Shamed Former Govenor Mark Sanford Defeats Elizabeth Colbert-Busch

The victor of the special election in South Carolina for the states first congressional district has been named. The AP has just reported that the former governor who disappeared while having an affair has beat Stephen Colbert sister, Elizabeth Colbert Busch for the house seat. This comes as a shock to anyone who thought that over the top scandal would end Mark Sanford's political career.


 http://youtu.be/mery0MP1mJ8

Israel Bombed Syria

Israel has recently bombed Syria. This new escalation will probably change the way many people think about the Syrian conflict. Israel's bombing of Syria has been condemned by Egypt and the Arab league. New hatred toward Israel is sure to increase after this bombing in the Arab world. Already Israel is increasingly being viewed as a pariah state to the rest of the world. This recent bombing will hopefully encourage more divestment from illegal Israeli settlements. Just this month the U.C. system voted to divest from all construction projects currently building illegal settlements in Palestine. If there is one thing we can predict for the future of world politics it is this. Nothing ever stays the same.

Somalia A Failed State

Somalia provides a unique opportunity to study the direct involvement and product of IR theory in a complex political climate. Somalia is a failed state located in the MENA region within the horn of Africa. Since lawlessness has been the status quo for decades, the international ramifications of the power struggle in the country have been felt by many nations. As a result, many international institutions including the European Union or EU as well as the African Union AU have attempted to provide aid - both financially and militarily in an attempt to stabilize the region. Somalia’s relations with Ethiopia and the African Union dealing with complex issues such as pirates have played an crucial role in the evolution of Somalia in the recent years.

Both Ethiopia and Somalia went through a period of European colonial rule during the scramble to Africa. Ethiopia and Somalia have had rough relations over the decades, including bloody skirmishes that have created animosity for citizens on both sides of the border. A major point of contention is the annexed desert of Ogaden that is now in Ethiopian possession. Despite their bloody history, Ethiopia sent troops into Somalia in 2006 at the request of the TFG or Transitional Federal Government to help militarily- attempting to expel the terrorist network Al Shabab. Ethiopia also fought along Somali and AU forces in 2012 (Addis, 2012). Somalian’s maintain skepticism toward the Ethiopians especially their heavy military presence in the region. Ethiopia and Somalia have both displayed cooperation with international organizations in recent years and an ability to work together seeking stabilization. Ethiopia claims realpolitik motives of self interest and security for their invasion of Somalia twice over the past decade. Realpolitik or realism is the dominant international relations theory that says states are rational actors set in a anarchic situation in which they must act in there own self interest in a struggle for power regardless of moral or ethical reasoning. (Donnelly, 2000). Ethiopia appears to act as such

SOMALIA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 3

however, officials have said that Ethiopia deployed troops when prompted by the IGAD Intergovernmental Authority on Development which would illustrate a more liberal IR theory. Liberalism as a IR theory says that people are typically good and that peace and security can be achieved via strong international institutions. Liberal IR theory also takes into account moral and ethical issues when making decisions. It defines power as the ability for each party in a dispute to win- highlighting contrasts between realism that seeks to force the other state to actually do what it doesn't want to do in their define of power. (Donelley, 2000). Ethiopia's cooperation with this international institution seeking peace exemplifies a glorious example of liberal IR theory at practice in the region, even though it may have indeed been in Ethiopia’s own self interest to send troops. Liberal IR theory says that no democracy will go to war with another. We can not forget that recently Somalia has had a democratic election and chose a leader via such tools. According to IR theory Somalia will not go to war with another democracy. (Slaughter, 1998) A pro over realism that liberalism enjoys is expressed in the following quote “ability to predict progressive historical change and the substantive content of policy” (Moravcsik, 2001). Somalia is entertaining a very young democracy not even a year old. Hopefully it will find the strength to survive such a chaotic time.
Marauding bands of pirates based in Somalia roam the seas with small fast vessels armed often times with machine guns. The pirates attack many types of ships including cruise ships and cargo ships, often times taking prisoners- some whom have been vacationing westerners drawing the attention of western powers. Somalia is one of the few nations on the planet that is characterized as a failed state. To understand the term failed state one should first understand what is meant by the term state. A state is an entity with well defined borders, recognition from

