Read the articles a)"Fight for the Top of the World" : http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1663445,00.htmland b)"CIA Expands it's Inquiry into Interrogation Tactics":http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E3DC1F3EF93AA1575BC0A9629C8B63
Both articles make allusions to topics we've recently covered in class. Article A discusses the colonization of the Arctic and clearly relates to the scramble for colonial territories in the Americas that occurred during the 15th-17th centuries. Perhaps more controversial is the position that harsh interrogation tactics toward suspected terrorists as described in article B can be likened to the persecution of suspected witches in the New England colonies in the 17th century (collectively referred to as the Salem Witch Trials.)
Consider our recent study of culture and poltics in pre-revolutionary colonial North America. Reflect on the relationship between these current events articles and your study of history. When is the use of colonial power and harsh interrogation tactics justified? Is history destined to repeat itself?Sound off E Block!
You may reflect on one or both of the articles assigned. Remember to respond to the question as well as the comments of at least one other classmate. Your response should be at least 200 words.
Image: "The Snow Queen", Hans Christian Anderson, 1844.
25 comments:
Teresa Konopka
Even though malevolence occurs, it is not justified. Of course, there are some that make up excuses for cruelty, abuse of power, and harsh interrogation, but, in the end, it is plainly malign.
In “C.I.A. Expands Its Inquiry Into Interrogation Tactics” by Douglas Jehl and David Johnston, torture is discussed. Basically, after September 11, the C.I.A. began to use cruel and unusual punishment on supposed terrorists. The article talks of torture after the attacks on the World Trade Center, but torture before that event could have taken place. The cruelties were tossed aside as measures of safety. Some accused terrorists were killed, drowned, and beat ferociously for charges they may or may not have been guilty of. This relates to when colonists, especially Columbus acted cruelly to natives. The C.I.A. tortures supposed terrorists for terrorist information, while Columbus tortured natives for whereabouts of gold.
In “Fight for the Top of the World” by James Graff, the polar ice caps are written about. Canada, Russia, and Denmark all want to own claims to the melting ice, while the United States believes the ice should be open to all nations as a trade route. Audaciously, the Russians went ahead and planted their own national flag on the ice. The polar ice caps were not desirable when they were larger. However, due to melting, the ice is becoming smaller and smaller, leaving coveted land exposed. This relates to history, specifically Manifest Destiny. In colonial times, the Americas were sought after by many countries (England, France, Spain, Portugal and Russia, among others). The colonists did not care that Native Americans would be disadvantaged, as Russia, Canada and Denmark do not care that commercial polar ice caps could damage polar bears’ lives.
Whether or not history will repeat itself is still unknown. However, as the articles show, the fear of terror and the obsession with gain will most likely never cease.
Teresa Konopka
*There are no posts for me to comment on. :(
Elizabeth Che - Block E
October 2, 2007
Based on the article “C.I.A. Expands Its Inquiry Into Interrogation Tactics” by Douglas Jehl and David Johnston the use of colonial power and harsh interrogation tactics is accordingly justified when it is to protect the country and citizens from dangerous situations. However, even though it is for the protection of the citizens of the nation, the ones who are accused for being enemies may not be so. Such events occurred throughout history, repeating itself in different time periods and some are as follows: the early colonist’s treatments toward the Natives, the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism, “innocents” were put to trial and punished without a proper defense and treatment.
In the case of the Natives, the colonists mostly used violence to obtain the land, riches and slaves from the Indians. Although the colonists were somewhat peaceful at first, greed and fear changed their views as tense situations led to pointless bloodshed. The Indians who were already lacking the advanced technology the Europeans had, were unable to defend themselves. Thus, resulting in one-sided battles similar to bullying. During the Salem Witch Trials, standard colonists were accused to be witches out of superstitious views and hatred. The tests used to prove someone guilty for witchcraft was unjust and cruel causing any outcome to claim the accused as a witch.
Similarly, McCarthyism was the use of governmental power to exterminate communists from the United States as well as the opponents who stood against McCarthy’s way. Even if the accused was innocent, the trial caused them to loose their jobs and means of living. Amendments were ignored and the rights of the individual were taken away. Even during modern times, the interrogation methods and treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay were similar to those of previous examples. As the article states, “The C.I.A. has already scaled back some coercive methods used against detainees, although officials would not discuss specific techniques” (Jehl and Johnston 2). Thus, it seems obvious that the use of “coercive methods” was active. As Teresa mentioned in her post, cruel punishments were used against the detainees causing the victim to suffer both mental and physical torture which at times led to death.
