The Aftermath of Winter Storm Fern

 

A combination of snow and ice hit the United States at the end of January. Many cities were not prepared to handle Winter Storm Fern. Large amounts of  ice continue to block roads and sidewalks. The storm also brought concerns about the safety of the homeless and those who were travelling. Inadequate infrastructure resulted in power outages. Aging poles and wires that transport electricity did not have the strength to withstand the storm. Power lines are going to vulnerable to extreme weather events. Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee experienced toppled power lines, which becomes a public hazard. Loss of heating and electricity can be lethal in a winter storm. Power grids need to be more durable. The problem related to infrastructure improvement comes from cost. Projects would possibly require millions of dollars. Certain states may not be able to generate that revenue. The federal government does seem to provided assistance. Even if infrastructure is improved, few are addressing the connection between climate change and extreme weather events. Americans are going to be dealing with more power outages, limited snow or ice removal, and unsafe conditions in upcoming winter seasons.   

The Expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool and South Africa's Response

 

South African ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool was expelled from the United States. The reasons for the expulsion are motivated by economics, the intolerance of the Trump administration, and an attempt to undermine BRICS. There is speculation that Elon Musk is having indirect influence over US policy regarding South Africa. Musk an Afrikaner benefited from the Apartheid regime. The Trump administration has also offered white South Africans to come to America. These proposals are a projection of white nationalist sentiment. The attacks on South Africa are also intended to dissolve the BRICS alliance. Prior to the diplomatic dispute, President Donald Trump warned various nations about abandoning the US dollar. The emergent economies are going to see growth and this shifts the geopolitical power balance. The blatant racism was apparent seeing as it is rare this happens to a senior official. Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool was told he was no longer welcomed in the United States. When Rasool returned he was embraced by the South African Communist Party, ANC, and the South African public. The unprofessional conduct and discriminatory actions of the United States may have created more unity among South Africans. The government's response needs to be more forceful. Removal of US diplomats would be a proportional measure. If more criticisms about land reform come from the Trump administration, the ending of diplomatic ties should be considered. President Cyril Ramaphosa does have options, but if he does not act it will only harm South Africa's standing. Closing the embassy in the United States or imposing tariffs on American products are the more harsh  measures. South Africa could just request the US ambassador to leave. Regardless of what measure is taken, the expulsion of an ambassador for no reason demands retaliation.  

The Natural Resources of Greenland

 

Greenland has been a topic on interest. The reason is related to its natural resources. Greenland contains rare earth minerals. Not only does Greenland contain those commodities, but oil and natural gas. Drilling for oil or extracting natural gas is restricted. The reasons are related to environmental protection and concern for the indigenous population. The Greenlandic Inuit. would be negatively impacted by natural gas production and oil drilling. Greenland is semi-autonomous, but is a territory of Denmark. The extraction of natural resources remains untapped potential. Greenland contains copper, graphite, nickel, gold, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, uranium, and iron ore. Mining is an important part of Greenland's physical economy. Exploration licenses are required for mining companies to search the land for rare earth minerals. Denmark has not fully extracted Greenland's natural resource economic value. The reason the Trump administration wants to acquire Greenland is to get access to the rare earth minerals. China and Russia are major producers of rare earth minerals. Trying to purchase Greenland from Denmark could be a means of competing with Eurasia. The value of rare earth minerals will only go up as reserves decline from high consumption. The possibility of Greenland being sold could spark a movement to full independence. Greenland's economic significance is going to to increase in the following years. Mining, natural gas, and oil corporations are going to put pressure on Denmark to get access to Greenland's natural resources. 

