The Fiber Optic Cable

The fiber optic cable is one of the most important inventions of modern day. This allows for information to be transferred long distances in a short period of time. With out fiber optic cables the internet and television companies would not be what they are today.  Their applications can range from telecommunications, aircraft, spacecraft, and medical technology. 

      The fiber optic cable is made of thin strands of glass fiber. This glass is coated to allow light to move through it. The term for this is known as cladding. What happens is the total refection of light will be increased by using a material with a low reflexive index. The cladding layer will stop light from being lost. While this occurs light will travel to the glass core. The glass  fibers have the ability to transmit messages and images through beams of light. This means information can be transported at long distances. At the receiving section of the fiber optic cable the light beams are converted back into electrical current. The signal can then be decoded. 

Libya is Now a Failed State

Ever since the fall of  Muammar Qaddafi, Libya is now in a state of chronic lawlessness. Ethnic conflict, civil war, and general disorder are prevalent in Libyan society. This disorder was engineered by Western powers and the United Nations for geopolitical interests. However, The UK, France, and US did not expect conquest of the country to be difficult. The West intentionally armed radical political Islamist groups and militias, thinking they could be controlled. This same model of intervention was used in Afghanistan and Syria and has produced negative results. As a result of this intervention, Libya will disintegrate into three different countries. 
      Currently, elements of Al-Qaeda and Ansar Al Sharia are active in Libya. They have become so powerful that even the internationally recognized government cannot stop them. Their goal is to establish an Islamic State in Libya that adheres to a strict form of sharia law. Most of the members are not even Libyans, but foreigners from other countries. Terrorists who traveled extensively are seeking to foment rebellion across Africa. US interventions are now a magnet for extremists. Where ever the US goes terrorism will follow. Now, the Libyan population faces the worst brutality it has seen since the Italian invasion. Law enforcement is non-existent. Stability has replaced with the sound of gunfire. 
       Libya does not have an adequate national army. The former soldiers of Qaddafi refuse to fight on the behalf of a puppet government. This only harms the country further, because they are experienced soldiers. Ever since 2011, there has been a multitude of militias emerging. This includes the Misrata Brigades, the Al-Zintan Revolutionaries Council, the Al-Qaqa Brigade, the Al-Sawaqi Brigade, the Libyan National Army and the Martyrs  Brigade. These groups have no intention of peace or reconciliation. Their goal is to gain power, no matter the cost. A brutal civil war has been going on since the assassination of Qaddafi and the UN remains silent. The reason is that Libya was the United Nations worst mistake of the 21st century. UN Resolution 1973 authorized the bombing of Libya under the concept of responsibility to protect. This produced a human rights disaster, which will not be corrected anytime soon. 
        Libya not only has to manage internal disorder, but external threats. The United Arab Emirates has conducted airstrikes in Libya. The UAE continues to deny this, but the prove otherwise. The Gulf States sided with the rebels during the 2011 civil war. Saudi Arabia and Qatar provided arms to the rebellion in Benghazi . This is not unusual seeing as Gulf monarchies are the enemies of Pan-Arab nationalist states. Most of the time they will side with US foreign policy interests in the region. Now, the Gulf monarchies are seeking to extent their influence in  North Africa. Ultimately this means Libya's sovereignty will not only be violated by the West, but their Arab allies. The reason for this is to stop alternative governance systems developing in the region. An alternative model of government would mean the end of the Gulf monarchies. 
           Libya no longer sees its self as one country. Cyrenaica province attempted to declare independence in 2013. Regional and ethnic division became more pronounced after the NATO invasion. Reports of ethnic cleansing have emerged. Tawergha a staunchly pro-Qaddafi town was reduced to rubble. Tuaregs  and ethnic groups with a dark complexion were targeted for death. There was ethnic conflict with the Tebu before the war. Around 2008 the Tebu were in full revolt for greater autonomy. When the war broke out the situation deteriorated rapidly. Non-Arab Libyans were now being detained for long periods and driven from their homes. This had another repercussion. Tuaregs fled Libya with armaments to Mali to continue the fight for liberation there. The Azawad insurgency caused the collapse of the government. Libya now parallels Myanmar in terms of ethnic conflict. 
       Libya has a weak government, internal disorder, and limited security. It fails to function as it once did.Now it has become what Somalia is today dangerous and erratic. The West will suffer the consequences for its actions. Gradually, the flow of immigration has increased from the NATO war. Europe has no choice, cut to accept these people fleeing from war and terrorism. After all, this chaos was the result of America, French, and British intervention. Another concern is another base for radical political Islamism. While Iraq is under siege by ISIS it is possible that Libya could become another front, if not already.  

