Windy Weather and following the Clintons August 5, 2009

Well, summer classes are almost done and I just bought a crap load of books for my 3 fall classes…I wish I could say that the expenses would stop there, but alas, after those classes come my thesis research and the bill that comes with that. Oh well, maybe Ill get a job to help pay for all these books…and a place to put them!

Ive been catching up on all the news following the release of the 2 journalists from North Korea, and the mission Clinton undertook to Pyongyang to secure their release.  I couldnt help but laugh a little because Kim Jung Il took a page right out of Maos ways to wage a revolution! Offer release if a high level envoy comes to Pyongyang. Then when that happens, spin the news on local media and help bolster your reputation domestically! And of course since the US is the evil in the world, a high ranking envoy from them would be the best propaganda of all! Im still glad that Clinton went because to the rest of the the world, it showed a sign that the US is willing to take diplomatic measures to end issues, even if the North Koreans spin it as the US is weak and bowed down to our demands…which is what is beginning to happen. Whatever Kim Jung Il…you can paint the US however you want, all it will do is maybe help reinforce domestic support…..maybe.

The other Clinton…aka Madame Secretary of State…is touring Africa right now, and Ive been following the news there too (of course!). I personally cant wait for some news on the talks she is going ot hold with the Somali President…not that anything that results from that meeting will be able to be implemented since that government is being propped up by AU and international support. The US tactics have been to supply weapons and other military aid to the Somali military, but that hasnt worked yet, and personally dont think that it will now!  With no stable government since 1991, its about time that the International community joins and trys to sort out the mess there, but then again, tribal loyalties get put aside when international players come to town…so what is the answer? anyone?

In case you arent aware…Hurricane Felicia is knocking on my door…Im waiting for it to cross the 135 parrellel and a Hurricane Watch to be effectively  put into place….I hope it doenst come this way though, cause honestly, even a Catagory 1 would wipe out Hawaii…and I dont necessarily want to be here for that event!  I think I need to go buy some water…and enjoy these nice cooling winds that seem to be coming before the storm.

Later!

Crazy Cat Control, Stupid diplomacy move, and the conspiracy of Taylor July 14, 2009

Well all you cat lovers out there already know this, but apparently a new study at the University of Sussex has discovered that when it comes to the relationships between cats and their owners, the cat is in charge.  From the morning wakeup, to the purr and meowing cry, pet owners jump at what their cats want/need. But I dont think this just applies to cats…I mean all dog owners out there know this too, as does my Dad with the turtle Tut…You know when he is hungry…he starts destroying his tank! So while I think its funny that there was a study done that confirms what animals lovers already know, its kind of a waste of resources!

In world news that does not apply to animals, Zelaya has complicated the Honduras situation. While negotiations where ongoing to end the political crisis in Honduras, and were having limited success, Zelaya did what every politician, world leader, even businessman should never due…he issued an altimatum…”reinstate me or else.” He has vowed to act on his own if he is not returned to power in the next round of talks.  While it is unclear on what “other methods” he intends to use to regain power, what started as a bloodless coup, could end in civil war…lets hope not!

Wow…now I knew that this day would come when Charles taylor would speak on his own defense at his trial at the Hague, and sadly I am not shocked by him claiming that the case  against him is built on lies and rumors. But the fact that he believes that the case is a conspiracy to ” attempt to continue to divide and rule the people of Liberia and Sierra Leone”, shocked me. I mean its one thing to deny the charges, but another to claim conspiracy. Especially when the case, although taking place at the Hague, is still being heard by case  judges from the Special Court for Sierra Leone. It is the locals that are charging him with the assistance of the international community and the UN, not the UN itself.  Well now the trial begins and the burden of proof is needed, and in the end it will decide whether Mr Taylor is guilty of responsibility for atrocities, or whether, as he says, the whole affair is part of an attempt to divide and rule the people of West Africa.

Later!

