The Message Behind The Music

"Compelled
Can we clean up this mess
The loss of loved ones
A perverse request
They continue the same rhetoric
These derelicts that profit
Win or lose"

Similar to the many songs that we heard in class about the Vietnam Conflict, these lyrics from the song "Prophets of War" by Dream Theater contain a much deeper message than what it heard. These words speak of the hate brought about by the current conflict in the Middle East. It claims that we are simply trying to clean up a mess, and that the death of our loved ones is an awful thing to ask. These lyrics also make point to take a small shot at the politicians in our country who continually try to keep our troops overseas. The song points out that they are crooks, and should not be the ones deciding the fate of our loved ones. Just like the music of the Vietnam era, these words are at the heart of a revolution. Perhaps not on the same scale as what happened in the '60s, but the meaning is the same.

Topic 12!

Truman Doctrine:
-1947. 
- Provide military and economic aid to fight communism around the globe.
-Stop the spread of communism at all costs.

Containment Policy:

- Contain communism around the globe.

-Using economic, military, and other means.

-Led us into multiple armed conflicts in foreign countries.

-We are still in Korea at this time due to this.

U.S. Foreign Policy (Korea & Vietnam)

- Went into Korea to help support the free Koreans and push the communists out.

-Ended up doing so, and providing long term support.

-Still train South Korean troops, and are present on the border of North and South Korea.

-Went into Vietnam with similar intentions, however had a different outcome.

-Guerrilla warfare led to the U.S. troops being at a loss in Vietnam.

-Lacked support at home.

-Ended up leaving Vietnam with little accomplished.

 
Intervention

-We intervened around the globe in order to slow the spread of communism.

-Examples are found in: Korea, Vietnam, and Cuba.

Cold War Development

- Fear of communism

-Fear that the Soviet Union would be come as "advanced" as the United States.

-Involved the Space Race, which led to the US landing on the moon.

-Also lead to a nuclear arms race, which saw both countries develop large nuclear arsenals. 

-Led to Cuban Missile Crisis.

WWII Foreign Policy vs Post WWII Foreign Policy

- Before WWII= At all costs.

-After WWII= Limited warfare

-A limited war does not utilize all the resources of the country.

-Limited wars are very long, and hard to win.

Examples of Containment in Europe

-The Berlin airlift.

-The division of Berlin

-Marshall Plan

Main Points of Division of Germany

- East Germany was communist under the rule of the USSR. 

-West Germany was free and governed by France, Great Britain, and the US

-Berlin was also divided in the same manor.

Douglas MacArthur Dismissal

- MacArthur did not listen to orders from President Truman.

-Truman feared that MacArthur was becoming too powerful.

-Rather than deal with insubordination and a power struggle, Truman replaced him.

Korean War Similarities with Persian Gulf War

- Both supported but not fully fought by the United States.

-Both in an attempt to stop invading communist countries from gaining control of a country.

Nuclear Test Ban

- In August 1963, nuclear able countries agreed to stop the testing of Nuclear weapons.

-Testing did not truly stop until 1998.

Long Term Effects of Vietnam

-Countries around the world knowing how committed the United States is to stopping communism.

-The realization that a limited war is not easy to win or fight.

-Make the United States cautious to become involved in foreign conflicts.

Peace Corps

-An American organization developed to help developing nations.

-Brings education

-Also brings better image of the United States to developing nations.

-Very present in many third world countries.

End of Cold War

-The Cold War was brought to an end with the Fall of the Berlin wall in Germany. 

Domino Theory

-Communism can spread like domino's.

-When one country becomes communist, many of the surrounding nations become more likely to fall to communism.

Nixon's Détente

- Easing tensions between the Soviets and U.S.

-One of the most important policies of the Nixon presidency. 

The Media then, the Media Now..

In the days of the Vietnam and the Korean War, the media had a certain way which they discussed the conflicts. There was a certain sense of patronization, and cynicism in the writing of the media at that time. It was never the case that one would read a story in full fledge support of the war. The media always showed the public the worst that was happening overseas. On the news at night there would never be pictures of triumphant soldiers or the daily lives of these men. All that was to be seen was the dead bodies; the children, the civilians, mutilated in the streets. The pure evil did exist there, but there was much that was not evil, and yet was never seen by the public.

