Karl Marx and, I, the Enemy

http://business.time.com/2013/03/25/marxs-revenge-how-class-struggle-is-shaping-the-world/print/

After reading the article at the URL cited above and posting it and comment to my facebook, I received responses that prompted me to further comment and raise the question, "Why do most Americans see Communists as "the enemy?"

This has long been a problem with American world view. That which may be in opposition to the U.S.its ethos, and its capitalist democracy is "the enemy" That said, it seems that an objective assessment of the man's (Marx) work is beyond us. And those, among us, who acknowledge the work of Marx, Engel, and/or Lenin for its academic excellence are tagged with the labels "red, commie, pinko, lefty" and other derogatory terms that speak more to the ignorance of the name caller than to the person being labeled. No, I am not a communist, socialist nor do I belong to either of their organizations. I do, however, appreciate having learned of Marx's writings and find them useful for comparative purposes. It is also unfortunate that comparison is a little valued subject in the America's educational process which finds us victim to such U.S. propaganda as "exceptionalism." and its positive aspects without consideration of the negative that accompanies the existence of the theory. Sad, indeed. So, I guess that in the minds of those who might read this commentary, I am and will forever remain, "the enemy" but, believe me, I will lose little sleep over the addition of another label to my person.

N Korea ‘readies’ rockets to strike US bases – Asia-Pacific – Al Jazeera English

March 29, 2013thebrothermanEditLeave a commentGo to comments

My thanks to Al Jazeera for it excellent reporting on the North Korean Mouse (Mouth?) that roared. I find this story and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong un bordering on near comedy. This in view of the fact that during my military career, I served a tour in South Korea (1963-64) when North Korea was ruled by the grandfather, Kim il Sung. And believe me, the grandson cannot hold a candle to the grandfather. Check out the article and video at the link cited below:

N Korea ‘readies’ rockets to strike US bases – Asia-Pacific – Al Jazeera English.

In an effort to demonstrate his leadership this young man just might launch one of his missiles on some U.S. facility in the Pacific. In  such a consideration the question becomes whether or not Kim and his military command are “rational” actors. And here the term “rational” does not have anything to do with mental state. The term refers to the extent to which an actor considers and measures costs versus benefits of a given action, that is; would a missile strike against some U.S. facility result in some greater benefit over the cost of such a venture. And how great is the margin of one over the other, the spread between the two notwithstanding. The greater the spread, the greater likelihood that the actor will act. After reading the story at the above cited link, consider whether or not North Korea is rational.

Teacher Evaluation & Student Responsibility

Sen. Gaetz says teacher eval system doesn't make sense | The Florida Current
State Senator Gaetz (R Florida) is correct in his assertion that "teacher" evaluation makes little or no sense. When will America stop scapegoating the classroom professionals. When will she end the use of the term "teacher" to identify those professionals who struggle with getting students to "LEARN"? Some 10-12 years into my classroom experience I had an epiphany. I could not "teach" my students. I realized that my responsibility was to be thoroughly knowledgeable in my subject area and to present course content in a manner that addressed the diverse "learning" styles of my students in as clear a manner as was possible. After that, what happened with students was out of my control. That is, a student will choose to either receive the information provided, process it, and do what is necessary for him/her to "LEARN" on the other hand, he/she, for whatever reason, may choose not to assimilate/process information. In the former instance, he/she will "pass" the course; in the later, he/she will fail. If this is true, is the "teacher" responsible for the "choices" students make? Does America not saddle the "teacher" with the responsibility for student behavior over which he/she has no control? It is pass time that American parents stop behaving as though they have no skin in the game. It is also time that children, beginning with pre-K, be informed that they are responsible for their education/learning; that will go a long way toward improving "education" in America. Wake up America, get on board.

