Articles written by Gary Betts - Page 14

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About me - Gary Betts

I'm a Canadian living in London, Ontario. I have written several short stories and two novelettes, but never tried to publish them. I have had letters-to-the-editor published in The Londoner, the London Free Press, the Toronto Sun, the New York Times, the

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Politics, News & Issues > International News Reflections on Benazir Bhutto's assassination: 40 of 44
On December 27, 2007 Benazir Bhutto was killed just after a political rally in Pakistan. Some Pakistanis were relying on her to bring an end to military rule in Pakistan and usher in a new era of democracy. But Ms. Bhutto had a tough job ahead of her to fulfill these expectations.It is unclear if Ms. Bhutto could even become ... More..
Health & Fitness > Alcoholism Alcoholism and suicide: 9 of 9
I am an alcoholic and suffer from depression, as my father did before me. My father, however, did not receive any help. I was hospitalized for two weeks to treat the depression. I was put on antidepressants, which has been somewhat successful. I was later hospitalized to treat the alcoholism, but that was unsuccessful.There i... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Feminism & Women's Rights A history of the Women's Right Movement in the US: 5 of 5
Years ago there was a cigarette commercial on TV that targeted women. It said, "You've come a long way, baby." Well guess what? You have not come a long way, baby. In the 21st century, women are still earning less than men in some jobs, women are still expected to be the homemaker and earn a wage, women are still suffering ab... More..
Arts & Humanities > 20th & 21st Century US History The legacy of Lyndon Johnson: 5 of 5
For most Americans, the legacy of Lyndon Johnson is overshadowed by the Vietnam War and riots in American cities. But this man's legacy goes far beyond the war, far beyond the riots. His legacy is one that has brought medical care to the poor, higher educational standards for all children, and an attempt to reduce poverty. Bu... More..
Arts & Humanities > Colonial & Early American History The question of slavery and the American constitution: 4 of 4
It is very odd that the United States Constitution promotes freedom on one hand while enshrining slavery on the other. The men who negotiated and signed the Constitution were, for the most part, slave owners. Thus slavery was made a part of the Constitution.Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution reads "Representatives shall... More..
Health & Fitness > Infectious Diseases Difference between the novel H1N1 swine flu and seasonal influenza: 3 of 3
The differences between these two types of flu is like night and day. The seasonal flu comes every fall and we already have vaccines to fight it. It is usually deadly to those over 65 years whose immune systems are aging. But those people with healthy immune systems are usually able to survive. But the 2009 Swine Flu (Influen... More..
Sciences > Astronomy Reflections on the moon landing: 3 of 3
I was just a young man when the Eagle landed on the moon as Apollo 11 stayed in orbit. And who can't still remember those immortal words that Neil Armstrong spoke as he became the first human to set foot on the moon, "One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind." That was on July 20, 1969. The last moon walk happened i... More..
Health & Fitness > Brain & Nerve Conditions Living with the long term results of a brain injury: 2 of 2
As a 28 year-old police officer in 1975, I got into a fight with three men. I was knocked to the ground. One of the men grabbed my police baton and hit me over the head twice. The baton actually broke over my head. Before losing consciousness, I saw an extremely bright light. I received a large fracture to the left side of my... More..
Politics, News & Issues > International Politics (Other) Reflections: Reasons Ontario should secede from Canada: 2 of 2
There is a lot of talk about separation in Canada. Most of the talk comes from Quebec; a poor French-speaking province. Oil-rich provinces in Western Canada have also talked about separation. Ontario, however, is the only province in Canada with a diversified economy that can stand on its own in the long term.Ontario would re... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Racism What is behind Voting Rights Act concerns?: 2 of 2
The National Voting Rights Act was spear-headed and signed into law by President Lyndon B Johnson in 1965. This Act made Johnson one of the leaders in the civil-rights movement. Johnson, in a nationally-televised speech on civil-rights laws, ended his speech with, "We shall overcome." Martin Luther King, the greatest civil-ri... More..