If you are an American who is old enough remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, then you most definitely have an opinion of the Arab world and the religion that is most commonly associated with it, Islam. You may believe that the west is the target of the Arab world. You believe the attacks of 9/11 were a direct result of the teachings in the Quran (Islam's Bible, if you didn't know that please please keep reading). You may believe they hate our freedom. No matter what you believe if you are truly committed to reason or just want to learn more, then Who Speaks for Islam?: What A Billion Muslims Really Think is a must read.
Who Speaks for Islam?, by John L. Esposito and Dalia Mogahed, is an in depth analysis of Islam and its followers and their relationship with the world based on the largest study of its kind, the Gallup World Poll. The reach of the poll is mind blowing as it has surveyed nearly a billion Muslims. "Between 2001 and 2007, Gallup conducted tens of thousands of hour-long, face-to-face interviews with residents of more than 35 nations that are predominantly Muslim or have substantial Muslim populations. The sample represents residents young and old, educated and illiterate, female and male, and from urban and rural settings. With the random sampling method that Gallup used, results are statistically valid within a plus or minus 3-point margin of error. "In totality, we surveyed a sample representing more than 90% of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims, making this the largest, most comprehensive study of contemporary Muslims ever done"(Esposito, Mogahed 2007). In my opinion its safe to say this book is based on the truth.
So what is the truth? Well, unlike the American ethnocentric ideals that pin terrorism on Islam's followers, the truth is actually quite complicated. So much so that terrorism itself takes a back seat to all of the issues that help complete the growing picture of the relationship between Islam and the west. Together John Esposito and Dalia Mogahed use the data collected from the Gallup World Poll to show the real ideals, values, hopes, and beliefs of Islam's following body. The book shatters beliefs and provides heavily supported information on this heated subject. It explains what Islam is and the beliefs that divide its various sects, as well as analyze the roll of women in the many different Islamic societies around the world. To say the least, it is an informative and challenging read that should be read by anyone who speaks on their beliefs of the Muslim world. Who Speaks for Islam?: What A Billion Muslims Really Think holds the solution to America's most pressing international conflict. People must realize that understanding is absolutely necessary before any problems are resolved. In this case wars, unnecessary spending, and constant tension can all be avoided if both parties would make efforts to understand the other on a deeper level; a level much more personal than media images and their extremist representatives. What Muslims Really Think? leaves no doubt of this before the book is even half finished.
About the Authors:
John L. Esposito is a professor of both religion & international affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University. Before his relative fame he attended Catholic seminary and remains a practicing Catholic today. He funded the Georgetown's Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Chirstian Understanding. Esposito has authored more than 35 other books including Unholy War:Terror in the Name of Islam and What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam. He has consulted the U.S. Department of State and is a recipient of the American Academy of Religion: 2
005 Martin E. Marty Award. Despite this he has been attacked and labeled an apologist for militant Islam. Esposito has authored articles in major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and the Washington Post and his co-author's credentials are just as impressive.
Dalia Mogahed has authored article appearing in the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Harvard International Review. Islamic herself she is obviously an advocate for understanding and provided her deep insight as a Senior Analyst and Executive Director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies. She has a master's degree in business administration with a emphasis on strategy from Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at University of Pittsburg. On April 26, 2009 President Barack Obama appointed her to the Advisory Counsil on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships where she currently serves.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Becoming A Hyperbolic Prisoner of the Moment
Thursday night there was a roller coaster of roster movement for the Sacramento Kings, which was mirrored by a similar ebb and flow of emotions of many Kings fans, including me. Far too often fans and pundits alike become prisoners of the moment, unable to take a step back and either let things develop or get a perspective of the big picture. In the process they make vast generalizations and statements of hyperbole (i.e. ‘Player X is the greatest of all-time!’ or ‘We’re doomed!’). On draft night, I too found myself failing to gain perspective and making grandiose, reactionary proclamations.
Merely an hour before the draft, the Kings pulled the trigger on a trade that would send Beno Udrih and their seventh pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for former-King, John Salmons and the Bucks’ 10th pick. The move was perplexing to say the least and left me confused to why the trade was done. Salmons, who is guaranteed $25 million over the next three years, has a worse contract than Udrih who is owed $15 over the next two years (assuming he accepts his player option in 2012). Furthermore, Salmons is widely considered a black hole or a ball stopper on offense, while Udrih had a good veteran presence on the young Kings team as well as arguably one of the best mid-range jumpers in the NBA.
