Raytheon= major arms supplier

William Lynn= senior lobbyist for Raytheon appointed by Obama as No. 2 official at pentagon (was also in office during Clinton admin)

How likely it is that this position appointment is directly related to the WAR waged over seas and the related personal intentions of those in power? What does this mean concerning Obama’s position as president who  has so widely proclaimed “change” as his main initiative?

More reading on this issue: http://wcbstv.com/national/william.lynn.pentagon.2.903351.html

Issue 1: Defining A Terrorist: What is a terrorist? About 5min into the above video the gentleman defines two types of terrorists: international and domestic. In his definition international would include connections to Al-Quada and religious organizations and domestic would be considered individuals who may be a part of anti-tax organizations. 

These two types of terrorist don’t seem to be too fundamentally different.  Both have serious issues with the United States government and feel extreme acts are necessary to furture their cause/ beliefs. 

So why has the United States focused on the international terrorists–those who are so often referred to by media as “the terrorists” who we curently are “waging the war against terror” on? Why is our society filled with specific and at time irrational fear of those terrorists across the ocean, when it is obvious we have many domestic terrorists on our own land who also feel disenfranchised? What is it about the international terrorists that pose the additional threat making it nesessary to conqoeur their lands and take over with military force? Actions show that when a domestic terrorist runs a plane into the building its not that big of a deal, but if an international terrorist runs a plane into a building we must wage a war the next day–a war that will take lives and large amounts of money, even if there is only speculation as to whom is really to blame.

Is it viable to connect fear of terror eith Middle Eastern decent? Why when a white man runs into a building there is much less outward and irrational fear? The incident in Austin, TX is an obvious example of how racial stereotyping and irrational fear of the unknown has become a serious social issue following 9/11. 

These irrational and widespread emotions are very dangerous– fear is one of the main emotions that leads people to act  irrationally and impulsively….not a good thing when attending to matters of war and world public relations.

Issue 2:  American Disenfrachisement: What has become of the land of the free and free thinking? Or have we ever been a nation to live what we preach? It is hard to make the arguement that, yes, the U.S. has lived up to its doctrine of freedom when from the start we built this nation on free slave labor.  This fact alone seems to indicate “the land of the free” has never really offered true “freedom” to those under the elite class. 

Joe Stack, the man who drove a small plane, into the IRS/CIA building last week certainly felt this country was hypocrytical. 

Stack writes,”We are all taught as children that without laws there would be no society, only anarchy.  Sadly, starting at early ages we in this country have been brainwashed to believe that, in return for our dedication and service, our government stands for justice for all.  We are further brainwashed to believe that there is freedom in this place, and that we should be ready to lay our lives down for the noble principals represented by its founding fathers.  Remember? One of these was “no taxation without representation”.  I have spent the total years of my adulthood unlearning that crap from only a few years of my childhood.  These days anyone who really stands up for that principal is promptly labeled a “crackpot”, traitor and worse.”

Stack, expreses how he felt his concerns had not been considered by the government.  He felt all his life the government took his taxes; but lacked the represetation it boats.  Sure, local governement officials are voted in by popular vote, but is this system really just? It takes millions of dollars to run a campaign; money which too often comes from lobbyist and corporations as a deal to implement policies that make the people with the most money even more money.  Certainly many people just like Joe pay thousands of dollars in taxes, but are never represented.  This does seem like a frustrating situation: by law you must pay taxes or you will be put in jail, but if you pay taxes your voice most likely will not be heard.  So in essence your money is involuntarily taken and as an individual you can do little to nothing.  Stack says, “Nor, for that matter, are they the least bit interested in me or anything I have to say.”

Stack ends his note and his life with this, “I saw it written once that the definition of insanity is repeating the same process over and over and expecting the outcome to suddenly be different.  I am finally ready to stop this insanity.  Well, Mr. Big Brother IRS man, let’s try something different; take my pound of flesh and sleep well.”