Although the protection of the citizens is needed in order for survival, the use of harsh interrogation tactics is not justified unless the accused is actually guilty. It is unjust for “innocent” beings to suffer due to other’s mistakes especially when their lives are at steak. Even in early times, the strong would bully the weak and such processes are destined repeat itself throughout history as long as humans don’t learn from their mistakes.
Meanwhile, “Fight for the Top of the World” by James Graff, basically tells of the claims for land in the Arctic by many European countries. This situation is similar to the early expeditions to the New World by explorers to claim land for their sponsored country. However, “under the provisions of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a country that has exclusive economic rights to the sea’s resources within 200 nautical miles (230 miles, 370km) of its coast” (Graff 3). This then leads to a faster rush for land as countries battle it out to prove how far their territory stretches. As Teresa also mentions, human interference with the Arctic will only cause damage to nature and wildlife. There are limits to how much greed can be allowed and with unrespectable attitudes towards the land and it’s inhabitants, the consequences don’t seem to be too friendly.
Ian Murphy
AP US History
Block H
There have been times of great conflict in US history, ranging from war and persecution to territorial disputes. It appears that conflicts such as these are some of what make America what it is now and, as such, are bound to occur multiple times as time goes on. Based on evidence provided by current events, a recent article of the “New York Times” titled “C.I.A. Expands Its Inquiry Into Interrogation Tactics” establishes that, when questioning individuals suspected of being affiliated with terrorism, the CIA have been using extreme, perhaps inhumane interrogation methods on individuals suspected of being affiliated with Al Qaeda. Although very few methods have been confirmed to be true, those that are known include “waterboarding,” the method of dunking and nearly drowning detainees underwater. This method is made even more controversial by the fact that, even though the detainees are only suspects, they are treated as if they are truly Al Qaeda terrorists with valuable information. This event is not unlike the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th Century. During this time, people were highly superstitious of black magic, believing them to be omens of evil. In response, people accused of using witchcraft were hanged if they could not provide enough efficient evidence to contradict accusation. It is in human nature to fear the things we do not entirely understand, and it is that fear that often prevents us from doing what is right or composed. Putting this into consideration, and comparing the Salem Witch Trials to terrorist interrogation today, it seemed inevitable that an event in which fear leads to injustice would repeat itself, and that it would all too likely occur again in the future.
I am really impressed with the rich analytical work here, APUS!
Ian and Theresa make a really interesting point by saying that fear often leads to injustice in society. I'm wondering if all of you agree that the root of injustice is fear, and if so, does that make injustice sometimes justifiable?
I'm wondering if all of you feel the arctic should be colonized and if not, what should be done with the newly emerging resources in the polar regions?
Justin Lefkowitz
AP US History
H Block
Many people often say that history is always repeating itself. This is one belief that many think is true, but in my eyes, if it was true, the New York Yankees would have won another World Series by now.
There are definitely some points that people agree with this point can bring up and many people will side with them just as long as they could back up there information with facts. Many of these people say, “Look at the War in Iraq. Didn’t we have one of those, already? The same thing goes along with global warming. Didn’t we have an ice age?” The truth is we have one about every 40,000-to 100,000 years. That is just the cycle of the planet and war is a natural way of expressing the violence of human beings.
Yes, this does mean that history repeats itself but that is a weather pattern and an expression of hate.
The article “Fight For the Top of the World” is a very interesting article. This article, by James Graff, talks about the soon to be “Scramble for Antarctica” in the year 2041. The author of this article and many people feel that Antarctica is a place where people will be fighting for land. In my honest opinion, I think that nobody really wants the land of Antarctica. The only reason why some countries are showing interest in this continent is to show their dominance over other countries. The land of Antarctica is almost impossible to settle on anyways. The climate is too harsh to get anything accomplished there. So why would a country want to settle there? It just makes no sense!
