Saturday, December 12, 2009

Iran


Iran successfully test fired an improved version of an advanced medium-range missile, striking fear in the hearts of western societies. Though the US is not necessarily afraid of a direct attack, we are affraid of an attack against our allies, particularly Israel. It is not the first time Iran has tested a missile; however, this test is more threatening in light of Iran's recent advancement of their nuclear technology. Obama is expected to push for new, international economic sanctions against Iran to discourage further advancement of the nuclear enrichment and missile development projects.

bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/default.stm

Article and Video:
bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8415489.stm

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Hopenhagen


With the start of the Copenhagen summit, police have been battling protesters. The center where the conference is held is now shut off and no one is allowed to enter or leave. Not only are tensions between the leaders and protestors mounting, but so are tensions between the US and other nations. Other nations are rebuking the United States for not meeting the climate standards they have outlined for other nations. Hopefully, we can expect significant, stringent policy to combat climate change. As the situation heats up, negotiator are beginning to question if the commitments are anything but hot air. Considering that other issues are higher on the policy agenda and that Republicans are already growing weary of increased spending, it's unlikely that Obama will promise the several hundred million dollar commitment requested of developed nations.

Article and video of protests.
bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8415307.stm

hopenhagen.org

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Peabody Coal Mining



I sent a letter to the DOI the other day:
I read that the DOI is expected to approve a merger that would allow Peabody to open a new mine in the Navajo Nation as well as continue to operate existing ones. It seems that there is a total disregard for the impact mining has on Native Americans. Nature is sacred to Native Americans. Most tribes believe it is their spiritual duty to protect it. Mining is not ok. Pilfering water from the area's only aquifer is not ok. Which is another point that seems to have been overlooked. The Navajo and Hopi reservations are in the desert. An abundance of water is not exactly characteristic of the desert. Peabody has already reduced their ONLY source of water by 30%. The only compensation tribes receive for this is coal. People can't drink coal. As a farmer from Colorado, Salazar should understand the importance of water in the west. It's not something that can be wasted on coal slurries. It's the duty of the United States Federal Government to provide equal protection to ALL of it's citizens. This is not the time to pull the "sovereign nations" bs. If they have to pay taxes, they're not sovereign nations. And if they were sovereign nations, they could stop Peabody themselves. But, instead, only the DOI has the power to stop Peabody and other corporations from further desecrating Native American lands. We are one nation. We are all Americans. We all deserve to be protected from devastating corporate interests. Furthermore, if this merger is approved, the government will be in violation of the Religious Freedom and Restoration Act of 1993. Under this act, the federal government is prohibited from placing a ‘substantial burden’ on a person’s exercise of religion unless the government’s action furthers a ‘compelling government interest’ or ‘is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling government interest.’ What government interests do a couple of coal mines serve? None. Does the destruction of sacred lands and the undermining of religious principles place a substantial burden on the practice of Navajo and Hopi religions? Absolutely. I implore you to not allow this merger and stop, or at least radically decrease, mining on reservations.


Thursday, December 3, 2009

As if we hadn't taken enough


Last week, the IRS auctioned 7100 acres of Crow Creek Sioux land. The sale was supposed to cover taxes owed by the tribe. Though it's certainly not unheard of for the IRS to do such a thing, something about this seems far more wrong than foreclosing someone's home. The USFG has confined tribes to tiny parcels of barren land that are separated from mainstream America. How are they supposed to make money to pay taxes? And should they really have to support an institution that does not fulfill its end of the agreement? The USFG is required by a treaty to provide all federally recognized America Indians and Alaskan Natives with free health care, but they don't. And where IHS services are available, they are beyond sub par. The government has already reduced reservation sizes by more than half and people are being forced off of reservations in search of employment. The more research I do, the more convinced I am that the government is facilitating cultural genocide. Bastards.


Native American news:
indianz.com

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Wait a minute. This isn't what we voted for.



No one, Republican or Democrat, seems particularly enthused about Obama's decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Most surprisingly, Obama is actually planning the largest expansion since the war began. However, unlike previous administrations, Obama has a clear agenda: training local forces. Perhaps this is what the war needed all along. We have so severely undermined the power of local forces that simply pulling out would inevitably result in a deadly implosion. Training them would ensure that citizens would have protection if we ever do leave. Furthermore, it ensures that we can maintain our influence in the region (which is stupid and awful and imperialistic, but it's what we do). I, for one, trust Obama- for now.


Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Unemployment.


The unemployment rates for October in metropolitan areas either rose or did not change since September. Considering most economists consider a decrease in unemployment to be the final indicator of recovery, this is not good news and we can expect the recession to continue. Obama is holding a "jobs summit" where he will meet with economists and advisors to discuss options for job creation.
The stimulus package includes provisions for mobilizing millions of jobs, so it's curious that these measures have not been implemented. My dad's theory is that Obama is focusing on healthcare and that jobs will come later. It makes sense, considering the need for "political capital." But still, partisan politics result in policy gridlock and do nothing but harm the American people. The leaders of our nation should be able to tackle multiple pressing issues at once. I hate this crap.


CNN's Economy Tracker: