A big story this week has been Iran capturing a United States spy drone. President Obama demanded that Iran give back the drone in which Iran's government replied "uhhhhh let me think about it....NO!" I don't condone Iran's government with it's theocracy and oppressing it's people by not having freedom of speech or internet along with many other things, but if people are going to get mad because Iran got a U.S. spy plane and think that we should go to war with them then they need to know about international law and history of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Any government has the right to shoot down or capture any unidentified flying object (UFO) that travels inside it's air space. If any UFO that is not allowed by said government to fly within the designated airspace then it could be interpreted as an act of war or violation of it's sovereignty. Iran has every right to be angry and paranoid that the U.S. could attack it's territory or invade the country itself. The U.S. has invaded the two countries that border Iran's east and west borders (Iraq and Afghanistan). This is not helping the matter of better diplomatic dialogue with Iran, not to mention it's turbulent history with the United States. In 1953 the U.S. overthrew the democratically elected president of Iran and replaced him with a dictator (Shah) to allow the U.S. to gain access to Iran's oil supply. In 1979 when the Shah was overthrown there was the Iran hostage crises in which Iran held U.S. embassy workers hostage for over a year. During the 1980's the U.S. government supplied Iraq with weapons to fight Iran, then playing double agent supplied Iran with weapons to fight Iraq.
During George W. Bush's term as president (2001-2009) he labeled Iran as part of the "Axis of Evil" which also consisted of North Korea. Then of course there was the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and the invasion of Iraq in 2003. It is no wonder why Iran might seek nuclear weapons and help fuel the insurgency in Iraq, which Iran has done. The U.S. government seems easy to label other countries as "enemies" or warrant paranoia when other countries seem to do anything the U.S. doesn't deem as acceptable. Then the usual course of action is to put sanctions on these countries. I'm not sure if these sanctions are working. In the case of Iran it doesn't seem to effect the way Iran continues to pursue nuclear weapons or Iran's continuation of defiance towards the U.S.
Besides this story, another story semi-linked to Iran was the announcement by President Obama that military action in Iraq is over. President Obama warned (without naming) other countries that it will not accept interference in Iraq and said that the U.S. will continue to be a presence in the region. This warning was mostly likely directed towards Iran because as I've said above Iran has played a part in fueling the insurgence in Iraq and continues to have heavily influence in Iraq and the region itself. My skepticism tells me that even though military action is over in Iraq, the war is probably in reality far from over.
The United States for many decades has had a foreign policy of threatening other nations with it's military, in other terms a doctrine of brinksmanship. What happens when the threat of the U.S. military doesn't work? The United States needs to develop a foreign policy that puts away the paranoia card and start to man up. The U.S. needs to stop using spy drones everywhere and start meeting more frequently with these nations that the U.S. shies away from. The U.S. will continue to get nowhere if it continues to treat other nations as enemies and disregard international law by violating other nation's airspace. The U.S. government doesn't have to except how a nation's government treats it's people, but how can we possibly help the situation if we are afraid politically to help take the first step?
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Devin's Blog # 11 America: The Lost Republic
Before I get into this discussion I am going to put quotes from the ACLU website concerning the "National Defense Authorization Act" : "The Senate voted last Thursday to pass S. 1867, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would authorize the president to send the military literally anywhere in the world to imprison civilians without charge or trial. Prison based on suspicion alone. The power is so sweeping that the president would be able to direct the military to use its powers within the United States itself, and even lock up American citizens without charge or trial." "No corner of the world, not even your own home, would be off-limits to the military. And there is no exception for American citizens. Section 1031 — one of the indefinite detention provisions — of the Senate-approved version of the NDAA has no limitations whatsoever based on geography, duration or citizenship. And the entire Senate bill was drafted in secret, with no hearing, and with committee votes behind closed doors."
While you would think that the senate would care considering this bill destroys the U.S. constitution but " I'm not sure which was more surprising — that the majority of senators ignored the pleas of countless constituents, or that they also ignored every top national security official opposed to the provisions. Opposition to the detention provisions came from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, CIA Director David Petraeus, FBI Director Robert Mueller, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, White House Advisor for Counterterrorism John Brennan, and DOJ National Security Division head Lisa Monaco. The Senate ignored them all."
Has America really lost itself? First the Patriot Act now this? What is scary is that both the House of Representatives and the Senate are moving fast to try and pass a final bill that could be on President Obama's desk by next week. The President has said he would veto the bill with the provision provided, but will he? America always talks about how it is the epitome of democracy and easily blames other countries for not providing democratic laws, but with the way the U.S. has gone down the road this past decade and even the thought of this law destroys any chance the U.S. has to regain credibility in the world. I thought America fought the fascists in World War 2? Yet it seems that we only defeated Germany and Japan not fascism.
