The second full day of President Obama's term is coming to a close, and the honeymoon is long over. In all reality, it could be said that the incoming President never gets to enjoy a honeymoon well because he is the President. Along with a whole slew of domestic issues that the Obama administration will need to address quickly such as the economy, health care, unemployment, and homeland security, America's new leader will need to equally disperse his energies abroad because the world is watching. The downside of being so well-liked inside the States and out, is that expectations are incredibly high, and ultimately, people want and will expect rapid results.
Of course, the recent events in Gaza and America's staunch support of Israel is on peoples' minds. With an Israeli-Syrian agreement in sight, the US must step in as a mediator to assist other regional powers like Turkey in finalizing such a vital mutual understanding. Relations with Russia, and even more so with Iran, have been quite tense recently, so formulating and implementing an effective, consistent policy in regards to both will be important. Although the situation and developments in Iraq and Afghanistan have been put on the back burner due to the hype of the election, as well as the conflict in Gaza, establishing a long term policy on both must occur. This will be especially important because whatever policy is decided upon, will determine how America will be viewed in years to come among states in the international community, and more importantly whether those same states will lend a helping hand in each, especially Afghanistan. How Obama handles Guantanamo will also be interesting. It seems easy enough to close the place down, but there are logistical and ideological problems with effectively carrying that out. First of all is the issue of trying to figure out what to do with all the people that they have been holding there. Send them home? Extradite them to other nations so they can be tried? Asylum in the States? None of the possibilities are ideal for either the inmates or the United States, but whatever is decided must be carefully thought out because once again, the world is watching. Secondly, closing Guantanamo in a way that will represent a change in 'heart', for lack of a better word, on America's part will be key. If America is to tackle serious issues multilaterally, internationally speaking, then the world must know that our days of being hypocrites and not abiding by the international laws that we expect others to abide by are gone.
These issues represent only a fraction of the topics that individuals, international bodies, and states will expect Mr. Obama to address and that is the daunting thing about it all. To say that the new administration has its' plate full is an understatement. Therefore, what will become a priority and what will fall to the wayside? One has to assume that anything the administration feels has to do with national security will become a priority, as well as anything that may help boost the American economy. So what does that mean for relations in the Middle East (we shall see how effective these envoys are)? Or for the cry from international organizations and NGO's for more support, so they can continue to carry out the work they so diligently do? Or for the smaller countries that would like to expand their trade with America? Or for the international community who crave multilateral action? I am not a prophet, and therefore I cannot foresee the events that will take place in 2009. However what we know now is that there are serious issues in our world that need to be dealt with, and everyone is looking to Mr. Obama to calm the storm. The to do list is long, and demanding, and I am therefore anxious to see how the administration will tackle some of the biggest problems of our generation, in America and abroad. One cannot help but become consumed with the excitement and hype that surrounds our new President, and although it may seem silly, that is partly why I am optimistic about our future. Good luck Mr. President, I have a feeling you are going to need it.
1.22.2009
1.20.2009
an inauguration & equality
Today is a magnificent day in American history because it marks the first time an African-American has been sworn into the office of the President. This momentous occasion, and the celebratory events leading up to this day, scoff at the attempts of the many who only a short time ago were committed to forever seeing the color of a man's skin be the determining factor of his value. Although Mr. Obama has his critics, I would like to think that political differences have been put aside today so that togetherness can be highlighted instead of policies. The energy surrounding our new President's inauguration is unprecedented, and truly is the best example of how far our country has come in regards to race. I did not experience the civil rights movement first hand, however hearing the stories of those who did is so much more than simply inspirational. Those stories are symbolic elements that represent a voice that was limited for generations, yet has prevailed and is now being heard and acknowledged. It appears that the country that has screamed for equality since its' existence, is finally overcoming differences and recognizing the beauty in true equality.
Although today is a celebration of a nation becoming integrated instead of segregated, there is another inequality that still exists. We would like to think that this inequality is far, far away from the pleasures and ideals we hold on to so dearly, when in all reality it is closer to us than we think. Wrap your mind around this..15,000 Africans die each day from preventable and treatable diseases. Bono, in his foreword for Jeffrey Sachs incredible work The End of Poverty, says that statistics like these "makes a fool of the idea many of us hold on to very tightly: the idea of equality." This truth is not comfortable to swallow, however it is what it is..the truth. As President Obama historically begins his term in office, there is undoubtedly a reason to celebrate and praise the people of our country for the strides we have made in terms of recognizing the humanity in each other. However how long will it take for we as a new and united America, to act upon the concept of equality we preach of so often in the developing nations of Africa? My fear is the answer to that question may be longer than what it should be.
