Book Review: "Who Governs? Democracy and Power in an American City” by Robert A. Dahl

In the book "Who Governs? Power in an American City" Robert A. Dahl explores the power structure in America. For this he chooses the city of New Haven, CT as an example of this. I found it very interesting that Dahl makes an argument that power in America is divided into groups. He shows that elected officials are only one section of this power grid. Other areas that he points out are education, urban development, each group that he show is its own sector of power in the sector. He points out that this is how America as a whole is run, not by one elite group but by several. I thought that this book gave the reader a unique insight as to how politics in America is run and the fact that it isn't the one group that is in charge, unlike what Americans tend to think. The result of his analysis of New Haven is something that I thought was very eye opening in American Politics. 

Book Review - Development, Democracy, and the Welfare States: Latin America, East Asia, Eastern Europe

In the work Development, Democracy, and the Welfare States: Latin America, East Asia, Eastern Europe, Stephan Haggard and Robert R. Kaufman explore how social and political shifts can have long standing effects on the development and economies in particular regions. It provides a comprehensive analysis of various systems, which serves as a cross comparison of these various regions.

As per the suggestion of Dr. Cocozzelli, I began reading this particular book because it provides a unique link between the development of states and education. Though this book only caters to one area of my research topic through its assessment of East Asia, including Korea, it has provided some substantial information regarding how state’s prioritization of education can ultimately lend to specific outcomes for states. In a cross comparison between Latin America and East Asia there were not large gaps between levels of overall GDP spending on education, but the states prioritized their spending differently. Korea worked to achieve universal primary school enrollment. There were also parallels drawn between the type of political ideology employed in the state and the education outcomes. States with socialist regimes, such as those in China had significantly higher levels of educational development.

This provided a great perspective on some of the education attainment indicators, which will provide a great foundation for additional research. 

Source Review and Current Events: Roma in the European Union

In his work The Dilemma of the European Union's Roma Policy, Aiden McGarry discusses the marginalization and discrimination of the Roma people in the EU. He writes about the challenges that institutions face in developing policy regarding the Roma as efforts to address social issues have proven inadequate thus far. While efforts have been made to protect minorities within the EU and provide assistance for vulnerable people, including the Roma, the author argues that more can be done. He notes that the EU frequently uses terminology like inclusion and equality of opportunity, which helps address issues of economic inequality for the Roma. On the other hand however, Roma also suffer from severe cultural injustices due to the negatively purported associations with their ethnicity. So the European Union faces a challenge here in addressing both economic and cultural injustices associated with the Roma people. The author concludes noting the EU's increase in efforts to address the integration of the Roma through socioeconomic issues.

Recently, the editorial board of the New York Times wrote about the intentions of the European Union to improve its campaign to reverse years of oppression and marginalization of the Roma. They write about the improvements that the union has made regarding education, health, and housing which is something each member-state is required to do. "The European Union intends to earmark money for the task so member nations can no longer divert aid to more popular causes." These intentions are well-meaning and will likely push member-states into increasing assistance for the Roma, but challenges may inevitably arise. Since countries like Romania joined the European Union in 2007, efforts to assist the Roma population have become increasingly difficult as Roma comprise nearly 10 percent of the population there. The Times also writes about right-wing politicians gaining support as they demonize Roma, and in Slovakia, around 400 mayors have used health and safety regulations to create a movement of shutting down Roma communities. So local politics will affect the success of Roma integration policies, but even politicians who admit the need for better welfare programs will not speak out in fear of voter backlash. The European Union will continue to press member-states and their local governments to implement humane reforms.

Sources:

McGarry, Aidan. "The Dilemma of the European Union's Roma Policy." Critical Social Policy (SAGE), 2012. 

The Editorial Board. "Europe's Roma Bashers." New York Times. April 29, 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/30/opinion/europes-roma-bashers.html?_r=0.  

