After a trip to Europe, visiting ruins of ancient Rome and Greek antiques, I found myself at the ancestral family estate in Buckingham Shire, England. My distant cousin the Lord of the Manor remarked to me that he found it fascinating that I lived on the very edge of western civilization. Any further steps and I would be speaking Chinese: we both laughed. But should we have?

In the visits of my relative to America or Canada it was usually then on west to Hong Kong. Here as we all knew those who wanted a silk suit or expensive attire or diamonds, earrings, necklaces of exquisite design could be had at such a bargain as could never be purchased anywhere else in the world.

We all of a certain age had known this, from our richer friends who were off and over, showing off their wardrobe, a new suit or pair of shoes at a time. And we all would marvel. How could the starving merchants of ragged Hong Kong in the midst of abject poverty of China and all Asia all around create all these bargains?

We all shrugged and thought none too much of it: virtual free labor from nearby China, British hands off capitalism being allowed free rein to their talents. And how they thrived.

A small fishing port in a vast deep harbor in 1843 had become British Territory on a ninety nine year lease, a west Pacific base was made ready for the ever moving British Navy, with occasional need to limp to a home port for repairs whether by gunship or typhoon.

And so Hong Kong built up wooden structures of blended Chinese and British designs, under British rule and laws but with full rights for all. And Chinese kept coming into this part of China that was not China and you could get rich.

The brutal occupation by Japan during World War Two caused misery and hardship for all. The end of the war brought back the British and even after the revolution and take over of mainland China by Communism, Hong Kong was wisely left alone.

And this would become one of the most amazing transformations of a mighty nation and it following European theoretic of Communism until it became this was the route to common ruin. China helped hold off the west in Korea but in the decades following great order was in process of change.

As of 1950 and the police action in Korea, America helped Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong build shipyards nearby, and each nation has learned how to be an exporter to America in force. And generally they have all incorporated from Greek antiques the democratic tradition of a voice without fear and a vote for all.

So, in harmony, Japan and Korea rebuild in the western model of Greek Democracy, and Hong Kong stayed a colony ruled by London but allowing free British Capitalism. America had forced Japan to embrace both democracy and western capitalism.

Korea and Taiwan embraced both, as have now most every nation in Asia. Democracy more muted, but modified British rules of Adam Smith, adapted through the eyes of America and now seen through the eyes of Asia.

If,as seems possible, this brings us all a little closer to peace and good will and more understanding between people everywhere, is. a good thing.

Buddha and Jesus, so different, shared so much. But mostly, people adorned their highest ruling groups with rare examples of their special status. To have elegance was one thing, but did your mind also sparkle like Aristotle?

And even Aristotle only retired back to his village, and did not go forth with Alexander to spread his words of wisdom to the east. And to tease that famous fast route of a century ago when men could travel around the world in 80 days, we found it fascinating that it is taking so far more than 800,000 days for democracy to not yet become a reality in mighty China.

Although capitalism is doing so well that Chinese are buying back their heritage, even though they still to take care to not criticize the government in open society. But it is coming, Comrades, rest assured. History has ways of lifting us farther from our savage beast within to decent fair minded peoples. Descendants of the very same Vikings who burst the skulls of European citizens like melons now have the highest standards of self regard in the fairness of their laws and the respect of the world.

So, Genghis Wong, show us how you manage this next leap to true civilization, and indeed you a then deserve finally to enter the family of fully respected civilized nations of the modern world. All with faults, all honestly working on them, and with hope for us all, finally working towards all shoulders to the wheel of a cleaner, fairer world, lean here.

World Democracy Now

Who says Africa is not under a new phase of colonialism? With the benefit of hindsight, it is commonly known that most of the countries in Africa (as they are known today) were not in existence when the first Hague Peace Conference was held in 1889; many of them started to emerge after the Berlin confab of where the decision to partition the continent by the powers-that-be were taken so the geographical entity known as Nigeria with a population of over 140 million (surely it must be far more than that) came into being just 25 years after, Lagos, the former sit of government having been ceded to the British authority in 1861 and which socially brutalized and politically strangulated it for the next 100 years. Yes, the flag (not economic) independence was granted on October 1st, 1960 , 49 whopping years ago.

With the emergence of civilization which made the few enlightened ones amongst the people to fight for political emancipation, the colonial overlords, not willing to surrender power willy-nilly had to raise up puppets and sycophants who they manipulated to succeed them when they grudgingly leave the saddle. Backing these “new leaders” with coercive means and financial wherewithal, they ensured that there was no brooding of opposition. This enables them to directly and indirectly cart away both the economic and natural resources of their former colonies like no man’s business. The puppet leaders would, in turn, oppress their people, throw human rights laws to the dogs and finally become dictators with the former colonial masters pulling the strings.

