I Have a Dream

Easily one of the greatest Americans of all time, let alone the 20th century, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for what he believed in, equality and freedom for all. His policies of peaceful protest and civil disobedience were very key towards his success. His "I Have a Dream" speech is one of the most famous in all of history, and is often quoted still. His death is one of the greatest tragedies in American history. One can't help but wonder how much more he could have accomplished had he lived a longer life. He is one man that I can truly say I would love to have had the respect of.

Like the great Martin Luther King Jr. I too have a dream, one that I truly believe he would have shared.
I dream of the day where colour truly doesn't matter. Where race, sex, or age are just descriptions not qualifiers.
I have a dream of an America where all men are truly created equal. Where how a person does things matters more than what they do for a living. Where equality will be earned on moral grounds, not enforced by government regulations.
I have a dream that my children will not be shackled in debt to big government. That they will be free of oppression from all levels of government, especially any foreign one. Where their fellow man will be willing to work beside them to build this great country called America; not destroy it with excessive government programs, high taxation, and foreign debt.
I have a dream that America will be ruled by morality, justice and law; not by taxation, tyranny, and political correctness.
I have a dream that politicians won't be industry and special interests' bought puppets, but men and women of moral character that felt the call to public service to improve the country for all Americans. People who believe in American exceptionalism and will bring America back to being the single world leader in everything.

Russia to Defend Iran

After the assassination of a scientist in Tehran, Iran was quick to point blame at Israel and the United States. Now, they claim to have proof that the American CIA and British MI6 were directly involved. The US has denied any role and Britain condemned the killing of any civilians, whilst Israel said they weren't directly inolved. Gen. Masoud Jazayeri, spokesman for Iran’s military, was quoted by one of the Iranian state news channels, ISNA, as saying that Tehran was “reviewing the punishment” of “behind-the-scene elements” involved in the assassination. An obvious message that Iran is planning to retaliate.

United States Navy and Coast Guard forces have saved Iranian sailors twice in recent weeks. The Iranian response was to accuse the US of staging the first rescue, and then completely ignored the second. And now they harass US ships in a continued thank you. This does nothing to help ease tensions that are at all time highs due to the assassination of the scientist and Iran's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz over promised sanctions, due to Iran's continued nuclear program. President Ahmadinejad stated once again that sanctions will not have any effect on the program, and that any military intervention will be dealt with firmly.

Russia not content to only state that they will back the Syrian government against it's opposition, have now decided to stand with Iran as well. The Russian government has stated that, "Any attack on Tehran is an attack on Moscow". This complicates any decision by the US and her allies, or the UN for that matter, to enforce the end of Iran's nuclear program. Russia's bringing in of naval forces to the area, has been countered by the French and British navies. China, and now Japan, have spoken out against further sanctions as well, but unlike Russia have not stated they will defend Iran with their own military forces.

Turkey on the other hand has publicly joined the US side of the argument, as a radar station has been made operational in Turkey. The base is manned by Turkish and US forces. Iran has issued a protest against US involvement in the area.

Al Qaeda Seizes Yemen Town

Armed members of Al Qaeda have seized the Yemen town of Radda, centering their occupation in the old citadel and a nearby mosque. Radda was apparently captured with little fight, as it was only defended by the local police. This move puts them close than ever to the capital of Sanaa. Til now they had been restricted to the southern province of Abyan. Fears are that they will continue to expand throughout the country, as tribal forces expand in the north.

The clashes in Yemen, are said to be of great concern to their strong allies, the United States and Saudi Arabia, but not much has actually been done by either country to assist in ending the violence, which the UN estimates has displaced four hundred thousand people. US aid was expected, due to the relationship with Yemen, and that Al Qaeda is a top enemy of the United States.

Yemen's President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, is in the midst of stepping down, as demanded by the people of the country. Power has officially been transferred to the Vice President, but there are fears that he is still pulling the strings and will never actually leave the country.

