My intended initaitive

I ntend to start publishing on this blog at least a bi-weekly article where I remark on two stories+ from BBC's World Edition feed, whose five most recent articles can be seen on the right. I will do at least two of them but more if I find other ones interesting. I will probably publish the first sometime tonight or tomorrow.

Diary Entry - World War 3?

The theory Michael Mendelbaum puts forth (or at least one of them) in his book The Case for Goliath suggests The United States of America has been serving a necessary and important role as the World's government post-WWII and during the Cold War, and although the world might not need all of those services anymore, the absence of a large, established, and declared state (as of yet, and not including al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations) to effectively oppose the US military-wise is proof we can't be seen as that bad around the world and many nations don't object to our presence but rather welcome it. Sure one can argue that America's mere presence is enough of a deterrent to people to oppose it militarily but that argument can go on forever, it is just like going around is circles. Have we risen as that powerful of a force after World War II that no country after it (other than the USSR) actively oppose it on an equal base, could a nation become that powerful in such a small amount of time? Just like during the Cold War, America was preferred by the majority of sovereign states because we were the lesser of two evils. America can still provide useful services around the world despite the end of the Cold War.
-----America is trying to become a better superpower, as we have noticed we are currently the only one. No force is policing us, therefore it is up to us to conduct matters in our hands properly, and not abuse the power. Just like people, countries make mistakes. The backbone of all nations is the government and every branch relies on people. The potential for corruption is present at all times, as a complete democracy is not yet possible. Any group, even large ones, have the possibility of corruption lingering at all times. It can be argued America is currently in that position, but things pass and hopefully Bush's administrations mistakes don't pop up in the future. All we can do is learn from the mistakes we have made and do better in the future, hopefully preventing further mistakes in the future. We may have failed at times in the past and are encountering rough patches in the present. You can't make progress if you're too afraid to fail. A willingness to potentially fail is the only way to truly make progress. Without deviation, progress is not possible. Perhaps if all people were too scared to make the world a better place, like the US has been attempting, maybe we would currently be embroiled in yet another World War.
-----Perhaps WWIII is currently being waged, out of the attempt to spread peace, the principles of democracy and free market, which is currently the most effective economic system currently available around the world. The US is leading the way in this global campaign which can be misconstrued and mistakenly seen as an attempt at global domination. I understand how it may seem that way to some people, because of the misunderstood and misguided conflicts we have gotten involved in lately. At times we might be pushing the limits trying to spread our "ideals" around the world but those are ones that have reasonably worked for us now and in the past all around the world. Though some nations may not think this will work for them, you might as well cooperate to avoid unnecessary deaths and later on peacefully create a different type of government and economy. Our method may not be perfect but it is a work-in-progress and can anyone provide a better method other than dictatorial, totalitarian, and religiously oppressive governments?

The Middle East, Part 1

POTENTIAL TARGETS AND FUTURE AMERICAN ADMINISTRATIONS
AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO OUR DESIRE FOR GLOBAL DOMINATION

So, playing the devil's advocate and humoring nay-sayers, if America intends to conquer the world, what would be the best and therefore the most logical next step towards accomplishing that goal? We are currently in the process of securing the majority of the known oil in the world. It just so happens that in order for a military the size of America's to operate and get things done, a vast amount of oil is required, and to kill two birds with one stone, we are keeping it out of the hands of potential threats by getting it first. The first on the list is rogue governments operating in the Middle East and the most visible one those at the time, was Iraq and apparently after that ---- Iran.
-----Though Iran could cause even more trouble than Iraq is right now, and god knows how long our forces will be tied up there until we can confidently move on, that is out of the question, for now. If we ever do get around to invading, our next target would likely be North Korea but at the writing of the article, NK's government appears to be more willing in dealing with Nuclear protection people. That is a brief list and discussion of primary military targets being waged right now and possibly in the future. Now I would like to move on to what the post-Bush administration might look like and how these people are going to approach the preceding military intervention plans.
-----It seems very likely that the Democrats are going to take power after Dubya and his cronies but that doesn't necessarily mean the war is going to end anytime soon. A hasty retreat and another war against Iraq that remains unfinished business would surely prove to be a problem and threat to America's future. What would Hillary or Barack's approaches likely be? They might finish the Iraq war but I cannot imagine their administration nor the American people allowing another hairy war anytime soon. To finalize the opinion in what wars with North Korea or Iran would look like, if we fight the traditional "Tank on tank" style of warfare we would rule militarily as always but if the people refuse to cooperate with us another unconventional war will ensue. So hopefully we can squash their ability to fight us in any way but directly and post-invasion/nation-building operates smoothly after major military activity ceases.

Suggested Watching and Listening Material

Visual Entertainment:
Television Shows:
Duckman
League of gentlemen
Upright citizens brigade
Stella
I'm with busey
Music:
Rock:
neil young - like a hurricane
blue oyster cult - don't fear the reaper
wishbone ash/ pheonix
jethro tull/ nothing to say
Matthew's southern comfort - wood-stock
five man electric band - signs
merry-weather /we can make it
grateful dead - china cat, i know you rider, looks like rain/ eternity

Other:
Heitor villa-lobos choros no. 1
michael starke - trio sonata-two recorders and Bc_____
dune - forever
cala - beethoven piano sonata no. 8 the pathetique mvt. 1
johann sebastian bach - double violin concerto in d minor
vivaldi
status qou/ somethings going on in my head
in the land of a few
dozhd - sluzhebniy roman (soundtrack)
clamenco guitarist john erbentraut
handel - water music suite. No. 1