The reason is not far-fetched why polity in developing countries is often polarized and almost stifled by geographical dichotomy, inter-ethnic conflicts, religious bigotry, minority group politics and politicization of the armed forces. Since the end of the World War II in 1945, nearly all the countries in the so-called third world mostly in Africa were enmeshed in one form of bloody conflict or another. This ranges from communal disputes, ethnic or tribal differences as well as economic, political and social impasse. Countries have also been up in arms against themselves because of borderline disputes.

Since the decision-making bodies of the world governing body now turn their back on militocracy, diarchy is now the fad while very recently it is now the matter of passing the realm of governance from father to the son. This, no doubt, is the glaring position in the post-millennium Africa. Just imagine the political succession from Joseph Kabila of the DRC, Faure Gnassingbe in Togo and Ali Ben Bogo in the just so-called recently elections in Gabon. It is now the matter of passing the realm of governance from father to the son. This, no doubt, is the glaring position in the post-millennium Africa. Just imagine the political succession from Joseph Kabila of the DRC, Faure Gnassingbe in Togo and Ali Ben Bogo in the just so-called recently elections in Gabon. It is always the matter of the hand is that of Esau (the local political overlords who stand to benefit from continuity) but the voice is Jacob’s.(the foreign powers – the real hands that rock the governance cradle. More on election in Gabon – the true story.

World Allegiance

DID YOU KNOW…

Like Kenya, Dominica and Madagascar, Botswana is known for its fantastic nature scenery. It is a friendly country famous for its touristic attractions such as the Chobe National Park and the Kalahari Desert.Chobe National Park is one of the largest national parks in the world and is much bigger than the Netherlands.This tropical paradise is the home of many kinds of wild animals—which includes elephants, zebras, lions, giraffes, and rhinoceroses.Thousands of tourists visit the country each year to see and photograph wild animals. Furthermore, Kalahari Desert is one of the world´s most ecologically important areas.

DID YOU KNOW…

In the 1970s, “Black and White in Color” was a film from Ivory Coast, currently Cote d´Ivoire. In 1976, Black and White in Color” won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.

Winner: Black and White in Color (Ivory Coast).

Finalists: -Cousin, Cousin (France)


-Jacob, the Liar (East Germany)


-Nights and Days (Poland)


-Seven Beauties (Italy)

DID YOU KNOW…

The 1980 Olympic Games were not boycotted by 25 African nations, including Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Angola, Lybia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia,won the gold medal in field hockey in the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

DID YOU KNOW…

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is president of Liberia since 16 January, 2006. She became Africa´s first elected female head of state. Liberian Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is one of the most important leader in Africa.Liberia is one of the world´s poorest countries.

DID YOU KNOW…

Like Brazil, Peru,and Australia, the Democratic´s Republic of Congo has one of the richest ecosystems in the world.

DID YOU KNOW…

Miriam Makeba (South Africa) is probably the most popular African singer of all time.Like Mpule Kwelagobe and Nelson Mandela, she is also an anti-AIDS activist in the Third World.

DID YOU KNOW…

In 1978, 18 year-old Margaret Gardinier of South Africa became the first African Miss Universe in the history of the contest.Miss Universe 1978 went to Guatemala, France, Australia and other countries.

DID YOU KNOW…

Botswana is rich in mineral resources such as copper, silver, nickel and diamonds. Since 1970, South Africa, Brazil, Russia and Botswana are the world´s largest producers of diamonds.

DID YOU KNOW…

“Hotel Rwanda”, a film by Irish director Terry George, was inspired in the Rwandan genocide (1993-1995). “Hotel Rwanda” was nominated for 3 Oscars ( Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Screenplay).

DID YOU KNOW…

The sporting system is one of the worst in the world, but Togo, an ex French colony in Africa, qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.Togo, a small country, is one of the nine poorest countries in the Third World.

DID YOU KNOW…

UNESCO has declared Royal Palaces of Abomey (Benin), Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park ( Central African Republic), Lower Valley of Awash (Ethiopia), and Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve( Madagascar) World Heritage Sites.

