Current Events

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 17 May 2005 18:17

Hey, I wanted to start a topic for current events - preferably of international significance. So post the things going on in the world that you think matter - and your opinions on those topics. Opinions being the key thing to post since you can go read what's going on around the world at a news website.

There are accusations in Uzbekistan by the opposition that the government recently massacred 745 people. The government claims the death toll was much lower and that they were only killing terrorists.

I think these kind of events out line the massive problems with the "war on terror" - who decides who is a terrorist? And how does killing people make people like you? I think it's clear, regardless of the "innocence" of the people killed, that this massacre, should it turn out to have any numbers like stated, will result in a large amount of turmoil and reaction against the Karimov government. It's exactly the same as what we're seeing in Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia, Chechnya, etc.

North and South Korea met for bilateral talks today - but couldn't reach an agreement. Apparantly the main problem was that North Korea weren't prepared to make any commitment to address the concerns regarding their nuclear weapons program. They are meeting again tomorrow.

This issue is really very significant - especially with China blocking Taiwan's bid for observer status in WHO.

I think the presence of more nukes in Asia is definitly something that the world should be concerned with although I also hate the hypocricy of nations with nuclear weapons telling other nations they can't have them. The first steps in Nuclear disarment need to be made by the people with the most weapons. With the unrest in Asia - I think it's vital for outside nations not to be at all aggressive. I don't have much hope for the North/South talks but the fact that they're talking is definitly a good thing and hopefully they'll respect each other more - even if they still don't get on.

The US has claimed that Syria is sponsoring rebel groups in Iraq. These kinds of claims really show the arrogance of the US in global politics - it really makes you wonder if they know what the word "diplomacy" means. The US has been making these claims since May but have offered no proof at all - which really just hurts the US's credibilty even more - after the claims about Iraq were found to be lies.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 20 May 2005 09:48

I don't know too much about it but there's a big thing going on in Canada right now!! The ruling party is looking in a lot of trouble - I think something about a budget bill or something that needs to get passed and if it isn't there will be a new election? Sounds hardcore anyway and the Queen of England is also in Canada right now? Hopefully some Canadians can fill us in on the details...

footbinc · Post by **footbinc** » 20 May 2005 12:22

Stupid Canada

When the liberal govt changed and was re-elected (mid last year), information was leaked that they were funneling money into advertising companies who were then funnelling back to the ruling liberal party. Bad News. So we had this Gomery investigation (He is a Judge) talking to everyone and doing this and that, and basically it came back that the liberals had given themselves almost 100 million dollars of public money. More Bad News. Now, when they were re-elected last year, they only had a minority govt. Yesterday, their budget bill was being voted on in the commons. The opposition had enough votes in their coalition to stop the budget and declare a rule of non-confidence in the government, forcing another election.

Then, a few days ago, a high profile MP for the conservatives jumped ship and became a liberal. Big news. This then gave the liberals the support they needed to win the vote and stay in power.

There is more to it, but that is the jist of it. Canadian politics are retarded anyways because all the power resides out east (Ottawa and Toronto and Montreal) and all the money resides out West (Alberta). So, we out west get fucked and the easterners live the political high life. Id be curious to hear an easterners thoughts on this myself.

HighDemonslayer · Post by **HighDemonslayer** » 24 May 2005 11:29

1. I think the EU vote is coming up this month. What will happen?

2. Nuclear proliferation:

North Korea is a stooge of China, China uses N.Korea as a proxy-pain-in-the-ass against the U.S.

Taiwan should be used as a proxy-pain-in-the-ass against China.

Japan needs it's own nukes, or something.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 24 May 2005 18:20

HighDemonslayer wrote:2. Nuclear proliferation:

North Korea is a stooge of China, China uses N.Korea as a proxy-pain-in-the-ass against the U.S.

omg! Do you really believe that?

HighDemonslayer · Post by **HighDemonslayer** » 24 May 2005 23:11

Maybe puppet is a better word.

Think of it like the various dictator-puppets that the U.S. installs and preserves around the world.

-n

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 24 May 2005 23:40

HighDemonslayer wrote:Maybe puppet is a better word.

Think of it like the various dictator-puppets that the U.S. installs and preserves around the world.

-n

Have you seen Team America?

