Friday, February 29, 2008
Exile
Exile in Indiana
Thursday, February 28, 2008
An Exile
Exile
Freshmen Exile.
Exiled from the Rest
However, I proved (at least to myself if not to others) that I did deserve that spot on the majors. That year I won the MVP in my minor league, had a batting average .150 points higher than anyone else in the league, and surprisingly was asked to play in the majors by the same coach who cut me. I denied the offer however, telling him I would play for any other team but his.
A different type of exile
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A Military Transition
Upon arriving at RTC you do not sleep for two days. The sleep depression is to put you on “their” schedule. You move when you are told, you speak when spoken to, and you do not have an opinion in anything. After finishing my first year at Wabash one can imagine that this transition was not easy at first. They cut all your hair, deprive you of sleep, and give you the first taste of what it feels like to be property of the United States government. They treat you just as if you were an object. I have never felt so out of place in my life. Where all my rights left when I walked off that bus. I heard words for the first time such as a bulkhead, geedunk, scuttlebutt, port-side, and starboard. This new language I had to develop an understanding to and quickly. I was taken away from all I knew my whole life; since it consisted of being a civilian. Even my own self identity was transitioned from being know as Joe Matthew to Seaman Recruit Gonzalez. You were not identified by your name but as a member of a division. A ball cap was worn with the word RECRUIT across the front to symbolize your status on base. A Recruit is to do what they are told when they are told and how they are told at all times. You feel as if cattle herded in ranks to where you have to be. A recruit is not an individual but apart of a unit functioning as one. My first week at RTC from revelie to taps was an experience and a sense of being out of place. I have never felt so belittled in my life. The worst part if you believe it after a while. That is until the day you graduate.
Exile at Wabash College
This is my example of exile here at my beloved school of Wabash College. I felt like I was being ran out by either the students at the school itself, or some of the people in the community. I had done nothing wrong, and my roommate had done nothing wrong either, especially do deserve this. For weeks we pondered about what we should do, and our final verdict was to stick it through and beat the odds that were stacked up against us. To me this was exile, but not exile from my country, or my house, or my own city, but this was exile from my school that I shall try and spend the next 3 years of my life.
Exile . . . at Wabash College
Exile
Exile
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Calamities
Aime Cesaire states that he would return back "sleek and young" for people would not even recognize him in my opinion. People who often break down due to the stress and despair, are those he would help out and bring them back up by using his voice as the bridge to freedom. And just as my great-grandma said, he too would be that voice of the past events that were major calamities.
notebook of a return to the native land
By helping his people form a united voice, Cesaire displayed his hope to further advance the Negritude movement. It most likely took a lot of courage to act as the "mouth of those calamities that have no mouth", but it seems Cesaire took on this problem head on. He assumed a central role in the fight against colonization's effects and gave black people a chance to voice their feelings. In the final lines of this section, Cesaire makes it clear that his nation's problems should not be just another "spectacle". Positive action must be taken, because in his eyes, a "sea of miseries is not a proscenium."
Cesaire
African Americans need a voice, period. Cesaire says he is more than willing to be the "mouth of those who do not have mouths." The land he comes back to should "Embrace him without fear," because the African Americans should stand together as he is willing to stand for all African Americans. Those that break down in confinement should break down no more; they should stand up. I really admire the courage of Cesaire to stand up for a whole race of people. He really puts his virtue into action to make a profound influence.
Response to Notebook of a Return to the Native Land
I think Cesaire is expressing a feeling of patriotism due to post-colonial sentiments, as he claims that he will return "to this land of [his] and would say to it: 'Embrace me without fear...And if all i can do is speak, it is for you I shall speak.'" I think he feels that he needs to now stand up for his weakened homeland, which is again a feeling that many Africans from all over may endure. The narrator says that "above all, [his] body as well as [his] soul, beware of assuming the sterile attidtude of a spectator," meaning that he does not want to simply watch what happens to his homeland but wishes to have an active role in its future.
His Return
He knows he is going to stand up for his country and support it no matter the circumstances. He quotes, "...and if all i can do is speak, it is for you I shall speak." Even if he has been away for some time, he remembers where he came form and will stand up for it.
I like the way Cesaire set this poem up because he makes you feel as if you are there going through the things he is. As i was reading this passage I imagined myself going away from home for a long time then coming back. I would not know what to think or feel until I had came back.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Lines 261-275
Cesaire is speaking for those muted. He tries to wake up those colonized who have internalized the feeling of inferiority and warn the colonizers. By referring to ‘those calamities that have no mouth’ and ‘those who break down in the solitary confinement’, I think he is relating to miserable conditions of the ones colonized. By calling them ‘calamities,’ he is alluding to their capacity of causing havoc to the colonizers and breaking the shackles.
He warns the colonizers not to assume him as a helpless slave by saying ‘beware of assuming the sterile attitude of a spectator.’ At the same time, he clarifies that he is not scared of the colonizers through his explicit expression. He suggests that slaves are humans too, and their lives and miseries are something not to play with. ‘A man screaming is not a dancing bear’ in this context could mean that someone screaming in pain is no way a spectacle or watching some circus animal.
Resistance to change
The last part of the passage is less clear. However, I believe that the part saying, "beware of assuming the sterile attitude of a spectator" is Cesaire saying that while the culture and language of the people appears to be dead, it does not mean that the people have no desire to revive their roots. It could simply be a result of a lack of any organizing figure or institution to lead them back to their language.