SOMALIA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 4

the international community, as well as a monopoly on force both domestic and abroad. A failed state is lacking one or all three of these determining factors. (Lust, 2011). Somalia already finds itself in the most anarchic region in the world. Since Somalia has become a failed state it has been studied by political scientists as a country fallen into anarchy. Somalia has existed in a state of chaos caused by civil war since 1991 when waring militia groups sent the capital city Mogadishu into chaos. Failed attempts to govern have been made, however due to the complex political climate all attempts have failed. (Brooks, 2012). Radical Islamic groups such as Al Shabab recruit young people and radicalize the individuals by twisting religious scripture. Al Shabab allies itself with Al Qaeda- explaining a lot of similarities between the recruitment tools each group is using, such as taking children from impoverished families and teaching fundamentalist religious ideology. Somalian forces are not in a position to patrol their seas or to control the escalating pirate activity. Basic security and control of power in the capital city of Mogadishu and in the Islamic courts remains the governments focus. In many cases the same militia groups that once sent the city into chaos are the ones now working together to protect the islamic courts- the one institution that is providing some kind of law for citizens. Somalian militias are teaming with the new democratically elected president to form an unprecedented militia force that protects Mogadishu and creates an air of security from the warlords and Islamic militias within the city limits. The United Nations Security Council passed resolutions in 2008 dealing with the issue of piracy from the sea front, but many believe the issue is one that must be tackled from land as well. The American Navy have reasoned that a land approach in unfeasible also quoting that pirate attacks have fallen sharply this year compared to last year falling from 222 last year and 239 in 2010 to only 46 this year. (Baniela, Rios, 2012). Over the years many

SOMALIA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 5

American missions have taken place in Somalia some more published than others such as by the film Black Hawk Down.
Africa has numerous international institutions that have attempted to influence the events in Somalia, including the AU and IGAD or the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. This group is a six member state organization with membership from Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, Kenya and Somalia. (Prince Ofori-Atta, Addis, 2012) The African Union is handling the situation in Somalia with a hands on approach. Instability in the Somalian region has security ramifications for each nation. The AU has secured a mandate to use military force and has assembled a peace keeping force of more than 9000 troops from Uganda, Burundi and Djibouti. In addition the Peace and Security Council wants to extend the African Mission in Somalia or AMISOM by twelve months and increase the uniformed troops from 12,000 to 17,731 (theafricareport, 2012) With support from strong international institutions like the AU one can see the liberalism IR theory at work heavily in the region. Through cooperation the AU is seeking to bring an end to the battle for control of Somalia being fought by weak government forces and the extremely motivated terrorist militias. By tackling the issue of Al Shabab internationally with such mechanisms as the AU and other international organizations a liberal IR theory is being practiced in real time and changes predicted by the theory start to happen. Changes often being fueled by the backing of the international institutions. When the entire African Union decides to act they pull forces from many countries to benefit Africa as a whole. Such practices being implemented are serving to validate liberal theory. Consequences of such entanglement are that resources and blood are being spent on a foreign conflict.

SOMALIA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 6

Somalia’s relations with Ethiopia and the African Union dealing with complex issues such as pirates have played an crucial part in the evolution of Somalia in the recent years. Numerous events this past year in Somalia give reason for hope in the region. The new constitution passed earlier this year guarantee equal rights for all Somali’s regardless of gender or clan as well as outlawing female genital mutilation. With the democratic election of academic and civic activist Hassan Sheik Mohamud and the ousting of Al Shabab from their last stronghold in Somalia, the port city of Kismayu. ( Ibrahim, Gettleman 2012) one can really see liberal IR theory at work in the region and I predict that we will see stability return to the Nation over the next few years.