Now go ahead and ask me the question, “Is history destined to repeat itself?” The only answer that I could possibly think of is that it depends on what you are talking about. It is sunny usually at least one day every week. Does that mean history is repeating itself? If somebody is talking about the “Scramble for Antarctica” and they are saying how it happened already; they are wrong. “The Scramble for Antarctica” never happened, but the “Scramble for the Americas and Africa” did happen and as a result, many conflicts were created. If history were in fact destined to repeat itself, explorers from England, Spain, Portugal, France, and the Netherlands would come here, try to kill us all and in the process take our land. Until this happens, I will not be a believer in this saying. As Ian said in his blog, “Conflicts such as these…are bound to occur multiple times as time goes on.” Now, until one of these events happens in almost its entirety, then history is not destined to repeat itself.
Heather Alexis Vale
October 4th, 2007
H Block
First off, I would love to point out that the Yankees are too caught up in their egotistical selves to even plan on repeating history, nonetheless win another world series.
On that note, the possibility of ‘history repeating itself’ is very high, yet is a vague expression we all tend to use in order to compare what once happened in the past. Based on the article in the New York Times, “Fight for the Top of the World” by James Graff, the scramble for Arctic land has already begun. Similar to the English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Dutch during the 17th Century in the New World, current countries are struggling to purchase the Arctic land they desire. Perhaps they feel if they purchase such lands, that they will progress in the future to become a more powerful and dominant country. The world has always seemed to partner the amount of land owned to the amount of power a person held. The more land, the more money, the more pride and the more power. So it comes as no surprise to hear that countries are currently using strategies and mind-power to purchase land from the earth’s last greatest uncharted region.
While I was reading the article, I couldn’t believe how other stories I have learned in history class sounded so similar to the article I was reading. For example, the Scramble for Africa and the Scramble in America clearly demonstrates the importance of imperialism and colonization in the past. Without those scrambles, the world would have been a totally different place. The question always rings in the back of my mind as to where we would be without the early developments of colonies in America. The Arctic land is another piece of land that is sought by every single country in the world to gain power and influence. Now that I think about it, that’s what this issue all comes down to. Every country wants to be the best, and in doing so the country must be influential and prevailing towards other countries. Overall, this issue basically comes down to the amount of land a country owns, as more land offers more people to control. It seems as if the world has grown to become such a controlling place that history cannot help but repeat itself.
However, one can only wonder of what is to happen once countries claim their land in the Arctic. Will a new war outbreak in the midst of clashing cultures? Will countries find more reasons to disagree with each other? How will this fresh land affect our world? It’s scary to understand that the world we live in is controlled by the people. We are the people, and our future depends in our hands. If history is destined to repeat itself, I sure hope we are prepared for the unexpected.
Sarah Berfond
Block H
The exploitation of uncharted lands has driven exploration by civilized society since the days of the hunter gatherer. The article concerning the disputed claims to natural resources in the arctic is proof that the ancient instinct to accumulate wealth continues today. As a result of global warming, the polar ice cap is gradually melting. The increase in temperature has resulted in the opening up of the Northwest Passage as trading route. In addition, the temperate weather will allow exploration of the arctic for gas, oil and other resources. The phenomenon reminds me of the Berengia land bridge which was exposed during the ice age. The land bridge allowed nomads to travel from Asia to North America. In a reverse scenario global warming has allowed countries to use the arctic for human occupation. It appears that history is repeating itself.
In the second article, the interrogation tactics used by Americans against terrorists and Iraqis went too far and were cruel and unusual. There are allegations that the CIA tortured terrorists that were captured after September 11. They were trying to get information to prevent future terrorist attacks. Many people argued that the methods used were justified because of the dangers the US faced. Once again history could have prevented this type of abuse. Columbus tortured and killed natives of the Caribbean in order to control the population. The technique backfired and he was forced to leave. History is once again repeating itself.
Response to Heather's comment- I agree with your analysis of the situation in the arctic. However I think we have to look to the UN to find an answer. Either all countries have to share the wealth of the Antarctic of the land should be preserved for future generations.
