United States
Boeing is awarded 30 billion USD contract by government.
Significance: A decades-long drama on who would claim the contract from the Air Force had ended with the Chicago-based company on top. The other company, the European EADS, had actually proved better adapted for American needs. The most likely reason the contract went over to an American company was a mix of protectionism, patriotism, and corruption, though none can be verified. This will add up to 48 thousand jobs. Though Boeing has the inferior plane, their maintenance costs are much lower and can save taxpayers an enormous sum (apparently 36 billion) over the course of the entire lifecycle of the planes.
Providence sees almost two thousand teachers with pink slips.
Significance: Providence, Rhode Island that is, is facing a large budget shortfall. Education is the leading cause of financial instability, nationally speaking. By issuing pink slips, it allows the board in Providence to have more flexibility in hiring many of these teachers back, in order to save money. Desperate times calls for desperate measures. Teachers in Wisconsin should be more grateful for their position as opposed to their eastern colleagues.
International
Tensions in Libya cause global affects.
Significance: Though the entire Arab world is practically aflame, Libya sticks out. Each individual conflict in the Middle East can have an impact on global fuel prices, but so far Libya has had the greatest. The situation in Libya has had and can have such a great impact that several European countries as well as the United States have been drawing up military plans in case actions need to be taken. Thousands have been killed. Gadhafi has increased wages and food stamps throughout his land to appease the crowds, while unleashing his Libyan Gestapo on the rest.
Former Pakistani President Musharraf has a warrant for his arrest.
Significance: The former US ally, who is currently in exile in London, is now unable to return to Pakistan. The warrant, dealing with the death of his political opponent Benazir Bhutto, has been quite secretive. Most likely, it is charging Musharraf with providing inadequate security to Bhutto, while also possibly dealing with his direct involvement in her death. Either way, this highlights the dangers of Pakistani politics, especially since Musharraf wants to return to the presidency.
Thought of the Day: “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death” –Albert Einstein
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday, February 18th
United States
President Obama releases his budget for the year while teachers strike.
Significance: President Obama has left intact some altruistic but misguided governmental programs: Medicare and Social Security. Obama obviously realizes these programs are going nowhere fast and that they would require the retirement age to rise, the President would not do such a thing with elections in mind. Simultaneously, because most state budgets are facing problems (while federal money continues to pour in), governors have had to make touch choices. Some choices that have hit the education field have led thousands of teachers to strike. Teachers, not realizing that American students already receive more money on average than any other country, have become worried when their unions have been threatened. The unionization of America, though initially a good way to fight corporate monopolies in the nineteenth century, has suffocated the budget.
US agent killed in Mexico by cartels.
Significance: The Emigration and Customs Enforcement agent was killed in an ambush. There are about thirty agents working within Mexico. President Obama’s new budget threatens to lower the overtime pay for these and other border agents. Tens of thousands of people have died in the past few years from the cartels and the U.S. remains with an unsecured southern border while there has been mounting evidence that shows Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations allying themselves with these gangs.
International
Other Arab countries erupt in violence as Egypt calms down.
Significance: Violence and protests have now spread to the majority of the Arab countries, most dangerously in Bahrain and Libya. In these two countries, the military has been clamping down on protests leaving scores dead. The situation is unique in each country. Bahrain is a tiny kingdom of less than two million people with the root causes laying in discrimination against the minority Shiite population. Though its importance should not be overlooked (especially as an oil exporter), the crisis in Bahrain is not of the upmost importance in terms global impact. Libya is much more important geopolitically speaking. The dictator of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, is guilty of such things as organizing a hero’s welcome to the Lockerbie terrorist, allying himself with Idi Amin of Uganda before his exile, continued terrorist support, and corruption. One way Gaddafi’s lack of mental stability can be seen is by looking at the Libyan flag. This solid green flag with no design nor any other color is the result of Gaddafi’s anger at the Egyptian peace deal with the only moral and democratic country in the region, Israel.
Cambodian and Thai tensions continue.