Even though he has been away from these people for so long, he still feels compelled to help them no matter what. He expresses his concern for what they have been put through and tries to convince them that he is only there to help, that he will not stand idly by. Instead he will be the voice that guides them and leads them from this life of despair; he states, "And aboce all, my body as well as my sould, beware of assuming the sterile attitude of a spectator, for life is not a spectacle, a sea of miseries is not a prscenium, a man screaming is not a dancing bear.", and in these few lines he is able to convince the unweary of his commitment, and that he will not stand by and simply be a spectator for these injustices. Although he has been away for a long time and separated himself from these hardships, he refuses to let others be abused at the hands of other men, "I have wandered for a long time and I am coming back to the deserted hideousness of your sores." No injustice should ever be ignored, nor should we just separate ourselves from the problem, instead we should stand and fight for our rights and freedoms.
Admirable
Can't Forget Where You Come From
In lines 266-271 Cesaire is trying to convince the natives of his native land that he has not forgotten where he came from. Even though he has been away for a long time Cesaire states, “…if all I can do is speak, it is for you I speak.” Cesaire is expressing that his time spent away was for the good of his homeland. He has learned to speak the foreign tongue. He goes on to say that, “My mouth shall be the mouth of those calamities which have no mouth.” This statement strengthens his previous statement because without wandering, and learning how to speak the “calamities which have no mouth” would still “have no mouth.” Aime Cesaire is offering his services to his native land. Aime Cesaire learning how to speak is the best thing to happen for his homeland, because now his homeland can have a voice. Not just a voice of a subjective foreigner that only observes the hideous sores of it, but the voice of a objective native man who has not forgotten his roots.
"A Man Screaming is not a Dancing Bear..."
Speaking for the mute
In this passage, Cesaire talks about going back to his homeland, which has been colonized, and speaking for those who are “mute”. He wishes to stand up for those who do not have a voice. Often times, the oppressed in a colony have no way of voicing their struggles. As we talked about in class, it can be very difficult to get your voice heard, especially if you are oppressed by political violence.
The line I found most striking was, “My mouth shall be the mouth of those calamities that have no mouth, my voice the freedom of those who break down in solitary confinement of despair,” (line 269). This line states the desire for Cesaire to speak up for those who have suffered from the colonizers. If he doesn’t speak for the “mute” then the “calamities” he speaks of will only continue. Everyone’s opinion deserves to be heard, especially those who have been oppressed and exiled.
Notebook of a Return to the Native Land
I also found the last couple lines to be extremely interesting. He seems to be warning himself with them. Since he admits that all he can probably do is speak for his people, he is worried about losing his human compassion for the situation and becoming more of an observer who records what is occurring. Then, in the last line, he states for himself, and especially for others, that these atrocities are not merely trivialities or entertainments, but are actually real people suffering. Another way that I think that the last statement, at least the part about the dancing bear, can be interpreted that he is in fact the man screaming. However, due to the lack of respect of the black voice, he is worried that his writings will be taken for merely literary or face value, instead of as cries for help for his people.
Love and Pride
After reading Cesaire's work I was reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cesaire wants to be the voice of his people, and he is willing to whatever it takes. "My mouth shall be the mouth of those calamities that have no mouth . . ." Cesaire's choice of words are vivid and powerful; just like Dr. King, he sparks change through his words and less through his actions (however, writing this poem is an action).
Lines 261-275 of Notebook of a Return to the Native Land
Found within the almost incoherent ramblings of the surrealistic poem, Notebook of a Return to the Native Land, within lines 261-275, one can see the poet’s anxieties in returning to his home country. He describes the land as both “deserted” as well as dotted with hideous sores. (264-265). This imagery is not at all flattering of the countryside and makes me wonder at all why he is at all keen to return to
Active Voice
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Taking A Stand
The line that I beleive is the most forceful line in his statement, the one that is practically his mission statement is "My mouth shall be the mouth of those calamities that have no mouth, my voice the freedom of those who break down in the solitary confinement of dispair." This is a powerful line that he is there for his people, that he will not let them down, and that they will be free from opression and dispair.
the Voice for the Voiceless
Lines 261-275 show his feeling of speaking out for the people that have no voice. He believes that "my mouth shall be the mouth of those calamities that have no mouth" (269). Cesaire believes there is an obligation to speak and not to have the "sterile attitude of a spectator" ( 274). Life should be taken seriously. Every life is precious, "for life is not a spectacle" (274). I believe he is pointing out the idea that every life should be held dear and not just let the poor, the wretched, the blacks, and the minorities just sink into oblivion. Every life is important and should have a voice.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Power of Listening
Friday, February 8, 2008
Corrected Letter
Scott Miller
World Lit.-Brewer
Letter Assignment
23 Wednesday 2008
Dear Senator Evan Bayh,
As you may know, there has recently been a great deal of political discrimination taking place in the country of
This is not the first violation of basic human rights carried out by the
This kind of treatment and obstruction of peaceful protest must be put to an end. While there are thousands of members of the MDC party, the law enforcement and current rulers of the government are obstructing the party’s ability to create any kind of reform in the country. Amnesty International has also compiled evidence of tortuous acts taking place against members of opposing political parties. As a country with a strong central government, a love and respect for Democracy, and a strong military, the
There are several ways in which the
Sincerely,
Scott Miller (
According to Amnesty International, the violence in Darfur is a direct result of actions by the Sudanese government. A rebellion in 2003 caused the government of Sudan to flood the region with weapons, igniting one of the most violent human rights violations in history. The number of armed opposition militias is approaching 50, which obviously increases tension and decreases the chance of a peaceful result. One of the biggest factors that hinders peace is the presence of the Janjawid. Although the militant group is not officially state-sponsored, the Janjawid receives weapons and other supplies from the Sudanese government. The Sudanese government continues to sit back and allow all of this violence to take place, something that we cannot afford to allow.