DID YOU KNOW…

Somalia is the birthplace of Iman, one of the most beautiful supermodels in the 1980s. Iman Abdulmajid was born in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia, in 1955.She speaks five languages. From 1980 to 1994, she worked as actress in American and European films. Her filmography:”The Human Factor” (1980), “Out of Africa” (1985), “L.A.Story” (1991), “House Party II” (1991), and “Exit to Eden”. Certainly, she loves her country. Iman was an aid worked and journalist in Somalia during the famine and civil war there in the 1990s. Once she said, “I approached the BBC and told them I wanted to do a documentary about my return and let the Somali people speak for themselves”. The country African is one of the five poorest countries in the world.

world democracy

“Education and Freedom,” oxymoron that it is, is probably the most important issue
of the day. The world we inhabit, and the one that will be inhabited by the next
generation, is shaped by what future citizens learn during their most formative
years. The school/teach/educate system exemplifies, and brainwashes young
people, by being authoritarian, hierarchal, and undemocratic. The inherent values
of the education system are self-interest, competition, and materialism. Freedom to
learn is repressed. If we want a different social system, one including freedom,
then we must expose young people to freedom from their birth.

Prof. Roland Meighan of England has emphasized the fact that the word “education”
denotes “to be conditioned, to believe, to perform and to act in a given way.” He
suggests that “learning” is a radically different activity. Charles Hayes, a proponent
for autodidactism, suggests education is something given you , while Learning is
something you take. Ivan Illich in “Deschooling Society” illuminated the difference
and concluded that society would not improve as long a schooling brainwashed
students with the staus quo. Paulo Friere in “Education for the Oppressed” urged
the end of traditional schooling and the development of open minds. John Holt,
after a long life of trying to fix the schools, recognized that that was the wrong road
and proposed we “Teach Our Own.” Manish Jain of India promotes “unlearning,”
that is overriding the brainwashing of schools, and critical thinking. Even those who
are most involved with the education system recognize that education today doesn’t
fit today’s needs, but few move beyond the “fix the schools” syndrome. The issue of
the day is to think out of the box, and go to the roots of why we learn, how we
learn, when we learn and, a secondary concern, what we learn. We need to think in
terms of “learning” not “educating.”

This suggests that the mantra for every individual and every organization should be:
EVERY PERSON HAS THE FREEDOM, THE RIGHT, THE RESOURCES, AND THE
OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN WHAT THEY WANT. WHEN THEY WANT, AND HOW THEY
WANT.

This mantra demands a radical transformation of not only how we learn but of how
we live and of how we govern. It outlines a basic human right and a responsibility.
It does not give that right and responsibility to the government, to the parents, to
the churches, or to any other social entity. It is the right of every individual. It is
the responsibility of every social organization. Libraries, museum, parks, health
centers, farms, factories, churches, city halls, legislatures and every other
corporation and civil organization has the responsibility to provide learning
opportunities for ctiizens.

This is an expression of individual freedom. Every person is free to learn, and to
learn what freedom is by being free. It transforms teaching institution to learning
centers or learning communities. It transforms teachers and parents into mentors
used at the will of the learners. It creates a world of critical thinkers best able to
participate in world affairs. It transfers the money wasted in prison like schools, to
tax breaks for organizations providing learning opportunities selected by the
learners. It pus the hierarchy of individual, family, community, society, and world in
a more human oriented chain of command. It replaces self-interest, competition
and materialism with life-long learning as the purpose of life.

It gives the people of this forum a target to develop (or not).

I had intended to add some words of support to my opening statement. but I found
that Evely Lawrentce in her 1952 summary of what Frederick Froebel said in the
1979s so much better than Icould say it , that I add her piece below.
BE;

Freedom
the great Froebelian revolution
by Evelyn Lawrence 1952

In effect, what is essential, if we are to be capable of the freedom which on any
adequate social theory we need, is a philosophy of education for freedom from the
start. That is the great Froebelian revolution. Capacity for freedom is something
which, step by step, must be built up in us. It must represent a progressive and
cumulative achievement carried forward by growth itself. Education in freedom and
by freedom are essential for it, but they are simply means. The end is that education
from within, by the child’s many sided experience and activity continually integrated
into harmonious development, which will carry him into adulthood as fully master of
himself and an autonomous and responsible member of a free society.

Such an educational philosophy is then simply the carrying to completion of the
freely elected common philosophy of freedom which is our most urgent social need.
It no longer depends on any particular set of ultimate metaphysical beliefs (whether
Froebel’s or any other), but provides the fundamental platform on which the most
diverse ultimate beliefs, so long only as they are compatible with tolerance of one
another, can meet. And once we assume the shared value of freedom, we can
confine our concern, if we wish, to the pragmatic minimum of the contrast between
those conditions which will effectively safeguard it and those which, whatever
nominal homage we pay to it, leave it precarious and insecure. At the best, freedom
from coercion and interference in adult life comes, as we have said, too late; after
living through most of our formative period from infancy to adolescence under
conditions of coercion and interference, too few of us come out inwardly capable of
being free.

