What Should Be Known About Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton has successfully procured the Democratic nomination for being their presidential candidate. Some are calling this a historic day and one of significance in regards to women's advancement. A critical view presents another image. It demonstrates how far behind the US is in terms of being progressive. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the UK have had female heads of state before America. Other countries have already done this before, so the triumphant attitude seems to lose its impact. Third wave feminists are eager to call this a victory without examining the less than perfect political record of Hillary Clinton. Her supporters and factions third wave feminist followers have created a image based in myth of a progressive who fights for women's rights, reproductive rights,  racial equality, and protecting the poor. This is false when examining her past and present actions as a senator and a Secretary of State. Clinton's attempt to use racism   to win the nomination in 2008 failed and a deal was made to have her serve in the Obama administration. During her tenure foreign policy was by many observers reckless. Libya, Syria, and Venezuela became targets of US harassment and aggression. Hillary Clinton is culpable for Libya's engineered destruction. She pushed for the overthrow of Qaddafi's government, which lead to a failed state. Besides her disturbing sympathy to imperialist based foreign policy her behavior on domestic affairs is troubling. Hillary Clinton has been known to vacillate on LGBT rights, reproductive rights, and has little or no concern for civil rights. Far-right critics are merely out to do character assassination instead of debating the real issues. The alleged "scandals" such as white water and the Vince Foster affair were manufactured by the right-wing media to disparage the Clintons. There are two opposing images of Hillary Clinton. One presents her as a liberal hero and the other as a corrupt politician. This analysis is distorted, because it presents concepts that supporters and opponents want to see without examination of the facts. One must look at Hillary Clinton's life, career, and ideology to get a lucid understanding of the Democratic nominee.
      Like any other individual Hillary Clinton was molded out of the experiences of her childhood. She was born in October 1947 in Chicago during the Cold War era. This is important to understand because it shaped  the mindset of baby boomers.Many either sided with the counter culture of the 1960s or would later be part of the neoconservative movement in the 1980s. It seems that Hillary Clinton in her young life vacillated between two camps of political conservatism and new left liberalism. Hillary Clinton as a young person supported Barry Goldwater. This Republican senator was opposed to the Civil Rights Movement and the Lyndon Baines Johnson Great Society reforms. Hillary Clinton was a Goldwater Girl actively campaigning to get him elected. She has in the past spoke fondly of this reactionary conservative and his followers would later get Richard M. Nixon elected in 1968. After Goldwater's failed attempt, it seemed Hillary took another ideological turn. When attending Wellesly College she became active in leftist politics. This sudden change could be a person who was considering a political career in the future or became disturbed by the surrounding upheaval around her. It may never be know what her true intentions were, but she attended Yale earning her law degree.

There she met her future husband William Jefferson Clinton. even when she settled into married life she remained politically active. It was becoming more evident that this was  a career path she was going to continue. Her husband became the governor of Arkansas in 1978 with her becoming the First Lady of Arkansas. This marks a turning point. Hillary Clinton has stated "I'm a progressive, but I'm a progressive that wants to get things done." That statement is questionable given her conservative upbringing. She did as a teenager volunteered for Richard M. Nixon's campaign for president in 1960. It has been alleged that she changed her political trajectory when hearing Martin Luther King deliver a sermon. The precise date is not known, but biographers place it between the years 1962 between 1964. People do change in their lives, but it is clear that racism and race prejudice are still part of her psyche. To be a supporter of Nixon and Goldwater was to be anti-black, pro-Vietnam war, and reversing the gains of the New Deal. During a 1992 campaign event for her husband she said " my political beliefs are rooted in the conservatism I was raised with." It has been alleged she restated this point in a 1996 interview. It seems she may try to use this conservative past to gain the votes of anti-Trump Republicans. This this may not work considering most Republicans view her unfavorably. Conservatives do not favor different races or ethnic groups in America, which makes Hillary Clinton's past more troubling. Her later life shows that these negative feeling towards certain races has not disappeared. 

       When her husband was elected president in 1992, Hillary sought to be a politically active first lady. She came to Washington determined to have healthcare legislation passed. This was out of concern for children and families struggling with increasing premium costs. This was effectively stopped by the Republican Party. Their victory in congressional elections in 1994 ended hopes of effective reform. While this attempt was seen in the tradition of the Great Society or New Deal spirit of American leftist policies, there were some that were reactionary. The William Jefferson Clinton White House passed the 1994 Crime Bill, which lead to the incarceration of large numbers of African American youth. The claim was that it was designed to target gangs, but they were not dramatically effected. Combined with the War on Drugs and  mandatory sentencing this was devastating to African Americans. Hillary Clinton actively supported and promoted this Crime Bill speaking across they country. The video of her speaking at Keene State College resurfaced during her campaign and the language used offended many today. She called African American youth "super predators" and in a white racist fashion said "they need to be brought to heel." 

These statements were made during an election year and rather than appealing to hope the Clintons chose hate. this episode was just one of many disturbing problems that came out of the Clinton administration. Welfare was reduced effecting African Americans and single mothers even worse. Aid to the Families with Dependent Children was eliminated in 1996. This major contradiction cannot be excused for a leader who claims she is concerned about the well being of families and children.The administration was also expanding US military strikes across the globe. Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the engineered destruction of Yugoslavia. Hillary Clinton just like in her youth was molded by the events surrounding her. She grew up during the Cold War in which the US had an equally strong rival. When the U.S.S.R collapsed the United States became the world's only superpower. Foreign policy was being reoriented from just containing communism to the US becoming a global hegemon. George Herbert Walker Bush referred to this reorientation in foreign policy as the New World Order. The US was going to impose its will upon various nation whether they liked it or not. No new rival the US hoped would emerge to challenge it supremacy over the globe. Hillary Clinton absorbed these convictions and they would later have disastrous consequences when she became Secretary of State. The Clinton administration expanded upon the elder Bush's New World Order foreign policy orientation, which would later give justification for America's second intervention into Iraq. The Iraqi Liberation Act called for the eventual regime change and removal of the Baathist government of Iraq. The 1998 air strikes and continued sanctions murdered many Iraqis. Children were horribly effected, but Hillary Clinton did not raise a word of protest of this policy. 