Joe Stack, has been painted in the media as a crazy man…but was he really crazy or was he just willing to die for what he believed in? Die for a cause to let people know that the only insanity is by living as a drone for the chance of a suburban home…

In the memory of Joe Stack we should remember there are many things that confine our lives and strip citizens of freedom.  The present is filling with “noise” that distracts us from the main issues that plaque our societies.  We are too easily satisfied and distracted that we don’t see the obvious.  We eat, read, and live what “they” tell us and do very little personal critical thinking.  Joe Stack was a man who didn’t eat what he was fed, Joe Stack was  a man who wanted to make a difference, and what we can take from his life and death is that freedom is too conditional in the present.  The importance of change at this time is likely more important that ever before in history…

–KV

The main issue that I feel should be raised concerning nuclear waste is the production of the waste in the first place.  Why do we contunue to create all of this waste that must be stored away for thousands to millions of years in some cases?  The containers holding this waste will surely fail long before the danger from this radio active waste has diminished.  So why create such large amount of waste in the first place? Has science not brought us furture along? Can we not find a better way?

“Certain radioactive elements (such as plutonium-239) in “spent” fuel will remain hazardous to humans and other living beings for hundreds of thousands of years. Other radioisotopes remain hazardous for millions of years. Thus, these wastes must be shielded for centuries and isolated from the living environment for millennia. Some elements, such as Iodine-131, have a short half-life (around 8 days in this case) and thus they will cease to be a problem much more quickly than other, longer-lived, decay products but their activity is much greater initially.”

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_waste)

I feel the video and much of the political debate on the nuclear issue misses the main point.  ANY nuclear waste is a hazard to our lives (and especially those living or working in close proximity to these plants).  Nuclear plants and the waste containers (no matter the location) pose a threat to our lives.  One could think of it as a perfect target for enemies hoping to devestate it compeitior.  One leak could cause great harm; but what if the entire place was blow up?

It is deifinitely best to reduce the amount of nuclear plants and waste.  Although there are may be benefits of nuclear fission the drawbacks are too great.  Unless we discover how to reduce the half-life of radio active material (and quickly) there needs to be a movement away from nuclear power towards a more people and environmentally friendly source of energy. 

It is important to remember people should not feel entitled to manipulate all things without a strong consideration of the implications on the earths future.  All life was created and exists in its own right; and man at times takes it upon themselves to control and manipulate all aspects of the globe.  I believe this is beyond our scope of purpose.  Without remaining accountable for our actions and thinking hard about how our advancements effect the universe our lives and the life on earth is headed down a dangerous path of self-destruction.

–KV

The two day Battle of Marja Afghanistan along with countless other battles have seemed to slip through the cracks as far as recognition on the U.S. homeland.  Does anyone actually see what I see….A WAR! I mean seriously….battles such as the one in Marja, Afghanistan don’t even seem to be affecting people.  Two US bombs crashed into the city last week killing 12 civilians.  The U.S. troops took over the city that has been said to be inhabited by a large number of Taliban.  

When the news stories report the “War on Terror” we must understand the implications.  We are at WAR; and war that will be written in history books just like World War II and the Civil War.  So why now do people seem so distant aware of what’s going on?

People are dying and battles are taking place right in front of us; and yet the impact on the American daily life seems so minimal.  It is time to think about what is happening across the ocean and consider why war is taking place while being largly marginalized as if its no big deal. 

Let’s get serious…people are dying; this includes American soldiers and innocent families.  What is the purpose of the US  involvement?  Are we really fighting terror or are we just seizing new lands for personal and politcal gain?

Watch this video for live footage

–KV

But what do these machines really mean for us?

It seems to me the use of these machines will increase the amount of profiling in the airport setting. Should we accept this just because media has shifted our fear to terrorists with a particular image? Or, in the interest of security, should we realize any kind of person could potentially have ill intentions? To profile particular people is a direct opposition to American’s implied beliefs, however, many reporters seem to accept that people traveling from specific regions and with specified appearances will be pulled to the side for extra screening. A fox reporter suggest that all “black” and “middle eastern” people should be extensively checked before being allowed to fly.

I believe this thought process isn’t what will keep us truly safe if that is our concern. We should be more careful across the board and keep an eye out for unusual behavior. If these scanners are used on some people they should be used for most everyone. I have heard you can opt out of the scan and instead get a hand pat down .. either way all people should be equally affected by our changes in airport security. Profiling specific people will only lead to unjust hate and fear when anyone could be involved in terror like behavior. Let’s face it, the “terror groups” watch US news too and if they think that people of a specific look will be looked at more closely maybe they will find someone that doesn’t fit that profile knowing they might more easily slide through. My point is this, with this new wave of technology we must be careful to protect our human rights & we aware that it is not safe to culminate all ones fear into a particular image. This irrational fear that can come from media and other sources will only weaken sound decisions about war, human rights, and justice.

–KV

Watch here to find out more about the body scanners as reported on CNN: