Baltimore Burns and the Mayor Watches

After the murder of Freddie Gray by police officers in Baltimore tension increased between the public and law enforcement. Racial profiling and routine harassment are common practices used by the police in Maryland and throughout the US. Violence broke out after the funeral of Freddie Gray, because mass frustration over police abuse. One of the problems is the police force is mostly white policing an African American community. Not only does this demonstrate the savagery of US police, but the incompetence of elected officials. Stephanie Rawlings Blake proved that she is not a capable leader. She failed to realize that it was only a matter of time before disorder and violence would occur . She is completely alienated from the daily struggles of African Americans in Baltimore. Mayor Blake's response to the crisis is more policing. Imposing curfew and a state of emergency only exacerbates the situation. While police attempt to suppress protest, criminals take the opportunity to riot. Shores were robbed and buildings were burned. If the police focused on the protection of property, rather than harassment of the public this would have never happened. The only positive result of this is that it exposes the police. They are not here to serve and protect, but rather oppress. Non-whites are targeted for death and protests are dispersed by police brutality. The myth of the brave police officer fighting for justice has gradually crumbled.   

The Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope launched in 1990 has provided valuable information about the cosmos. This unmanned observatory shows amazing wonders of space. Hubble is a reflecting telescope with machinery found on satellites. Solar panels provide power to the Hubble Space Telescope, while radio antennas provide communication signals. Reaction wheels direct the visual display of cameras. Seeing as communication with Hubble is essential, a tracking and data relay satellite is used. It acts as a bridge between ground control and Hubble. The Goddard Space Flight Center has engineers who examine signals and monitor the condition of Hubble. The observation schedule is determined by astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Institute. The light detectors and electronic cameras have allowed for impressive discoveries over the years. The possibility of  a massive black hole in the M87 galaxy was observed in 1992. Around 1994 Hubble documented the impact of the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's on Jupiter. A birth of a star was witnessed in the Eagle Nebula in 1995. Hubble then detected a gamma-ray burst in 1999 considered to be the most powerful explosion observed. The list of  observations and discoveries is multitudinous. The Hubble Space Telescope has shown humanity galaxies 10 billion light years away and has opened our eyes to beauty of space. 

Further Reading 

Couper, Heather and Henbest, Nigel. Space Encyclopedia. New York: DK Publishing, 1999. 

Xenophobic Violence in South Africa

South Africa is currently experiencing an uncontrolled out burst of violence against foreigners. Nigerians, Congolese, Zimbabweans, Somali, Mozambican, Pakistani, and Indian people have been subjected to attacks and murder. This latest incident represents a number of problems in South Africa. The myth of the rainbow nation is collapsing in the miasma of racial hatred. The removal of the apartheid regime did not solve the issue of lingering ethnic conflict. The biggest challenge is the level of poverty and economic inequality. The ANC has failed the population by repudiating its socialist principles in favor of neoliberal capitalism. South Africa must control the level of  immigration, because the result will be a population victim to scapegoating and a level of second class citizenship. The ANC must address the increase in crime across the country. A more competent police force is needed to prevent xenophobic riots and violence. If this crisis is not adequately addressed, South Africa could become a failed state.
       Poverty is a global challenge, but in some nations the effects as much worse. South Africa's population is suffering from the damages of economic inequality. During Apartheid, the African majority was excluded from high salary occupations. African workers could not fully organize into labor unions.Even with the collapse of the Apartheid regime, labor disputes are common place. The Marikana uprising was a demonstration of the frustration of miners. The platinum miners staged a strike in 2012, only to be met with violence. Their demands for higher pay and improved working conditions were reasonable, but the police and the state reacted with repression. This massacre proves that workers have little collective bargaining rights. The push for racial equality did not follow economic equality. The Afrikanners still own the majority of the farmland in which African people are employed. British corporations still have an abnormal amount of control of South Africa's industry. These areas should be in the hands of Africans, not white colonizers.Poor Africans are still victims to the legacy of political and social oppression.  