Topic Research: Roma in the European Union

The Roma people, a sub-group within the Romani minority, often known by the unofficial exonym gypsies, are widely dispersed with their largest concentrations in the central and eastern European countries of Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia, though particularly large populations are also existent in France and Spain. Roma people have been historically persecuted and were a targeted group during the Holocaust with a high estimation of one million being victims of genocide. They are still subject to significant discrimination and the majority live well below the poverty line.

Roma exist in each member-state of the European Union and attempts to identify as a collective group are hindered by the heterogeneity of Roma culture driven by geographic location and varying traditions, levels of education, socioeconomic status, and even language (though a common language does exist). The European Union has the potential to serve as an ally to the Roma community transnationally across the region of eastern and western Europe and has made strides to counter issues regarding the Roma. The EU, however, has been faced with complexities and opposition in both identifying the primary concerns and working toward solutions. Individual states, such as France (as I discuss more in depth in my term paper), domestically create policy regarding Roma, but the European Union possesses the authority to create policy on the supranational level which, in effect, would supersede domestic policy. The European Union has yet to solve all the complexities associated with the Roma and the lack of policy creation is due, in part, to the complex nature of the issue and the general opposing views regarding the foundations of potential policy. There are several contributing factors to the difficulties institutions face in recognizing and addressing the issues associated with one of the most discriminated and marginalized groups existing in the European Union.

In looking at the interrelation and dynamic between the European Union and its member-states, particularly France, it is interesting to note that the European Union does not earmark funding specifically for Roma integration. It does, however, offer funding to invest in regions and cities to help reach goals of creating jobs and increasing economic growth, dealing with climate change and energy advancement, and reducing poverty and social marginalization. The Regional Policy or Cohesion Policy encourages member-states of the EU to focus on investing in growth and investing in people and comprises more than one third of the European Union’s budget.

Each member state of the European Union is responsible for creating and implementing strategic plans about how to use funding from the European Union to improve the integration of vulnerable people, which would include the Roma. The National Roma Integration Strategy as set forth by France is more comprised of a set of measures that focus on the gradual elimination of poverty amongst the marginalized Roma. This plan will be implemented by investing, with emphasis, in the particular areas of education, employment, healthcare, and housing. This method of strategy was created as France faces two main problems when working to integrate Roma. According to the framework of the communication from the European Commission and France’s strategy, assimilation can go against the objectives of recognizing the distinct cultures and identities that comprise French society in efforts to integrate and second, French law, in terms of the construction of public policy, does not allow measures to be targeted to specific ethnic groups. 

“Different categories of issues are assumed to evoke the participation in the decision-making process of different numbers of actors, who vary in their motivation and ability to act as well as in their readiness to engage in political bargaining and compromise” (Potter 1980). The issue of the Roma has proven to be an important one, yet an overwhelmingly complicated one. While the level of pressure and gravity of situations influence policy-change, policy-change is hindered by the complexities of a compilation of interdependent dimensions. 

To be clear, there are very obvious economic, cultural, and social injustices regarding the Roma that must be addressed. The European Union has begun to focus more attention and efforts into the integration of Roma by funding initiatives to improve education, healthcare, and employment opportunities to invest not only in the Roma as an ethnic group, but as contributing members of the European Union. With that being said, there is much more that will need to be done in terms of 1. understanding what the exact problems associated with the Roma are, and 2. how to solve them.   

Sources:

European Commission. Tackling Discrimination: EU and Roma. 2014. http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/roma/index_en.htm.

McGarry, Aidan. "The Dilemma of the European Union's Roma Policy." Critical Social Policy (SAGE), 2012.

Potter, William C. "Issue Area and Foreign Policy Analysis." International Organization (The University of Wisconsin Press) 34, no. 3 (1980).