Global death penalty updates, and the introduction of Kim Jong Un… June 24, 2009

Well some of you may remember my adventure to Togo…and although Im no longer there, I keep an eye on the news in the region, and have a little nugget to share…Togo has abolished the death penalty.  This vote by the Togolese Parliament means that Togo has become the 15th member of the African Union and the 94th country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all crimes. Im actually really happy over this news because Im not an advocate of the death penalty and never have been for multiple reasons. Even in my undergraduate studies I majored in Criminal Justice where the majority of those in the program supprted the death penalty and I was an oddball even then. But alas, the world is slowly changing its stance on the issue, and while it wont be a sudden victory to have it abolished globally, it is a slow victory…one country, one state, one person at a time.

Im not sure how many of you remember the killing of the US diplomats in Sudan on New Years Day in 2008, but today the 4 men that were found guilty were sentenced to death by hanging.  The diplomat was an employee of the USAID program that the State Dept runs. And those who gunned him and his driver down were part of a group that had plotted to bomb Western embassies in the Sudanese capital in 2008.  While the US/Sudan relations are strained, its still good to see the Khartoum regime recognizing diplomatic status by actually seeking the guilty party and allowing the FBI to assist in the investigation. Maybe, one step at a time, the relationship will change…but alas, not while Darfur crisis is still going on.

For everyone on the mainland who has been following the North Korean chaos over the supposed launching over the July 4th weekend of bombs aimed at Hawaii…my message is to chill.  It seems that everyone I talk to here has people calling them about the issue, and even some of those I talk to back on the mainland ask about it. If North Korea launches a missile, the US should intercept it, and even if that fails, then yes Hawaii will be in chaos because we are not designed to handle disasters well (we prepare for them but our infastructure sucks and our distance from relief hurts us), but in the end if that occurs, then the US will be at war. So until soething actualy occurs, chill. (I think it will be unlikely that Kim Jong Il will launch a missile at Hawaii, he may be crazy, but even he does not have a death wish.)

And in more North Korean news, it looks like Kim Jong Il may be slowly choosing his successor, his youngest son Kim Jong Un. He was recently appointed as head of the North’s secret police and spy agency as well as been placed in charge of the two American journalists who were captured on the China border and found guilty of spying and sentenced to 12 years in a hard labor camp. Of interest, since the US has no official diplomatic relations with the North Koreans, Sweden has been acting as the USs diplomatic ties and working on the release of the journalists for the US. Hmmm…we have an entente with Sweden..cool, but not surprising.

Later!

Election Annulments?, Kenya vetoes troops, and the Rassak case June 22, 2009

Well the Iranian leadership has made some decisive statements regarding the Election fraud allegations and has voiced today that the Guardian Council had found no major fraud and that there would be no annullment of the results, again backing Ahmadinejad as the victor. However, this statement came only a day after the Guardian Council announced that there had been voting irregularities in 50 districts, including local vote counts that exceeded the number of eligible voters.  With the final election result being 62.6 percent of the vote for Ahmadinejad and 33.75 percent for Mousavi and a record turnout of a 85 percent of Iran’s 46.2 million eligible voters, the turmoil is far from over.  Many analysts saw this election  as being much closer, and not a landslide victory for Ahmadinejad. Most saw Mousavi winning the election. But alas, like elections here in the US, things arent always what the pre-polling and analysts seem. Yet the shear magnitude of the victory does lead to validity questions, because even in the best of elections analysts get it wrong, but in those cases the vote is usually much closer, and the outcome much tighter. I do find it hard to believe that Ahmadinejad, who was behind in the polls, could make up such a voting gap when many Iranians were angered with him and his policies. I find it even more disturbing that the Guardian Council admitted voting irregularities of signifigance, and then a day later, towed the party line and ruled out fraud as a factor in the election. Now it is up to the people to maintain a voice.

