Cabo Verde Mayor's Conference

Global Warming becomes Global

Some might wonder what the city of Long Beach and a volcanic chain of islands off the coast of West Africa have in common. Since Cape Verde is a place where unexpected climate change can mean the difference between life and death, this nation is directly affected by global warming.  On November 18, it was the pleasure of the city of Long Beach to welcome two mayors from the Cape Verde islands.  The Mayor of Fogo, Sr. Eugenio Veiga, and the Mayor of Brava, Sr. Camilo Goncalves, began their weeklong trip to the state of California by answering environmental questions.  These questions from US students were delivered by the founder of Kids Talk Radio, Mr. Bob Barboza and two Long Beach High School reporters. 

     “We live in a global world…. (Cape Verde) can feel the trickledown effect.” says Mayor Sr. Eugenio Veiga, “Even islands that never get rain are getting it, and it is bad because it is scaring people.”  Cape Verdeans rationalize these unusual occurrences by considering the fact that they could possibly be a participant in a climate cycle.  These unusual climate occurrences are increasingly important because Cape Verde is heavily dependent on agriculture.  This magnifies the effects of drought on the native population.  

    “Everything we do has a preventative measure…we aim at educating kids at a very young age” says Mayor Veiga.  Cape Verde’s unique approach to solving the climate problem is to educate children as to the importance of the environment and climate change.  Appreciation of natural resources is a theme that is also reiterated by laws preventing actions such as catching a sea turtle.  Dramatic national resources such as a large reef necessitate a policy of strict protection.  It is this national emphasis on the environment that causes Cape Verde to dedicate a section of each international meeting to environmental issues.

    With a major concern about poverty alleviation, it is funds that limit the necessary research and enforcement of environmental activities.  As a result, the Cape Verde mayors believe one of the best actions the US could take would be to participate in a joint research project in Cape Verde.  This historic meeting is a major step for the global political activism that is needed for environmental cooperation.

Sam Kushner-Lenhoff

Poly High School Journalism

Long Beach Unified School District

On Special  Assignment for

Kid's Talk Radio

Suprschool@aol.com

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Kid's Talk Radio Global Warming Press Conference

 

I would like to express many "Thanks" to everyone who attended and helped to make our "Mayors Welcome Reception" a success. I would like to say a special "Thanks" to Bob Barboza, head of Kid's Talk Radio. The Mayors received a "Special Welcome" presentation Tuesday evening from  Vice Mayor Val Lerch & Council Women Rae Gabelich of the City of Long Beach at Long Beach City Hall.  A Press conference was hosted by Kid's Talk Radio with the visiting Mayors, addressing the issues of "Global Warming in the Cape Verde Islands".  It can be viewed via internet at: http://www.kidstalkradiola.com

Also "Special Thanks" to Manny Gomes from CVWA, Tiny & Virginia Lopes, Manny Grace, Nuias De Pina, Abel & Iris Barboza in helping to sponsor their special visit here to California.

The Mayors continued on to Northern California last Thursday were they were also honored at sponsored functions in San Francisco, Oakland and in St Helena, hosted by the CVWA, CCVA, & SCNC.  They departed Sunday afternoon from Oakland for Boston where they will return back home to Cape Verde, taking with them I'm certain, a "New Found Realization" of the "Sodade" even we here in California also share in our hearts. 

Catherine  Silva-Walker
CVSC President

Cabo Verde Global Warming Press Conference

Cabo Verde Press Conference: Long Beach City Hall

The 8^th. Districts Long Beach Councilwoman Rae Gabelich made it possible for the second Cabo Verde and USA Kid’s Talk Radio Press Conference about Global Warming to take place at City Hall in the city of Long Beach. The two mayors from the Cabo Verde Islands were officially welcomed to the City of Long Beach, California.

On Tuesday, November 18, 2008, the Mayor of Brava, Sr. Camilo Goncalves and the Mayor of Fogo, Sr. Eugenio Veiga, visited California and held a press conference with Kids Talk Radio at Long Beach’s Civic Center. Deputy Joao Alves and interpreter Armindo Goncalves accompanied these officials from the Republic of Cape Verde; who are also from Cape Verde. One student reporter from Wilson High School and one student reporter from Poly High School were selected to attend the conference and interview the visitors with their own questions as well as some questions from students in the state of Georgia and students in New York. The press conference covered important issues that are occurring in the Cape Verde islands and that have occurred as well.

