Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Politics - The Iraq War
The war in Iraq has been going on for a very long time. The war began on the 20th of March 2003 and is still in operation till today. Iraq was invaded by a multinasional force led by the troupes from United States and also United Kingdom without any declaration of war. The US military referred to it as Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The reason for their invasion is the thought that Iraq is in possession of WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction). Although the United Nations weapon's inspector found no evidence of WMD in Iraq, the US government stated that " diplomacy has failed " and decided to go to war.
Besides that, some US officials accused Iraq's president, Saddam Hussein of harboring and supporting Al-Qaeda, the Islamist terrorist group. However, there is also no evidence on this statement. Other reasons for the invasion as stated by US officials include Iraq's financial support for the families of Palestinian suicide bombers, Iraqi government human rights abuses and an effort on part of the coalition forces to spread democracy in the country and region. Some also admitted that Iraq's oil reserves were also the factors of invasion, but they later denied the statement.
The invasion led to the capture of President Hussein, who was later executed by the new Iraq government. Violence against coalition forces and among sectarian groups led to Iraq insurgency, strife between Sunni and Shia groups and al-Qaeda operations in Iraq. The number of citizens killed during the 2007 war is estimated to be 85000 civillians minimum to 1000000 people. UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) eatimated that 4.7 million Iraqis were found, 2 million of whom fled to neighbouring countries. In June 2008, US Department of Defense officials claimed security and economic indicators began to show signs of signs of improvement in what they hailed as significant and fragile gains. Iraq was fifth on the Failed States Index in August 2008.
The war brought many sadness and disadvantages to the country. There has been many deaths, children, adult and the elderly all included. Those that survived lived a sufferable life, everyday they need to protect themselves and also their families from the terrible attacks. They are deprived from their homes and most of the time suffer great famine. Furthermore, the education of children have to be halted and many of their buildings are destroyed. A lot of money are spent in trying to provide for the citizens needs, but it is not enough. Truly, their sufferings cannot be understood by those who led perfect lives to this day.
However, the coalition started to decrease beginning 2004 when 9 countries, including Spain, pulled out their forces, and later withdrawals have continued leaving US as the sole country with troops on the ground by mid-2009. In the late 2008, the US and Iraq governments have approved a Status of Forces Agreement which is effective until 1st January 2012. Besides that, the Iraq parliament also ratified a Strategic Framework Agreement with US to ensure cooperation in constitutional rights, threat deterrance, education, energy development and other areas of concern.
In late February 2009, the new US president Barrack Obama, announced an 18 month withdrawal window for "combat forces", leaving behind 30000 to 50000 troops to "advise and train Iraqi Security Forces" and to provide intelligence and surveillance. General Ray Odierno believes that all of US troops will be out of Iraq by the end of 2011, although the combat operations ended on April 30,2009. Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, supported the accelerated pullout of US army. In this situation, it is hoped that the people of Iraq will finally achieved a state of peace after being in war for so long.
The reason for their invasion is the thought that Iraq is in possession of WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction). Although the United Nations weapon's inspector found no evidence of WMD in Iraq, the US government stated that " diplomacy has failed " and decided to go to war.
Besides that, some US officials accused Iraq's president, Saddam Hussein of harboring and supporting Al-Qaeda, the Islamist terrorist group. However, there is also no evidence on this statement. Other reasons for the invasion as stated by US officials include Iraq's financial support for the families of Palestinian suicide bombers, Iraqi government human rights abuses and an effort on part of the coalition forces to spread democracy in the country and region. Some also admitted that Iraq's oil reserves were also the factors of invasion, but they later denied the statement.
The invasion led to the capture of President Hussein, who was later executed by the new Iraq government. Violence against coalition forces and among sectarian groups led to Iraq insurgency, strife between Sunni and Shia groups and al-Qaeda operations in Iraq. The number of citizens killed during the 2007 war is estimated to be 85000 civillians minimum to 1000000 people. UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) eatimated that 4.7 million Iraqis were found, 2 million of whom fled to neighbouring countries. In June 2008, US Department of Defense officials claimed security and economic indicators began to show signs of signs of improvement in what they hailed as significant and fragile gains. Iraq was fifth on the Failed States Index in August 2008.
The war brought many sadness and disadvantages to the country. There has been many deaths, children, adult and the elderly all included. Those that survived lived a sufferable life, everyday they need to protect themselves and also their families from the terrible attacks. They are deprived from their homes and most of the time suffer great famine. Furthermore, the education of children have to be halted and many of their buildings are destroyed. A lot of money are spent in trying to provide for the citizens needs, but it is not enough. Truly, their sufferings cannot be understood by those who led perfect lives to this day.
