This is a bit of an important period for America. We have three current events playing out that set the stage for relationships across the globe.
The first one is Wired's opinion regarding an upcoming trial for a 9/11 plotter. The mastermind wants to die and according to Wired, it is out of egoism and not guilt. The symbolic danger of allowing him to die is how the rest of the world would perceive his death. While Europe will condemn America for another death sentence carried out, the Islamic world would see his death as a glorious sacrifice and he would consider it a victory, assuming he is put to death before the Islamic world moves on. People can remain on death row for decades appealing their sentences. Even though steps were taken to ensure appeals would be less likely in this case, this man will still be put to death first when the next generation has picked new figureheads to follow. The symbolic power of the sentence being handed down though can still rally the public though, so while we try to maintain the separation between justice and politics, political factors should be taken into consideration before a death sentence is handed down. Another option is to keep the sentence secret, lock him away from public view and just make him... disappear. The problem with that solution is how it can be applied to others in the public. Perhaps the best sentence of all is life in a super max facility. That is the deepest, darkest hole we can legally sentence any person to. No matter what the out come is though, the devil will be having a BBQ when he is put to rest.
The US had hidden a Chinese blind lawyer from abuse in China. This man was exposed to abusive conditions under house arrest and his family has been threatened by the province authorities. China has promised to investigate the case, but chastised the US Embassy in Beijing for meddling in domestic affairs. This can put a further strain on US/Chinese relations and make trading a bit more difficult for America. On the other hand, human rights is an issue on the table for most European trading partners, so China will be pressured to both act on its human rights issues and give assurances to its trading partners this is an exception, not the norm, if it is to not concede too much in treaties. Is China in the right for complaining about America's part in this? Yes, because China was just taken down a small notch in future negotiations. America should do it again.
NATO is visiting Chicago in the near future to discuss security issues. This is a well covered story already, but I asked Anders to visit my mom in Woodridge. Since my dad died, Lars Smedskjaer, one of only two Danes to ever do research at Argonne, she has felt isolated and a visit from a Dane would cheer her up so. So Anders, if you are reading this, please do stop by for a cup of coffee.
- Servus
The first one is Wired's opinion regarding an upcoming trial for a 9/11 plotter. The mastermind wants to die and according to Wired, it is out of egoism and not guilt. The symbolic danger of allowing him to die is how the rest of the world would perceive his death. While Europe will condemn America for another death sentence carried out, the Islamic world would see his death as a glorious sacrifice and he would consider it a victory, assuming he is put to death before the Islamic world moves on. People can remain on death row for decades appealing their sentences. Even though steps were taken to ensure appeals would be less likely in this case, this man will still be put to death first when the next generation has picked new figureheads to follow. The symbolic power of the sentence being handed down though can still rally the public though, so while we try to maintain the separation between justice and politics, political factors should be taken into consideration before a death sentence is handed down. Another option is to keep the sentence secret, lock him away from public view and just make him... disappear. The problem with that solution is how it can be applied to others in the public. Perhaps the best sentence of all is life in a super max facility. That is the deepest, darkest hole we can legally sentence any person to. No matter what the out come is though, the devil will be having a BBQ when he is put to rest.
The US had hidden a Chinese blind lawyer from abuse in China. This man was exposed to abusive conditions under house arrest and his family has been threatened by the province authorities. China has promised to investigate the case, but chastised the US Embassy in Beijing for meddling in domestic affairs. This can put a further strain on US/Chinese relations and make trading a bit more difficult for America. On the other hand, human rights is an issue on the table for most European trading partners, so China will be pressured to both act on its human rights issues and give assurances to its trading partners this is an exception, not the norm, if it is to not concede too much in treaties. Is China in the right for complaining about America's part in this? Yes, because China was just taken down a small notch in future negotiations. America should do it again.
NATO is visiting Chicago in the near future to discuss security issues. This is a well covered story already, but I asked Anders to visit my mom in Woodridge. Since my dad died, Lars Smedskjaer, one of only two Danes to ever do research at Argonne, she has felt isolated and a visit from a Dane would cheer her up so. So Anders, if you are reading this, please do stop by for a cup of coffee.
- Servus
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