Ashley Fishkis
4 October 2007
“History repeating itself” is a phrase commonly used when it seems we are all having historical déjà vu. Events occur that we have seen happen before, but in a totally different context. Article B, C.I.A Expands in its Inquiry into Interrogation Tactics, from the New York Times, we see the similarities between the torture of suspected witches during the Salem Witch Trials and the prisoners taken by the C.I.A. for questioning. During the Salem Witch Trials, many people who were supposedly “witches” were taken under the custody of the Salem, Massachusetts government, and tortured until they confessed crimes they did not do. Innocent people were being put to trial based on some rumours that were being spread around the colony, and it highly relates to how the U.S. government treated all Muslims after 9/11. They targeted anyone who was Muslim, interrogating them as if they had done something wrong just by being part of the culture that the hijackers were part of. They kept innocent people from getting on flights, only so they could be checked for weapons which they did not possess. Some of the “interrogations” used on the “suspects” were similar to those used on the “witches” in Salem. They were mentally and physically tortured until they confessed to crimes they did not commit. In Guantanamo Bay, it’s the same story as with the Muslims and the “witches.” Innocent people are being tortured and held against their will, only to find out they are being held for false crimes, stereotypes, and rumours.
I agree with Elizabeth's referral to McCarthy-ism, where they stomp out anyone who doesn't have the same political views, such as McCarthy did with the communists.
Throughout history, similar events echo over and over. Coming first to mind, during the colozination of the New World Europeans swarmmed the uncolonized land to claim it their own. Later again, the Europeans, once more, threw themselves at Africa. And now today not necessarily the Europeans but other countries throw themselves at the Arctic Cirlce where the ice caps are melting unvealing land. These more known events just show how thirsty the human race really can be. History does and will repeat itself. Just because our generation and the colonists are almost 400years apart doesn't change us one bit. We may be more technologically advanced than they are, we may be smarter, but that will never change anything about the way a human thinks. Survival of the fitest. Ever heard of it? Well yeah, it is used to call you a punk when you aren't doing to well. But what this quote really is is an excuse to take over, use someone, destroy something that isn't as good or as strong as you. Teresa is right about the "excuses for cruelty" because all the horrible historical events that ever happend were a big excuse. During WWII Hitler, out of the blue, decided that the Jews were "unworthy" of life. His excuse fooled enough people to let him kill six million Jews. Genocide after genocide happens without anyone doing anything to stop it. Everday people die because of another "excuse." Everyday conflict is one big "excuse." Scolling through the blog I found another good point I could blog about. Justin is a huge Yankees fan. He believes that the only team to win the World Series are the Yankees. Just because the Yankees won the most Rings in the history of baseball some fans thinks they can overpower anyone who is a non-Yankee fan. Bragging over something that happened in the past never helps. The world doesn't revolve around the Yankees. Seeing nothing wrong with being a Yankees fan I just wanted to point out that some think that the Yankees are the best, but yet they haven't won a World Series in a good 7years. When I look at some die-hard Yankee fans they remind me the United States of America and anybody who overpowered somebody in their lifetime. The United States thinks that the world revolves around them. This is why many hate the United States and many hate the United States. Usually the Met fans hate the Yankee fans the most. =]
Liana Inzerillo
The scramble for the Arctic emulates the Scramble for Africa in more ways than I can describe. Antarctica is one of the world’s greatest unexploited resources. Unfortunately, I’m led to believe that it won’t remain this way for a long time due to many countries attempts to claim the land for themselves. “Russia is at the thick of the new game. In an expedition that lacked nothing in patriotic bluster, a Russian-led team descended to the seabed on Aug. 2 and planted a titanium Russian flag directly on the North Pole. In early September, Russian bombers launched cruise missiles during Arctic exercises. But it isn't only the Russians who are staking their claims. On Aug. 10, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper flew to Resolute, a hamlet of 250 souls on Cornwallis Island in the northern territory of Nunavut, and announced plans for an Arctic military training facility and a refurbished deep-water port on the Northwest Passage. Then Danish scientists set sail on an expedition to map the seabed north of Greenland, a Danish dependency, and — not to be outdone — the U.S. Coast Guard dispatched the cutter Healy on a similar mission north of Alaska. The flurry of activity has prompted the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to schedule hearings this month to push for U.S. ratification of the international treaty on the Law of the Sea, which came into force in 1994. Ratification of the treaty has long been opposed by conservatives, who consider it a shackle on U.S. sovereignty, but it now has the support of the Bush Administration, largely because its terms would allow Washington to weigh in with its own claims in northern waters.” (Graff)
It worries me that these countries are ignoring the sensitive ecosystem that Antarctica holds. The cap is melting, and more and more countries are hauling troops and experimenting in Northern Waters. This land belongs to nobody. The land belongs to nature, and needs to be respected. We can’t use melting glaciers to produce oil reserves. All that really does is deplete resources, and quicken the rapid pace of Global Warming.