Recent reports, according to Amnesty International, illustrate how many people have been affected by the continuing violence in Darfur. Since 2003, around 2.3 million people have been internally displaced. This is the equivalent of moving the entire population of Houston, Texas from their homes to temporary refugee camps in rural Texas. Approximately 240,000 people have fled Sudan to neighboring Chad. Imagine the population of Lincoln, Nebraska being forced to flee to Mexico as a result of sustained violence. Over 200,000 people have died as a result of the conflict. To fully understand the enormity of that amount of people, it is easiest to understand in a United States setting. Can you fathom every single person living in Montgomery, Alabama suddenly dead because of violence which we can stop?
Senator Bayh, you and your colleagues are in a position of power. The United States must remain a symbol of democracy and freedom. We alone have the resources and foreign support to stop such an atrocity. I propose that the United States respond to this situation in three ways. First, the U.S. should stabilize the situation with a strong military force and protect the displaced persons as soon as possible. Second, the U.S. must raise awareness among foreign dignitaries of the dire situation and the responsibility the world holds to stop this violence. Third, the U.S. needs to implement a care and relief system that will peacefully and effectively bring aid to those people affected by the violence in Darfur. Through these three steps, the Sudanese government will have no choice but to comply and stop the violence.
On a personal level, I continue to do what is in my power. I continue to give money to groups that provide aid to Darfur and other regions of conflict. I stay up to date on the situation in Darfur and frequently share this news with those around me. I am writing you, Senator Bayh, in hopes that you can do your part in putting an end to this violence. It is astounding that violence of this nature is still present in our world today, but it is downright shameful that those in a situation of power continue to ignore it. I urge you, Senator, to do all that is within your power to be a voice for the refugees in Darfur. I would expect no less from someone I helped elect into Congress.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Civil Right
There are many things that I believe Voltaire would fight for today, and one civil right issue that isn;t publisized is the treatment of jailed inmates in the state penitentiaries. It is noted that Voltaire was not in favor of the unfair balance between the upper class, middle, and lower class people. I look at the prisoners as lower class people, and most people don't know what goes on behind those brick walls of most penitentiaries. What guards and wardens don't tell you in the states such as Connecticut and Iowa is that the brutal use of trained attack dogs is used daily. Trained attack dogs are used in the legal system for man-hunts of fugitives, drug searches, and security. No one knows that dogs are used to extract prisoners out of their tight confinements. When prisoners do not voluntarily leave their cell when ordered to do so, guards bring a dog into sight in an attempt to coax the prisoner into coming out. If the prisoner still refuses to come out, the dog is released on the prisoner. One thing that I think Voltaire would have to say about this civil rights matter is that it's unfair treatment to normal people who have already taken their share of consequences. In order to get someone out after standing in their cell and refusing to come out, a different approach can be used in an attempt to drive them out of their living units.
My letter to my Senator would state the following:
Dear Senator Evan Bayh,
Through recent postings throughout the internet and newspaper, the treatment of prisoners behind the walls and bars of our penitentiaries has become brutal and cruel. Civil rights is the first thing that comes to my mind, and the aches and pains of being locked up behind bars is good enough. To have a 100-pound German Shepherd taking a bite out of your leg, while already incarcerated is crossing the line. Believe me, by no means am I promoting any better treatment as far as daily routine towards these prisoners, but I do believe justice has to prevail somewhere. After repeated attempts of trying to lure the prisoner out of his cell, why not just issue tase the prisoner? In my opinion dogs are to be used for protection, and if the prisoner was making an offensive move toward the guard. I think the addition of having a canine on the task force is way over-due, but I believe lighter more civilized mannerscan be thought of than to just send a dog on an already denfeseless prisoner. Jamie Fellner, Director, U.S. Program of Human Rights Watch, once stated, "The entire world has seen the photo of an Abu Ghraib detainee crouched in terror before a snarling dog, but the use of attack dogs against prisoners here in the U.S. has been a well-kept secret." This is a sad but true statement and I believe that it is time to bring what has been held in the dark for many years, to light.
My next question is what are you doing to get enough evidence out to the world that enables the right peolpe to make the right moves? Why not interview some of the victims about past incidents and obtain eye-witnesses on the acts that were being performed unjustly? I believe that we must ast now, Senetor Bayh, the sooner the better. If we put off this situation any longer, we'll loose the magnitude of the situation and fair treament, not matter the crime, will be jsut a figment of out imaginations. I will attempt to do my part, by informing the greater half of the country of the situations that are occuring, but I need your help too. Although some people might feel as if they get what they deserve for the crime they have committed, others would rather see right and justice prevail as well. We must stop this treatment and turn our prison systems into justified places of correction.
