Colin Powell’s Final Salute

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Former Secretary of State Colin Powell passed away on October 18, 2021, at age of 84. Colin Powell was a Republican who served as the United States first African-American Secretary of State. Powell served twice in South Vietnam. He was wounded while patrolling the borders of Vietnamese- Laotian during his first tour, and he was injured in a helicopter crash during his second. He served under former President Ronald Regan as the National Security Adviser meeting with world leaders such as Soviet President Gorbachev. He later served in former President Bill Clinton’s administration as Chairman of Joint Chiefs briefly. It would be Powell who debated Clinton regarding whether or not gays should be admitted in the armed forces, which resulted in a policy known as “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” Powell eventually retired from the Army in 1993. 

In 2000, President George W Bush appointed Collin Powell as the 65th Secretary of State becoming the first African-American to serve in that role. Powell was strongly against the second war in Iraq. George W Bush was asked if he spoke with Powell if he should go into war. Bush responded that he did not ask because he knew Powell was strongly against the war.

There is so much that Democrats & Republicans could disagree with Collin Powell about, but what cannot be questioned was his love for country, his strong voice for the African-American community, and the rights for other communities to be treated fairly. In 2008, he shocked the nation when he decided to endorse President Barack Obama who became the first African-American President of the United States. He was very vocal against former President Donald Trump and his administration as well as standing up for many social justice issues. 

Powell was born in Harlem, New York to Jamaican immigrants, likely one of the many reasons he was very active in fighting for the people in Haiti. He also started the America’s Promise Alliance dedicating his life to the well-being of children and youth of all socioeconomic levels. Powell endorsed President Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee for President in 2020.

Powell was fully vaccinated, but passed away at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland (right outside of Washington DC.) COVID complications, in addition to having multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that suppresses your immune response, proved to be fatal for the 84-year-old American. He will be remembered for many things, but ultimately serving his country and her citizens, regardless of political party or ideology.

Dictators Are Not Communists

by with No Comment FeaturedGlobalPoliticsSocial Issues

Not that Communism is the best system to have as the primary economic engine, but it’s important to note that no economic system exists in a vacuum. So when someone points to the failures of a particular country’s economy as “proof their system does not work,” it seems a bit misguided; especially when said country is in actuality a dictatorship.

When the dictators are doing right by the people, the country flourishes. When they are making bad decisions for their people, nothing can stop them and the country suffers. When the people attempt to rebel, they are squashed, imprisoned, executed.

Much of Cuba’s current economic crisis is being blamed on the US Trade Embargo. This obviously factors into the country’s current shortage of food and medical supplies, but at the heart of Cuba’s current misfortune is a government that values power more than its people.

A centralized economy (like a dictatorship) can function if it is making the right choices for its citizens. However, considering how susceptible a government-run economy is to corruption and favoritism, decisions aren’t always made in the best interests of the entire country. A free market is meant to mitigate the poor judgment of political leaders: the people know best what and who is needed so they sort out jobs, resources, supply, and demand on their own.

Vietnam found a way to maintain a Communist government, but embrace some free market enterprise in the mid 80s. It’s reported 30,000+ private businesses were created since then, their economy has flourished, and relations with the US started to normalize in the 90s.

So, where Vietnam succeeded, Cuba seems to be failing. The Castros have “good intentions” for their… people (is “subjects” too cynical?). But when they needed the foresight to understand how a global pandemic would damage their economy and possibly require some major changes, they maintained their status quo. This is why their people are protesting; they have no power to demand accountability from their government (dictators). They can’t vote to change their system. They can’t do anything except literally live and die by the whims of their leaders.

And so maybe Communism isn’t the enemy. Maybe trying to exist outside of the influence of Multi-National Corporations isn’t the enemy. Perhaps Malignant Narcissism is the enemy. Anyone that is not accountable to anyone and believes themselves to be infallible, that person is dangerous and whether they are the leader of a Communist Country, or the President of the United States, they can do serious damage to a multitude of people.

The economic system of the country matters not if the leader is self serving and uses their political position to consolidate power, destroy enemies, and enrich themselves and their allies. As more and more information comes to light, it seems this was happening in the very Capitalist United States of America under the Trump regime.

Now, perhaps Capitalism is the system least susceptible to corruption and so Trump is an anomaly, but to view the U.S. as purely Capitalist is a misconception.

Here’s why: 

-A large amount of our manufacturing and debt come from China (a Communist country). This means we are at least in that regard participating in a Communist system to some extent – we are x percent Communist.

-The entire concept of Insurance is communist in nature: “From each according to their means, to each according to their needs.”

-Any tax-funded job is technically Socialism (army, police, fire, infrastructure, social work, etc.).

The point is: We should be very specific about what is working and what is not so we can create the best situation for everyone.

It is truly malignant narcissism in leadership that ruins countries and economies (as well as families and businesses).