            The Cape Verde Islands are a group of islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean, North of Senegal on the coast of Western Africa. The islands became independent from Portugal in 1975 and have demonstrated to be one of Africa’s most stable democratic governments since 1990.

The Republic of Cape Verde has been faced with many weather and climate struggles throughout the years. When asked if they have noticed any changes in climate in the past three years, they responded: “From my perspective, nothing extraordinary has been witnessed in cape Verde that would lead me to believe there has been a dramatic climatic change in Cape Verde. But on the other hand we have noticed slight changes in climate patterns. We are now witnessing, although at a small scale, tornadoes or heavy episodic periods of rain that only happened thirty to forty years ago in the Cape Verde islands; we are seeing these phenomenons reoccurring again.  For example my island, island Brava is perhaps the most temperate in terms of mild climate, beautiful climate, comfortable climate… but more recently, we have been noticing that the island of Brava, the climate is much, much hotter than it used to be before,” stated Mayor Goncalves. “So that is one of the evidences that we have, because it is something we can feel and witness So then yes, although very small, but it is there and it is notable.” Mayor Veiga elaborated to Mayor Goncalves answer, “We live a global world, and so any global change has a global impact like a trickle-down-effect. Cape Verde is a small country in terms of geography therefore it’s very much insolated. For example, when [I] returned from my studies [in Romania, where I went to college], I felt so hot. I had never felt so hot before. The impression I get, is the temperature increased over time.” Cape Verde has been a drought-ridden place for many years throughout history, but as Mayor Veiga later reported, from June 2008 until now, there has been an increase in rain.  This is great for the islands, but the inhabitants seem a bit afraid. “We never expected it!” interpreter A. Goncalves added.

Drought is believed to have been a cause of many fatalities in the past at the Cape Verde Islands. Mayor Veiga introduced his ideas and opinions on the subject. “We didn’t directly experience this period of famine and drought.” The period was during the colonial rule of the Portuguese, and Mayor Veiga believes that the unpredictable weather and the political standing of the islands caused the drought and its outcomes. The islands at the time were a colony that was dependent on foreign countries for food and supplies. Because this was about the same time of World War II, supplies were short. All the components added along with the natural drought increased the number of casualties around this period. During this time, the people affected by the drought and famine were so desperate that in the capital of the Cape Verde Islands, Praia, located on Santiago Island; many people went into an executive office building to beg for food. The building became overwhelmed with people in a very short period of time, that the entire building collapsed and killed all of the people in the building. “It was a dark period of time,” Deputy Joao Alves lamented.

The dark times may have been an unfortunate period but in many cases it also served as a teacher for the Republic to be able to deal with other obstacles as they present themselves. “Based on oral history, oral information handed down to me by my grandparents, the volcano [located in Fogo] erupts about every hundredth year. I think it was in the late 1950’s we had a major volcanic eruption,” Deputy Joao Alves stated. The republic cannot conduct many studies nor has much information recorded because of their lack of equipment and funds. NASA has a weather station located in Fogo and most of the information becomes available through NASA’s station and research.

The Cape Verde islands have many coral reefs that are inhabited by unique plants and animals only found in the Cape Verde reefs. Many scientists are conducting research for medicines with specimens from the reefs and some believe that global warming is hurting the reefs. The mayors explained what action is being taken to protect the reefs and their rare occupants. “Today, the government is introducing more and more legislation in that area. For example every alien has a specific [natural protection] area,” Mayor Goncalves stated. “There is also a strong political and educational component that comes from this, the need to educate people on these natural resources.” Cape Verde also made an agreement with Holland and other countries to protect and promote the need to preservation these natural wonders. There is also a fifteen-year plan to have a technical team make sure the reefs are protected. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough funds to put the plan in action; the plan would cost about one million dollars, of which only fifteen percent is available.