This is almost exactly similar to how the Colonists exploited America’s resources. The Native American’s respected the land and used it in a way that didn’t abuse the land. When the colonists came, they immediately cut down massive amounts of trees to create forts. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, CO2 emissions have reached all time heights.
It is completely up to us alone to see to the fact that our environment is treated with the same respect that Native American's bestowed upon it.
In James Graff’s Fight for the Top of the World, it’s almost scary how similar the fight to claim land in the Arctic in 2041 will really be. Thanks to global warming and the rapidly melting ice caps, new lands are being made available. As we’ve learned in AP US History class, new land equals hot, new opportunities for trade, colonization, and the development of a whole new society. As Justin said, it seems like history is bound to repeat itself, and Graff’s article simply gives yet another example of how so. The way the countries of today’s world see the melting ice caps and the land which is being freed up is the same as how the Europeans viewed the newly discovered America. One difference is that there is a lack of indigenous people. This could perhaps be a good thing because now there won’t be much reason for bloodshed in the scramble to place grabs on the land. Nobody will be pushed out of their homeland or forced into some sort of slavery because nobody lives there as of now. Unlike the colonization of America, where the Native Americans were pushed out, killed, or enslaved. Like America did, the Artic provides anyone who lays claims with natural resources. The melting of the ice caps will also open up trade routes, making trade easier and opening up new trade opportunities. There will definitely be some head butting in this race to lay claims, as there was in the scramble for colonizing America, but hopefully everyone will be a little more civilized and do it in an orderly manner.
Throughout our study of American history, many groups of people have fought over land. In the Time Magazine article, “Fight for the Top of the World” by James Graff, it is apparent that this fighting hasn’t ended. Heather and Sarah brought up good examples of history repeating itself. Global warming has begun to melt the polar ice caps. As a result, the Northwest Passage has been opened up as trading route. This can be compared to the Bering land bridge which connected modern day Alaska and eastern Siberia at various times during the Pleistocene Ice Ages. This land bridge land bridge allowed people to migrate to North America from Asia. Similarly, today competition for the Artic land has already intensified. This fight for the arctic land can be compared the English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Dutch struggle for land during the 17th Century in the New World and the Scramble for Africa.
In the New York Times article, “C.I.A. Expands Its Inquiry Into Interrogation Tactics” America used questionable interrogation tactics against Iraqis. This is yet another example of history repeating itself. America unrightfully tortured the Iraqis, which rings a bell. In the past, Columbus tortured the Indians. It obviously didn’t work well in the past, since he killed many of them. Although the situations are a little different, Columbus had no reason to torture the Natives who were living in America just fine before he came along. Everyone says we have to learn about the future before we can change the past, and there are many things that definitely should change.
Ashley Aydin - Block H
Throughout most of history, countless minority groups and marginal pupils have been put down and oppressed against. History, therefore, repeats itself considering the fact that our world has always been familiar with the coexistence of the negative and positive. Harsh interrogation tactics, a phenomenon that has only caught public attention recently, subsisted for many years. Linking the modern day to the 17th century, occurrences such as torture, brainwashing, and humiliation were widely distributed and used by supreme officials. The New York Times article “C.I.A. Expands Its Inquiry Into Interrogation Tactics” by Douglas Jehl and David Johnston touches on the deepest, most divisive aspects of the examination practice. “The C.I.A. has already scaled back some coercive methods used against detainees, although officials would not discuss specific techniques.” Considering a country with grand prominence and status, many wonder why the whole would sink to such a level. Jehl and Johnston express the true obscurity of interrogation in the state, while highlighting the idea that such malicious, brutal methods of obtaining information and resources has forever been used. Can this relate to the Salem witch trials during the 1600s?
The Salem witch trials, persecuting a mass of guiltless sufferers, relates to the callous aims of the U.S. government. During the witch trials, if a complaint was deemed credible by anyone inhabiting the area, the supposed “witch” was then arrested and brought in for a public inspection. After, courts would interrogate the suspects, ultimately using force and press to urge the accused to confess. If the judge(s) weren’t satisfied, death or torture was obligatory. Unquestionably, fairness and value were not seen to be fundamental virtues at the time.