Also how funny when Americans talk about the fear of socialism and communism, yet fascism is pissing on them and telling them Marx did it. The mainstream media doesn't want you to know about this because why talk about important issues? This goes for all the major media stations not just Fox News.I thought America was suppose to be better than the terrorists? The truth is America is losing to the terrorists because it is willing to give up its liberties for security. No matter how it goes in Iraq and Afghanistan these wars and America's continuing transformation into a military state is the biggest price this republic will face. The only opposition I've read to this bill is from Ron Paul. Hopefully this will reach the American people so that there can be real protests and revolutionary acting, unlike the failed Occupy Wall Street Protests.
On another note the U.S. Government is also trying to pass a bill to censor the internet, so in one swing not only freedom of speech will be obsolete so will Habaes Corpus. All republics fall like this in one fall swoop without much resistance. Take a note from history because the threat of fascism is not gone.
Sources: http://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/behind-closed-doors-congress-trying-force-indefinite-detention-bill-americans
http://rt.com/usa/news/defense-ron-paul-detention-745/print/
While you would think that the senate would care considering this bill destroys the U.S. constitution but " I'm not sure which was more surprising — that the majority of senators ignored the pleas of countless constituents, or that they also ignored every top national security official opposed to the provisions. Opposition to the detention provisions came from Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, CIA Director David Petraeus, FBI Director Robert Mueller, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, White House Advisor for Counterterrorism John Brennan, and DOJ National Security Division head Lisa Monaco. The Senate ignored them all."
Has America really lost itself? First the Patriot Act now this? What is scary is that both the House of Representatives and the Senate are moving fast to try and pass a final bill that could be on President Obama's desk by next week. The President has said he would veto the bill with the provision provided, but will he? America always talks about how it is the epitome of democracy and easily blames other countries for not providing democratic laws, but with the way the U.S. has gone down the road this past decade and even the thought of this law destroys any chance the U.S. has to regain credibility in the world. I thought America fought the fascists in World War 2? Yet it seems that we only defeated Germany and Japan not fascism.
Also how funny when Americans talk about the fear of socialism and communism, yet fascism is pissing on them and telling them Marx did it. The mainstream media doesn't want you to know about this because why talk about important issues? This goes for all the major media stations not just Fox News.I thought America was suppose to be better than the terrorists? The truth is America is losing to the terrorists because it is willing to give up its liberties for security. No matter how it goes in Iraq and Afghanistan these wars and America's continuing transformation into a military state is the biggest price this republic will face. The only opposition I've read to this bill is from Ron Paul. Hopefully this will reach the American people so that there can be real protests and revolutionary acting, unlike the failed Occupy Wall Street Protests.
On another note the U.S. Government is also trying to pass a bill to censor the internet, so in one swing not only freedom of speech will be obsolete so will Habaes Corpus. All republics fall like this in one fall swoop without much resistance. Take a note from history because the threat of fascism is not gone.
Sources: http://www.aclu.org/blog/national-security/behind-closed-doors-congress-trying-force-indefinite-detention-bill-americans
http://rt.com/usa/news/defense-ron-paul-detention-745/print/
Monday, December 12, 2011
Devin's Blog # 10 My random thoughts 1.0
This is a new segment for my blogs I've just came up with to take a break from the regular posts and to try something new. In this segment I will discuss certain things I've read or heard about and things that pop up in my head. The topics in this segment won't have the normal length like my normal blogs. Some of these topics might be revisited and discussed in a full length blog when I've acquired more information.
It's almost Christmas time and for many this is a time for gifts and family, also a time for religious celebrations. I personally do not believe in god or any type of deity and certainly do not have a religion. I've many friends who are religious and believe in god and I like to have many discussions about this topic, not to argue with them, but just to find out what they think about certain issues. A few years ago my mom and I went down to Jacksonville, Florida where my cousin Joe lives and when discussing religion he asked me "Devin what keeps you going?" referencing "having faith". My answer was "I don't know" and to this day I still don't know what keeps me going on a spiritual level. It's hard when you are a non believer because you naturally become a realist and view the world through gloomy shaded lenses. This is not to say I don't feel any sort of happiness, but in all my years I can't bring myself to except that with all the things that happen in the world, there is a higher power that guides people, yet at the same time lets horrible things happen in the world.
