This reminds me a lot of what they used to do in the Soviet Union. Or Iraq under Saddam Hussein. Or any number of other autocratic regimes trying to masquerade as democracies.
The military government in Myanmar (also known as Burma) is holding a referendum on a new constitution in about a month. Only is won't be a fair election. Read here to find out why.
In the meanwhile, it is good that Congress is giving support to Aung San Sui Kyi.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Why Are So Many Americans in Jail?
From today's New York Times came this news:
Read more and think about due process. Inmate Count in U.S. Dwarfs Other Nations’ Tell me your thoughts.
"The United States has less than 5 percent of the world’s population. But it has almost a quarter of the world’s prisoners."Now, I knew that the incarceration rate in this country is bad, especially for the poor and racial and ethnic minorities, but these statistics did take me by surprise.
Read more and think about due process. Inmate Count in U.S. Dwarfs Other Nations’ Tell me your thoughts.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Hillary Wins Pennsylvania
Hillary Clinton won a convincing victory in the Pennsylvania primary tonight. The 10% margin of victory will energize her supporters and campaign donors. It will also ensure that the campaign between she and Obama will continue for at least a few more weeks.Some Democrats are getting pretty nervous that this thing hasn't been settled yet and it may make it more difficult for the Democrats in the general election in November.
What do you think?
World Food Crisis on the Horizon?
Like too many other Americans, I ate more calories worth of food than I needed today. In fact, the extra plate of pasta I had at dinner was probably bad for my long term health.
Yet, as many of us in the developed world overeat, hunger still exists in our world, and it might get a lot worse if we don't act soon. As if this world doesn't have enough problems, the World Food Program is now warning the world of a 'silent tsunami' of hunger.
Like the problem of carbon emissions and global warming, this problem shows that with over 6 billion people on the planet, we have to be smarter and more fair in how we use our resources. Read the article, and think about whether or not basic nutrition is a fundamental human right. Frankin Roosevelt gave a famous speech just prior to WWII in which he said that the "Four Freedoms" worth fighting for were freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. In today's news, Prime Minister Gordon Wood of Great Britain said that, "Tackling hunger is a moral challenge to each of us."
Yet, as many of us in the developed world overeat, hunger still exists in our world, and it might get a lot worse if we don't act soon. As if this world doesn't have enough problems, the World Food Program is now warning the world of a 'silent tsunami' of hunger.
Like the problem of carbon emissions and global warming, this problem shows that with over 6 billion people on the planet, we have to be smarter and more fair in how we use our resources. Read the article, and think about whether or not basic nutrition is a fundamental human right. Frankin Roosevelt gave a famous speech just prior to WWII in which he said that the "Four Freedoms" worth fighting for were freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. In today's news, Prime Minister Gordon Wood of Great Britain said that, "Tackling hunger is a moral challenge to each of us."
What responsibilities does the world have to make sure that all on our planet have enough to eat, and what does the article suggest can be done about it?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Death Penalty Issues at the Supreme Court
One case was decided and one case was argued on Wednesday. The Court let stand as constitutional the method of lethal injection used in Kentucky. The Court opinions were varied in the case however, not necessarily providing a lot of clarity in this area.
They also heard a case that goes to perhaps an even more controversial question: should the death penalty be applied to people convicted of crimes other than murder? Only murderers have received the death sentence in the last several decades, but the case before the court involves a particularly heinous rape of a child that did not result in death.
These involve 8th Amendment and due process issues. Read about them and let me know what you think.
They also heard a case that goes to perhaps an even more controversial question: should the death penalty be applied to people convicted of crimes other than murder? Only murderers have received the death sentence in the last several decades, but the case before the court involves a particularly heinous rape of a child that did not result in death.
These involve 8th Amendment and due process issues. Read about them and let me know what you think.
ABC Newscasters: Pandering yellow journalists?
The political world has been buzzing today over the types of questions that were asked at last night's debate. For more on the criticism, see this: ABC criticized for handling of Democratic debate
If you saw the debate, or just highlights on the news or in the paper, let me know what you thought. I think you can guess my reaction.
If you saw the debate, or just highlights on the news or in the paper, let me know what you thought. I think you can guess my reaction.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Spring Break News
Spring Break!
It has been so nice to have time off! Sadly it comes to an end Monday morning, but I guess we wouldn't appreciate free time without work/school.
I've had computer problems and haven't posted yet this week, so I'll kind of list a few stories you might be interested in commenting on:
The Olympic Torch has drawn lots of protesters in cities around the globe. Tibetans and others concerned about human rights abuses by the Chinese government have been out in force. As a result, a lot of focus has been on Tibet's ruler-in-exile, the Dalai Lama. It is an interesting coincidence that he is here in Seattle this week at a huge event dubbed "Seeds of Compassion".
General David Patraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified before Congress on the state of the military operations in Iraq and the results of the surge. Bottom line - no quick end to the Iraq war.