Another notable, yet overlooked, event of humiliation and grilling was King Phillip’s War in 1660. King Phillip, historically friendly with the English colonists, became fed up with the settlers’ demands and needs. Once King Phillip’s opposition became clear, the English struck with full force, demanding and making certain that various tribes surrendered their weapons. When the English suspected that the natives had not surrendered their weapons, they prepared for war. Inwardly seethed over the humiliation, King Phillip carried on with what was left of his influence.
With many reasons behind unfair prosecutions and events of discrimination, the accomplishments of justice and equality appear unreal. Is it right to strip beings from everything they believed in just to make them conform to standards? History, incessantly repeating itself, is almost similar to the cycle of life. Every individual experiences related events, no matter how aged they are. Therefore, with chronological evidence and proof that vindictive action did occur throughout the colonial times, it comes to no surprise that the United States is once again struggling through circumstances that have existed before.
* I agree with Ashley Fishkis’s view on how the C.I.A. interrogations can hardly be justified. If the individual is innocent, who will take the blame? Also, she mentioned that Muslims and/or factions of pupils associated with the faith are often looked down upon. Frankly, there subsists terrorism within our nation’s borders that have been committed by citizens themselves. Why are these not addressed? Security, sure to be intensifying as time proceeds, is limiting uniqueness.
After reading Douglas Jehl's and David Johnston's " C.I.A. Expands It's Inquiry Into Interrogation Tactics," I have reached two conclusions. Number one is that both men are in denial. Number two is that History is not going to repeat itself.
The difference between the Salem Witch Trials and the Interrogation for these terrorists is the Salem Witch Trials were for religious persecution. Many people were innocent and accused of witchcraft because the Puritans lived in a society where religion was their creed. If someone else had their own relgious views, then they were considered to be a witch.
Anne Hutchinson, interrogated by John Winthrop was banished from Boston because she viewed religion in a way different from colonial standards. Although she wasn't labeled a "witch" she was prosecuted for religious reasons.
However, when it comes to the interrogation of these terrorits, these terrorists are being trialed for the crimes they've committed.
Unlike the people during the Salem Witch Trials, none of these terrorists are innocent.
Anam Baig
Block H
Just when I thought the world couldn't get any weirder, someone comes up with the term "Scramble for Antarctica." Fight for the Top of the World by James Graff explains how the exploitation of the Antarctic has begun. The world always jumps at the chance to make more money, no matter the situation. As the polar ice caps melt, the water level rises, which could potentially cause mass destruction in the world. Heavily populated areas can become flooded, leaving millions homeless. Hundreds of species of wildlife, like the polar bears and penguins, could be wiped off the face of the Earth. And what do we human beings think about? Money.
This situation is similar to the colonization of the Americas. European nations rushed to claim land in the Americas to add on to their economy and expand their territory. The fact that no nation considered that the Americas were already occupied is maddening. But the prospect of gold and slaves was enough to drive any nation to madness. Land and the Natives were exploited for gold and forced labor. Millions of Natives were killed to make way for the prosperity of the European nations. This attitude has been repeated since the beginning of time. Wealth and power blinds human beings, manipulates them into committing atrocities, and makes them turn a deaf ear to the real issues.
CIA Expands Its Inquiry Into Interrogation Tactics by Douglas Jehl and David Johnston talks about how the US has been torturing suspected terrorists unlawfully in secret facilities stationed around the world. Whether or not the prisoners are actually terrorists is a subject to debate, but the fact of the matter is, these people are held against their will for charges that lack evidence, and are denied their rights as individuals. The article states that officials of the CIA justify this torture as a way to save American lives.
The Salem Witch Trials were conducted to weed out the so called witches in the New England colonies during the 17th century. The accused were subject to harsh interrogations and imprisonment. This situation is similar to today because there was not much substantial evidence linking the accused to their crime. Many women and some men were hung or burned because they were supposedly in cahoots with the devil. The deaths of these people were unjustified because there was not enough evidence to prove their guilt and most accused were victims of contempt and malice.
History has a habit of repeating itself. Even though the Yankees have not won the World Series in a while, things like Global Warming and war have been reoccurring events throughout time. Global warming is Mother Nature’s way of saying how much she hates human beings, and war is a human being’s way of saying how much he hates his own race. If one does not learn from its past, he is doomed to repeat it.