Her support for feminism and gay rights are questionable as her support for racial equality. She has stated that "women's rights are human rights,"yet fails to take this concept into political action. It seems she adopts the feminist label when it advances her personal objectives. Hillary Clinton during the 1990s supported the Defense of Marriage Act, which banned gay marriage. When confronted with this during her 2016 campaign she claimed at first she had always been for LGBT rights. When it was discovered that was not true, she made a less than cogent argument that it was a different time then. She prides herself for being a feminists, but it seems unlikely considering she married a man like William Jefferson Clinton. His behavior toward women has been inappropriate ranging from alleged sexual harassment to extramarital affairs. The worse demonstration of his general disregard for women was not getting the Freedom of Choice Act passed. He claimed that be believed in a woman's right to choose and have access to abortion, but Bill Clinton's actions proved otherwise. Hillary Clinton and her husband are not supporters of reproductive rights. Hillary Clinton has articulated abortion " shouldn't be exercised, or only in very rare circumstances. " Rape and incest are not rare occurrences and to force women who victims of this to give birth is a human rights violation. Reaching out to pro-life advocates was probably a method to win the 1996 election. These were voters who would have normally voted Republican, because of their emphasis on wedge issues. Hillary Clinton even made a plea for anti-abortion advocates to collaborate with pro-choice advocates. This idea of coming together on common agreements is ludicrous when one of the parties is attempting to control and restrict the rights of women. If anti-abortion advocates had their way and made abortion illegal, the next target would contraceptives. Hillary Clinton's approach was to promote strategies for lowering the abortion rate. This seems unusual considering the abortion rate never reached astronomical levels and the US population has increased since then. Hillary Clinton has a vacillating nature in regards to particular conviction. Whatever type of  women's rights she adheres to it obviously is the less just version of power feminism. This ideological branch does not concern its self  about non-white or working class women. It focuses on white upper class women getting more power in society. It's goal is not equality, but to gain more white privilege for European descended women. Hillary Clinton has shown little if any concern for African American, Latino, or Asian women of the US. As the 1990s drew to a close, the Clinton White House had to deal with problems from the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Her husband's extramarital affair with a White House intern and subsequent lies about the matter caused Hillary Clinton much distress. The attacks by the Republican party, slander of the far-right media, and humiliation would have cause many people to retreat from public life. However, Hillary Clinton had greater ambitions and set her sights on becoming a senator for New York. 

       When Hillary Clinton became a senator for New York, the Democratic Party had fully finished its modern transformation. Like most of the country it became centre-left and functioned on triangulation. The New Democrats had replaced the Great Society Democrats. Triangulation was the political philosophy of the party. When Hillary became a New York senator another major change was about to happen. The September 11th attacks in 2001 induced the United States to attack Afghanistan and later Iraq. Hillary Clinton had only been a senator since 2000 and already was flung into a crisis. The nation was in a state of hysteria and began committing crimes against innocent civilians and countries. President Bush wanted to go to war with Iraq even though it had nothing to do with the September 11th attacks. Hillary Clinton voted for the authorization of force against Saddam Hussein. This was just as  callous  as it was unethical. It makes since seeing as the administration of her husband signed into law The Iraqi Liberation Act. When the Baathist government fell, the insurgency began. Hillary Clinton then distanced herself away from the war.

Hillary then made the decision to call for the withdraw of US forces in Iraq. The timing of this position change was when the country was gradually becoming a failed state. Part of her acumen is to abandon a project when she realizes it could jeopardize her political career. The position change allowed her to gain re-election in 2006. Nearly three decades involved in politics, Hillary set her sights on the oval office.  

       Hillary Clinton ran for the presidency in 2008. She believed it would be simple to procure the nomination, but then came a charismatic senator from Illinois known as Barack Obama. The Clinton campaign then became desperate and resorted to negativity to get the nomination. Senator Obama at the time pointed out her duplicitous behavior during the primaries. Her anger began to show as the tactics began to appeal to racism and prejudice emotions of whites in the US. When Louis Farrakhan endorsed Obama, Clinton demanded that Obama denounce him. Obama never asked or called upon Farrakhan's support. This was not official anyway considering Farrakhan said he would vote for Obama in a sermon he gave. Hillary Clinton kept this non-issue alive. Hillary Clinton even went as far as to say she just naturally would do better with white voters. This pretentious and racist attitude shows someone with deep hatred. She made an appeal to this type of pathological behavior in West Virginia. The mostly blue dog Democrats of the state favored her specifically because she was a white candidate. The former President Bill Clinton spoke in derogatory terms about Obama proclaiming " a few years ago this guy would have been bringing us our coffee."

The Hillary Clinton campaign even flirted with Islamophobia. A picture emerged of Obama wearing traditional clothing of Kenya. It was designed to instill hate and fear to work in Clinton's favor. When asked about this the Clinton campaign then made the case that Obama should not be ashamed of the traditional clothing of his ancestors. When their racism was confronted, they quickly retreated. It exposed itself again with the pastor Jeremiah Wright. The media took one sermon out of context and turned it into an issue. Obama then had to distance himself from Wright just because of a simple sound bite. While Obama's response solved the problem form the campaign, Hillary Clinton wanted to continue to use it to advance her goals. She persistently asked why Obama did not denounce Wright earlier. These pathetic and futile attempts to get the nomination resulted in her failure. It turned out Hillary was her own worse enemy. Despite her obnoxious conduct and unprofessional demeanor Obama got the nomination. There was still a problem Hillary Clinton had a huge number of supporters that could either vote Republican or not at all. This possible division in the Democratic Party could only weaken it. An agreement was reached in which Obama got her delegates, but it came at a price. It was agreed that Hillary Clinton would serve as Secretary of State as long as her followers would be cooperative. It seems that years she had been fighting and maneuvering to gain power. These years of struggle in both personal and political life had hardened her. The young idealist was no more.   

        Hillary Clinton served as Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013. Her performance was less than spectacular. She had the task of readjusting US foreign policy  after the blunders of the Bush administration. It is critical to understand how Iraq and the Arab Spring derailed Obama's attempt to reach out to the Muslim world. The regime changes that started with Tunisia left power voids around the region. Radical Political Islamists  were taking power complicating US objectives. President Obama did not believe in unilateral intervention like his predecessor and withdrew troops from Iraq. Afghanistan was the place in which he vacillated on in terms of military involvement. The turning point was when Hillary Clinton persuaded the President to attack Libya. This would have devastating consequences on the administration and would ultimately result in Hillary's termination as Secretary of State. This action as violent as it was makes sense in her perspective considering her influences. Hillary Clinton to her own admission admires Henry Kissinger. The former National Security advisor under both the Nixon and Ford administrations is notorious for his draconian foreign policies. He was involved in the bombings of  Cambodia and Laos during the Vietnam War, Indonesia's invasion of Eat Timor, and the coup that brought Augusto Pinochet to power in Chile. Many consider him to be a war criminal for his conduct in past administrations. 

US citizens should be concerned that a former Secretary of State is taking guidance from someone involved in the atrocities of the Vietnam War. Hillary Clinton clearly believes in the US being as violent and forceful as possible to maintain supremacy. During her tenure as Secretary of State she visited 112 countries and cultivated a person to person approach to US foreign policy. US foreign policy functions on the basis that countries that disagree with it must be eliminated. Hillary Clinton continued to carry out this objective directing it at countries such as Libya, Syria, and Venezuela. Hugo Chavez was targeted by the US government in 2002 when coup attempt was sponsored by America. The Bush administration had poor relations with Venezuela and under the Obama administration they did not improve. Leaked e-mails revealed that Hillary Clinton believed in undermining the Hugo Chavez government. The Wikileaks e-mails showed that Hillary Clinton wanted other Latin American countries to isolate Venezuela. Expressing friendship in public, but showing disdain in private demonstrates that Latin America can never fully trust the United States. This complicates Clinton's attempt to discuss immigration issues when she is shown to have hostility toward South American nations. Clinton's rather passive approach to the coup in Honduras shows a contradictory nature in her politics and foreign policy. Hillary Clinton expressed in the e-mails that "Chavez needed to be reigned in."   This coded language is another example of her racism similar to her "bring them to heel" comments. Latin American nations in her view should be under the control of the US. Venezuela is actively resisting the United States regionally and internationally. Leftist governments asserted their independence and national sovereignty more than their conservative US supported neighbors. Venezuela will probably continue to be targeted under a Hillary Clinton presidency. Libya was destroyed and what took 42 years to build was erased by NATO bombing. Hillary Clinton at first seemed to have no particular position on Libya. She even met with one of Qaddafi's sons.  

The Bush administration had taken the overture of Qaddafi's government to gradually normalize relations . Qaddafi stated that he would halt his nuclear and biological weapons programs in exchange for not being isolated. There was no reason why a positive relationship could have not continued, but the Arab Spring damaged any hope of that. Terrorist organizations were behind the uprisings in Benghazi. There were street demonstrations asking for reform who were not connected to these groups instigating violence. Al-qaeda, Ansar al-Sharia, and members of the Libyan Islamic Fighter Group began attacking demonstrators and government officials. Qaddafi was out to stop the terrorists killing the civilian population. France, the UK, and US created a false narrative that Qaddafi was killing his own people. This incorrect  narrative was Hillary Clinton's talking point and the President then approved airstrikes. Rebels were armed and began invading the country. Ethnic cleansing, civil war,  and chaos ensued. Hillary Clinton thought in a moment of hubris this would be a simple execution. The legitimate government could be overthrown  and replaced with a compliant and submissive one. Her current concern over the e-mail controversy is due to the fact she had involvement in the assassination of a foreign leader. Qaddafi was not killed by his own people, but by terrorist organizations and the West. Imperialism and religious fundamentalism were his two persistent enemies through the duration of his rule. Upon hearing the news of his murder Hillary Clinton exclaimed " we came, we saw and he died" followed by an uncontrollable laugh. 

