That Man from Moscow II

I was going to do a movie post, but then when I was watching CNN this morning I was reminded about this documentary that Fareed Zakaria hosted.  For those who do not have access to CNN and are interested in viewing it I thought I would provide a link.  It is still very relevant.

 

The Robber Barons

They were called the Robber Barons. They were the wealthy businessmen who helped build and helped exploit the unfettered capitalism that was the norm for the early United States. With little government oversight they amassed huge fortunes.

The Robber Barons

We have come to assume, perhaps, that all government regulations are bad. But many of us have forgotten, or don't realize, that some of those regulations have been put in place to help smooth out the disparities of American lives. As we listen to our politicians claim that they represent us it might be wise to look beyond the rhetoric that has been at play and dig into the meaning of what is actually being said. We have gotten a peak at the proposed health care reform and the budget of the new administration. Both should have been eye openers for Americans of all walks of life. But, perhaps, until the effects trickle down people won't come to understand the real life effects they would have.

America has always been a land of opportunity. There is nothing wrong in that. But whose opportunity will it be in the future?

Do we want to help those who have little? Do we want to attempt to provide them, via education or health care programs, with those opportunities that allow them to prosper?

Or are we willing to sacrifice our people's ability to climb the economic ladder to the greed of new age Robber Barons, who would act to enrich further themselves and their friends via legislation?

Do we understand that what is at stake will not just affect the lower income among us, but the middle class as well? Do we want an America that looks after the elderly, the disabled, and the poor? Or are we willing to sacrifice them on the altar of greed that seems to be entrenching itself in Washington D.C.? Do we understand that if we remain silent we are complicit?

Mosul in Depth

I talked a little about Mosul back in November, before the election.  Since then the fight has progressed, sweeping through the outlying areas, through the east, and now reaching the western sections of the city.  ABC News (Australia) did a short documentary about the fighting in Mosul, embedding with Iraqi forces as they moved into the city.  This video is just under an hour long, but it gives a good account of the dangers for those fighting this battle and the civilians living through it.