Justin Trudeau Resigns

 

Justin Trudeau has resigned as Canada's prime minister. The Liberal Party is facing struggles on multiple fronts. Questions are mounting on who will get the leadership of the Liberal Party. This is a major change considering Trudeau has been in office since 2015. While some legislation benefited Canada under his leadership, other policies undermined progress. The concept of postnational state had some unforeseen consequences. Opening the Canada to refugees and more immigration without more accommodation generated public concern. More border crossings were happening at Roxham Road. The economic relations with the United States became more turbulent during the Trump administration. NAFTA was replaced with the United States-Mexica Canada Agreement. CUSMA did not improve the financial situation of the Canadian citizen. Tariffs became a topic of serious discussion. Steel and aluminum were effected the most in Canada. Foreign policy tended to follow a pattern common among western liberals. Canada's attitude toward China became more contentious and the support for the Russia-Ukraine War did not advance Canada's objectives in Europe. A peaceful Europe is better for Canada, rather than  keeping the conflict going. Diplomatic relations with India were in decline during the early 2020s. Much of this is due to India's accusation of Canada's support for the Khalistan  movement. The movement wants to see an independent Sikh state. Canada has a Sikh population, which advocates for a new nation on the Indian  subcontinent . Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could not formulate a policy to navigate these complications of foreign policy. The government could not survive decreasing poll numbers and  election losses. The wave of cabinet resignations demonstrated the frustration with Trudeau's premiership.  

Healthcare Workers Go On Strike

 

Healthcare workers have gone on strike to demand higher pay and better working conditions. This next wave of strikes demonstrates that neoliberal capitalism will exploit the labor force no matter what sector. Hospitals have ignored the demands of nurses and medical professionals for too long. Across the country they have to deal with long hours, low staffing, and limited pay increases. The strikes that have been occurring in entertainment, the service sector, and railroads show an economy that is not functional. Combined with inflation and the rising cost of living this is putting strain on the American workforce. Organized labor could under go a renaissance. The challenge is not allowing labor unions to act as a barrier between the government and labor force. At times labor unions have been used  as a means to hinder aspirations for change and settle for meager reforms. It may take revolutionary action to improve working conditions in the United States. The 75,000 employees that were able to force change in Kaiser Permanente may provide a guide  to worker empowerment. The Kaiser Permanente strike was the largest healthcare worker strike in US history. What the obtained was a $25 an hour increase in pay over the next decade. Although it is a victory, it could be short lived if inflation continues and energy related sanctions remain in place. Housing, utilities,  and food consume most of the population's income. Healthcare workers have more power than they realize. Without them, COVID-19 would have been more devastating. The pandemic and the recent strikes demonstrates the healthcare system in the US had declined. The fight is not over as healthcare nurses in other states are still on strike. 

Canada's Wildfires

 

Canada is experiencing a more powerful series of wildfires. The result of this is that the smoke has spread to the United States. Air quality has been poor with haze visible in America. The particulate matter present could be a public health risk. New fires are emerging and firefighters scramble to extinguish them. Canada has a policy of letting fires in remote areas burn out on their own. The problem with that is it still could negatively impact ecosystems. Wildlife living in those habitats might not recover. Currently, there is a total of 584 fires. The total number might not be precise. Analysts assert this is one of the worst fire seasons in Canada's history. Climate change is the culprit in the environmental disaster in Canada. A combination of drought and high temperatures make wildfires more likely. Rain would aid in putting out some of the fires, but the weather forecast does not predict this. Dry and hot weather conditions are going to remain and the government has limited resources. Each province of Canada has to fight fires within its own borders. This is an inefficient and dangerous emergency response plan. A nation wide federal force should be established to handle environmental emergencies. The cause of wildfires include industrial activity, lightening, or some form of human environment interaction. Climate change can no longer be ignored in this equation. Canada must take a different approach to emergency preparation and environmental protection. Other nations have come to assist in fighting the fires. South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, France, Span, Costa Rica, Mexico, the United States, and Portugal have sent firefighters.    

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)

