Annotated Bibliography

Dinan, Stephen. "Obama, Congress restore horse-slaughter industry." The Washington Times. N.p., 30

Nov. 30 2011. Web. 25 Feb. 2012. Web.

          This article discusses Obama's recent decision to restore the horse slaughter industry in the United

States. The article goes on to discuss the fact that PETA supports this decision, but the ASPCA plans to

fight the new law. Several states also currently have a ban on horse slaughter for human consumption. The

law put into place in 2006 did not actually ban horse slaughter, but it pulled the plug on inspections of the

plants, which caused the industry to founder.

 "Pro and Con Arguments: Slaughter." Habitat for Horses. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. 

          <http://habitatforhorses.org/joincampaigns/proandcon.html>. Web.

           This article discusses the pros and cons of horse slaughter being legalized in the United States. The 

article talks a great deal about the inhumane practices in slaughter houses. It uses opinionated tactics to 

make the reader sympathize with the horses that are killed inhumanely in slaughter houses. The article also 

talks about the horse slaughter industry as being a large source of income for the United States, but 

counteracts it by saying that the horse industry itself brings in more money than slaughtering.

 "Pro Horse Slaughter Groups." From the Gonzo. N.p., 25 Jan. 2006. Web. 27 Feb. 2012.  

          <http://fromthegonzo.wordpress.com/horse-slaughter-updates/12506-pro-horse-slaughter-groups/>. 

          This article discusses the different animal organizations that agree that horse slaughter is a necessary 

option for United States. The AVMA, AQHA, AAEP, and several other animal (especially horse) 

organizations all agree that with proper monitoring of the slaughter process, horse slaughter is a humane and

necessary practice to end suffering of horses that can no longer be cared for or that are old, sick or injured. 

These organizations believe that although changes need to be made to the laws to more strictly enforce 

them, horse slaughter is not such a negative thing.

Effects of Combat on Soldiers in the Middle East

          The research topic I am most interested in is studying the effects of combat on soldiers in the middle east, specifically Afghanistan and Iraq. Millions of soldiers put their life on the line every day for our country's safety, but not many people do not think about the effects that combat will have on soldiers. I would like to research the number of disorders such as PTSD and depression in infantry soldiers that have been deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan since the war on terror began in 2001. I would also like to research what programs are available now for soldiers to help them deal with post-combat health issues. My argument in this paper is going to be the fact that there is not enough being done to help these soldiers. The military helps to a certain extent, but these soldiers simply do not get the help they really need. I would like to research the incidences of suicides, homicides, and dishonorable discharges from the military due to the behavior caused by PTSD and other post-combat disorders. Another thing to consider is the fact that many soldiers go on multiple tours of duty to dangerous combat zones. For example, my cousin was in the Navy and did at least two tours of duty in Iraq that each lasted at least ten months. One tour of duty is enough to give any soldier nightmares for several months, but two and three tours of duty is a ridiculous amount of stress to put on these soldiers. Also, in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is not exactly battlefield combat. Just walking in the streets or patrolling on a Humvee is enough to get someone killed. There is no such thing as safety for American soldiers in the Middle East, and the feeling of being in danger often never leaves this men as they come home. As I research this paper, hopefully I will make it clear that soldiers are not treated properly and there should be some changes made.