Friday, January 23, 2009
Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp Ordered Closed
Today President Obama ordered Guantanamo Bay detention camp closed a decision that is being rejoiced by some and condemned by others. Various Human Rights organizations have complained about prisoner conditions at the detention camp, but the fundamental questions remains of where these prisoner will be sent?
Some would argue that relocating Guantanamo Bay’s prisoners is absurd. If interrogation methods, under the previous administration were called into question, and are currently being revised by this new administration, then why close the detention camp? Granted it is a symbolic gesture, insofar as closing the detention camp sends a very clear message that interrogation tactics and CIA leadership have changed. The physical structure, however, the building as such is positioned such that is a good location to house war criminals.
What is of importance is not the actual detention center, as a physical structure, but the rules and regulations that govern that building. Since the current administration has done everything in its powers to break from the policies and practices of the former administration, closing the detention camp is, some would argue, little more than a symbolic gesture and signal to the world that times have changed.
Others, however, may argue that it would be impossible to overcome or undue the horrible associations with Guantanamo Bay despite the best of intentions, despite a new administration and new policies governing the care of prisoners. The stigma, then, has so horribly tarnished Guantanamo Bay that no amount of political reform will ever be able disassociate that structure with Human rights violations.
I’m not sure how I feel about Guantanamo Bay being closed. In one sense I understand the need to make a clear break with the past, but I also understand the redundancy in relocation and the strategic location of the building itself.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
Some would argue that relocating Guantanamo Bay’s prisoners is absurd. If interrogation methods, under the previous administration were called into question, and are currently being revised by this new administration, then why close the detention camp? Granted it is a symbolic gesture, insofar as closing the detention camp sends a very clear message that interrogation tactics and CIA leadership have changed. The physical structure, however, the building as such is positioned such that is a good location to house war criminals.
What is of importance is not the actual detention center, as a physical structure, but the rules and regulations that govern that building. Since the current administration has done everything in its powers to break from the policies and practices of the former administration, closing the detention camp is, some would argue, little more than a symbolic gesture and signal to the world that times have changed.
Others, however, may argue that it would be impossible to overcome or undue the horrible associations with Guantanamo Bay despite the best of intentions, despite a new administration and new policies governing the care of prisoners. The stigma, then, has so horribly tarnished Guantanamo Bay that no amount of political reform will ever be able disassociate that structure with Human rights violations.
I’m not sure how I feel about Guantanamo Bay being closed. In one sense I understand the need to make a clear break with the past, but I also understand the redundancy in relocation and the strategic location of the building itself.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
A Dream Deferred: LGBT Rights…Tomorrow
Today is the third Monday of the New Year, which marks the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s lifelong quest for civil rights reform and the ultimate fulfillment of America’s dream, and though that dream will be fulfilled tomorrow, in the swearing in of America’s first African-American president, there are so many dreams still being deferred.
The dream of many within the LGBT community is simply having the right to marriage, yet “we” continue to defer “their” dream. Why? “We” recognize “their” partnership. “We” recognize “their” ability to adopt children. “We” recognize “their” contributions to society. “We” recognize “their” humanity. “We” recognize that “they” too love and want to loved, but “we” still deny “them” “their” right to marriage.
We are still a nation segregated into “us” versus “them”. We are still a nation that would have others yearn for the rights that “we” so freely enjoy. Though there aren’t any signs asserting “Whites Only” or “Heterosexuals Only,” we are still a nation firmly attached to the belief that “they” aren’t like “us” and solely because of that difference “they” shouldn’t enjoy the same rights as “we” do.
LGBT rights…tomorrow, not today. Today’s not the time for “their” cause. Today’s not the moment for “their” change. Just as White-Americans marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, just as Abolitionists fought for the abolition of slavery, “their” fight is also “our” fight.
P.S. it’s a bit technical, but you can read my paper on the importance of Transgender theory by clicking here.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
© 2009
The dream of many within the LGBT community is simply having the right to marriage, yet “we” continue to defer “their” dream. Why? “We” recognize “their” partnership. “We” recognize “their” ability to adopt children. “We” recognize “their” contributions to society. “We” recognize “their” humanity. “We” recognize that “they” too love and want to loved, but “we” still deny “them” “their” right to marriage.