The infamous "torture memo" of 2003 was finally released to the public in this past week. The 80-something page report by the White House legal office encouraged and endorsed as appropriate the use of many techniques of rough interrogation that are widely considered torture by human rights groups, international law, and U.S. law. The argument basically said that it was all legit in a time of war under the President's authority as commander-in-chief. That is quite a lot of reading between the lines of Article II, Section II of the Constitution. Sadly, little was done to protest the recommendations by the President's closest advisors.
The political battle for President goes on. The most interesting rumor I heard over the past week is that some are urging John McCain to choose Condoleeza Rice as his running mate. It would make for an interesting race....
Lots more has been happening, but that's all from me for now!
Enjoy the rest of Spring Break! The sun is shining this morning, and if it's not when you read this, it will be back soon. Until then, maybe this video will cheer you up!
Update: Sunday Morning -
Here are some links to stories mentioned above -
PBS Newshour News for Students
Memo Reveals Bush Administration Legal Theory on Interrogation
Coverage in the New York Times:
’03 U.S. Memo Approved Harsh Interrogations
Petraeus Urges Halt in Weighing New Cut in Force
Coverage from the Christian Science Monitor:
Amid human rights protests, a look at China's record - - Freedoms have improved tremendously in the past 25 years, but Chinese people today face plenty of red lines.
Olympic torch rallying China's critics
Petraeus to Congress: reassess Iraq before further troop cuts
Listening and Reading at NPR:
Continued Protests Plague Beijing Olympics
From the Seattle Times:
China Outraged by US-Tibet Resolution
Politics follows Dalai Lama to Seattle
Dalai Lama kicks off Seattle visit with 3 events
Compassion — and action? - Coverage of Day 2 of Dalai Lama's visit
Rossi, Gregoire raising money for governor's race at record clip
AND I really should have included something on the government's raid on the religious compound in El Dorado, Texas. The government raided the temple and arrested many in the polygamist sect that has been accused of sexual abuse of minors. Lots of constitutional issues involved here. Summary article of events here.
ALSO - Should governments help out professional sports franchises by using public money to build new stadiums and arenas? The on-going conflict with the Seattle Supersonics led to evidence this week that the team's owners have not been negotiating in good faith. Governor says we've all "been lied to" on Sonics.
It has been so nice to have time off! Sadly it comes to an end Monday morning, but I guess we wouldn't appreciate free time without work/school.
I've had computer problems and haven't posted yet this week, so I'll kind of list a few stories you might be interested in commenting on:
The Olympic Torch has drawn lots of protesters in cities around the globe. Tibetans and others concerned about human rights abuses by the Chinese government have been out in force. As a result, a lot of focus has been on Tibet's ruler-in-exile, the Dalai Lama. It is an interesting coincidence that he is here in Seattle this week at a huge event dubbed "Seeds of Compassion".
General David Patraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker testified before Congress on the state of the military operations in Iraq and the results of the surge. Bottom line - no quick end to the Iraq war.
The infamous "torture memo" of 2003 was finally released to the public in this past week. The 80-something page report by the White House legal office encouraged and endorsed as appropriate the use of many techniques of rough interrogation that are widely considered torture by human rights groups, international law, and U.S. law. The argument basically said that it was all legit in a time of war under the President's authority as commander-in-chief. That is quite a lot of reading between the lines of Article II, Section II of the Constitution. Sadly, little was done to protest the recommendations by the President's closest advisors.
The political battle for President goes on. The most interesting rumor I heard over the past week is that some are urging John McCain to choose Condoleeza Rice as his running mate. It would make for an interesting race....
Lots more has been happening, but that's all from me for now!
Enjoy the rest of Spring Break! The sun is shining this morning, and if it's not when you read this, it will be back soon. Until then, maybe this video will cheer you up!
Update: Sunday Morning -
Here are some links to stories mentioned above -
PBS Newshour News for Students
Memo Reveals Bush Administration Legal Theory on Interrogation
Coverage in the New York Times:
’03 U.S. Memo Approved Harsh Interrogations
Petraeus Urges Halt in Weighing New Cut in Force
Coverage from the Christian Science Monitor:
Amid human rights protests, a look at China's record - - Freedoms have improved tremendously in the past 25 years, but Chinese people today face plenty of red lines.
Olympic torch rallying China's critics
Petraeus to Congress: reassess Iraq before further troop cuts
Listening and Reading at NPR:
Continued Protests Plague Beijing Olympics
From the Seattle Times:
China Outraged by US-Tibet Resolution
Politics follows Dalai Lama to Seattle
Dalai Lama kicks off Seattle visit with 3 events
Compassion — and action? - Coverage of Day 2 of Dalai Lama's visit
Rossi, Gregoire raising money for governor's race at record clip
AND I really should have included something on the government's raid on the religious compound in El Dorado, Texas. The government raided the temple and arrested many in the polygamist sect that has been accused of sexual abuse of minors. Lots of constitutional issues involved here. Summary article of events here.
ALSO - Should governments help out professional sports franchises by using public money to build new stadiums and arenas? The on-going conflict with the Seattle Supersonics led to evidence this week that the team's owners have not been negotiating in good faith. Governor says we've all "been lied to" on Sonics.
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