Anam Baig
Block H
Short response to Teresa
I agree with what you said about the fear of terror and obsession with gain. The human race is cursed with these two traits as long as the world keeps spinning. From fear spurs hatred, and from greediness comes corruption. If human beings continue to act this way, history will repeat itself.
Margaret Scalesci
10-4-07
Block- H
Harsh interrogation tactics can only be justified with a sound and probable reason, which many interrogations do no have to back them up. It is an American right according to the Constitution, which wasn’t made until after the Salem Witch Trials and the colonial times, so it doesn’t apply to those times. This should never happen again, right? Wrong. A good example of harsh interrogations would be McCarthyism, who put people under severe questioning, some of whom were innocent. Since he thought that there were many Communists in hiding he decided that he had to search for them. Also, McCarthyism is much like the Salem Witch Trials in the fact that people accused other people, sometimes because they just didn’t like them. These accusations were taken very seriously and bad things may have happened to the accused because of a lie. According to “C.I.A. Expands Its Inquiry Into Interrogation Tactics” by Douglas Jehl and David Johnston, history is repeating itself. Even today this is happening and Jehl and Johnston state that these cruel and callous ways of questioning people are still being used when they shouldn’t. In most cases the harsh interrogations can not be justified because they have been so wrongly used so many times.
During the 15th -17th centuries Europeans stampeded and scrambled for the New World because it was a new opportunity for them to strengthen their countries. Many wars have been conjured up because the countries wanted these lands and they wouldn’t stop until they were satisfied with what they had. They were never satisfied and many people were killed in the process of obtaining mere land. The Scramble for Africa was much like this because the European countries raced to obtain even more land which to them would equal more power. According to “Fight for the Top of the World” by James Graff, this is happening once again. In both articles and topics history has repeated itself many times and probably will still keep repeating itself for years to come.
Short Response to Rachael
I agree with you, this scramble is so similar the colonial race for the New World, except for the fact that there aren’t any native people living on the Arctic lands. Also, that the land brings a new opportunity for power because the more land a country has makes them feel more powerful. And we can thank Global warming for this new race.
Sam Murphy
History repeating itself is a natural occurance in a world that is as far from natural as anything can be. As many people said already, the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthy-like politics are being seen again today, and it is becomingmore and more apparant that humankind's way of dealing with danger is to instantly revert to the primal 'every man for himself' mentality. The CIA torturing 'terrorists' is really no different than the early Americans toturing witches and the US Government torturing 'Communists' in the mid-20th century. All of the torturees in these cases, were forign beings, and by the genes that make us human's reasoning, forign beings can mean only danger. In the Xenophobic way in which the human mind works, it is no surprise that the history is going to repeat itself in the case of over-self-protection. "The Fight for the Top of the World" is also a reversion to a human being's primal code in that it refrences 'the Selfish Gene' which dictates that whatever human want, unlike other animals, they will take at any risk, in this case the polar ice cap. Both of these ieas have been seen many times over in the history of Mankind, and unless we defy our genetic programming, the very thing that makes us human, they will continue forever into the future.
History often repeats itself as one never realizes that the same mistakes are usually the fall down of a nation. As for article A, the Artic is perhaps targeted the most because of the resources that are strikingly desired today in the economic system. Each nation wants to stick it hands in the jar and claim with ludicrous evidence that shows their justification of their actions. As Canada, Russia and Denmark each claimed that the Artic is theirs, the solution of all nations using the Artic as a trade route seemed absurd to the opposing parties since no one likes to really share when it comes to something they desire. This relates to the colonial era of America in the making because many countries during that period wanted to control a part in America and claim that section as their own. Eventually many countries wanted to control the parts of other countries and decided to invade and take over the land. Such as the British did to the Dutch’s land called New Netherlands now called New York.
Often times the establishment of an area or the temptation of profitable resources causes the desirers to want to claim that land. In the colonial era of America, settlers came to America and invaded the lands of the Natives because of the opportunities, resources, and goals that seemed to glow in America. However; the sacrifice is often death to another race just to get ahead in life. Just as the opposing parties today sacrifices the polar bears which would eventually disrupt the food chain since other animals depend on the polar bears.