In additional news…Kenya had refused military assistance to Somalia and stated that this operation should be an AU run operation which I agree with in part. Yes, any intervention needs to be a coalition operation, but the AU is not strong enough by itself to complete the magnitude of what is being asked. Heck the US went in to Somalia in the early 90s and got our asses handed to us on a silver platter. While admittedly we werent preparded for that sort of tactical warfare at the time, it still is a huge problem area that would require more than some AU peacekeeping forces on the ground. To even begin stabalization of that country would require diplomatic negotiations between Ethiopia and Eritrea (so that both would stop using Somalia as a battleground) and would require a huge counterinsurgency strategy with a huge emphasis on public relations. Because even if you can get in there and establish order in Mogadishu, you have a huge problem of Somali people historically not liking any outsiders on their soil and often taking up arms and uniting against said forces. Then after the outsider is dispelled comes the tribal rivalries and internal fighting again. Its a vicious cycle in Somalia and without a global campaign, nothing will dent the chaos in that country.

In Guantanamo news, a federal judge ruled in the Rassak case that he was to be freed. In case you havent followed the case at all, a video tape of Rassak was found among the Taliban showing him as a suicide martyr for Al-Qaida, however, in reality he was being held by Al-Qaida and was being tortured as a suspected American spy. A closer examination of the video showed he was being tortured during its making. The federeal government argued that he still held some loyalties to his captors and was still part of the terrorist network that had tortured, imprisoned and abandoned him. The Judge ruled that the federal governments logic defied common sense and has ordered his release. It is actually disturbing me that the government would make an arguement like this when the video was made while the victim was under distress…I wonder if this would have happened to any of the POWs of the Korean War should they have been tortured and taped, and then placed on trial too?

Later!

Freedom to Protest, Chaos in Somalia, and the 1 Billion… June 21, 2009

Well I didnt get around to blogging last night, which was just sad, cause it was World Refugee Day!  But I was watching the news, and researching things as usual…and there is plenty to discuss tonight!

So lets jump into the madness, and begin with Iran. Im not sure how many people reading this blog have been following whats been going on in Tehran, but I thik we are truly witnessing something beyond protests, beyond, angry voters, I think we are beginning to witness a falling of a regime. The only downside is whether the Ayatollah will enforce a dictatorship. or whether there will be a coup. Either way its very dangerous for the Western nations and the Middle East as a Region. Right now Iran is one of the more stable countries in the region and has been for the past 30+ years. Thats not to say that it hasnt had its issues clashing with western human rights ideologies over the years, but economically and politically it was stable. If a coup or dictatorship occurs, there is bound to be more unrest in an already unstable region. An unstable Iran is the last thing the world needs right now.  But if for some reason, the Ayatollah is able to restabalize Iran without a coup or dictatorship…then these events lend credence to the Wests apprehension about Irans nucleur ambitions. If they cant control protestors (and Im not talking a freedom to voice opposition, but violence and chaos) then how can they effectively control weaponry responsibly? Regardless though, Ahmadinejad and Khamenei have been using this time to blame the US and other Western countries like England for the events in their country. My personal favorite is the US is paying terrorists in Iraq to come across the border and create violence in Iran. Hahahaha! Seriously?! If the US could pay the terrorists to do anything it would be to stop fighting the military so we could get out of Iraq and Afghanistan. I dont think the US has the sway with the militants to get them to attack Iran!  But sadly, there are people in Iran that probably believe the Ayatollah when he says it. There may not be many but they do exist.  Just like there are people here who still believe the Holocaust didnt happen. No amount of proof will disuade them which is sad, because for me, education is all about having your beliefs challenged so that you can grow as a person!  So, to all those protestors out there, keep challenging the beliefs, ideologies, assumptions…let your voice ring clear! Neda!

Also in the news, was Somalias request that Ethiopia send in troops to help them disband the militants…which Ethiopia rejected, stating that it would nee to be an interntaionally sanctioned course of action before Ethiopia aids Somalia. This is not surprising, but rellay the only backing Ethiopia is really looking for is the United States. It acted starting in  2001 with US support to aid the Temporary Somali government reestabligh control over Mogadishu…and with that backing came technical and military support since the US was also acting under a Global War of Terror mindset, and making that deal would allow the US to target Extremesit camps in Somalia and Ethiopia without compromising sovereignty.  Sneaky we are!  But I wouldnt expect to see the US so eager to support it this time without most of the European powers supporting it as well. The last thing the US needs is to be tied officially or unofficially to chaos in Somali (excluding Pirates). However, because of that pirate problem, its may happen that the world leaders decide to support AU and Ethiopian intervention under the right pretext…we shall see!