Uzbekistan and the United States: Authoritarianism, Islamism and Washington, by Shahram Akbarzadeh

Uzbekistan and the United States: Authoritarianism, Islamism and Washington, by Shahram Akbarzadeh does a very good job of encompassing the many facets of geopolitics in regards to Uzbekistan and the United States. Akbarzadeh concedes to the fact that the alliance between the United States and Uzbekistan is nothing sort of strange. For Uzbekistan’s autocratic leadership under President Islam Karimov the alliance with the U.S promised economic aid, a more effective defense against domestic and regional Islamists and support for a more assertive Uzbek role in Central Asia, most notably against Russia’s continued hegemonic attempts. On the United States’ end, Uzbekistan offered access to Central Asian oil and gas, a foothold of sorts in “Russia’s backyard” but most importantly a reliable staging ground for the war on terror (Taliban and Saddam). Akbarzadeh helps us see that the relationship between the United States and Uzbekistan is definitely one that looks better on paper. Though the motives of both sides are clear-cut and roughly compatible, the relationship is marred by Karimov’s incurable dictorial habits and disinclination to follow up its numerous laudable announcements for foreign consumption with real economic and political reform.

Ultimately, it can be said that if the United States did not need Uzbekistan due to the reasons stated in the above the lack of human rights in Uzbekistan would definitely be addressed, but as for now Uzbekistan makes for an embarrassing partner the United States has to lay in bed with.

A Brief History of Cannabis Policies in Spain (1968-2003) – Juan F. Gamella, Maria Luisa Jiménez Rodrigo

 

A Brief History of Cannabis Policies in Spain (1968-2003) – Juan F. Gamella, Maria Luisa Jiménez Rodrigo

Journal of Drug Issues: Summer 2004; 34, 3; pages 623-659

To understand my paper topic “Cannabis Policies in Spain,” one must understand that it was not an easy process for Spaniards. For many years these citizens have enjoyed smoking a joint or two, and it is not because of disregard of the law, or lack of drug abuse knowledge. Spain was one of the first European counties to decriminalize this drug. “By 2001, over 1.7 million people were using cannabis regularly, a portion of them daily” (Gamella & Rodrigo p. 624). The use of cannabis dates back to the 1940s and 1950s when Spain had colonies in Morocco, and tourists would bring the good back to their homes. For many years the courts and law enforcement ignore these practice, mostly because they saw it as something that only lowlifes did. By the late 1960s, smoking cannabis is the streets was part of the rebellion against the dictator Franco, which in my opinion is a great way to really put a government regime up in smoke. However when the Franco regime came to an end and Spain began the process to rejoin the rest of Western Europe, things began to change.

Spain had to follow the international list of controlled substances that were set by the UN Single Convention of 1961. By 1968, the Spanish government created a narcotics police force, in hopes to control the policies set by the UN. According to Gamella & Rodrigo people with different lifestyles were targeted along with drug users. By 1973 things began to change; drug possession, even for personal consumption became a penal offence. Nevertheless in the months following this ruling, the Supreme Courts decided that possession for self-consumption should not be prosecuted. Now if you know anything about the “War on Drugs” you’d know that it is often compared to the heroin epidemic that occurred during the 1960s and early 1970s. Heroin use hit Spain like a head on collision, it caused many social problems and increased crime across the nation.

The heroin problem began in 1977, and by the end of 1979 thousands of Spaniards were abusing this drug and many were addicted. Although this was happening in other countries across the EU, but the Spanish government was very concerned. When I say there was in an increase in crime, I mean Spain broke records. “For example, in 1974 there were 100 bank robberies in Spain, while in 1984… there was 6,239…” (Gamella & Rodrigo p.628). THIS WAS A WORLD RECORD!! The 1980s was a rough decade for the Spaniards, there was slow economic growth, a large population ranging from 15-29 years old, and terrible labor opportunities. Three million people were unemployed in 1985, which could explain the increase in crime rates.

