Thursday, September 3, 2009

In your opinion, who is the most dangerous leader in the world? Please defend your answer using evidence from at least two reliable sources.
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9 comments:

  1. Kayla PresaThursday, September 10, 2009 12:53:00 PM

    Omar Al-Bashir President of Sudan is the world’s most dangerous leader. From the beginning of his election into office of president, Omar Al-Bashir has misused his power. To begin, when he was elected president in October of 1993, he declared a state of emergency in the country. This action was a deliberate misuse of power because it was just in his favor. Declaring a state of emergency gave him absolute control as dictator, by disbanding the legislature and suspending the constitution. Bashir had completely dissolved parliament, banned all other political parties except his own and shut down the press. Even by people in his own country of he is thought of a vile tyrant. Even if his people had wanted to vote to replace him as a leader, they could not because there are no other opponents to go against him considering they were banned and are in hiding and also due to the civil war that took place in Sudan, voting did not occur the South and opposition groups boycotted the election which made is extremely easy for Bashir to remain in power. Not only is Bashir an egotistical dictator, he is also a ruthless murderer. He has facilitated and neglected the genocide that is now taking place in Darfur. Pictures and videos from organizations trying to help relive and end the mass murder in Darfur have surfaced to the public, and Al-Bashir has still gone as far as to deny any charges on any "crimes against humanity” brought onto him by the International Criminal Court. When Bashir was brought to court and accused of being accountable for the 400,000 lives that were lost in Darfur he stated, “I challenge anybody to bring me evidence that proves the Sudanese armed forces attacked and killed citizens in Darfur." If genocide in Darfur is not actually occurring then why has Bashir blocked the deployment of a large U.N.-led peacekeeping operation that would help protect Darfur's civilians? Bashir would have nothing to hide if the mass murder of thousands were in actuality not taking place. It’s apparent that Omar Al-Bashir is only concerned with his own self advancement, and has absolutely no desire to help any of the 2.5 million people displaced, tortured, raped and murdered on a daily basis in Darfur. It is also clear that Al-Bashir has no intention to stop the further death of innocent people in his own country; because he does not even acknowledge Sudanese soldiers are torturing, raping and murdering civilians. Omar Al-Bashir’s disregard for the people in his country and his blatant misuse of power makes him the world’s most dangerous leader.

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  2. Anneliese MahoneyThursday, September 10, 2009 4:43:00 PM

    In today’s world of globalization, technology, and international community, it is almost impossible for a country’s leader to seclude his nation from the rest of the world. Yet in the case of Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, Kim Jong-Il has managed to do just that. He has cut off North Korea, from trade, to diplomatic relations, to international cooperation. One especially worrying aspect is the human rights violations occurring in North Korea. Kim Jong-Il sentences many of his citizens to forced labor camps. The horrors that occur in these places have often been compared to concentration camps. Despite these atrocities, Kim Jong-Il is loved by his subjects, almost to the point of brainwash. Last year in International Relations class, we watched a movie put out by the North Korean government showing an “insiders look at North Korea.” It was called “North Korea: A day in the Life.” I remember it showing happy, stoic people who worshipped Kim Jong-Il like a god. In every grade school class, teachers taught their students a story about Kim Jong-Il’s new shoes, in which Kim Jong-Il got a new pair of shoes. However he saw that his friends did not have new shoes, so he ran back to his house and put on his old shoes, so his friends would not feel bad. The story is supposed to show how Kim Jong-Il always looks out for his comrades. Stories like these are drilled into the citizens of North Korea brains’ , creating a virtually brainwashed population. Finally, North Korea has a nuclear weapons program. They first tested a nuclear weapon on October 16, 2006, scaring the international community greatly. They began to enter into six party talks about disarmament, but the success of those has wavered throughout the year. Currently the status is uncertain. The Security Council has tightened sanctions, but they do not seem to be effective and disarmament seems very unlikely. The legacy begun by Kim Jong-Il’s father, Kim Il-sung, does not seem to have an end in near. Kim Jong-Il is in poor health, but he has already named one of his sons as his successor. The unstable mix of a disconnected nation, human rights violations, brainwashed citizens, and nuclear weapons make Kim Jong-Il the most dangerous leader in the world.
    Sources: http://www.amnestyusa.org/all-countries/north-korea/page.do?id=1011213
    http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/news/international/countriesandterritories/northkorea/nuclear_program/index.html
    http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1160637/a_film_review_of_north_korea_a_day.html

