As my last blog of the year I thought it would be proper to leave you with a song that summarizes our society. I’m sure you have all heard of the Black Eyed Peas song titled “Where is the Love”. I copied over the most important section of the lyrics for readers to take a closer look. It is easy to hear only the bee-bop tunes on the radio and skim over the importance of the lyrics. So if you don’t mind, take a second to look at the lyrics to this song and hopefully next time you  hear it on the radio it will mean more than a good tune.

WHERE IS THE LOVE BY THE BLACK EYED PEAS:

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I’m gettin’ older, y’all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin’
Selfishness got us followin’ our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo’, whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead of spreading love we’re spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ down
There’s no wonder why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
Now ask yourself

Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?

enjoy!

Take a looksy:

The pentagon just recently released a report stating the Taliban’s abilities are expanding and operations are increasing in sophistication. Despite that the Pentagon requested this research, they quoted to have said they were “remaining optimistic ” and that the counter insurgency strategy, formed by the Obama administration last year will show success in upcoming months. With the recent capture of the Taliban’s head leaders, success like this backs Obama’s decision to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. There are now 87,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and the number is expected to rise to 98,000 by August. The next step to the U.S. strategy is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks. Maybe then the polls will turn and the truth will prevail, that the Taliban is weakening.

The most upsetting aspect of information like this being splashed all over every media source is that information like this is what breaks americans confidence in the troops. Information like this is what makes society protest the war. I would like to eventually be a journalist to calls attention to the positive aspects of war not the negative. Regardless men are risking their lives everyday for this cause and the least we can do is support them through the media.

After the Tehran arms buildup Washington made an agreement with Iran for a limited range of options for developing nuclear weapons. However, last Sunday Iran unveiled what it described as a new air defense system during an annual military display. The new system is designed to defend against attacks by missiles and high altitude planes.

Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, wrote to White House Officials back in January to warn them that more options were needed to prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. Tehran disagree’s stating that their sole purpose is to research methods to develop civilian nuclear energy.

Gates has estimated that Iran is about a year away from having enough enriched uranium for an atomic weapon. However, the Iranians would probably need two to five more years or so to develop a weapon, U.S. officials believe. – LA Times

Over the weekend,Tehran paraded improved long-range missiles that could easily hit Israel, and anti-ship cruise missiles that could be used against U.S. ships in the Persian Gulf. It also unveiled new mobile tactical radar systems. – LA Times

These two pieces from the LA Times not only have me extremely worried. This is not an issue that can simply be over looked. It is time to act now. I personally believe we need to get everyone on the same page in the White House and listen to Robert Gates. Iran is testing the waters and I don’t like it.

Just recently they declared their first internationally recognized national park.

Here is a picture of one of the natural lakes featured in the national park:

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided a substantial amount of funding to lead to the parks creation. This idea was brilliant. It creates a tourist attraction to a country that too many people write off as disgusting and dusty. One travel magazine quotes about Band-e-Amir the lake featured above : “At its core, Band-e-Amir is an Afghan initiative supported by the international community. It is a park created for Afghans, by Afghans, for the new Afghanistan,’ said Dr Steven E. Sanderson, President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society. ‘Band-e-Amir will be Afghanistan’s first national park and sets the precedent for a future national park system.”

Personally as soon as the war settles down I would not mind a quick trip to a lake like this.

Until next time….

It is very common in our hectic fast pace american lifestyle to feel the urge to yell out ” I NEED A VACATION!” And with that begins the whirlwind of flier miles, calendar dates and travel books. However, when all that has time to simmer it is now time to “relax” and “enjoy” your vacation.

The key to enjoying a vacation is first enjoying the site. What if this site was Afghanistan? Before you click to the next blog take a second to tune into this idea. It has been proven that many people actually WANT to vacation in Afghanistan. So much so that travel agencies have had to put out disclaimers on the danger of traveling to Afghanistan now.

I found this disclaimer on a travel site about vacationing in Afghanistan, it is very interesting:

• Afghanistan has a high threat of terrorism and specific methods of attack are evolving and increasing in sophistication.
• No part of Afghanistan should be considered immune from violence and the potential exists throughout the country for hostile acts. Visitors travelling to Afghanistan do so at their own risk and without protection from HMG.
• There is a heightened threat of roadside and ambush outside Kabul City. You should maintain a heightened level of vigilance at all time, observing the strictest of security measures and avoid any unnecessary travel. Travellers should also consider making their own security arrangements for the duration of their time in Afghanistan.
• The kidnap threat throughout the country remains high, particularly against local nationals, but also against the international community.
  

• UK subjects are advised to register with the British Embassy (using LOCATE) on arrival in Afghanistan. They will then benefit from further advice from time to time.

Needless to say, if you had any intentions of vacationing in Afghanistan this year you may want to review how relaxing and safe that trip would be.

I would like to ask you if you are satisfied with our president. A recent poll delivered fascinating findings that Obama was better liked in Europe than in his own country! In the Harris Poll more than 6,100 people finds the folks in France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain, the U.S. and Spain like Obama to the average tune of 77%. While back home only 57% of Americans liked him.

What do you think? Fan or no fan?

“There was a small explosion beside the British ambassador’s car. He was unhurt. No other embassy staff or British nationals were injured,” said a spokesman for the British Foreign Office. “The embassy will remain closed to the public for the time being.”

This attack proves that Al-Qaeda remains capable of striking Western targets, despite the recent arrests. American Intelligence officers believe the Al-Qaeda branch of the Yemen military is a massive threat to the U.S. This is not good news. We have already increased funding and security with the Yemen military but Al-Qaeda seems too strong. They have no fear invested in killing themselves, as long as it is all for a better cause. This is not a tactic we are used to. However we have no choice but to learn.

The British Foreign Office website states: “We believe that terrorists continue to plan attacks. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including against Western and British interests, such as residential compounds, military and oil facilities, and transport and aviation interests.”

With things heating up in the Middle East and Yemen military, President Obama has had to step in and make some serious decisions.

Washington is concerned that the Al-Qaeda branch of the Yemen military with attempt further bloodshed at the crossroads of the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. The pentagon has decided to increase security assistance to Sana, jumping from $67 million to $150 million to fund the Yemen Special Forces.

Obama just ordered the capture and killing of U.S. born Muslim cleric, Anwar Awlaki. This is big news. Detectives have found that Awlaki had links to the Nigerian student accused of attempting to bomb the U.S. airliner this past Christmas. And if that is not enough he also was in email contact with Nidal Malik Hasan, the army major who was charged with killings at Ft. Hood. This man has hidden behind other guinea pigs actions and it is time he is caught. It still blows me away that our detective forces are able to show such crucial information that potentially save lives. Thank you to all the men and women devoted to finding the truth.