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Cultural Communication In Conflict I: Culture And Conflict Resolution

noreply@blogger.com (D_bar) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 11:36:00 +0000

The role of culture in many ways can determine the direction of many conflict situations. Errors in attribution, perception, and communication within a cultural context can create major blocks to attempts at negotiation, mediation, or other problem solving activities.(Deutsch, 1991) That it is why in conflict situations, attention to cultural interaction and communication is paramount. This 3 part article will focus on three important aspects of intercultural communication in conflict. Culture and Conflict ResolutionThe base idea of culture in many conflicts is that often culture has very little to do with the actual conflict. Instead, it is made salient as a defensive mechanism or as a rallying point by which a community can become mobilized. Therefore,...

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Prejudice, Stereotyping, and Human Unity

noreply@blogger.com (D_bar) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:47:00 +0000

Humankind since its beginnings has tried to make sense of its existence. Since the first realization that the person as an individual is separate from their environment, we have tried to answer the questions of who we are. At first, our instincts and animalistic preconditions tried to answer the question through the templates set up to protect us from our environment. The need to stereotype our world around us in its simplest form is one example of this. Evolutionary and Cognitive psychologists explain this as the theory of psychological load. Simply put, this theory expounds that the multitude of sensory experiences we face every second is overwhelming. In order to cope with this we create shortcuts in our mind to help us make inferences about the...

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Human Unity in World Citizenship

noreply@blogger.com (D_bar) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:07:00 +0000

The concept of world citizenship has been around for hundreds of years. Its history can be traced from the stoics of ancient Greece to the discourses of Kant and Thomas Paine to, in the case of this particular paper, Martha Nussbaum. Nussbaum in her book Cultivating Humanity, looks at the importance of a liberal education in the cultivation of world citizenship or what Nussbaum refers to as the cultivation of humanity. The focus of this paper is to review what Nussbaum regards as the capacities of world citizenship and what role the perspective of Human Unity can bee seen to play in it. Nussbaum argues that there are three capacities one must have in order to become a citizen of the world. The first of these is the “capacity for critical...

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Army Used Psy-Ops On U.S. Senators

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 10:05:00 +0000

Rolling Stone has reported that Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, while stationed in Afghanistan, ordered the use of Psy-Ops teams on visiting congressman and dignitaries last year. The use of propaganda or psy-ops on American citizens is strictly forbidden under U.S. law. However, this did not stop Lt. Gen. Caldwell from ordering Lt. Colonel Michael Holmes, the leader of the IO unit, to provide "deeper analysis of pressure points we could use to leverage the delegation for more funds.". Though the order at first seemed generalized enough to not raise red flags, the intent was made clear when the Lt. Gen. Caldwell's chief of staff reiterated that they needed ways to secretly manipulate the U.S. lawmakers without their knowledge. To make matters worse, when Lt. Colonel...

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U.S Faces Government Shutdown As Negotiations Stall

noreply@blogger.com (D_bar) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 07:33:00 +0000

The plans for a short term stopgap to prevent a government shutdown have once again been stalled in congress. The latest measure proposed by the GOP was refused by Senate Democrats citing that the new proposal is essential the same resolution proposed by the house Republicans earlier. Inside sources complain of the GOP's unwillingness to compromise and point to the tea party factions within the GOP as the reason. According to Democrat aides, the tea party is hoping to use the threat of government shutdown as leverage to pass their version of the budget. Michael Steel has denied these accusations pointing out that the House republicans have given Sen. Reid an offer of a short term CR and that it is up to him to decide what, if anything, he is willing to cut. In response Reid's...

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Indiana Official Advocates Use Of Live Ammunition on Wisconsin Protestors

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Indiana Deputy Attorney General Jeff Cox called for the use of "live ammunition" on pro-union protestors in a tweet on February 19th. The tweet was in response to a Mother Jones report that riot police were ordered to clear protestors in Wisconsin. When contacted, comments saying demonstrators were "political enemies" and "thugs" who were "physically threatening legally elected officials.....your damn right I advocate deadly force". Cox has been known to be outspoken in the past as well, with such gems as "KILL! KILL! ANNIHILATE!" as a solution for Afghanistan and likening ex-Labor Secretary Robert Reich and Service Employees International Union members to Nazi "brownshirts". Cox's comments come at a very delicate time, given the...

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Gadhafi Orders Sabotage Of Pipelines

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 08:02:00 +0000

Unfortunately for the people of Libya, Moammar Gadhafi does not plan to go quietly. According to Time columnist Robert Baer, a source close to Gadhafi says that the leader has ordered the sabotage of Libya's pipelines. According to Baer's source Gadhafi plans to turn Libya into another Somalia, rather than surrender power. If these reports are true, and Libya's pipelines were disrupted or destroyed, it could prove even more difficult for any post-Gadhafi government to get Libya back on track. Furthermore, if the pipelines were sabotaged, it could also jeopardize oil supplies in Europe, raising oil prices even higher. Of course much of this could just be the final posturing of a desperate leader, but it is hard to tell with the often quixotic Gadhafi.

