Russia-Ukraine-USA

I believe USA doing the right thing by actively participating in Russia-Ukraine conflict because only USA, as a strong powerful country, can affect Russian illegal movement toward Ukraine. Ukraine is in need of assistance, since it being not able to handle the political and economic crisis affecting the country. Therefore, I completely support the U.S. policy aimed to help Ukraine in distress situation. Here is how USA aid looks like for current moment: they provided a loan of $1billion intended in financing the Government of Ukraine to carry out necessary reforms; the USA sent Treasury Department and USAID technical advisors to improve IMF program; by using Justice Department and FBI, the United states is helping Ukraine recover stolen resources and reduce corruption; also USAID is giving 11.4$ millions to support fair and peaceful election planned on May 25.

            It was significant event when on April 17, 2014 leaders of USA, EU, Ukraine and Russia have gathered in Geneva for snap chat talks on Ukraine's ongoing crisis.

The Geneva meeting agreed on initial specific steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens. It has been decided that all sides must avoid any violence, illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings must be returned to legitimate owners; all illegally occupied public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be relinquished.

From day one, the Government of Ukraine started making action according to its commitments.  Ukrainian officials draft law on amnesty; they set up a weapons buy-back program. Furthermore, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk went on live television and committed his government publicly to all of the people of Ukraine to apply comprehensive constitutional reform that will strengthen the powers of the regions.

Unfortunately, Russia has not taken the action to demonstrate its commitment - the east stabilizing. So far, the SMM has reported that the separatists say they have received no messages from Russia indicating they should disarm and leave control of government buildings or public spaces. That’s why, Ukrainian President A. Turchynov ordered to resume anti-terrorist operation in the south-east of the country. Military operation Slovyansk began on April 24. Ukrainian troops supported by armored vehicles, military vehicles and helicopters surrounded the city and began to advance.

            At the same time, Russia began military drills on its border with Ukraine in response to Ukrainian military operations.  U.S. President Barack Obama has accused Russia of non-compliance with the Geneva agreements to resolve the crisis in Ukraine. Obama said that “additional targeted sanctions” against Russia are “ready to go” following consultations with European allies. Obama spoke Friday morning with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Britain, who agreed that Russia has not complied with promises it made in a de-escalation agreement last week in Geneva and has “in fact continued to escalate the situation,” the White House said. I absolutely agree with these statements, since Russia has refused to take any step in the right direction.  Not a single Russian official has publicly gone on television in Ukraine and called on the separatists to support the Geneva agreement, to support the stand-down, to give up their weapons, and get out of the Ukrainian buildings.  They have not called on them to engage in that activity. Meanwhile, the tit-for-tat military movements brought the two sides closer to a direct armed confrontation that analysts call one of the most dangerous on European territory since the end of the Cold War.

          Even though, polls data show that most of Americans disapprove USA involvement but trying to ignore the world’s dangers never works for long, and the situation in Ukraine will be harder to deal with the longer strong measures are delayed. Despite the Geneva agreement, the Ukraine situation is heating up every passing day. I strongly believe that the U.S. and Europe should be encouraged to prevent aggressive position of Russia and use any possible sanction to stop the mess. Now, the main problem is not to let forces take over and come up with third world war. I hope this conflict will be resolved peacefully behind the negotiating table, and compromise solutions would be found that satisfying all sides.

              

Marijuana issue

I agree with Ivan Buckley and his article Pass the Weed. Even thought I am a nonsmoker at all, I strongly believe people should have a legal right to use it.  Marijuana is a very well-known controversial issue in society today and as Ivan said, “the issue of marijuana is one that will never end, also going to be something that stays on this earth forever.” I totally agree with that statement, there is no way marijuana will be stop distributed and be accessible. The only way to control the effect is legalization. Unlikely, this is under heavy criticism due to the stereotypical view.

Also I support Ivan’s opinion that legalizing weed has to be regulated for the tax purposes. If marijuana were legalized, it would bring huge amount of dollars cast to the federal government. Tax revenue generated from marijuana selling would be up to 2-6 billions of $$. As well as it would decrease tax money blown on  law enforcement, court systems and prison expanses for the drug related crime produced by marijuana being illegal.

Author of the article mentioned weed’s medical benefits which is not recent discovery. Some medical literature recommend it’s usage for many different diseases. It includes pain relief, nausea, glaucoma, and movement disability. Today, marijuana already helped to thousands of patients for their sicknesses. This treatment is allowed in twenty states that confess cannabis’ healing properties and legalized its consumption for medical purposes. The map below show states permitting marijuana use for medical and recreational targets.