We are still a nation segregated into “us” versus “them”. We are still a nation that would have others yearn for the rights that “we” so freely enjoy. Though there aren’t any signs asserting “Whites Only” or “Heterosexuals Only,” we are still a nation firmly attached to the belief that “they” aren’t like “us” and solely because of that difference “they” shouldn’t enjoy the same rights as “we” do.
LGBT rights…tomorrow, not today. Today’s not the time for “their” cause. Today’s not the moment for “their” change. Just as White-Americans marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, just as Abolitionists fought for the abolition of slavery, “their” fight is also “our” fight.
P.S. it’s a bit technical, but you can read my paper on the importance of Transgender theory by clicking here.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
© 2009
In Two Days
In two days we democrats will shoulder the burden of governing and that responsibility will be met by the greatest minds we can muster. Yet, it isn’t the minds of these people that has the potential to reshape the very fabric of our nation, the same fabric that allows our flag to fly with pride, the fabric of a nation united under the banner of hope, change and the possibility of a new day.
In two days we democrats will let the blue face of our party cool the unease and building tension of a country steadily losing international respectability. It is, after all, difficult to give respect if one is not shown respect in return. Returning our respectability to the stage of international diplomacy will signal that change has, in fact, come to the United States of America.
In two days we democrats will show the world that we will lead this nation to the promise of self sufficiency and sustainable energy, since the power of our nation rests not within the circuitry of electrical grids but in the diversity of its people (and those people are thinking about sustainability).
Finally, in two days we democrats will have to ensure that our party is itself sustainable. Our party is even bigger than Barack Obama and once he has completed his tenure, we democrats have to ensure that another democrat will fill his vacated seat. As we often speak of sustainable energy, so too must we think of the sustainability of our party.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
© 2009
In two days we democrats will let the blue face of our party cool the unease and building tension of a country steadily losing international respectability. It is, after all, difficult to give respect if one is not shown respect in return. Returning our respectability to the stage of international diplomacy will signal that change has, in fact, come to the United States of America.
In two days we democrats will show the world that we will lead this nation to the promise of self sufficiency and sustainable energy, since the power of our nation rests not within the circuitry of electrical grids but in the diversity of its people (and those people are thinking about sustainability).
Finally, in two days we democrats will have to ensure that our party is itself sustainable. Our party is even bigger than Barack Obama and once he has completed his tenure, we democrats have to ensure that another democrat will fill his vacated seat. As we often speak of sustainable energy, so too must we think of the sustainability of our party.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
© 2009
Cinderella’s Glass Slippers
Over the last eight years the American taxpayers have bought two wars, helped finance China’s market dominance, and ballooned corporate bailouts to new levels of absurdity. We, as a people, elected Barack Obama for the values and change he said he would bring, not only to “Wall Street,” but to “Main Street,” as the old adage goes.
Barack’s unprecedented ability to generate capital through simple donations, coupled with the power of the internet, and charisma to match, will all be for naught if the glass slipper is not returned to its rightful owner. The glass slipper is the idea and belief that we weren’t the worthless, torture-endorsing, bastardized nation our wicked stepsisters would have us believe we were. The glass slipper represents the idea that we have something to be desired, to be yearned for, to be sought. It is our freedom, our sense of tolerance and the inherent belief that, in America anyone has the ability to succeed.
The DNC has accomplished its goal of electing Barack and gaining a much needed majority by the small donations that I and countless others were willing to make. I think it is fair to say that requests for donations have reached their conclusion. We have financed the party, got our guy elected and now we’re awaiting the return of Core American Values.
1. Guantanamo should be closed
2. Since torture and water boarding, which is a form of torture, are violations of the Convention against Torture and against basic Human Rights, our government, though it assumes legal prosecution will be difficult for an amorphous entity like, “the government” we should demand prosecution. It shouldn’t be a witch hunt but someone or some group of individuals should be held accountable.