Malcolm X (1925-1965)

Malcolm X was a Muslim minister for the Nation of Islam and activist. He was a prominent thinker in the ideology of Black Nationalism in the United States. He believed in Black Separatism, because in his view the white society would never accept people of African descent. Creating a self sustaining community was the only way that African Americans could liberate themselves from white supremacy. Integration would not stop racism or limit the damage it had caused. He was a vocal critic of US foreign policy and imperialism.  Malcolm X was also a supporter of Pan-African unity. 

       Malcolm X became familiar with the Nation of Islam while in prison. He was arrested for burglary in 1946 and sentenced to ten years. His early life was filled with struggle, which led him to a path of crime. Malcolm changed his way of life when converting to Islam. During his prison term he read a large amount of literature and history books. This process of self education gave him direction and developed his skills as an orator. 

           When Malcolm formally joined the Nation of Islam, he rose quickly in the organization. He became minister of Harlem's Temple No.7 in 1954 and served has minister in temples in Philadelphia as well as Detroit. Membership increased in the Nation of Islam when Malcolm X became the Nation of Islam's spokesperson. His speeches preached self-reliance, black pride, and the need for human rights. 

     Malcolm X was an opponent of US foreign policy. US involvement in Vietnam became a serious political issue. This intervention was not designed to save the Vietnamese people from Communism, but to expand US geopolitical dominance . Malcolm repudiated all forms of imperialism, because it was an extension of racial supremacy. The Nation of Islam had a policy in which members and ministers were not allowed to engage in political activity. Malcolm X broke this rule. He visited Ghana, Egypt, Sudan, and Nigeria in 1959 as a show of political support for countries attempting to challenge European hegemony. Elijah Muhammad leader of the Nation of Islam disagreed with Malcolm's view on political mobilization. The tension continued to rise between the two and got worse after Malcolm's statement on the Kennedy assassination. Eventually, Malcolm X  resigned as a minister for the Nation of Islam. 

          Malcolm X after leaving the Nation of Islam went on to find the Organization of Afro-American Unity and Muslim Mosque Inc. His last campaign was to submit a petition to the United Nations exposing America's human rights violation against the African American population. This may have been a catalyst for his assassination. Simultaneously, the Nation of Islam made numerous attempts on his life. The FBI was also keeping him under intense surveillance.  Malcolm X was assassinated at the Audobon Ball Room in New York in 1965. Yet, even in death his influence continued. He has become a popular icon of resistance and Black Power. 

Further Reading 

Appiah, Kwame and Gates, Henry. “Malcolm X”. Africana Encyclopedia.

             New York :Perseus Books Group,1999. 1233-1234

The Flaws of Third Wave Feminism

Modern day Feminism evokes many reactions. Many are negative or positive emotions. Some women even avoid the label Feminist. Originally, Feminism was an ideology that believed women were equals to men and deserved the same economic, political, and social rights. This was gradually achieved through First Wave Feminism as represented by the Suffragette Movement. Women gaining the vote gave them more power in society. Second Wave Feminism sought to challenge workplace discrimination, sexual violence, and barriers in education. Around the 1990s there was a paradigm shift in Feminist thought. Third Wave Feminism the modern incarnation is a backlash against previous Feminist theories. This new Feminist movement has a number of contradictions and issues not addressed. The goal has shifted from equality to forming a series of interest groups that only benefits its members. The ironic twist is that it does not benefit the majority of women.

            The Third Wave Feminist Movement claims that it wants to be inclusive of women of various ethnic backgrounds. This is not true, in the case of the African American experience or the condition of women outside the West. Throughout the history of the Feminist Movement in the West, it has been dominated by white women. During the 1970s African American women decided to challenge that. However, white Feminists were rarely supportive of African American causes. Alice Walker developed the term womanism to describe a path way for liberation and to understand the racial and sex oppression black women face. Currently, there is a divide over full inclusion. African Americans and other women of color are marginalized in Feminist circles.  The concept of “global sisterhood” is far from reality. Transnational Feminist networks that have emerged over the past decades failed to combat sex discrimination in the developing world. Countries such as Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa, which have high levels sex discrimination, are ignored by Western Feminists.  Even though African, Asian, and Latin American make up the majority of the population white Feminists exclude them from mainstream discourse.