Cape Verde prevents pollution as much as possible, there is little to no pollution from manufactures. They take a preventative approach on just about everything. They try to educate the children about the issues at a young age. As far as protection goes, changes have been made. In the past, people would eat turtles, which led to the endangerment of the species. Now, if a civilian is caught with a turtle, he or she will be fined. “No one messes with the turtles.” Interpreter A. Goncalves stated. Later, after the interview he added, “The U.S. is helping by patrolling our waters so that they aren’t being over-fished by foreign countries.” Apparently, the U.S. Navy makes sure that the waters aren’t being fished because in the past, countries such as China, have fished in them without Cape Verde’s knowledge.

As far as what the United States can do to help the Cape Verdeans preserve and continue to do well is to be able to provide aid in case of a tsunami, volcano eruption, and other natural disasters. They also wish the United States to pair up with Cape Verde and conduct further studies to document and preserve the environment. They are also interested in student exchange programs and partnerships between schools. There is also a lot of poverty on the island and the mayor’s are hoping that with help from the United States and other foreign countries poverty may be eliminated. The Cape Verde island officials visited California with hopes of building a relationship with the United States and to educate others about the needs of preserving the natural resources in the vulnerable islands.

By: Yanel Mayorga

Wilson Classical High School

Kid’s Talk Radio Science Journalist

On Special Assignment

 Grade: 12

November 18, 2008

Suprschool@aol.com

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Long Beach Press Conference

The United States of America and Cabo Verde Island Student Science and Technology Exchange Program

For years we have been looking for a creative ways to make it possible for students and teachers in the United States to work with students and teachers on the Cabo Verde Island.  It took a US visit of two mayors form the Cabo Verde Islands and USA Kid’s Talk Radio Journalists to make it possible.  “The kids set the stage, and before you knew it negotiations were underway”, said Bill Tom, Long Beach Press.

Bob Barboza and Kid’s Talk Radio reporters on special assignment form Wilson and Poly High Schools in Long Beach, California met with two mayors form the Cabo Verde Islands on November 18, 2008.

The Mayor of Fogo, Sr. Eugenio Veiga, and the Mayor of Brava, Sr. Camilo Goncalves, began their weeklong trip to the state of California by answering environmental questions at our Kid’s Talk Radio Press Conference on Global Warming. 


 Our main goal was to interview the Cabo Verde Mayors for a new C-SPAN project dealing with matters of climate change and global warming.  Kid’s Talk Radio and Jr. Medical School students will produce a special podcast for C-SPAN.  Our special topic for the C-SPAN project will be global warming and climate change. 

“Hurricanes are born at and near the Cabo Verde Islands.  Our students received first hand knowledge from our visiting mayors,” said Barboza.

\We have included both audio and video clips of our special press conference here and on the following websites:

www.KidsTalkRadioLA.com

www.BobBarboza.com

www.SuperSchoolUniversity.com

The United States Press Conference Team consisted of   Kid’s Talk Radio student journalist from California, New York, Georgia, and Mississippi.   All student journalists are working on special projects to gain a better understanding of global worming throughtout the world.  Another important goal is to have one Kid Talk Radio Journalist and one Jr. Medical School Journalist in each one of our fifty states.


  In 2008, Kid’s Talk Radio and the ICEAXE Foundation collaborated made it possible to study the effects of global warming and climate change first hand in Antarctica, the North Pole, and the Amazon Jungle.  We are now making plans to visit the Cabo Verde Islands in the summer of 2008.

We are asking teacher throughtout the world to join us in building news teams that deal with important issues that will benefit all of mankind.

We welcome your comments!

Contact: Bob Barboza at Suprschool@aol.com

Real Smart Kids on the Election Results

Hay dad, can I have $150.00 dollars?  I need to put a little gas in the car.


“Real Smart Kids” take a stand on who will win the election.   The answer and our reasons will surprise you.

We are unhappy with a lot of things.   Here is just our shot list.    What happened to our gas money, movie money, lunch money and Nintendo money?    No Child Left Behind is killing us.  I never had so much homework.  All of our best clothing stores are closing down.  What is up with that?   Jessie Jackson said, “Stay out of the Bushes”.  We now know what he was talking about.  The last eight years have been terrible.   The politicians did not listen to kids back then and they are not listening to kids right now.   The politicians that listen to kids will win this election.


The kids have had it will all the political parties.  We asked the Democrats, Republicans and Independents to name the top ten video games for 2008.

