Fighting in the C.A.R.

Fighting between United Nations troops and armed militia forces in the Central African Republic has left civilians dead – at the hands of, what some protestors claim to be, the U.N.

On Tuesday, United Nations Peacekeepers were fired upon by a group of vigilantes in Bangui, the capital city of the Central African Republic. The group of rebels was a locally organized formation of gangsters that have been extorting and bullying community members for some time, claiming to be protecting them from outside forces. The group had caused enough trouble and violence to raise a red flag to the United Nations. An operation to begin disarming the Central African militiamen began on Sunday, though not without qualm or quarrel.

Two days after the beginning of the disarming operation called Minusca, U.N. Peacekeepers and C.A.R. government soldiers were shot at by local gunmen, and a firefight soon broke out. After four hours of heavy fighting, 21 were reported dead by Bangui Mayor Atahirou Balla Dodo. 17 of these bodies were taken from the morgue by protestors and placed in front of the United Nations building as a sign of propaganda. Protestors are accusing the U.N. of killing innocent civilians, though most of the corpses taken from the morgue were in fact rebel vigilantes whom had attacked the Peacekeepers.

The Central African Republic has experienced much unrest and a lack of stability since its independence from France in the 1960s. Uncontained religious and political groups have come and go, leaving violence in their wake and destroying any hope of democratic development.

This pattern of violence, rebellion, and political turmoil is all too common in nations colonized and pillaged by Europeans in the last few centuries. Relatively peaceful regions are put under colonial rule, often enslaved by foreign explorers, and have their resources stripped away from them. Structures imposed on natives by alien invaders more often than not do more damage than anything, especially when the colonial interest finally decides to leave the territory it has raped and ruined. European ideas of race and division are left behind, transforming territories of people and communities. New local government struggles to satisfy native tradition as well as new thoughts of Euro thought, and corruption and greed patterned after previous invaders pervades business and politics.

On an international level, this type of chaos in developing countries does no one any good. Trade cannot be ethically achieved, external energy and time is consumed in taming unrest and violence, and the potential for idea and thought exchange is dampened by having to worry about survival. Think of the idea development and technology that could be coming out of a place like the C.A.R. were it not for armed vigilantes and squandering governments!

sources: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43735333, https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/34412/Egyptian-UN-peacekeeper-killed-in-Central-African-Republic

Toxic Spill in the Amazon

Toxic Spill in the Amazon

https://www.hydro.com/en/about-hydro/hydro-worldwide/brazil/barcarena/hydro-alunorte/

http://www.lahistoriaconmapas.com/atlas/country-map16/
/belem-para-brazil-map.htm

Water and soil surrounding Belem, Brazil, were recently found to be saturated in high levels of toxic refuse from an area alumina refinery. Recent rains contributed to the overflowing and subsequent flooding of refinery waste retention areas; this lead to the contamination of agricultural soil, drinking water wells, and even flooding of residential areas. The dangerous waste has locals very concerned.

The source of overflowing retention pools was Norwegian
owned Hydro Alunorte, the largest alumina refinery in the
world. The plant opened in 1995 and has over 1,600 employees. Hydro Alunorte’s parent company, Norsk Hydro, is one of the largest aluminum producers in the world, and
employs over 35,000 individuals across the globe.

Considering Belem’s position on the port of the Amazon
River to the Atlantic Ocean, water and soil poisoning could be deemed disastrous. While much of the area’s economy
depends on metal and mineral exports, a considerable and
irreplaceable portion belongs to fruit, nuts, and hardwood found only in the Amazon region. A spill into the river could travel throughout the waterway and affect agriculture in a very negative way. Not only would the economic sector relating to these specialty goods would tank, but penalties to the contributing refinery, itself a large contributor to the regional economy, would negatively affect the country and its inhabitants. 

Lead, aluminum, and sodium 

https://southafricatoday.net/environment/norsk-hydro-acc
used-of-amazon-toxic-spill-admits-clandestine-pipeline/

were found in the spillover in high amounts by the Brazilian Ministry’s Evandro Chagas Institute. Lead, even in small amounts, is highly dangerous and is known to cause lifelong impairments, if not death. Considering the shallow water wells used by locals for bathing, cooking, and drinking, this lead spillover is an immediate threat. The Brazilian Institute has recommended that potable water be shipped to the communities affected by the flooding, though officials representing the Ministry did not seem confident in the response time given to the emergency. One official stated he did not think that the emergency response plan in the affected communities was successful, and that a better system needs be put in place. 