Significance: The first ever business summit between both countries will be held regardless of the tension. Nationalist pride will be put aside as both countries ultimately care more about their wallets than their national treasures. The more interconnected their economies get, the less likely war would break out.
Thought of the Day: “There is no (solid green) flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people” –Howard Zinn, edited by Don Waintraub
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday, February 11th
United States
Food prices will significantly soar.
Significance: Currently, Americans spend roughly 10% of their disposable income on food. This is relatively little considering how important food is to our lives. A variety of factors have come into play to put pressure on the amounts of corn the country has. Corn has become somewhat of a building block of our modern food processes. It is the main ingredient in livestock feed and contained in over one-quarter of all the products in a supermarket, not including those products outside of a supermarket such as textiles. Top few factors increasing the prices for food comes from the more common use of ethanol as an alternative to oil. ¼ of our corn stocks are currently wasted on this inefficient method. Droughts and floods in the far corners of the world, and instability in the Arab world have also done their part.
Arizona sues the Federal Government.
Significance: The lawsuit is a result of Washington providing little to no support securing Arizona’s border with Mexico. The litigation is completely funded by donations and will not cost the taxpayers a dime. That is, will not cost Arizona taxpayers a dime. The rest of the country has to foot the bill for the defense of the Federal Government.
International
Egyptian president refuses to step down.
Significance: President Mubarak claims that he will lead Egypt into a peaceful transition until September, while simultaneously passing on his powers on to Vice President Omar Suleiman. The majority of western countries support this move but do not ask what powers he must have kept to himself. If Mubarak effectively relinquished all of his powers to another, then there would be no real point in him staying until September. It seems that Mubarak has kept up-to-date with the changing Russian government. When President Vladimir Putin’s term ended in the Kremlin, he decided to create a new position that did not exist (prime minister) and replace himself with a clone (Dmitry Medvedev). Others look to commend the army for not launching a military coup. How could they? The infantry is entirely conscripts (who obviously would support the people) while Mubarak himself was a general (making Egypt already a military dictatorship to begin with). Most sadly, many analysts and foreign leaders have been praising the Muslim Brotherhood for their vocal stance that they would not take power when Mubarak leaves. The Muslim Brotherhood has no power without this populace uprising, and they would do well to keep their intentions a secret until the time is right (similar to the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran).
Dozens of European leaders condemn multiculturalism.
Significance: In a rare move, European leaders have publicly condemned the attempts at multiculturalism in their countries. Acknowledging the obvious, Muslim groups have situated themselves as breeding grounds for extremism within European society. Assimilation will be the new goal. Europe has passed the first stage of denial.
South African President Zuma creates work fund.
Significance: With a 25% unemployment rate, the African continent’s country with the strongest GDP by far is continuing to suffer economically. The fund is essentially the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs valued at over a billion US dollars. Economically, its not the worst idea he has ever had. Unfortunately, President Zuma is also at the head of the African National Congress. Though the ANC is historically the symbol of Black freedom in SA, it has become the symbol of the oppression of Whites. Since the end of Apartheid, over a million Whites have fled the country. Since then, there has been a direct alliance between the ANC and the Zanu PF party of Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe. Zanu PF has been responsible for heavily oppressing the Whites of former Rhodesia (the former name of Zimbabwe). The ANC has made the same racist speeches that Mugabe has made in the past.
Thought of the Day: A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?
Food prices will significantly soar.
Significance: Currently, Americans spend roughly 10% of their disposable income on food. This is relatively little considering how important food is to our lives. A variety of factors have come into play to put pressure on the amounts of corn the country has. Corn has become somewhat of a building block of our modern food processes. It is the main ingredient in livestock feed and contained in over one-quarter of all the products in a supermarket, not including those products outside of a supermarket such as textiles. Top few factors increasing the prices for food comes from the more common use of ethanol as an alternative to oil. ¼ of our corn stocks are currently wasted on this inefficient method. Droughts and floods in the far corners of the world, and instability in the Arab world have also done their part.
Arizona sues the Federal Government.