And in even more disappointing news, World hunger numbers hit 1 Billion. This is in part due to the economic crisis around the globe. Higher food prices=increased hunger.  Just in case you cant put that in perspective…that is 1/6 of the worlds population…1 in 6 are starving. Time to support Heifer International again!

Later!

Iranian elections, gecko wrestling, and some good news on Bemba June 15, 2009

Ive been watching all the media coverage over the Iranian elections the past several days and am amazed at all of it. First, the both candidates declare victory (remind anyone of 2000?) and then the elections are called faulty/rigged, etc(remember the chads and supposed vote tampering?), and then there was rioting…ok well maybe the last one didnt happen so much back in the 2000 election, but it did lead to some heated cross country politics in the US.  Im also amazed that we are actually getting as much media coverage of the events as we are knowing that Iran isnt a country where the world gets easy media access (although anything is better then North Korea!). I am actually proud of the protesters, because they are taking to heart the Howard Zinn quote…”Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” Without differing views, beliefs, and personalities, a culture, and a country at that, will fail to continue and thrive. So for me, these protests over the election are a sign that the Iranian people are wanting to ensure the survival of their culture, customs, and country…even if they disagree with the outcome. While the violent nature is sad, in many ways violence is inevitable when you have such heated debate and such a passionate belief on what has transpired.  Now we just have to wait and see how the recount goes…

And if following all the madness in Iran wasnt enough, Im forced back into the NFL drama known as Brett Favre. He has announced that in a few weeks he will know whether his arm will be repaired enough to un-retire…again…Im kinda sick of all this drama, and if he does go to MN then have fun Vikings. I cant wait to watch the rollercoaster ride of a season and then the even more tumultuous offseason!

And in another bit of world news…Jean-Pierre Bemba will be standing trial at the ICC! The former DRC militia leader and VP is accused of 5 counts of war crimes for murder, rape, and pillaging. Its nice to see that his pretrial investigation yielded that they had enough evidence to proceed to trial…i only hope that the trial is covered by the media…and I mean the US media, cause BBC and Le Monde are all over it already. It would be nice to see the ICC be successful in convictions fo crimes against humanity becuase it would re-enforce the fact that if you act against others, regardless of the justification, it can haunt you!

Off to watch some Travel Channel…oh and some Gecko wrestling that is currently going on on my window. (4 geckos are fighting each other)

Later!

Power diplomacy, handcuffs and biting, and a lil’ Mexico March 24, 2009

Well if I ever saw power diplomacy at its finest, it would have to be China’s influence over South Africa when it comes to the Dalai Lama. Too bad it was over something regionally significant, but globally irrelevant. If anything it just hurts South Africa and Chinas perspective in many nations when it comes to triviality over history.  Yes, the Dalai Lama may have opposed China, and been involved in an attempted “coup”, but at the moment, he is a figure head for a place in the world where human rights is a capstone in their interactions with the global community, and to deny him from an international human rights convention, and then justifying it by stating that he would draw attention away from soccer…well now thats stupid. It also reflects that South Africa, post-apartheid, is not ready to venture into the human rights arena which is sad. Their priorities at the moment, strategic protection of their future interests….but I guess that could be said for any state. Kudos for the organizers for cancelling the convention in recognition of the slight.