Another point that differs from the medias past and present is their approach to the issues. In todays day and age the media constantly looks at the issues from a political perspective. There is always something that can be related to the current political situation in our country and thus used to rip apart said politicians. 50 years ago, the media had more important things to discuss.This is not to say that they left politics out of their stories, it is only meant to say that politics was not the main point.

Tweet, Tweet.

From the Twitter Account of President John F. Kennedy.

Mr. Prez

Castro in power in Cuba, what great news for the American Public

1/1/58 14:02

Mr. Prez

Soviets are at it again... What is it about these godforsaken COMMUNISTS! 

12/19/60 14:45

Mr. Prez
So much for diplomacy with Cuba.
1/3/61 8:04AM

 Mr. Prez
We are not going to get involved in Cuba, lets just let the Cubans handle this one.
4/16/61 5:04PM

 Mr. Prez
Just got a very disturbing memo from the men at the CIA... What now?
8/10/62 6:45AM
 Mr. Prez
I guess this is it, i did what i had to for the good of my people. Pono will be restored my people.
8/10/62 6:45AM


Mr. Prez
Pressure on all fronts to take action in Cuba, i know that something must be done, but how will the public feel about war..
8/31/62 6:45AM


Mr. Prez
Tomorrow is the day.. we will finally know for sure what is going on in Cuba.
10/8/62 6:45AM


Mr. Prez
Keating was right... Time to take action.
8/14/62 6:45AM


Mr. Prez
We're all ready for action.. the ball is in Khrushchev's court now.
8/25/62 10:45AM


Mr. Prez
Last minute deal has been made.. Crisis averted. 
8/28/62 7:45AM

Ever Present Civil Rights Threats.

Little Rock, Arkansas. Jena, Louisiana. Very different, and yet exactly the same. One happened in the 1960s, while the other occurred a mere 4 years ago. And yet, we have the nerve to say that the era of Civil Rights issues is behind us. It hurts me to think that we still live in a country in which students my own age are persecuted because of the color of their skin. We have seen the fight for equality. We have heard the screams of terror from our peers. Yet, when will this all finally end. Under our own noses this is happening. In a town of upper class behavior, and peace, we can still today see a bus driver not let a student on a bus because he feels the student cannot possible live in such a town. Why? Because he is black.

To stand up in front of a class full of students, and preach that we have equality. To say that the Civil Rights era say an end to the hatred, and the discrimination that was once seen in our country. To do all this: is a crime. And until we can honestly preach equality, perhaps we should start trying to make it so.

What Means are Necessary?

When looking at the Civil Rights movement in our country, two names immanently jump out: Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. These two men drove the Civil Rights push in the 1960s, however they did so using two drastically different means. King was all about nonviolent protesting, civil disobedience, and sit ins; perhaps he could be likened to a American Gandhi in his methods. X however, was very contrary to Kings methods. He believed that their goal should be accomplished by "any means necessary." So i suppose the question is, what means truly were "necessary"?

We must begin by looking at what the goals of the movement was before we can analyze which method was the most effective. Though there were innumerable goals during the Civil Rights Movement, here is the short list:

• meaningful civil rights laws,
• a massive federal works program,
• full and fair employment,
• decent housing,
• the right to vote, and
• adequate integrated education.

With these few goals in mind, we can begin to discuss the methods that should be used in order to accomplish such. Though it seems that at times violence, and hatred is the only way that things can change, and things can be accomplished; in this case, i think that is not the answer. When we get to the root of the Civil Rights Movement, it was racism. So the question is, why? African-Americans where at one point only Africans. They were brought into the United States as slaves. At that time, they were seen as less than human, barbaric, and generally no good. For this reason, violence and hatred is not the answer. Violence is exactly what the tormentors wanted. They wanted nothing more than a picture of video of a Black man beating a White man. For if they had this, was not their point proven? 

Meritocracy or Meritocrazy?

Meritocracy, defined as an elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth, is a concept as old as democracy. This is a very similar idea that philosophers such as Plato preached in Ancient Greece, ideas that even Plato but off as idealistic, and unpractical.


