Untitled
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Appended
Interesting Imprimis issue discussing the 14th Amendment and how "birthright citizenship" to children born in the U.S. to illegal aliens has been grossly misconstrued by the modern government came with this gem vindicating what is said in the post below. Excuse any typos, I don't have time to fix them, emphasis mine:
"Mexican President Felipe Calderon was in California recently pushing for more liveral immigration policies. He assured his fellow citizens who reside in the U.S. that he is "actively working to defend their human rights." "No matter their immigration status," Calderon said, "They are human beings with dignity and rights that should be respected. We are working, with the full effort of the [Mexican ] government, to bring a halt to the campaigns that harass migrants." However much Calderon may be worried about the human rightgs of his fellow citizens, he is fully cognizant of the fact that Mexico's economy depends on the remittances of its citizens working abroad. These remittances have become Mixico's second largest source of revenue, trailing only its rapidly declingin oil revenues. It is far easier-- and politically safer-- for Mixico to export its poverty than to reform its own plitical and economic system." ¶ 8:20 PM 0 Comments
"Mexican President Felipe Calderon was in California recently pushing for more liveral immigration policies. He assured his fellow citizens who reside in the U.S. that he is "actively working to defend their human rights." "No matter their immigration status," Calderon said, "They are human beings with dignity and rights that should be respected. We are working, with the full effort of the [Mexican ] government, to bring a halt to the campaigns that harass migrants." However much Calderon may be worried about the human rightgs of his fellow citizens, he is fully cognizant of the fact that Mexico's economy depends on the remittances of its citizens working abroad. These remittances have become Mixico's second largest source of revenue, trailing only its rapidly declingin oil revenues. It is far easier-- and politically safer-- for Mixico to export its poverty than to reform its own plitical and economic system." ¶ 8:20 PM 0 Comments
Saturday, July 19, 2008
This Product Not Fit For Human Consumption
I realize I've been neglecting my blog for the past few weeks, but its difficult for me to post on what goes on with me of any interest on a routine basis because it is largely very private. I could report on all the mundane (however interesting to myself) events of my life, but I'm afraid I would lose more readers that way than if I were not to blog at all!
I recently told my friend Arcadiy that I believe it is the moral obligation of the Western world to democratize the rest of the world, by military force if necessary (and in most cases it is). The U.S. has taken a prominent and tirelessly criticized role in this since the end of the second World War, and to no shame or regret it has largely been in our own interest. Whether to liberate oppressed people, redirect control of resources, or improve our political positioning against a more dangerous enemy, and despite a long list of mistakes, the U.S. has been the benefactor of peace and stability more than any other single nation in history. Humanitarian efforts have their short term successes, but I'm afraid it often prolongs and intensifies the problem. When you don't couple food and medical supply delivery and school building with forcing the hand of an irrational and narcissistic dictator, all you do is make it easier for him to survive.
The wall along the U.S.-Mexican border is a good idea, but its not enough (especially for how poorly engineered it is; has the southwest ever heard of razor wire?). I don't have any issues with regulated immigration (its one of the few things I believe the government should have the power to regulate) but illegal immigration is intolerable for a number of reasons:
1. Honest Mexicans are outside the umbrella of free market forces and vulnerable to the worst America has to offer.
2. With honest Mexicans illegally crossing the borders comes drugs, criminals, disease, and of course terror agents.
3. Most of all, it allows the Mexican government to stay ever corruptive because Mexicans have a better alternative to revolution. Holes along the border through which Mexicans cross are like steam pipes releasing pressure from a power plant.
The latter is exactly what happens in nations throughout the world that we make possible through government sponsored international aid and humanitarian charity organizations.
To say that we are imperialist or fascist for influencing change abroad through military efforts is grossly hypocritical of those who support humanitarian organizations. Change does not occur in a vacuum; we're calming the potential angry, desperate masses in many nations, we are quelling potential revolution and liberation of people and are the best friends of the governments we mutually criticize the harshest. It's not unlike taxpayer fueled bailouts for failing U.S. industries, whereby the subsidized industry essentially becomes an arm of the government.
In any case, I've rethought what I told Arcadiy only a month or two ago, and democratizing the world may not necessarily be the obligation of the West, but I've only repositioned myself to find uncertainty rather than another, more moderate role for the U.S. and Western Europe. Always glad to uselessly opine for the ol' blog. ¶ 8:28 PM 1 Comments
I recently told my friend Arcadiy that I believe it is the moral obligation of the Western world to democratize the rest of the world, by military force if necessary (and in most cases it is). The U.S. has taken a prominent and tirelessly criticized role in this since the end of the second World War, and to no shame or regret it has largely been in our own interest. Whether to liberate oppressed people, redirect control of resources, or improve our political positioning against a more dangerous enemy, and despite a long list of mistakes, the U.S. has been the benefactor of peace and stability more than any other single nation in history. Humanitarian efforts have their short term successes, but I'm afraid it often prolongs and intensifies the problem. When you don't couple food and medical supply delivery and school building with forcing the hand of an irrational and narcissistic dictator, all you do is make it easier for him to survive.