            Another issue is the wage gap. Third Wave Feminists claim that this is evidence of sexist discrimination. The feminization of poverty adds credibility to this argument, but this represents another problem. Wages have been stagnant for both men and women in the workforce. This represents the failure and exploitive nature of neoliberal capitalism. More jobs can be created, but if wages never increase it will result in income disparity. Simultaneously, with a regressive tax code it will put more burdens on middle class and poor workers. Another explanation is the career path women choose. Careers that are in the fields of mathematics, science, engineering and technology are high paying occupations. Women either are not interested in these fields or discouraged from pursing them.  Another factor that could account for the disparity is whether or not maternity leave is paid or unpaid.  This is critical, because raising a child requires significant financial resources. Socialist Feminists realize that class conflict is present in society and that a small ruling class oppresses the impoverished majority.  Third Wave Feminists look at the wage gap in a narrow perspective, while embracing another form of exploitation. If women’s wages were to increase dramatically, would these wealthy women help women of a lower socioeconomic status? It would not happen.  As long as a corporate ruling class rules the United States, men and women’s wages will decrease.

            The concept of rape culture raises other disputes. No one can deny that violence against women is common in society. However, Third Wave Feminists are now taking a different approach by a campaign of “teaching men not to rape.” First it assumes all men are rapists and have a tendency to be violent. Although men do represent a majority of violent crime perpetrators, that does not make all men criminals. It takes a person with aggressive, antisocial, and sociopathic behavior to commit such acts. Trying to rehabilitate individuals with these traits would be impossible. Women are not the only ones who face rape. Prison populations are the victims of custodial rape. Children are victims as well by both men and women. Rape is not a woman only issue.  This idea of “teaching men not to rape” is not effective. The proper solution should be on self-defense and vigilance.  Learning martial arts and other techniques can reverse certain predicaments.  The wave of sexual assault crimes on college campuses can be reduced by a more efficient campus police. Also, female students should be given free self-defense courses just as a precaution. The fact of the matter is waiting for some people to change is irrational.  The only way to reverse this situation is through immediate action. 

            Third Wave Feminists claim they are trying to promote equality between the sexes, but there are some areas which they do not want it. Men for example are required to register for the selective service, while women are not. Women are now having a larger role in the military and combat roles are being opened to them. Under former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, the ban on women in combat was lifted. Detractors say that women are not strong enough for a combat role, but there are exceptions. There are certain nations that do allow women in front-line combat roles like Israel, North Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Poland, Romania, Eritrea, Canada, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Women who do meet the physical fitness standards still face a level of bias. Rarely do you see Third Wave Feminist organizations come to their aid or attempt to make it mandatory that women register for the selective service. There could be other reasons for this. Most of the wars the US has fought are imperialist and controversial in nature. The public will be divided on the role of the US Army in terms of these actions. Many would find it unacceptable if women were to be killed in combat, because it is believed that men are expendable. A majority of American women would not be willing to register for the selective service. So this double standard will remain acceptable to Third Wave Feminists. Another issue is Family Law. Men will in most cases provide the financial assistance for child support. Women will not have the same financial responsibility. The peculiar development is that child support almost becomes an extension of alimony. The support of the spouse is different than support of children. This is dated mode of thought, because it assumes that men should be the only bread winners. Family Law in the United States will give more advantages to women.  What also complicates matters is judicial prejudice. Courts will assume that in regards to child custody, they will be better off with the mother. There is no equality in Family Law. Once again, there is little protest from Feminists. Double standards discredit many claims of the movement. Both parents who are divorced should contribute equally to their children’s well-being.

            Third Wave Feminism attempts to promote role models to empower girls. The role models they select are actually a hindrance to their goal. They believe that society is so patriarchal, that it encourages girls and women to have low self-esteem. To counter it they promote and praise certain women of notable influence. Two examples are Hillary Clinton and Beyonce Knowels. These two individuals who are popular in Feminists circles are terrible role models. Hillary Clinton represents the corruption of US politics. As Secretary of State her foreign policy decisions were both reckless and belligerent. Libya will remain a shameful legacy of her poor judgment. Hillary Clinton was vociferously calling for the US to intervene in Libya during its civil war. The result was that the US embassy was attacked by the same armed groups the West embraced when the war broke out. Hillary Clinton has never been at the forefront of Feminist causes. Usually she will state a few words of support, but never actively promotes Feminist ideas or causes. This becomes even more puzzling, because she has many Feminist supporters. Recently Beyonce Knowels has been adopted as a Feminist icon. This is self-defeating, because of the huge amount of contradictions. This singer basically makes her fortune by sexually objectifying herself. Somehow Feminists explain this as a woman taking control of her body and sexuality. Her performances have her sing in revealing clothing and this becomes more of the focus than her music.  This conveys a subtle message that the only way women can gain power is by their physical appearance or presenting themselves as sex objects. Her power may come from her income, but is controlled by the music companies that license her songs. Most of the music labels are still controlled by men. These Third Wave Feminist icons are certainly not up standing examples for young girls.