Xenophobia among South Africa proves that the rainbow nation concept is false. 

          South Africa has failed to control the level of immigration. Zimbabwe,which is subject to western attack through sanctions has added intense hardship on the population. Zimbabweans have no choice but to immigrate, because of limited economic opportunities. South Africa is one of Africa's largest economies, but this does not mean it can provide for thousands of people coming into the country.Immigration must be controlled and orderly. Otherwise, it puts extra burden on a country with a multitude of problems. Many new immigrants go into business ventures opening shops. South Africans at a lower socioeconomic level feel as if they are being marginalized even more. They have to compete with low skill labor coming into the country. Just like the West, employers look for a labor force that is easily exploitable. They realize that immigrants without citizenship do not have power. Therefore  their wages can remain low and companies will not have to improve working conditions. Immigrants prove a perfect scapegoat in which will redirect attention elsewhere. There is a massive amount of government corruption in South Africa, but immigrants are the focus of people's rage.  

     Recent xenophobic violence demonstrates the incompetence of the police force. It is clear that at times police were unable to stop criminals and extremists who terrorized the population. Besides incompetence of police, there were some who ignored criminal activity completely. Shops were looted and people murdered. This spark in violence was more lethal than the xenophobic riots in 2008. South Africa has a crime wave, which the ANC seems unable to recognize. The government's failure to protect its citizens as well as maintain law and order ruins the ANC's credibility. The only solution is a compete redevelopment of the police force to counter future mass violence. The ANC has to do this if it wants to regain the trust of the public. A discussion about policing cannot take place without an examination of corruption at the apex of the structure. Jacob Zuma as president of South Africa has proven to be an ineffective leader. Even worse, is his use of government funds for personal  use and military intervention in the African Central Republic. President Zuma was slow to react to the mass violence. This is a symbol of a person who either agrees with these actions or does not consider  violence and crime relevant. 

       South Africa must make pivotal decisions if it is going to survive. It must create an atmosphere in which its citizens are safe. Immigrants should not be subject to scapegoating and violence. The real culprits of South African woes are the same western powers that attempted to maintain and supported apartheid. Now they still maintain control by certain mining corporations and international banks.The IMF and World Bank will never provide a solution to African economic turmoil. This recent xenophobic violence is the result of economic decay, western imperialism, and a corrupt government only concerned about remaining in power.   

  

Hillary Clinton is Running for President

Hillary Clinton has announced that she will run for president. The 2016 presidential election will be one of the toughest contests, with the disturbing issues of war, economic turmoil, and racism that plagues American society. Hillary Clinton released this video making it official that she intends to make it to the White House. However, Clinton would not make the best president. Her constant vacillation on issues related to women's rights, civil rights, and economic policy show a level of indecision. Senator Clinton is not a progressive nor a true liberal. She is a New Democrat who would have been a moderate Republican in the past. Her performance as Secretary of State is rather dismal. Hillary Clinton was a major active supporter in the intervention in Libya in 2011. As a result, the US consulate was attacked and ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed. The Republicans have little prospects of victory, unless they attempt to gain the votes of Hispanic and African American voters. It seems that Hillary Clinton has everything in her favor. This will be devastating, because in reality she is an American version of Margaret Thatcher. Just like any other president, there will be big promises but no results. Collectively, leadership of this country has failed its citizens at the state and federal level.   

The Nuclear Deal With Iran Is Not Guaranteed

The Obama administration wants to have an agreement on Iran's alleged nuclear program. Oman was responsible for initiating talks between the two countries, who have not had normal relations since 1979. The West claims that Iran wants to produce nuclear weapons, but there is little evidence. Iran may want more nuclear power for the sake of electricity to growing urban areas. If a nuclear weapons free Middle East is the goal, then it has already failed. Israel has a nuclear arsenal that is by far, more dangerous than Iran could ever hope to imitate. The sanctions imposed by the West are designed to harm the population, while simultaneously destroying their economy. The nuclear deal could be hindered due to conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Saudi Arabia which opposes Iran does not want the sanctions lifted. Israel has an intense desire to go to war with Iran, so that it will remain the most powerful country in the region.Whatever the result, it appears as if a regional war is coming.  

The Possibility of Mass Global Conflict

Constantly there is news of  war. The US and its Gulf kingdom allies are at war with an organization know as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Ukraine is gradually going through a balkanization  while simultaneously facing external interference from the EU, United States, and Russia. Syria seems to have this same problem. It faces a civil war and  the possibility of invasion from the West. Japan is pursuing a policy of militarization using China as an excuse for the abandonment of pacifism. Sudan could could further disintegrate into more countries with hostilities continuing in South Sudan. There are a multitude of small scale conflicts that are escalating into international ones. Major world powers are in competition for resources and political influence. The United States, Russia, China, France,  the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany risk creating one massive international war.  This could be on the scale of either World War I or World War II. Various countries will be fighting each other in multiple theaters of the world. 

       Iraq  has been unstable for twelve years. The United States invaded the country in 2003 causing regional instability. Shiite and Sunni militias emerged to fight Americans as well as each other. Kurds were asserting themselves and the desire for independence grew. The development of the Arab Spring allowed radical political Islamists to increase their power. ISIS is the out growth of  a failed attempt to depose Bashar Al-Assad. When the Islamist forces were being pushed back, they went to Iraq. There they could regroup and create bases. The US just like they did in Afghanistan fostered the creation of multiple armed groups. Realizing this is a potential threat, the Gulf monarchies are now involved in military action against Iraq. However, it is not just Iraq that will be victim to attack. Yemen is now under siege due to the Houthi rebel take over. Sunni Gulf monarchies are more concerned with Iranian influence and power growing in the region. Iraq has become a battle ground between Iran and Saudi Arabia. This will bring the western powers into the conflict, because a majority of Gulf state monarchies are their allies.

The current status indicates that small scale wars are escalating into major confrontations.  The Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific are becoming danger zones threatened with intervention from the West. 

It appears that will experience a Yugoslavia type of collapse.  This will later be used as a justification for the US, UK, Germany, Italy, and France to intervene on the basis of "humanitarian intervention."

       Syria also could be that catalyst for an even wider war. At the moment relations between the West and Russia have reached at nadir. Russia refused to participate in an attempt to remove the Baathist regime in Syria. Realizing that UN Resolution 1973 was a mistake for Libya, Russia refused to take a passive role when confronting Western aggression. Syria is Russia's most important ally in the Middle East. Russia has constantly proposed a diplomatic solution to the Syrian Civil war. The US does not want this to happen, because the goal is a compliant government responsive to American foreign policy. America's objective is to weaken or destroy regimes that stop advancing economic and political interests.  The most important objectives are the acquisition of oil,  the presence of military bases, and the support of Israel.  Bashar Al Assad opposes the US and Israel's foreign policy objectives. Any state that shows true independence must be eliminated. US attempts at removing Assad have caused dangerous amounts of contention with Russia. Russia understands that the collapse of Syria could result in an even more chaotic Middle East. John Kerry, US secretary of state   has made it clear that Assad should not be allowed to stay in power. Now the US and the EU are in conflict indirectly over Syria. The results of this are becoming more precarious in regards to Ukraine. 

     The West vexed at the fact Russia was not compliant with their Syria policy, decided to seek revenge by imposing sanctions due to the Ukrainian crisis. Former president Vickor Yanukovych was deposed by street protest. The groups consisted of  right-wing political factions, western sponsored EU supporters, and domestic opposition. The country is not split between east and west  causing armed conflict. The United States has exacerbated the situation by recognizing a government that came to power by extralegal means. This has caught Russian attention as it continues to support Russian militias in the eastern regions. The US and EU are now using this as an excuse for NATO expansion. There is a massive military build-up in Eastern Europe and the Baltic. Relations with Russia have reached a dismal state. Considering how economically Russia and the West are dependent on one another this could be potentially catastrophic. The risk of a European war is even more disturbing. At the root of these actions is the desire to control the Eurasian landmass. Having unrestricted access to oil and natural gas would make a nation powerful. Ukraine is a convenient internal crisis used by the West to further geopolitical ambitions.
       Sudan has also caught the wrath of  the West. South Sudan and Sudan have never fully reconciled their differences.South Sudan became independent in 2011, but it created even more problems. The ethnic conflict between Neur and Dinka will result in civil war. When vice president Riek Machar  was removed for allegedly attempting to mount a coup, South Sudan descended into conflict.  Salva Kirr  who has been president since independence stated under current conditions elections will not be held. The instability has attracted international intervention. The UN claims it is there for refugee relief, but it is advancing the cause of  re-colonization and regime change. The West seeks the removal of Omar al-Bashir. There is even an ICC warrant issued for his arrest. The West has no concern for human rights or the people of Sudan. The real treasure is Sudan's oil resources. The US and EU countries want to see a subordinate government that will give western oil companies access to their reserves. However, China seeks to maintain diplomatic relations with both Sudan and South Sudan. The West only favors Salva Kiir's regime even though it has similar violations of human rights. Sudan represents the indirect conflict between the West and China for control of major oil reserves. 
         Japan is buttressing its military. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's justification for this is that China is a growing threat. While China is becoming a more powerful country, it is not the threat. The challenge is the West encouraging Japan to be hostile to China. President Barack Obama's Asia pivot policy is not intended to be peaceful. More US soldiers are being deployed to Australia. The US naval presence has grown larger. The official position is that it is for regional security. The reality is that it is designed to threaten China with military strikes. The United States will never allow any other country to be equal in terms of military or economic power. The acceptance of Prime Minister Abe's policy of militarization advances western plans. Arming Japan would basically squeeze China and halt their progression in the Asia-Pacific region. The issues surrounding the South China Sea and territorial claims further complicate matters. One provocation can induce regional conflict and then spiral into a larger one. China also continues to maintain more favorable relations with Russia. Unlike the West, China intends to collaborate on political and economic challenges. This is irksome to the West, because it could possible reduce the impact of the sanctions. 
          The world has transformed into two hostile rival  alliance systems. The one that seeks domination of most the global power is the US and EU block. The response to this resulted in a Russia and China block opposed to western international intervention. War is not just driven by nationalism, racial or national hatreds, but by resources. Fossil fuels are not infinite. World powers at this very moment are competing across the globe to obtain the most. More violence will follow when clean drinking water becomes limited. The only solution is skillful diplomacy and collaboration on particular international problems. Nations must learn to respect one another and understand alternative perspectives. The current zeitgeist of imposing liberal democracy on the world is a major miscalculation. Attempts have resulted in death, disorder, and human misery. Western political models may work for the US and European countries, but not in Africa, South America, or Asia . If the West continues down this path of  humanitarian intervention mass global conflict will be unavoidable.  

Remembering Lee Kuan Yew ( 1923-2015)

Lee Kuan Yew was the first prime minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990. During the turbulence of the 1960s, he wanted to keep Singapore in Malaysia. However, ethnic conflict between Chinese and Malay prevented this.  This rare footage demonstrates  Lee Kuan Yew's views on ethnicity. We are different ethnically and culturally, but that does not mean we cannot live and collaborate with one another. People with racial supremacist convictions will destroy society. Lee Kuan Yew realized this and never supported racial segregation after the 1964 race riots. He once stated "we will not as a majority squeeze the minority... we made quite sure whatever your race, language, or religion, you are an equal citizen and we'll drum that into the people."