I Spy with My Little Eye 12/22/2013

We've been hearing a lot about how the U.S has been spying world leaders to get information that would benefit us. This time, there have been reports that both the U.S AND Britain are spying on little old Israel and Israel is pretty annoyed by it. The U.S and Britain has been looking through some emails from the prime minister. There were about 1,000 organizations monitored. But doesn't every country collect foreign information? That's how they know how to make concrete foreign policies and how they keep themselves protected. It’s all about self-interest, and if countries don't spy, they are losing the game. Even Israel spied on the U.S. In fact, it used one of our own and afterwards, stated that it would NEVER spy on the U.S. Jonathon Pollard was convicted of espionage in 1987 and was sentenced for life. Obama has said that he will work on reforming the NSA (National Security Agency), but has not directly addressed the "issue". Although very unclear, I think the problem here is how they are getting this information. If not, then it’s the fact the U.S and Britain got caught. This isn’t new. This whole spying thing. It dates back to the first civilizations. Remember the Trojan horse? And it doesn’t just happen between enemies. We know that Israel and America are allies, but a friend today could be an enemy tomorrow, and the way that the relationship between these has been going since the deal with Iran, we could be enemies in a couple of decades. So the U.S has to get prepared today. And in politics, an ally doesn’t mean much as it would in a real world. Let’s look at it at a macro level. It’s high school and I am really good friends with this girl. We protect each other from bullies and share a lot of similar interests. Our bond becomes stronger and we end up becoming best friends and tell each other everything. This is what DOESN’T happen in politics. The point of a national is to look out for itself and its interest. To have an ally is to have someone that you share a mutual enemy with. But it doesn’t get to the best friend level where they tell each other everything. If it did, the U.S wouldn’t have to spy on Israel and vice versa. http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/22/world/meast/israel-nsa-spying/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/us/spying-on-allies-everybody-does-it/

Best Comedian ....Fox News

I don't necessarily have a problem with conservative views, and although most of their views don't correlate with mine, people are entitled to their opinion. But Fox news is RIDICULOUS!There is a difference between conservatism and bigotry and animosity. Everyone knows by now how right-winged Fox news is. After watching Rachel Maddow bash fox news ( and pleasantly enjoying it) I learned that they make up stories and facts just to back up their ludicrous views. They speak openly about their hatred towards minorities and certain ideals that are held by others that they don't believe in. Their motto should be, " fight vice with vice." One minority group that they hate and I mean really HATE are Muslims. In the video above, Bob talks about how all Muslims are being trained to attack America and how they should be stopped from coming in the country. I understand that when one is attacked, they hold anger towards the attackers. the problem isn't necessarily the feeling, but how you address those feelings. Another problem is how close minded you become and start hating anyone that resembles your attacker. This is everyone who speaks on Fox News. The difference between them and liberals ( real liberals) is how open minded liberals are (sometimes a little too open minded but we won't get into that) and how diplomatic they are. Now I'm not saying that ALL conservatives or republicans are like that (I mean look at Chris Christy), but fox news surely makes it seem that way. They truly fail to understand that not all Muslims are terrorists and not every brown person is a Muslim, let alone a radicalist. They probably feel like the white race is being attacked again ( they previously released several false stories about how black people are a dangerous threat to white people......funny right). I had the unfortunate opportunity of encountering one of Ann Coulter's videos on her response to the Boston Bombing. The funniest part is when she sad that the bombers wife should go to jail for wearing a "heeeejabbb". This lady really has my blood boiling but I've learned not to waste my time on her. She continuously talks about how America is not benefiting from Muslims. Fox News is feeding in into the islamaphobia that has risen in the post 9/11 world.We don't need anymore ignorant people in this world.