            The state of the Feminist movement is divisive. The modern from has turned into an interest group for white women of the upper and middle class. Women of other ethnic groups are either marginalized or silenced. The movement use to be about equal rights, but now it is for the establishment of special privileges. Some women do not even want to use the label Feminist.  This does not mean that sexism does not exist. What this movement transformed into has ultimately been counterproductive.

Native American Tribes

Before European contact, the Americas had civilization. It was home to a diverse population with many unique cultures.  There are various Native American tribes. Here is a general outline of the ethnic groups who were the first to settle North America.

Aleut 

The Aleut settled in southwestern Alaska. They were mostly hunters and fisherman who engaged in business with Russian fur traders. However, there was still tension with the Russians who sought to exploit the resources of  the Aleuts. 

 Siksika (BlackFoot)

The Siksika were nomadic people. They lived in the Plains of  America. The Siksika also were engaged in agriculture growing tobacco. 

Apache and Arapaho 

The Apache lived in areas of  Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Through out their history they had a long tradition of a warrior culture. At certain periods they were at war with the Comanche tribe. The Arapaho were based in the Plains (mostly Colorado and Wyoming). They also shared a warrior culture. 

Cherokee

The Cherokee lived in Alabama, the Carolinas,Georgia, and Tennessee. They had an advance understanding of agriculture. Their people could have been in the area for millenia.

Cheyenne

The Cheyenne were based in the Great Lakes area of the US. They were not nomadic, but were driven out by white settlers. They would continue to live on the Plains. 

Chickasaw and Choctaw 

The Chickasaw settled Mississippi. They mostly lived in the northern portion of the state. The Choctaw also lived in Mississippi, but also settled in Alabama as well. The Choctaw were mostly farmers. 

Comanche 

The Comanche were a unified tribe, but fell under twelve sub-nations. Their people resided in Wyoming around the Platte River. 

Cree

The Cree resided mostly in Canada and the Plains of the United States. They were engaged in the fur trade and did business with European settlers. The Cree are divided into eight different tribe groups. 

Muscogee (Creek) and  Apsaalooke (Crow)

The Creek were organized in a fifty band confederacy. This confederacy was centered around Georgia and Alabama. The Crow were hunters who also grew tobacco. They were based in the Plains.

Delaware 

The Delaware tribe was based in the Eastern Woodlands. This tribe was small in population and has struggled to get federal recognition. Their architecture was unique, utilizing bark covered structures. 

Salish (Flathead)

The Salish and Kootenai were banded together in a confederacy. Originally this tribe lived in western Montana. They would later spread out to the Rocky Mountains and out to the Plains. The major reason for this migration was to hunt buffalo. 

Hopi and Wyandot (Huron)

The Hopi lived in Arizona. Their system of inheritance was matrilineal . Property was passed through the mother. Most of the Hopi population were near the Painted Desert. The Wyandot were spread out between Canada, Kansas, and Michigan. 

Inuit (Eskimo)

The Inuits were long time travelers. Their population can be found in Alaska to as far as Greenland. They learned to master the northern circumpolar region by becoming skilled hunters and navigators. Igloos were a form of domicile that provided heat and safety . The Kayak was also developed to meet transportation needs and brave a harsh arctic environment. 

Iroquois 

The Iroquois consisted of five nations in a confederacy. This included the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga,Cayuga, and  Seneca. These tribes resided New York and Canada.  Their model of governance went on to influence America's system of government. 

Kikapoo

The Kikapoo were based in Wisconsin and later pushed  to the west. This forced removal caused a change in their culture. They would eventually come into conflict with the Comanche. 

Kiowa 

The Kiowa had a polytheistic religion. The elements of  Earth contained spirits in their theological perspective. They resided in Oklahoma, but had expeditions far into South America. 

Myaamiaki (Miami)

This group was based in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. They were hunters, but also farmers. The buffalo was the main animal of choice to hunt. Not all of the Myaamiaki get federal recognition. 

Navaho and Nez Perce 

The Navaho were a people from Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Their weaving works were highly artistic. They also had advanced skills in metal work. The Nez Perce lived in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.. During the 19th century mass forced removal of their people was ordered by the US government. 

Narragansett

The Narragansett settled Rhode Island. They built permanent housing known as wigwams. They were hunters as well as farmers. 

Osage and Ojibwa 

The Osage were a tribe from a Ohio. The Ojibwa were residing around Lake Superior. 