Sincerely,
Wes Smith
Discrimination in Armenia
Dear Senator Bayh,
The country of Armenia is experiencing what many have thought as a thing that is well in the past; discrimination of religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia have been facing discrimination and even imprisonment. Most of the people are being imprisoned because their beliefs don’t allow them to enter military services, while others are being attacked by members of more dominant religions. As Laurence Broers, Amnesty International's researcher on Armenia put it, “Young male Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to be imprisoned. Since there is no alternative civilian service in Armenia, Amnesty International considers them prisoners of conscience and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.” The country of Armenia has about 9,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses and they have been victims to an increasing number of attacks. The number of attacks began to rise due to the prominence of the religion in 2004 following the registration of Jehovah’s Wtinesses as a religious organization. Amnesty International is concerned about what is going on because this is a direct violation of human rights. Laurence Broers also had this to say "The Armenian authorities are ignoring the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses are specifically targeted for attacks, including allegedly by representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church.” An alternative for military service is possible, but with the military in control of any civilian service, it will still be incompatible with the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witness. As of September 2007, there were 82 Jehovah’s Witnesses imprisoned.
After further analysis of the whole situation, I came upon a response from the Adviser to the RA Prime Minister on National Minorities and Religious Issues of Armenia, Hranoush Kharatian. Ms. Kharatian states that the “One Nation” party constantly post flyers that say “Beware of Jehovah’s Witnesses”. Ms. Kharatian says, “We cannot name it a religious discrimination as they neither instigate aggression nor take tough measures against Jehovah's Witnesses. Their step cannot be viewed as a call for intolerance.” This statement is completely naive and Mrs. Kharatian should be seriously reconsidered for her position if such statements are made without thorough knowledge of what’s going on. When the word, “Beware”, is used to refer to a human or animal, people will take defense as well as offense to make sure they remain safe. Mrs. Kharatian states that the "Law on Alternative Military Service" functions well in Armenia. Jehovah's Witnesses simply avoid service. The government of Armenia is supposed to be a democratic republic, but this republic excludes and/or ignores the beliefs of minority religions.
Senator Bayh, I believe that Indiana should be the first of many states to take a stand and not only assist the minority religions of Armenia but inform the entire country and their government of different outlets of military service and civilian service that can coincide with the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I believe we should expose this discrimination to the entire world and unveil what the Armenian government and military are doing. We need to send numerous camera crews from not only the United States but from other democratic countries as well. This is obviously not a sign of democracy when someone can be attacked and imprisoned because of their beliefs.
This is not just an American government job, either; any U.S. citizen or better yet any person in the world can stand up for the minority religious groups of Armenia by just verbalizing their feelings about the situation towards their respective senators or whomever may have some power in a high government position. Senator Bayh, we need to act quickly before anymore citizens of Armenia are wrongfully imprisoned or discriminated against.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Israel (Again) Violates Human Rights
Dear Sen. Bayh:
While this letter has a more important purpose, let me first praise you for a lifetime of distinguished political service to the state of Indiana. Hoosiers would be well-served to have someone such as yourself back in the governor’s office. To be frank, Governor Mitch Daniels just is not getting things done. You have had a successful tenure in the senate by any standards, so I commend you for that as well.
I must also take notice of how early in the race you endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton for president. I have to also admit that I back Sen. Barack Obama, but that is not the point of this letter. I only bring up this point because, as I’m sure you are aware, this early endorsement has many talking about thoughts of a vice-presidential run for office with Sen. Clinton. I must believe these rumors as well, especially given the presidential exploratory committee you launched, however brief it was. As beloved as you are in Indiana, however, you would do well to raise your profile on the national stage, and I have an issue that maybe you could use.
As an educated person, you are no doubt aware that Israel has had a troubled existence as a nation. Times of peace have been few and far between for the little nation since its founding in 1948, and much of this has been due to the aggressive actions of the Israelis, which merely aggravate an already tension-filled relationship with its mostly Muslim neighbors. While I don’t doubt that Israel needs a strong army to defend itself from a host of nations, or even the hostile factions within its own borders, that would like to see Israel erased from the map and the historical record, this does not excuse acts of aggression, such as the Six-Day War in 1967, or overreaction, such as the dismantling of Lebanon this past summer. The older example holds a little more weight in this letter, though, because it pertains to land grabbed during these aggressive wars. Israel has clung to these bits of land no matter what the cost to themselves, causing a whole host of issues. The crisis has only grown worse has of late. It is quite sad that these abuses by Israel go unreported because of another needless war in the region involving our own boys.
As, again, you are no doubt aware, the Gaza Strip has been somewhat of an Achilles’ heel for Israel. To give it up would make Israel look soft at home, but holding on to it has been an antagonistic source for neighboring nations, to speak nothing of the people who live there. The problem, though, has come with how Israel has treated the people of this region. In fears of terrorist bombing and the like, Israelis have been committing human rights violations for years. This trend has only continued with the latest story from Amnesty International. The report claims that Israel has shut off basic services to the already poverty-stricken region, including electricity and food shipments. “Amnesty International [and I] acknowledged Israel’s right to take measures to protect its population from rocket and other attacks by Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, but condemned the Israeli authorities’ decision to cut off essential supplies to Gaza’s 1.5 million inhabitants.”