She would later in the year visit the same rebels who would go on to turn on the US. Christopher Stevens the ambassador to Libya became the first American victim to the blowback. Libyans were already experiencing it for months with the increase in crime and violence. This was what cause the migrant crisis, which continues to paralyze Europe. Christopher Stevens was killed by a faction of rebels and the embassy attacked. This incident would later force Hillary Clinton from her position when investigations began in to understand what happened. Stevens was involved in supplying arms to rebels even though he was an ambassador. This was approved by Hillary Clinton, because she predicted sooner or later the government would fall. The year 2012 saw a string of attacks on US embassies across the region as many were frustrated with US military action. Overall, Libya and the failure surrounding will define her tenure as Secretary of State.  During her leadership of the Department of State the Hillary Doctrine was formed. This policy was to make women's rights a prime objective in general US foreign policy. It goes a step further stating its an essential part of national security. While women's rights must be promoted in places where women face discrimination and oppression Hillary Clinton's motive is not altruistic. This will be used to justify intervention in numerous nations around the world. This is different from the message she spoke of in the Fourth World  Conference on Women in 1995. Women's rights promotion will be used to engage in perpetual warfare with other countries. When ever national security concepts are intertwined with human rights there will be abuse. Hillary Clinton proclaimed in a speech in 2013 " the countries that threaten regional and global peace are the very places in which women and girls are deprived of opportunity and dignity." Her speech targeted specific countries like Egypt, Pakistan, and India. This cherry picking of nations seems to be once again exposing her racism. She only briefly mentioned the challenges women face in the United States, but spent the most time disparaging nations of the East. This played on familiar stereotypes of Arab and West Asian nations as being backward and misogynist. The subtle message Clinton was giving is that the West has a duty civilize the 'barbaric" brown people. The white man's burden has now been extended to the white woman's burden. 

When examining Hillary Clinton's conduct as Secretary of State it is clear what her political philosophy is. She believes in American Exceptionalism an extremist notion that the United States is better than all other nations on Earth and has the right to do whatever it pleases.Hillary Clinton views any rising power as a threat even though there is no factual basis for that. She once claimed that "the US is  in an information war with Russia and China." Hillary was showing how disturbed she was with the fact that Russian and Chinese news media is gaining a right reputation compared to American news outlets. A Hillary Clinton presidency will most likely be more confrontational with Russia and China when collaboration would be preferable. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of  State also advocated regime change for Syria and like most in the US government developed an Assad must go policy. The increasing power of ISIS destabilized both Iraq and Syria which Hillary Clinton seemed unable to formulate a solution for. This time her attempt persuasion method on the President did not work. President Obama did not want another Libya scenario causing him issues in a second term. Hillary Clinton does favor military intervention, but under the context of multilateralism. This has been colloquially referred to as "leading from behind."Hillary Clinton's concept of smart power is to have allies do most of the labor and the United States finishes the final stages of conquest. Direct ground invasions are replaced with merciless bombings of mostly the civilian population.  Responsibility to Protect is a doctrine that masks atrocities inflicted by the US and its allies against global south countries. It was used as a way to conquer Libya and will soon be directed at other countries. Hillary Clinton's overall performance as Secretary of State created a mess for the Obama administration. John kerry was selected as a replacement to fix the damage that had been done from the failure of Libya. Hillary Clinton made no progress in the Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations and  President Obama pledge of reaching out to the Arab and Muslim world crumbled. Even after all this Hillary Clinton still has a desire to obtain the presidency. 

       November Americans will go to the polls to select their next president. The two choices from both the Democratic and Republican Parties are not favorable to anyone who generally wants a solution to economic, political, and social issues. Donald Trump has virtually no experience in politics or a basic understanding of international affairs. Hillary Clinton has more qualifications and skills, but lacks the wisdom of a statesman and is prone to take reckless action. It is lugubrious  that elections are reduced to the lesser of two evils. The United States at its core cannot be called a democracy if the ruling class controls who becomes the nominee of both parties. Hillary Clinton has shown vacillation in her political positions. Many progressives realize this, which explains why they gravitated to Bernie Sanders. He was able to attract younger voters to the Democratic Party. They could be easily lost or not vote at all if Hillary does not try to hold on to them.  Donald Trump has mobilized large portions of the population with his offensive rhetoric. Hillary Clinton must work on selling herself if she wants to get elected. The African American and Latino vote is critical. Hillary Clinton does not mention the issues surrounding police brutality and immigration reform. These are solicitous and urgent matters effecting those communities.Hillary Clinton's promotion of women's rights seems minimal at best, if reproductive rights are low priority. She is the representation of centrist Democratic Party philosophy. The public may no longer approve of it or at least a section has rejected it entirely. The followers of Bernie Sanders will probably be an important voting block in the future. Another shift in American politics is happening and it is occurring during an election year. Voters should have a vast amount of knowledge on the people they select for the office. From what is known about Hillary Clinton she could be just as unstable and dangerous as Trump. Whoever becomes president will have to deal with a declining economy, racial tension, and perpetual wars. That is why the voter's choice is more important now than ever.   

Further Reading 

Sharon, Smith. Women and Socialism: Race, Class, and Capital. Chicago : Haymarket Books, 

       2015. 

  "Profile: Hillary Clinton." BBC News. N.p., 5 July 2016. Web. 31 July 2016. <http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-20874451>.

"Leaked Clinton Emails Reveal Continued Efforts to Sabotage Venezuela."Sputniknews.com. N.p., 7 July 2016. Web. 31 July 2016. <http://sputniknews.com/us/20160727/1043685783/clinton-emails-venezuela-sabotage.html>.

Roller, Emma. "Can Hillary Clinton, Goldwater Girl, Win Over Republicans?"The New York Times. The New York Times, 16 May 2016. Web. 31 July 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/17/opinion/campaign-stops/can-hillary-clinton-goldwater-girl-win-over-republicans.html?_r=0>.

Lemmon, Gayle. "The Hillary Doctrine: Women's Rights Are a National Security Issue." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 8 Apr. 2013. Web. 31 July 2016. <http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/04/the-hillary-doctrine-womens-rights-are-a-national-security-issue/274770/>.

