As a reader in the United States as of April 2013 I am certain that you are at least aware of the country called North Korea. Very possibly you also might be aware that North Korea is a dictatorship stuck in the early 1900's that is now struggling to achieve power that would maintain their place as a headache for true world powers. This power is to be nuclear capable. They believe that gaining this capability would cement their place as world leaders. North Korean leaders have stepped up their ever-existent threats against the U.S., South Korea and Japan. They announce propaganda that, were it coming from a European power, China or India, the world would be tying down the hatches for world war III. They are refusing to follow sanctions by the U.N. to step down on enrichment of uranium and other processes needed to make Nuclear warheads.
This all paints a very grim picture for the coming world...right? Perhaps it might not be as bad as you might think. First we need to remember that North Korea's leaders probably very well realize that deployment of nuclear warheads on another country would result in their own destruction. World powers would sit back as the U.S. wiped North Korea of the map. Any human, no matter how power drunk you are, can see that this is a very terrible loss of life, not only in the people they are supposed to be protecting but in their own lives. It is without doubt that if they committed such a horrible act they would be dead from the blast, radiation or assassination. So simply appealing to self preservation might stop their hand. If not we should also remember that as China grows to the position of the world leader they cannot be supporting a country that would upset their own power. North Korea's greatest ally and shared border will inevitably get rid of North Korea. They are not in a position of power and that frustrates them. They are lashing out like a child told no.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/12/opinion/green-north-korea-scenarios/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRTjHJ93UYg&list=UUGaVdbSav8xWuFWTadK6loA&index=3
North Korea is in a dying generation of governments. They want to withhold power in a connected world without being connected. They think that constant threats will get them what they want. They don't seem to realize that in a developed world you can't treat everyone else like you treat your citizens. Eventually it will all collapse around them in a gruesome ending. It is unlikely that they will ever go "quietly into the night." they will make a fuss that will result in more war and death. This is human history. We must try to learn from our mistakes in the coming world. Hopefully North Korea will fall peacefully. We can hope. Until then, however, as the leader of the world to keep those unable to protect themselves safe.
This might interest as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SllAhbkMCiY&list=UUGaVdbSav8xWuFWTadK6loAs well.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
A Dying Blue Planet Struggles Against its Gaurdian
It is no secret that humans are systematically tearing the planet that birthed us into oblivion. The amazing capability of our planet to produce life is completely set apart from the rest of the universe as far as we know. Planet earth supports millions of unique species to our universe. They have never and will never again exist the way they do now. Nowhere on earth is this more true than in the oceans.
Right now we are killing our oceans. We are wiping away the last vestiges of life that have been on earth BILLIONS of years before humans ever popped up. We have taken less than 200 years to strip that legacy away through destructive fishing methods. Methods such as deep sea trawling tear up the ocean floor and only ever catch 10% of what the trawlers wanted anyway. The rest consist of sea turtles, sharks, coral, bottom feeders and many other things that cant be mass consumed. Entire species of sea life have gone extinct due to this method and most were never even discovered. Our heritage as a guardian of earth translates to something more of a torturer that will end up killing its charge.
The most poetic part of this all though is the effect it will have on humans. The ocean takes care of 1/3 of all CO2 on earth and provides 50% of all of our oxygen. Most of this comes from algae. Algae that is dying to the large acidic growth due to CO2 and to the destruction of its (algae) natural chain. This means that as we tear up the ocean more the process continues to pull us closer to pit that has no bottom. We are killing ourselves to feed ourselves. Then to top it all off we all ignore that this is happening and continue with our petty foreign policies. The us allows destructive mining, japan allows all sorts of destructive fishing methods, europe literally has no fish left in certain places. There is no law to bind it because nobody wants to admit it. We are killing ourselves to feed our insatiable greed. Now tell me that isn't poetic in the truest.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/22/world/oceans-overfishing-climate-change/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
If you read the article above and then my summery i'm sure anyone could safely assume my position on the effect humans have on the ocean. If you haven't assumed anything and kept an open mind good for you but let me help you clarify my position here. I think the whole thing is utterly and truly poetic. The greatest Greek and Roman poets themselves couldn't present a better story to show human nature through society.