Hezbollah Backs Assad

Since President Bashar al-Assad's televised address last week, not much has actually changed in Syria. Every day on the streets protestors are being killed by government security forces. Every day the civil war grows and more troops defect to join the rebels. And another member of Syria's government has defected as well, stating that many more would do so, but are afraid to do so.

President Assad has once again offered amnesty to those who have protested against him, this marks the fourth time he has done so. Protestors have until January 31st to turn themselves in, for a full pardon. The Lebanese terrorist organization, Hezbollah has suggested that the amnesty be accepted to avoid further bloodshed. The opposition however points out that each time anyone has accepted the offer, they have disappeared without due process. Over the duration of the protests, an estimated sixty-nine thousand have been detained. Less than half of which have been released.

Sunday, United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon demanded that Assad's government cease killing Syrian people. But as China and Russia have both blocked any attempt by the UN Security Council to even impose sanctions, it is extremely unclear what exactly Ki-moon plans to do about it if the violence continues. Qatar's leader, Sheik Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, did state that troops should be sent in to enforce peace. However, Arab League leaders said that no plan was in place. Egypt, the country most able to send troops, stated they are too busy dealing with their own internal turmoil and national defense.

Romanian Crisis

For most of the past week Romanian's by the thousands have taken to the streets to protest against austerity moves made by the government. The latest ignition for the protests was the forced resigning of the popular Raed Arafat, who had been fighting extremely unpopular government health care reforms. Unfortunately now the protests have turned violent with both police and protestors taking injuries. Prime Minister Emile Boc warned that violence would not be tolerated.

Bucharest, the largest city and capital, has the been main focus for the protests demanding President Traian Basescu step down from power and that new elections be granted. Basescu's government has been unpopular since taking power in 2004. They've gained in strength since 2009 when an agreement was signed with the European Union, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank for a loan of $27.5 billion. Part of the agreement was reducing wages by twenty five percent and increased taxes.

Because of the austerity measures, many Romanians have been unable to find work, seeking employment in other countries. The measures have broken up the country's society, with too many leaving families behind and sending what money they can back to them. Also struck by the measures were pensions, leaving many retirees financially stranded. The Romanian economy has been all but crippled by them, with no change really in sight.

Europe Downgraded

After Standard and Poor's credit downgrades today, nine European countries found their credit ratings lowered. France, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, Slovakia and Slovenia all felt the effects of the latest slashing. Last summer the S&P struck down the United States from AAA to AA+, which is where France and Austria find themselves at now. Europe's strongest economy in Germany was left untouched at AAA. The European Financial Rescue Fund, which is mostly funded by the combined power of France and Germany, was left alone at AAA.

Stocks fell across European and US markets as the rumors of the downgrading began, and were only halted as they closed. French Finance Minister Francois Baroin declared that France has nothing to worry about when even "the United States, the world's largest economy, was downgraded over the summer". Portugal on the other hand, responded quite angrily blaming the S&P's own shortcomings for the credit lowering. And European Commission Vice President Olli Rehn stated that S&P failed to take all things into account and accused them of being biased.


The downgrading will likely make it harder for the various indebted members of the European Union to escape their current financial troubles, as now they will have to pay higher interest rates on their debt. Greece specifically is considered likely to default if they can not get out of their current woes. Italy however seems to be improving, though what effect their downgrade will have is yet to be seen. The United States may be risking seeing it's credit downgraded again, as President Obama has asked for another $1.2 trillion to be added to the debt ceiling. 

The Debtor in Chief

 The Debtor in Chief has asked for more money, yet again. In a press conference Thursday, President Obama requested that the debt limit be raised by $1.2 trillion more, stating that it was needed for current commitments. A spokesperson for Speaker of the House Boehner replied that there is already too much strain on the economy because of the massive debt and that any more would make it all the harder for a timely recovery. Congress has 15 days to block the increase, or it will go into effect.

The national debt clock shows that current debt is already greater than $15.2 trillion. When Obama took office, the debt was only $9.2 trillion. Obama's agenda and government has increased debt at the average of $2 trillion each year that he has been in power. Which means that by the time he is either re-inaugurated or another PoTUS takes his place next January, it will have almost doubled. He has by far added more debt than any other President in history, and is entirely too close to adding more than all of the rest combined.