Everyone lied.  They (All Political Parties) were all faking it.  They did not even have a clue.  We asked our friends from “The Kid’s Talk Radio, Real Smart Kid’s Club” to help us.

Our goal was to ask everyone running for president and vice president in 2008 to name the top ten video games for kids.  We felt that if you are not keeping up with what is important to kids, you should not be president of anything.  Plus, we need to interview all of the presidential and vice presidential candidates.  Why do they keep leaving out the Independents?   What is up with that?

We asked the Libertarian’s Bob Barr, running for President, and Wayne A. Root, running for Vice President about the current state of video games in America.   They were both lost, they could not even name, two games.

We asked John Mc Cain and Sarah Palin.  Sara named one game and John was lost.  We asked John Mc Cain if he had ever played Nintendo, when he was a kid.  He lied and said, “We didn’t have Nintendo when I was a kid.  Our reporters knew that Nintendo had been around forever.  Don’t worry our student analysts will get back to you on this one.  

We asked Cynthia Mc Kinney, running for President and Rosa Clemente, running for Vice President (Green Party) and they named four games working together.  Not bad for the Green Party.  We will keep our eyes on the Green Party in the years ahead.  They seemed like nice people.


We asked Alan Keys, running for President and Wiley S. Drake, SR., running for Vice President (Peace and Freedom Party).  They said that they would get back to us after the election.  What is up with that?

We asked Ralph Nader, running for President and Matt Gonzalez, running for Vice President to name the top ten games for 2008.  Ralph Nader named seven games and Matt Gonzalez named all ten.  These guys are sharp.     Kid’s Talk Radio could not believe how sharp this Gonzalez guy was.  You are going to have to check him out on You Tube.   Ralph Nader seems to know everything about everything and he and his organization were the first to write back to us when we sent in our e-mail.  This means a lot to kids and we don’t forget.

We asked Barack Obama and Joe Biden what are the top ten games of 2008?  Barack Obama named all ten games in less than twenty seconds.  Biden was still scratching his head.   Sarah Palin did much better than Joe Biden.   What is up with Joe Biden not keeping up with Nintendo Games?   What is up with that?  Joe Biden said that after the election he would clean up his act.

If the election was today, and it is. “Real Smart Kids”, would vote for Obama only if he found great jobs for Ralph Nader and Matt Gonzalez.   Why are we voting for Obama?   To tell you the truth, Nader and Gonzalez seem to be doing a better job paying attention to what is important to kids.  They pay more attention to what’s important for kids now and down the road.

Most of the politicians think that they don’t have to pay attention to kids.  They are making a big mistake.   If you want to get elected, you have to pay attention to “Real Smart Kids”.


Kid’s feel that all parties are not paying attention to kids.  Plus, why are our allowances always going down?  What is up with that?

Why are the political parties not paying attention to kids and their parents?   What is up with that? 



What do Real Smart Kids want from our President and Vice President?

1.    We want our home back?
2.    We want our parents working?
3.    We want Democrats, Repulicans, and Independents to work together after the election or we are going to replace you all.
4.    We want music and art back in our schools.
5.    We want lower gas prices and cars that run on X-box III.  We will explain after the election.
6.    We want you to end the war.   We don’t need to go to war like you do, we have video games.
7.    We want Independents to be able to debate. 
8.    Find work for Matt Gonzalez, this guy is smart.
9.    No more loans to banks.   Give the money to kids.
10.     No more ridiculous homework.





In school, my teacher says we should never lie.  Please remind all of the politicians.

Jeff Blockwood
“Real Smart Kids”
A Kid’s Talk Radio Production
Suprschool@aol.com

November 4, 2008

PS.   Obama will win this election, you head it first on Kid’s Talk Radio.

Get your parents out to vote!

Real Smart Kids- Are Asking Tough Questions

Are kids watching the debates?   The answer is yes!  In a recent poll taken in the California schools, it has been reported that kids are watching the debates.  Bob Barboza and the Kid’s Talk Radio news team were in Manhattan Beach, California this week talking to kids and the general public.   Things are heating up on the streets.  A record number of kids will be watching the debate this Tuesday.

I had an opportunity to have my photo taken with Sara Palin this weekend. 

