Mexico's Influence

Mexico City is taking progressive steps for their transgender community and it's influenced the rest of South America.  Since 2009 and with Supreme Court approval with the same year, gay marriage has been legalized and Mexico City's mayor, Miguel Angel Mancera, is promoting sexual, political, and religious diversity, which has resulted in social change in the area.  According to Globalpost.com, "With gay equality entwined here with a growing awareness of human rights of every kind, courts and activists across the region have been prodding reluctant lawmakers and societies alike."  Just like in the US, the federal system allows state legislators to determine their marriage laws.

Mexico isn't all rainbows and sunshine; its suffering from sickness, violence, drugs, poverty, unemployment.  Perhaps freedom of love and marriage can alleviate or exacerbate these issues.

Argentina and Uruguay are two countries among the seventeen that have legalized gay marriage internationally.  Chile, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador have some sort of civil union or life partnership agreement that may or many not be taken away or modified in the future.

No need to hide anymore.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/mexico/140328/mexico-gay-same-sex-marriage-rights-lgbt

Local Indian Government on Beef

Johnny Rocket's in India?  What.

Hinduism, synonymous with Indianism, is the largest religion in India.  About 80.5% of India's population.  With this being said, cows are the most valuable animal in Hinduism and is not supposed to be eaten or abused in anyway.  So, how are they going to have an American burger joint that's popular for their cow products?

According to India West, "By opening in a highly trafficked shopping venue in the upmarket residential neighborhood of south Delhi, Johnny Rockets is poised to introduce its signature all-American fare, with multiple veggie patty options, a focus on chicken breast sandwiches and buffalo tenderloin burgers... Other items specific to the Select Citywalk menu include Masala Fries, a Tandoori Spiced Chicken Wrap, Paneer Philly Cheesesteak and the Divine Delhi, the restaurant's salute to the robust flavors of the region."

Contrary to popular belief, tens of million of Indian citizens consume beef.  Although this number is large, it's no comparison to India's population of over one billion people.  Beef production varies by local governments and some workers (like who transport the meat, etc) have boycotted the practice.  "The Goa government had earlier banned the slaughter of cattle and other animals at a prominent local abattoir over safety and hygiene concerns," reports the International Business Times.  The beef market doesn't have regulations or rules since many states have banned the practice.  What about the Christians/Catholics/non Hindus who eat beef?

http://www.ibtimes.com/wheres-beef-india-believe-it-or-not-1258469
http://www.indiawest.com/food/145-johnny-rockets-opens-first-restaurant-in-india.html

Chinese Nationalism and Money

As of this month, China announced that their military budget will increase to $131.6 billion this year.  Comparatively, the USA's military budget is decreasing this year to $863.5 million.  The reason behind such an increase for the Chinese is that it aligns with the rapidly growing economy it already has, however, that's assuming that the economy will grow at the rate the government thinks it will.  The numbers they projected last year and the actual numbers they produced didn't match up.  China's economy relies on a high export rate of materials and investment led growth, but even Premier Li Keqiang believes reform and balance needs to occur.

According to Forbes.com: So why do we have to worry about a China that will not be able to afford its military?  Generals and admirals, who seem to have wide influence in Communist Party circles these days, just might not scale back their plans.  They could instead think they have a limited window to achieve long-held goals, both to take territory from neighboring countries and to make the international waters of the South China Sea an internal Chinese lake.  China’s 'senior commanders,' the Economist reports, 'are spoiling to show what their shiny new stuff can do.'

As we've read in our textbook, this is a problem to the US because of China's show of nationalism that has the potential to get ugly.

Get it.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonchang/2014/03/16/china-cant-afford-its-military-thats-why-we-should-really-worry/