Somalia...the Tip of the Horn

How do we help those who suffer? Although geographic location remains a prevalent factor in deciding to whom the US provides support from an economic standpoint, we cannot ignore human suffering no matter how remote the region is from the United States or more importantly remote from something we desire.

Perhaps it is just my own awakening, and I am ashamed to reveal how I have in only the last couple of years emerged from a self induced Coma, but I believe the concept of a global community and our responsibility toward one another is being more acknowledge worldwide. We continue to become more and more connected globally and thank goodness for those who have been advocating for human rights and social justice. It is because of their example that I believe in kind hearts and the innate goodness in so much of humanity. I even believe such benevolence remains at the core of many of us in leadership positions today. As far as the current US leadership, I choose to focus on things that are good and leave the revealing of what is not to those more knowledgeable and therefore better at earnest critiquing. I hope to hear from you. I am not ignorant to the fact we all have room for improvement. And as I have previously shared I am not without more than my share of cake.  

Recently with the Somali pirating intrusions on trade, the US has drawn its interest toward the Horn of Africa. Because the level of human suffering in Somalia is equivalent to a humanitarian disaster zone, people cannot even consider a thought about the regional waters of the Arabian Sea without feeling an obligation to support healing and change on the land that takes up so much of its coast. Actually, there is nowhere worse. Living with the risk of a tiger attack due to flooding and lack of land and prey in Bangladesh, would be better than to live in constant fear of brutal slaying and human butchering that people are doing to people in Somalia. If existence is an ongoing battle of good versus evil, Somalia is the epicenter of dark war and genocide. It is for this reason I will focus my reflection not on Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea and Kenya, but on this tip of the horn; Somalia.  

What happens in Somalia is extremely important, just as human rights are anywhere in the world. Ethiopia and Kenya have many refugees from Somalia and most of the security problems affecting the region are due to violence stemming from Somalia. Somalia is Homogeneous with one religion. Rivalry between clans caused Somalia to never have effective government and basically since 1991the country has been in a state of anarchy. The people of Somali suffer unrelenting hardships of extreme poverty, drought, flooding and human brutality. The population has no hope of establishing communities because they are forced to live a rural nomadic lifestyle in order to survive the constant threat of violent attack.  It is hard to envision hope for improved health and education in any foreseeable future. To add to the crisis, food, medicine and emergency shelters are not getting there. It is too dangerous. Somalia is the most dangerous place in the world to try and deliver aid. Basically the only hope for the chance at a peaceful life is to get out. This is the mission for most of the population. Twenty percent have fled to seek refuge in the neighboring countries of Ethiopia and Kenya. Somalia is the foremost example of a failed state.

I was shocked to discover that the main source of income for the local population is actually from the one hundred thousand Somali living in the US. Surely this cannot be significant for change.

If the hardship on the people isn’t enough, there are the pirates who are impeding trade, and still worse a much more significant threat of raising a terrorist population. The Jihadists have settled in the lawless, stateless country. Religious extremists want to turn Somalia into a radical religion based state. Ethiopians despite international recognition and aid, failed to provide the country of Somalia with a new government. Instead a new extremist unit of Al-Qaida supporters emerged and Ethiopia in 2009 withdrew all troops.  

Media reports the use of tactics designed to maximize civilian casualties, like the Al Shabaab claimed July eleventh bombing in Kampala. This bombing that took place where crowds of civilians were watching the televised broadcasting of the world cup was stated to be in response to Uganda’s leading political and military role in Somalia peacekeeping force.

The Transitional federal government that was founded after years of negotiations remains on paper only. Its members lived abroad for fear of returning to Mogadishu. Ministries are not functioning and security forces operate as corrupt autonomous groups. Confidence in the success of the Transitional Federal Government was never high, but currently all hope is gone. The only support that can be provided is through African missions (AMISOM) that fight to expand Mogadishu. And the more thought I give this, the more I am in favor of leaving them on their own. With such corruptions how much of the opposition has infiltrated their forces. A Friday Reuters news article states that President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed claims recent battles have left the Somalia military force controlling seventy percent of the capital city. Hm? Do they?

If all the “good guys” stop providing weapons, won’t soon enough everyone’s ammunition run out?

Other than grass roots support for those brave enough to operate in Somalia the best the US can do in rescue efforts is to protect the neighboring countries by isolating Somalia by preventing any outside support getting to the terrorists and pray that within its borders, evil will defeat itself. The only relief efforts to Somalia should be in the form of food and medicine. Sadly even such charities have been reported as being sold for more weapons.

