Today the final band of US combat troops withdrew from Iraq, however this doesn't end the multi national nightmare which has been responsible for over a reported 100,000 Iraqi deaths and 2 Trillion dollars (conservative estimates) of US emergency (deficit) spending. The largest consequences of the war where by far felt by the Iraqi people, who have been subjected to ethnic cleansing, depleted uranium munitions, searches at all hours, mercenary massacres (Blackwater, Nisor square), complete destruction of essential services, retribution killings and an impotent corrupt government, to name just a few. The price was also paid by the American under served class who gained only body bags and severe post traumatic stress disorders from the ordeal.
The cost of the Iraq war was felt on the widespread global economic level as well. In 2006-07 the price of oil raised from a constant $30-40 per barrel to around $120. While a decent amount of the price rise can be attributed to unregulated speculation in oil futures in the stock market (fueled by an unstable middle east), factors of a falling dollar (from deficit spending) and increased demand for middle eastern oil by the US war machine created the necessary prequel for global economic collapse. When prices shot up businesses had to pay more for the supplies they needed to carry out anything that involved physical materials. In th USA this was largely felt by the construction industry. In order to cut costs workers had to be let go. Workers with formerly consistent salaries and home mortgages where left with no job and no way of paying for their homes. In 2008 the housing bubble collapsed due to the inability of the working class to pay there ruling class masters for the privilege of owning a home (which they themselves used to build or design). Once the payments stopped coming the bets in the market exploded and the climate of fear created the climate for the bourgeoisie to swindle the next 4-5 generations of under classes out of billions in bailout moneys. In an intertwined global economy every decision has major ripple effects.
Just want to give a shout out (shout at) to the Bush admin, oil companies, speculators and lobbyists for pulling off the greatest fuck up (or is it?) in modern history. Thanks to your idiocy-greed we may reach the breaking point of class inequity 50 years sooner than was soon possible before. But I guess that 50 years will cover your kids lifetime :( Either way most of those in my graduating class will never get to practice Architecture as their primary career. The forces of destruction have usurped the ability of those who chose to be creators.
Those who cry foul about gov't spending on things like health care and social security (investment in social prosperity), maybe take a step back and re-examine your priorities.
Big ups to the troops who where forced to serve in this war. All the veterans Ive met have had the best intentions and feel great empathy for the Iraqi people. So much so in fact that they don't want to leave them to their surely bloody fate (but are glad to be gone). In a perfect world this conflict would have a solution that would benefit all sides. In the real world war and occupation never benefits either side.
~R!
2010년 8월 19일 목요일
2010년 8월 18일 수요일
Freedom V Quality
Of late I have been pondering the difference between "freedom" and "quality". Both of which are contextual words that have been distorted for political malfeasance in my home country. I personally find all things relative due to an aversion to absolutism (which everyone knows, only Sith deal in). In absolute terms these two words are often similarly associated as one. With complete freedom comes a higher quality of life. In relative terms I find these words sometimes contradictory and other times very compatible.
To clarify, everyday in Korea I witness epic traffic congestion. Usually this congestion is caused by people riding way to close to others at intersections and ignoring traffic laws that prohibit entering an intersection if you can't move all the way through. The freedom to park in an intersection seems to destroy the quality of commuting. If everyone just backed off a bit traffic would run more smoothly, creating a higher quality of transportation for everyone else (less traffic, less accidents, less commute time). The freedom to drive like an asshole has few benefits for the quality of life of the greater society.
In the States there are debates raging that run both directions between these two ideals, while in the best circumstances a balance has been struck. An example of opposing points would be regulation of business. Taxation and regulation of corporations has been called tyrannical by those of the ruling class (along with many of the under served classes who have been indoctrinated by their rulers considerable media holdings). However it has been proven by our economic situation that letting a few ruling class people steal and swindle millions out of their money is about as smart as letting a Ferrari speed down the street at 210 until it hits a school bus full of children. The freedom of that Ferrari driver certainly didn't help the children who where, in this case forced to pay for the medical bills of the driver, on his idiotic quest to presumably get laid.
Just because Glenn Beck has the Freedom to plan a "Tea Party" (which is an attempt to turn the under served masses towards xenophobic infighting while the rich rob us again) march on DC on the anniversary of the I have a dream speech, doesn't mean it serves quality. Its worse than a community center for Muslims a few blocks from ground zero. Creating an opportunity for understanding (community center) at the exploding point (ground zero) is an example of freedom and quality looking to live together in a peaceful world. A ruling class hate monger usurping the hallowed ground of a man who served to bring people of all races, colors and creeds together is just an example of freedom trumping quality. I'd be willing to bet that the mosque would receive very real hostile opposition with much more eloquence and acceptance than the rallied masses of right wingers chanting "freedom!" against their imagined tyrants.
Words are just words. Who is free? Who is oppressed? What defines quality? The scale that measures liberty bottoms out at a anarchy at one end and complete autocracy at the other. We can only see what is not free or quality and move to seek an ideal balance between the two. What do I know? Perhaps autocracy or anarchy are the highest quality. Perhaps the circumstances dictate what is best.
~R!
To clarify, everyday in Korea I witness epic traffic congestion. Usually this congestion is caused by people riding way to close to others at intersections and ignoring traffic laws that prohibit entering an intersection if you can't move all the way through. The freedom to park in an intersection seems to destroy the quality of commuting. If everyone just backed off a bit traffic would run more smoothly, creating a higher quality of transportation for everyone else (less traffic, less accidents, less commute time). The freedom to drive like an asshole has few benefits for the quality of life of the greater society.
In the States there are debates raging that run both directions between these two ideals, while in the best circumstances a balance has been struck. An example of opposing points would be regulation of business. Taxation and regulation of corporations has been called tyrannical by those of the ruling class (along with many of the under served classes who have been indoctrinated by their rulers considerable media holdings). However it has been proven by our economic situation that letting a few ruling class people steal and swindle millions out of their money is about as smart as letting a Ferrari speed down the street at 210 until it hits a school bus full of children. The freedom of that Ferrari driver certainly didn't help the children who where, in this case forced to pay for the medical bills of the driver, on his idiotic quest to presumably get laid.
Just because Glenn Beck has the Freedom to plan a "Tea Party" (which is an attempt to turn the under served masses towards xenophobic infighting while the rich rob us again) march on DC on the anniversary of the I have a dream speech, doesn't mean it serves quality. Its worse than a community center for Muslims a few blocks from ground zero. Creating an opportunity for understanding (community center) at the exploding point (ground zero) is an example of freedom and quality looking to live together in a peaceful world. A ruling class hate monger usurping the hallowed ground of a man who served to bring people of all races, colors and creeds together is just an example of freedom trumping quality. I'd be willing to bet that the mosque would receive very real hostile opposition with much more eloquence and acceptance than the rallied masses of right wingers chanting "freedom!" against their imagined tyrants.
Words are just words. Who is free? Who is oppressed? What defines quality? The scale that measures liberty bottoms out at a anarchy at one end and complete autocracy at the other. We can only see what is not free or quality and move to seek an ideal balance between the two. What do I know? Perhaps autocracy or anarchy are the highest quality. Perhaps the circumstances dictate what is best.
~R!
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