SOMALIA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 7

References
Andrew Moravcsik. (2001) Liberalism and international relations theory. Harvard University and University of Chicago, (No 92-6), 53.
Anne-marie slaughter. Andrew S. Tulumello, Stepan. Wood International Law and International Relations Theory: A New Generation of Interdisciplinary Scholarship." American Journal of International Law. 92.(1998): 367-397. Print
Brooks, C. W. T. (2012). Why Failed States Matter: The Case of Somalia, , 28. Ellen, Lust. (2011). The Middle East. Washington D.C.: CQ Press.
Jack, Donelley. (2000). Realism and International Relations. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press.
Jeffrey, Gettleman. (2011). New York times. Ethiopian Troops Said to Enter Somalia, Opening New Front Against Militants. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/21/world/ africa/ethiopian-troops-enter-somalia-witnesses-say.html
Lutfi Mohammed. Robyn Dixon.(2012, September 11). Academic, civic activist is elected somalia president. N.Y Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/ world/africa/islamist-rebels-pull-out-of-somali-port-city.html?_r=0
Michael, Doyle. Stefano, Recchia. Liberalism in International Relations. Retrieved Oct 12, 2012, from http://www.stefanorecchia.net/1/137/resources/publication_1040_1.pdf
Mohammed Ibrahim. Jefferey Gettleman. (2012, September 29). Islamist Rebels Flee Key Port City in Somalia. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/ 2012/09/30/world/africa/islamist-rebels-pull-out-of-somali-port-city.html?_r=0

SOMALIA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 8

Prince, Ofori-Atta. Addis. (2012, January 3). African forces make headway in Somalia . Retrieved Oct 24, 2012, retrieved from http://www.theafricareport.com/ 2012010250178404/east-horn-africa/african-forces-make-headway-in- somalia-50178404.html
The Africa Report."AU renews mandate of amiosm for 12 months." 6 Jan 2012. Web. 15 Oct 2012. <http://www.theafricareport.com/2012010650178670/east-horn-africa/au-renews- mandate-of-amiosm-for-12-months.html>
Santiago Iglesias Baniela. Juan Vinagre Ríos (2012). Piracy in Somalia a Challenge to the International Community. Journal of Navigation , Cambridge Journals. Retrieved, from journals.cambridge.org/download.php

Obama Justice Dept Appealing Judge's Morning After Pill Decision

Well it looks like Obama is dead set against having any type of legacy as a progressive. Pretty 'no shit' facts like some teens won't be able to get birth control don't seem to matter to our president and woman's rights champion. (I hope you see the sarcasm)  Letting woman choose what they do with their bodies appears too liberal for Obama.

 Some teens are too embarrassed to tell their folks about their sexual escapades, some have math tests the next day that prevent them from taking a bus to planned parenthood. Some teens are raised by uber religious zealots who will force them to have an unwanted baby! Many schools are required to give young male students condoms if they choose to ask for it. Why are male student given birth control for free but females not? Why has next to no funding for male birth control been given to scientists throughout our countries history? Males are not the ones sentenced to 9 months of pregnancy yet we deny equal access to the little birth control option that exist for woman. It's sexism, its ignorance and it will bring more unwanted children. The FDA has said no scientific evidence exists proving the morning after pill should not be available as an over the counter drug, so please do not think that science or logic has anything to do with Obama's position.

For everyone who doesn't have their head in the sand the common fact that teens are having sex younger and younger is a commonly accepted truth. Many females I personally know lost their virginity at or near the age of 14! The reality is we live in a culture were guns are ok and sex isn't. You can practices murdering people all day long in front of the X box but even though your sexually active you better ask your parents if you can have birth control should you be unlucky enough to be born a woman. If you were born a man just walk to your elementary school health office! No questions will be asked!