America has always been a country in which people come, and are told that they can achieve the dream, and they can have a better life. However, as a country, we fail to live up to our open promises. Perhaps we should place an asterisk next to the welcome sign. For all the good that is found in our country, and was found in our country since it's birth, there is an equal amount of bad. We do not live in a country where anyone can achieve the "American dream". Hell, it should not even be referred to as the "American dream," perhaps "White European American dream" would be a more fitting title.  


The fact that third grade teachers, who are divided by the color of their eyes and made out to be either inferior or superior, felt the sting of racism in a day makes it hard to believe that someone who is exposed to this on a daily basis could possibly achieve such greatness. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule, and in todays world it is even more common. However, is not the fact that when we see a black, Hispanic, or any other race of people in a position of prominence and are amazed at what they must have had to overcome to get there evidence enough that meritocracy is not here.


Perhaps it can be found somewhere. Perhaps someday. Perhaps.

I Am..

I am one of the "Little Rock 9."
I wonder if i'll make it out alive.
I hear the hatred in their jeers.
I see the disgust in their eyes.
I want to be accepted.
I am one of the "Little Rock 9."

I pretend that i don't hear them.
I feel the hate they speak.
I need to be accepted.
I worry for our lives.
I cry each day and night.
I am one of the "Little Rock 9."

I understand that i chose this.
I believe that it will be okay.
I dream the dream of equality.
I try my best to smile.
I hope each day for the future.
I am one of the "Little Rock 9."

Sexism in Perspective

It is not difficult for us to find examples of sexism in our past, or in the world today. Everywhere we go we are fed different stereotypes, and ideals that some people seem to think are socially acceptable. We constantly hear that the "womens place" is in the kitchen, or that men should not have to clean, they are the "working men" of the family. Do we not see something wrong with these ideals? It seems insane to think that people go out in public and preach these ideas, and no one says a thing to them. This is a serious problem in society today, and it was no different 60 years ago.

This ad is from the early 1950s, and is a perfect example of the problem of sexism back then. Society was so engulfed by the idea that a womens job was to cook and clean, and men had no business doing either. This ad, and hundreds others like this support this very idea. A picture speaks a thousand words; and this picture is screaming women=cleaning. Where the justification for any of this comes from? I do not know. However, we can only hope that in the "progressive" society we live in today, maybe some of this will change.

TV? Good or Bad?

Does TV Effect Children?

This is a topic that has been widely debated since Televisions humble beginnings in the late 1920s. From a historical standpoint, the answer would have to be no. When Television was first introduced into homes, not much changed. It was a novel idea, but it did not change the habits of children to the extent that people today seem to think. This may be due to the limitations of television at that time. In todays world, TV is almost limitless, and many adults do not like this fact. They find that their children are not being brought up the same due to TV. And there is some truth to this. Yes, TV is a major factor in obesity in teenagers. And yes, many topics advocated on TV are negative influences on children. However, i have a difficult time believing that the actions of children can be affected by television. The root of children's actions is inherently related to their parents, and not the shows on television. People are simply looking for something to blame.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words..

The Presidential debate was underway; the crowd was silent and the panel was all but ready to begin. This was to be a intriguing debate, for both candidates were quite controversial, and America sat on the edge of their seats in eager anticipation. 


One man in particular, a John Logan, was especially on edge. For Mr. Logan had too been running for the high office, however he failed to make it past the primary and remained quite bitter. Having never truly won anything in his life-though being better qualified than anyone at most everything he did-he felt that the Presidency was his chance. His deep and contemplative face, which had often been discussed during the primary, was evident in the crowd. He awaited the debate with America, however, disaster was what he came to see.


The panel began to ask questions of the candidates, and as expected they failed to be anything more than unaffecting. Logan still sat in the audience (hidden to this point, so not to draw attention to himself), although now his deep and contemplative face bore a small smirk- one of more than just humor, but of happiness; this is what he had come to see. 


Logan sat silently alone, still trying to fathom the fact that these two unqualified men were on stage as he sat hidden in the audience. And then suddenly, none of that mattered; in a matter of moments all that changed. A curve-ball was thrown by the panel, that left both candidates quiet. This was Logan's chance. He stood in the audience and amid gasps from the audience-for no one expected him to be here-he answered the question asked of the candidates. Logan then simply walked out; knowing at last, that he had won.