Ottawa 

The Ottawa were nomadic. However, most of their travelling occurred during seasonal changes. Their journey of migration would take them from the Great Lakes and into Ontario. 

Pawnee and Lakota (Sioux) 

The Pawnee and Lakota were in conflict at various points in history. The Pawnee moved north from South of the Great Plains. The Lakota were based in the northern plains and this brought them into conflict. White settlers would use this tension to divide and conquer these two tribes. 

Seminole 

The Seminole were the first to settle Florida. The Seminole had a total of eight clans.  The clan acted as an extended family unit. As a Seminole you were expected to marry out side your clan. 

Shawnee

The Shawnee were native to Ohio, until white invasion. They were forced to flee into Kentucky and West Virginia. They were mostly hunters. 

Yaqui 

They were a people that had a long ancient history. Yaqui also were a people who valued a warrior culture. They resided in northern Mexico. 

Utes

The Utes people ruled most of Colorado and New Mexico. A majority of the population were hunter gatherers. However, they did engage in farming and planed beans, corn, and squash.  

Racially Motivated Murder in the United States

The United States is a nation infested with racial hatred. Not only is this seen in social and political settings, but in the criminal justice system. When African Americans or any other ethnic group are the victims of crime, justice will not be served. This is true  when racially motivated murders occur. The term hate crime is used in this context, but this is not descriptive enough. The term ignores the long tradition of American violence and subjugation designed to control certain groups. White supremacy could not exist without violent force. One tool of control is racially motivated murder,     

       The murder of  Micheal Brown demonstrates the use of racially motivated murder. The unarmed teenager was shot multiple times by a white police officer on August 9,2014 . Ferguson Missouri's police force is mostly white and policing a majority African American population. The obvious problem  is a group that has power abusing it to maintain a long held status quo.  Witnesses at the scene have confirmed that Micheal Brown held his hands up and attempted to surrender. Their testimony was ignored and Daren Wilson Micheal's killer will not face charges. A police officer was able to perform an extrajudicial execution and go free. What this reveals is a general disrespect for the rule of law and the rise of an authoritarian system in the United States. It also shows that a majority of the white population see African Americans as subhuman.  This country believes that African Americans do not matter and that their lives are worthless. 

           African Americans are not the only targets of racially motivated murder. Vincent Chin was a Chinese American who was beaten to death by two white assailants in 1982.  Ronald Ebens and his stepson Michael Nitz  were recently laid off autoworkers for the Chrysler corporation. Detroit automobile manufactures were suffering, because Japanese automakers were dominating market shares. Japanese success in the automobile industry caused a number of layoffs. This caused a wave of racial scapegoating. When ever whites feel threatened in terms of the dominant position, they react in violent ways. Vincent Chin found himself swept up in a wave of anti-Asian racism. Ebens and Nitz were sentenced three years probation. Even after public protest, Ebens and Nitz never were sent to prison. Once again, innocent life was taken and the perpetrators walk free. 
            There is a pattern to these incidents. Whites that murder other ethnic groups will not face severe punishment. The criminal justice system will in this instance be lenient, because it wants to up hold a system of racial supremacy. Justice and legal protection will only serve whites and whites only. The police do not serve and protect, but attack and control.Their primary job in this country is to enforce white domination and to intimidate potential dissidents. The so called "leader of the free world" is nothing more than a giant prison.  The United States will continue to abuse its citizens until it is challenged in a court of law.If nothing is done to combat racially motivated murder,  mass violent retaliation will be inevitable.     

                                                             Micheal Brown (1996-2014)

                                                           Vincent Chin  (1955-1982)                                                                                                                                                                                              

                   

                                                                                                         

Immigration in the United States

As economic hardship descends across the globe, people are seeking refuge. Men, women, and children are forced to flee their homelands because of war, economic turmoil, and societal upheaval.  Immigration reform has become a major issue in American politics. This has become a major problem nationally and regionally, but this steams from various factors. Latin America has suffered from neoliberal economic reforms, which caused many to come to the US in search of work. The War on Drugs has not only destroyed lives here in the US, but destabilized the countries of the South American continent. Then there was a desire for the United States to exploit a large labor force, which only immigrants could supply. It is surprising that more people have not come considering the rapid decline of  the political and social fabric of South American countries. 

