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Written by Steve Sanson
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Wednesday, 14 March 2007 |
In Memory of United States Marine Lance Corporal Raul Samuel Bravo born on April 10, 1985, in Salinas, California and died on March 3, 2007, in Qaim, Iraq by a roadside bomb explosion. "Semper Fidelis" May God Bless you and your family, thank you for your sacrifice for our countries freedoms.
For those Americans that burn our flag. For those Americans that do not
support our troops. For those Americans that want to rise up against
our Government by taking American lives. For those Americans that raise
another countries flag without the American flag by its side. For those
Americans that want to take the word God out of our Constitution and
our Pledge of Allegiance. For those Americans that are of age to vote,
yet do not vote in our political process. For those Americans that
criticize our country and our way of life, yet do noting to get
involved in change. For those Americans that sell our secrets to other
countries. For those Americans that do not stand up for the right to
protect our borders.
I have two words for you: MOVE OUT!
If you believe this country is so bad let me give you a little background to some of the countries going through turmoil in the world.
For starters let us discuss our neighboring country of Mexico. Mexico has high poverty rate. The Mexican government finds it easier to give Ground Position System (GPS) to its citizen fleeing their government instead of helping build their economy and clean up the corruption that has infested itself in its police force, military, as well as the politicians that lead their government.
Cubans have been fleeing their country for years risking their lives to come to America. Cubans are tired of their communist dictator Fidel Castro. While the leader lives in riches his people live in poverty.
Afghanistan with former Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives still at large, US citizens and employees of international Non Governmental Organizations or NGOs are constantly at risk of kidnapping and assassination. Military operations, frequent terrorist attacks and land-mines make travel throughout the country nearly impossible, and Afghan authorities have a limited ability to ensure the safety of visitors. The United Nations were forced to suspend operations temporarily last year after the number of attacks on international aid workers grew.
Africa in the Ivory Coast the Cote d'Ivoire has been in political turmoil since a military coup in 1999. The country is currently back in civilian control, but November 2004 saw a violent clash between the Ivorian government and rebel forces, leading to widespread demonstrations, rioting and looting in the coastal city of Abidjan. Public health has deteriorated greatly, and yellow fever and cholera are great risks to travelers.
In the Congo the United Nations or UN Peacekeeping Forces have been stationed here since a 1999 cease-fire was established between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and five regional states. Despite the formation of a transitional government in 2003, the area remains highly unstable, and the UN reports frequent violent clashes between tribal groups, armed military forces and government troops. Bribery and unauthorized detention is commonplace upon entering or leaving the country. The Ituri region is particularly prone to ethnic tension, rape and sporadic violence.
In Haiti the death in mid-April of a Philippine UN Peacekeeper is only the latest symptom of the country's political instability. Haiti has no organized police force to speak of; armed gangs roam the streets participating in spontaneous attacks on each other and on civilians. Criminal activity, including looting, car jacking and kidnapping are common. The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince has established a curfew of 9 P.M. to 5 A.M. to protect its employees.
Iraq has daily reports of car bombings, kidnappings and assassinations in Iraq keeping it in the headlines, even after the relatively peaceful elections in January. Former Baathists, international terrorists and miscellaneous criminals make the country almost impassable for civilians, as well as for the military. The kidnapping and execution of Americans, Europeans, and Asians is a common terrorist technique, as is the use of IEDs (improvised explosive devices), which are hastily constructed and hidden in land mines or roadside litter.
Uzbekistan is a small country in Central Asia. This country was left to fend for itself when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. It has since come under scrutiny from the UN because of its proximity to Uzbekistan and possible ties to the extremist group Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), a terrorist organization linked to Al Qaeda. Land-mines throughout the country--and especially along the border with Uzbekistan--make travel extremely dangerous. The US Embassy is carefully monitoring places that are likely to attract groups of Westerners for signs of potential terrorist attacks or suicide bombings.
Liberia is protracted in civil war which has left Liberia one of the world's poorest countries. As a result, armed robbery and theft are common place, especially among international visitors. The high national unemployment rate means that street fights, political rallies and demonstrations are well-attended and can quickly spiral out of control. The State Department advises visitors not to travel alone or after dark if they must visit Liberia.
Like Gambia or North Korea, Somalia is a "tracker country" in iJet lexicon, meaning iJet has few, if any, on-the-ground sources. The country has no US Embassy or other US presence of any kind. Inter-clan fighting and attacks against relief workers and international aid agencies are common, and the Mogadishu region, which is contested by many racial groups, is especially dangerous. Ships in the Indian Ocean off the Eastern coast of the country are at risk from seafaring robbers. Somalia was the worst-hit country in Eastern Africa by the recent tsunami; water contamination and waterborne disease have since been a major concern.
Sudan's ongoing civil war has made the country practically uninhabitable, although the US State Department believes a long-awaited peace agreement may be in the works. Still, recent reports of genocidal activity in Darfur, clashes between government forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army, ongoing reports of terrorist threats and general banditry mean you should steer clear if you can. Hostility towards US foreign policy is widespread.
Togo's hotly contested presidential elections on April 24 have given rise to a new wave of violence. A favorite of leisure travelers in the early 1990s because of its beautiful beaches, the country's political unrest over the last 15 years has made visitors think twice about going, and rightly so. Protests in Lomé, the coastal capital, are violent and frequent, and sporadic violence and protests occur all over the country. Communication is difficult, especially around Lomé, as all commercial radio has been canceled and phone lines cut. US citizens are not at any greater risk than other foreigners, although several have reported being harassed by native Togolese who mistook them for French. US Embassy personnel must abide by a 6 P.M. to 8 A.M. curfew.