What is even more fatal perhaps than positive educational impositions from without
is the habitual disregard, in our conventional traditions of upbringing, of the
demands of inward integration and growth; the lack of access to wide ranges of
human experience; the lack of exercise in methods of judgement and decision; the
failure to provide equipment for freedom and choice. Those who have been left
through their plastic period to the fortuitous interplay of coercion and neglect,
disregard, privation and frustration, and every sort of unregulated force within and
without, will be only too apt to emerge at the mercy of every further strong current
they may meet. This is in fact demonstrated by the ease with which even the
external freedom that is one’s adult “birthright” is surrendered or lost under the play
of one or another form of propaganda or mass movement or mob appeal. That is
the soil in which power ideologies or creeds flourish, though in the end they may
destroy even !

most of those who embrace them.

However, the positive conditions of freedom amount to something very much larger
than any mere sum of avoidances of failures or mistakes. And the inspiration to a
philosophy of education for freedom lies for most of us deeper than the mere need
to make our freedom secure in later life, vital though that may be. Both this need
and those deeper demands are perhaps most satisfyingly met by Froebel’s own
fundamental principle: full respect for the integrity and individuality of every child.
That most searching of moralists, Immanual Kant saw the supreme ethical law in the
principle: treat every human being as an end in himself. But most if not all ethics is
pivoted on the so-called “moral subject”, either taken for granted or formally
declared to be the responsible adult. We may, I think, account it Froebel’s greatest
revolution that he extended and deepened and transformed this principle by
insisting that we must treat not merely every adult but every child as an end in
himself!

. And every youngest child, every infant practically from the start. In this way, and
in this way only, respect for the integrity and individuality of every human person
can be built into all relations of adults to him and into the whole planning and
process of education from the outset; and the requisite range of opportunity, the
equipment and the capacity and power for freedom will then be seen as part of the
very birthright of every child.

source: pages 225 – 228 of Friedrich Froebel and English Education edited by Evelyn
Lawrence 1952

site map – info@friedrichfroebel.com

href=’http://globalwarmingcontroversy.com’>Global Warming Controversy

Dwight Eisenhower warned against the United States becoming predominately dependent on military power as a means for its security. The biggest change in American democratic history came about as a result of World War II and the introduction of the nuclear bomb. From the mid 40’s to the early 50’s two different directions became available for our government to choose from.

One direction was for our government to embrace the principles of the newly formed United Nations, which was originally handed all the tools necessary to civilize this world through a system of International Law and Order based on the establishment of an International Bill of Human Rights.

After the devastation of World War II the world came to realize future wars using nuclear weapons could destroy this world and a new system for providing a more peaceful and civilized existence in this world was needed, thus the United Nations was formed.

The other direction governments could take was to pursue military expansionism with nuclear weapons to ensure their defense.

Once one single country pursued this path others were forced to follow and the overall purpose of the United Nations was nullified.

Today the American people have become oppressed slaves to their military power and have been forced to give up their democratic rights and freedoms for their security.

Ben Franklin stated, once you give up your liberty and democratic rights for your security, you deserve neither. The cost the American people have had to pay for their military power is being a constant target always having to defend itself from those who wish not to be militarily dominated by the U.S. government.

The American people and their democracy has been oppressed and dominated by fear as a result of their military power and expansionism.

The United States government is now the most barbaric, brutal, and uncivilized country in the world and has been responsible for more deaths (approximately seven million people killed) then any other country since the mid 1950’s.

The strange thing is the American people act shocked when someone attacks their country (911, the USS Cole, etc) and can’t understand why.

We have been conditioned to believe a strong military is the best way to defend our country, but when that military power jeopardizes our security and safety because our leaders are abusing it for purposes other then to defend our country, we should not be surprised.

Being civilized and living in Peace is the sacrifice we have made for military power.

They say when you live by the sword you die by the sword and we now live totally by the sword.

There was a time when it was patriotic to defend our country and democratic way of life, which was back when our democracy was one that was by the people, for the people, and of the people.

Today, our government is corporate controlled, which means we have sacrificed our democratic rights, freedoms, security, and safety to defend a government, which is by the corporations, for the corporations, and of the corporations.