Humans have always been good at heart. I think most people would agree. It is through survival instincts that we doom ourselves. Survival instincts that kept us safe in tribes while hunting and gathering and protecting families. Saving those close from dangers first and worrying about things and others not understood by us is integral part of the chemical makeup of the human brain. Those fishing are fishing to make money or just bring in the fish to feed their families. They are acting on instinct whether they realize it or not. The same goes for the rich though their sense of survival is more of insurance mechanic after a point. It's all boiled down to human nature and chemistry.
This is where the story becomes poetic. We can't blame those who are fishing for destroying the oceans without completely dropping all empathetic responses to their plight. We then proceed to blame the rich for becoming richer when it is also fundamentally instinctual to survive and prosper. Many of us in their position would act much the same. We as humans have come to an impasse that we literally cannot cross. We are fighting instinct with reason. Greed with righteous ideas. To save the oceans we would have to change as a species. So my prediction of the future of the oceans might not be as hopeful as a reader might have hoped.
Do you agree? Can we change as a species and turn around the process?
Right now we are killing our oceans. We are wiping away the last vestiges of life that have been on earth BILLIONS of years before humans ever popped up. We have taken less than 200 years to strip that legacy away through destructive fishing methods. Methods such as deep sea trawling tear up the ocean floor and only ever catch 10% of what the trawlers wanted anyway. The rest consist of sea turtles, sharks, coral, bottom feeders and many other things that cant be mass consumed. Entire species of sea life have gone extinct due to this method and most were never even discovered. Our heritage as a guardian of earth translates to something more of a torturer that will end up killing its charge.
The most poetic part of this all though is the effect it will have on humans. The ocean takes care of 1/3 of all CO2 on earth and provides 50% of all of our oxygen. Most of this comes from algae. Algae that is dying to the large acidic growth due to CO2 and to the destruction of its (algae) natural chain. This means that as we tear up the ocean more the process continues to pull us closer to pit that has no bottom. We are killing ourselves to feed ourselves. Then to top it all off we all ignore that this is happening and continue with our petty foreign policies. The us allows destructive mining, japan allows all sorts of destructive fishing methods, europe literally has no fish left in certain places. There is no law to bind it because nobody wants to admit it. We are killing ourselves to feed our insatiable greed. Now tell me that isn't poetic in the truest.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/22/world/oceans-overfishing-climate-change/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
If you read the article above and then my summery i'm sure anyone could safely assume my position on the effect humans have on the ocean. If you haven't assumed anything and kept an open mind good for you but let me help you clarify my position here. I think the whole thing is utterly and truly poetic. The greatest Greek and Roman poets themselves couldn't present a better story to show human nature through society.
Humans have always been good at heart. I think most people would agree. It is through survival instincts that we doom ourselves. Survival instincts that kept us safe in tribes while hunting and gathering and protecting families. Saving those close from dangers first and worrying about things and others not understood by us is integral part of the chemical makeup of the human brain. Those fishing are fishing to make money or just bring in the fish to feed their families. They are acting on instinct whether they realize it or not. The same goes for the rich though their sense of survival is more of insurance mechanic after a point. It's all boiled down to human nature and chemistry.
This is where the story becomes poetic. We can't blame those who are fishing for destroying the oceans without completely dropping all empathetic responses to their plight. We then proceed to blame the rich for becoming richer when it is also fundamentally instinctual to survive and prosper. Many of us in their position would act much the same. We as humans have come to an impasse that we literally cannot cross. We are fighting instinct with reason. Greed with righteous ideas. To save the oceans we would have to change as a species. So my prediction of the future of the oceans might not be as hopeful as a reader might have hoped.
Do you agree? Can we change as a species and turn around the process?