These thoughts and more were running through my head for the hour leading up to the draft, and had me worried as a Kings fan. Things only got worse once the Utah Jazz unexpectedly (for me at least {link to mock draft}) passed on Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight, who I thought was perfect but unattainable for the Kings before the draft, in favor of Turkish big man, Enes Kanter. When the Toronto Raptors, who were expected by many to take a point guard, also passed on Knight, I realized the perfect fit for the Kings would fall past the Washington Wizards (who already have John Wall) to the seventh pick, which the Kings had traded about an hour and a half earlier.
My team had traded for a worse pick and what I believed to be a worse player/contract, a trade that cost them the opportunity to grab their ideal player, or at least who I believed to be their ideal player. I was in full-blown the-sky-is-falling-mode, even calling for Geoff Petrie’s firing on Facebook. I had become an overreacting prisoner of the moment.
I watched the Kings’ selection of Jimmer Fredette, BYU sensation, and then turned off the draft dejected and apathetic. Later, while I was sulking, I was informed that the Kings had selected Tyler Honeycutt, which greatly raised my spirits (as a life-long UCLA fan and soon-to-be Bruin, I am a big fan of Honeycutt). Sacramento also went on to select Washington’s Isiah Thomas, another player I liked for the Kings coming into the draft. I was definitely riding the roller coaster of emotion that comes along with being a passionate fan. This upswing in the night allowed me to take a step back and look at the Kings’ draft night with more perspective and optimism. I still didn’t completely understand the trade (I know they moved Udrih to make room for Fredette, but I think they could’ve done better than Salmons), but when I took a look at the Kings’ draft, I was pretty happy.
Knight could’ve been at seven, but I would’ve been happy with the Kings selecting Fredette if Knight had gone to Utah. Sacramento was 26th in the NBA in 3P% (shooting 33.5%), which Fredette will look to change with his great jumper and career 39.4 3P%. Honeycutt is a player that has a lot of potential and does everything well, especially playing defense. Thomas is a solid player who will challenge Pooh Jeter for playing time and a roster spot. He could bring scoring, distributing (averaged 16.8 ppg and 6.1 apg last season) and a lot of speed off of the bench.
As a sports fan, it’s very easy to fall into the trap of putting too much stock into the present, but as a sports writer one must take a step back and get a wider perspective on things. On draft night I fell into the trap as a Kings fan, but learned a valuable lesson as an aspiring journalist. Hindsight is 20/20, and looking back I can see that the Kings had a good draft, so look out Mavs and Heat, here come the Kings!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Bad Big Businesses Going Good?
Some of America's largest corporations are now pressing Congress for another tax break, allowing them to duck under their usual rate of 35% and move their massive off shore dollars back to the U.S. As is expected the corporations argue economic benefits and say their off shore funds, Apple- $12 billion, Google(grudge from my last article)- $17 billion, and Microsoft- $29 billion, would help "resuscitate the gasping recovery".
These corps. are asking for a 5.25% tax-rate for one year and say the short term could yield billions in tax revenue as the money is coming in. They must have some sort of confidence in their plan,
because they have even gone so far as to promote it as "the next stimulus". According to their reps, their plans would influence the multinational corporations to inject around a trillion dollars or more into the barely surviving economy. Jim Rodgers, the chief of Duke Energy, stated, “For every billion dollars that we invest, that creates 15,000 to 20,000 jobs either directly or indirectly.” So what's wrong and why hasn't this helpful plan been implemented? SHOW US THE MONEY (twisted Jerry Maguire reference, probably a bad one)!!!
Well it may not be as helpful as those big boys on top say it will be. You see, it wasn't that long ago that this was attempted. As a matter of fact it was only back in 2005, under the Bush administration, when a similar tax allowance was...well allowed. According to an article in the NY Times, "Congress and the Bush administration offered companies a similar tax incentive, in 2005, in hopes of spurring domestic hiring and investment, and 800 took advantage"[800 corps.]. Obviously something went wrong and it failed. A study by the nonpartisan National Bureau of Economic Research revealed that the last "stimulus" resulted in $312 billion back into the United States. BUT, yes there is a huge but, and please excuse the pun. A whopping 92% of those tantalizing billions was thrown right back in the fat pockets of the shareholders. "This money comes from overseas operations and in some cases accounting maneuvers that shift domestic profits to low-tax countries. The study concluded that the program “did not increase domestic investment, employment or research and development"(NY Times, June 2011).
So, if history really repeats itself, it isn't looking so good. Take a breathe because it gets worse. In total 60% of the benefits went to just 15% of the largest multinational companies, many of which ended up actually laying off domestic workers. For example, the pharmaceutical giant Merck(i know, the name is kinda ironic if you follow rap lingo at all) cashed in last time the U.S. tried this. Merck brought home $15.9 billion from overseas, which went to "U.S.-based research and development spending, capital investments in U.S. plants, and salaries and wages for the U.S.," according to their spokesman, Steve Campanini. Did it really now Steve???