The Official Sample Ballots were mailed out and received by Californians this week.   Remember that the General Election is November 4, 2008.  You job is to find your polling place and vote.  Polls will open at 7 A.M. and close at 8 P.M.

Don’t worry!  Kids will be reminding you to vote in this very important election.

We it comes time to vote remember that we have more than just two parties.

Here is a list of the parties that are running for President and Vice President:

Libertarian
Republican
Green
American Independent
Peace and Freedom
Democratic

What are some of the questions that “Real Smart Kids” are asking?

If we have six parties running, why do we only have six parties debating?

Wake up America!   You can’t fool “Real Smart Kids” all the time.   Some of us kids were not left behind.  In fact, we are starting to thing a lot of adults were left behind.  We put you in charge of taking care of the economy, health care, and education. 

In fact, we put you in charge of building better public relations around the world.

Kids have good memories.  One day we are going to be doing the voting.

Send your comment to Suprschool@aol.com

Kids are Smart About Politics

Kids and Politics Part One: 

For the most part kids stay out of politics.  Some of us can’t vote yet.  The older kids will vote and we are going to turn some heads this year.  Politicians are dumb like a fox.  They throw a few scraps at the kid and thing we don’t count because of what has gone on in the past.  Well, this is a new day.  This is the day of the Internet.  Kids are smarter than you think.   Kids are starting to see what happens when you let adults handle all of the business.   You get a big mess.  Plus, because of the “No Child Left Behind” movement and public opinion about the public schools you think that most of us have no education at all and that we are all dumb.

Well, some of us have figured things out on our own and we can ask great questions of our politicians who are the real people with no education.  First, of all they are not talking to kids.   Here are some of the intelligent questions that kids are asking and no politicians are talking.


Kids need answers from our politicians.

1.    Should kids have access to guns?
2.    If the Europeans figured out health care after World War II, why haven’t we figured out how to fix the health care problem in the United States?
3.    Why aren’t politicians talking to kids?
4.    Why are you pilling up the bills for kids to pay for down the road?
5.    If you drill now and drill dumb.  What will kids have left down the road?
6.    Do you really think that kids want to go to war?
7.    Why can’t you find someone who can talk to our enemies?
8.    We see that you found a woman to run for the VP office, is she the best that you can find?
9.    We don’t you let President Bush tell his side of the story?
10.    The mess in is so big and your track record is so bad you might have to get creative this time.  Why don’t you put everyone running in the White House, this includes all the Independents and just flip a coin to see who will be the president?

11.  What is your plan about afterschool programs for kids?

Sarah Palin and Kid's Talk Radio

Kid’s Talk Radio kids want to know about Sarah Palin, John McCain’s Running mate.  We know she hunts. She fishes. She was voted Miss Congeniality after winning a beauty pageant in her small town in Alaska. She is a mother of five and achurchgoer who says her favourite meal is moose stew. But the quality that may serve Sarah Palin best after being chosen byJohn McCain as his running mate yesterday (AUG29) may be the competitiveness and determination to win that earned her the name Sarah Barracuda for her sharp elbows as high school basketball player.  Here is a list of questions that our kids want to know.

1.    When was the very last time  you went on a hunting trip and what was it like?

2.    What do you suggest to keep kids safe?

3.    What were you like in high school?

4.    What is a Republican?

5.    When did you first decide to become a Republican?

6.    What was your biggest problem as governor?

7.    What can you do to help our country?

8.    What kind of music do you like?

9.    How will you help women?

10.    Where were you when John McCain asked you to be his running mate?

Are you ready for Barak?

Barak Obama hit a homerun in front of 80 thousand cheering supports.  His speech tonight will go down as one of the best in it league.  My questions were answered at the Democratic National Convention.  Now that we have heard Bark’s speech, Kid’s Talk Radio has a few questions for Barak Obama.

1.    Will you be able to pull off all the things that you said you are going to do?
2.    What are you going to do next?
3.    Who are the top ten people who are helping you the most?
4.    How will you help our public schools?
5.    How good are you at basketball?
6.    Do you have any hobbies?
7.    What were you like in high school?
8.    How do you memorize such long speeches?
9.    What is the one thing you need to solve your biggest problem?
10.    How can he Clintons help you the most?

