The Economics of Terrorist Groups
Last month, btw published news of “cultural vandalism” committed by the Islamic State (which is variously referred to as IS, ISIS, and ISIL). The extremist group appeared to have destroyed ancient artifacts in the Middle East because the objects were viewed as religiously offensive. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that ISIS has been […]
Shored Up: West Coast Labor Dispute
It is easy to take for granted how our goods make their way to us. That is, until something happens that grinds the process to a halt. This happened all along the West Coast as a nine-month old dispute involving dockworkers and shipping companies caused a major disruption in international trade. The ordeal recently ended […]
Examining the European Debt Crisis
The overall economy of Europe is in big trouble. For the past three years, the European countries bound together by economics have been engaged in ongoing talks over the best way to solve current problems and devise solutions for the future. To understand what is happening, btw brings you a big-picture view. The Brief History […]
A Turkey of a Day
Dedicated btw fans know that we have posted about the history of the presidential turkey pardon in the past. But this year, let’s switch it up a bit and examine a different Thanksgiving history angle. (And no, it’s NOT going to be about Pilgrims, Native Americans, and what they might or might not have agreed […]
To Frack or Not to Frack: A Complicated Question
Negotiation over ownership of the world’s natural resources has long caused tensions between nations and lead to ongoing, major disputes, including war. One of the major issues of the 2012 presidential election centered around the United States becoming less depending on foreign oil (mostly the Middle East) and more self-reliant in producing its own energy […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Tom Hanks Has an App? Best Actor Winner. Movie star. Former sitcom star. All-around nice guy. Technology developer? Tom Hanks, known to many as that guy in Forrest Gump and Castaway, decided to take his love for vintage typewriters to a whole new level. Launched last month, Hanx Writer emulates the clacks and dings of […]
Women’s Equality Day
Tuesday, August 26 is Women’s Equality Day in the United States. This day commemorates the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment where women citizens in the United States were give the right to vote. Learn more about this day by reading information about it on the White House blog page. You can also learn more about […]
Patents: For the Benefit of Society
You have probably seen a copyright symbol– © –printed inside of your favorite books or on the backs of CDs. But what do you know of the patent? Both copyrights and patents protect the originators of intellectual property–any idea, process or invention that comes from a person’s mind. Patents, however, can be a very complicated […]
Summer’s Here! Everyone in the (Job) Pool!
Now that school’s out, many of you will hit the pavement in search of your first-ever job. There are many good reasons to start working – to learn a skill, meet some new friends, take on financial responsibility (like car insurance or saving for college), or to to have more independence and say over your […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Shooting at Fort Hood On April 2, Army Specialist Ivan Lopez opened fire on his colleagues at the Fort Hood military base located in central Texas. Three people were killed and sixteen others were wounded before the gunman killed himself. A 34-year-old veteran of the Iraq War , Lopez was said to have been distraught […]