Google & China

Well, I just got motivated to get really political. Not in the red and blue sense (shortly my friends), but in the need to loudly speak out in what is going on with the Chinese government.

First, read the official Google's Blog statement about current events: New Approach to China

Next, listen to me. :)

I commend Google on their approach and position to this situation. The Chinese government is traveling down a path that is not sustainable in so many different ways. From the environment, over population, food shortages, to this obviously obscene act to control the minds of their citizens. It is one thing when the control is occurring in China, and another when they try to bring that controlling hand - through deceptive means outside of their own borders. Well I guess America does it militarily. protecting energy rights; China thorough the internet, controlling speech and the minds of 1.3 billion people. My largest problem is that it is not a hackers, or group of hackers, or some small anarchist movement; but it is the Chinese government hacking into some of the largest American companies in hope to secure intellectual property. Their mission is one of economic war, because the only way the ruling party will stay in power is if the continue a 9% growth rate per year. Having to fight opposing views. Otherwise, with no increased opportunity, China's citizens will begin to speak of democratic views. Demanding rights. Demanding more freedom. Demanding... voice.

I believe every person on this planet has an inherent right of speech, no matter where they are born. The right to breath, the right to eat, the right to drink and the right to speak.

Yéle Haiti & the Earthquake

Haiti - Outside of the earthquake that just devastated the region, Haiti is real need for help. It is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and is right in our backyard. An estimated 50,000 people have died so far, the entire nations infrastructure is in ruins. We can't land a full sized military cargo plan on their capitals runway to provide aid because it is too short. Haiti is in a trying time.

The short story that sums up Haiti problems is this:
Poverty is the source. Haitian citizens have deforested their country past the point of natural regrowth. Cutting down millions of trees over the past few years has caused serious issue in regards to the health of the topsoil in the region. Flooding is constant issue as is the lack of high crop yields. The citizens cut down these tree because any other heating/cooking method is too expensive. One cuts a tree to cook for their family. A million people follow suit. All the sudden there is no forest, no soil, no food. Now they have to rely on imports, very expensive. Mud cakes are routinely sold on the streets for food to the poor. They provide some mineral nourishment, but mostly help suffice the burn of appetite. Wyclef John born and raised in Haiti has been and is probably the most influential person in the country, supporting sustainable growth, replanting forest, offering monetary aid to the nation.

Yéle Haiti is a grassroots movement that builds global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment. Yéle’s community service programs include food distribution and mobilizing emergency relief. Grammy-Award winning musician, humanitarian and Goodwill Ambassador to Haiti Wyclef Jean founded Yéle Haiti in 2005. For more information please go to www.yele.org

I invite you to assist Yéle Haiti as they begin to mobilize medical and emergency supplies for Haiti. You can donate via their website at www.yele.org or text “yele” to 501501 to donate $5 to the Yéle Haiti Earthquake Fund.