Palin’s personal life, however, is not the only thing at issue. It goes far deeper than shrewd politicking that both camps share. There is a big elephant in the room, and neither Republicans nor Democrats would dare talk about it. That elephant’s name, is Roe v. Wade… (more…)
America
September 2, 2008
Striking a “Roe” Nerve: the troubles of Gov. Palin
Posted by willshakespeare under America, afghanistan | Tags: abortion, birth control, conservative, election, liberal, mccain, nancy pelosi, obama, politics, religion, roe v. wade, sarah palin, secularism, sex, teen pregnancy, US election |[10] Comments
February 28, 2008
Impunity
Posted by willshakespeare under America, Southeast Asia, Suharto, United States, United nations, autocracy, caudillo, cynicism, despair, dictator, dictatorship, ferdinand marcos, hitler, idi amin, judgment, justice, milosevic, mussolinni, nazi, political reform, politics, romania, russia, suffering, thaksin shinawatra, warlordismLeave a Comment
Throughout the world, the end results have been the same. Dictators who were overthrown either have the sympathy of the new strongman, or have entered ill health as to no longer be held accountable for their crimes… In record, I can count maybe one or two who were actually tried and executed for atrocities… (more…)
February 24, 2008
The New (Eastern) Order: Russia’s out of it
Posted by willshakespeare under America, Iraq, US politics, United States, World, balkans, central asia, china, communism, cuba, election, europe, european union, fidel castro, games, independence, influence, iran, issues, kazakhstan, kosovo, latin america, middle east, milosevic, north korea, poland, politics, post-Cold war, russia, russian elections, serbia, soviet union, the great game, ukraine, vladimir putin1 Comment
Since Vladimir Putin’s accession to the Presidency, Russia has fought a long, uphill battle to maintain its status as a global heavyweight. Despite their best efforts, they have lost the fear and impression of the states around them… (more…)
February 22, 2008
The Fatal Flaw of Western Democracies
Posted by willshakespeare under Africa, America, Ancient Rome, Democracy, England, History, Legislature, Manila, Parliament, Philippine politics, Philippines, Roman Republic, Society, Southeast Asia, Sukarno, US election, US politics, United States, World, aquino, autocracy, caudillo, communism, congress, dictator, dictatorship, duty, edsa, edsa dos, election, enlightenment, general, independence, insurrection, issues, latin america, legitimacy, marcos, martial law, military, musharraf, obligations, political reform, politics, reform, republic, revolution, serfdom, warlordism[2] Comments
There are currently three forms of Democracies existing now, each with their specific flaws. The United States model stands out; yet, is all really as it seems? Here, then, is the first part of the “Searching for Democracy” series. (more…)
February 19, 2008
For Better or For Worse: Cuba, Pakistan, Kosovo
Posted by willshakespeare under America, Democracy, History, Legislature, Opinion, Philippine politics, Philippines, Society, Southeast Asia, Suharto, US election, US politics, World, afghanistan, bhutto, castro, commitment, communism, congress, cuba, cynicism, dictatorship, duty, election, entertainment, fidel castro, happiness, hate, independence, insurrection, issues, kosovo, legitimacy, military, milosevic, movie, movies, musharraf, pakistan, pakistani elections, peace, political reform, politics, post-Cold war, reform, revolution, serbia, work[3] Comments
Everywhere there seems to be a feeling of fatigue for one failed system after another, and movements (like Obama’s, which seems to be sweeping the United States) have begun to spring up, maybe not with real platforms, but change for change’s sake. Until recently, we’d never have seen Thai soldiers suddenly meeting on closed doors with the blessings of their king, to topple a corrupt leader. We’d never have seen protesters taking to the streets of Myanmar in opposition to that country’s junta. (more…)
February 13, 2008
Finding Our Good Samaritans
Posted by willshakespeare under 9-11, America, Christian, Christianity, God, History, Iraq, Opinion, Society, The Good Samaritan, Thoughts, War, World, afghanistan, arroyo, commitment, cynicism, dictatorship, duty, enlightenment, faith, filia, fulfillment, happiness, hate, heart, inspirational, life, love, obligations, osama bin laden, pain, peace, reform, relationships, suffering, tranquility, workLeave a Comment
Tirelessly, and with no reward in sight, they will still work to care for people. They come off as traitors, and fools. How could they love people with so much hate? How could they give their lives to people who would readily sacrifice it to murder innocents? “I don’t care how many lives he’s killed. So long as he’s here, he’s my patient.” “God taught us to love everyone. Even those who hurt us.” “We are equal before God. Everyone deserves a dignified life.” (more…)
February 8, 2008
Age of Terror: Legitimacy
Posted by willshakespeare under 9-11, America, Blitzkrieg, History, Iraq, New York, Opinion, Southeast Asia, US politics, War, World, afghanistan, bojinka, insurrection, issues, legitimacy, military, osama bin laden, politics, post-Cold war, revolution, terrorism1 Comment
In the post-Cold War world, Usama bin Laden was hardly in anyone’s thoughts. But he had high-flung dreams. And in the years that the world ignored him, he would brood, plot, train and struggle to gain recognition, and legitimacy…