Friday, March 18th

United States

Judge halts Wisconsin law that harms unions.

Significance: The Wisconsin state government, headed by governor Walker, passed a law that reduced the collective bargaining power of unions. Massive demonstrations in Madison and elsewhere have grown exponentially. There is really no other way at this point to reduce the deficit substantially without this law. Without a doubt, the current governor and those lawmakers who supported him have lost reelection without running. Unions across America are as powerful as the big corporations.

International

Japan continues to suffer.

Significance: The sun has not yet shone on the Japanese people since last week, literally. Snow has made rescue missions difficult, as ten thousand people are still missing. Death tolls has almost topped 7 thousand, as the nuclear situation and food shortages remain unresolved. The nuclear situation has essentially caused countries across the globe (with exception to China) to run safety tests or halt construction on new facilities. Some countries like France, where energy comes almost entirely from nuclear facilities, do not have that luxury. Regardless of the risks, it’s a very safe and effective way to obtain energy. Japan is a country worth of US help.

Libya invasion likely.

Significance: Not long after the UN condemnation of Gadhafi, the dictator has made signals he is interested in a ceasefire, while simultaneously continuing his attacks. President Obama meanwhile has given the cornered dictator an ultimatum not much different than the one given by President Bush to Saddam Hussein. While the Arab league has given a general approval for western military action, a joint coalition of American, British, and French naval and air forces have moved into the area right outside Libyan waters. The kidnap of four US journalists by Gadhafi forces and the rising tensions in places like Bahrain, Syria, and Yemen are all factors pressuring the West to act. This has a high chance of backfiring on the US. Saudi Arabia has sent forces into Bahrain to protect the monarchy in place, while Assad has begun killing his subjects at will, meaning they don’t want change regardless of their words. If the Arab countries aren’t willing to put an end to the trouble in Libya, the West should not feel obliged to. The Arab world will not be appreciative of American help, rather turn against American “occupation”. Can anyone recall a similar situation in a place called Kuwait involving an Arab hero called Osama bin-Laden? If the French and British (since they have such large North African populations) feel compelled to invade, let them. The US already spends 100 billion dollars a year on Afghanistan.

Israel seizes ship carrying weapons for terrorists.

Significance: The German-owned, French-operated, Romanian-captained, Liberian-chartered, and a sea course sailing away from Israeli waters was how the deceptive Iranian regime tried to fool Israel. The most advanced weapons to come out of Iran and Syria jointly were hidden in boxes of lentils and cotton. Is that why cotton has been getting more expensive? The mostly Chinese-made weapons have the capability to knock out some of Israel’s sea defenses, trading-ships, and docks easily.

Thought of the Day: “I can stand brute force, but brute reason is quite unbearable. There is something unfair about its use. It is hitting below the intellect.” –Oscar Wilde