          Neoliberal economic reforms  have caused much damage. Mexico was promised immense benefits from the North American Free Trade Agreement. Instead, it fell into a worse position than it had been. Mexican businesses could not compete with cheaper American goods that flooded the market. Close to a million jobs were lost forcing people to leave the country for employment. Illegal border crossings increase to about 300,000 a year. Factories did open on the border employing some of the Mexican population. The maquiladoras assembly plants did proliferate, but were closed down when the US experienced a recession in 2001. Simultaneously, farm subsidies were being cancelled by NAFTA putting farmers at risk. Other South American nations have not fared any better. Argentina and Brazil face major issues of poverty and debt. Venezuela and Bolivia however, managed to alleviate  some social and political ills of their countries. They are socialist governments, which the US either seeks to overthrow or contain. Even though that economic model seems to working, a majority of Latin American countries will still remain in the neoliberal capitalist camp. 

             The War on Drugs also caused a mass exodus from South America. Originally developed by the Nixon administration Ronald Reagan enforced it further. One of the most contradictory elements of his administration was supporting the Contras, who were involved in drug trafficking. Reagan's foreign policy functioned on an aggressive anti-communism, which meant that Nicaragua was a target. Reagan hoped that the Sanidinistas would be deposed by the Contras and a pro-US puppet regime would replace it. During the 1980s  the US was involved with a number of right-wing death squads in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. These anti-communist groups were know for massive human rights violations. The atmosphere of civil war, terrorism, and danger caused a large number of Central Americans   to seek political asylum. America claims that it wants to stop the flow of illegal drugs, but in reality its using this as a context for military intervention. This was the case for the invasion of Panama. Manuel Noriega was a close ally of the US and when he was no longer useful, he was deposed by a military strike. The US accused him of being a mastermind drug trafficker. The CIA was in fact the biggest drug trafficker, because it used funds from the sales of illegal substances to finance covert operations.  As a result more death and migration continued. Currently we are witnessing Mexico become a narco-terrorist state similar to Colombia. The American population has a drug addiction which fuels the power of South American drug cartels. 

            South Americans come looking for work, because their region is struggling financially. Many take occupations that Americans do not want to do. This suits some employers who seek to exploit a large labor force that will not demand benefits from a particular company. This seems attractive to employers because they realize that an American citizen demands more. An immigrant that is documented or undocumented would be at a disadvantage. Jobs in construction, landscaping, and janitorial work are not popular jobs among US citizens. Once again, a ruling class tries to manipulate groups to serve its purposes. This country is no stranger to avarice and exploitation of people. If this type of practice continues it will become one of the biggest human rights disasters of our time. Detention centers are now being built to hold in coming immigrants. These facilities are neither safe or a proper place to live. Immigration reform is need now before it is too late. 

Country Profile: Zimbabwe

Capital: Harare 

Independence date: 1980 

Population :  Shona (82 %) Ndebele  (14%)  Asian and White (1%)

12,937,808 citizens total (2012 census) 

Government : Presidential Republic 

Currency: Zimbabwean Dollars 

Economics: Major industries are tourism,mining, and the agricultural sector. 

Exports include gold and platinum. 

RIP  Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution 

What is Philosophy?

The word philosophy can be a confusing concept. The term comes from the Greek word philosophia,  which means the "love of wisdom." This field of study attempts to answer and solve  major human problems through rational argument and critical thinking. Philosophy explores such topics as knowledge,existence, and the nature of  life. Some of the earliest philosophies were religious and spiritual in perspective. As society grew more complex ,humankind began to develop new ideas. Philosophy began to diversify in subject matter. Philosophy has branches that include logic,ethics,ontology, epistemology, metaphysics, and aesthetics. There are also specific specialized branches which are philosophies of jurisprudence, science,religion, language, the mind, and politics. Another area of examination is metaphilosophy, which analyzes methods and techniques in philosophic discourse. Philosophy is an important subject, because the world is driven by an idea. The convictions that people adopt  can reveal much about society. 

Further Reading 

Stumpf, Samuel. Socrates to Sarte. New York: McGraw-Hill  Book Company,1982.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall and The Rise of Western Triumphalism

The Berlin Wall was a symbol of Cold War conflict and division. From 1961 to 1989 it separated East and West Berlin. East Germany constructed the wall to prevent its citizens from defecting to West Germany. By the 1980s  the Soviet Union was facing a stagnant economy, decline in the standard of living, and was on the verge of full collapse. This meant that it could no longer support Eastern European Communist states. Long time leaders of Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Czechoslovakia  were removed. The fall of the Berlin Wall demonstrated that the Cold War had come to an end. However, the West believed that this meant their values had triumphed over a less stable political and economic system.  Western Triumphalism is the idea that values from Europe and North America are superior to other political, cultural, and, economic systems. This racist and delusional idea does not represent political or historical  realities. 