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Grizzly Hate Crimes Put Men Away for Years
In the second half of 2011 a series of weird attacks occurred in Amish community in Ohio. The attacks were a form of a hate crime. A crime motivated by racial, sexual or other prejudice, typically one involving violence. In this case the attackers went to the homes of 5 of their community members and cut off their beards and shaved their heads. Yes, they cut off their beards. This action is particularly ghastly in the Amish community because men's beards are a form of worship and are very central in their lives. Some Amish men would rather die than have their beard cut off.
The men were attacked because they had different views on religion than the sect that committed the crimes held. The break off group that committed the crimes has been accused of being cult like in function. the man leading the group, Sam Mullet, was said to have great power over his followers. They would do exactly as he told them. This is why Sam is getting fifteen years in prison for the criminal acts his flock carried out. The men who actually participated in the crimes are getting anywhere from ten to one years in prison. This will make certain one thing. These men will not be out in force to terrorize grizzled manes for many years to come.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/08/justice/amish-beard-cutting-trial/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1
Hate crimes are horrible things. They are designed to hit where it most hurts in the victim's life. In this case the crime may even seem a little amusing to some of us on the outside looking in. Beards don't seem that important to us. as soon as we are even able to grow stubble we are forced to shave it off for school. It is not socially acceptable to even have a long beard in most cases. Even the Amish style of only having hair under the chin on the neck is awkward to many of us. A beard should be full, thick and short. That is the view that i personally hold and one that is shared with society in general.
The point i am trying to drive home in those who choose to read this is simple. Hate crimes are horrible things. Even in their most tame form such as cutting off something that will grow back, they hurt. The men who carried out the crimes deserve time for what they have done. People looking in may have a hard time understanding this. The whole situation is similar to someone entering your home uninvited and cutting off part of your reproductive organ for example. In many religions this part of the body is very sacred to practice of the religion. Im sure every one of us would object to this scenario and would do it with a certain vehemence. Now that the severity of the crime is put into a better context one may more clearly understand the crime. Many of us would see this story in the paper and skim over it without a second glance. Hopefully I have convinced you to at least stop and read, understand and maybe even do something about it.
The men were attacked because they had different views on religion than the sect that committed the crimes held. The break off group that committed the crimes has been accused of being cult like in function. the man leading the group, Sam Mullet, was said to have great power over his followers. They would do exactly as he told them. This is why Sam is getting fifteen years in prison for the criminal acts his flock carried out. The men who actually participated in the crimes are getting anywhere from ten to one years in prison. This will make certain one thing. These men will not be out in force to terrorize grizzled manes for many years to come.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/08/justice/amish-beard-cutting-trial/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1
Hate crimes are horrible things. They are designed to hit where it most hurts in the victim's life. In this case the crime may even seem a little amusing to some of us on the outside looking in. Beards don't seem that important to us. as soon as we are even able to grow stubble we are forced to shave it off for school. It is not socially acceptable to even have a long beard in most cases. Even the Amish style of only having hair under the chin on the neck is awkward to many of us. A beard should be full, thick and short. That is the view that i personally hold and one that is shared with society in general.
The point i am trying to drive home in those who choose to read this is simple. Hate crimes are horrible things. Even in their most tame form such as cutting off something that will grow back, they hurt. The men who carried out the crimes deserve time for what they have done. People looking in may have a hard time understanding this. The whole situation is similar to someone entering your home uninvited and cutting off part of your reproductive organ for example. In many religions this part of the body is very sacred to practice of the religion. Im sure every one of us would object to this scenario and would do it with a certain vehemence. Now that the severity of the crime is put into a better context one may more clearly understand the crime. Many of us would see this story in the paper and skim over it without a second glance. Hopefully I have convinced you to at least stop and read, understand and maybe even do something about it.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Firework Blast Poses a Booming Question in China
Recently a truck transporting fireworks through china exploded causing the bridge it was on to collapse. Initially after the blast an official statement was issued that said 11 had been killed. A local reporting station said that as many as 26 had been killed. The final report unfortunately stated that 8 had been killed. This large loss of life was caused when cars in proximity to the truck experienced the blast of the fireworks along with the bridge collapsing immediately afterwards. It is believed that as many as 25 vehicles fell. They plummeted 100 feet to the earth below. The expressway has been closed so rescue workers can search for survivors.
