McDonald's Owns You....

Is anyone else afraid? Not only has popular rap gone from poetic exposition of urban black life to thinly veiled product placements and celebration of anti-social self-destructive behavior.

Now they're even being open about it.
From the BBC

McDonald's has offered to pay top hip hop artists to incorporate the 'Big Mac' into their song lyrics. According to Advertising Age magazine, the fast food chain will pay rappers up to £2.80 ($5) every time a song namechecking the burger is played.

Link

Yes, that's right McDonald's is offering to pay rappers to pimp their burgers. Maybe Ludacris could do a track featuring Ronald McDonald. That I would watch.

You can bet I will be watching closely to see which chump actually tries this.

Many people would be upset about this, I'm content to watch the circus.

Bring on the clowns!

Race Reflections

It's been almost a week and I shouldn't leave ya hanging for that long I suppose. The student government thing is in progress. I've decided to give them time to explain themselves, I just hope they will use this opportunity to do so.

In the mean time, more important issues.

Next promising topic on AD looks like a race debate.

Brief thoughts on race in America
This is a function of the usual problem, no one wants to talk about it.

When it comes to discussion of controversial topics (the very topics that benefit most from discussion) many if not most people are pretty cowardly.

My guess is because most people know they do not think through their opinions to come to reasonable conclusions. They would prefer there argument never face any critical reviews.

This is balanced by the fact that some people, usually the aggrieved are going to bring the topic up for discussion. It is the person with a problem that calls for help.

The non-aggrieved, in the case of race in America these are generally white people, on the other hand simply become defensive and deny there is any problem with the system. They instead run to another common mistake, look for the cheapest "solution."

Some people have a bad habit of blaming "black culture" for disproportionate poverty and crime. Ask most black people about this and you will see a very confused look.

This is because African-American "culture" is for all practical purposes identical to the larger American culture.

I always wonder at calls for assimilation, on my planet black people are assimilated. :P

I'll stop yammering for now.

Promises of more regular updates as usual.

Student Government Spending Spree

Away from our regularly scheduled political programming here's something a bit more personal.

I am a sophomore at Oakwood College a (relatively) pleasant Seventh-Day Adventist College in Huntsville, AL.

Like most institutions of higher learning we have the opportunity to form our own student government body of sorts.

Now, I'm not quite sure what they do, their names are all over the monthly events and every once in a while they host Church services but other than that the group is a little quiet.

I think I just saw why. In the grand American tradition of pork-barrel spending the United Student Movement has earmarked $3000 to pay for an "Eternal Flame" type monument outside the Library.

"How Nice!" You may say.

Understand something, the students of Oakwood College get excuses about a lack of funds every time we turn around. Everything from pest infestations to leaky toilets continue to be noted year after year.

People, $3000 dollars can buy a lot of toilet paper, it's BYOTP around these parts.

The student of Oakwood College are, in general, not wealthy. That $3000 dollars could have made all the difference for at least a couple students. Hey, put it in a piggy bank for all I care, just don't throw it at some useless decoration when there are better things to do.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears!

Actually, keep the ears, but post comment to your heart's content so I know whether or not something can be done about this.

More Later

UN Reform Proposal

I've always had mixed feelings about Kofi Annan as UN secretary general. On the one hand it is certainly good to see an African face in such an influential position, it casts light on what I see as the forgotten continent.

On the other hand such irresponsible positions as casting blame on the US for the bombing of the UN mission in Iraq, after said mission rejected US security details has certainly lead me to doubt his ability not to let emotion cloud his reasoning.

This may be a major weight in the positive direction.

From the new proposal for reform of the United Nations:

Five years into the new millennium, we have it in our power to pass on to our children a brighter inheritance than that bequeathed to any previous generation. We can halve global poverty and halt the spread of major known diseases in the next 10 years. We can reduce the prevalence of violent conflict and terrorism. We can increase respect for human dignity in every land. And we can forge a set of updated international institutions to help humanity achieve these noble goals. If we act boldly — and if we act together — we can make people everywhere more secure, more prosperous and better able to enjoy their fundamental human rights.

Finally someone speaks in the language of progress rather than stagnation. I like an official who can say "we can" rather than "my opponents won't let me!"

Those watching the story will see much coverage of the aspects of the report to do with the West.

• Expanding the Security Council
• A international definition and accord on terrorism
• Better definitions to the requirements for approved use of military force. etc.

Here at the Hot Seat I encourage you the read the whole report including the part which may well be more earth-shaking if the proposal in embraced.

I speak of the Millennium Project Goals, they portion of the report that could "halve major poverty" and "halt major diseases" potentially saving millions of lives.

I won't try to swallow this elephant in one post, but something to think about.

If is would cost the "rich world" pennies on the dollar to end severe poverty worldwide, should they do it?

A link to the report in full, a 1MB PDF document.
Link

The US a terrorist State?

Only at America's Debate can a topic which would surely be doomed to the death of a flame war, instead turn into a reasonably intelligent eleven page (to this point) discussion.

This time the hot topic is whether or not the actions of terrorists are substantially different from the actions of terrorists.

This, of course, speaks to the more basic debate over whether the intent of an action weighs significantly in its nature, or whether only results matter.

I have weighed in only a little, leaving this to poster with more defined positions. I reject the notion that US soldiers are terrorists (except for a few who knowingly cross the line).

To compare the bombing of Iraq which targeted military installations and personnel with the bombing we have seen of the Red Cross and the murder of aid workers like Margaret Hassan...

...is simply willful distortion of the truth so that those who disagree with current administration policy can engage in the same "black-and-white" reasoning that the accuse George Bush of.

Nevertheless, some people do differ in their opinion thus the debate.

Protest Fun

Something has tipped me off that South Koreans are pretty darn passionate about protest.

From our old standby the BBC:

Visitors to South Korea could be forgiven for thinking the country was on the verge of war.

Newspaper headlines accuse Japan of a new invasion for claiming sovereignty over a cluster of disputed islands.

Overwhelmed by fury, protesters have sliced off fingers, set themselves on fire, and in one case committed suicide by jumping off a bridge.

What are they so upset about?

The dispute over Dokdo, or Takeshima as the islands are known in Japan, is a perennial irritant to better relations.

The islands are remote and uninhabited, lying about half way between the two countries.

But they sit among rich fishing grounds and there is much talk of potential gas deposits in the area.
Link

So South Korea gets a little upset over nuclear weapons and tons of conventional artillery aimed them by their neighbor to the north.

But start threatening their fish and some hypothetical gas rigs by claiming a couple uninhabited islands and people start lighting themselves on fire.

Where's the perspective folks?

Iraqi Government Outlook

Head up of the date of the formation of the new Iraqi government. Looks like March 26.

Names still look lined up as in previous post.

PM: Jafaari

President: Talabani

Hopefully they can hurry to the constitution.

Iraq Assembly Meets Today

Well the newly elected Iraqi MPs have finally been sworn in. That said, the government is yet to be formed. Arguments are, predictably over the state of the peshmerga (the Kurdish militia) and the status of Kirkuk. In the oldest of democratic tradition the Kurds are milking their votes for all their worth.

At some point the costs of delay are going to outweigh immediate benefits and they will get on with it.

Oh and like I done told you, Jafaari looks set for PM.

Let's test my prediction abilities a little further (since that was an obvious call).

Kurds keep peshmerga under Kurdish command, they are officially part of the new Iraqi army. Kurds get to immigrate into parts of Kirkuk, not officially under Kurdish control however. Talabani as president, Allawi takes VP both posts are largely ceremonial. Ghazi Yawer gets speaker, which is not wholly ceremonial as one of many gestures to the Sunnis.

..oh and the new constitution guarantees the same basic rights and under TLA (which are comparable to the US).

My only worry is the effect of Sharia on marriage law and the strength of the judiciary.

Where have all the liberals gone?

Before I nod off I have to introduce this one into the mix.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, a man who seems to me to have a talent for poignant and witty commentary, let fly a killer in a recent speech on the Middle East.

Faced with an American government of the Right promoting a vision of how to change the world for the better, many on the Left have become the staunchest advocates of the status quo.

Link

I for one couldn't agree more. I have always considered myself a liberal. I've never been one to tow the party line (I didn't pick "rogue ronin" as the URL name of this blog by accident) but the essence of liberalism...

• Government as a primary tool for the improvement of the human condition.
• The value of cooperation and service.

Has always been dear to me. Which is why I'm so disheartened by some of the things I've been hearing about the most progressive foreign policies I've ever heard from the US government. (at least rhetorically)

I fully respect principled opposition to the Iraq War. I think it is abundantly clear now that thousands of Americans and Iraqis have died under false justifications. I somewhat respect opposition to the concept of armed conflict period. I know quite a few pacifist and I've always found them to be reasonable caring people.

I do not at all respect opposition to the concept of promoting democracy and human rights throughout the Middle East and around the world.

One would think some of the irrational justifications behind such opposition would have died with the Third Reich.

"Arab/Muslim culture is incompatible with democracy."