CISPA Internet Killing Bill Dies in Senate

The U.S. democratically controlled senate blocks CISPA from being voted on. My defeated, depressing blog post about CISPA passing the house should still be read though! Link below ;) It contains a list of every house member who voted for the internet killing bill. Find your representatives name on the list and call them to tell them you support privacy and internet freedom and your pissed about their vote. If you don't find your congressman or women on the list then call them anyway to say thanks for supporting your privacy and supporting internet freedom by not voting for this anti american bill.

http://thepeoplesunderground.blogspot.com/2013/04/cispa-passes-in-house.html










Also for a great article I read on this
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2418228,00.asp

Amanda Palmer attacked by Fox's "the Five" for Poem

 Below is the poem by Amanda Palmer


Curtsy of http://amandapalmer.net/blog/20130421/   


you don’t know how it felt to be in the womb but it must have been at least a little warmer than this.
you don’t know how intimately they’re recording your every move on closed-circuit cameras until you see your face reflected back at you through through the pulp.
you don’t know how to stop picking at your fingers.
you don’t know how little you’ve been paying attention until you look down at your legs again.
you don’t know how many times you can say you’re coming until they just stop believing you.
you don’t know how orgasmic the act of taking in a lungful of oxygen is until they hold your head under the water.
you don’t know how many vietnamese soft rolls to order.
you don’t know how convinced your parents were that having children would be, absolutely, without question, the correct thing to do.
you don’t know how precious your iphone battery time was until you’re hiding in the bottom of the boat.
you don’t know how to get away from your fucking parents.
you don’t know how it’s possible to feel total compassion in one moment and total disconnection in the next moment.
you don’t know how things could change so incredibly fast.
you don’t know how to make something, but the instructions are on the internet.
you don’t know how to make sense of this massive parade.
you don’t know how to believe anyone anymore.
you don’t know how to tell the girl in the chair next to you that you’ve been peeking at her dissertation draft and there’s a grammatical typo in the actual file name.
you don’t know how to explain yourself.
you don’t want two percent but it’s all they have.
you don’t know how claustrophobic your house is until you can’t leave it.
you don’t know why you let that guy go without shooting him dead and stuffing him in some bushes between cambridge and watertown.
you don’t know where your friends went.
you don’t know how to dance but you give it a shot anyway.
you don’t know how your life managed to move twenty six miles forward and twenty eight miles back.
you don’t know how to pay your debts.
you don’t know how to separate from this partnership to escape and finally breathe.
you don’t know how come people run their goddamn knees into the ground anyway.
you don’t know how to measure the value of the twenty dollar bill clutched in your hurting hand.
you don’t know how you walked into this trap so obliviously.
you don’t know how to adjust the rearview mirror.
you don’t know how to mourn your dead brother.
you don’t know how to drive this car.
you don’t know the way to new york.
you don’t know the way to new york.
you don’t know the way to new york.
you don’t know the way to new york.

CISPA Passes In the House

Well congress just used the Boston bombings to pass CISPA.  The internet was nice while it lasted :(  Everyone's hard work fighting SOPA and PIPA slowed them down but wasn't enough. I will always remember the casualties in this fight, especially Aaron Swartz. The final vote in the house was 288 ; 127. There is still a shred of hope. President Obama has promised to veto the bill if it comes to his office siting privacy concerns as a basis for doing so. Please everyone call his office and make him feel the pressure. MAKE him veto this bill his phone number is

1-202-456-1111

Here is the names of every representative who voted for it. If you can, look up your representative to see how they voted and if they sold you out call them and bitch. I have called many on the list today and will continue.