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Gadhafi Prepares For "Martyrdom"

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 07:39:00 +0000

In a speech on Tuesday Moammar Gadhafi made it clear that he was not going to yield to the protests and step down. The speech which was held in front of Gadhafi's home, sounded like a call for revolution, almost conceding the fact that Libya was no longer under his control. At one point Gadhafi said: "I am a fighter, a revolutionary from tents. I will die a martyr at the end" Gadhafi then called upon his supporters to fight on his behalf: "Get out of your homes and fill the streets....Leave your homes and attack them in their lairs" Though many wonder how much support Gadhafi actually still has, it is suspected he only has 5,000 loyal troops, it is apparent that Gadhafi plans to fight his "revolution" until the very end. International response continues to be cautious, with...

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Earthquake Rattles New Zealand

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:29:00 +0000

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch and South Island yesterday at 12:50 pm.The of the damage is still uncertain but 3 News in New Zealand reported that 60% of Lyttelton, the epicenter of the earthquake, is destroyed. As of 1:00 Tuesday the death toll was 65, though emergency responders warn that there could be more to come. On a related note, hospitals are not only making room for victims but also for an increase in births due to premature labor brought on by the earthquake. Google has set up an information service for those looking for missing loved ones. Below: Video of earthquake in Christchurch

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Libyan Soldiers Burned to death for refusing to fire on Protesters :VIDEO (graphic images)

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:07:00 +0000

via youtube.comPosted via email from Balinko

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Gadhafi On Libya TV: Video

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:28:00 +0000

via edition.cnn.comMoammar Gadhafi, in an attempt to show that he is still in charge, gave a brief tv interview around 2 am Tuesday. The short interview which showed Gadhafi outside of his residence consisted mainly of Gadhafi stating that he was "in Tripoli, not in Venezuela". He then followed with the warning "Don't believe those dogs in the media". The strange video, that often had visual disruption of some sort of dance performance, seemed to be rather rushed, with Gadhafi sitting halfway outside a car with an umbrella. Although the video is meant to show that Gadhafi is still around, it is hard not to get the feeling from the way the "interview" was set up, that this was a man on the run. Watch the video courtesy of CNN below Posted via email from Balinko

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Libya: The Beginning Of The End? UPDATES

noreply@blogger.com (D_bar) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:04:00 +0000

Unrest continues to sweep Libya today with much of the activity focused around the Libyan capital of Tripoli. However, the big news at the moment is who is not in Tripoli. Along with reports of aircraft attacking protestors (Reuters) there have been reports of Libyan aircraft landing in Malta with Libyan colonels seeking asylum. (The Guardian). However, some army officials have not been so lucky as reports are circulating that much of the remaining army leaders are under house arrest. But what of the big guy, Qaddafi himself? Rumors abound, but one report is that Qaddafi has landed in Venezuela, a report that the Venezuelan government denies. The chaos makes it almost impossible to get all the facts right now, it does appear that Libya will soon be free of Qaddafi's...

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An oldie but a goodie

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:51:00 +0000

This morning I was awoken by my alarm clock powered by electricity generated by the public power monopoly regulated by the US department of energy. I then took a shower in the clean water provided by the municipal water utility. After that, I turned on the TV to one of the FCC regulated channels to see what the National Weather Service of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration determined the weather was going to be like, using satellites designed, built, and launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I watched this while eating my breakfast of US Department of Agriculture inspected food and taking the drugs which have been determined as safe by the Food and Drug Administration. At the appropriate time as regulated by the US Congress and kept...

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WikiLeaks: Bahrain as "Irans Fourteenth Providence"

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 12:09:00 +0000

The Telegraph has posted a Wilileaks cable that was sent to them in regards to Irans claim to Bahrain. Apparently this cable speaks about attempts to shame opposition groups in Bahrain who have voiced support for Iranian struggles. Here is an excerpt: Header: VZCZCXYZ0015PP RUEHWEBDE RUEHMK #0091 0481355ZNY CCCCC ZZH (CCY ADX2FAB06 MSI6071-623)P 171355Z FEB 09FM AMEMBASSY MANAMATO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8448INFO RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITYRHBVAKS/COMUSNAVCENT PRIORITYRHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY Tags: PREL,PBTS,EG,IR,BA C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000091 SIPDIS BAGHDAD FOR AMBASSADOR ERELI C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (GARBLED TEXT) E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2029 TAGS: PREL, PBTS, EG, IR, BA SUBJECT: BAHRAIN AS "IRAN'S FOURTEENTH...

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Day Of Protests:Violence In Bahrain,Yemen, and Libya

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 18:39:00 +0000

Protests continue to rock the middle east with violence in Bahrain, Yemen, and Libya. Protests have also been reported in Jordan and Egypt. Here is a quick rundown of what is happening. Bahrain: After hundreds of people gathered at Pearl Roundabout, the army has used teargas and gunfire to remove the crowd. The Guardian has reported at least 20 people injured and 1 death. Other reports are saying that the police are preventing emergency vehicles from getting to the Pearl roundabout. Yemen: On the eighth day of protests, two have been reported killed as protesters clash with the police and other protesters. Pro- and anti-Saleh protesters have clashed in Sana'a as well as Taiz. The latter clash leading to the death of an Anti-Saleh protester when a handgrenade was thrown into...