No. No, it did not. Merck stated they would use the funds to invest in the home land, but as regulatory filings later revealed they actually made cuts to their domestic work force and capital spending in the country(its not over yet). Once their coffers are overflowing you would think the rest would go to what they said it would, but WE THE PEOPLE were wrong again. Unfortunately, we were not the only ones who didn't get their share. While they were shoveling money back to themselves, they were also in the midst of what would become an $8 billion dollar settlement for executive missteps in the past. Add that on top of billions in back taxes owed to the IRS and billions more to various lawsuits filed by consumers of their notorious painkiller Vioxx. Garnish those losses with several hundred millions owed to the Justice Department for accusations of defrauding Medicare and WE are left to fight for the scraps that they ration.
Overall, history should be given more weight in the consideration of this "stimulus". Last time it obviously didn't work, but the problems are known(were they really blind to the problems the first time?). "The tax break, part of the American Jobs Creation Act, lacked safeguards to ensure the companies used the money for investment and job creation in the United States, as Congress intended"(NY Times, June 2011). Its unfortunate that most of those who represent most of the capital in our country also represent most of the greed, selfishness, and moral degradation as well. Bad Big Business must be held to standards that promote the good of the people while inspiring fierce competition to expedite America's progress.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/20/business/20tax.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=google%20tax%20repatriation&st=cse
because they have even gone so far as to promote it as "the next stimulus". According to their reps, their plans would influence the multinational corporations to inject around a trillion dollars or more into the barely surviving economy. Jim Rodgers, the chief of Duke Energy, stated, “For every billion dollars that we invest, that creates 15,000 to 20,000 jobs either directly or indirectly.” So what's wrong and why hasn't this helpful plan been implemented? SHOW US THE MONEY (twisted Jerry Maguire reference, probably a bad one)!!!
Well it may not be as helpful as those big boys on top say it will be. You see, it wasn't that long ago that this was attempted. As a matter of fact it was only back in 2005, under the Bush administration, when a similar tax allowance was...well allowed. According to an article in the NY Times, "Congress and the Bush administration offered companies a similar tax incentive, in 2005, in hopes of spurring domestic hiring and investment, and 800 took advantage"[800 corps.]. Obviously something went wrong and it failed. A study by the nonpartisan National Bureau of Economic Research revealed that the last "stimulus" resulted in $312 billion back into the United States. BUT, yes there is a huge but, and please excuse the pun. A whopping 92% of those tantalizing billions was thrown right back in the fat pockets of the shareholders. "This money comes from overseas operations and in some cases accounting maneuvers that shift domestic profits to low-tax countries. The study concluded that the program “did not increase domestic investment, employment or research and development"(NY Times, June 2011).
No. No, it did not. Merck stated they would use the funds to invest in the home land, but as regulatory filings later revealed they actually made cuts to their domestic work force and capital spending in the country(its not over yet). Once their coffers are overflowing you would think the rest would go to what they said it would, but WE THE PEOPLE were wrong again. Unfortunately, we were not the only ones who didn't get their share. While they were shoveling money back to themselves, they were also in the midst of what would become an $8 billion dollar settlement for executive missteps in the past. Add that on top of billions in back taxes owed to the IRS and billions more to various lawsuits filed by consumers of their notorious painkiller Vioxx. Garnish those losses with several hundred millions owed to the Justice Department for accusations of defrauding Medicare and WE are left to fight for the scraps that they ration.
Overall, history should be given more weight in the consideration of this "stimulus". Last time it obviously didn't work, but the problems are known(were they really blind to the problems the first time?). "The tax break, part of the American Jobs Creation Act, lacked safeguards to ensure the companies used the money for investment and job creation in the United States, as Congress intended"(NY Times, June 2011). Its unfortunate that most of those who represent most of the capital in our country also represent most of the greed, selfishness, and moral degradation as well. Bad Big Business must be held to standards that promote the good of the people while inspiring fierce competition to expedite America's progress.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/20/business/20tax.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=google%20tax%20repatriation&st=cse
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Colonizing Space: The Final Frontier
I embark on this blog to provoke thought from a different perspective. I believe life is all perspective and it is important to modestly and introspectively realize your own. Space programs like NASA are vitally important to the human race. It may be the most important undertaking by intelligent life
witnessed so far. Not only does the program physically and mentally transport us further away from Earth, it brings us closer to understanding who we are. To know we exist as a tiny blue dot endlessly orbiting a gigantic fusion reactor humbles us; we realize how very special this planet is. Our discovery of our insignificance is the very essence of how precious we really are. Commonly thought of as the final frontier, phenomenon like shooting stars, stars, and the sun were previously thought of as the work of some intelligent force, but astronomers soon discovered just how ordered the universe actually is. In fact Cosmos means order. While we may still have a tenuous grasp on the wonders and teachings of the cosmos, humans understand the importance of inquiry; everything we have can be attributed to the Homo Erectus curiously venturing out of Africa some 1.75 million years ago in search of new hunting grounds. The further we move away from our short and fury ancestors to develop our civilization, we slip arrogantly away from the truth that we are still in the adolescence of technology with terrifying capabilities of harnessing the most powerful force known, nuclear. We must learn to live with ourselves before we defend our borders, once we treat the fear behind nation rivalry, wealth disparity, greed, and ego, we may safely remove the threat of destroying ourselves.