But how does this relate back to Cannabis policies? Well in 1982, Spain began its socialist governments led by Felipe Gonzalez. The government struggled for years to get things back in order, and sought to make serious changes. What was something that they changed? It may be hard to believe but the government took charge and changed the penal code regarding drugs. They made a separation between “hard” and “soft” drugs, this labeled cannabis a soft drug and heroin/cocaine/LSD hard drugs. Drugs that caused less harm were labeled soft drugs. Secondly the government eliminated self-consumption as a criminal act. Although the public, as a whole, did not agree with these policies, the government set stronger penalties for public consumption and trafficking. With international pressure, Spain took a proactive approach to solve the many problems Spain was facing. With pharmacies being a major target for robberies during the heroin epidemic, the government put restrictions on what drugs could and could not be sold. Another step the government took was to open methadone programs to help addicts ease off heroin, and by 1987 over 100 programs were up and running.

The country struggled to maintain helpful programs, considering a lot of them were away from where people could by drugs and when patients returned home it often resulted in relapse. The increase of need for these clinics also helped the youth, by giving them a reason to pursue careers in fields that relate to the clinics. It could be said that the drug culture in Spain wasn’t going anywhere but this wasn’t going to stop the government from making changes to the laws. In fact the amount of cannabis smokers decreased during the 1980s, this could be related to the HIV/AIDS out break among drug users. This didn’t stop cannabis from coming into the country, although it was intended for sale in other countries it was still a Spanish problem. The 1990s was a new decade for the War on Drugs in Spain, in 1992 a new law, Corcuera’s Law, was passed which put fines on consuming drugs in public and enabled the defendant to have the charges dropped if they agreed to enter a rehab program. “By 2000, there were 80,000 people on subsidized methadone programs all over Spain” (Gamella & Rodrigo p.636). The government was getting serious about trying to solve the problem, but there were constant battles throughout the country on how to fix the problem. Since there were different political parties at different levels of government it was a struggle to make everyone happy.

So in 1995 the Spanish government drafted the new penal code of 1995, in hopes to really make a national impact. This new set of laws still made it a crime to grow, manufacture or trade drugs, and also increased drug trafficking. A cannabis smoker, if arrested and put on trial would be facing one to three years in jail if it was their first offense, and up to four and half years for large quantities. But any person who was arrested on cannabis charges could argue that the drug was for private consumption. Which is a loophole around the public consumption clauses, and as long as it was in small quantities the court could dismiss the case. According to Gamella and Rodrigo, two different cases in the 1990s where the cases were dismissed because there was no signs that the defendants were going to sell the drugs; but courts were very careful when it comes to dismissal. Which raised the concern to set limits on how much could be personally consumed by an individual. “In October of 2001, the Supreme Court, after considering changes in dominant attitudes, established a new limit of 2.5 kilos of hashish and 10 kg for cannabis” (Gamella & Rodrigo p.639). The government made these changes to the law in hope to separate the everyday smokers from the criminals who were trafficking the drugs to other places.

By the 1990s smoking was a country wide event again, and the largest group of Spanish “tokers” were high school students. According to research done by Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Naciobal sobre Drogas (DGPND) and Observatorio Español sobre Drogas reports that out of 20,000 high school students, in 2000 31.2% of the students smoked cannabis before, 54.1% of 18 year olds have smoked cannabis and males smoke more than females. These numbers are not because of lack of drug abuse knowledge, but because these young adults saw cannabis as something that was safer than smoking a cigarette Although Spanish court rooms were filled with cases regarding cannabis, most of which were followed by fines, Spaniards found another loophole around the laws. The only way they could safely consume cannabis in private settings were to grow their own plants, grow shops that sold seeds and the necessary equipment began to pop up around the country.   

Spaniards were no longer buying cannabis illegal, considering they would only grow what they would consume, which followed the laws of the land. A consumer could grow any type that they liked and avoided paying fines. In the late 1990s “Cannabis Cups” began to occur, which is like a state fair but instead giving the blue ribbon to the grower with the largest pumpkin or pig, it was a competition of who could grow the best plant. These cups is what started national Cannabis Clubs, which grow larger every year. A pro-Cannabis political party even ran in European elections in 2004 but only received close to 54,000 votes. The amount of literature regarding cannabis has also increased over the years, with the main purpose to support the cause of the pro-cannabis knowledge. It took many years to take full course, but Spaniards can now use and grow cannabis in their household without fear of government and criminal repercussions.

Unwarranted Influence: Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Military-Industrial Complex by James Ledbetter

Unwarranted Influence: Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Military-Industrial Complex

By James Ledbetter

Published by: Yale University Press 2011

            This book addresses the topic of the military industrial complex, made famous by President Eisenhower during his farewell speech in 1961. It explains that prior to the delivery of the speech, the ones who suggested shedding light on this subject were actually his advisers. The idea revealed in the speech was of the connection between wartime spending and companies contracted by the government. It was understood that after wars were resolved, under normal circumstances, countries would usually demilitarize their armies. However, the book explains that the United States accomplished the exact opposite and has generally increased defense budgets all together since World War II. According to Ledbetter, “we can approximately define the military industrial complex as a network of public and private forces that combine a profit motive with the planning and implementation of strategic policy”(6). He describes the overlap between private military contractors and the federal government includes Department of Defense contracts and appointments of military contractors to government positions. Also, to strengthen this network, lobbying by the military contractors, campaign contributors, and the desire of Congress members to protect and expand military spending which would benefit their district. Ledbetter breaks down the threats of the military industrial complex and why Eisenhower warned against its unwarranted influence. He suggests the military industrial complex creates wasteful military spending, takes away from social budgets and changes the American economy. Support for these arguments could be found in elaborate military projects developing expensive technologies designed for war. Also, the truth is that the military does consume the most of the US budget, stripping away funding towards education and other social services. The economy is affected by accruing mass amounts of national debt, types and locations of manufacturing jobs available and the civilian market for technologies like aircraft, satellite and other hand-me down military tech. Ledbetter also brings to the table theories detailing this networks drive for profit, including the merchants of death thesis, the war economy thesis, the garrison state thesis and technocratic elite thesis. Each of these theses more or less explains how conflicts are created to maximize profits and hinder society’s liberties. Along with explaining the military industrial complex’s network, he goes as far as elaborating on Eisenhower’s positions during and after his presidency. He makes it clear that Eisenhower knew America’s position as a world superpower had to be defended and upheld, but he was weary of throwing huge appropriations of money to a wartime economy.

            Military interventions since World War II have all allotted funds to the defense budget. These brought forth wonderful technologies to civilians such as cell phones, GPS, and computers but at what cost? The United States needed a huge military to fight the Nazi’s, then they needed a stronger military to fight the Soviet’s and the spread of Communism, and now they need to spend more than the next ten countries militaries combined to protect us against terrorism. This book forces one to ask questions like how safe does a big expensive military really make us? And how much influence do profit seeking contractors have in decisions made by our “trusted” elected officials?

Adrian Fernandez

Women Position and Demographic Change

In “Women Position and Demographic Change” Federici, Mason, and Sogner discusses the possible implications or consequences when women’s position are altered. Additionally, the authors utilize demographic information and statistical evidence to prove that women’s position has a demographical affect. Their primary focus is fertility rates in relation to women’s position. Ultimately, they concluded …

            I am disinterested in their conclusion, because it does little to further my thesis that Afghanistan’s low literacy rate is a product of its demographics and famial construct. On the other hand, the authors included evidence correlating to the subject of demographics and their possible causes/effect. Thus, I am able to use the demographic analysis provided as evidence in my thesis paper a high rate to explain some phenomena and therefore, for my own thesis of what causes high illiteracy rate.

             Federici, Mason, and Sogner are extremely concerned with women’s status. I too, acknowledge, how women’s status affects their families. One of the most influential demographic is that 1.5 million widows exist in Afghanistan currently. The rate is expected to continue to grow. Martial status is a great signifier of women’s position. Single women, married women, and widows all maintain different status implications. That is that women are defined through the status of men that surround them (essentially, guardians). Thus, widows may experience a shift (negative or positive) in their status.