Unemployment and inflation have effectively devastated the Zimbabwean economy. Annual March parliamentary elections are a particularly tense time, as election-related vote rigging and intimidation spark violence and unstable political rallies, especially in the high-density city of Harare. Commercial farms, home to government supporters who act with impunity from the law, are particularly dangerous to foreigners. Food and fuel shortages are widespread.
Nigeria's lack of law and order, combined with a high potential for violent crimes and fraudulent activity, make it highly unstable. Crimes are committed by regular criminals, as well as people in police and military uniforms, throughout the country. Kidnapping for ransom, particularly of people "associated with the petroleum sector," is common. Other dangers in the country include Isolated communal violence that erupts without warning due to religious tension between Muslim and Christian communities, Violence between rival ethnic groups, Road travel that includes Robberies by armed gangs on rural roads and those in major cities, Taxis, which may be run by criminals and vehicles may be unsafe, Roads may be poorly maintained, Nigerian airlines may be poorly maintained and "inadequate to ensure passenger safety". Fee fraud and scams that target foreigners and pose great risk of financial loss. Senior Al-Qaida leaders have expressed interest in overthrowing the Nigerian government and links between Nigerians and Al-Qaida were uncovered in 2004.
Saudi Arabia terrorist activity directed against Americans is possible (even the United States Mission post in Saudi Arabia is unoccupied for this reason). Terrorist groups may target housing compounds and other areas where Westerners may be present, along with Saudi government facilities. Car bombs and armed assaults involving multiple gunmen have targeted these compounds and terrorists have "used ambush attacks to kidnap and/or assassinate individual Westerners."
Indonesia's Violence and terrorist actions against Americans are possible throughout the country: "Attacks could occur at any time and could be directed against any location ... " Potential targets include those visited by foreigners and other "identifiably American" places including hotels, clubs, shopping centers, restaurants, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools or public recreation events. Attacks against individual Americans are also possible. Americans have been advised to avoid traveling to northern parts of the island of Sumatra, particularly the province of Aceh, because of extensive damage caused by the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami, much of which has yet to be restored.
Terrorist activities in Yemen make the security threat high. Extremist individuals or groups may attack Americans or American facilities and businesses, particularly in crowds, hotels and restaurants, during demonstrations or while driving in urban centers.
In Columbia is sarcoma by Violent activity by Norco terrorist groups and other criminals in urban, rural and border areas of the country are high. Americans could be victim to threats, kidnappings and other violence. Violence related to illegal drug trade is also high.
In Lebanon terrorist attacks against Americans, particularly around areas where Westerners are known to frequent, remain high. Also, land-mines and unexploded ordnance in south Lebanon and other areas remain a significant risk.
In March 2003, rebel forces took over the government of the Central African Republic, and the group's leader named himself president. He remains in power today, and despite peaceful elections in March 2005, Americans could be at risk, particularly during public gatherings. Armed robberies along roads outside of the capitol have also been reported.
Though terrorist attacks in Israel have declined, the threat of violence remains high. "Israeli security services report that they are investigating between 40 and 60 planned terrorist attacks at any given time." Many occur due to resentment against peace efforts and ongoing Israeli military operations. Further, the US government has received information that American interests in Israel could be attacked. These include US official buildings as well as restaurants, businesses, etc. Commercial and downtown areas, including shopping areas, public transportation of all kinds, pedestrian zones, as well as demonstrations, are also a major risk.
In the Congo-Kinshasa there is wide-scale civil unrest over the next several months which may occur as a national elections schedule is implemented. Further, unofficial armed groups and active duty troops are responsible for "pillaging, vehicle thefts, car-jacking, extrajudicial killings, rapes, kidnappings, ethnic tensions, and continued military/paramilitary operations." Other risks include travelers to this country commonly experience difficulties at the airport and other ports of entry, and may be temporarily detained or required to pay unofficial "special fees," and Sporadic attacks by uncontrolled militias in the rural eastern provinces continue.
In Pakistan terrorist activity directed against American citizens and interests remains a threat due to Al-Qaida and Taliban elements that operate in the country, along with indigenous sectarian and militant groups. Vulnerable targets include facilities where Americans congregate, such as hotels, clubs, and restaurants, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events.
In Kyrgyzstan clashes between pro-government and opposition forces, along with the resignation of some members of the Kyrgyz government, have made the country highly unstable and added to the potentially dangerous security situation for Americans. Further, increased activity of extremist groups in the area, including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), a terrorist organization with links to Al-Qaida, may be planning terrorist acts against US government facilities, Americans or American interests. Neighboring areas have experienced suicide bombers and other terrorist tactics.
If you believe that America is so bad why are you still in this country? Those who talk bad about this country yet live here should ask themselves 'Would I be better off in any of the above countries'? If you reap any benefits from living in America the most important being free, then you should not speak ill about America.
If you want to change our government GET INVOLVED!
From last weeks article Municipal Race 2007.
The Veterans In Politics International has the privilege of endorsing Las Vegas City Mayor Oscar B. Goodman for his commitment to this City and his involvement to the Men and Woman that dedicate their lives to our country and our way of life.
E-mail: SteveWSanson@cs.com phone 702 283 8088
Website: www.VeteransInPolitics.com
Listen to Steve Sanson weekly every Saturday at our NEW TIME at 11AM Pacific time on "Face the Tribune" at www.AllTalkRadio.net
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 March 2007 )
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