I love the crazies in the world! And I mean that in the good way!  When I read articles about the eccentric things people do to each other, to themselves, and well what they do in general, it always amazes me that society continues to function at an arguably successful pace.  Take for example, the Connecticut lady who was trying to reconcile with her husband. While he slept, she handcuffed herself to him to force him to have a conversation with her, and when he tried to reach for the phone to call the cops she bit him.  First, I would so not marry a biter (unless its in the kinky good way), Second, where did she get the handcuffs (or do I want to know..were they fuzzy?) and Third, did she think that strategy would end well…guess bedroom diplomacy is still needs some study…phd thesis anyone?!

Finally someone has taken notice, or at least showing some serious respect, to the situation in Mexico. Im still not sold on the Mexican or US course of action, but I will say that its nice that some of our leaders are not imbeciles. Sharing a border with a failing state (or at least a struggling state) is never a good thing, and its only a matter of time before it explodes into the US fully.  Its better to preempt problem, but it may be too late! We’ll see!

Are pre-existing conditions a thing of the past? Not likely, but its nice to hear that health insurance companies are thinking about not charging people more if they have a history of medical problems!

Well, Im off to work on my prospectus. I may have actually had a break through today and developed a new but similar course of action…lets hope it is accepted!

Later!

Crazy Bashir and his propaganda moves, Obama getting novel, and how to fight drug war March 7, 2009

Well my brain is frozen, numb, about to explode…any way you put it my brain is dead.  My Friday, Saturday, and most of Sunday will be shot from spending way too much time on reading, writing, and disaster group project. Stupid grad school…well at least thats how I feel right now.

Well Bashir is back in the news. He is making a trip to Drfur after being accused of war crimes and and ICC arrest warrant was issued. He told a rally in the capital, Khartoum, that if anyone wanted to fight him, they should come to Sudan instead of issuing arrest warrants. He continued, stating that the aid agencies he kicked out of the country following the ICC verdict were thieves and accused them of taking 99% of the budget for humanitarian work for themselves and only giving 1% to the people of Darfur.  Meanwhile, the United Nations says the expulsion puts more than a million lives at risk.  Bashir discounts the ICCs ability to try him since stating that it cant be impartial, since it has no jurisdiction over US citizens…and thus the US was dragged into the crisis…not exactly how i pictured it, but definately as I feared would happen.  Hwile his move is one of propaganda, it is still valid. Now the administration must decide whether to respond or ignore the comment. If they respond, they walk a dangerous line of self imposed justice versus international legal oversight. Should be intersting.

Hmmm…is Obama taking a section out of counterinsurgency knowledge? Reaching out to the moderates within the Taliban?!  Hmmm….how novel!  Not!  This is something that should have been done from the beginning!  In fact, doing so now may be too late, but its not Obamas fault that diplomacy was forgotten under Bush. (Well at least diplomatic talks). Any insurgent should reach out to those who he may be able to ally or befriend, regardless of ideological beleifs…its all strategy.  This is ringing back to Algeria versus the French…dont alienate the moderates!!! They are yur most likely partner for information…but I fear its too late!

And we’re off and running…Obama was briefed on the Mexican Drug War…and of course asked the old adage…”How can we help.”  Gee…how about curbing the demand on this side o f the border…if you do that then cartel operations dwindle due to lack of supply and stability can be restored….Not likely though. Its just too easy for the US to send, logistical and strategic support to Mexico, while curbing the USs drug addiction problem is too complex of a problem to fix. So in reality this move wsa nothing but face time with Mexico to show moral support and concern for their growing counterinsurgency…which has already spread over borders (violence in CA, GA, etc) and in to Canada even (cocaine supplies are low and have resulted in violence between dealers). How stupid is this all!!

Wow…the impossible happened.  TO found a new home…and with Buffalo?  Seriously? Hmm hope they dont live to regret that decision!

Well off to watch some Cpt. Jack with the boys…

Later!

Win a private Island, Sci-fi becomes reality, and crazy football days March 5, 2009

I blogged a few nights ago about locing one of my buddies, and tonight was a bitter sweet night, in that Xavier beat UD…he would have been so happy!