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  3. AnonymousThursday, September 10, 2009 8:06:00 PM

    The term of most dangerous leader implies a need for a dictator and the definition of dangerous as needlessly endangering human lives, gross negligence, and a disregard for basic human rights. Meanwhile, most Democracies in the world have an elected official and it would be foolish to accuse a leader of the free world of dangerous practices since he quickly leaves office. However, trends and precedents set in governments rarely change easily. For this reason the U.S. Government is the most dangerous entity in the world today. While the US tends to be viewed as a bastion of hope and freedom, our practices speak otherwise.
    For years during the Cold War, The US recklessly played a high stakes game of nuclear chicken with Soviet Russia. Many actions were justified during the war in the name of security including CIA operations to remove dangerous dictators. Not only was this a total breach of State Sovereignty, it also destabilized many countries and caused chaos in formerly orderly countries. These attempted coups often involved giving munitions and weapons to other dictators, facilitating further destruction and mayhem. In 1991 alone America sold 24 Billion dollars in weapons to 42 dictators around the globe. Dictators such as Iraq’s Saddam Hussein used American weapons to murder innocents such as the Kurds. This far reaching influence makes us far more dangerous than dime-a-dozen dictators. America often escapes responsibility for giving such aid to dictators simply because there is a lack of awareness.
    Most flagrant of abuses is the situation in Iraq. Recently America has been getting away with brutal murder simply in the name of warfare. Over 100,000 indirect and direct civilian casualties have been reported in Iraq with thousands of Afghan civilian deaths alongside. The sudden and unexpected war in Iraq and Afghanistan had more consequences than a mounting debt and thousands of dead soldiers. There is also an unrefundable cost in human life that amounts currently to a third of the estimated deaths in the Darfur conflict. While supposedly unintentional, the killing of civilians by any government, the United States included, is undeniable murder. Because the United States has proven itself a loose cannon in terms of its influence on world affairs, it deserves to be labeled most dangerous, if only to draw attention to its ludicrous and often criminal foreign policy. The amount of firepower and material strength possessed by the United States also makes it physically the most dangerous country in the world. The US has the means to cause major suffering in the world and has proven many times over in the past and continues to prove in the present it has ample motive. It’s time for a bit of accountability in Washington and lets bring justice back to America.

    Dave C

    Browne, Harry. "Preventing Future Terrorism." Harry Browne: libertarian politics, articles, books, speeches, and investments. 31 Oct. 2001. 10 Sept. 2009 http://www.harrybrowne.org/articles/TerroristSolutionPart3.htm.

    "Iraq Body Count." Iraq Body Count. 2003. IBC. 10 Sept. 2009 http://www.iraqbodycount.org/.

    Moen, Darell G. "Arming Dictators :: DGMoen.net :: Promoting Social Justice, Human Rights, and Peace." DGMoen.net :: Promoting Social Justice, Human Rights, and Peace. 1993. Word Press. 10 Sept. 2009 http://www.dgmoen.net/video_trans/003.html. Transcription of a Documentary

    Tanner, Michael. "Foreign Policy | Libertarian Party." Libertarian Party | Smaller Government | Lower Taxes | More Freedom. 2007. Libertarian Party. 10 Sept. 2009 http://www.lp.org/issues/foreign-policy.

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  4. CatyFriday, September 11, 2009 11:13:00 AM

    In my opinion the most dangerous leader in the world is Kim Jong-il of North Korea. Not only has he caused major threats to our country and the rest of the world but he has also been a major part in disasters in his own country. Because of the state of Jong-il’s economy many of his own citizens are forced to rely on foreign aid in order to avert food shortages, which have occurred in the past. The unsuccessful economic and military policies of the government have and will continue to worsen an already dire situation.
    North Korea is also one of the last standing communist countries in the world, and by far one of the greatest failures. Other than the obvious issues that arise with such a government, a major issue that has arisen is the violations of human rights set by the United Nations. It is also one of the most dangerous of the former Communist countries because it possesses nuclear weapons, has a huge army, and sells advanced weaponry to rouge states. Especially troubling is that North Korea has used military weapons to earn foreign exchange. High tech weapons and technology has been sold to rougue nations working on weapons of mass destruction.
    But one of the most widely known and alarming dangers brought forward by Kim Jong-il is the threat of the development and use of nuclear weapons. Through the “Six-Party Talks”, foreign leaders have discovered a way to discuss and negotiate nuclear disarmament. But five conferences later North Korea has not made any real progress in disarmament but has continued to make progress in producing and stockpiling nuclear weapons for the country as well as preparing the international community with the idea of nuclear armed North Korea. After announcing that his government intended to produce a “war deterrent”, in other words “nukes”, they announced that they did actually possess them and intended to use them if the need arose. The threat of developing nuclear weapons is scary no matter what country it comes from or what their intentions with the weapons are. But coming from a country that is known for their totalitarian viewing government over their own people and one with such capacity to walk out on a international negotiation based towards their country, that threat is far more nerve racking.
    Any leader that is ready and willing to place such an extreme threat on his people and the rest of the world at such a whim is classified dangerous in my book.