However, the coalition started to decrease beginning 2004 when 9 countries, including Spain, pulled out their forces, and later withdrawals have continued leaving US as the sole country with troops on the ground by mid-2009. In the late 2008, the US and Iraq governments have approved a Status of Forces Agreement which is effective until 1st January 2012. Besides that, the Iraq parliament also ratified a Strategic Framework Agreement with US to ensure cooperation in constitutional rights, threat deterrance, education, energy development and other areas of concern.
In late February 2009, the new US president Barrack Obama, announced an 18 month withdrawal window for "combat forces", leaving behind 30000 to 50000 troops to "advise and train Iraqi Security Forces" and to provide intelligence and surveillance. General Ray Odierno believes that all of US troops will be out of Iraq by the end of 2011, although the combat operations ended on April 30,2009. Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq's prime minister, supported the accelerated pullout of US army. In this situation, it is hoped that the people of Iraq will finally achieved a state of peace after being in war for so long.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Vocaloid,the new generation of the music industry.
Vocaloid is a musical synthesizer application software developed by Yamaha Corporation this enables users to generate sounding singing by just having to put in lyrics and melody.
MEIKO's voice is completely computer synthesised.Thus causing the programme to sound less smooth and a bit rough.She was first introduced into the market on November 5,2004.She is able to sing any type of genre which expands from hip-hop to rock.Her voice is based Japan's pop songstress Meiko Haigo.Her trademark is her red dress and she holds a microphone stand. 
PRIMA is apart of the newly improved programme Vocaloid2.This programme was relaesed on January 14,2008.
MIKU HATSUNE is the most popular among her vocaloid members.She was released on August 31,2007.Due to her popularity,these character had been immortalised into comic books which she stares as the main character.The sampling of her voice comes from a Japanese singer called Saki Fujita.Moreover,high demands for this character had made producers create several songs under this character.She is able to sing from all sorts of genre but she sings mainly J-pop. 
LUKA MEGURINE is the third release apart of the Vocaloid2.Her released date was on January 30,2009.She is able to sing in Japanese and English.The main reason for her creation was to break all language and cultural barrier.She has a moody but husky female voice.Shortly after her release,she was a bigger hit and still is compared to Miku.
MEGPOID is a cute character known for her famous character item which is a carrot.She was released on June 25th,2009.She is voiced by Megumi Nakajima.Due to being only recently released,not much feedback is known about her.
The history of Vocaloid is just a recent one.It was developed by the ever so famous Yamaha Corporation.The development of Vocaloid was announced in the year 2003.On the 15th January,the first Vocaloid products were launched.The products were given the name of Leon and Lola.Years later on January 2007,Vocaloid2 was launched.Vocaloid2 is a better and improved version of Vocaloid1.Following their successful launch,Yamaha introduced the English version and it goes by the name of Sweet Ann.
These are some examples of the characters developed by Yamaha for the Vocaloid product.
SWEET ANN is the first virtual singer based on Vocaloid2. She has as if cross sitches on her neck but it is actually her choker.This programme was released on June 29,2007.Her voice is inspired by a female pop singer.
MEIKO's voice is completely computer synthesised.Thus causing the programme to sound less smooth and a bit rough.She was first introduced into the market on November 5,2004.She is able to sing any type of genre which expands from hip-hop to rock.Her voice is based Japan's pop songstress Meiko Haigo.Her trademark is her red dress and she holds a microphone stand. PRIMA is apart of the newly improved programme Vocaloid2.This programme was relaesed on January 14,2008.MIKU HATSUNE is the most popular among her vocaloid members.She was released on August 31,2007.Due to her popularity,these character had been immortalised into comic books which she stares as the main character.The sampling of her voice comes from a Japanese singer called Saki Fujita.Moreover,high demands for this character had made producers create several songs under this character.She is able to sing from all sorts of genre but she sings mainly J-pop. LUKA MEGURINE is the third release apart of the Vocaloid2.Her released date was on January 30,2009.She is able to sing in Japanese and English.The main reason for her creation was to break all language and cultural barrier.She has a moody but husky female voice.Shortly after her release,she was a bigger hit and still is compared to Miku.MEGPOID is a cute character known for her famous character item which is a carrot.She was released on June 25th,2009.She is voiced by Megumi Nakajima.Due to being only recently released,not much feedback is known about her.GACKPOID was released on Julu 31,2008.For this creation,actor and musician Gackt lent his voice and stage name.The other name for this character is Kamui Gakupo.
REN AND LEN KAGAMINE is the second installment of the Vocaloid series.Although they share the same family name but they are not brothers and sisters but reflections of a mirror.For this programme ,there are two voice banks that can be used.The programme is sold at the same price as Miku eventhough there are two voice banks.
REN AND LEN KAGAMINE is the second installment of the Vocaloid series.Although they share the same family name but they are not brothers and sisters but reflections of a mirror.For this programme ,there are two voice banks that can be used.The programme is sold at the same price as Miku eventhough there are two voice banks.
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