The authors claim “A change in women’s position directly and independently contributes to a change in fertility or mortality.” Essentially, the authors propose that as women gain independence their children’s survival increases because it may “increase the mother’s ability to provide her children with adequate nutrition and medical care and secondly, it also may increase the value of daughters and thereby encouraging greater nutritional and medical investments in daughters as well as son.” The basic premises that underlies this hypothesis is that because women give birth to and are responsible for the day to day care of young children when they have the ability to improve child nutrition (e.g. because they earn money and can buy food for their children), or have the ability to take advantage of medical services (e.g. because they have the freedom to make decisions on their own without having to consult their husbands, or mother’s in-law, they will act on this ability, and child survival will improve.” Basically, children are best off when their mothers have status.

Widows may experience a loss of status and position in Afghanistan because of the vale placed on family structure consisting of men as the lead providers; unless the husband’s family offers financial support. In following the author’s proposition then one might expect the children survival decreases when cared for by a widowed mother. If children are too sick or malnourished due to a decrease in nutrition they may not be able to attend school. Additionally limited financial resource may cause school to be less of a priority, specifically for girls, who do not provide sufficient financial reward.  Therefore, the high rate of widowed mothers means that children’s decreased survival negatively affects school attendance. Moreover, rare or minimal attendance may cause low grades and illiteracy. So that one may assume high widow rates in Afghan, especially due to women’s dependency on men, fosters an environment of high illiteracy among children.

            My conclusion that high widow demographic causes illiterate children could be furthered to specify that it likely that girls will be the most illiterate demographic. As previously mentioned, the authors found widespread infanticide of neglect of girls is most frequent in countries where women are dependent on men. Since it is already established that women are economically dependent on men, one can assume that girls are more likely too be neglected that boys are because boys provide financial gain for a family. Consequently, a high rate of widows not only means that children survival rate is compromised, but also, that a girl’s survival rate is further compromised. If this is so, than girls are far less likely to attend school than boys are and even more likely to be illiterate than boys are.

Understanding Iran: Everything you Need to know, from Persia to the Islamic Republic, from Cyrus to Ahmadinejad, by William R. Polk

Understanding Iran: Everything you need to know from Persia to the Islamic Republic, from Cyrus to Ahmadinehad by William R. Polk examines Iran’s ancient and modern history. Polk analyzes how Iran’s ancient history has helped shape the nations culture and ideals. Different factors such as geography, ethnicity, language, and religion are explained, as is the rise and fall of four Iranian empires.  Where the book really excels is talking about the events in the twentieth century. Polk actually visited Iran and spent time there in the 1950’s and 60’s. His experiences there, combined with his extensive knowledge on Iranian history led him to have a deeper understanding of the Iranian mentality. Polk feels that American policy makers simply don’t have a full grasp on Iran and Iranians and that is why so many policies fall short. Polk believes that if they had a better understanding of Iran, the Iranian regimes behavior would be less confusing and unpredictable to the American policy makers. Polk uses history to explain why Iran reacts the way it does to U.S. policy as an alternative to the mathematical approach policy makers use which disregard the emotions, perceptions, and fears that help  form their reactions to American policies. Overall Polk’s approach to Iranian foreign policy is very interesting and his analytical approach to Iran’s history can help one understand how and why things in Iran have become the way they are.

Public Events and Police Response: Understanding Public Order Policing in Democratic India by T.K. Vinod Kumar

