US military assistance to Nigeria

I am thankful that currently the Philippine government is receiving pledges to institute a peace from the rebel groups who have waged war over these several years.  I understand that the US military has had advisers stationed on the islands to lend expertise in achieving this success.  And let us make no mistake about it--this is a wonderful day in Filipino history.

Now, Nigeria is embattled in its northeast region--this conflict still remaining, after years of continued violence all over the country.  The Nigerian President appears to be well-meaning and deserving of help to rid the conflict in the northeast, possibly supported by rebels from other nearby lands.  But clearly, the reports of atrocities from Amnesty International accusing the government of horrible acts in the region upon persons--residing there and those in opposition alike--is an indication the government does not know how to handle the country's insurrection problem.  Its approach is, apparently, to liquidate the opposition--an approach not dissimilar to what Russia instituted against its Islamic uprising in mountainous regions-- until nothing is left today but the silence of the brutally-tamed resistors yet alive. 

I have confidence, that the US military could render assistance, given what miracles the US military has worked in the Philippines in supporting that government. (I also wish the US military had current bases in Iraq to sustain the peace it wrought among antagonist Islamic factions.) 

I have followed the Nigerians struggle to attain a lasting peace throughout the entire country; and I've spoken, somewhat recently, with Nigerians about their struggle to bring about peace.  I think they're trying, even today, to attain that end; but they simply are going about it wrongly. 

Saturday, October 19, 2013

--I'm re-using the topic "Action Item" under the rubric "What's Up John?"  Under this,  I'll be placing as items my hopes for action that will lead to the results I am urgently pleading for!  Usually, I won't advocate how to bring about an action that I'm recommending, save to wholeheartedly endorse it.  Perhaps, there's already a means in place to achieve the action I am supporting.

--I'll also be adding shortly to the Didactics 2 new items.  This blog really has only "interplay" as a sub-topic at this time.

--P.S.  I'm finding Las Vegas fertile ground for research and study!  A vast improvement from the places I've had to settle down...in for a time.

An International Rush toward Social Change

It started with the Arab Spring.  Suddenly, Islam was in re-insurgence.  Clearly, the Western powers had no inkling this would happen.  They, in response, have attempted to gain hold of the phenomenon, to control it as best they can.  In Libya, they supplied weaponry to the rebels to overthrow the dictatorship that was in existence.  In Syria, they're trying once again to control events.  Finally, their hopes lie with the Russian Federation  (of all the nations in the world to count on!) to provide them with a way into the fast-moving world of the Middle-East, spear-headed by Saudi Arabia, and other very wealthy nations in the area; and the struggling Iran, with its oil-rich reserves and regional influence.

The presence of the US navy in Africa (Parenthetically, I understand the navy has been given the especial task of assisting African countries.) is a major thrust to bring about social change.  In Somalia, the influence of alQaeda has been weakened by the navy seals' strikes.  Just as important, the NGOs have brought about remarkable curtailment in the spread of AIDs, a disease long plagued South Africa.  Then too, far off Indonesia is exhibiting Islamic leadership internationally.  And, rebellion is seemingly lessening on the African continent, as witnessed by the containment of violence in Nigeria to its northeastern region.

But the clear winner in the Arab Spring movement is Egypt, led by its military junta. 

The thought has arisen among intellectuals in the West that the European nations and the US may be in a decline.  This impression is bolstered by the refusal of England to offer anything but aid to the displaced Syrians in surrounding countries, declining to assert leadership posture; and in the United States an indecision to support the rebel moderates on the Syrian battlefields against the loyal Assad forces.

What is a driving force in the US to near neutrality in the Syrian conflict is its middle class, weary of war and of being trodden upon by the rising tide of penniless workers around the world who are vying for jobs and the quest for a good life.  Even the unions are motivated to reach out boldly in renewed ways to the working class in its never-ending struggle with wealthy entrepreneurs.

As noted by Fared Zakaria in his show of October 13 on FOX news, China is joining the frantic rush.  It's not only seeking to win favor on the African continent by offering aid to native countries to develop their infrastructure and improve their trade posture on the world scene, but (though not brought out in Zakaria's piece) it is colonizing throughout that continent, much like Japan has done in South America.  Because of its huge population surplus at home, it is nurturing the emergence of their own cultural meccas on foreign soils. 