I just found out that Flogging Molly is coming to Pipeline Cafe in April!! I so want to go…and have some Drunken Lullabies…

Ive been following the offseason of football, and its craziness!  The Pats let Cassle go for a 2nd round pick?  TJ left Cincy?  The Brownies sent Kellen to Parcells?  Wow…but the oddest off season moves so far has to be with Dallas.  I can understand releasing TO…I mean he is drama filled, whiner, who wants it his way and not the teams way, but releasing Williams?!  Seriously!?  I know he wanted out but you just lost a good safety!  Im so confused by this offseasons tradings and team decisions..we’ll have to see how it all pans out after draft day.

I just found out today that there was a military coup in Bangladesh i which soldiers turned on the officers and dismembered them, stuffint the remains in sewers and manholes.  One of my classmates works at PAYCOM and is dealing with the situation, but it took some digging to find any published news on the crisis…thats just sad…over 70 are dead.

Looks like my concern over the Sudanese President ordering all aid agencies to leave Sudan and the potential fall out was right on target.  Im not the only one who is seeing the crisis worsen before it gets better.  The ICC better come up with some might behind all the talk…so to speak.

Is the age of Battlestar Gallactica coming faster then we thought?  Are we looking for another place to live?  NASA has a telescope that will be looking for more Earth-like Planets in the universe. This is kinda cool, but its ringing total sci-fi right now too!  A little BSG, Firefly, and even Stargate…wow…I knew I loved sci-fi, but the reality is kinda cool too!

LOL..you gotta love Taipei. In a move to increase economic spending and travel, they held a raffle for the right to use an uninhabited tropical island. Sounds sweet right!  I wouldnt mind having my on island to relax on…for awhile anyways (id prob get more island fever). The funny thing is that the winner is a 4 year old boy! How is a 4 year old suppose to boost the economy, let alone understand that he won an island!? Oh well…

Well im off to twitter…im addicted to that too…

Later!

Breakthrough move by the ICC, Hugos Rice War, and the Beatles School March 4, 2009

Wow…the ICC actually issued an arrest warrant for acting President of Sudan for his role in Darfur crisis and crimes against humanity.  While Im psyched that the ICC has the guts to act, im sceptical to the realistic ability to prosecute a sovereign nations leader.  Not only do they face hurdles of international security versus national sovereignty, it will also face the largest hurdle yet on implementing international law across state boundaries.  I hoe it goes well, but the warrant is setting a precedent for future world leaders, to watch their backs, or they may be next.  I wonder what Obama is thinking right now?  There has to be a mixture of happiness and concern within the administration, and any response by the White House on this issue would be walking a fine line of US foreign policy objectives, where any comment could be construed as a support for or against the ICC…best to keep their mouths shut.  But wait, they didnt, and in a statement by Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the UN,said the United States supported the court’s action “to hold accountable those who are responsible for the heinous crimes in Darfur.”  Well thats definately a departure fro the previous administrations policy on international agencies and international law…Either way, the warrant has some more immediate implications, mainly that President Omar al-Bashir has kicked out all foreign aid and humanitarian agencies from Sudan following the issuance of the warrant.  Now the Sudanese are on their own, with no NGOs oversight over an already bad climate. Lets hope that this “closing of the borders” doesnt lead to more ethnic cleansing.

Wow…i know Universities are expanding their offerings every year, but now a University in Liverpool is offering a MA in The Beatles…literally. Hmm…wonder if Jess B or Trish would go for this degree?

Ahhh…gotta love Hugo.  Rice isnt cheap enough? Then why not seize the independent privately owned companies that produce the rpoduct and threaten to nationalize them unless they produce rice at a cheaper cost.  Your price control methods arent working?  Hmm…maybe you need to relook at that before seizing rice mills…now you just look like an idiot…well to me you do, maybe not to everyone, but oh well.

Well its been raining here of and on for a couple of days now, and Im tired and have a headache from the constant drip outside my window. I never thought Id be thankful for tylenol, but I am.  Im off to read “A Faustian Foreing Policy” by Joan Hoff…and can i say that Im not impressed at all by the book…it also is another source of my headaches!

Later!