Ukraine and U.S 12/15/13

Ukraine has been in turmoil as people took on the streets protesting against their government for rejecting a trade agreement with the European Union. Citizens are upset and feel like the government is holding Ukraine back from prospering. They want to shed off their soviet past and move on into the future. They want to get away from Russia, and join the rest of modernized Europe. The Ukraine has been very dependent on Russia for resources such as natural gas, so this trade agreement would've allowed them to break free from this dependency. Russia being aware of this, doesn't want to lose that dependency and has threatened Ukraine by saying that it will withhold resources and halt trade if it decided to sign the agreement. This revolution is the largest ever since the orange revolution in 2004-2005. The E.U has halted negotiations with Ukraine, stating that it has not made up its mind and is giving unclear signals. Ukraine said the it would be willing to sign the agreement if they received 20 billion euros worth of financial aid, but the E.U still doesn't see any sign of commitment. John Mccain addressed the protesters, saying, "People of Ukraine, this is your moment. This is about you, no one else. This is about the future you want for your country. This is about the future you deserve.A future in Europe, a future of peace, with all of your neighbors. The free world is with you, America is with you, I am with you." Ukraine is split between the western civilization and Russia. It kind of reminds me of the cold war to a certain degree. Each side is trying to win over the country, and America is trying really hard according to Mccain's speech. I do have to wonder though, if his speech is sincere or tactical. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/27/world/europe/protests-continue-as-ukraine-leader-defends-stance-on-europe.html http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/15/world/europe/ukraine-protests/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Globalization and America 12/8/13

Globalization has connected the different civilizations of the world through economy and militarism. But is it having an effect on America? According to Edward Goldberg, writer for the Huffington Post, it is. He says that America's energy independence has caused it to step back from world affairs and is close to becoming isolated. America has become the largest producer of hydrocarbons and non-OPEC in the world. However, now that it can produce more of its own energy it no longer needs to import as much from other countries, and it is losing the influence that it once had on them. Regardless of this, the Federal Reserve Bank has become very powerful through globalization because the dollar has become the staple currency, exchange rates and the stability of the U.S economy. The idea of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is becoming more realistic. Bush and Clinton hoped that one day,the U.S, Mexico and Canada would unite their economies to beat China and to lessen the amount of illegal immigrants from Mexico. America has been involved in world affairs for most of, if not, all of its history. It has been a mediator between countries, a friend to others, and an enemy to some. How will the world function if the U.S becomes isolated? Every empire runs its course and we hope that America is too young to die. And let's hope that it has not become too tired of dealing with the world's crap. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/edward-goldberg/the-globalization-5----ho_b_4377331.html?utm_hp_ref=foreign-affairs

Can We Be Friends? 12/1/13

After the Nuclear deal with Iran, things look like they might be heading towards a bigger compromise and maybe even a friendship.Too soon? Probably, but the U.S is rethinking its foreign policy and is trying to see if it can befriend Iran in the future. The Iranian-American relationship has been tumultuous over the last couple of decades. Iran naturally opposes many of the U.S's foreign relations, not because of the difference in ideologies, but because of the hostilities that have occurred in the past between the two countries. Although the two were once allies when America was fighting the Soviets, the U.S's support of the Shah put them back on shacky grounds.However, if the U.S is able to become allies with Iran, it would benefit not only the U.S but many other countries. Iran's optimal locations puts it in position where it can scrutinize Chinese activities in energy rich places as well as serve as a barrier against hungry Russia. Its ties with Hezbollah and Hamas allows it to be a puppeteer to countries like Lebanon Israel and Syria, hopefully swaying favors towards some sort of compromise in both Lebanon and Syria. with it's mutual hate with the U.S against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, it can provide vital information through its military. And shockingly,Iran has proven to be the only middle eastern country that can efficiently work with Israel. I think that the U.S should ally itself with Iran and it doesn't matter if Iran supports terrorists at this point, because the U.S did the same before the blowback that they received. Befriending Iran, a country known for its nuclear weapons, puts the world at safe position. Its better to be friends with a bomber than an enemy. And for the human rights, the U.S isn't innocent either. It was accused of violating human rights during the cold war and even after. One of the only differences between the U.S and Iran is that Iran tells you that it violates human rights while the U.S tries to mask it. BUT, the U.S doesn't violate human rights t home, but rather overseas, so they are a little bit "moral" than Iran. With this sense of morality, the U.S can rub off onto Iran if they do become allies. And even though Saudi and Israel might be disturbed by the alliance, its always good for the U.S to ally a Muslim country. Of course the U.S personally benefits from this alliance. They get the oil. And that's why their ties with Saudi aren't close anymore, because Saudi, once being the world's largest exporter of oil, has little to offer today, especially compared to Iran. Americans might be worried about the fact that we might be allying ourselves with a country that supports our terrorists, but I think that this friendship will influence Iran's mind on the matter. With this alliance, both of the countries ideologies will be changed to accommodate the other We need to see the U.S and a Muslim country on good terms for once and maybe it will open a path towards peace in the middle! Too soon. Probably. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/09/opinion/iran-from-enemy-to-ally.html?_r=0