Cooper, Ryan. "Hillary Clinton Needs to Address the Racist Undertones of Her 2008 Campaign." The Week. The Week, 23 July 2016. Web. 31 July 2016. <http://theweek.com/articles/567774/hillary-clinton-needs-address-racist-undertones-2008-campaign>.

   

        

      

    

     

    

     

Zimbabwe war veterans turn on "dictator" Mugabe, exposing rifts

Economic challenges have brought Zimbabwe to the point of anti-government protests. The National War Veterans Association has denounced President Robert Mugabe in an extremely vituperative statement. This is surprising considering for a longtime they were his major backers in elections. With China's economic slowdown and Western sanctions Zimbabwe is struggling. The people are beginning to think that everything is the fault of President Mugabe, when that may no be entirely accurate. There is a possible danger here of an Arab Spring like scenario sweeping across the region or the horrible prospect of a Western intervention through NATO. The loss of President Mugabe would mean the return of the British and the US as colonizers. So far, there has not been armed rebellion. There are not masses of people demanding the government be overthrown. Robert Mugabe plans to run for president  in 2018 and wants to do this continually as long as he lives. This seems more like emerging political factionalism, rather than a desire for overthrow as seen in Burkina Faso or Burundi. Hopefully, Zimbabwe can survive despite less than preferable circumstances.  

Alton Sterling --5 Facts the Media Is Hiding

The murder of Alton Sterling by police raised some questions that are still not answered. The officers had clearly lied that Sterling had a gun. Even if he did have one, Louisiana is an open carry state. It is clear police officers are not keeping their body cameras on in order to cover-up their killings. It is rare that police departments release video footage of  altercations. The reason they do not is because they know it proves their guilt. There are many white racist police officers who regularly show their hate for African American citizens and their black co-workers. The fact the Justice Department continues to protect police officers who engage in misconduct proves that African Americans cannot get protection form the US government. If this continues, there is no other option but to arm ones self against aggression. 

The Dallas Police Attacks, Racial Hatred, and The Escalation of American Violence

A former African American soldier opened fire on Dallas police during a Black Lives Matter protest. Micah Xavier Johnson  a veteran who served in the Afghan War became disgruntled over police murdering unarmed African Americans and police brutality. This was the alleged motivation, but the media began to exaggerate this act of violence. Claims that he was bent on killing white people and especially white police officers were conveyed on the news. There were attempts to present this as a hate crime, which is a complete distortion. Johnson's main grievance was with the police and they were prime targets. If his targets were white people he could have easily targeted protesters marching during the attack. Although their numbers were few, some whites appear at Black Lives Matter protests. Johnson if he did have a pathological hatred of whites could have chosen them as victims.Police can be people of various ethnic, religious, or cultural background. This act of violence toward police would not by legal definition be a hate crime. Automatically, the majority of the American population sided with the police, even when it deserves no sympathy. Murder, corruption, and racism are common practices of the US police. The Dallas attacks reveal much about the malevolent nature of American society. The police are not here to serve or protect, but to control and oppress. Racial hatred will eventually tear the nation apart. Slowly it will happen and could be similar to parallel to Yugoslavia in the 1990s. These events follow a long tradition of American violence that not only threatens the internal structure of   the US, but the stability of the globe. 

         There were many disturbing aspects of the Dallas police attacks. The first was that they used a robot to detonate an explosive device to stop Johnson. Police forces have SWAT teams trained to fight snipers and active shooters. The use of explosives shows a level of depravity that the US police have. He could not be stopped or taken alive, so the only option would be to shoot to kill or disable. Using an explosive demonstrates the police have killing machines that are equivalent to army weapons. This is a major issue with police departments receiving armored vehicles and weapons from the US military. These are weapons that the US military no longer uses, but does not want to just dispose of it. It is clear that US police are being militarized. Doing this makes police more than a law enforcement department. It means it is evolving into a security service, that is present in many authoritarian states. Those armed forces are not there for security, but to stop insurrection or dissent from the population. Micah Johnson left no written manifesto of his ideas, but allegedly revealed to the police his demands when being negotiated with. This audio recording has yet to be released or written documents presented to the public. Although it was never said directly, mainstream media attempted to present this as "reverse racism." Repeated phrases were being spoken on news programs "he hated white people" and mentions of Black Nationalist  groups. Johnson had no ties to any group or organization, but many were attempting to make a connection. This case was not examined thoroughly and there remain many questions. After this act the President went to Dallas speaking at a memorial service to the dead officers. The media and the President began presenting them as "heroes ."  The disturbing part of this affair was that President Obama was taking a neutral approach. He acknowledged that there is bias, yet pandered to the police. Claims that they are doing an excellent job under stress or that they risk mortal danger were exaggerated. Statistically it is safer to be a police officer. Compared to the number of African Americans murdered by the police, its more dangerous to be black in the US. The argument by the administration is "all cops are not bad." The unfortunate reality is the majority are. These so called "good" cops are as mythical as Atlantis or Shamballa. Only after a few weeks President Obama made the statement " we have your backs" in regards to police. His legacy will be tainted by his passive and inactive stance on race relations. The hate has become to powerful to overcome. 