"Given the chance to vote, they will elect extremists, they are a bloodthirsty people"

In the words of Jack Straw.

We're sometimes told that democracy is a Western value; and that promoting it reflects a Western agenda which we are seeking to impose on others.

I utterly reject that.

It is human nature to want more of a say in what goes on in one's life. Human rights are universal and need to be universally protected.

Perhaps there are disagreements on what these rights are, but institutions need to be present so that these disagreements can be settled peacefully and rationally.

These are no new ideas for liberals, as I understand it this is what liberals all around the world have been fighting for all these many years.

Why now then do some of us sit, comfortable in our living rooms, away from the torture chambers and secret police, decrying the promotion of our own values?!
I don't really like George W. Bush, I didn't vote for him and I think his administration could not by any stretch of the imagination be called what America truly needs.

..but if he will truly fight for the extension of freedom then you'd better believe I'll back him up.

Partisans need to examine why they joined the party. Forget the group, respect the goal.

Cries of "imperialism" and "arrogance" shouldn't stop liberals from spreading some of the values we experience in the Western world from uplifting other regions.

If believing that every human being should be free at birth is wrong. If believing that it is not only my right, but my duty to work to make that happen is wrong.

I never want to be right.

African Poverty

I was always a fan of thinking big.

..and when I say big I mean huge. Some people are intimidated and frustrated by large problems, they complain that the never seem to get solved.

This degenerates into the oh-so-annoying defeatist attitude that they will never be solved. Past performance as ultimate indicator of future results and all that jazz.

To this I say ":P"

What am I talking about now?

Why, the Millennium Plan of course!

The main message is that extreme poverty on our planet, which threatens us by causing instability, disease, causes millions of people to suffer and die unnecessarily, can be brought to a close by our generation. And the Millennium development goals, which are goals to cut by half that extreme poverty by the year 2015, are achievable. But we're not on course to achieve these goals right now. We can get on course through modest steps on our part, coupled with a partnership with the poorest places in the world.
Before I do that, I should say the biggest gap in our country is the gap in perception, because Americans are generous. You see how they responded to the tsunami. But they think we do twenty to thirty times more in development aid than we actually do. So right now, the rich world on average gives about 25 cents out of every $100 of rich world income to help the poor countries. In the United States, it's just 15 cents out of every $100 of our income. What we calculate to be needed is on the order of about 50 cents per every $100 of income

.

A point-blank end to extreme poverty, now that's a big idea. One that most people in principle could get behind. The question is: Will nations agree to give up the cash to help others in return for enormous long-term gains?

Defeatism, as usual, is progress' greatest foe. It is common knowledge (and we know what I think of that) that Africa can never be brought out of poverty with increased assistance.

Aww, quit being a party pooper and read the report. Love to hear what you think, I'll follow up on this topic soon.
Millennium Plan Website

New UN Ambassador

The Bush administration has nominated one John Bolton as the new US ambassador to the United Nations. Bolton, noted earlier for terse criticism of North Korea (aren't we all) has also apparently been none too kind to the UN.
His apparent words:

The (U.N.) Secretariat building in New York has 38 stories. If it lost 10 stories, it wouldn't make a bit of difference

Now whether true or not this may not be the best choice to represent the US to the organization. I always thought that Bush made some mighty questionable appointments, here's another.

Bush may have some good theory on foreign policy but the man can't execute his way out of a wet paper bag.

Back in the Saddle

...well I'm back at school after a pretty unproductive Spring Break (just how I like 'em).

That's means a high-speed connection and more reason to post. Right now I've got oil on the brain.

I like to think outside the box and that means I have to cast a critical eye on claims that the Iraq war was for oil.

What? You say. But isn't Iraq swimming in oil, doesn't everything we do in the middle east have to do with oil?

Kill the common sense, which I always say is what everyone thinks they know and listen to the facts.

If the war in Iraq was for oil, it would have to strengthen the US position in regards to Iraqi oil. That is to say, US firms must be in a position to make much more money or US control must be exerted on the oil sales over the long term. Otherwise, why go to war?

... and that's were the theory falls for now. The US doesn't control Iraqi oil, it is run by the Iraqi oil ministry through it's state-run companies.

..and in case someone starts which the "puppet government" theory, see last post. Unless you think Ayatollah Sistani and the Iraqi Dawa party or the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq are US puppets you've got another thing coming.

The Iraqi government in in turn, a member of OPEC. You know, the guys we are supposed to be reducing our dependence on.

The debate is in progress and I encourage you to join us at AD but as of right now, "Blood for Oil" isn't looking so good.