    Sang-hun, Choe. "North korean nuclear weapons - NYTimes.com Search." The New York Times. 4 Sept. 2009. Web. 11 Sept. 2009. http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch?query=north+korean+nuclear+weapons&srchst=cse.

    Kim Jong Il's Nuclear Ambitions." Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability. 6 Feb. 2007. Web. 11 Sept. 2009. http://www.nautilus.org/fora/security/07010Eberstadt.html.

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  5. AnnaFriday, September 11, 2009 11:50:00 AM

    I believe the most dangerous person in the world is Osama bin Laden.

    Bin Laden, son of a millionaire, became involved in one of seven militias whose goal was to drive the Soviets out of Afghanistan. Through his own personal connections and large sums of money, bin Laden founded Al Qaeda, a terrorist organization. After the war ended, Al Qaeda focused its attention on the growing United States presence in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia which holds many Islamic holy sites. Bin Laden was then deported to Sudan where he made many valuable contacts with other terrorist organizations. In 1996, he moved to Afghanistan where he continued the fight to rid Saudi Arabia of American presence by bombing soldiers who were on humanitarian and peace keeping missions. Even after American forces had left Saudi Arabia, he continued to press for war against America. On August, 23, 1996 he announced his first declaration of war against the United States in which he called to all of his “Arab Brothers” to “expel the heretics from the Arabian Peninsula”. In February 1998, bin Laden created the International Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusades to fight American forces. He not only told his followers to expel Americans from their land but to “kill Americans and their allies - civilians and military,” wherever they may be”. Al Qaeda then procceded to bomb U.S embassies in East Africa and Tanzania as well as the U.S.S Cole, an American guided-missile destroyer. Its most well-known and most damaging attack occurred on September 11, 2001 when Al Qaeda hijacked four American planes and crashed them into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon in New York City. The 4th, probably meant for the White House, crashed in rural Pennsylvania. As a result of that attack, 3,000 Americans were killed.
    Bin Laden went into hiding and has not emerged in last eight years. His previous actions mentioned above, have brought about death and destruction to not only America, but have spurred a reign of terror in the Middle East and Sudan. Some speculate that he has died however I don’t believe this. His has been sending us numerous video messages every single year he has been in hiding; teasing the world with his presence before going back in hiding. I believe he is waiting, quietly and silently to strike again at another country or at the United States once again. His leadership in Al Qaeda as well as his numerous connections to terrorist organizations allow him to do just this. This one man alone has caused all of this death & destruction and it is for these reasons that I believe Osama bin Laden is the most dangerous person in the world.

    http://www.adl.org/terrorism_america/bin_L.asp
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/14/bin-laden-urges-jihad-aga_n_157755.html
    http://looklex.com/e.o/osama_b_laden.htm

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  6. AnonymousFriday, September 11, 2009 2:04:00 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  7. AnonymousFriday, September 11, 2009 2:06:00 PM