China seems to have problems with fireworks. For example; a few years ago a firework accident caused a new hotel in Beijing to burn down. This, the countless other firework accidents that happened across china and the countless more to come have raised questions on the subject of banning fireworks. This is already happened in the 1970s. We will have to wait and see what the Chinese government does.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/01/world/asia/china-bridge-collapse/index.html?hpt=hp_bn2
Accidents like this are bound to happen. Especially when you get over a billion people in one country that all have a possibly very dangerous tradition. If you looked at the universe in percentiles you would find that basically anything is possible. It all comes down to how much more likely something else is to happen. I have the chance to walk through a solid wall. The possibility of the particles in that wall stopping me are just so much higher that i wouldn't be able to in real life.
This is the way i think we should look at accidents. Everything coming together in possibilities. The possibility that at some point there would be a faulty firework somewhere in the thousands produced and transported was just too high in China. To stop accidents we need to focus on what we can actually change. In china the only way might just be to ban fireworks in cities at the very least. China could focus on doing government shows in predestined areas where large amounts of citizens can congregate. They could also ensure every shipment is safer because the governments funding is behind it. I am a huge supporter of buying and lighting off personal fireworks. I am also a realist. Restricting usage might just be the reality of a growing world. The blast had too many variables that were against the truck surviving. Perhaps the odds of it happening again can be lowered in the near future and possibly even disappear altogether. Only time will tell.
China seems to have problems with fireworks. For example; a few years ago a firework accident caused a new hotel in Beijing to burn down. This, the countless other firework accidents that happened across china and the countless more to come have raised questions on the subject of banning fireworks. This is already happened in the 1970s. We will have to wait and see what the Chinese government does.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/01/world/asia/china-bridge-collapse/index.html?hpt=hp_bn2
Accidents like this are bound to happen. Especially when you get over a billion people in one country that all have a possibly very dangerous tradition. If you looked at the universe in percentiles you would find that basically anything is possible. It all comes down to how much more likely something else is to happen. I have the chance to walk through a solid wall. The possibility of the particles in that wall stopping me are just so much higher that i wouldn't be able to in real life.
This is the way i think we should look at accidents. Everything coming together in possibilities. The possibility that at some point there would be a faulty firework somewhere in the thousands produced and transported was just too high in China. To stop accidents we need to focus on what we can actually change. In china the only way might just be to ban fireworks in cities at the very least. China could focus on doing government shows in predestined areas where large amounts of citizens can congregate. They could also ensure every shipment is safer because the governments funding is behind it. I am a huge supporter of buying and lighting off personal fireworks. I am also a realist. Restricting usage might just be the reality of a growing world. The blast had too many variables that were against the truck surviving. Perhaps the odds of it happening again can be lowered in the near future and possibly even disappear altogether. Only time will tell.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Netherlands lose a queen but draw a king
Recently the queen of the Netherlands announced she will abdicate her throne on April 30 this year. This development will be after a 33 year reign that was very prosperous for the Netherlands. The queen has always pushed boundaries, raised questions and proved herself to her people. As an example, she married her husband in 1966 who happened to be a German diplomat. Seeing as the Netherlands were invaded and occupied by Nazi-Germany from 1939-1944, it is understandable why the citizens raised questions about a German politician on the thrown. The people of the Netherlands soon found him to be a respectable man and he later became one of the favorites in the royal family. The queen will abdicate in favor of her eldest son, the prince of orange. The prince is a very capable man who has been very interested in modernizing the country. He followed in his mother's footsteps by marrying an Argentinian woman who's father had been the adviser to a dictator. This kicked up doubts that were soon quelled when her father agreed not to come to the wedding. The prince will be the first king in over 100 years. He will mark the new era for the Netherlands. Only time will tell what the result will be.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/28/world/europe/holland-queen-prince/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
