Ending the conflict in the Middle East (Part 2)
In 1967, Israel gained control of the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip which were previously controlled by Egypt. In addition to parts of Egypt, Israel seized the Golan Heights, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Later on that year, the United Nations began a campaign calling all Israeli to withdraw from those territories in exchange for Arab recognition of their independence. However, neither side met the conditions nor the attacks continued.
The world knew it was time for foreign intervention. In 1970, the United States brokered a cease-fire, which stopped the conflict from escalating into a full-scale war. With the peace being stuck between a rock and a hard place, there was not much breathing room for the leaders of the Middle East. The former USSR showed support for the Arab nations in their conflict.
Nevertheless, neither the USSR nor the United States was fully aware of the conflicting differences the leaders of the Middle East had. But everyone understood that their ultimate goal was the regaining of the territories they thought they were entitled to (War).
In another part of the Middle East another conflict had erupted. In 1956, shortly after the United States and the United Kingdom decided not to fund the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the Egyptian government seized the Suez Canal. Later on that year, Israeli troops invaded Egypt. Then two days later, British and French forces stormed Egypt to allow free passage through the canal. The Egyptian government effectively blocked the canal by sinking 40 ships.
A truce was finally signed in November after intervention of the United Nations. The canal was then reopened 1957. This area provided further battle grounds in the future between Egypt and Israel. After an international task force was sent in, unrestricted Israeli use of the canal began in 1979 (Suez).
Throughout these conflicts, the people of the United States’ support swayed between the Arabs and the Israeli. It started with the U.S. recognition of the independent state of Israel in 1948. At that time, 36% of the American people favored the Jews, while 14% percent sympathized with the Arabs. In 1964, nearly twenty years later, the American support of the Jews was at 25% with the Arab support lowering to only 7%, with the mass majority of the United States indifferent of the entire conflict.
Quote of the Day – Social Edition
“Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.”
– Helen Keller
Is religion the root of all evil?
Religion is the root of the majority of disparity in the world. Human beings inherently are social creatures; we like to be with people our own kind. Religion is simply not only a way of life. Organized religion breads hate and the illusion of reward for following. Richard Dawkins, an outspoken atheist, wrote and presented a documentary called ‘The Root of All Evil?’ referring to religion and the belief in God as a source of mass delusion. Although the title was not his choice, as he states that the notion of anything being the root of all evil is ridiculous. However, for the sake of this argument, we will use the phrase as it relates to the root of evil in human nature.
Followers of religion, in any form, are obeying doctrine written long ago by a small select group of individuals determined in their own ways. As there is no such thing has a free lunch, we can safely say that such individuals were acting purely in their own self-interests and not for the betterment of man-kind. If it were the latter, organized religion should not only consisted of a brief protest and quietly faded. It is the fact that such doctrine was able to influence a wide audience is proof of its intent. When all you live for is survival, there is only one person you care about. As human beings evolved, our desire to help others evolved as well. Religion, although masks behind the usual non-profit tax benefits, continues to operate on a very singular belief of living a morale lifestyle for oneself to gain an afterlife of tranquility. Nowhere in religious doctrine does it state that your good deeds transfer to the bad deeds of your loved ones. So, it is up to you to inspire those you care about to save their own ‘afterlife’.
When we look at the effect of other religions, such as those in Middle Eastern countries, we see this selfish behavior much more apparent. For example, suicide bombers destroying countless lives in exchange for the promise of an afterlife in paradise. Granted, some of the bombers are compensated or their families compensated. In any case, we can truly see where the inspiration lies. Another example of religion brewing evil and selfishness comes from the usual ‘overnight’ churches. These churches generally are created in urban areas in America. The preacher drives a car worth 10-times the average parishioner, their house is bigger than the church itself, and their clothes are custom. People who follow the beliefs outlined by organized religion are only looking out for themselves. This leads to inequality, greed, lust, and pain. There is no evil greater than the suffering of children, at the hands of those entrusted with their innocence. For that, religion will always be the root of all evil in this world and the next.
Making News Part 3
Where is the liberal media we keep hearing so much about?
Let’s go ahead and declare MSNBC a liberal news stations, admit it, that way we can actually step up to the microphone. This reminds me of a scene in “American President”, when Michael Douglas refused to respond to the attacks of the right wing opponents. In the end he did and stood up to the lies. The Democrats are afraid of stepping up right now because the extreme right will expose the liberal media bias. Fox News makes no effort in hiding its conservative bias; in fact, they promote it in every way they can. Liberals should not be afraid to step up to the plate, because we stand for equality. We see government as a necessary agent on the public’s side, so people like the extreme right do not take away the rights of the minority.
Barack Obama accomplished a lot in two years. Let’s say 9/11 never happened, former-President Bush would have succeeded in clearing brush at his ranch. Liberals have the power in the media that conservatives claim; however, we are afraid to use it. After the 2008 election, Democrats got to work, as did the Republicans. They attacked and blockaded every attempt the Democrats made to right this ship. We are not the party of ‘no’, we are the party of let’s get it done. Republicans and conservatives will rule this country if we do not step up.
Quote of the Day – Media Edition
I wish there was a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence. There’s a knob called “brightness,” but it doesn’t work.
– Leo Gallagher
“Sarah Palin’s Alaska”: What’s With All The Bears? | The New Republic
Tea Party’s war on earmarks, why consistent stimulus is good
Say what you will about earmarks, good and bad, they keep very important parts of our country moving. There are very important points to get out of the way before Tea Partiers and certain Republican try to cannibalize them. For FY2008 and FY2009, earmarks accounted for roughly $16 and $15 billion respectfully. The 2008 federal budget was $2.9 trillion, and the budget for 2009 was $3.1 trillion. That means earmarks account for only about 0.5% of the federal budget. Where do the majority of earmarks go? Research and Development for the Defense Department, more specifically, the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
I am not a fan of wasteful spending. Defense R&D is both expensive and, in most cases, unnecessary. Currently, funding is still be negotiated for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The total cost of each fighter, including R&D, is roughly $200 million. That makes it the most expensive fighter to date. This program is a complete waste of money. Especially with foreign governments cutting back their orders, the share of US orders will go up to make up the difference in the R&D costs. The total cost of the program is estimated at over $40 billion, largely paid for by the US government. In the defense of DOD earmarks, they tend to go towards high paying, private sector jobs. That is about the only true benefit to a program such as this.
The second largest recipient of federal earmarks goes to the Corp of Engineers – Civil Works projects. Since 2008, these funds have gone towards project such as $600 million for the Mississippi River and its tributaries; in addition to $2.1 billion in operation and maintenance projects. The Department of Energy has requested roughly $400 million since 2008 for energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Clearly some earmarks are good, some are bad. What most people do not understand is that these earmarks do not simply catch a ride on a bill without regard. They have been published publicly for the last several years, earmarks.omb.gov. Before we let the Tea Party cut thousands of jobs and valuable projects, we need to look at what is actually going on here. Without federal funding, the states would be required to fund these projects. That has been a sensitive issue during a recession, as states do not have the money to cover these critical projects. I encourage everyone to browse this site for earmarks sponsored by your congressman and voice your disagreement with them directly. And do not believe the Republicans when they say they hate earmarks, because they love them too.
Making ‘News’ Part 2
Quote of the Day – Science Edition
In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in poetry, it’s the exact opposite.
-Paul Dirac
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