Politics
As Greece wallows in deepening misery, we note that the government issued a special executive order requiring teachers to work on the day a general strike was planned. This may be a test case undertaken by the government t see if the work force can be thus managed. This news item is important as an example of how governments can suppress protest by fragmenting opposition. Greece can no longer control its own borders despite construction…
Tunisia's secular government was a casualty of “Arab Spring”, and it appears that local Imams have taken their proselytizing to public venues such as the streets in front of schools and businesses, and even on the bus. We are still researching the method and extent of these activities, but would say that in general be support the right of people everywhere to share religious beliefs so long as they do not force their views on…
It appears that “Golden Dawn” will be regrouping now that their attempt to hand out Easter food to “Greeks only” has been derailed. Fascist political leanings notwithstanding, it appears that these nationalists are now on the negative end of public opinion for the time being at least. But the Greek tragedy rolls onward, Promethius (the wounded Greek government) has apparently fended off the vulture one more time. In taking an unequivocal stand against…
How much objecting must one do before being labeled “dissident”? Not very much, or so it appears in Egypt. We offer this article as a cutionary exercise for our readers who live incountries where freedom of speech is granted unevenly and withdrawn at will by governments to whome that right does not belong. We offer the U.S. Bill of rights as a refresher for those who might desire a contrast. Amendment I Congress shall…
Coaches lurch and sway as brakes are being applied just before the train enters a long tunnel. And Switzerland invokes a "safeguard clause" to limit emigration from EU nations (Switzerland is not part of the EU). Brussels protests and officials sputter, considering how they might bring the recalcitrant Swiss back into line. But the Swiss are independent (albeit inherently pragmatic) to their national core. Remember that they did business with Hitler, Mussolini, and anyone else…
The battle for Egypt's heat and soul continues as students band together in opposition to the Mursi regime. Elections within student unions on several campuses have seen Muslim Brotherhood influence declining. As faculty and students appear to be coming together in opposition to the current government, official response has been hard to measure. Some student marches and gatherings have been attacked by “thugs” who made every attempt to disband the groups, and brief pitched battles…
Ammunition shortage is a recent phenomenon in the US. Shooting skills are learned by repetition and if not refreshed, can dissappear in a surprisingly short time. We have therefore poked around the web and as a public service offer a few strategies with which the firearms owner might retain a respectible level of training without expending quite so much of that precious commodity – ammunition. Shoot less – Dry fire more - The good…
The battle is now joined in - the cinema? Egypt's film industry has revolted against the Altaqrir' (The Report) – a Nahda (Renaissance) Cinema production. This disapproval has resulted in the film being banned and the producer censured. Muslim Brotherhood (MB) spokesmen now claim that the ban is discrimination against the MB, and that the ban is an affront to artistic expression. Apparently Egyptian law requires that a license must be issued allowing any film…
Venezuela is on the precipice, and not even Hugo's ghost can stop the slide. The”revolution” has run upon hard times as it fragile structure shakes with the departure of the iconic strong man. Even if Chavez was still alive, the country has the appearance of a rumbling volcano. To illustrate this, we note an article concerning a rapidly rising crime rate. We opine that the inherent instability of the regime's remnants have already created too…