The only other thought I have to leave you with is this....

Don’t forget about those trapped in terror. Send them your love in thoughts. 

Notable information:

Somalia minerals include uranium and likely deposits of petroleum and natural gas throughout the country, not exploited commercially. Charcoal production has led to widespread deforestation.

All land line telephone systems have been destroyed, but they have cellular phone service throughout the country. They have ship-to-shore communications (INMARSAT) and oversea satellite from private telecommunication in major towns. Mogadishu, Hargeisa and Galkaiyo have radio broadcasting of programs in Somali and some other languages. There are two television stations in Mogadishu and one in Hargeisa. Cities are linked to the internet. 

http://www.so.undp.org/ 

http://www.hrw.org/en/world-report-2011/somalia

I wish to remind any viewers that comments are encouraged. I welcome any corrections of facts presented and I am hopeful for opportunity to learn.

Tahrir Square responds to Mubarak's resignation

Egypt Erupts in Jubilation as Mubarak Steps Down

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world/middleeast/12egypt.html?_r=1&hp
Look at that face. I encourage you to see his tears of hope as those of your brother. My heart is growing.

Egypt

You say you want a revolution; my heart goes out to you. --The protesting, the revolt, the transformation, the crisis, the situation, the unrest, the turmoil-- .  Language is powerful. What we communicate is powerful. We are watching the efforts of our neighbors and we are communicating quickly and effectively, brother to brother, city to city, country to country. The advancement of technology and globalization is truly impacting our world and we are witnessing the effects on a global scale.

Twenty six year old Mohammed Bouazizi became Tunisia’s revolutionary after his vegetable cart was confiscated by local police. As a result of this final act of humiliation and oppression, Mohammed Bouazizi, desperately distraught and defeated, set himself on fire outside the provincial headquarters. Within ten days of his death, through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail and cell phones, Tunisians organized protests that over ruled a twenty year dictator. The people of Tunisia won.

The Egyptians currently suffering the same injustice and denial of human rights; watched the people’s road to victory and became very excited as did those in the neighboring countries of Jordan and Yemen. A young Egyptian and Google Marketing Executive, created a Facebook page titled “We are all Khalid Said”, and began networking that supported a call to end injustice.  Technology was used to very quickly communicate, educate, inspire and make public the voice of hope. (THIS IS REALLY BIG!)  

I remember reading, “The World is Flat”, (Well, at least chapter two.) and feeling so excited about Thomas Friedman’s synopsis of the technological advancements of computers, fiber optic cable, browsers and wireless communication.  He discussed how we do not know the impact. At the time I was taking my first economics course and so my thoughts were all about industry, consumption of natural resources and the importance of bequest value and protecting the planet. I thought about the job market, outsourcing and the elimination of the middle class. I hadn’t the foresight of revolution and the wonderful things that unity can bring. Could it be we are getting closer to supporting global human rights?

The media loves to highlight violence, fear and “what is dark”. Currently, there seems to be plenty of missed opportunity to share about the camaraderie and unity of the people on the streets and throughout neighborhoods of Cairo. I wish to hear more about the Egyptians and Americans living in Cairo, sharing oranges and protecting one another's family and homes.  I loved reading of how protesters built a human chain to protect those in prayer. Could it be the positives of human nature and the desire to end social injustice will be the contagion of goodness that spreads? Could the army be protecting the protesters? Aren’t the soldiers also hearing the spontaneous discussions of liberty and democracy? What role will they take in the revolutionary culture that is developing? I forget how ends, “Lord of the Flies”. Who gets the conch and does the boy without glasses make it home? There were no girls on the island. There are women in Tahrir Square.

Yemen, Jordan, Tunisia, Sudan, Syria are in the process of a condensed transition. These countries are experiencing a political convulsion; a regime change from within. Some say this is a fourth wave of democratization. But it is argued that although there is much potential, the change will not result in democracy.  Protesters and many supporters worldwide are enthusiastic for a pro democratic movement, but according to some there is not much favorable evidence. Currently there is no clear indication that the governments that move into power will be democratic. And history shows that the events in Egypt and throughout the regional countries, is the typical process of changing leadership. It is the norm that an uprising and or an assassination induces political transition. What is different is how we are watching and the efficiency by which we are communicating. Thwap, tap, tap, tap, slide scroll tap tap, slap. Click, beep.

So what do you think? Are we seeing legitimate change or just change in leadership?