The problem is, of course, that the region is already in a terrible economic state. To go along with these deaths from denying foreign medical aid, there will doubtless be more senseless deaths among the innocent, the elderly and children, from cutting off these services. Those who are carrying out the attacks on the Israeli populace are one of the least affected by such actions. Food, already a scarce resource, is now going to be even harder to find as even international aid is turned away. Food that is already in the country, a supply that already falls short of need, will now spoil and go wasted, as refrigeration will be impossible without electricity. The sick will no have access to what meager medical care exists because of the power outages. The ones that are always most affected by food and medical shortages are, of course, the very young, the very old, and the very sick. These groups, as you might imagine, are not the most likely to participate in any terrorist plots, and thus not likely to launch rockets at Israelis.
There are other problems with the strictly closed borders. Beyond that of the medical problems mentioned earlier, students that would otherwise be making a much-improved living to help conditions in the Gaza Strip are not allowed to leave to find these jobs to make the necessary money to help their families. The citizens are left to rot in their little strip, left with little to no hope and resources that fall far short of what is needed.
People in this country have been blindly supporting Israel out of mostly a religious affiliation. It is time to stop and make Israel accountable for these sorts of actions. They have gotten a pass for their overly aggressive military and foreign policy, and now are having their human rights violations overlooked simply because politicized fundamentalist Christians have some sort of apocalyptic vision involving Israel. This cannot continue. To stand up and show the backbone to make Israel accountable would not only help save many lives in the region, but assuredly make you look like a more attractive choice to the general populace of the United States.
Sincerely,
Aaron L. Parrish---------------------------------
First off, let me apologize for this posting's lateness. I was busy with Bachelor stuff tonight and this slipped my mind until now. Secondly, for those of you who might know, this letter has not changed since getting it back today, despite its suggestions. I would just like a change to defend my choices in the possible (though probably futile) hope that I will get that last point. First off, there is the word order in the first paragraph concerning ". . .Daniels just is not getting things done." I suppose that Dr. Brewer would like to see "just" and "is" flipped, but I put them in this order to put the emphasis on "is not," which seems stronger than splitting it with "just." If anything, "just" should have been removed completely, but I'm willing to stick to my guns over a single point. Secondly, there is an appeal for more direct action. I suppose this is mostly out of a feeling of pessimism, but, to me, having an American senator merely to recognize and condemn actions by Israel is just fine by me. That would be more of a step than has been taken in the past. The international community, through the UN, mainly, has condemned Israel, but taking such a stance in this country is political suicide, based soley, on what I can tell, that Americans generally like Jews more than Muslims. Just having someone of some influence bucking that trend would make me happy enough. I also worry about the ability of a senator to come up with solutions to such problems, as they seem to have trouble enough doing what they are already charged with.
Human Rights Violation
I would like to divert your attention to the Gaza Strip on the Mediterranean Coast. This strip of land covers roughly 350 square kilometers. Even though the Gaza Strip is small in size, it has been the target of many artillery bombardments by Israel since 2005. Amnesty International reported that the Israeli forces have carried out frequent air and artillery bombardments against the Gaza Strip. These bombardments were often into residential areas, home to innocent families. One of the artillery bombardments in 2007 lead to the deaths of seven members of the Ghalia family, five children and their parents. Another event reported by Amnesty International
In the early morning of 8 November (2007), 18 members of the Athamna family were killed and dozens of other civilians were injured when a volley of artillery shells struck a densely populated neighbourhood of Beit Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza Strip. The victims, eight of them children, were killed in their sleep or while fleeing the shelling, which lasted for around 30 minutes and during which some 12 shells landed in the area.
Events such as these have been allowed with no repercussions and the Israeli forces are becoming even crueler in their dealings with the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip. In 2007 alone Israeli forces accounted for the deaths of over 100 children and over 300 unarmed civilians in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli forces did not let the deaths of 100 children and 300 unarmed civilians stop them from their inhumane acts. Now in 2008, they still persecute the people who reside on the Gaza Strip. The Israeli forces have blockaded the Gaza Strip, cut off all fuel supplies, electricity supplies, and humanitarian assistance.
Now I would like move your attention to a smaller portion of the Gaza Strip known as Gaza City. According to the International Herald Tribune, about 500,000 people live in Gaza City. Of the 500,000 only a few citizens had anything to do with the Palestinian attacks on Israel. The majority of the citizens is below the poverty line and already has an extremely difficult life. Due to the blockade by the Israelis, a number of seriously ill patients of Gaza’s hospital have died because of the lack of supplies. Furthermore, because fuel and electricity supplies have been cut off, the innocent people of Gaza City do not have the supplies to pump clean water. Also, the lack of power available to Gaza citizens makes it difficult to refrigerate their food and medicines. Malcolm Smart stated, “The blockade, appears calculated to make an already dire humanitarian situation worse, one in which the most vulnerable -- the sick, the elderly, women and children -- will bear the brunt, not those responsible for the attacks against Israel."
Senator Lugar I propose we extend a helping hand to defend the Gaza Strip and Gaza City from artillery bombardments of Israel, reopen the borders of the Gaza Strip, invest in Gaza City’s economy so that the citizens will be able to support themselves if this situation re occurs in the future, and increase the media coverage of this violation of human rights so that other countries in the world can see what is occurring. Perhaps other countries can be moved to contribute to this uniting cause.