http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/




Robert Aderholt (Al-04)
Rodney Alexander (LA-05)
Mark Amodei Nevada's 1st
Spencer Bachus (Al-06)
Ron Barber Arizona's 2nd
Lou Barletta (PA-11)
Andy Bar Kentucky's 6th
John Barrow Georgia's 12th
Barton
Beatty
Benishek
Berra (CA)
Bilirakis
Bishop (GA)
Bishop (NY)
Black
Bonner
Boustany
Brady (TX)
Brooks (IN)
Brooks (AL)
Brown (FL)
Brownley (CA)
Buchanan
Bucshon
Burgess
Bustos
Butterfield
Calvert
Camp
Campbell
Cantor
Capito
Cardenas
Carney
Carter
Cassidy
Castor (FL)
Chabot
Chaffetz
Clarke
Clay
Cleaver
Clyburn
Coble
Coffman
Cole
Collins (GA)
Collins (NY)
Conaway
Connolly
Cook
Cooper
Costa
Cotton
Cramer
Crawford
Crenshaw
Cuellar
Culberson
Daines
Deham
Dent
DesJarlais
Deutch
Diaz-Balart
Dingell
Duckworth
Duffy
Duncan (TN)
Ellmers
Enyart
Farenthold
Fincher
Fitzpatrick
Fleischmann
Flores
Forbes
Forenberry
Foster
Foxx
Frankel (FL)
Franks (AZ)
Frelinghuysen
Fudge
Gallego
Garamendi
Garcia
Gardner
Gerlach
Gibbs
Gingrey (GA)
Goodlatte
Gowdy
Granger
Graves (GA)
Green, Al
Green, Gene
Griffin (AR)
Griffith (VA)
Grimm
Guthrie
Gutierrez
Hannabusa
Hanna
Harper
Harris
Hartzler
Hastings (FL)
Hastings (WA)
Heck (NV)
Heck (WA)
Hensarling
Higgins
Himes
Horsford
Hoyer
Hudson
Huizenga (MI)
Hultgren
Hunter
Hurt
Israel
Issa
Jeffries
Jenkins
Johnson (OH)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jordan
Joyce
Kaptur
Kelly (IL)
Kelly (PA)
Kilmer
Kind
King (IA)
King (NY)
Kinzinger (IL)
Kirkpatrick
Kline
Kluster
LaMalfa
Lamborn
Lance
Langevin
Lankford
Larsen (WA)
Lathum
Latta
Lucas
Luetkemeyer
Lujan Grisham (NM)
Lujan, Ben Ray (NM)
Lummis
Maffei
Maloney, Sean
Marino
Matheson
McCarthy (CA)
McCarthy (NY)
McCaul
McHenry
McIntyre
McKeon
McKinley
McMorris Rodgers
Meehan
Meeks
Meng
Messer
Mica
Miller (FL)
Miller (MI)
Moran
Mullin
Mulvaney
Murphy (FL)
Murphy (PA)
Neugebauer
Noem
Nunes
Nunnelee
Olson
Owens
Palazz
Pastor (AZ)
Paulsen
Payne
Pearce
Perlmutter
Perry
Peters (CA)
Peterson
Petri
Pittenger
Pitts
Poe (TX)
Pompeo
Price (GA)
Quigley
Radel
Rahall
Rangel
Reed
Reichert
Renacci
Ribble
Rice (SC)
Richmond
Roby
Roe (TN)
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Rogers (MI)
Rokita
Rooney
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Ross
Rothfus
Royce
Ruiz
Runyan
Ruppersberger
Ryan (WI)
Salmon
Sanchez, Loretta
Scalise
Schneider
Schock
Schrader
Schwartz
Schweikert
Scott, Austin
Scott, David
Sessions
Sewell (AL)
Shuster
Simpson
Sinema
Sires
Smith (NE)
Smith (NJ)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Southerland
Steward
Stivers
Stutzman
Swalwell (CA)
Terry
Thompson (CA)
Thompson (MS)
Thompson (PA)
Thornberry
Tiberi
Tipton
Titus
Turner
Upton
Valadao
Vargas
Veasley
Vela
Wagner
Walberg
Walden
Walorski
Weber (TX)
Weber (FL)
Wenstrup
Westmoreland
Whitfield
Williams
Wilson (SC)
Wittman
Wolf
Womack
Woodall
Yoder
Young (AK)
Young (FL)
Young (IN)