         It cannot be ignored that whites have a pathological hatred of the African American population. This projects itself in all aspects of life and the police are not immune. Stop and frisk policies, racial profiling, and murder are police policies. This is not a shock considering the modern US police evolved from slave patrols. These groups of men would capture run away slaves. When abolition of slavery came the patrollers now worked on the enforcement of Jim Crow. It common for many Southern police officers to be in the Ku Klux Klan. During the Civil Rights Movement it was not only white extremists mobs attacking protesters, but police officers as well . This has been a long tradition of repression and violence through out the nation. Lorne Ahrens one of the police officers killed could have been or had ties to neo-Nazi ties. This would mean a white supremacist was being lauded as a hero by an African American US president. That event represents the intense amount of contradiction of the United States. Freedom and democracy are preached as valued principles. These ideals seem to only apply to white males who are bent on retaining all the power in society. They realize that Americas demographics are rapidly changing and have responded in the most savage fashion. The far-right obsesses over the second amendment, not out of a genuine concern, but to arm and prepare themselves for war. Their intention is to target African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and any other non-white group in the US. When non-white populations grow whites react with violence. Police brutality and their killing rampages are a slowly growing genocide. Black Lives Matter has tried to keep protests non-violent. However, police and the media have attempted to link them to Micah Johnson. He was not active or associated with Black Lives Matter. Critics claimed that Black Lives Matter lost credibility due to the Dallas incident. This illogical reasoning represents the immense level of white hate. Whatever the movement does it will always be viewed as either disturbing the peace, unruly, or extremist. They could  demonstrate non-violent resistance religiously , but still receive ire from the police. Police despise Black Lives Matter, because it has exposed them for what they really are. Racist bullies, thugs, and killers who terrorize majority African American communities. 

           The US police love to use excessive force and have an infatuation with violence. You cannot say you are a supporter of public order, when you are the root of disorder. Americans have desire to be violent and it  is escalating. The country's violence problem is rooted in its love of war. America has formed a war culture that glorifies murder and abuse. The nation evolved in violence directed at the Native American population, enslavement of Africans, and later numerous military interventions across the globe. The Cold War saw the US intervene in multiple countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The Vietnam War was probably the worst atrocity of these interventions. The motivations were both geopolitical and economic, but racism was also a factor. The United States sees itself as the greatest nation in the world and wants to dominate non-white countries of the global south. The level of hubris even goes beyond harassing non-whites, but any country that disagrees with its foreign policy objectives. Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and now Syria are being destroyed by US involvement. Johnson was a veteran and other veterans seem to be targeting police. Promoting violence against other people and nations will eventually have blowback. The violence that United States has inflicted upon various countries is now returning. African Americans feel more frustration serving a country that vituperates and reviles them. Soldiers are brainwashed with the propaganda that the United States is promoting democracy and human rights around the world, but come to the revelation this is a falsehood. They comeback to a country with limited opportunity and witnessed first hand America's brutality and oppression of other peoples. For an African American  veteran  this is an extra psychological blow. They still face the same harassment and discrimination with little sympathy from the US government. It was only a matter of time before attacks on police would happen.  One cannot expect a group of people to be persecuted and not retaliate. This violence will continue if the criminal justice system does not work to imprison police that commit murder. The prevalence of guns and the culture surrounding it is fueling violence in American society. Effective legislation must be passed to deal with assault rifles and hand guns. Too many guns and ethnic tension will be a recipe for disaster . The only way this will change is to end the culture of violence in the United States.
        Police are not heroes and gradually the American public a realizing this. Sheriff Clark's speech at the RNC was a declaration of war against Black Lives Matter. It is clear that the police are opposed to protest or reform of the system. President Obama continually discusses having protesters and police have a dialogue. There is no point of having one, because one of the parties involved already refuses to make any concessions. There are rumors of a police movement attempting to get Black Lives Matter classified as a terrorist organization. No amount of community policing can solve this problem. That concept and term is designed to make it appear as if action has been taken against misconduct. There are limited options left for activists seeking permanent and effective change. There are still some opportunities. The first is not to stop protesting. There needs to be demonstrations in front of police stations across the country. Citizens who have cell phones should start filming police whenever they get a chance. Exposure can change public opinion and reveal abuse as it happens. Demonstrations must take place at the Justice Department so that it gets the message cops that murder will be prosecuted and imprisoned. Protesting at presidential campaign  events or rallys is a waste of effort. Candidates from both the Democratic and Republican  Party are oblivious to domestic issues and a changing international landscape. They are only concerned with serving the financial elite and special interest groups. If Black Lives Matter does this only then can they counter police repression and backlash. If the police continue to murder, there will be violent retaliation. Soon various ethnic groups will arm each other and attack one another, because they no longer see this as one country. If reform is adopted the US and avoid possible balkanization in the future.    

Bruce Lee on Defeat

Uganda's Actions in South Sudan

A few days ago Sudan send troops to evacuate Ugandans stuck in South Sudan. The young country is falling into a civil war. Ethnic conflict between Neur and Dinka has escalated. The crisis has roots in the political disagreements between President Salva Kirr and Vice President Reik Machar. Not only is Uganda evacuating citizens in the country, but Sudanese that want political asylum. The United Nations has a presence in South Sudan assisting in medical needs of the wounded. There are parallels that are emerging from previous crisis on the continent. Rwanda's civil war and genocide still haunts Africa. UN inaction, ethnic  hatred, and Western imperialism produced a human rights disaster. It appears something similar appears to be happening in South Sudan. The young country does not have control of its territory and people arm themselves. The police and  the army cannot counter growing militias. The question remains what are the intentions of Yoweri Museveni ? It is clear that internal instability will attract foreign powers who will eventually become colonizers for the objective of natural resources. South Sudan's oil makes it a target for external interference. China and the US are competing for influence on the continent. The US wants to impose its will on certain nations, while China is more willing to be cooperative with governments in Africa. President Yoweri Museveni can use this crisis to his advantage. First he could use it to expand influence and crush dissent at home. War has always been a distraction to conceal dire domestic issues in a state. South Sudan now faces a challenge to its independence from its neighbors, the UN, and the West.     