This was not part of the original deal when our democracy was formed. Nowhere in our Constitution, Declaration of Independence, or Bill of Rights does it mention the American people must yield their democracy to the corporate powers.

The reason our democracy was formed was to be self- governing and get away from totalitarian rule. The first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence states clearly the obligation to preserve our democracy rest squarely with the American people, yet the American people are so oblivious to their democratic responsibilities they have allowed their democracy to fail. A democracy is only as strong as the people who participate in it.

Thomas Jefferson stated; this democracy would only last about two hundred and fifty years before the people must decide to rebuild it or let it revert back to totalitarian rule. We have been at it for two hundred and thirty four years now, with sixteen years left to decide.

If the American people are satisfied with being oppressed by fear as a result of our their military power, which is controlled by a corporate run government then they should do nothing, but they should understand it was they who failed their democracy and they have no one to blame but themselves.

Democratic World Parliament

Welcome to Tanzania – A Peaceful Nation in Africa!

Geography

Did you know- This land is a modern country in East Africa since the 1960s. The United Republic of Tanzania is surrounded to the west by Rwanda (a French-speaking country), Burundi (one of Africa’s smallest states), Zambia (an English-speaking nation), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaire), to the north by Uganda and Kenya (an English-speaking republic), to the east by the Indian Ocean, and the south by Mozambique (a Portuguese-speaking nation), and Malawi (an English-speaking republic). Due to its unique geography, it is one of the most diverse nations in the world, from tropical rainforests, islands, rivers and deserts to mountains, waterfalls, volcanoes and lakes.

Democracy

Did you know- The 31-year of Marxist dictatorship ended in 1992 when Tanzania set up a new Constitution, which established a multi-party system. Then, during the following years, on November 23, 1995, Benjamin William Mkapa became the country’s first democratically elected Head of State. From then onwards, it has held multiparty elections.

Independence

Did you know-This republic –among the first black states on Earth– has been an independent nation for over half century. During the latter half of the 20th century, Tanzania, with Julyus Nyerere as Head of Government, became one of Africa’s first independent countries. In the previous centuries, Tanzania, a little-known nation in the world, was settled by the United Kingdom, Germany, and Portugal. By this time, the country was long known as Tanganyika.

Tanzania & U.S.A

Did you know- Tanzania and Washington have good diplomatic relations. On August 26, 2000, Tanzania was visited by President Bill Clinton.

Ernest Hemingway

Did you know- On the world stage, the United Republic of Tanzania gained fame when America’s author Ernest Hemingway, 1954 Nobel Prize & 1953 Pulitzer Prize, published his famous book “Green Hills of Africa” (“The Snows of Kilimanjaro”) in the mid-1930s.

Tourism

Did you know- The nation’s national parks, tropical rainforests, birdlife, and stunning islands have made Tanzania world-famous as a tourist spot. Like its neighbours Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, this English-speaking country is home to several wildlife sanctuaries and nature refuges, where there are over 80,000 elephants. On the other hand, it is home to the Ol Doinyo Lengal Volcano, Africa’s fourth-highest volcano. In the 21st century, the United Republic of Tanzania continues to exhibit one of Africa’s most important ecological projects.

Economics

Did you know-Agriculture is the mainstay of the nation’s economy. Under this atmosphere, Tanzania is one of East Africa’s leading producers of coffee. However, the economy is based on seven main exports: coffee, cotton, sisal, cloves, cashew nuts, minerals and tobacco.

Multi-sport Events

Did you know- In July 1980, the National Olympic Committee, backed by the Soviet government, sent a huge delegation to Moscow, the home to the 22nd Olympic Games.

Famous Persons

Did you know- This land is home to five notable persons: Tanzania ’s former leader Julyus Nyerere (known as the “conscience of Africa); Jane Goodall, naturalist; Filbert Bayi, a world-class runner in the mid-1970s; Gertrude Mongella, President of the UN Conference on Women in late 1995; and finally Salim Ahmed Salim, one of the most respected international leaders on the continent of Africa.

Ethnic Groups

Did you know- The Sukuma -the country’s largest ethnic group– make up 13 percent of the population. Despite having more than 100 ethnic groups, the African nation has become one of the developing world’s most peaceful countries since the-mid 1990s. Unlike several countries in the world, Tanzania has never had a civil war.

Entertainment

Did you know- This tropical nation made its first international appearance in 2007 when Miss Tanzania Universe, Flavia Matata, placed sixth in the Miss Universe Pageant in the United Mexican States. Miss Matata was one of East Africa’s most beautiful girls in the 2000s.

World Democracy Online