Author T.K. Vinod Kumar in his book, Public Events and Police Response: Understanding Public Order Policing in Democratic India displays a series of studies, in which he investigates and analyzes controversial public events that have taken place in India and how the police proactively and reactively responds to them. Having worked as Superintendent of Police in Districts, Commissioner of Police of Calcutta City, Deputy Inspector General, Inspector General of Police in Kerala and being a reputable member of the Indian Police Service, Kumar presents an interesting insight when he takes a neutral stance and reveals both the positive and negative sides of the Indian police, varying on the events offered in the book. Public Events and Police Response: Understanding Public Order Policing in Democratic India demonstrates how certain unfortunate and controversial events in India and the response of police to these situations reflect and depict the disastrous reality and nature of political and social interaction within the country. One thing that catches the reader’s eye throughout this book is Kumar’s statement where he constantly admits and advocates for the Indian police to maintain law and order, without infringing the rights of the individuals. Kumar’s use of both quantitative and qualitative method of research in this book really helps the readers form their own opinion and understand each event thoroughly and what could have happened and has happened. In totality Kumar presents this book through the various events that have taken place in India and explains the role the Indian police force has played and where the mistakes took place, whereas what should have technically happened. This book really gives the readers an understanding of how India is lacking in the institutions of public enforcement and highlights the importance of reform, due to the frequency of increasing occurrences of such events and levels of violence and disorder associated with these high volumes of controversial cases.

Book Review: Tiger Bone & Rhino Horn by Richard Ellis

Tiger Bone & Rhino Horn: The Destruction of Wildlife for Traditional Chinese Medicine

Richard Ellis

Richard Ellis focuses his book on reasons behind why tigers are now an endangered species. He accredits this threat of extinction not only due to habitat loss, but also due to Asian medicinal trade. Although it is important to note that other states such as Russia also have poaching that is related to Chinese medicine, Ellis emphases India’s role in it.  The assertion that is made that majority of poachers are tribal people who make very little off the tiger parts was surprising. Ellis states that there are instances were poachers make only fifteen dollars for a killed tiger, while the traders are the ones that make majority of the profit. After discussing the methods and reasoning behind tiger poaching, Ellis continues with what the Indian government is doing to prevent the extinction of these animals. There are NGOs such as the Wildlife Protection society of India that work with various governmental agencies to stop tiger poachers and traders. These agencies work to examine and research unnatural tiger deaths and how tiger killings are being carried out. Although there are organizations in place to research and help put an end to tiger poaching, there is little done for convicting caught poachers and traders.  According to the magazine India Today, besides the operations of various task forces the law within India has become lenient against conviction and punishments for poaching. The article that Ellis mentions states that according to records, only 14 out of 1,400 cases of accused poachers were condemned.

Notes:

Ellis, R. (2005). Tiger Bone & Rhino Horn: The Destruction of Wildlife for Traditional Chinese Medicine. Washington : Island Press.

The Terror Courts by Jess Bravin

Jess Bravin does a really well job of articulating the situation surrounding Guantanamo Bay.  From the onset there was controversy surrounding Guantanamo Bay, but Jess Bravin exposes some horrible events in his book.  From controversial incarcerations with very little evidence to inhumane torture methods, everything is explained in depth.

Many of the prisoners in Guantanamo are material witnesses.  Material witnesses are basically individuals who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Person's classified as material witnesses are not directly involved with the horrible terrorist acts but are present in the vicinity with the wrong guys.  Jess Bravin does a good job of expanding on the concept of a material witness with the captured Salim Hamdann.  Salim Hamdan was Osama Bin Laden's driver but was never directly involved in carrying out any terrorist activities.  Jess Bravin discusses Salim Hamden's situation in depth from his capture to his release after the famous Supreme Court case named after him, United States of America v. Salim Hamden.

Individuals such as George Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfield were ready to protect  America by any means necessary.  With John Yoo's legal mind, inmates at Guantanamo Bay were able to avoid trials and other rights until the Supreme Court got involved.

The methods used at Guantanamo were very skeptical and harsh.  Because of these harsh and inhuman methods many prosecutors such as Lt. Couch, refused to carry on with the cases.  Individuals such as Lt. Couch were not able to allow security take over morality.

Protests in Bosnia

Roots of Bosnian Protests Lie in Peace Accords of 1995

In Bosnia, are outsiders the answer, or the problem?

Bosnia is experiencing its most intense public protests since the end of the civil war in 1995. Bosnians, as well as the EU and the United States, struggle to figure out how much of the problems that plague the country are due to the outside influences. The New York Times, and Reuters offer two takes on the debate.