Frederick Douglass was an   orator, writer, government official,  and abolitionist. His life was dedicated to human rights promotion and to enhancing the American democratic system. Born enslaved in  antebellum era,  during his youth he was determined to not only gain his own freedom, but to be a crusader for other African Americans in bondage. At age ten he was sold to another slave owning family. When Frederick Douglass turned 21, he made his escape to freedom. Fleeing to New Bedford Massachusetts, this was a place of large amounts  abolitionist activism. There he was able to have a platform to fight against slavery. As time passed he became a skilled public speaker. He did this at enormous risk to his life. The risk of being kidnapped by slave catchers or killed by racist mobs was a constant danger . Douglass was more determined than ever to see slavery eliminated and became a dedicated lecturer  about its abuses. Around the 1840s he travelled through out New England and the North telling his life as an enslaved person. Frederick Douglass  also did speaking tours in Ireland and Great Britain gaining a profile outside the United States.  His oratory got so much notoriety that colleagues suggested he write a book. This resulted in the publication of  Narrative of  the Life and Times of Frederick Douglass .   The autobiography was released to the public in 1845.  The exposed the American public to the brutality and violence of slavery rarely discussed. By this  time , Douglass evolved both politically and philosophically. Radical action had to be taken to accelerate the end of slavery.  

     Frederick Douglass by the 1850s became a member of the Liberty Party. Around this time the nation was becoming more divided than ever and closer to civil war. Douglass wanted a from politicians a commitment to the abolition of slavery. The Liberty Party was willing to meet that demand than the accommodating Republican response of  stopping its expansion . John Brown sought Douglass's aid in the raid on Harper's Ferry. Frederick Douglass  told Brown that he did not object to armed uprising, but understood chances of success were limited. Although Douglass did not participate in the raid on Harper's Ferry, he became suspect. Federal marshals sought his arrest and Douglass fled to Canada . This exile would not last long. The US was about to have one of the most violent conflicts on its own soil. The American Civil War was a chance for to finally bring about the end of slavery. Frederick Douglass made it a goal to pressure the Lincoln administration to allow African Americans to serve in combat and gain their freedom. The pressure from Frederick Douglass and the abolitionist movement caused President Abraham Lincoln  to have a change in policy. African Americans were mobilized for war and the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863. Frederick Douglass became involved in recruitment efforts for the Union Army. 

       When the American Civil War ended slavery was abolished, but the fight for liberation was far from over. Fredrick Douglass continued the quest for racial equality. His efforts focused on securing voting rights for African Americans and women. Few men at the time supported women's suffrage, which made Douglass somewhat unique. Frederick Douglass also emphasized the importance of education as a means of  advancing the African American community. He opposed emigration to Africa or relocation to the North on the basis that African Americans could build a strong political and economic  base in the South . Reconstruction failed to produce the multi-racial democracy that Douglass envisioned .  This is why he would continue to do lecture tours, get involved in politics, and be involved in activism up until the end of his life. The Freedmen's Bank was established to aid the formerly enslaved to get loans and have an institution for personal savings. Frederick Douglass would become president of the bank, seeing it as a means  of African American's gaining economic power. The panic of 1873,   which was the worst economic depression of the 19th century caused the bank's failure. Under the Benjamin Harrison administration Frederick Douglass was appointed consul-general to Haiti and charge d' affaires to the Dominican Republic. When he realized this was an attempt at establishing American empire in the Caribbean he resigned. The world was dramatically different in the 1880s. America was transitioning from an agriculture based economy to an industrialized  world power. Frederick Douglass died of a heart attack in 1895, but his work influenced a new generation of leaders in the 20th century. Ida B. Wells, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B Dubois became the next wave fighters for the cause of black liberation. 

References 

David, Blight. Frederick  Douglass Prophet of Freedom. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2018. 

Adams, Russel. Great Negroes Past and Present . Chicago: Afro-Am Publishing Company, 1964. 

The Leaked Audio of Joseph Biden

 

An audio recording of Joseph Biden talking with notable civil rights figures was released. The controversy about the audio was his tone and general lack of solutions to critical problems. Biden stated that African Americans need to collaborate more with Hispanics. Following that he noted that the white population could be in the minority by 2040. The way Biden articulated that sounded more like some negative future event. There is a subtle racism that is present among Biden and certain factions of his supporters. The African American community has done more to protect the rights of various ethnic groups in America's history. Without the Immigration Act of 1965 or the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Asians and Latinos would not have the opportunities they have now. Biden's statements come off as condescending  to civil rights groups who actively fight to improve race relations. He went on to blame the position of defund the police  for  the failure of the Democratic Party to win elections. Law enforcement get more funding compared to public education and infrastructure projects. This demonstrates a general lack of understanding of how poor allocation of resources will create sociological problems. Biden refuses to acknowledge that it is not African Americans and Latinos causing disunity in the country; it is a white population that wants to maintain dominance. A Biden presidency will not be dedicated to economic empowerment, fighting racism, or general reform. This is an indication that unconventional participation will have to be used to get the change the American public desires.  