Significance: The lawsuit is a result of Washington providing little to no support securing Arizona’s border with Mexico. The litigation is completely funded by donations and will not cost the taxpayers a dime. That is, will not cost Arizona taxpayers a dime. The rest of the country has to foot the bill for the defense of the Federal Government.
International
Egyptian president refuses to step down.
Significance: President Mubarak claims that he will lead Egypt into a peaceful transition until September, while simultaneously passing on his powers on to Vice President Omar Suleiman. The majority of western countries support this move but do not ask what powers he must have kept to himself. If Mubarak effectively relinquished all of his powers to another, then there would be no real point in him staying until September. It seems that Mubarak has kept up-to-date with the changing Russian government. When President Vladimir Putin’s term ended in the Kremlin, he decided to create a new position that did not exist (prime minister) and replace himself with a clone (Dmitry Medvedev). Others look to commend the army for not launching a military coup. How could they? The infantry is entirely conscripts (who obviously would support the people) while Mubarak himself was a general (making Egypt already a military dictatorship to begin with). Most sadly, many analysts and foreign leaders have been praising the Muslim Brotherhood for their vocal stance that they would not take power when Mubarak leaves. The Muslim Brotherhood has no power without this populace uprising, and they would do well to keep their intentions a secret until the time is right (similar to the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran).
Dozens of European leaders condemn multiculturalism.
Significance: In a rare move, European leaders have publicly condemned the attempts at multiculturalism in their countries. Acknowledging the obvious, Muslim groups have situated themselves as breeding grounds for extremism within European society. Assimilation will be the new goal. Europe has passed the first stage of denial.
South African President Zuma creates work fund.
Significance: With a 25% unemployment rate, the African continent’s country with the strongest GDP by far is continuing to suffer economically. The fund is essentially the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs valued at over a billion US dollars. Economically, its not the worst idea he has ever had. Unfortunately, President Zuma is also at the head of the African National Congress. Though the ANC is historically the symbol of Black freedom in SA, it has become the symbol of the oppression of Whites. Since the end of Apartheid, over a million Whites have fled the country. Since then, there has been a direct alliance between the ANC and the Zanu PF party of Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe. Zanu PF has been responsible for heavily oppressing the Whites of former Rhodesia (the former name of Zimbabwe). The ANC has made the same racist speeches that Mugabe has made in the past.
Thought of the Day: A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, February 4th
United States
Biggest Blizzard in decades hits one-third of country.
Significance: Stretching over 2 thousand miles, the storm left dozens dead from exposure and other related deaths. Thousands are still without power in negative degree weather. 100 million people were affected in total. There was a mix of heavy winds, hail, thunder and lightning. Around 2 ft. of snow was the average depth.
Biggest Blizzard in decades hits one-third of country.
Significance: Stretching over 2 thousand miles, the storm left dozens dead from exposure and other related deaths. Thousands are still without power in negative degree weather. 100 million people were affected in total. There was a mix of heavy winds, hail, thunder and lightning. Around 2 ft. of snow was the average depth.
Unemployment drops to 9%.
Significance: Despite the drop, and despite 36 thousand new jobs added this past month, it is still not a wonderful indicator for the economy. The harsh snowstorms all month long are possible reasons for the decrease in unemployment as construction slows down. 36 thousand new jobs is also not as relatively much as it seems; Canada had approximately 70 thousand new jobs this past month.
International
Egypt becomes more polarized as no end in sight.
Significance: Tensions continue to turn violent throughout Egypt as crowds are battling one another with rocks and fists. Though multiple deaths and hundreds hurt, it is not yet a full out civil war. The rioters resemble football hooligans. Journalists have become targets. Protests in solidarity have been banned in Gaza under Hamas and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.
Cambodia and Thailand exchange artillery fire leaving two dead.
Significance: The ancestors of the Khmer Rouge are finding themselves once more in a serious dilemma. Two years ago, the World Heritage listing allowed for a Thai temple to be listed as Cambodian. This has since resulted in the “Yellow Movement” in Thailand and fervor on both sides.
Thought of the Day: Dear Mubarak and protestors; please do not destroy the Pyramids. We will not rebuild them. –The Jews
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