The wall along the U.S.-Mexican border is a good idea, but its not enough (especially for how poorly engineered it is; has the southwest ever heard of razor wire?). I don't have any issues with regulated immigration (its one of the few things I believe the government should have the power to regulate) but illegal immigration is intolerable for a number of reasons:
1. Honest Mexicans are outside the umbrella of free market forces and vulnerable to the worst America has to offer.
2. With honest Mexicans illegally crossing the borders comes drugs, criminals, disease, and of course terror agents.
3. Most of all, it allows the Mexican government to stay ever corruptive because Mexicans have a better alternative to revolution. Holes along the border through which Mexicans cross are like steam pipes releasing pressure from a power plant.
The latter is exactly what happens in nations throughout the world that we make possible through government sponsored international aid and humanitarian charity organizations.
To say that we are imperialist or fascist for influencing change abroad through military efforts is grossly hypocritical of those who support humanitarian organizations. Change does not occur in a vacuum; we're calming the potential angry, desperate masses in many nations, we are quelling potential revolution and liberation of people and are the best friends of the governments we mutually criticize the harshest. It's not unlike taxpayer fueled bailouts for failing U.S. industries, whereby the subsidized industry essentially becomes an arm of the government.
In any case, I've rethought what I told Arcadiy only a month or two ago, and democratizing the world may not necessarily be the obligation of the West, but I've only repositioned myself to find uncertainty rather than another, more moderate role for the U.S. and Western Europe. Always glad to uselessly opine for the ol' blog. ¶ 8:28 PM 1 Comments
Friday, July 4, 2008
Dyooooonyuuuuuhhhhh Fishin'
Colorado has been mostly fun, although traveling with my family is difficult and often very frustrating for me because I move at a much faster pace than any of them. I watch a few shows, downloading them online so I don't have to watch commercials and I only have to watch what I want to, but I loathe broadcast entertainment. Aside from a few admittedly indispensable virtues, television has been one of the most destructive forces in American and Western culture over the past 50 years. Its been on almost continuously since we arrived at the condo.
On Wednesday, my dad and I went fly fishing north of the tiny town of Kremling. We caught a number of Rainbow Trout, but despite what you may think, they were all straight fish. They were, nonetheless, Obama supporters, and considering their numbers its comforting to know they cannot vote. I'm not certain how long it will be before Democrats try to extend voting privileges to all living things, but if they have their way, the first black president may be an ant.
My friend Dunia came up from a dig in Nebraska last night and we went on a hike down the street from the condo. My sisters and dad hiked with us, but my dad got sick about an hour in and we had to turn back. I totally nailed Dunia with a dandelion. Since she only showers once a week, I bet she still has a huge yellow streak down the back of her arm. Hilarious. A special thanks to my sisters for telling Dunia embarassing childhood stories. I can't wait until those are amplified by the power of the AIESEC network.
Later, we went into Breckenridge and hung out at the Gold Pan saloon for a while. Unfortunately, we had to sign contracts with the bar not to repeat anything we spoke about on the premises or within 25 feet of either entrance, so theres little to relate about the remainder of the night, but lets say it was super fun. It was good to escape some of the tension that had built up with my family back at the condo, too. Dunia and I had fun with closed shop windows.
¶ 12:33 PM 0 Comments
On Wednesday, my dad and I went fly fishing north of the tiny town of Kremling. We caught a number of Rainbow Trout, but despite what you may think, they were all straight fish. They were, nonetheless, Obama supporters, and considering their numbers its comforting to know they cannot vote. I'm not certain how long it will be before Democrats try to extend voting privileges to all living things, but if they have their way, the first black president may be an ant.
My friend Dunia came up from a dig in Nebraska last night and we went on a hike down the street from the condo. My sisters and dad hiked with us, but my dad got sick about an hour in and we had to turn back. I totally nailed Dunia with a dandelion. Since she only showers once a week, I bet she still has a huge yellow streak down the back of her arm. Hilarious. A special thanks to my sisters for telling Dunia embarassing childhood stories. I can't wait until those are amplified by the power of the AIESEC network.
Later, we went into Breckenridge and hung out at the Gold Pan saloon for a while. Unfortunately, we had to sign contracts with the bar not to repeat anything we spoke about on the premises or within 25 feet of either entrance, so theres little to relate about the remainder of the night, but lets say it was super fun. It was good to escape some of the tension that had built up with my family back at the condo, too. Dunia and I had fun with closed shop windows.
¶ 12:33 PM 0 Comments
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
From 11,000 Feet
I realized most of my photos are pretty crappy so far, so I'll try to do better for y'all. Promise.
I'm about to go fly-fishing! Look forward to pictures and stuff of that. ¶ 5:57 AM 0 Comments
I realized most of my photos are pretty crappy so far, so I'll try to do better for y'all. Promise.
I'm about to go fly-fishing! Look forward to pictures and stuff of that. ¶ 5:57 AM 0 Comments