Chemistry

Chemistry is the science of composition, structure,  and the specific  properties of matter. It also examines who matter interacts and changes through various processes. This science is pivotal to astronomy, medicine, engineering, and food processing. The electronics industry could not exist without it. Like other sciences it has major branches, that examine particular questions. Chemistry can be seen everywhere in the natural world. It tells humankind the composition of the stars to the internal interactions of human cells. Chemistry developed from alchemy. It was a partially scientific and philosophic discipline, which developed in certain ancient civilizations. The rise of modern science discredited alchemist convictions. Now there are various fields of chemistry which include: analytical chemistry, biochemistry, electrochemistry, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, inorganic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, organic chemistry, photochemistry, physical chemistry, radiochemistry, and stoichemistry.  Like other sciences it went through various phases of development and change.
     Chemistry developed from the practice of alchemy. It is unclear who developed it first, but Chinese, Egyptian, and Greek civilization made contributions to alchemy. The practice of alchemy was not purely out of curiosity. The goal was to transmute substances to different ones. Taoists and the Pythagoreans were attempting to turn certain metals into gold. The desire to produce gold in such a manner would have been lucrative. There was also another goal the early alchemists sought: the mythical philosopher's stone. It was believed through alchemy illness could be cured and the philosopher's  stone  could be created. The stone that alchemist sought was thought even to make a person immortal. There was no scientific basis for this, but alchemy remained dominant until the Middle Ages. Although the classical world was limited in precise scientific knowledge, there were thinkers who were already examining matter. Democritus a Greek philosopher was convinced the foundation of matter was particles know as atoms. Greek civilization examining the works of Chinese and Egyptian alchemy, extrapolated that matter was composed of four elements. Fire, earth, air, and water was the base of all matter. Paracelsus  by the 1500s took alchemy in a different direction. The Swiss doctor proposed that there were many different types of metal and therefore more than four elements. He believed that alchemy should not be used to produce gold or create a philosopher's stone , but to have a better understanding of science. Alchemists reacted negatively to his assertions and repudiated him. Others however, embraced his theories. Libavius one of his followers, produced an early chemistry text. As alchemy declined it would result in the birth of chemistry.Observations and data gathered by alchemist gave early chemists a based to work from.
         The major turning point for this filed of science came in 1660. King Charles II of England found the Royal Society of London and the members would later go on to produce new knowledge. One natural philosopher who made a significant impact was Robert Boyle. He was in many ways was one of the first modern chemists. Boyle was one of the first chemists to do controlled experiments rather than just observation. Through this method of controlled experimentation, he made a discovery about gases. When the volume of a gas is decreased, pressure will rise proportionally. This phenomenon is known as Boyle's law. Boyle also introduced a litmus test to distinguish acids from bases. Besides introducing chemical tests, he developed the modern concept of the nature of elements .

From the 1600s onward chemistry would continue to advance. During the 18th and 19th centuries various chemist would uncover the nature of matter and chemical reactions. Karl Scheele, Joseph Priestley, and Antoine Lavoisier  identified new elements and were explaining chemical reactions such as combustion. John Dalton came to the conclusion that compounds had to be formed by atoms of elements. He also proposed that atoms of the same element combine to form molecules.Dalton also stated they combine into a simple ratios. Dalton's new atomic theory and the identification of numerous elements required a system of classification.
        When more elements became known they had to be organized in a system to best understand them. The Periodic Table of Elements was formed to classify the growing discovery of different types of matter. The Periodic Table of Elements lists the elements by their chemical symbol and physical characteristics. The number of elements listed are between 109 to 112 known elements. The transuranium elements are synthetic productions of human chemical engineering. Humanity was not always ignorant of chemical elements. At the time of the early common era,  About nine elements were known. These elements were lead, gold, copper, sulfur, mercury, tin, silver, carbon, and iron. At that time the number of known elements was low and the need for classification was not necessary. When time passed more elements would be discovered. Johann Dobereiner and John Newlands observed that atomic masses had a relation to an elements chemical properties. These two chemists one German the other English had stumbled unto something pivotal. It was a starting point to a standardized system of classification of elements. Lothar Meyer expanded upon their findings. His method was to have repeating patterns in properties  be organized  in relation to their atomic mass.

Still a standardized table had not been created. It was not until 1869 that Dmitri Mendeleev did the first  Periodic Table of Elements form. For the first time the elements were put into an organized table. The Russian chemist determined that the elements characteristics are a function of both atomic mass and period function. Mendeleev had discovered  the periodic law  of elements. Elements were to placed in families or groups on this table. Mendeleev left blank spaces for elements assuming more would be found in the future. He was correct in that conjecture and ever since the Periodic Table of Elements has been expanding.Mendeleev noted the cycle of repetition of chemical properties revolves around eight elements. However, this does not continue for elements that are much heavier. The heavier elements function on a cycle of 18. The Periodic Table of Elements would require adjustments. 

Henry Moseley refined periodic law. Moseley proclaimed that physical and chemical properties are rooted in the the periodic function of atomic number. He gave a better explanation for why their are gaps in the  periodic table. The electron was eventually discovered to be the key to knowing the properties of elements. The earlier chemists were getting close to to this conclusion. Some chemists, even Dmitri Mendeleev refused to accept the electron even existed. The Periodic Table of Elements continues to be a useful tool to both chemists and physicists. 