Congress you have no choice but to say no. The debt must be taken care of. All non-apathetic Americans need to show concern and act by doing everything they can to drown Congress in calls, emails, and letters demanding action against this increase. To the Tea Party specifically, this is what you stated that you came to fight, make the rest of us believe in you. To the Occupy movement, if you have any legitimacy at all, join us in fighting this. We only have two weeks to halt this ridiculousness, and begin the recovery of the greatest economy ever known. Don't wait for November, act now!

Pakistan: Military vs. Government

Pakistan's military has issued threats upon it's own government, stating "This has very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences for the country." after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was critical of how the military has handled the political situation.

Since gaining independence in 1947, the military has maintained a majority of control in the country. Already have three coups within that time. After Osama bin Laden was killed in the country, last May, the Prime Minister had asked the United States to protect Pakistan from yet a fourth, but nothing came out of the threats then.

 Defense secretary Naeem Khalid Lodhi has been removed from his position by Prime Minister Gilani, for "gross misconduct". Lodhi was considered to be much more loyal to the military than the Pakistani government, and is accused of trying to cause strife between the two.

Pakistan's military has on various and increasing occasions involved itself in fire fights against United States and NATO forces, bringing real question to the strength of their cooperation against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. The finding of bin Laden near one of the main Pakistani military bases only highlighted that not all was going well.

Increased Clashes in Yemen

With all of the protests and rebellions occurring around the world Yemen seems at times to be forgotten. The official conflict began almost a year ago, and has been mostly peaceful protests against the regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saleh's government has faced difficulties before. Back in 2004, Zaidi Shias, rebelled against the elected government citing that they were being persecuted by the majority Shiite government and country.

President Saleh has officially handed power over to Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi. He signed an agreement to step down, in November, and continues to serve as honorary President until polls are held in February. The UN and Saleh's opposition are unhappy with the US written agreement, as it contains an amnesty clause for Saleh. The latest violence threatens the peaceful transition though.

In parts of Yemen, there is out right civil war, though most of the fighting is not actually against the government. It is almost between the different ethnic groups: the now familiar Sunnis versus Shia Muslims, though in Yemen the Houthis are at war with the Sunnis as well.

United States military forces have at times taken part in this conflict, mostly through air strikes against Al Qaeda linked rebel groups. The US is considered a strong ally of Saleh's government. Yemen is positioned in a very key strategic location, south of Saudi Arabia, along the Gulf of Aden, and stuck between the Red and Arabian Seas.

The Saber Rattles in North Korea

It has been released that, on Wednesday, North Korea test fired three short range missiles into the East Sea. Oddly the weapons fired appeared to be ground to ground missiles. Possibly just general North Korean saber rattling, or maybe an actual test to improve or see how new weapons work.

The US 7th Air Force announced that it will be deploying twelve F-16s to Gunsan, South Korea. The air base, located about one hundred and fifty miles south of Seoul, will be the home for the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and it's two hundred and forty airmen. Their mission is to "maintain stability in the region". Whether this was in response to the missile tests, or was already in the works is unclear.

The region has really been unstable since the Korean War, but has gained increased scrutiny due to the passing of Kim Jong Il and the installment of his son, Kim Jong Un, as the new dictator. People who did not mourn the death either at all or 'properly' are now being punished by the regime (thanks to BBUMH for that info).

Since his take over Un, has made the expected saber rattling, which is likely the purpose of the missile tests. The fighter deployment could have been in the works since then. Other possible reasons for the deployment, could include the increased hostilities with Iran or the ring around China that the Obama administration has been forming.

Also curious is that once again we see US forces announcing their own movement, rather than the Pentagon Washington DC or the President's administration. In December, it was the US 5th Fleet that initially responded, not anyone from DC, to threats by Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz. Eventually Washington did join in, but this brings about it's own dangerous questions of how much the US military and Obama administration are seeing eye to eye, or is the military just being given a freer hand?