         The Berlin Wall's destruction is often used as an example of the victory of liberal democracy as a dominant political system. This idea has mostly been promoted by political scientist and economist Francis Fukuyama in The End of History and The Last Man.  One major flaw is that alternative political systems have not been experimented with. Different political systems could emerge in the future. To make such a claim that liberal democracy will remain dominant is purely speculative. Also, many countries that are classified as liberal democracies are not democratic. African and Asian nations still in practice function on a form of authoritarianism. The former Soviet Republics still use the same police state tactics of the  past. Kazakhstan is a presidential republic, but one man dominates the entire system.Nursultan Nazarbayev has been president since 1991 and political opposition is suppressed. The world has not become more free only more prison structured. 

           The fall of the Berlin Wall has another meaning for economists. To the faction of pro-free market supporters it means the superiority of Capitalism over Communism. This is another myth. More people now live in poverty. The gap between rich and poor is expanding at rapid levels. Eastern European nations were put through economic shock therapy, so they could make the transition to Capitalism. This did not create prosperity, but a host of sociological issues. Unemployment, poverty, and the resurgence of far-right extremism swept across Eastern Europe. Europe is now in a major debt crisis, which makes many question the system. Globalization another component of neoliberal Capitalism has been devastating to developing countries. IMF and World Bank programs have put poorer countries in a cycle of debt that they will never be able to escape. Capitalism has not worked for everyone. 

            When examining the fall of the Berlin Wall, there is little to celebrate. When Germany reunited in 1990, there were unforeseen  consequences. Unemployment increased and far-right activity emerged in the former East Germany. East Germans today feel as if they are not even part of the country. Industry has declined in the eastern part of the country causing young people to move and look elsewhere for a future. The other issue besides economic hardship is Neo-Nazi groups. Political extremism is a threat to a stable country and should be confronted. The celebration is too early, because there is still much to be done. 

November 9, 1989

The Berlin Wall 

East German Neo-Nazis 

circa 2011

A Few Words About Veterans Day

There is nothing glorious about war, yet nations make it honorable. The United States sends its men and women off to war in this present era to fight the War on Terrorism. Or so we have been told. The truth is a lugubrious one.Our military is now nothing more than a tool of corporate interests, banking institutions, and power hungry conquerors  seeking domination of the globe. Soldiers are forced to fight not for freedom, but the expansion of empire. Iraq and Afghanistan were presented to the American public as "threats" to America and soon after were attacked. More lives are now lost and lessons have not been learned from the past. 

       Veterans Day is a Federal holiday that is designed to honor veterans who served in the United States Army. Its origins can be traced back to the end of World War I. It marks the ending of the bloodiest conflicts in human history. The Russian, German, and Ottoman Empires collapsed creating geopolitical disorder. About 37 million were killed and economic instability became a problem in certain countries( Germany experienced hyperinflation). The cause of this conflict was imperial expansion and aggressive nationalism. These two ideas were not curtailed, but enhanced with the rise of  Fascism. European leaders attempted to appease Fascist dictatorships in order to prevent another war. This was contradictory, because Britain and France were in a sense, at war with the people they had colonized. After World War II the world did not become a peaceful place, only a more militarized one. Now we can see veterans from multiple generations. The suffering and misery is never ending. More men and women are being sent to die for no reason.

        The United States claims it loves its servicemen, but teats them horribly. The Department of Veterans Affairs has allowed the quality of medical care to decline. Eric Shinseki former secretary of Veterans Affairs also did not monitor the conditions of VA hospitals. Many times veterans were faced with long waiting times for medical appointments. The health care system was not adequately addressing particular issues in regards to efficiency. Thousands of veterans were put at risk not by a war zone, but their own nation. Jobs for veterans is another problem the government does little about. Although President Obama wants to do more, Republicans continue to block his veterans jobs corps proposal. Rejecting the proposal  condemns many veterans to unemployment and failure to adjust to civilian life. 

        The only way to end this cycle is to reject aggressive nationalism and imperial expansion. Peace should be actively promoted as a major foreign policy goal. The reduction of military intervention will improve US diplomatic relations and enhance our country's image globally. More importantly, people will not have to be murdered. Veterans may survive the carnage, but the mental scars never go away. 

Muammar Qaddafi (1942-2011)

Muammar Qaddafi was a Pan-Arabist and Pan-Africanist leader of Libya from 1969 to 2011. His accomplishments were immense during his 42 year rule. Domestic policy changed Libya and the  country developed a more proactive foreign policy. Qaddafi developed various ideas including Islamic Socialism and Third International Theory. He was never afraid to challenge imperialism or religious fundamentalism. 