    THE HORRORS OF MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD

    It is obvious that the world’s current most dangerous leader is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. He is in a league all by himself. There are so many things he has done within his leadership that label him as an absolute psychopath. During his reign he has frequently down cast the United States as a country, and denounced everything that we stood for. He also has a long history of Hating Israel and everything they stand for. Although there are many horrible things that have emitted from the mouth of this terrible Dictator Wannabe, One of the worst is that Israel and everything it stands for should be wiped off the face of the map. Honestly who says that stuff?!?!?! Does this man want everybody to hate him? There are so many countries that support the existence of Israel, and to openly state that is to send yourself a death sentence. He also announced that according to him, the Holocaust is a myth and never happened, and that It was a fabricated lie. Then after this ridiculous statement he replied, “I have the utmost respect for Jews.” This man is fascinating. I wish I knew how he thought so I could attempt to utter complete bullshit from my mouth also.
    I am sure that all of you are familiar with the Nuclear Crisis within Iran at the moment. Supposedly Iran wants to only harvest Nuclear Power for peaceful purposes, yet still be included among the Nuclear Weapon holding countries. Wait a minute? Does that make sense? If Mahmoud has nothing to hide within his Country, then why is he freaking out every time someone even looks at his Nuclear Facility? I’ll give you a hint. NUCLEAR BOMBS. Yes my friend I know it may be shocking but there are other countries than The United States who have the desire to blow up the world 40 times. Also would you want a country whose leader made the statement of wanting to make a country disappear off the face of the map to even have access to Nuclear Bombs? I don’t think so.
    Mahmud Ahmadinejad also claims to be in contact with God himself. After one of his speeches he told reporters, that he felt a Halo over his head at the time, and that a divine being was giving power to his words that put the people in trances. He also claims to be spoken to by god. Anyone detecting our next guest to the Insane Asylum? It was reported that in one of his private letters sent to George W. Bush, he spoke of monotheism and justice. Mahmud was reported saying these were common characteristics of a Divine Prophet. DIVINE PROPHET? Give me a break. The only thing he’s divine is; is the ability to make everybody hate him. All the medical personnel in the country already demand a psychic evaluation.
    So obviously MahMoud is the world’s most dangerous, psychotic, and outrageously ridiculous leader. This man pushes his way into presidency through either corruption or intimidation. He hates other countries and is very forward with it; and he’s stockpiling uranium perfect for nuclear bombs. We already have a crazy man in control of one capable country, what happens if we have a psycho with his finger on a button?

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  8. DavidHussongFriday, September 11, 2009 2:52:00 PM

    In my opinion Kim Jong-il is the most dangerous man in operation today. Never has the world seen such a qurkie and strange dictator. His threat on humanity does not just extend towards his enemy; his own state is so terribly run and decrepit that it should be considered an attack on humanity. In his own country people are brainwashed by the cult of personality into believing Jong-il to be god-like and Americans to be considered an evil, hate mongering people. As we count on old people to tell us the weather, Koreans can rest easy knowing that the weather is controlled by Kim Jong-ils mood. Even while he holds high standings in his country as a national hero, he sentences many to forced labor camps of which horrors can be compared with Nazi concentration camps. Kim Jong-il’s cult of personality forbids contact with other countries by regulating citizens lives and keeps strict censors on TV and radio broadcasting. In short, they control all that Koreans know from life until death. This reclusive hermit nation has the fourth largest standing army in the world. If that is not scary enough North Korea is both producing and testing its own nuclear capabilities. Should Kim Jong-il ever obtain full nuclear capabilities he boasts he is not afraid to use them, being his biggest target of hatred, America could be put at risk.

    sources
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1907197.stm
    http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/30/opinion/30iht-edhavel.3332182.html

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  9. AlecksMonday, September 14, 2009 1:23:00 PM

    In response to David's post:

    I would like to fully agree with David in saying that Kim Jong-Il is the most dangerous leader in the world right now. He is an extremely unstable man who, as David stated, is brainwashing his citizens to believe him to be God. Not only is he a major threat to all who live under his rule, but everyone in the entire world. Sooner than many may have thought, Kim Jong-Il could have access to a missile capable of reaching all of the United States, which he would be very willing to use. Already is one in development (Taepo Dong-2) that will be capable of hitting Alaska and some of Hawaii, but experts believe that by the year 2015 he will have the Taepo Dong-2 Three Stage missile that could have a 200kg payload, reaching anywhere in the United States. Also, he is very hateful and, although recently he has opened up some traffic across the demilitarized zone, he is still standing strong and stating that "getting North Korea to get rid of it's nuclear program will be as difficult as ever". This is very dangerous statement because he is growing ever closer to gaining full nuclear capabilities, and with having the fourth largest standing army in the world, would a force to be reckoned with. He has committed horrible human rights abuses and is by far the most capable of destruction around the world which I feel deems him the most dangerous leader.

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