President Obama is a figure of hope and resilience to people all over this country, as well as abroad. Such hope is the reason that I carry on, working hard and striving diligently to see equality experienced by all peoples and ultimately the cycle of poverty broken forever. Don't slow down America. Take this momentum and continue to labor for unity, harmony, and equality not only in our communities but in our world.
Although today is a celebration of a nation becoming integrated instead of segregated, there is another inequality that still exists. We would like to think that this inequality is far, far away from the pleasures and ideals we hold on to so dearly, when in all reality it is closer to us than we think. Wrap your mind around this..15,000 Africans die each day from preventable and treatable diseases. Bono, in his foreword for Jeffrey Sachs incredible work The End of Poverty, says that statistics like these "makes a fool of the idea many of us hold on to very tightly: the idea of equality." This truth is not comfortable to swallow, however it is what it is..the truth. As President Obama historically begins his term in office, there is undoubtedly a reason to celebrate and praise the people of our country for the strides we have made in terms of recognizing the humanity in each other. However how long will it take for we as a new and united America, to act upon the concept of equality we preach of so often in the developing nations of Africa? My fear is the answer to that question may be longer than what it should be.
President Obama is a figure of hope and resilience to people all over this country, as well as abroad. Such hope is the reason that I carry on, working hard and striving diligently to see equality experienced by all peoples and ultimately the cycle of poverty broken forever. Don't slow down America. Take this momentum and continue to labor for unity, harmony, and equality not only in our communities but in our world.
1.15.2009
Gaza
The conflict in Gaza has reached the 20 day mark and the outcome of attacks carried out by Israeli forces is devastating. According to Gaza medical sources, 1,028 Palestinians have died from the attacks, a third of those being children. The latest troubling discovery in regards to the conflict, it that the UN's relief agency Unrwa has confirmed that parts of its headquarters in Gaza have caught fire after being hit by Israeli shells. There have reportedly been three injuries suffered by Unrwa workers, and the agency does not currently have the ability to deliver food or medical supplies because their trucks are not able to leave the compound.
These attacks from Israel are in response to rockets that have been continuously fired by Hamas into Israeli territory. The goal, which is often stated by Israeli officials, is to stop the firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas. After 20 days, over 1,000 deaths, a UN building being damaged, and a humanitarian crisis at hand, guess what..the rockets are still being fired. How much suffering, death, and strife will it require for Israel to be satisfied? Does not the Israeli attacks further encourage Hamas and revitalize their efforts to continue firing rockets? I most definetely believe that Hamas needs to stop firing rockets, and be willing to sit at the negotiation table, however Israel is the larger, more dominant force and therefore holds more responsibility to seek alternative means for achieving peace.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has expressed his displeasure of the Israeli attacks, and his desire to see an immediate cease fire put in place, and the British government has often condemned the attacks as well. However even after a UN building has been damaged and workers injured, the state with the most influence in regards to relations with Israel, the United States, has kept quite mum on the whole issue. The lack of condemnation on the part of the American government, along with their silence, speaks volumes to the international community on where the most powerful and influential nation in the world stands. The Arab states can only do so much in terms of pleading and uring the Israeli government to abandon their current military operation. In order for the attacks to come to a halt in Gaza, the United States needs to express its displeasure with Israel's actions, and become a mediator in the peace process.
The attacks carried out by the Israeli army in Gaza has only produced outrage among players in the international community, and death and suffering among the Palestinians. The Israeli government has other options in attempting to reach its' goals, and such options should be utilized instead of violence. May humanity learn from this conflict in the future.
BBC News
These attacks from Israel are in response to rockets that have been continuously fired by Hamas into Israeli territory. The goal, which is often stated by Israeli officials, is to stop the firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas. After 20 days, over 1,000 deaths, a UN building being damaged, and a humanitarian crisis at hand, guess what..the rockets are still being fired. How much suffering, death, and strife will it require for Israel to be satisfied? Does not the Israeli attacks further encourage Hamas and revitalize their efforts to continue firing rockets? I most definetely believe that Hamas needs to stop firing rockets, and be willing to sit at the negotiation table, however Israel is the larger, more dominant force and therefore holds more responsibility to seek alternative means for achieving peace.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has expressed his displeasure of the Israeli attacks, and his desire to see an immediate cease fire put in place, and the British government has often condemned the attacks as well. However even after a UN building has been damaged and workers injured, the state with the most influence in regards to relations with Israel, the United States, has kept quite mum on the whole issue. The lack of condemnation on the part of the American government, along with their silence, speaks volumes to the international community on where the most powerful and influential nation in the world stands. The Arab states can only do so much in terms of pleading and uring the Israeli government to abandon their current military operation. In order for the attacks to come to a halt in Gaza, the United States needs to express its displeasure with Israel's actions, and become a mediator in the peace process.