        Through out his political career he supported and armed liberation movements all around the world. The ANC, PLO, SAWPO, IRA and the MPLA. His support for the struggle against white minority ruled regimes in Southern Africa was critical.Western countries did not challenge Apartheid South Africa. Qaddafi sought to overthrow it. Muammar Qaddafi was an active supporter for the freedom struggle of the Palestinian people. When Arab nations abandoned their cause, Qaddafi remain with them in the spirit of Pan-Arabism. His wish was to see Palestine free from Zionist occupation. 

           Libya under his leadership saw incredible improvements. Women were given equal political rights and could get divorced. The literacy rate increased, because of government investments in public education. The oil industry was nationalized and the profits from that went to infrastructure projects. The most famous one was the Great Man Made River. This massive water system provided water to towns in the interior of the country. The average life expectancy went up due to the fact there was an improved heath care system. The infant mortality rate lowered and Libya experienced a population boom. He accomplished great things for his people and around the world. When you do positive actions for the world and community, it makes you a target for death. NATO attacked Libya in 2011 inducing ethnic violence and lawlessness. 

Further Reading 

El-Khawas,Mohamed. Qaddafi His Ideology in Theory and Practice.Brattleboro:

                  Maple Leaf Press,1986. 

                  

What is a Neutron Star?

A neutron star is a star that has collapsed.  The particles of the star are compressed together and form a dense pack of neutrons. These stars form from supernova remnants. Neutron stars have strong gravity including potent magnetic and electrical fields. NASA has recently produced a computer simulation of what would happen if these two stars combined. Scientists now are convinced of the possibility of black hole formation from two colliding neutron stars. If this is true, it could radically alter the understanding of stellar evolution. 

Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972)

Kwame Nkrumah  was a Pan-Africanist revolutionary and President of Ghana. He served as prime minister of the Gold Coast from 1952 to 1957. When Ghana achieved independence from British rule he remained prime minister. By 1960 he became president of Ghana. Nkrumah was a strong proponent of African Socialism, Pan-Africanism, and Third World Solidarity. Always a fighter for the oppressed, he continually challenged all forms of social injustice. 

        During his rule Ghana achieved victories in various fields. Education was made free and provided scholarships to study abroad. Roads and new hospitals were built. Pan-Africanism was actively promoted in his foreign policy. African nations in his view must unite to stop European domination of the continent.His most important accomplishment was the establishment of the Organization for African Unity. Nkrumah was a founding member. The organization's goal was to combat colonialism across Africa and develop mutually beneficial diplomatic relations. Another major objective was to develop each African nation politically and economically. 

              Seeing as he did not favor the status quo, Nkrumah became a target of Western powers. By 1966 he was deposed by a CIA sponsored coup. Nkrumah was out of the country making visits to China and Vietnam. This was significant, because it demonstrated his solidarity with other colonized and oppressed peoples. He wanted to see an end to the Vietnam War and the complete eradication of Western domination of the world. He was a pioneer in a turbulent period of international change. 

Further Reading 

Davidson,Basil. Black Star A View of The Life and Times of Kwame Nkrumah . New York: Boydell 

        and Brewer,1973.

Appiah, Kwame and Gates, Henry. “Kwame Nkrumah”. Africana Encyclopedia.

             New York :Perseus Books Group,1999.430-431

Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519)

Leonardo Da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance artist, painter, and scientist. He was well versed in a multitude of subjects including architecture, technology, and numerous natural sciences. He lived in an ever changing world. With the end of the Middle Ages, man began to have a thirst for knowledge. Italy at this time was a series of  city-states in competition with each other. Florence was a major artistic and cultural center in which Da Vinci  would produce his works. 

      Da Vinci was the developer sfumato. This painting technique manipulated the transitions between light and shade When looking at his paintings certain objects have a haze appearance to them. This was a pivotal development. Light and darkness were being depicted in a different way. Sfumato was developed in Milan when Da Vinci was commissioned to paint religious themed artwork. 

       Da Vinci was not only an artist, but a scientist as well. He studied human anatomy, mechanics, and optics. He also had ideas for a flying machine and other inventions, which he illustrated in notebooks. His skills as an engineer were so impressive that Ludovico Sforza commissioned him as designer of water pipes and defenses. Simultaneously, he would fulfill artistic duties to the Duke of Milan. Da Vinci attempted to understand the attributes of motion (Issac Newton a century later would). Leonardo Da Vinci was in many respects ahead of his time. 

Proportions of the Human Figure (1492)

Mona Lisa (1503)

The Flying Machine 

Further Reading 

Krausse, Anna. The Story of Painting From the Renaissance to the Present .Bonn: H.F. Ullmann,

              2005.