At first, Hydro Alunorte denied that any toxic contamination of the soil and water tables came from their overflowing retention pools. Chemical findings by the Brazilian Institute have turned over the truth, however, and the refinery has been penalized by Brazil’s environmental office and asked to cut their alumina production in half. 

source: http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/toxic-water-seeps-from-norwegian-mining-site-in-brazils-amazon/

Growth in the E.U.

https://pierstransportation.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/eu-2.jpg

Economic Growth in the E.U.

The year 2017 brought a 2.5% growth to the European Union, reportedly their best in 10 years. This put them ahead of the United States, who, at 2.3%, still couldn’t complain. The swelling in statistics also proved a catalyst to the value of the Euro, boosting it from $1.03 at the beginning of 2017 to a whopping $1.25 currently.

https://i1.wp.com/geoawesomeness.com/wp-content/
uploads/2017/03/european-union-brexit-political-map-with-
european-union-member-states.jpg

The E.U. unites participating countries by using the Euro as common currency, and easing means of commerce between governments. Citizens of participating countries may also move across borders with ease, and shop without additional taxes. The use of a common currency also challenges businesses to keep competitive prices, as there is no longer need for money exchange. It is important to note that not all of the European continent is included in the European Union – though most countries are involved, some are still in transit, while some (Albania, Armenia. Belarus, Gibraltar, Iceland, Kosovo, Lichtenstein, Macedonia, Norway, Russian Federation, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vatican City State) are excluded entirely.

On a homeland level, this is nothing but good news. Considering our interconnectedness as a world economy, this growth on the European continent affects us all. Just as the 2008 financial crash in the United States had devastating effects on the rest of the developed planet, so does 2.5% growth spur us all upward. Trade between the U.S. and countries belonging to the European Union will be mutually beneficial, and allow for more financial opportunity than ever before.

With this opportunity, determined individuals are poised to benefit. Unemployment rates are dropping. There are more jobs, and, considering the tax-heavy nature of our friends across the pond, the more the merrier. Employment allows a person to better themselves, their community, and their nation. By giving a man a way to make money, a job provides him income, pride, and skill-development – but it also relieves the burden of welfare from the state. More jobs mean less pressure on the government to provide, and allows for a lighter tax burden.

And on a personal note, I expect to see more imported goods in the near future. A better economy in Europe means more competition for American made products, and could lower prices and offer more variety. My wife simply loves Dutch chocolate bars, and she has definitely paid a high price for her sweet tooth at a European candy shop in the past. A boost in the E.U. could prove to lower chocolate prices over here in the states.

All in all, the economic growth the European Union experienced last year is nothing but positive. Individuals benefit with more jobs, countries grow richer and experience less financial pressure, and the international economy enjoys higher levels of competition and opportunity.

source: http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/30/news/economy/gdp-europe-economy-2017/index.html

Facts About the Author

Mantua, Utah.

I was raised in rural Mantua, Utah, firstborn in a family of six. Much of my childhood was spent under the sun: hiking, swimming in the lake, and riding my bicycle took up most summers, while sledding, building snow forts, and chopping firewood engaged the winter months. I was a very happy boy!

My teenage years brought the discovery of rock and roll, and led to the purchase of a bass guitar. I played in numerous groups, played gigs regularly, and even did some professional recording. Music influenced everything I did, and still does today.

In high school, I played in a hardcore group called "The Elephant Gun".
Here we are playing at a club in Logan, Utah.

School brought me to Cedar City, where I met my lovely wife on a blind date. We are the “outdoorsy” type, and love to travel. My love of the outdoors inspired me to start my own camping equipment company, Cool Buffalo. It is a project I am quite proud of. I currently play bass in a local jazz group, shoot outdoor photography and the occasional wedding, as well as work full-time at Grifols Plasma Collection center.

My life motto is “The journey is the destination”. I do my best to see the big picture, and take it easy.

My wife and I visiting the Grand Canyon in 2015.