The Free Market has proven to be an incredible mechanism when not being abused or corrupted. Communist and Socialist mechanisms can be implemented efficiently when overseen by Democratic institutions.

Dictatorships are never the best system as they prevent accountability and change for the better. Cuba’s current protests are happening for that reason.

Syria Will Be Part of Trump’s Legacy – But History’s Judgement Is Still Unclear

by with 2 Comments FeaturedGlobalPolitics

The president’s pullout of Syria is essentially an effort to force an end not only to our engagement in the area, but also to the basic credibility of the neoconservative worldview- as well as efforts in the future to shape global democracy and influence world order. There are plenty of Republicans who see this approach as heresy, and there are plenty of Democrats and media outlets who relish the blood-on-blood infighting to come (and who will strangely express their outrage at a decision they would have lauded once merely because the opposite of the administration’s policy is their policy), but the reality is much more nuanced.

On the surface, the president’s motivation is driven by polling. Our commander in chief is a populist at his core- not an idealist.  Most Americans (many in both parties) don’t favor extending the war in Syria. This is quite simply because we aren’t able to do what it takes to win. Assad’s forces are backed by Russia; there’s no way to build real stability in the region without a heavier hand than we are willing to take or through regime change, and there seems to be no way to force regime change short of open war with Russia. Further, as China increasingly begins to flex in the pacific and begins to highlight our “meddling in the affairs of others” -including Syria- as China launches their own massive campaign for development, seeking access to the natural resources of sub-Saharan Africa, the president is mindful that it’s from China where we face the greatest long term security threat, and it’s China who benefits most from our distraction to a protracted entanglement with Syria and Russia. Further, while the timing of Iran was the president’s doing, it’s also clear that they are a much greater threat to global security in the near term. Our security interest in Syria is that someone accountable to the UN controls and regulates the area- whether it be Turkey or the US, either will make certain that it isn’t ISIS. We really can only do so much.

But that’s only part of the story. Turkey’s interest in Syria isn’t focused first on restoring peace to Syrians. The Kurdish forces we have used since the beginning of the war in Iraq have fought with us because they are a people without a land. Spread throughout Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria, this proud, ethnic population descended of Saladin is at odds with each of those nations as they seek to restore some autonomy. They have been capable allies because they have more than 1,000 years of history fighting for their own survival. Walking away from them when we are done will be a public betrayal that the Chinese and Russians will hold up as the true nature of “American Imperialism.” They will say that Americans come with high ideals, but leave when it’s no longer convenient. To Bush-era neoconservatives, it’s unthinkable; to Trump and his “America First” agenda, it’s a way to cross the bridge back from nation-building and burn it behind him.

In the long term, this may be the better move. The people of Vietnam, the people of Iraq, and increasingly the people of Afghanistan have come to realize that Americans come and Americans go. If we fool no one, and if we do really lack the resolve (and quite possibly the ability) to build regimes and promote democracy in the aftermath of conflict, then it is possible that the sooner we go the better. This may also help us usher in a day when America accepts that it is no longer the sole global hegemon and must share global military and economic influence with both China and Russia once again. If pulling back now gives them space we would have needed to cede eventually through direct conflict, it may increase stability in the long term also.

But in the short term, it’s a lot of bad taste. To those who can’t bear to see America as anything but a beacon of light that can dictate the ways of the world, it looks like a retreat. To those focused first on human rights, it’s a turnover of power to another heavy-handed imperial force that will bring another wave of increased violence before it can hope to bring local stability. While the president’s motivation may be no deeper than extending a political olive branch to a growing, centrist plurality of the American public focused on their own economy, anxious to make a trade deal in China and not willing to subsidize stability of the Kurdish population (so long as there’s someone on the ground containing ISIS), if America is a truly is a shrinking power, in 50 years this may be seen as a thoughtful and pragmatic preservation of resources. 

Similar Read: The Trump Doctrine: What Ukraine Says About Trump’s Foreign Policy

[2017 In Review] Kaepernick Vs. The NFL… The LCR Responds…

by with 3 Comments Sports

Kaepernick certainly made his mark in 2017, and whether you agree with his position or not, he sparked a national conversation that everyone was forced to address. While the protests might be dying down, NFL viewership took a huge hit and even the President surprisingly jumped into the conversation.

Many people thought Kaepernick and other players were disrespecting the military despite Kaepernick saying his peaceful protest had nothing to do with the military. Many people chose to focus on the actual protests instead of WHY they chose to protest in the first place, which was police brutality and social injustice. How convenient and comfortable to focus on the former and not the latter?  