Yours Sincerely
Joshua Bolton
Concerned Citizen
A Loss Of Innocence
Only sixty years have passed and we as a universal community, striving for equality and inalienable rights, have somehow forgotten what the United Nations had adopted for the sake and benefits of humans of all race, sex, gender, and religion. On that Decemeber day in 1948, the Great Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; it states very clear on the United Nations web page:
"As a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping the Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction."
Everyone is entitled to freedom and the liberty to pursue a life of happinesss. A Universal code of conduct has attempted to put an end to avoidable human injustices in effect to bring out the best in someone and a society. Sometimes it seems invariably difficult to commit or even change the way a society conducts their way of life. For thousands of years countries have been led to the belief that their way of life has been the only way of life, and in consequence have begun to break the rules put forth by the Great Assembly of the United Nations sixty years ago. There was a reason why such a declaration of Human Rights was constructed. These countries, which for many centuries have not been told what to do, are now facing a coalition of Human Rights Activists who are trying to put an end to such inhumane practices like stoning and the death penalty. Though, a far greater problem is starting to make its way into the center of national debate.
In much of the Middle East and Nothern Africa young children, as young as eight years old, are fighting in their armies and militias. Even though the Declaration states very clear in bold print of the parameters of all humans, including children, these countries still seem to disobey; but why is this? Who is really to blame for these acts of injustices on these young and innocent children? What really strikes me about the whole situation is America's involvement in all of this. On the Human Rights Activist website, it is said that over 250,000 children in more than twenty countries are forced to fight. The shocking evidence is not the 250,000 children who are fighting, but the ten countries who the United States are supplying with guns and money to help build these armies and militias.
It is comforting to know that two of your U.S. Senators have already proposed an act to fight against this atrocity. These children are being influenced to fight for, in most cases, an injust cause that not even the wise and old can unravel. It does not seem plausible for the "Big Brother" country of the World to be even remotely associated to such a crime because that is exactly what it is, a foolish and senseless act which the United States is very much apart of. The situation deems further debate. In my opinion, the light needs to be shined a lot more on this very serious issue. Surely it would be a different story if this were to happen here on our soil. I am certain it would instantly be put to shame, and harsher penalties against those who took part would unequivocally be handed out.
Sincerely,
David A. Culp
Letter
603 West Wabash Avenue
Crawfordsville, IN 47933
maguirep08@gmail.com
Dear Senator Bayh,
My name is Patrick Maguire and I am a senior economics major at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. I am writing this letter to
express my concern about the human rights violations currently occurring in the country of Burma. I am sure that you are aware of the events
from the media, and you have seen the brutal actions the Burmese military dictatorship. However, my primary concern is the inaction of the
United States government to not only acknowledge these violations, but also to stop the violence of the perpetrators
and prevent further violations from happening.
It is difficult as a young American to learn about and even watch the people of Burma being oppressed, especially as the American
government chooses only to intervene in countries in which it could benefit financially. If America is supposed to be a leader among nations in
protecting human rights, then it must maintain consistency in its decision to intervene, either by force or with monetary support. Choosing to
ignore the atrocities in Burma is irresponsible and unacceptable.
Just as millions of African-Americans initiated non-violent demonstrations across the United States during the civil rights movement, 20,000
monks in Burma chose to do the same, only to be received with hostile and violent reactions from the military. While unarmed monks and
civilians were shot at, thousands more monks disappeared. Journalists, women, children, and elders of the community were shot and beaten.
Unlike the decentralized terrorist cells we are battling around the world, the violators are clear in this case, and the victims have little in-country
support.
There are a variety of actions that the U.S. could take to respond to such violations of human rights; however, there are non-violent measures
that could be taken. I believe that one effective and reasonable solution would be to impose sanctions on Western companies who contribute
financially, either directly or indirectly, to the Burmese military dictatorship. Just as U.S. military operations put a high priority on freezing
funds that contribute to terrorist activity, the same can be done to stem the growing power of the Burmese military. The U.S. must also be
adamant in its stand against the violence, and it must ensure that its response be implemented, despite opposition from China, Burma’s northern
neighbor.
I am fully aware that the United States cannot police the world and directly intervene every time a human rights violation occurs. However,
when violations as severe and obvious as the violations in Burma take place, the American government needs to ensure swift and appropriate
action in order to maintain its role as a leader and protector of freedoms throughout the world. I hope that you will not take this situation lightly
like most of your peers. I consider you to be a leader for not only the state of Indiana, but also a leader for the entire country. Your word is
respected and trusted, so the simple act raising a discussion surrounding this issue will be effective. Thank you for your time, and do not
fluctuate in your views of ensuring all individuals across the world deserve the same freedoms we experience here in the U.S.
Sincerely,
Patrick Maguire
Abortion
Senator Evan Bayh
131 Russell Office Building
Dear Senator Bayh:
I write to you this afternoon as this great country marks the 35th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade, which legalized abortions in
I hope this letter has raised your awareness on an extremely controversial issue in American politics and with your political powers; you stand in a position to do something about it. You are able to vote against bills that favor abortion “rights” and begin debating and voting in favor of the culture of Life.