Story based off: Freedom of Speech. By Norman Rockwell.

The Burbs..

McCarthyism impact on society:

• Led the push against Anti-American Activities
• Charges writers, producers, and directors in Hollywood with such acts
• Goes after many government officials for such acts
• Pushes the fear of communism to new heights in the US

Communist "witch hunt" and impact on those accused:

• Resulted in the imprisonment of hundreds of people
• Resulted in the "checking" up on of hundreds of government and military officials
• Many homosexuals "checked" up on
• Seen by many as a major breach of the governments Constitutional power
• Thousands of people lost jobs, careers, etc.

Space Race impact on government policies:

• Soviet Union vs. The United States
• Soviet Union beat us into Space (Sputnik 1)
• The United States passes legislation that puts major emphasis on education
• Leads to the United States putting a man on the moon
• The start of the Cold War
• Beginning of NASA and many other space programs.

Cold War mindset for the US government and public:

• Fear of Communism's spread throughout the world
• Fear of the USSR advancing further than the US technologically
• US fear of the spread of Communism into the US.

Relationship of suburbs, automobiles, and roads:

• Suburbs away from cities, quieter
• More reliance on cars
• Many families even owning multiple cars
• 1956 Interstate Highway Act
• Able to live out of the busy cities
• American dream.

Baby Boom: 

• With the end of the war, men came home and began to start families
• End of the depression
• No longer any social or economic restraints to hold people back from having families
• Led to economic BOOM
• Also the cause of some problems in our world today.

Urban-Suburban pattern:

• Business district
• Inner cities where low income families live
• Suburbs where middle income families live
• Outer Suburbs where high income families live.

GI Bill:

• Provides money for the education of soldiers returning home
• Unemployment compensation
• Loans
• Still around to this day

Expansion of the middle class (why things were affordable):

• Baby Boom!!
• Credit!!
• Homes become cheaper due to the creation of the suburbs
• New items being made for purchase
• discretionary income!

We'll Always Have Paris!

I. Setting
A. Casablanca, Morocco
       1. World War II - Transition point for those trying to get to America.
II. Intro
A. Rick
       1. Owner of Cafe in Casablanca 
       2. Has a criminal history that has him on the "blacklist" with Germans
       3. Is partial to no sides
B. Rick is given the stolen letters of transit (needed to get to the US)
       1. Given to him in his cafe.
       2. Shortly after they are given to him, the man who gave them is arrested.
       3. Rick hides them in the piano of his cafe.
C. The Germans are in Casablanca looking for Victor Lazlo, A leader of the underground anti-Nazi movement.
       1. Lazlo was in Casablanca trying to get to the US with his wife Ilsa.
       2. Rick was his only way out.
III. Rising Action
A. Ilsa realizes that she knows Sam, the pianist in Rick's Cafe.
       1. Ilsa asks Sam to play a song, he is very reluctant.
       2. Rick becomes upset upon hearing the song.
       3. Rick realizes that he knows Ilsa.
B. Rick confronts Ilsa about their past.
       1. We learn that Ilsa and Rick dated when Rick lived in Paris.
       2. Rick asked Ilsa to go away with him, and never saw her again.
       3. Rick has remained bitter about it since that day.
C. Victor asks Rick for the Letters of Transit.
       1. Rick refuses to give the letters because of his past with Ilsa.
       2. Victor learns of Rick and Ilsa's past.
       3. Rick and Ilsa plan to let Lazlo leave and stay in Casablanca together.
IV. Climax
A. Rick makes plan with police to arrest Lazlo when he has the letters of transit.
       1. Rick will give Lazlo the letters with the police hiding in his cafe.
       2. All goes according to plan until Rick threatens to shoot the police officer if he does not let Lazlo go.
       3. They all go to the airfield.
B. Victor and Ilsa fly to America.
       1. Ilsa is reluctant to go, but Rick convinces her to leave with Victor.
       2. Head German officer comes and Rick kills him.
V. Conclusion
A. Rick and the police officer begin their "beautiful friendship".

Topic 9!