      Chemistry is not just one monolithic subject area, but has multiple branches. These branches can be in both areas of applied science or pure research. It has made an immense impact on industry and human civilization. There is a difference in subdivisions and branches, which seek to answer particular questions. Analytical chemistry examines substances and the attributes of their various components.  The goal is to understand the structure from every angle. Astrochemistry studies material from space. The discovery of new exoplanets makes this branch particularly exciting. The astrochemist examines asteroids, rocks, and other matter from space. The possibilities are endless considering it has been  suggested that the universe is expanding. Biochemistry  wants to comprehend the chemical interactions and functions of life forms. Electrochemistry directs its focus toward the flow of electricity and the relationship between chemical changes. Environmental chemistry seeks to examine the natural environment of Earth through chemical processes and its impact on life forms. An extension of this is geochemistry explaining the chemical structure and composition of rocks and minerals Nuclear chemistry explores the changes in the nucleus of the atom. Organic chemistry delves into hydrocarbons and compounds of living organisms ( inorganic studies the opposite which includes compounds that do not have carbon). Photochemistry wants to discover the effects of light and ultraviolet radiation on particular elements. Stoichemistry looks at the science in terms of mathematical relationships. Chemical reactions are expressed and described in formulas. 

Physical chemistry combines the elements of physics with chemistry. This is a practical union, because the universe is governed by fundamental forces. Radiochemistry  studies the strange behavior of radio isotopes. Chemistry is both an applied science and part research. These specialized field have not only added to human material gain, but a new body of knowledge. 

     A major part of chemistry is understanding matter. It can be classified in numerous ways. Matter can have three states which include solids, liquids, and gases. There is also a fourth state known as plasma. Matter can only reach this state at immense temperatures. The basis of matter at its most diminutive unit is the atom. Atoms can combine together to form molecules. Physicists have confirmed the existence of the higgs boson, which may explain why objects have mass. This will certainly bring colossal changes to chemistry.Matter had three main classifications which include further categories. Elements can include metals and nonmetals. Elements can not be deconstructed into other substances.  Compounds can be divided into either covalent  or ionic bonds . They are two or more elements combined in terms of a definite proportion, which explains the rise of more complex matter. Both elements and compounds are homogeneous. Mixtures can either be homogeneous or heterogeneous. Mixtures combine two or more substances, but still maintain their unique properties. A solution is a mixture and it still contains uniformity. Colloidal dispersions are also mixtures in which particles are loose in a solvant. Interactions between particles is key to comprehending physical and chemical properties.

       Chemical reactions are the result of  bonds between atoms. The constructed and reorganized bonds make new products from the original reactants. Chemical reactions can happen in nature or be induced by other means. The time it takes for a chemical reaction to occur can vary. Some may take a number of years or spark instantaneously. Energy can change during a course of these reactions.A burning reaction leads to new bonds between atoms, which result in the release of heat and light. The heat that is projected can also be referred to as an exothermic reaction. Most chemical reactions are not reversible. There are some chemical reactions that have the ability to take place in either direction ;this means a few can be reversible. Decomposition reactions involve  two compounds breaking down and reforming in a solution to produce two new substances.  The action could result in forming a precipitate, displacement, or another element displaces separate from the solution. The reaction rate can be determined by size, shape, and temperature of the reactants. When describing this process chemical symbols are used.  

Understanding chemical reactions has given humanity the ability to advance pharmaceuticals, medicine, and the electronics industry. The semiconductor industry would not exist without chemistry. Silicon can be found in most computer chip technology, because it can be treated chemically to be a useful conductor. Silicon is not as conductive in its unaltered state. This can also be done with germanium, which is also present in computer technology. It can not be ignored when chemical reactions occur it involves energy. It explains the ability to do work and comes in various forms. Energy can come in the form of light, heat, sound, electrical, chemical, and nuclear reactions. The Law of Conservation states that energy is fixed through out the universe.  Energy can be both potential and kinetic. Energy flows through the universe neither being created or destroyed. The workings of compounds, mixtures, elements, and solutions demonstrate this. Science is interdisciplinary and chemistry is no exception. Understanding energy requires knowledge of both physics, chemistry, and biology. Like other sciences chemistry will continue to unmask the mysteries of existence.  

References 

Hall, Nina. The New Chemistry. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000. 

Barnes-Svarney, Patricia L. The New York Public Library Science Desk Reference. New York: Macmillan USA, 1995

DK Ultimate Visual Dictionary 2000. New York: DK Pub., 1999.

          

 

   

Tony Blair Responds to the Chilcot Report

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has been forced to respond to his role in the Iraq War. The Chilcot Report reveals that the case for war was based on fallacies. The evidence was the Downing Street Memo in which both the US and UK would coordinate to overthrow the Saddam Hussein regime. This is significant, because it means there could be a legal case to have Tony Blair tried for war crimes and aggressive war. Although this outcome is unlikely, the prospect seems to worry Blair enough to do a PR offensive. Across the Atlantic, there was little commentary from former US President George W. Bush. These two leaders were adamant in pursuing an aggressive policy toward Iraq and the Middle East as a whole. Blair does not show remorse, but instead rationalized aggressive war. The former Prime Minister stated the world is much better off without a Baathist government in Iraq. This falsehood can be refuted with simple facts. Iraq's regional power had been weakened by the 1991 Gulf War and sanctions were damaging its economy. No-fly zones were rigidly enforced undermining Iraq's sovereignty. It was hardly capable of inflicting harm on the US or UK. Only time will tell if Tony Blair will be charge for serious offenses.   

Gandhi on How People Treat Others