3. We need to invest in education and fund grants
4. And so on and so on…..
Like Cinderella’s glass slippers, our values are fragile, they are to be protected and revered. Any fortune 500 company CEO will tell you that corporate identity is paramount. It is the good name of the corporation where consumers place their trust. We need to reestablish our name, our brand and seek to regain the trust and faith of the American people. Our trust has been damaged and abused for too long. Barack and his administration should put that at the top of their infinitely long things to do list.
Things to do:
1. Regain the trust of the American People.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
© 2009
Barack’s unprecedented ability to generate capital through simple donations, coupled with the power of the internet, and charisma to match, will all be for naught if the glass slipper is not returned to its rightful owner. The glass slipper is the idea and belief that we weren’t the worthless, torture-endorsing, bastardized nation our wicked stepsisters would have us believe we were. The glass slipper represents the idea that we have something to be desired, to be yearned for, to be sought. It is our freedom, our sense of tolerance and the inherent belief that, in America anyone has the ability to succeed.
The DNC has accomplished its goal of electing Barack and gaining a much needed majority by the small donations that I and countless others were willing to make. I think it is fair to say that requests for donations have reached their conclusion. We have financed the party, got our guy elected and now we’re awaiting the return of Core American Values.
1. Guantanamo should be closed
2. Since torture and water boarding, which is a form of torture, are violations of the Convention against Torture and against basic Human Rights, our government, though it assumes legal prosecution will be difficult for an amorphous entity like, “the government” we should demand prosecution. It shouldn’t be a witch hunt but someone or some group of individuals should be held accountable.
3. We need to invest in education and fund grants
4. And so on and so on…..
Like Cinderella’s glass slippers, our values are fragile, they are to be protected and revered. Any fortune 500 company CEO will tell you that corporate identity is paramount. It is the good name of the corporation where consumers place their trust. We need to reestablish our name, our brand and seek to regain the trust and faith of the American people. Our trust has been damaged and abused for too long. Barack and his administration should put that at the top of their infinitely long things to do list.
Things to do:
1. Regain the trust of the American People.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
© 2009
On the Importance of Smart Grid Technology (SGT)
Our current electrical grid is in dire need of an overhaul and according to the U.S Department of Energy’s, DOE Smart Grid Book, “it is the largest interconnected machine on Earth” (p.9), which is why SGT is of such importance. Revamping the existing system with technological advances like solar photovoltaic cells would ensure that further expenses aren’t incurred in the transmission of energy over great distances, which is but one example of many.
South Korea has recently announced that it will invest $38.1 billion dollars in green technology over the next four years. In the International Energy Outlook for 2008, it is stated that, “Government policies and incentives to increase the use of renewable energy sources for electricity generation are expected to encourage the development of renewable energy even when it cannot compete economically with fossil fuels” (p. 4). Thus, despite the economic viability of choosing nonrenewable fossil fuels, there is a clear advantage of investing capital into the research and development of SGT.
Not only will revamping the existing electrical grid benefit the consumer, insofar as costs will be mediated through increased efficiency, the work needed to bring about such a system will require the employment of thousands of contractors. For the goal of smart grid technology to be actualized, however, emphasis must be placed on investing in science and technology and employing a workforce equipped for the demands of green technology.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
© 2009
South Korea has recently announced that it will invest $38.1 billion dollars in green technology over the next four years. In the International Energy Outlook for 2008, it is stated that, “Government policies and incentives to increase the use of renewable energy sources for electricity generation are expected to encourage the development of renewable energy even when it cannot compete economically with fossil fuels” (p. 4). Thus, despite the economic viability of choosing nonrenewable fossil fuels, there is a clear advantage of investing capital into the research and development of SGT.
Not only will revamping the existing electrical grid benefit the consumer, insofar as costs will be mediated through increased efficiency, the work needed to bring about such a system will require the employment of thousands of contractors. For the goal of smart grid technology to be actualized, however, emphasis must be placed on investing in science and technology and employing a workforce equipped for the demands of green technology.
Jason J. Campbell
jasonjcampbell.org
© 2009
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