The NRA, David Keene and the AR-15 Bushmaster

Folks, please use your heads; pay attention to the arguments made by the president (David Keene) of the NRA and his supporters. They couch their arguments, regardless, as an attack on the 2nd Amendment. They continue to assert that pro-gun reformers want to take their "assault rifles." Nothing is further from the truth, folks, the horse is out of the barn. Keene and his minions argue that the classification of weapons as "assault" is confused; Keene argues that it is a matter of appearance. "The appearance of the M 15/AR 15 are one in the same weapon with the exception that the that the M-16 has a selector switch that allows for automatic/semi-automatic methods of fire, however; remove the selector switch, apply a well-polished wooden stock and fore grips makes this weapon acceptable, but, Keene argues, replace the stock and fore grips with something 'black' and policymakers take issue. Folks, let us understand one thing; the arguments made by the NRA and its supporters are nothing more than window dressing that covers and deflects from the realities associated with the AR-15 (Bush Master). The rifle, (as M-16) was developed during the Viet Nam conflict. It was quite a difference from the 9.3 pound,
7.62 millimeter (close to 30 caliber) weapon that was extremely heavy and made being armed with one in the thick underbrush of the South Vietnamese jungles next to dysfunctional. The M-16, (.223 caliber) 5-6 pounds when loaded with a 20 round quick change magazine was ideal combat in Viet Nam. The small caliber and reduced killing power of the smaller round was overcome by a very large shell casing that, when fired, produced an extremely high velocity projectile. And here is the important fact that the NRA and its supporters fail to mention. The M-16 .223 caliber weapon was designed for the express purpose of killing and/or severely disabling the enemy. Unfortunately, the rounds fired by this weapon were so light (in weight) that when fired in dense underbrush were deflected by the limbs and branches on the way to the target. This was overcome by the automatic function that simply blanketed an area with projectiles which, enough sprayed in the direction of the target would yield the desired result. THE RESULT was horrific. The light projectile when entering the body at such high velocity and light weight produced the most horrible wounds that one can imagine. One was luck if the round entered the body and passed through without hitting a bone. Hitting a bone would cause the round to deflect and take a different direction IN THE BODY. It was horrible; I once saw a North Vietnamese soldier who had been hit in the left side of his neck. With all of the bones in the neck, the round was deflected upward and exited the right side of what was once his head and face. The short of it? The AR-15 Bushmaster is the semi-automatic version of the military's M-16 and is designed for one thing, to kill a human being. I have hunted and cannot, to this day, figure out what one would be hunting. The caliber is too small for anything larger than a rabbit, a coyote, maybe. Unless one is expert at getting off many rounds semi-automatically, into the same place, the value of this weapon as a hunting rifle is questionable. Hit a so-called "varmit" results in a blob of less than disquishable
flesh. For many of you, this is probably the first, and only, time you will be exposed to the realities associated with the AR-15 Bushmaster. Finally, it's popularity has to do with its very light weight; a child can carry and fire it. The easy (quick) trigger pull and rate of fire almost guarantees a hit on target; yea. The purpose of this weapon is to kill human beings upon contact. Hunting, and target shooting? Maybe, target shooting to perfect the likelihood of shooting another human being. Please do not be fooled by the specious assertions and fact less claims posited by the NRA and its more extreme supporters.   Finally; I think it important that you all know that I am, and have been a member of the NRA for some time, that, however, does not commit me to blind allegiance to their doctrine.

Benghazi?????

In the weeks since the Benghazi incident exploded on the pages of America’s newspapers and cable news networks, I have been trying to understand why this event generates so much heat. It should be understood that, like members of the military, foreign service personnel sign on with the understanding that “shit” happens in and around ambassadorial posts around the world from time to time. 
Yes, it is unfortunate that 4 lives were lost in the attack on the Benghazi CONSULATE (not embassy) but no more so than the lives of America’s fighting men in Afghanistan and
other places around the world. A consulate is not manned to the extent that an embassy might be. I have seen consulates in various places around the world that were housed in a residential area in large houses. If one did not know where they were, he/she would be hard pressed to find them. Yes, shit happens and things go awry. If you think this is bad, try a military operation. But the politicos and pundits do not find such death and dying of little interest. It sickens me that there are those who would attempt to politicize this issue for political gain. For example, go to C-Span and locate the Issa committee inquisition; witness the frothing Republicans drooling and slobbering all over themselves claiming to get to the root of the problem. Why the witnesses allow themselves to be disrespected as they are before this inquisition is beyond me. 
What is amusing is the fact that two weeks from now this event will be water under the dam, and the records of the Issa hearings will be archived in the bowels of the Library of Congress.