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Mousavi Missing

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:49:00 +0000

On the heels of renewed protests in Iran,the daughters of Mir Hossein Mousavi have reported that the leader and his wife have not been seen since Tuesday. The New York Times has also reported that the family home is surrounded by security forces. It is still uncertain if Mousavi and his wife are in their home as all communication inside the home has been cut by security forces. Read more HERE

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A Trumpet And A Sniper

noreply@blogger.com (D_bar) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:18:00 +0000

WWII vet talks about the night a Nazi sniper surrendered because of a trumpet. A great story about how the enemy is often just like us. via maniacworld.com

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North Korea Fires Rockets at Yeonpyeong Island

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:22:00 +0000

via online.wsj.com North Korea responded to South Korean military training near disputed maritime border by shelling South Korean Island. At least 2 South Korean soldiers were killed with numerous injuries. Civilian injuries have been reported but the exact number is still unclear. South Korea returned fire and scrambled jets into the area. World leaders have denounced the North Korean attack. Full Story HERE Posted via email from Balinko

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(Un) Covering The Death Squads in El Salvador -Nieman Watchdog

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:40:00 +0000

Embedded with killers: Reporters Craig Pyes, left, and Laurie Becklund with death squad leader D'Aubuisson in 1982. (Un) Covering The Death Squads in El Salvador SHOWCASE | March 24, 2010 On the 30th anniversary of the brutal assassination of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, a veteran reporter looks back at some extraordinary and daring close-in coverage that was spurred by personal anger at the murder of the priest. By Craig Pyes PyesOnly@yahoo.com March 24 is the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero. He was shot in the heart by a right wing death squad while saying mass in a small chapel at a cancer hospital in San Salvador. The archbishop,...

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Census Nonsense

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:39:00 +0000

Browse > Home / Ask FactCheck / Census NonsenseCensus Nonsense March 18, 2010 Q: Do I have to answer Census questions? Isn’t this an invasion of privacy and a violation of the Fourth Amendment? A: A widely circulated anti-Census commentary makes several false claims. The law requires truthful answers and states that they will be kept confidential. Courts have upheld its constitutionality. FULL QUESTION I have received the following spam e-mail re 2010 Census takers, and it states that they are asking questions regarding one’s feelings about the Fourth Amendment (i.e. search and seizure). A Jerry Day has produced a video on YouTube stating this as fact. I did a search of Goggle and came up with the 10 questions asked on the 2010 form and replied...

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Ignorance breeds monsters to fill up the vacancies of the soul that are unoccupied by the verities of knowledge-Horace Mann

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:39:00 +0000

Posted via web from Balinko

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Officials worry anger at D.C. is behind low Texas census response | Houston Chronicle

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:38:00 +0000

WASHINGTON — Texas is counting on the 2010 Census to deliver four new congressional districts, four new Electoral College votes in presidential elections, and millions of dollars in additional federal aid. But, as some elected officials are starting to worry, Uncle Sam can't deliver anything to the rapidly growing Sun Belt state unless Texas residents deliver their forms back to the government. As of Friday afternoon, only 27 percent of Texas households had filled in and returned their census forms — well below the national average of 34 percent — according to computer data from the U.S. Census Bureau. In Harris County, the response rate is 23 percent. Houston's returns are running at 21 percent. Contrary to historical trends, some of the toughest challenges facing the agency responsible...

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Health Care Reform a Crucial Issue for Coffee Community, Nation | Coffee Party

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:38:00 +0000

via coffeepartyusa.com Posted via web from Balinko

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For Rwandans, the pope's apology must be unbearable | The Guardian

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 01:37:00 +0000

by Martin Kimani If sexual abuse in Ireland warrants his contrition, what contempt is shown by the Vatican's silence over its role in genocide? If you are an Irish Catholic, and have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a priest, you were recently read a letter from Pope Benedict that tells you: "You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated." For any practising Catholic in Rwanda, this letter must be unbearable. For it tells you how little you mean to the Vatican. Fifteen years ago, tens of thousands of Catholics were hacked to death inside churches. Sometimes priests and nuns led the slaughter. Sometimes they did nothing while it progressed....

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Oklahoma Tea Party Plans To Form Armed Militia

noreply@blogger.com (Ivan Ilych) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:45:00 +0000

Supporters say this militia won't be like those other "militias". However, if this is enacted will the militia answer to the state or to the tea partiers? If this militia is commanded by the state then the Tea Partiers face the same State opposition they face now and the militia is a redundancy. If the Milita answers to only the tea Party groups then they are like those other "militias": nothing more than an armed insurgency group. OKLAHOMA CITY — Frustrated by recent political setbacks, tea party leaders and some conservative members of the Oklahoma Legislature say they would like to create a new volunteer militia to help defend against what they believe are improper federal infringements on state sovereignty.Full Story Here Posted via web from Balinko

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