UN Meeting on Current Crisis of food shortages in Africa

 For the next 3 days, I understand, Nigeria is the host to a conference on the current crisis across Africa because of starvation and malnutrition.  This crisis is the direct result of climate change's affect on agriculture: an invasion of locusts destroying crops in the east, draught overtaking lands used for farming, as well as flooding of crops occurring in the lower plains.  Add to these woes is the incursion of the pandemic the whole world is suffering from.  

I listened to a BBC newscast last night which claimed the African Union is not doing a good enough job in distributing food relief.  At least, maybe some good ideas for locating and distributing food quickly will emerge from this Nigerian conference.

The US Worker's Fight for his own self-respect: a step forward

 CNN's Jake Tapper threw out the possibility that Senator Sanders may take the job of Secretary of Labor should Biden win.  It's a great idea!

For lo these many years--70 years just about--the American worker has been neglected, robbed of his own self-respect for doing an excellent job!  Reason?  Make way for the computer to work alongside him or her.  And now, AI technology is making its mark in American industry, too.  Oh, yes, the worker was told here and in Japan and elsewhere that the computer has taken hold, that as a result of his patience, the goods he buys--mostly from China--he now buys for less; and American companies must have to eat the fact that goods sold in America became cheaper due to competition from abroad.

Well, Trump is engaged in a trade war with China to make prices more competitive for the consumer.  His war is hurting both American and Chinese corporations, while upping the coffers of the government, I contend.  Specifically, no benefit to the worker in his wages or K401 savings.

What is needed--the new Secretary of Labor find and make use of a labor union model from abroad that clearly demonstrates that the worker is receiving the respect he rightfully deserves there; yet has been denied him in the US corporate world here where he works.  I suggest the German labor unions as a model; I've seen them fight for labor rights and win big!  The labor unions in the US government do pretty well, too.

Bernie, I hope you sound off big--should you decide to take it.

  

    

What could be the use of a tilt-rotor go-up-and-down-and-sideways helicopter?

Let your imagination ponder the scene.  I did after the Brookings Institution discussion of the Bell version

on last Thursday.

The helicopter takes off from an aircraft carrier 1500 miles away--practically, noiseless in flight.  Nearing the intending target area, it zooms in a spurt to nearly 500 miles per hour then switches to down-up power and lands without a peep from anybody around it.

The door opens and out into the night go 20 Navy Seals, surround a farmhouse, then 2 enter to do their business before the local police rouse themselves to their vehicles.  One man from within was taken them back into the helicopter.  But before returning from whence they come, they leave a calling card for the police by bombing the place.

Mission accomplished:  just another obliteration of a Fascist cell operating from the woodlands in southern Germany--a relic of Nazism, now no more.

Whole itinerary: in 120 minutes performed by a NATO team!         

 

What territory that is ours is actually of use or value to the United States?

 Currently, the Biden team is expressing interest in taking on a plethora of infrastructure projects.  I think this is a good thing, but in light of the changes anticipated in the territory of the US that can be deemed "usable for...," and because of the increased damages that will be caused here-on due to fires and hurricanes in forest and rural regions, principally, I think the military must engage in making the determination as to what land in the country can be available for private and commercial usage and even for forestry and bridge and roadway construction.   

I am particularly aware that the state of Florida has many islands developed for private and commercial zoning.  And some of these may soon be under water permanently!

There must also be in place a process whereby the homeowner or commercial interest can appeal a decision in a prompt adjudication process, lasting no more than 6 months.

  

A Worldwide Pandemic Crisis and where's the charismatic leader?

When there's a world in crisis, look to the charismatic figure for salvation!  So we are taught.

But where was the modern Joan of Arc; the Billy Graham; the George Washington?

When Trump negated interest in the day-to-day fight against the virus, I thought that man--our savior-- would emerge from among the state governors.  One of them would call all the governors together and tell his plan to enforce emergency measures on us all.  But they--each of them--were too busy trying to get supplies and machines for their several states.  No one would stand tall.  There is a fire consuming the nation; and no one would shout out, "Save yourself and your loved ones!"

And so we stumble around each other, moaning, "Well, if it gets me, then I guess my time is up!"

  

    

Belarus middle class techies want something better than communism!

 I have friends in Ukraine who inform me that they've been helping Belarus's middle class of techies throw off their dictatorship, a brand of government which they've outgrown, so to think for themselves, but unfortunately still dominates Russian politics. (I hope only to 2024!)

It may take more protest.  I am with them in spirit!

Two South American Governments Want to Stay Democratic! Please, help them so to do!

I have resorted to publicizing the institutional group established by Great Britain, the Commonwealth of States as a dedicated, declared organization to promote democracy in the world.  The current Prime Minister of GB, Boris Johnson, headed it before taking on his present duties for his country.

