Category Archives: power walk

by | October 16, 2010 · 4:16 PM

New Blog Name!

To my loyal fans,

After some consideration, I have decided to change the name of my blog to “The Independent Internationalist.”  This was what the U.S. described itself after WWI after it began to start moving from its isolationist shell.  The other reason for this change is that I focus a lot on foreign policy and international politics.

Besides the name change, I have created a new domain name for my blog.  The new address will be www.independentinternationalist.com.  You can also get to my blog through the old address http://wwwstangblog.blogspot.com and it will reroute you to the new address.  Just for good measure, I would bookmark the new address as well.  I will also change my social networking accounts to then new name in the next few days.

Thanks,
John

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by | October 15, 2010 · 4:00 PM

Travel Day: War on Terror

I am going to be traveling to a foreign land called Kansas today, so I have decided to post a video on Al-Qaeda and Islam.  I hope you enjoy!

http://static.bloggingheads.tv/ramon/_live/players/player_v5.2-licensed.swf

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by | · 1:30 PM

A Little Political Humor Always Helps

Cartoon From Slate

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by | · 11:00 AM

Morning Memo: Friday, October15

Speaking at a NATO meeting in Brussels Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the U.S. is following the Afghan talks closely.

Good Morning!

Politics is delicious, eat it up!

Top Global Issues:

NATO Helps With Afghanistan-Taliban Reconciliation\

France Union Strikes Continue

Clinton’s Tough Stance on Pakistani Flood Relief

Former President Carter’s Middle East Peace Tour

Northern Sudan Wants To Delay South Referendum

Venezuelan President Chavez Goes to Russia For Defense and Resource Talks

Japan Hopes To Relax Weapon’s Export Ban

Figures of Note:

Opinions Of Note:

Fred Kaplan on Afghanistan

Nicholas Kristof Explains What Oman Can Teach The U.S.

My First Thought: Understanding the U.S. Position

As I look at the two graphs about life expectancy in the U.S. I wonder why the strongest country in the world has a lower life expectancy than most of the countries on the graph.  The same goes for education, gender equality, and healthcare.  The U.S. never seems to rank at the top in any of these surveys.  We are not a bad country, but we have a hard time being innovative.  I wander why the U.S. is unable to tackle these problems head on.  With all the resources that we possess we fail to tackle these problems.  Yet, the people who also stand in the way are often the same people who will never change the U.S. identity because of the values we hold “sacred.”  It’s the reason we can’t get a better healthcare system or a better education system.  Its the reason we can’t narrow the income gap in the country.  I hope everyone finds it as frustrating as I do. The best nation in the world should not have to suffer like this.

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by | October 14, 2010 · 10:28 PM

Reflection: Growth

Today, I have discussed the impact of the U.S. trade imbalance because of China’s currency problem.  I also talked about NATO and the U.N. changing course in how they provide aid and defense.  Are these policies that hard to change?  Unfortunately, the answer is yes.  Because of the complicated environment in which we live it is very difficult to change policy.  Speeches and agenda items might be one thing, but passing a resolution is a whole different ballgame.

Although, the first step to solving a problem is recognizing that you have one.  If these institutions and countries know that they are the source of their misfortune, then maybe there is hope that someday there will be reform.  Until that time, I will hold my breathe.  One of the best ways to achieve change is through the power persuasion. What I mean by this is applying pressure to different groups to get what you want.  That is where the U.S. has an opportunity to exert its leadership.  In order to see growth and change in these organizations and to solve the critical economic problems of our time, the U.S. must step up the plate and demand change.

To sum up my posts:

1. My first thought was putting forth a unified front
2. The U.S. trade deficit is increasing
3. One good and bad way to look at solving China’s currency problem
4. NATO’s meeting and defense shield
5. NATO and the U.N. try institutional reform

Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow!

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