Nightmare · Post by **Nightmare** » 25 May 2005 05:40

Eh umm i dont know any CE i had to do em at school all year long though it sucked ball sacks...((BTW C-fan 日本語を話すか。))

footbinc · Post by **footbinc** » 25 May 2005 12:29

HighDemonslayer wrote: Japan needs it's own nukes, or something.

Given what happened in 1945, i dont think the japanese are chomping at the bit to have nukes. Maybe im wrong, but I would imagine after the devastation that took place there would be a very strong anti nuke sentiment.

C-Fan?

HighDemonslayer · Post by **HighDemonslayer** » 26 May 2005 09:20

footbinc said

----------------------------------------
Given what happened in 1945, i dont think the japanese are chomping at the bit to have nukes. Maybe im wrong, but I would imagine after the devastation that took place there would be a very strong anti nuke sentiment.
---------------------------------

Oh, I do take that into account when I suggest that it be considered.

Having the ultimate weapon used on a nation should not prohibit that nation (should it survive) from even considering obtaining the weapon in the future.

I just dont think it should be taboo to even consider the possibility of Japan getting nukes.

-n

footbinc · Post by **footbinc** » 26 May 2005 12:13

Im not saying it prohibits it, just that public outcry would be huge if japan decided to embark on obtaining nukes. The gov there also has a public stance on not obtaining nukes:

http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/ap ... nfo13.html

cheers

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 31 May 2005 22:06

French people reject new EU Constitution:

For those that don't know - a referendum very recently in France rejected the new EU Constitution - I think this is probably the most significant international event of the month. It stops the new EU constitution from going ahead and it demonstrates the growing nationalism in Europe. Although maybe that's not as true as it appears since from what I've read there were a number of groups on either side of politics opposing the constitution. However I read that in the cities something like 65% of people voted yes - but the country voters all voted no - which suggests that the voting was mainly based around nationalism. It's scary to think that Europe is becoming more nationalist again - I've really been hoping for a unified Europe - although I don't know what that would result in - it would just make for some very interesting international politics and massive change in power internationally. For one thing the US would no longer be the largest economic power in the world and would have a lot less power globally. It's hard to know what this would result in. However this is all speculation now - it's going to be a long time before another attempt to change the constitution is put up and even then I feel it's unlikely to be supported.

sorin · Post by **sorin** » 01 Jun 2005 00:38

Well, I don't even know why they made a referendum on the constitution. The constitution is like a 700 page long book, and people have only a vague sense of what it says. I think French voted "non" not because of the constitution, but because they're fed up with Chirac, he wants a 3 presidential mandate( it's possible). He made no progress while in power, no new jobs, and economy is slowly going down. In my opinion this decision is not going to have any bigger consequeces.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 01 Jun 2005 02:17

Yeah I read in The Australian I think that many people voted no just because Chirac supported the constitution change. You're right that in some regards it won't have much effect - but really it has a big effect in what it stops from happening. Had the constution been approved by all 25 (At least I think it's 25) countries then we would have some seen the beginnings of some dramatic changes in global politics - instead we see no change.

But there clearly is a growing nationalistic trend in Europe and this is demonstrated in the results of the poll and could lead to the downfall of the EU and even worse consequences after that (look at the last time nationalism was strong in Europe...)

max · Post by **max** » 01 Jun 2005 02:43

Yes most people voted no, not because of what was actually contained in the constitution (the changes to every day life were basicly nil for frenchmen) but just because of a general "I'm fed up with insecurity / unemployment / taxes / the government / [insert personnal gripe here]". I think it was a way for the French to voice their displeasure with current political climate in France as Sorin pointed out.

Europe is still very very young, and a EU constitution will most certainly pass at some point in the future, I just think it's still a bit too early.

HighDemonslayer · Post by **HighDemonslayer** » 03 Jun 2005 08:06

I don't see why this is such a shake-up. So the Euro lost 10 cents , big deal.

The idea of Europe "shattering" as a result of the "non"-vote, is forwarded by the same elitists who tried to foist the constitution on a public that didn't want it.

The "end of the world" is the propaganda from the elites who want the constitution.

The EU Constitution MUST be ratified, but the poor schmucks who vote can't stand in the way. Watch the parliaments ratify the treaty anyway.

Max is correct, they'll just keep re-voting again and again and again until the unwashed public can be harrassed into voting the "correct" way.

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-n