There sits Guyana and Suriname in South America trying to embrace democracy, i.e., display all the features a democracy should possess.  In the August 8th issue of the Economist an article entitled "Oil Futures" raises the skeptical question, "Will they really succeed?  Is there a five-year test, for instance that we can apply to each?  For both these countries are attempting to develop their oil reserves.  Now we know that Nigeria has an abundance of oil, some in production right now.  But oh, how long they have attempted to quell rebellion in the northwest of the country.  Once native energy sources are available for development, that country is prone to internal strife and chaos.  And we know that maintaining democracy is a complicated affair:  look at the questions President Trump is raising about the forthcoming election in the States!

That is why in alluding to the Commonwealth, I have also urged that group find a democracy among its membership that would be willing to steer the avowed democracy around the pitfalls that will mean the doom of any well-intention nation to stand tall for its people (e.g., participating in a free and independent state, where corruption has not permeated its administration).  I have identified such a democratic nation as a mentor to help out a nation willing to become a democracy.

Wasn't that the notion sometime ago of an advanced nation who took on the responsibilities of establishing colonies among budding nations in the Third World?  What has gone wrong?  Nations have turned to autocratic tyrants rather than to their people for determining governmental policies and principles their government proclaims their citizenry are to live by.  These nations have one man or a group of men in charge of their citizenry's well-being; and determine the rules by which a people--no longer free--are to live. Their citizenry must forsake their own independence and their own critical thinking!  For the government who is not their servant!  Indeed, democracy seems on a retreat from the international scene, while so many nations take on one-man rule.

We know that Mali is in the throes of chaos.  Would that some democracy become its mentor for the sake of free peoples the world over, who everyday guide their government, not live in fear lest they fail to comply with the rules laid down by a ruling elite junta. . 

      

     

Ready? Set? BOOM! KNOWLEDGE EXPLOSION at the Us worldwide!

 The August 8th issue of the Economist captures the momentous occasion we are witnessing in the university system across the world.  I have theorized what is now in the process of taking place:  because of online instruction proffered by the most innovative minds of our time, college students deemed capable of profiting from the course material appearing in the college catalog can sign up for the instruction by the very best thinkers in the field on the topics in which the professor excels.  

Virtually, the Albert Einsteins of today are teaching via the computer to qualified students who, the University has vouchsafed, should be able to learn from--yet who are the most productive professors in their particular realm of expertise.  We should assume that the mentorship principle holds, viz., the successfully proven ideas of the accomplished doer is the fodder for the creative genius of his or her follower and mimic, who is likely to pioneer a new way into the future.

On this radical concept of university instruction, the in situ instructor is a motivator, encourages those students taking the course presented by the Master to learn and do likewise as the Master does.  The he or she instructor on a university campus looks for progress in each enrolled student's in learning taught online by the Master.  

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I witnessed the University of Illinois' PLATO series of online courses as these were being developed in the 1970s--too new a concept to catch on in a university atmosphere anywhere--as university education was conceived in those days--dating from the Middle Ages!

The challenges yet exist to bring about the changes needed to make the university system more responsive to society's crying needs for new knowledge that will be applied to our problems in living today.  

(In the university system, I also include the huge numbers of community and technical colleges available to those unable to meet tuition financial needs students in university settings must meet.)

But, the vision of university teaching--master teacher to inquiring young mind--is herein met via the transmission of instruction online with local coaches--the stimulators to learn--fostering the steps in coming to master the knowledge that the Master willingly imparts online.         

Turkey now echoes the Ottoman Empire in the Muslim World

President Erdogan has taken Turkey into its prime.  The August 1 issue of the Economist mentions its major accomplishments since the early 1990s.  I remember Turkey when it did not stand so closely with the Muslim faith: a place for one to worship as he saw fit.  But now, in my way of thinking, Turkey has done yeoman service recently in bringing together nations of the Muslim faith in unity.

I cannot forget how Turkey endeavored to bring aid to the Palestinians and by so doing, break Israel's navy blockade of Gaza years back.  I am amazed to learn that Turkey is still talking with the EU to attain full membership status.  Nevertheless, its accomplishments towards brotherhood are astounding.  

The Turkish military has always been an egregious presence in the region and in NATO.  It seems the military junta has made accommodation for Erdogan, since through military might, Turkey has extended its presence throughout the Middle East, bringing development and prosperity.  Its close relations with Dubai provide it a financial rating par excellence.  

I am hopeful that the President will further demonstrate his leadership in the Arab world by joining with Jakarta and Asian Muslims to rid the jihadist claims to political power in Africa; and will continue his support of  the UN-backed government in Libya.

I further believe that there can be an acceptance of the PKK's presence in both Turkey and Iraq.  I believe that President Erdogan's efforts for peace in the region will encompass such disputes that long have lingered among Islamic sects.