diplomat. The Diplomat, 11 Apr. 2013. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. 
<http://thediplomat.com/2013/04/landmines-still-blight-southeast-asia/>.

Chambers, Andrew. "From Laos to Libya, Landmines Still Take Their Toll on Civilians."Guardian Weekly. Guardian News and Media, 06 July 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. 
<http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2012/jul/06/landmines-toll-civilians-laos-bombs>.

Introduction : The problem with landmines

          For the longest time man kind have made many breakthroughs in life with technology. From the invention of the light bulb, telephone, and car than having many upgrades; today we live in a prosperous style. When there was darkness; man have made light and a way to see through the dark. When existing mediums like communication via paper were still used, we have created an instantaneous version of communication with phone. Man have made such creations that have been very beneficial for the everyday life, even in war. But to some it only caused more daunting problems.With wars happening all over like Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia what is of them are scarred hearts, haunting memories, and worse the landmines. With new development for landmines such as traits to make them harder to locate, which has proven successful, have left mines all over that are still active, ready to detonate on anyone or anything that steps on them. Farmers, travelers, animals, even children are prone to have their life ended by a random encounter on the road.

My Question?

          Technology can help find a person via a cellphone chip, or can aid in building towering structures. With ongoing new developing with gadgets almost anything seems possible, yet why is it that technology is having a hard time finding and disarming mines in foreign countries?