I caught something on TV the other day for a new show called "shipping wars". I honestly do not understand these shows that have "war" in the title for example: Cupcake Wars, Cake Wars, Parking Wars, Garage Wars, Storage Wars, Storage Wars Texas. These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head I'm pretty sure there are or there are going to be more shows with "war" in the title. Why in the hell does everything have to be a war? I mean its only a war when there is shooting so if you are going to get my attention wouldn't it be better if lets say for Cupcake Wars that the contestants can shoot at each other? " Peanut Butter is done --BOOM--" There goes the whipped batter.
Still on the subject of TV shows why is almost every show seem to be a competition? I mean The Voice, American Idol, The X Factor, America's Got Talent and so on. I don't care about this and just because it is a competition doesn't mean it is interesting. The sad thing is people like to watch the show just to see the fuck ups. I'm just begging for the day when there is the show "The next big custodian" Can you imagine the intrigue? There are 8 contests who will battle for the top prize of the next big custodian, the prize not only gives them this title but a $ 7.50 hr job with no health insurance and a boss who is a total dick. Along with this I just want to see who can unplug the most toilets the quickest.
I heard that doctors in Europe found the Norway shooter Breivik to be insane and with him being declared insane could not face prison but be put into a mental asylum. First things first of course this guy is insane he killed 50 people and injured 150 more, plus he went to a kids camp and lit up the place. I don't get that with being declared insane he can't face prison time. There should be standards and test to determine this type of thing but if Breivik is insane then what the fuck does that say about serial killers and mass murderers? This guy should not be put into a mental asylum he should face prison for the rest of his life. The guy who talks to himself and says things like "bugs bunny ate all my carrots and now I have to settle for radishes" is insane, Breivik is just a murderer.
On a last note I'm not really updated on the current hip trend of music, I have my own tastes, but I don't know that many current artists besides the ones that are promoted heavily such as Lady Gaga. There is this song on the radio called "Tonight, Tonight" or maybe just "Tonight" sung by some guy and featuring Pittbull. I know of Pittbull because of the stupid Dr. Pepper commercial he is in and every time I hear this song on the radio there is a part where Pittbull says "now I'm on top of your girl ha!". How can you not laugh at this and at the same time think that it sounds like rape. I swear in many songs it sounds like the singer is going to rape some random girl or screw your girl, but hey the tune is catchy.
It's almost Christmas time and for many this is a time for gifts and family, also a time for religious celebrations. I personally do not believe in god or any type of deity and certainly do not have a religion. I've many friends who are religious and believe in god and I like to have many discussions about this topic, not to argue with them, but just to find out what they think about certain issues. A few years ago my mom and I went down to Jacksonville, Florida where my cousin Joe lives and when discussing religion he asked me "Devin what keeps you going?" referencing "having faith". My answer was "I don't know" and to this day I still don't know what keeps me going on a spiritual level. It's hard when you are a non believer because you naturally become a realist and view the world through gloomy shaded lenses. This is not to say I don't feel any sort of happiness, but in all my years I can't bring myself to except that with all the things that happen in the world, there is a higher power that guides people, yet at the same time lets horrible things happen in the world.
I caught something on TV the other day for a new show called "shipping wars". I honestly do not understand these shows that have "war" in the title for example: Cupcake Wars, Cake Wars, Parking Wars, Garage Wars, Storage Wars, Storage Wars Texas. These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head I'm pretty sure there are or there are going to be more shows with "war" in the title. Why in the hell does everything have to be a war? I mean its only a war when there is shooting so if you are going to get my attention wouldn't it be better if lets say for Cupcake Wars that the contestants can shoot at each other? " Peanut Butter is done --BOOM--" There goes the whipped batter.
Still on the subject of TV shows why is almost every show seem to be a competition? I mean The Voice, American Idol, The X Factor, America's Got Talent and so on. I don't care about this and just because it is a competition doesn't mean it is interesting. The sad thing is people like to watch the show just to see the fuck ups. I'm just begging for the day when there is the show "The next big custodian" Can you imagine the intrigue? There are 8 contests who will battle for the top prize of the next big custodian, the prize not only gives them this title but a $ 7.50 hr job with no health insurance and a boss who is a total dick. Along with this I just want to see who can unplug the most toilets the quickest.
I heard that doctors in Europe found the Norway shooter Breivik to be insane and with him being declared insane could not face prison but be put into a mental asylum. First things first of course this guy is insane he killed 50 people and injured 150 more, plus he went to a kids camp and lit up the place. I don't get that with being declared insane he can't face prison time. There should be standards and test to determine this type of thing but if Breivik is insane then what the fuck does that say about serial killers and mass murderers? This guy should not be put into a mental asylum he should face prison for the rest of his life. The guy who talks to himself and says things like "bugs bunny ate all my carrots and now I have to settle for radishes" is insane, Breivik is just a murderer.