So, what's the rush propelling social change at this time?  It's the growing masses of youths coming on the scene--without jobs, without comfortable living quarters--with only a demand they make along with the poor and neglected whatever their age--that those who have should see them, not as interlopers on the social scene, but simply as members of the human race no different from those who have.  So that in the end, they, the next generation, will become property owners, too; and they will live the good life, too (even as presented on the TV!).  That vision of a tangible good life currently inspires and carries these youth forth toward property ownership and toward an equal prosperity. That vision will be passed on to future generations, based on the fundamental fact of earthly existence: we are altogether a race of homo sapiens!
.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

--I'm reviving the blog-series Studies in Interplay to include my learning from encounters with the world.  I've changed the blog's title to Didactics in recognition of its greater inclusiveness.  First item,
"Tea Partiers vs. High  Rollers:"  the near-sighted politicos vs. the far-sighted industrial capitalists.

--I've moved already into a senior living housing project close to downtown Las Vegas.  I've gotten used to being here--having located a place for dinner--The Las Vegas Rescue Mission, serving a really fine meal nightly; a quiet and pleasant public library for Internet stuff and frequent night faire--The West Charleston public library--and as backup, the Clark County Library, that features special events; and now a very, very nice place to live with a view of the hills in the east.  I also take advantage of the area's pantries that enable me to benefit from more food than I could afford to buy.  And, then there's the "Fremont Experience," not far away, which nightly serves as a street parade of fun and fancy for Vegas visitors and residents alike.  I'm in the process of locating an Episcopal Church.  But even more, more, more, through COX cable, I now can watch programs on the C-SPAN 1, 2, 3 channels!  Still (thank God!) I've yet to need the local medical care facilities, though I wouldn't have come to Vegas without having first checked that they're really, really, really, really spectacular!!!     

Iran without nuclear armament ambition

If I heard aright on CNN this morning, Iran's new President, a former member of Iran's nuclear monitoring team that included international monitoring delegates, has re-affirmed that his country will not pursue developing nuclear weapons such as a nuclear bomb; though it will attempt to use nuclear power for peaceful purposes. 

I will continue to maintain that Iran is not a serious threat to world-peace, even though it has obviously aided the Syrian government in training and arming the Syrian military.  There are factions in Iran that hate the US and attempt to do hostile actions against the West.  But I think the present regime is making strides to cope with this internal problem.

I have argued also through the years that US policy pertaining to Iraq has actually brought it under Iran's sphere of influence.  Currently, I understand, southern Iraq is strongly influenced by proximity to Iran's borders.  But Iran seems a country in change for the better, despite its ties to Putin.

Specifically, I think Chinese trade is helping Iran re-assess its world posture.           

Thursday, September 19, 2013

--I hope I've got senior housing, beginning very soon; and very nice!  I'll order CSAN 1 & 2 the moment I get cable installed!

--Thanks to the West Charleston Library in the Las Vegas Library system, I'm making better progress on editing the Social-X series, but then I've got another chapter I'm introducing on  "Social Meaning."  Has to be researched a lot more than I've done already.   

Saturday, August 31, 2013

--I'm still engaged in the project of editing the Social-X series.  But I was derailed!

--Actually, I've moved to Las Vegas, Nevada.  I'm not sure I'll be able to afford to stay here, but the town is great--almost equal in comparison to El Paso, Texas, which I consider the cat's meow--if only I could have  learned Spanish.  I'm just too old; and no refresher course would have done the trick. 

I've had to become accustomed to a new library setting; and am learning to get around; get my documentation and id transferred, so it's going to take awhile.  The 3 weeks I've been here have netted significant gains and accomplishments that will make this move a success--even if I have to move on.  For the time being, I'm having fun!  And, I like where I'm living.

Incidentally, in the course of moving here, I went back to Washington, DC in the hopes that maybe I could swing it there.  No luck.  Ugh.

--Good Labor Day weekend!