Just as a nuclear physicist constructs a theory about the causes and effects of a project before going out to the test range and detonating, it's important that scholars and practitioners of international relations have a strong framework of theory before going out onto the UN floor. Trial and error is not an option, whether it's diplomacy or nuclear physics! Through international theory, we can examine scenarios and motivations regarding states to "understand the causes of events th...
How is state power measured? According to Mingst, state power comes in three ways: natural sources, like geographic, natural resources, and population; tangible sources, such as industrial development and access to resources; and intangible sources, like national image, public support, and leadership. (108-12) Natural sources of power are not available to all countries, and therefore very prized. To have a large nation chock full of resources and people is the ideal. However, for ...
Here's misguided social commentary. Apparently Frommer's Travel Guide has decided to take a moral or social stand against a small "anti-American" Southern Utah town. From today's Deseret News : If you're planning a trip to Kanab anytime soon, don't expect any travel tips from vacation guru Arthur Frommer. In fact, the author of "Frommer's Travel Guides" only has one hint for would-be vacationers: Don't go. Frommer, a nationally syndicated columnist, is calling for a b...
You might have heard about the Democratic Senator who proposed President Bush be censured for efficiently tracking suspected terrorists and their phone calls. It's bad enough that someone disagrees with the president for tracking members of Al Qaeda but now people want to condemn the man for doing his job. The liberal outrage meter must read something like this: on a scale of 1-10, 1 being "not at all outrageous" and 10 being "extremely outrageous", liberals rate: Indoctrination of stud...
Well, Saddam decided that the court was worth his time after all. Instead of hunger striking, refusing to acknowledge the court's authority over him, or calling for the removal of Americans from his country and reinstating himself as potentate over Iraq, Saddam decided to address his captors from the witness stand! From Reuters : BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein formally took the stand in his trial for the first time on Wednesday after earlier acknowledging in court that he gave...
I have resumed my graduate studies. I took a year off in order to get out of the Army, move halfway across the country, and get settled into a new job, new neighborhood, new house, new life. I am pursuing my MA in Diplomacy from Norwich University , getting an online degree in 3 semesters. Yikes. In fact, I have even started my first online discussion, which talks about the need for the study of international relations and whether or not it's a science... So expect fewer artic...
The Bush Administration has decided that enough just isn't enough, and that the federal debt ceiling needs to be raised. Without it, we as a nation would actually have to cut back on the spending we enjoy right now, especially the money-sink called Iraq that is draining our federal coffers and putting us farther and farther into the red. From today's Washington Post : THE GOVERNMENT, Treasury Secretary John W. Snow informed Congress last week, has now taken "all prudent and legal act...
Okay, I watched most of the 78th Annual Academy Awards last night, and here's what I have to say about the Oscars... Funniest moment? Steve Carell and Will Farrell presenting the best makeup category. In "Pineapple Bliss", Carell and Ferrell made the show's best moment... 2nd funniest moment? Wallace & Gromit's creators, doled up in big floppy Wallace-esque bow ties. And to top it off, they brought mini-bow ties for the statues. ... Happy to see Wallace & Gromit: The Curse...
God bless New Orleans and God bless Mardi Gras. Honestly, it's a fun time in the ol' town, and the parade was subdued but still a good time. People looked as though they were having a ball. But then I heard something that was very disconcerting. Something that made me think about post-Katrina money... Nice floats! Where is all the money for Mardi Gras coming from?! I know they are having a huge shortfall of funds yet the city is spending up to $800,000 per floa...
Well, JU isn't up yet but I have some stuff to say... It's the start of a fresh new movie week and already controversy. There's this apparent uproar over "Curious George". And of course it's coming from the animal rights lunatics and other assorted libs. And then there's the complaint that the Man in the Yellow Hat represents imperialism. Link For the politically correct Bay Area parent, the "Curious George" children's books are a minefield of cultural horrors through which to t...
I am trying to find out some information. And hopefully learning something along the way. Call it a solicitation for opinion, ranting, musing, whatever... on the part of JUsers and others, if appropriate. What does it take to be a Respected Blogger? There are many reasons why you would respect a blogger... Opinionated... and literate enough to convey that opinion to others. Have a readable style. Post on interesting topics. Conduct a well-moderated intelligent thread, not ...
Okay, what exactly is going on here? From today's Washington Post : Two uniformed men strolled into the main room of the Little Falls library in Bethesda one day last week and demanded the attention of all patrons using the computers. Then they made their announcement: The viewing of Internet pornography was forbidden. The men looked stern and wore baseball caps emblazoned with the words "Homeland Security." The bizarre scene unfolded Feb. 9, leaving some residents confused and f...
The New York Times reported last night that the Patriot Act was going to be passed, as the motion to reject its renewal was rejected 96-3... Earlier today, the Senate handed the administration a victory as it voted, 96 to 3, not to hold up the Patriot Act to incorporate changes urged by Senator Russell D. Feingold, the act's most persistent critic. Mr. Feingold, Democrat of Wisconsin, said he wants to make the Senate debate several more days on the bill, and under the Senate's rules he...
And here's a link to a site where you can create your own news article where Dick Cheney hunts and shoots you, your loved ones, or your spouse. Or the Flaming Monster Gamera from Godzilla, for all you know... Dick Cheney Hunting Accident
And here's a link to a site where you can create your own news article where Dick Cheney hunts and shoots you, your loved ones, or your spouse. Or the Flaming Monster Gamera from Godzilla, for all you know... Dick Cheney Hunting Accident