On America’s Future as a “Democracy????”

At this point in time America is preoccupied with the upcoming presidential election. The campaigns are fraught with the rhetoric of everything from jingoist nationalism to  rights that are "God given," American exceptionalism" and the notion that America's democracy has produced the greatest government in the history of mankind.

Upon a critical examination of America's version of democracy it is my view that before considering the efficacy of that noted above, that it be understood that democracy, American style, has reached a point where it has risen from the depths of authoritarian Monarchy to a level where it has leveled off (plateau) and moved into a self-destructive phase. 

Witness, for example, the affects of the Citizens decision on the electoral process. When discussing this with my students, they overwhelmingly conclude that America is headed for plutocratic governance. Moreover; consider the influence of ALEC on state legislative policy outcomes. Witness the machinations of Republican State Legislative bodies who, through "democratic processes" have emasculated the rights of working class Americans to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. And, in a direct assault on one of the most cherished "rights" i.e., the right to vote, witness the attempts at voter suppression of large segments of the American population.

In short, it seems that "democracy" (left alone) will rise to a level wherein the freedoms provided therein and utilized within the framework of the Constitution, will self-destruct if some of the curbs provided by Socialism are not exacted in terms of curbing the excessive use of "democratic rights and liberties, the unregulated practices of Capitalism notwithstanding. 

The right to "keep and bear arms" the right to "organize" has come together to witness the rise of seriously demented, seriously armed hate groups who are preparing for the great (inevitable) race war. These are but a few examples of how the freedoms guaranteed under America's system of governance will lead to her self-destruction. Enough for now. Hope this will provide those who might read the above commentary food for thought.   

Arkansas State Rep: ‘If Slavery Were So God-Awful, Why Didn’t Jesus Or Paul Condemn It?’

After Arkansas Republicans disavowed a book by state representative Jon Hubbard (R-AK) claiming slavery was “a blessing in disguise” for African Americans, Hubbard’s colleague, state Rep. Loy Mauch (R-AK) has been outed by the Arkansas Times for his pro-slavery, pro-Confederacy letters to the editor over the past decade. Mauch’s run for reelection this year is [...]/p

The above article illustrates just how sick America has become. And if you think I am over-generalizing, think again. After all this individual did not just pop up in the Arkansas state legislature, someone elected him. His sick references to "Jesus" and the Constitution should be enough to turn the stomachs of anyone who would claim to be a "Christian." Think about this creeps logic, I wonder what his thoughts are in terms of the "Holocaust" Jesus didn't make some sort of proclamation regarding the killing of some six million plus Jews. And how about the murders of Bosnian and Serbian Muslims just 20 odd years ago. And of course, given this creeps views toward Americans of African descent, he would no doubt find the wholesale slaughter in Ruwanda was prophetic.

It is sorry that a review of reported racially charged commentary since the election of America's first Black President reveals an ever-increasing boldness in the racially tinged language of those who have heretofore been residing under the slimiest of rocks in America's swamps. Where is this country going? This at a time when Republicans and its party leadership are running about the country proclaiming "American exceptionalism" and the " inalienable, God given rights" that gives the Arkansas creeps license to "go public" with their beliefs.

The future hangs in the balance but, one thing is certain; if Barack Obama is re-elected president of the United States, things will get worse. Good Luck America!!!!!!!