I think the whole idea of abdicating the thrown before you die is a very good idea. The practice shows that the abdicator truly trusts the person who comes behind them to do a good job. It demonstrates the confidence of a people that isn't seen many other places. The Netherlands has always been a country of change. They see a goal and pursue it as a populous. They have always been innovators and leaders in technology which is even more prevalent now in our society than ever before. The fact that a new young king is taking the throne seems to only hold promise for a country who needs that to remain a world power. i think this is the right step for the Dutch. Other counties should be taking notes. Especially ours.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/28/world/europe/holland-queen-prince/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
I think the whole idea of abdicating the thrown before you die is a very good idea. The practice shows that the abdicator truly trusts the person who comes behind them to do a good job. It demonstrates the confidence of a people that isn't seen many other places. The Netherlands has always been a country of change. They see a goal and pursue it as a populous. They have always been innovators and leaders in technology which is even more prevalent now in our society than ever before. The fact that a new young king is taking the throne seems to only hold promise for a country who needs that to remain a world power. i think this is the right step for the Dutch. Other counties should be taking notes. Especially ours.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
salvaged satellites for a future
Recently the pentagon decided that it is pretty expensive to spend millions of dollars on one satellite so it can run till its battery dies leaving the rest of the equipment working but powerless. This prompted the pentagon to devise a program in which they could use that working equipment again. the idea is as simple as sending a robot up to salvage the parts and attach them to itself. this makes the robot a satellite with the same functioning capabilities as the original satellite. The research and testing alone are fore-casted to be huge in cost but the pentagon is holding a contract for whoever might be able to fill the bill. The project would then face the actual cost of launch and other crucial parts of space travel. it would be far too expensive for short term but long term is showing much more promising results.
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/01/22/pentagon-researches-new-life-for-dead-satellites/
This project seems to be very promising in my perspective. As a nation we need to return to space and rekindle the old fire we possessed to go to the moon in the sixties. Our modern age was born from the space age. Things like the internet, computers, latex, nylon and Tang to name just a few! Our life was shaped by something that ended 40 years ago. We have been in this age ever since then. Innovation such as that age hasn't been seen since on such a large scale.
This project to reuse old satellite parts through robots is a step in the right direction. the technology to get the salvage equipment into space may very well send a human to mars in the near future. companies will have to innovate and invent to get the, what is sure to be, hefty government contract that is being offered up. This may be the start of the next chapter in humanity.
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/01/22/pentagon-researches-new-life-for-dead-satellites/
This project seems to be very promising in my perspective. As a nation we need to return to space and rekindle the old fire we possessed to go to the moon in the sixties. Our modern age was born from the space age. Things like the internet, computers, latex, nylon and Tang to name just a few! Our life was shaped by something that ended 40 years ago. We have been in this age ever since then. Innovation such as that age hasn't been seen since on such a large scale.
This project to reuse old satellite parts through robots is a step in the right direction. the technology to get the salvage equipment into space may very well send a human to mars in the near future. companies will have to innovate and invent to get the, what is sure to be, hefty government contract that is being offered up. This may be the start of the next chapter in humanity.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I was born
in Kalispel, Montana on new year’s eve in a snow storm. That winter saw 12 feet of snow in
Montana and the most my parents saw in their 16 years living there. I ended living in our home that bordered the
rocky mountains for six and a half years of my life. The place of my birth still influences my
character greatly. Im realistic, honest,
hardy and love the outdoors just like all people that live within 50 miles of
Canada’s border. If you listen you can
hear my problem with words like beg, or dragon.
The “a” sound alludes me normally and if I do figure it out I have
trouble repeating my success. Deep down
I’m still very much the little boy that left his birthplace years ago.
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