I was inspired by the charismatic Carl Sagan when delivering this convoluted message: with the uncertainty that makes life so exciting and beautiful, we run the risk of losing it all if not by our own fault then by some errant asteroid with a lethal collision path. The space program, under proper
guidance and support, can establish a backup colony on some distant territory, under current space travel technology Mars seems the most viable option. This ensures the proliferation of our species should some tragedy occur on Earth. I do not try to sound pessimistic; humans are the greatest creatures that we have ever known to grace the Earth. Presented with a threat to survival I am confident we can overcome it. But I am also not ignorant; history has repeatedly shown its upsets and surprises. To say it will never happen will be to bury our heads in the sand and flip off the dinosaurs simultaneously. I wish only to remain prepared because advent of another colony could take decades to manufacture. Why not have a sturdy backup in case some feisty country with nuclear capabilities 
decides to bring “winter” early. We have a good thing going as intelligent beings. Lets pass on this gift evolution has bestowed on our species, and let future generations develop the unimaginable. I end this post with a quote from Astronaut Edgar Mitchell who recalls his sentiments on life when he stood upon the moon and viewed the Earth from a perspective only the extremely fortunate are honored with, “You develop and instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, 'Look at that, you son of a bitch’”.
Cheers
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Bad Big Business
So, as much as this blog would love to help the less fortunate, we cannot. Thanks to the greed and power of Big Business we cannot do as we said we would and donate. According to google (fuck a capital G)"...promising to raise money for third parties for such behavior or placing images next to individual ads" is not okay.
I understand that businesses need to protect themselves and their investments, but having such restrictive rules on ads that make your own business money (don't quote me on that, but why would they do it unless it didn't?) seems a little much. Why must all of the money be hoarded in the bellies of bloated bank accounts, while kids' are hungry and haven't even learned to read?
Overall this is pretty disappointing. I thought it would be easier to help someone else. Guess we will have to find another way. Sorry to disappoint everyone, but this blog won't have the impact we first thought. Please, if you want, continue to follow/subscribe/read/enjoy our blog and maybe tell a friend. Again, we are sorry for the false hope.
Overall this is pretty disappointing. I thought it would be easier to help someone else. Guess we will have to find another way. Sorry to disappoint everyone, but this blog won't have the impact we first thought. Please, if you want, continue to follow/subscribe/read/enjoy our blog and maybe tell a friend. Again, we are sorry for the false hope.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Joshua Tree Adventure Camping
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| Unnecessary Tents: Alex Voge |
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| JohnJump: Alex Voge |
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Mission Statement?: Hope You're Hungry
Food For Thought seeks to provide subject matter with substance and depth that sparks intrigue and tickles the curiosities of young college students like ourselves.
We are Jeremy Broad and Alex Voge, two college students at Cal State Long Beach who are subtly similar and hugely different. For now we will keep our options open and just stick to writing everything...; but seriously, we want to post about anything that is interesting and not the daily noise. Topics like Lebron James, Weinergate, last weeks South Park, and Obama are all fair game. Through this variety we seek to explore our own opinions as well as the others.
Our views are ours and are a reflection of no one; we only want to express them through interesting subject matter and maybe inspire a little independent curiosity along the way. Whether our posts are mutual or exclusive please know that you, the viewer, are encouraged to voice your own opinion in the comments section. Or you can create your own blog here and we will follow you;)
By: Alex Voge
Our views are ours and are a reflection of no one; we only want to express them through interesting subject matter and maybe inspire a little independent curiosity along the way. Whether our posts are mutual or exclusive please know that you, the viewer, are encouraged to voice your own opinion in the comments section. Or you can create your own blog here and we will follow you;)
By: Alex Voge
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