Well, in the Middle East, we don’t have a soviet equivalent to befriend. The countries are governments that are already our allies, or are at least recognizing us as global neighbors. The new governments, or changed leadership that result from the transformation may hate us. They may impede on our battleships moving through the Suez Canal. Huh? When Eastern Europe began to fall the United States rushed in with money to try to help build the economy and support new governments. There was a proactive investment in the process of transition. We are not the people of Egypt. But, can we show support by continuing to give money to Egypt? The U.S. can stop giving money to the Egyptian military (tear gas and tanks) and give it to select Egyptian organizations that support healing and development of a governing system that gives voice to the people. Maybe we could invest in education and economic opportunity. How about a train?

I see a regionally trans-formative movement. I desire a globally transformed World. I hold thoughts of healing, justice and love for humanity. How about you? How are you discussing Egypt? --The protest, the revolt, the uprising, the transformation, the crisis, the situation, the unrest, the turmoil--. Which words do you use?

“We stand together”… with you.  

Obama signs documents for new nuclear arms treaty with Russia

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-02-02/us/obama.start_1_new-nuclear-arms-treaty-new-start-pact-russian-parliament?_s=PM:US

National Security

“We do not usually know how to distinguish between what is essential and what is secondary. We spend our lives running about here and there after pleasures that are forever eluding us and leaving us unsatisfied. We try to be happy come what may, without wondering whether we are causing anyone else to suffer in the process. We are prepared to do anything to amass and defend our possessions, which are neither lasting nor true sources of happiness.”Dalai Lama

When I was listening to the State of the Union address and President Obama mentioned celebrating the winner of the science fair, I thought about the science and technology of medicine, communications, clean energy and the environment. I never thought about competition around weaponry and national defense.  Did you?

“Security”, somehow I always associate this word with safety and comfort.  But, it is difficult to make any positive association with the word once it is written after national. It seems there are some truly insane weapons around the world. The recent lecture by Howard Kleinberg at UNCW revealed an arsenal of sophisticated nuclear weapons that left me feeling fragile and nauseous. The list of weaponry was powerful and extensive, covering short range, intercontinental, submarine launch able, multi-warhead, undetectable and all capable of human destruction on a massive scale. To sum it up, the current arsenal consists of very sophisticated weapons that are undetectable, travel four times the speed of sound and leave victims with essentially no time to react.  I thought, I must hurry home to my children.  And I wondered, would the recently discovered solar system be our Utopia?

When I asked Mr. Kleinberg if he was able to sleep, his response was, “yes". His awareness of the US military defense system gives him comfort. According to Mr. Kleinberg, the current defensive weapons empower the United States with the ability to eliminate threats and provide Americans safety. I believe his philosophy is to keep abreast of weapons technology by continuing to research and create extremely sophisticated anti weaponry (weapons) to keep up with and overpower our global neighbors.

Some of the future programs mentioned include, the Ballistic Missile Defense System, boost phase advancement, the Air Launched Hit to Kill (ALHTK) long range anti-missile that destroys an attack missile in the Boost phase, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which is an emerging optimal method to disengage missiles in the boost phase and the Multiple Kill Vehicles (MKV). Also mentioned was a  non-missile defense tactic under research that include the airborne laser test bed (ALTB) and Solid State Lasers which generates a laser to destroy weapons.

When I inquired whether research and progress was working toward eliminating existing weapons, I was given a quick lesson on the politics of defense and what I understand to be a sort of fear based ethics of fighting. As I ingest this foreign subject, it all feels pretty crazy. I suppose somewhere, I should feel grateful, but it is difficult to get my head around a reality so contradicting to a united world. I compare it to when it is suggested we pray for those “fighting for peace”. What nonsense.  Not prayer, fighting for peace. An oxymoron. Right? But, like I previously posted, I am spoiled with comforts and luxuries and therefore I am not willing to die for a cause. If I were suffering, I am sure I would react similar to the people in Cairo. My heart goes out to them. 

So, Mr. Kleinberg might say that I am in favor of the national defense program. Right? I don't know. I suppose I am just glad, fortunate and spoiled, that I almost never think about it.

Are we motivated by fear or love? I guess it is the responsibility of people who are motivated by love to spread it. I suppose our individual power lies in our ability to do so. You know, spread goodness to one another and reach out to those who suffer. I think we can find comfort in our work when we support others in recognizing the universals of culture and celebrating diversity. I am looking into ways to get young people excited about helping those less fortunate and practice giving and sharing.  I embrace the responsibility of introducing students to humanitarian efforts like, Pennies for Peace programs that build schools for impoverished Middle Eastern communities. I practice modeling behavior that is loving. I try to encourage children to develop friendships around the world. I need to do whatever I can to support a peaceful future.