Role of Women during WWII
Men went off to war, and this left a lot of jobs vacant. Women took over in many of these positions. They began working on farms, in factories, and many even served in the military for the first time. Their main role was making supplies for war. Unfortunately, all good does come to an end, and most progress in the terms of work for women was eliminated after the war, and men took their jobs back.


Causes & Effects of Use of the Atomic Bomb
The main causes of the dropping of the atomic bomb was: (1) the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, (2) the ongoing World War, and continual war with Japan.
The main effects of the bomb were a bit more cut and dry. Hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives in the dropping of the two bombs, and worse than that, people were plagued with radiation problems for years after the bombing.


US Foreign Policy
The US foreign policy before, during, and after the war was an ever evolving process. The United States began with a very isolationist policy, they were worried about the fear of war, and yet had no intention of getting involved. When we did get involved, we did everything that we could to win the war. We expanded our military, use lend-lease act, and helped all allied nations. After the war was over, we continued on the swing of war, and become a world power, and began to get involved in world affairs.

Effects of the War on Europe
The effects of the war in Europe were huge. Most of Europe saw a major decline in population after the war; whether from genocide or the death of soldiers. Moreover, an economic crisis sprang up, and much of Europe fell into a depression following the war.

Effects of Pearl Harbor Attack
Pearl Harbor is seen as a turning point in the war. The Japanese attack brought us into the war, which was seen by many to tip the balance toward the allied powers. Also the attack is seen as the largest attack against the United States to date, and many men serving our country lost their lives that day.


Japanese Internment
The United States saw that the Japanese American citizens living in the US were a "clear and present danger" after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Therefore we forced Japanese people living in the US into camps around the country in order to "contain" them.

Neutrality Acts
-Effort to keep citizens out of war
-Embargo on arms sales
-US battleships could not be armed
-Americans could not travel on ships of countries at war


Purpose of Propaganda
Propaganda was used in different forms in countries all over the world. In most cases it was used to persuade the citizens of said country to support the acts of their government. It was used in this way in Hitlers Germany, as well as in the United States.

Rationing
During the war, people in the United States (as well as other countries) were asked to save resources, and cut down on using things such as metal, gas, and many foods. This was done so that more supplies could be sent overseas to support our soldiers at war.


Results of WWII
World War II saw a major change in the world. With the end of the war, came many problems in Europe. Europe and many Asian countries faced serious economic problems, and had trouble with rebuilding their nations. Due to this, the Marshall Plan was put into place to help these countries rebuild their nations. In the US, the opposite happened. We saw an economic boom, that brought great prosperity to our country. This was also the time known as the "baby boom" which is still impacting us today.

The Course of War..

Ebay Has it All!

This item is a oxygen tank that would have been used by a pilot of a Tank Bomber airplane during World War II. These became very widely used during the second world war because of the new technology that was being used in regard to airplanes. This and many other items like this began to be made by companies around the world such as Normalair (a British company).

These items are very significant to World War II because they opened up many new path ways to war. The dogfight began to be taken to a new level via devices such as these. Planes could now fly higher than before, and also pilots could more safely stay in their planes for extended periods of time. In cases such as the Battle of Britain, airplanes played an incredibly significant role in WWII, and without devices such as these, it would not have been possible.

Source: http://cgi.ebay.com/WWII-Breathing-Oxygen-Air-Tank-Bomber-Airplane-/250777664807?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a63837d27

The Past Brought Forth..

WALTHER HAMANN

1. How did you remain faithful despite the constant fear of death?
2. What went through your mind each time you stole from the SS?
3. How did you bear the loss of your Brother-in-Law? Did that shake your faith at all?
4. Why did you chose to stay in Germany after the war, despite what had taken place?
5. What were your thoughts when the soldiers came to liberate your camp?

This is no R rated movie.

Dear School Board,

I find your recent ruling, banning the teaching of so called “graphic history”, to high school students. Events such as the Rape of Nanking and the Bosnian genocide are said to be “too graphic” and “too intense” for us to learn about. However, answer me this: if we do not learn about such events, and understand that they are still going on today, how can we stop them? It was in 1995 that the Bosnian Genocide began, a mere 15 years ago. People are being killed and raped; human beings are being killed and raped. Yet, you tell us that we are too young, too immature to learn about these topics—these important pieces of history.