Different perspectives matter. We asked 5 of our contributors with different political views to weigh in on the Colin Kaepernick situation during the height of the protests earlier this year, and this is what they had to say…

“As someone who has worked in sports, I have tried to understand Colin Kaepernick’s dilemma in light of some athletes with less than perfect pasts. Michael Vick is one of the first names that comes to mind. He was involved in dogfighting, which led him to serve 18 months in prison. Just months after his release, he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and went on to sign a $100M contract. Regardless of his wrongful actions, Vick continued his NFL career. | Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexual assault on multiple occasions. His actions led him to being suspended for four games because he was found to be in violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Regardless of his wrongful actions, Roethlisberger continues his NFL career. | Colin Kaepernick is not a convicted felon, he has not been accused of any crimes, nor did he commit any acts deeming him worthy of suspension. He peacefully protested by not standing for the national anthem, and he consistently works to achieve social justice for his community. Yet, he still remains unsigned while the Miami Dolphins recently pulled Jay Cutler out of retirement to fill an open roster spot. There are clearly other factors in play aside from athletic ability. Some NFL owners are claiming that they are concerned about the reactions of their fan bases if they were to sign Colin Kaepernick. Let’s assume that this is a legitimate concern. There have been NFL teams who signed convicted felons and athletes accused of committing serious crimes. If owners are more hesitant to sign a social activist than a convicted felon, what does that say about the fan base they are catering to?” – Muslim Female Democrat

“Professional athletes are in large part entertainers – and public desire to tune in is why they’re paid. Most often, if they don’t introduce their views into the game, that means their athletic ability and future prospects drive their earnings potential. Kaepernick’s difficulty isn’t that different than the issue a local businessman has when he runs for local office – not everybody likes it, and some customers walk. Publicly speaking about a controversial topic is generally not a good business idea if that’s his first concern, and if owners believe he hurts their franchise value and their own personal brand image, it will be reflected in his value as a player. I disagree with Kaepernick’s method of protest, because I thought it was disrespectful to veterans. I do respect deeply his right to make his statement as an American with the right of free speech.  But now he’s discovering what many veterans have known for a long time in defending the rights of citizens – that freedom isn’t free.” – Right Army Veteran

“Are NFL owners anti-controversy? Their support of players who have been arrested throughout the league (1 in 40 each year) suggests not. Is Kaepernick truly just not a good enough Quarterback to make a roster? His performance over the last 6 seasons and Super Bowl experience suggest this is not the case. Is the NFL racist? I don’t know for certain, but if so I believe racism is only one part of a larger issue here. “Us vs. Them” is the driving force behind the Kaepernick snub. He’s not doing what the NFL thinks everyone ought to do: fall in line and support the flag, the League, the Country. Consequently, it seems he is being blacklisted (ironic terminology intended). Many White athletes protested the National Anthem in the 60’s over conscription, Vietnam, civil rights, etc. There were cases of school expulsions, verbal abuse, and public ostracization. This demonstrates that when someone protests against the Status Quo – regardless of Race – there will be a backlash. It takes courage to make a stand against something you think is wrong and if you are not in the majority, there will be consequences. For tearing up a picture of the Pope on live television in protest of the Catholic Church’s well-documented history of child abuse scandals and cover-ups, Sinead O’Connor nearly lost her entire music career. If Colin Kaepernick’s intention is to create controversy to draw attention to an issue that he believes in, then this current NFL spurn might be more helpful than harmful to his cause.” – Unaffiliated Humanist Musician

“Let’s be honest. Kaepernick doesn’t have a job right now because owners see him as a liability and distraction.  The issues Kaepernick represents are the very ones they want to ignore – and it probably doesn’t help that New York plans on holding a major rally for him. But let’s be even more honest, if Kaepernick had won a Super Bowl or was a huge star, these issues would probably be overlooked, i.e. Ray Lewis. Kaepernick may not be the same athlete to be considered a starter, but physically he could still be a mentoring 3rd string QB.  If Mark Sanchez still has a job, then whay can’t Kaepernick? Sanchez stays quiet and doesn’t ignite the public – but that doesn’t mean Colin should be quiet on the issues that are most important to him. | What makes Kaepernick different from Ray Lewis, Michael Vick, and the majority of the Cincinnati Bengals? Kaepernick represents a social injustice issue that he is standing up for while the others were individual incidents that one can be apologetic, reprimanded, and or proven/deemed innocent.” – Independent Marketing Pro

“A man of color who stands his ground on an issue that he feels passionate about risks his successful career to stand tall and stick up his middle finger to White America. We want our men to be strong and stand for something; yet, White America wants to dictate what that “something” is. Nothing in his contract dictates that he has to forego his moral beliefs in order to use his talent to make the the NFL millions and millions of dollars. So is White America trying to prove a point by not signing him? How dare them try to tell this grown man what to think and how to feel. Are they just angry because a public figure is taking a public stand against the racist core of America? The truth hurts.  Kaepernick should be applauded for his courage and lack of desire to sell out for a few pennies… Stand tall my Brother.” – Apolitical Elected Official

This article was originally published on 9 August 2017.