Kid's Talk Radio wants to interview Matt Gonzalez.

Kid’s Talk Radio will give all of the candidates equal time to get their voices heard.


Addressing an auditorium filled with many students expressing support for another candidate, Matt Gonzalez, running mate of presidential hopeful Ralph Nader, spoke yesterday about reasons not to vote for Barack Obama.

Gonzalez, who was announced in February as Nader's vice presidential choice on the independent ticket, spent most of his time speaking to the Political Science 179 class about what he called Obama's "troubling" voting record.

"I'm picking on Senator Obama ... because your professor told me this is a pretty strong Obama crowd," Gonzalez said. "It says something about a candidate that can stand in front of you and repeatedly say, 'I can change the culture of Washington, (D.C.)' ... without giving you an accounting of what is going on here. What are these votes about?"

Gonzalez was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2000, which he served on as a member and later a president until 2005, helping deal with a budget that is larger than that of some states.

In 2003, he came within a close margin when he ran against Gavin Newsom for mayor of San Francisco.

Students posed questions about Gonzalez' position concerning nuclear weapons, the war in Iraq and his work advocating instant runoff voting, a system that allows voters to rank the candidates of their choice.

"One of the reasons I ran with Nader was because I knew that I would be talking about election reform and I have a history of actually instituting that kind of reform," he said.

Many who attended the class said they thought it was interesting for Gonzalez to specifically target his remarks at a mostly pro-Obama audience.

"I enjoyed learning about his standpoint and his views, but I would like to research a bit more before I decide whether or not I agree with them," said freshman Katherine Hasnain.

Gonzalez said he encouraged his audience to reflect on what they know about the candidates before they give them their vote.
Daily Cal News Blog

"I respect your right to not vote for Ralph Nader, but I hope that some of my remarks today would ... force you to ask some hard questions that maybe you weren't aware of and maybe to do further inquiry."

Kid's Talk Radio will be spending the next few weeks finding out who Matt Gonzalez is.

Kid's Talk Radio has questions for Bill Clinton.

Bill Clinton gets people excited about getting involved in our country.

A message to Bill Clinton from Kid’s Talk Radio
You are a fantastic speaker and you need to use your words to help America around the world.  Kid’s Talk Radio has some important questions for you.

1.    What can you do to help Obama and the rest of our elected officials?
2.    What do we need to do to solve our health care problem?
3.    What should we do about our oil problem?
4.    What can you an Hillary do right now to help Obama?
5.    What will you do next?
6.    What kind of a kid were you in high school?
7.    What job would you like to have right now?
8.    How is your health?
9.    What will you do to help our schools?
10.    What is next for your family?

Who is Ralph Nader ? Kid's Talk Radio wants to know.

Let's hear from the third party.

Ralph Nader is a very interesting person.  He has done a great deal to help our county.  Why are people so afraid of him?  He seems to be telling the truth.  Why don’t we give him a chance to speak and tell his story?  Kid’s Talk Radio will investigate Ralph Nader and we will let you know what we discover.  Kid’s Talk Radio wants to give Ralph Nader a chance to tell his side of the  story.

1.    Why is mainstream media avoiding Ralph Nader?
2.    What do you stand for?
3.    What would you do as our president?
4.    Can you give us an update on how you are doing?
5.    Why won’t anyone debate you?
6.    What do we need to do to fix our schools?
7.    What do you think of Joe Biden?
8.    What is your position on school reform?
9.    What do we have to do to keep jobs in our country?
10.    What would you do about the war?

Kid's Talk Radio wants to talk to Hillary Clinton.

The kids in our group were touched when we looked around and saw people crying.  It showed that Hillary Clinton has moved a lot of people.  This is a very emotional convention.  The following questions are on kid’s minds

1. What can you do to play a role in helping American mover forward?
2. Why did Barak Obama not choose you?
3. Can you still help America with our health care problems?
4. What can do to help the Democratic Party?
5. Will you have the energy to run for President again?
6. What will you do for the rest of this year?
7. Why was the press so hard on you?
8. What can you do to help our school?
9. What role would you like to play in the Democratic Party?
10. Can you find away for you and Bill to help our country?