Richard G. Lugar
United States Senator for Indiana (R)
Dear Senator Lugar,
I would like to briefly introduce myself and also inform you of the purpose for my writing. My name is Dante Rau and I am currently a junior at Wabash College. I am originally from the East Coast, but have traveled a goodly distance to complete my college experience here, in the Mid-West. As a student at a liberal-arts institution, I am required by the school to take a number of English classes; the ultimate purpose being a broader perspective of education. In my most recent scholastic endeavor, I completed the reading of Voltaire’s epic satire, Candide. Throughout the story, I was able to identify Voltaire’s sympathetic feelings toward the violation of one’s human rights; an issue I have also grown to feel strongly about. During my research on this topic, I found that there are numerous cases throughout the world where people’s basic human rights are being violated on a daily basis. The most appalling instance I found comes in the form of children soldiers. It is estimated that there are over 250,000 child soldiers fighting in the world today; yes, I know, quite a scary thought. These children are the future of this world and their military involvement needs to be stopped immediately. In this letter I will outline a number of strategies that our government could use in order to improve this horrible situation. As I am just a college student, my word is not as powerful as yours, but with your help I feel that together we might be able to put an end to child soldiers everywhere.
It is a known fact that the United States sends copious military support to ten countries that exploit children as soldiers. This statistic is rather frightening to me because in this country we continuously preach against child involvement in military conflict, as is obvious in our draft laws, but then turn around and support child soldiers elsewhere in the world. Should our principles not hold true in foreign affairs? Or should we throw them by the wayside in hopes of making marginal economic gains off these already impoverished countries? If we were able to stop or even slow the U.S. military support to these countries, I believe our cause would be headed in the right direction.
Another strategy that I believe would be beneficial to our cause is an increase in the media attention on child soldiers. If we were able to have a camera crew capture the atrocities that these children are put through, I believe we will be able to drum up increased support to end the children’s’ involvement in warfare. Today, males as young as eight years old are serving in militias in such countries as Colombia, Sudan, and Uganda; all countries that are currently experiencing violent interior conflicts. Boys are not alone in military service though, as young girls often serve as “sex slaves” to the corrupted military commanders of these countries. With an increase in media attention in these areas, we would be able to bring these horrifying realities to light and put them in the face of the general public.
I am hopeful that this issue touches you as deeply as it does me, because I cannot complete this task without your help. With our combined effort, I believe we can put an end to child soldiers everywhere and make the world a safer and better place for children to live. Please consider my request and reply as soon as you are able. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Dante Rau
Illegal Detention Centers
"No person shall … be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." Being a Senator, you obviously realize this passage is from the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. I am sure you are also aware that the Fifth Amendment explains that these rights can only be suspended through fair and legal procedures. Due process has very deep roots, as well. Aristotle once said that the rule of law formed the very best state, because that state was ruled by laws, not men. The problem is that Aristotle would not think that the United States of America was the best state. Every day, the law is throwing due process out the window. Instead of laws, men now govern our state, since they are illegally holding people as so-called “enemy combatants” at Guantanamo Bay. These people have the right to due process; yet, every day they are denied one of the rights that make this country so great. As a man who takes great pride in the country he lives in and is grateful to the opportunities presented to him, I am outraged that one of the foundations of our country is being avoided so that we can justify our paranoia. I understand the country’s outrage over 9/11, because I, like many people, lost a friend who worked in those towers. The image is engraved in my head, and it haunts me to this day. However, our paranoia and frustration should not make us illegally detain people at Guantanamo.
Since the facility’s opening in 2002, 775 detainees were deemed as “enemy combatants.” Some of these detainees are United States citizens. The idea of the camp was to hold people for questioning and send them home if they have been cleared; yet, twenty percent of the 355 people held there have been granted their release as many as three years ago but have not been released yet. This is simply not acceptable. This is an utter violation of human rights and the U.S. Constitution, but it gets worse. Some of the detainees are transported to foreign countries so they can be tortured. Also, the other eighty percent of the men are being held without charge under indefinite detention. Clearly, this is a violation of common law, human rights, and the United States Constitution. Something must be done.
Amnesty International has made a 13-point plan outlining necessary steps to be taken to shut down Guantanamo and many secret detention centers run by the United States Government. The first step, which I have completed already, involves signing an electronic petition. This shows your support in ending illegal detention centers. Once the pledge is signed, you receive additional information from Amnesty International on how you can contribute. Senator Bayh, I strongly encourage and hope you visit tearitdown.com and sign the same pledge as me and many other people from around the world. This is the first step to ending the existence of illegal detention centers ran by the U.S. Government. Once Guantanamo is closed, the rest will fall. Finally, Aristotle could recognize us as the best state again.
Counter-terrorism is necessary, but it should not alienate common law, human rights, and the United States Constitution. The government was designed to be “ran by the people, for the people.” The laws that govern us give us the great freedom that has provided Americans with countless opportunities. I cannot believe that what has been happening at Guantanamo has yet to stop. It is an embarrassment to our country. Amnesty International and the detainees need your help. You, as a United States Senator, could single-handedly change the tide of this battle. Sign the petition. Speak out against this obvious violation of human rights. The detainees are without “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Sincerely,
Mike Schultz, proud and concerned American Citizen
Underage Soldiers
I am writing to you as a concerned college student to ask you to address the concern of foreign governments recruiting soldiers under the age of eighteen. According to the Human Rights Watch, an estimated 250,000 children are forced to fight and die for their country, some as young as the age of eight. These young boys and girls are not recruited, but more or less forced into fighting in over twenty countries throughout the world.
These children are used in all sorts of dangerous situations including spies, cooks, guards and front-line combatants. The girls are sometimes even used as sex slaves or “wives” of commanding officer. These atrocities are real, however the United States has not done enough to combat what by our standards would be slavery.