The attacks carried out by the Israeli army in Gaza has only produced outrage among players in the international community, and death and suffering among the Palestinians. The Israeli government has other options in attempting to reach its' goals, and such options should be utilized instead of violence. May humanity learn from this conflict in the future.
BBC News
1.11.2009
a new spin on development in Africa
Below is a link to an article by Matthew Parris of the London Times entitled, "As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God." The title of this article obviously jumped out to me, as did the words Mr. Parris used to convey his opinion. Please take a few minutes to read this article, and then comment about it if you would like so we can benefit from each others insights. The most moving piece of this article in my mind is when the author testifies that when he would enter a territory where missionaries were working, "something changed in the faces of the people we passed." That is truly what following Jesus is about isn't it? Letting love dictate our words and actions, so all may see how we have been changed by grace. Indeed, there have been disturbing and confusing acts carried out by people in the name of God; however, I firmly believe that people who love Jesus are doing amazing things to combat injustice in our world, and it is refreshing to see a brother who holds different views acknowledge such a revolution.
As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God - Matthew Parris
As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God - Matthew Parris
1.05.2009
new years resolutions & genocide
A common activity this time of year is the ever thought about, yet seldom acted upon tradition of establishing new years resolutions. Such resolutions involve an individual, or an organization for that matter, performing a sort of personal evaluation of where they are and where they want to be. This often centers around the idea, "last year I did not do such and such enough, or at all but this year will be different." I will save you from my own personal 'resolutions' or simply put the goals that I have placed before myself for 2009, however I will share a resolution that I have for my country, and the international community as a whole.
Genocide is like professional wrestling. Nobody likes it, yet nothing is done to keep it from happening. Following the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which lasted for 100 days and killed 600,000 people, politicians and activists alike were saying the same thing..never again. However, only 9 short years later and 3 years into the new millennium, a new genocide began. This genocide has taken place in the Sudanese region of Darfur, and guess what..it is still going on. Why have we as a nation turned our backs once again on the very thing we once declared would not be allowed? We have become hypocrites, and constantly hide behind political correctedness. There is no one, singular answer to the previous stated question, or the dozens of others that surround this issue. Yet it is obvious that nothing has been done to end the genocide in Darfur because the killing of innocent civilians is not a priority for the United States or the other nations who have declared genocide an atrocity. Undoubtedly, as the most blessed and powerful nation in the world, there are a number of steps the United States could take towards ending the genocide, but such steps do not hold much value in the eyes of our leaders and therefore have not been implemented. Genocide is not comfortable, is not convenient, and bringing the violence in Darfur to an end will most definetely cost the international community something. However when the pain, suffering, and tears of the Sudanese people are considered, such a cost on the part of the international community can not even be considered one. So as a new year is celebrated, and resolutions are made, my hope is that the United States and other members of the international community will take a firm stance on genocide, specifically with the Sudanese government. I believe genocide can be erradicated, however it will require nation states to boldly address the issue through multilateral action. When 2009 comes to close, my prayer is that humanity can truly say..never again.
Genocide is like professional wrestling. Nobody likes it, yet nothing is done to keep it from happening. Following the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which lasted for 100 days and killed 600,000 people, politicians and activists alike were saying the same thing..never again. However, only 9 short years later and 3 years into the new millennium, a new genocide began. This genocide has taken place in the Sudanese region of Darfur, and guess what..it is still going on. Why have we as a nation turned our backs once again on the very thing we once declared would not be allowed? We have become hypocrites, and constantly hide behind political correctedness. There is no one, singular answer to the previous stated question, or the dozens of others that surround this issue. Yet it is obvious that nothing has been done to end the genocide in Darfur because the killing of innocent civilians is not a priority for the United States or the other nations who have declared genocide an atrocity. Undoubtedly, as the most blessed and powerful nation in the world, there are a number of steps the United States could take towards ending the genocide, but such steps do not hold much value in the eyes of our leaders and therefore have not been implemented. Genocide is not comfortable, is not convenient, and bringing the violence in Darfur to an end will most definetely cost the international community something. However when the pain, suffering, and tears of the Sudanese people are considered, such a cost on the part of the international community can not even be considered one. So as a new year is celebrated, and resolutions are made, my hope is that the United States and other members of the international community will take a firm stance on genocide, specifically with the Sudanese government. I believe genocide can be erradicated, however it will require nation states to boldly address the issue through multilateral action. When 2009 comes to close, my prayer is that humanity can truly say..never again.
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