On a last note I'm not really updated on the current hip trend of music, I have my own tastes, but I don't know that many current artists besides the ones that are promoted heavily such as Lady Gaga. There is this song on the radio called "Tonight, Tonight" or maybe just "Tonight" sung by some guy and featuring Pittbull. I know of Pittbull because of the stupid Dr. Pepper commercial he is in and every time I hear this song on the radio there is a part where Pittbull says "now I'm on top of your girl ha!". How can you not laugh at this and at the same time think that it sounds like rape. I swear in many songs it sounds like the singer is going to rape some random girl or screw your girl, but hey the tune is catchy.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Devin's Blog # 9 To Be Or Not To Be Pro-Capitalist
Awhile ago when looking at news about Occupy Wallstreet, one of the protests stated "we are not against capitalism, just against corruption and the way things are." I found this to be a strange statement because on the one hand how can you be protesting against the banks and greed, yet support the system that promotes that? I find that when it comes down to it people love the benefits of capitalism, but hate the system.
Capitalism has and will always be a system of exploitation. Whether it would be petty capitalism such as a farmer selling his crops, merchants selling commodities or the bankers/owners of production/corporations who are the major bourgeoisie, capitalism is about exploiting others to gain capital. The system will not change and cannot change, history has shown that you can only tame capitalism to a certain point, then it will go out of control. It is either removal of the system completely or live with the small immediate changes. You may ask why things cannot change, the simple answer to this is human nature. As humans we need or want things and the system of capital will always have humans desiring more capital.
The question is: "What do people really want?" Can people live with a hybrid system of a socialist/capitalist system where people can only make a certain amount of money and own a certain amount of property? Can people continue to support capitalism and at the same time want socialist programs, while hating the goals and desires of capitalism? Can people continue to support a system that rewards the few?
There are more questions people could ask, but these questions are hard to answer and can be only answered within the mentality of mankind. Capitalism in my opinion is like a religion, even if it is corrupt and causes humanities degeneration people will continue to find the small amount of good or happiness in it, but be blind to the bigger picture. Capitalism cannot be fought with an economic or moral debate but can only be studied like science. If people want to start fighting the corruption of the capitalist system then people need to start looking deeper into the system and approach it from a scientific point of view. Don't let dogma stand in the way of deeper understanding.
Capitalism has and will always be a system of exploitation. Whether it would be petty capitalism such as a farmer selling his crops, merchants selling commodities or the bankers/owners of production/corporations who are the major bourgeoisie, capitalism is about exploiting others to gain capital. The system will not change and cannot change, history has shown that you can only tame capitalism to a certain point, then it will go out of control. It is either removal of the system completely or live with the small immediate changes. You may ask why things cannot change, the simple answer to this is human nature. As humans we need or want things and the system of capital will always have humans desiring more capital.
The question is: "What do people really want?" Can people live with a hybrid system of a socialist/capitalist system where people can only make a certain amount of money and own a certain amount of property? Can people continue to support capitalism and at the same time want socialist programs, while hating the goals and desires of capitalism? Can people continue to support a system that rewards the few?
There are more questions people could ask, but these questions are hard to answer and can be only answered within the mentality of mankind. Capitalism in my opinion is like a religion, even if it is corrupt and causes humanities degeneration people will continue to find the small amount of good or happiness in it, but be blind to the bigger picture. Capitalism cannot be fought with an economic or moral debate but can only be studied like science. If people want to start fighting the corruption of the capitalist system then people need to start looking deeper into the system and approach it from a scientific point of view. Don't let dogma stand in the way of deeper understanding.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Devin's Blog # 8 Brief Ratings/Reviews of TV Shows I Watch
The Walking Dead- See Post # 7
Person of Interest- 8/10 This show has an interesting premise and characters, but needs to develop the characters and main points more.
X-Men Anime - 6/10 Not a bad X-Men Cartoon, but has few X-Men and a story I do not understand.
Death Valley- 8/10 The only thing I can stand watching on MTV, has some funny moments and a zany story.
Ghost Hunters- 7/10 As always you will have hit or miss episodes, but had a horrible Halloween live special.
Ghost Adventures- 7.5 Slightly better than Ghost Hunters, but has had some weird moments.
