Many protests occurred at Wal-Mart stores yesterday on Black Friday with protesters demanding “…wages of at least $25,000, more full-time openings and an end to retaliation against workers who speak out about their conditions.”
//
Month: November 2013
Did Sanctions Work in Iran?
A good piece in the CSM on how sociological conditions and a new leader in Iran led to Western sanctions being more affective in bringing them to the bargaining table regarding their nuclear ambitions.
Also in the article, it is explained why the sanctions are working, for now, in Iran but did not in North Korea. Very interesting.
//
Pope Attacks Capitalism
As someone who spent 12 years in Catholic schools as a child, and is now an atheist, I usually have no use for the Church. But what struck me today was this article in The Atlantic regarding the recent Pope Francis apostolic exhortation criticizing the inequality created by capitalism around the world along with capitalistic values in general. A fascinating development and article.
//
U.S. Withdrawal Agreement with Afghanistan
At talks over an agreement regarding the future U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan was complicated by new demands made by Afghan Pres. Karzai yesterday.
This all just looks like Karzai is more interested in winning the upcoming election more than being concerned with the well-being of his country.
//
//
//
U.S./Iran Nuclear Deal
The Iranians and the Obama administration have reached a historic deal that allows the lifting of sanctions against the Persian nation ($7-$8 billion dollars worth) in return for a nuclear freeze. But U.S. critics are already tearing down this promising diplomatic achievement because it doesn’t require any dismantling of Iranian nuclear reactors or other research facilities. So here’s my problem with these arguments against these agreements detractors.
First, we should all be pleased with the fact that the U.S. and the Iranians have diplomatically spoken to one another for the first time in 34 years. This is a nearly unbelievable development that should be heralded in and of itself disregarding what type of agreement is reached.
Secondly, the agreement requires the Iranians to conduct a nuclear freeze and not a complete dismantling of all their nuclear-research facilities. But what we have to remember is that this current agreement is just a test of good faith and not a final deal. We still have the bulk of sanctions on Iran’s economy and they still have their reactors. This freeze is just a preliminary deal that sets the table for more significant future talks.
The Soviets and U.S. use to work out deals to freeze nuclear weapon development on occasion and that was seen as a diplomatic achievement. Why not this?
Thirdly, if not diplomatic talks, what is the other option for stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon? It is clear by the recent comments by Israeli PM Netanyahu, who has openly condemned the agreement, that they want violence to be used against Iran for that is the only other option. The sanctions are not enough to stop Iran from enriching nuclear components for a nuclear bomb. War is the only other option to stopping Iran’s development of a bomb, and I feel that diplomacy is a much better choice.
And lastly, as I’ve stated before a million times, the most promising tactic that we could use with Iran is making the Middle East a nuclear-free zone. Israel has 250 nuclear bombs and this is a major reason why Iran is trying to maintain some sort of military pariy with the Jewish state. We should make the most volatile region of the world (well, the only one with mass oil reserves) free of all nuclear weapons.
//
//
ACLU in Court Challenging NSA Data Collection
A report in the Washington Post on the first day of arguments in federal court by the ACLU regarding a court stoppage of NSA mass-data collection programs.
//
//
Women Pass Test; Still Discriminated as Marines
A good article in The Guardian about the first four female graduates of Marine infantry school who are still held back regarding combat roles.
Gender-based discrimination still exists in the Armed Forces.
//
//
The “Nuclear Option”
A good piece in The Atlantic on the filibuster change in the Senate lead by Democratic majority leader Harry Reid.
It will be interesting to see if, in time, this bold measure will comeback to bite the Senate Democrats when, someday, the GOP is in control. Changing the rules after decades of existence could change Washington forever, and not necessarily for the better.
//
Zakaria On Hating The Government
A thoughtful op-ed in the Washington Post by Fareed Zakaria on “Why Americans Hate The Government.”
Good read.
//
Venezuela’s President’s New Law-Making Powers
A good article in The Guardian about the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro’s, new powers to rule by decree without having to consult the national assembly. This new system was approved by the assembly in an effort to install a Cuba-like form of a socialist economy to combat corruption, retail mark-ups, and exploitation by foreign companies.
But critics claim that Maduro’s policies, which are the legacy of Hugo Chavez, will not stop the inflation problem, the corruption problem, and will hinder investments in the Latin American nation.
//
Sparking The Left 