The Death of Ruth Bader Ginsberg and The Effect on American Politics

 

A Supreme Court seat now remains vacant. Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed away from a long battle with cancer. The United States divided  politically,  will have another major topic of contention. The Republican Party wants the vacancy filled as soon as possible. The Democratic Party wants the a new judge selected after  the election. It seems more likely that the next Supreme Court justice will be picked by which candidate wins the 2020 election.  If Donald Trump wins the election it means he will be able to select the next Supreme Court justice. That means the  Supreme Court  could be more conservative leaning in its rulings. A Biden presidency may not produce a liberal justice either. Joe Biden from a political perspective is more of a centrist than a liberal. Ginsberg was a Clinton appointment , although that was the era of New Democrat political ideology. There is no guarantee that Joe Biden will select a justice with similar liberal credentials. The judge that takes Ginsberg's  position could dramatically impact the laws and the US Constitution itself. There has been a dramatic reverse in basic civil liberties and civil rights in the US. Basic human rights are being violated and without a Supreme Court that values the rights of citizens there will be no protection. This is why selection of a Supreme Court justice is important. 

RIP C.T. Vivian ( 1924-2020)

Longtime civil rights activist Cordy Tindell Vivian passed away at the age of 95. A friend and ally of Martin Luther King, he was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement. C.T. Vivian founded the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference. He served as national director for affiliates of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference  . Vivian continued to remain active even though the movement had come to a conclusion. During the 1970s he established the Black Action Strategies and Information Center, which worked to increase  workforce integration. C.T Vivian would continue to lecture and do public speaking for human rights promotion. 

Protests Increase In Response To The Murder of George Floyd

Video surfaced of police officers engaging in murder of another unarmed African American US citizen. George Floyd a Minneapolis resident had his neck broken by law enforcement. The officers were fired, however they have not been sent to trial. Police departments across the US have engaged in unrelenting harassment and violence against African American communities. So far, this criminal behavior has rarely been punished. The blatant violation of human rights becomes more egregious, when the US criticizes other countries for such acts. Protests have began to spread across the country, with no signs of stopping. They should not stop or negotiate at this period of time. The Justice Department has failed to challenge police departments that engage in extreme violence and protests are the only way to draw attention to the problem. Poor training, corruption, and institutional racism in police departments has become widespread. If nothing is done there is no promise that demonstrations will remain peaceful. The abuse of power of law enforcement also sets precedent for the institution of martial law. When civil unrest become so pervasive, the government could react with violence. The only solution is to have the officers responsible for the murder be charged and sentenced. Harsh punishments for police violence are the only way to prevent such incidents in the future.  

There Was Never A State of Global Normalcy

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed life around the world. It has made people wish for some type of normalcy. The illusion is that there was some form of stability. Global normalcy is a myth. War, poverty, economic instability, and a general decay of society was prevalent before the pandemic. The notion that nation-states are acting as guides in global crisis is shattered with the continued deaths and increasing infection rates. Some have been insulated in bubbles, without recognition of the extent of human suffering. The common maxim "we are all in this together" shows a level of delusion that the public has. Disproportionately the elderly, discriminated ethnic groups, and the poor are effected the worse by the pandemic. These groups were already at a disadvantage in society. The crisis just exposed how they are isolated and marginalized. The calls for unity are only statements as international conflicts and disputes continue. The US, Russia, and China are still in a struggle for geopolitical dominance. Iran and North Korea remain under sanctions. The constant state of conflict and animosity was never normal. The developed world has been protected from some of the erratic events of the globe, but this could be coming to an end. Neoliberal capitalism has put the average person in a condition of financial vulnerability. Unemployment and a weakened social safety net will certainly cause civil unrest. Global normalcy and the international order have been set into disarray. The world will never be the same and does not appear to be progressing to a better future. Stability  never a part of the world.Once the pandemic has ended, there will be more contention and division among nations. Previous global issues and disputes could escalate. World history is an extensive documentation of armed conflict, economic struggle, and unrest. Global normalcy was a concept designed to create the illusion of stability and international order.
      Warfare continues unrestrained despite the international crisis. Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria,Libya, Somalia, Yemen,  and the DRC remain in states of conflict. Israel has not softened its aggression either, with plans to expand settlements underway. There are even attempts to depose legitimately elected governments. Venezuela could be facing a possible US attack or regime change by the Trump administration. It has been alleged that mercenaries were sent to induce a coup against President Nicholas Maduro's government. The US and the right-wing governments in Latin America are attempting to remove socialist or leftist governments either by direct force or  covert action. Warfare has become a normal part of the international stage, with various nations planning massive conflicts. China and Russia have been demonized to distract from internal problems of the EU and US. The reason conflict is encouraged has to due with economic and political factors. The arms trade would not exist if it were not for armed conflict. The business of building tanks, guns, aircraft, and naval ships is too profitable. The United States, Russia, the UK, and Germany have invested too much in arms exports. The world has never been in a general state of peace. Politically, the democracies of the West do not have anything to offer the public in the face of economic collapse. Politicians rather not embark on ambitious reform or programs to address social and international problems. Instead a tactic is to use scapegoating and fear to direct public anger at another country or race. The COVID-19 pandemic will inevitably make the world blame China. The disputes related to trade and geopolitics could result in war. Analysis have described a new Cold War between the US and China, but the tension seems more critical. The 20th century saw devastating conflicts such as World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the wars in Indochina. There was hope that with a newly established United Nations, that international disputes could be solved without violence. Once more, world power politics continued to be the mode of operation. During the Cold War it was two superpowers in competition for global influence. When the Soviet Union collapsed this cause a dramatic change. The US was the sole superpower . As old ethnic and religious hatreds emerged in a changing world, so did the mass migration of people. Internationalism and globalism is being rejected in favor of a more rabid xenophobic nativism. The world is not one; it is nations fighting one another. Unity among humankind it is impossible as long as people cling to their national, racial, and religious hatreds. The fact that conflicts have continued despite the global pandemic is proof of this.
        Economic insecurity has been a constant menace to various nations of the world. Neoliberal  capitalism has failed to produce prosperity for the majority of the world's population. Under such strain, income inequality and poverty will only get worse. The only logical conclusion that can be made is that the capitalist system no longer works. The only reason to attempt to salvage such a system is because no clear  alternative exists. Socialism could be a solution to such problems, but world revolution is out of reach. There are numerous political, social, and regional circumstances that prevent such an event from emerging. At the most basic level, the world population has not reach a level of consciousness to do so. The world's poor have no power. Even in the liberal democracies, the politicians and legislators favor the elite. The average citizen has less influence compared  the corporations who largely finance certain political figures and organizations. Poverty can no longer be hidden with more people requiring food stamps and unemployment assistance. The global economy has bee erratic since the Great Depression. The stock market crash in 1987, the Asian financial crisis in 1998, and the 2008 global financial crisis are just a few examples in recent history of economic instability. The pandemic is not to blame for the sudden economic crisis. This was the inevitable result of supply side economics, deregulation of banking, and neoliberal economic policy. The concern was about economic growth and accumulation of profit. Stagnant incomes or decline in the standard of living was not the concern of business leaders or economic advisors. Social mobility has become more out of reach for the majority of workers, while others fall from a position of financial security. Workers have been struggling for one decade to the next, with little help. While a select few at the top of the social scale have seen more wealth, that was taken as a sign everyone was doing well.  The illusion was shattered and the world grows evermore restless. Class oppression, which was seen as normal is now being challenged. Human history since the rise of civilization has been be pyramid structure of social hierarchy . Oppression is not a normalcy, rather it shows the level of dysfunction in a society. A new distinct conflict is emerging, which is based around class.For most of human history this has been happening, yet now it has become even more pronounced.Economic  recovery may never come,but for most it did not materialize. The myth of economic security has come to an end and world governments do not have a proper response.
         A combination of  erratic world events has created social decay. The largest example is the inadequate amount of healthcare the average person receives. Countries with functioning healthcare systems are able to handle the pandemic better. Before countries that are reliant on private insurance have caused much distress to the public. Insurance basically decides what type of care a person  receives or whether or not a person get care at all. Developing countries struggle to maintain a basic healthcare system. Connecting business with healthcare only shows how corrupt society has become. Profit and business is more important than human life. This may only be an extension of other negative attitudes. Racial animosity is on the rise, with immigrants being used as scapegoats. Hate groups, fringe organizations, and far-right extremists are becoming politically acceptable. Out of fear and hate they are being embraced by a public that is vulnerable to propaganda. The social decay that is happening was not sudden. This was a gradual deterioration of communities. Globalization and partisan politics cause massive division around the world. Instead of  expanding opportunity governments added to social decay. Public programs and services were being dismantled in favor of privatization. Along with unfair tax codes and the disappearance of high paying jobs, poverty increased. The developing wold had been dealing with economic challenges since independence from former colonizers. The 2008 global financial meltdown saw Europe impose the most stern measures of fiscal austerity. Generations may never experience comfort or stability like they did in the past. As the elite gain more wealth and power, it becomes more apparent that conventional means of political participation cannot stop them. The anger and frustration has become too enormous to placate. Civil unrest could be a possibility, if there is not some way to combat social decay.
        The current world crisis has exposed many faults with humanity. Prejudice, suspicion, hatred, and scapegoating have been prevalent. The calls for unity are mostly disingenuous coming from the US-EU block. Sanctions are still being imposed on Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, and North Korea. Discussions of aid or assistance has been non-existent for these states. There are some people in society that are not deemed important, but contradicts the mythical narrative that humanity is fighting all together one of the worst crisis of the century. African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans are dying at higher rates from COVID-19. Medical neglect demonstrates that the US does not care about citizens are are not white. The most egregious aspect is that spurious claim has been accepted that these ethnic groups just do not take care of their health. The elderly also are seen as low priority with retirement homes facing high rates of infection. These cases of abuse and neglect were common even before the pandemic. Normalcy was never a part of the world. There is talk of  times being unprecedented or turbulent. History has been a narrative of violence, unrest, and dramatic social change. Wars, revolutions, and civil disturbance were common. The difference now, is that more people are taking note of  this cycle unrest. Technology has allowed greater access to information and the ability to document events as they happen. The promotion of blind optimism or the false sense of unity is designed to keep the population passive. World civilization is going to be changed an extreme fashion and it may be difficult for people to accept.The ruling elite want to maintain the economic and political status quo, but a growing number of people will question it. So much so that the mechanisms of liberal democracy will be subject to scrutiny. The international order of the 20th century has officially collapsed. A new world has emerged and the concept of global normalcy has come to an end.            

Bernie Sanders Suspends His Presidential Campaign

Bernie Sanders has announced that his campaign has been suspended. This effectively means that Joe Biden has the Democratic nomination. The American left has been struggling to get its agenda and policies into action. Yet, the moderate and centerist wings of the Democratic Party seem to be the biggest obstacle. There is a clear ideological and generational divide that has not been resolved by the party. Baby boomers and the millennial voters are in conflict over economic and political ideology. Some have been nostalgic for the Obama administration, thinking that Joe Biden can return the US to a place of stability. The younger generation seems more willing to adjust tactics to make change happen. Minimal reforms may not be enough to undo the damage caused by a Trump presidency. Bernie Sanders was generating a level of enthusiasm, which Joe Biden has difficulty replicating. The fear is that President Donald Trump will be reelected, due to the fact the Democratic Party selected a candidate that does not resonate with voters. Bernie may never be president, yet a movement has been started. These numbers could possibly grow long after he has retired from public life. The 2020 presidential election will have immense significance beyond the United States. It is unclear if  there is a Joe Biden presidency whether or not economic instability, healthcare, and social inequality will be addressed. If there is not an organized left, then a more radical neoconservative right will dominate American politics.