The Borgias- 9/10 A great first season and cannot wait for the second. Great acting by Jeremy Irons and the cast of characters are the right choice for the show.
Game of Thrones- 9.5/10 Having never read the novels. HBO has developed an awesome show that delivers a great political, medieval, and fantasy show. The show also left the first season with enough power to be intrigued with the second season.
The Killing- 8.5/10 I'm not a fan of detective or cop shows, but The Killing is interesting enough that it doesn't follow other cop shows of a criminal of the week plot and gives the audience clues to try and find the killer, the only downfall of the show is that it can be very slow at times.
Mad Men- 9.5/10 Another awesome season of Mad Men as Jon Hamm continues to be awesome as Don Draper. Hope season 5 will has more Don Draper craziness.
Breaking Bad- 9/10 Although it had its slow moments, Breaking Bad's last few episodes were pretty epic and a season finale that will bring the final season into utter chaos for the characters.
Kamen Rider Fourze- 9/10 A great follow up season to the excellent Kamen Rider OOO series. Has funny and likable characters along with good action.
Kaizou Sentai Gokaiger- 8/10 Good 35th anniversary Super Sentai show, but wish the past Super Sentai fighters would fight more along side the Gokaigers.
Garo Makai Senki- 9/10 A great continuation of the Garo series. The CGI effects are a lot better and the choreographed fight scenes are excellent. The plot is starting to develop into maybe something epic, but only time will tell.
Hell on Wheels- 9.5/10 A surprise series for myself because I thought it wouldn't be good, but great character development, along with great historical accuracy. Most of the characters are interesting and leaves the show with many different angles to go with.
Being Human (Original UK Version)- 9.5/10 An awesome series overall and an ending to season 3 that will change the series dramatically.
Being Human (US Version)- 6.5/10 Although this version had some okay moments, it doesn't come anywhere close to the UK version in terms of story, characters, and character development. I will watch season 2 in hope they go with a completely different story, than in season 1 where they took most of season 1 of the UK version's plot, changed some things, and ended up not being interesting in the end.
Person of Interest- 8/10 This show has an interesting premise and characters, but needs to develop the characters and main points more.
X-Men Anime - 6/10 Not a bad X-Men Cartoon, but has few X-Men and a story I do not understand.
Death Valley- 8/10 The only thing I can stand watching on MTV, has some funny moments and a zany story.
Ghost Hunters- 7/10 As always you will have hit or miss episodes, but had a horrible Halloween live special.
Ghost Adventures- 7.5 Slightly better than Ghost Hunters, but has had some weird moments.
The Borgias- 9/10 A great first season and cannot wait for the second. Great acting by Jeremy Irons and the cast of characters are the right choice for the show.
Game of Thrones- 9.5/10 Having never read the novels. HBO has developed an awesome show that delivers a great political, medieval, and fantasy show. The show also left the first season with enough power to be intrigued with the second season.
The Killing- 8.5/10 I'm not a fan of detective or cop shows, but The Killing is interesting enough that it doesn't follow other cop shows of a criminal of the week plot and gives the audience clues to try and find the killer, the only downfall of the show is that it can be very slow at times.
Mad Men- 9.5/10 Another awesome season of Mad Men as Jon Hamm continues to be awesome as Don Draper. Hope season 5 will has more Don Draper craziness.
Breaking Bad- 9/10 Although it had its slow moments, Breaking Bad's last few episodes were pretty epic and a season finale that will bring the final season into utter chaos for the characters.
Kamen Rider Fourze- 9/10 A great follow up season to the excellent Kamen Rider OOO series. Has funny and likable characters along with good action.
Kaizou Sentai Gokaiger- 8/10 Good 35th anniversary Super Sentai show, but wish the past Super Sentai fighters would fight more along side the Gokaigers.
Garo Makai Senki- 9/10 A great continuation of the Garo series. The CGI effects are a lot better and the choreographed fight scenes are excellent. The plot is starting to develop into maybe something epic, but only time will tell.
Hell on Wheels- 9.5/10 A surprise series for myself because I thought it wouldn't be good, but great character development, along with great historical accuracy. Most of the characters are interesting and leaves the show with many different angles to go with.
Being Human (Original UK Version)- 9.5/10 An awesome series overall and an ending to season 3 that will change the series dramatically.
Being Human (US Version)- 6.5/10 Although this version had some okay moments, it doesn't come anywhere close to the UK version in terms of story, characters, and character development. I will watch season 2 in hope they go with a completely different story, than in season 1 where they took most of season 1 of the UK version's plot, changed some things, and ended up not being interesting in the end.
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