Some might think that only unmonitored rebel and guerilla factions would commit such a heinous deed. However, there are governments that do the same thing to fight these factions as well as pursue their own interests. What is even more egregious is that the United States of America provides military assistance to ten of these countries ranging from small donations for military training to hundreds of millions of dollars for weapons and military financing. Some of these countries that the Human Rights Watch lists include: Chad, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Uganda.
By using deductive reasoning, it is obvious that our tax dollars are going to these countries through the financing of the United States. Therefore, we are indirectly supporting these governments forcing young children to fight and die even before they reach puberty.
The blood is on our hands, Senator. I implore you to take action. A bill has been drafted by Senator Durbin of Illinois and Senator Brownback of Kansas to restrict military aid to those countries that commit such atrocities. Do what is right, and keep United States weapons out of the hands of children. Vote to allow this bill to pass so that those who are weak and do not have a say are allowed to grow old enough to be able to make the choice as to whether or not they want to fight and die for their country.
Sincerely,
John X. Holmes
Burmese Gem Industry
At what cost is this world willing to buy gems? The Burmese gem industry has been an ongoing problem in the world market for some time now. Conditions in Burma are deplorable and unacceptable. The land, controlled by military force, is the home of forced labor, child labor, pollution, and deadly disease. Human rights are clearly being violated and to make the situation worse, the people who are violating people’s rights are benefiting. As money is flowing into Burma from exports, the Burmese military and military owned companies are gaining financially. “The official trade in Burma’s gems was valued at US$297 million in fiscal year 2006-2007, according to reports citing customs figures” (hrw.org). Who knows what will come of this situation if these military-owned organizations continue to be excessively funded. Though many countries have reduced their purchasing of gems from Burma, there is still one country that accounts for a very large sum of funding to Burma; China. In my opinion, China is selfish to continue to fund such organizations, no matter what the gain may be. Senator, we must do something to help, warn, and stop China from buying from these gems.
Many Human Rights organizations have urged governments around the world to impose sanctions on the Burmese gem industry. The industry holds gem auctions in which Burma typically earns hundreds of millions of dollars. After governments around the world have imposed sanctions on the gem trade, the auctions’ earnings for this past year were less than half of what was expected (hrw.org). The United States, many European countries, and Canada specifically, have helped to raise international pressure toward the gem industry. Industry sales are declining as a result. Some companies like Tiffany & Company and Leber Jewelers are boycotting purchasing from Burma altogether (hrw.org). Countries are seemingly trying to crack down on this unjust way of business; business that forces work upon children in conditions that include environmental pollution and diseases like HIV/AIDS, and drug-resistant malaria (hrw.org). The treating of humans beings like that in Burma is unethical. Are we willing to be unethical for monetary gain?
China has not imposed such strict sanctions perhaps because of the coming of Olympics. China continues to fund this industry in heavy amounts. The reason for China spending so much money is that Burma is the world’s top producer of jade. With the coming of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China is marketing many products made from jade. Just because the Olympics only happen once every four years, does not mean that China should support the unethical gem industry. Retail items and other souvenirs can be made from other materials. Instead of souvenirs, China should be worried about imposing sanctions for matter of life and death.
In my opinion, the Olympics are time for the whole world to come together and share culture; not to support the violation of human rights. The Olympics are great for world relations and bringing the world together, however, it is hypocrisy if we fund industries that violate the rights of our fellow humans which tear the world apart. Even though China is the only country not imposing sanctions, it does not mean the world should not take action. The whole world must speak out to stop this crisis. It is our job to persuade China to stop their purchasing from Burma if they will not act themselves. If one country gets away with not imposing sanctions, then it seems that is okay for another country to do so. The Burmese gem industry is not okay, it is not fair, and it is unethical. I strongly purpose that our government take a stand and reason with China; perhaps hold a conference. Personally, there is not much I can do but raise awareness of this issue. I will spread the word against the Burmese gem industry and as a country we must spread the word. The U.S. has already imposed sanctions and now China must follow suit. This problem is a world issue that needs to be handled by all nations, including China.
Sincerely,
P. J. Tyson
Letter to Senator Lugar
Dear Senator Lugar,
Today I would like to bring to your attention a grievous human rights violation that is occurring today in
In one example taken from www.amnesty.org, Sina Paymard was arrested as a sixteen year old and sentenced to death for knifing a man over a marijuana-related dispute. Two years later, just two weeks after he turned 18, he was taken to the gallows to be hanged. His last dying wish, to play a tune on a reed flute that his father had given him, so moved his accusers that they decided to accept a payment of $160,000 instead of capital punishment. However, after Sina’s family finally raised the money, the victim’s relatives refused to accept it, and Paymard was placed back on death row. Although he was finally released on December 24, 2007 after three and a half years in prison, this may have been due to the great deal of media attention which the case received.
Another example of this inhumane punishment can be witnessed in the story of Atefeh Rajabi. She was hanged in 2004 after being arrested at the age of 16 for her fourth conviction of crimes against her chastity. These “crimes” included being in a car with a boy, visiting a cafĂ© without a chaperon, and being arrested at home because of a petition signed by local residents who accused her of having an affair with a 51-year-old man. Although she was reported to be 22 in court documents at the time of her execution, her true age was actually 16.
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Although the UN has apparently already censured
Sincerely,
Greg Slisz