The art of history repeating itself is perhaps humorous since the same mistakes and the same consequences are recurring over again. It is like a cycle but in different situations all repeating the same pattern and the lesson is never learned. In Article B, “C.I.A. Expands Its Inquiry Into Interrogation Tactics” by Douglas Jehl and David Johnston approaches the level of a change in the CIA. The aggressive approach came about after the 9/11 incident. The extreme tactics are rater disturbing since the CIA believes that there is a justification on why they are using these tactics. It seems that the CIA abuses its powers in away where they are frightening theses people by believing that they are going to die. This is torture and is unjust and hypocritical when we were same people critiquing Hitler’s torture treatment. Even today in our legal system, people sent to death are given choices on how they would want die; America adopted one of Hitler’s lethal injections which perhaps is a painful slow death.
Who are the CIA and the government to judge or torture another human being when we were same people promoting non-violence and pro-democracy for the people. We are not giving these people a fair trial or penalizing the torturers for abusing their powers and humiliating these people by practicing sick yearning.
We celebrate the holiday of Christopher Columbus, man who practiced and tortured the Native Americans, like the CIA tortured the alleged terrorist. Even those who perhaps had noting to do with the attacks are prosecuted and suffering from the same attacks.
Dominique D. Johnson
As Sam suggested the attacks that the CIA is practicing on the alleged terrorist is no different then the early Americans torturing witches and the US Government torturing 'Communists' in the mid-20th century. This act of torturing will continued to repeat itself in the future since every time there is a conflict/ attack, the opposing party often feels threatened. By torturing these human beings is ways to build up their power rather feel threatened.
Jeremy Smith
Is history destined to repeat itself? Apparently, some may say that this question is true, and others say false. However, my view on this is that it is true, not by these articles itself, but also that of last year's passing of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 by President George W. Bush. This law made it possible to allow the president to decide whether or not a citizen was a "terrorist". Ever since September 11th, 2001, citizens who fit the "appearance or characteristics" of a terrorist would be interrogated and interned into Guantanamo(sp?) Bay. This also limited the power of the judiciary branch in the U.S.'s main government. Leaning back to the question, history does repeat itself. The democracy of Rome later faltered from a triumverate of power to a central form of power, Caesar. A terrorist attack subsequently altered Rome's government, quite like today's.
Much like the Cold War, "The Fight for the Top of the World" by James Graff shows how the super powers of the world fight against and for the current state of the North Pole. "Global warming" and greenhouse gases are decreasing the amount of land and the main ice cap, in which eventually, water could flood the earth. While this may be the case for fighting over land, this may be similar to the Cold War status in which Communism and Capitalism were both spreading throughout Europe, much so that the Ice cap is melting, and further land is spread out.
Response to Lefty: I agree with you, to the fact that even if a land is spacing out and melting, why would someone want to live there? Even within the approximate ten years that Al Gore gives us, would we even have a shot to save the ice cap with stopping greenhouse gases and global warming? Or would we be continuously obnoxious towards what happens to the world?
History is never linear. Like most other things in this world, it's cyclical, always repeating. History is not "destined" to repeat itself; It DOES repeat itself!
In these specific cases, the comparisons between colonizing the Artic and colonizing the Americans, and hard interrogation tactics used against suspected witches and suspected terrorists, neither are ever justified.
The need and desire for more land, more wealth, more power is so prevalent throughout human history that many would say it's simply human nature. Though I disagree with this, it is obvious that a majority of the human population fail to see the horror in colonization. For one thing, land is never avaliable for the taking. Even "empty" continents such as the Americas had indigenous people who lived off the land. The "empty" Artic has a fragile ecosystem that can be wiped out as easily as the hundreds of thousands of Native Americans. Destroying something for personal gain is the equivalent of murder.
Cruelty, whether in delighting in another's pain or in using unnecessary interrogation tactics against "criminals" is just as horrid. Though some of the suspects may indeed be guilty of many crimes, the torture used to gain a confession makes those tortuting just as guilty! Since when did we sink down to another's standards?
Margaret's comment, that "Many wars have been conjured up because the countries wanted these lands and they wouldn’t stop until they were satisfied with what they had. They were never satisfied and many people were killed in the process of obtaining mere land," rings so true here! In their greed and lust for power, history turns another cycle by repeating the greed and lust for power experienced by men three hundred years ago!
Post a Comment