We are constantly being told that we must seek new heights, and strive diligently in our education, for we are the future of this country. However, you restrict us with rules such as these, and try to censor history. History is not something that can be censored. It is not an R rated movie that we can put an age limit on. History happened. History will happen again. We need to know the truth of history if we are to prevent it from happening again. Is that not the same cliché your generation constantly repeats to us?

The events in Nanking, and those in Bosnia, The Sudan, Rwanda, and all over the globe are happening today. The future has already begun to repeat itself, and will continue to do so without any thing to stand in its way. Let us be that wall; let us stand in the way of the repetition of evil. We are the future; therefore we must be informed of the past.

Sincerely,

The Millennials 

To Tango with Disaster...

What time is it?
It is time to be contrary!
In this segment, I will speak contrary to the commonly held belief, and leave everyone hanging, waiting for more, and not knowing what my real opinion is!
Here we go!

The United States in unarguably a superpower in this world. If we want to go into a country, and help them out, or mess them up, we could do so pretty easy (with the exception say China). But our military and our government is strong enough to take on a good portion of the countries around the globe. So, for this reason many a time, people believe that we—being the superpower that we are—have the obligation to get involved when countries are in trouble: war, genocide, etc. Well, you know what; I don’t think that’s our job! We are not the police force of the world, sent around to fix other people’s problems. By sending out troops, and our citizens into these dangerous, and deadly countries, are we not putting at risk the lives of American lives? Is that merely a risk that we must take? NO, because we don’t have to take it. Call me cynical, call me inhumane, but hey I am looking out for the boys on my turf.

Propaganda..

Cinderella Man; the man, the movie, the legend.

James J. Braddock :

• Lived in New Jersey with his Wife, Mae Braddock, and their three Children.
• Movie opens with him and his wife in their rather large house in NJ.
• Then moves into the depression, and we see the true impact of the depression.
• They go from large home, to living in a shack with their three children.
• Struggle to pay the bills.
• Works on the docks doing manual day labor when he could not box.
• Proud man, did not like asking for help.
• Loving man, when he made a promise to his children, he was not going to let them down.

Cinderella Man:

• Won 56 out of 86 fights; and lost only 23.
• In the movie we saw his major injury problems; he had frequent problems with his right hand.
• These problems led to him being suspended indefinitely from boxing in the movie.
• Name "Cinderella man" came about in a newspaper article describing his comeback from the breadline to the boxing ring.
• He was a lightweight, and still had the courage to fight and beat many a heavyweight.
• His fight with Baer was the climax of both the Movie and his fighting career.
• Was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001

Guilty until Proven Innocent?

Sacco & Vanzetti.

Well, this case may not be a landmark in nature like Schneck vs. US, or Roe v. Wade, but there remains much controversy. Was it guilt, or race that sent them to their death? We may never know, but we'll see what we can do.

Both men were born in Italy and immigrated to the United States in 1908. Both worked rather low level jobs throughout their time in the States, but remained very loyal to their home country of Italy, and many of the ideals brought from there. Both men ended up rolling with the wrong crowd, and becoming active members of the anarchist movement in the United States. This was likely a large part of the reason they met, and the reason that they died.

The crime took place early one morning in 1920. Two men [whose names are of little importance] were picking up cash boxes to take to a local shoe factory. While they were doing so, they were shot, killed, and the money they were transporting was stolen. Due to high levels of inconclusive evidence, Sacco and Vanzetti were charged and found guilty of the crime. Such evidence includes seven eyewitness (maybe?) accounts of the crime, the fact that the gunmen were "probably Italian", and that the two men happened to not be at work that day. Seems rather inconclusive to me.

The evidence presented in this case was overwhelming. However, it seems likely that there were other forces at work when the jury made their final ruling. This trial took place at a time when Nativism was the way of the land, and anything foreign was quite taboo. We have to look at all the facts surrounding the case, and try to understand it as it was. They could not match the bullets to either mans gun, they had no positive identifications of the two men. The case was built on speculation and racism.

Truth is, this was likely just one of the many times in US history were men have died regardless of guilt. Someone had to be blamed; Sacco and Vanzetti were merely scapegoats..