Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Muhammad cartoons controversy

2008-01-23T04:43:31Z

LibertyorDeath:

[[Image:Mohammed karikatur.jpg|thumb|right|250px|One of the published images of Muhammad]]

In September 2005 a [[Danish]] [[newspaper]] published twelve [[cartoon]]s of [[Muhammad]], creating a flashpoint between the freedom of the press and [[Islamo-Fascist]]s objecting to the publication of the cartoons. Within six months, 139 people died and 823 people were injured by violence attributed to the controversy. Because of the twelve cartoons [[Danish]], [[Austria|Austrian]], and [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[embassy|embassies]] were burned in [[Syria]] and [[Iran]]. Islamic leaders called for a [[boycott]] of Danish goods<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5329642.stm</ref>, and the cartoonists themselves were forced to go into hiding due to [[death]] threats made by Islamo-Fascists<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4670370.stm</ref>. The images appeared on the [[blog]]s and in smaller independent newspapers, but most of the [[U.S.]] mainstream media refused to publish the images even as they covered the issue extensively.

On April 12th, 2006, The [[television]] show [[South Park]] aired the episode "Cartoon Wars Part I", which challenged the [[Comedy Central]] network to let an image of Muhammad air uncensored in the next episode, "Cartoon Wars Part II". Comedy Central did, however, censor the image of Muhammad. It should be noted that Muhammad had been shown on South Park several times before, when there was no pre-existing controversy. This is [[hypocritical]], because South Park has aired graphic depictions of [[Jesus]]'s death, mocked [[Christianity]], and shown images of the American flag being defecated upon.

In fact there is still some debate about the claimed ban on images of Mohammed; many images exist in muslim art, and the prohibition appears not to have been decreed until centuries after his life. Various interpretations of Islam also prohibit depictions of ALL prophets (including [[Jesus Christ]]) or ALL living creatures. The riotous response to the Danish cartoons was a very selective outpouring of anger, and did not take place until several months after their publication.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Islam]]

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

2008-01-23T04:35:44Z

LibertyorDeath:

{{Country
|name =''Союз Советских Социалистических Республик Soyuz Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Respublik''
|map =Soviet union rel 1986.jpg
|flag =600px-Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union.svg.png
|arms =Arms of the Soviet Union.png
|capital =Moscow
|government =Communist
|language =Russian (de facto)
|president =Ivan Silayev (last, 1991)
|area =8,649,538 sq. mi. (1991)
|pop =293,047,571 (1991)
|pop-basis =
}}
The '''Soviet Union''' (Russian: Советский Союз, ''Sovyetskiy Soyuz''), formally the '''Union of Soviet Socialist Republics''' (USSR) (Russian: Союз Советских Социалистических Республик, ''Soyuz Sovietskykh Sotsialisticheskykh Respublik'', abbreviated ''СССР'') was one of the most powerful established [[socialist]] states in history. At its height the USSR covered one-sixth of the earth's land area stretching from eastern Europe across north Asia to the Pacific Ocean.

==Founding==
The USSR, the primary member of which was communist-era [[Russia]], was established by [[Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov]] (Russian: Владимир Ильич Улянов), known by his ''nom de guerre'' of [[Lenin]], in 1922 following the overthrow of the tsarist [[Russian Empire]] in the [[Russian Revolution]], and the ensuing [[Russian Civil War]]. It allowed one central government under Lenin to control many republics, including the original members of [[Ukraine]], [[Belarus]], [[Russia]] and the republics of the Trans-Caucasian region. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics became a multi-national entity that eventually included 15 republics: Russia (the RSFSR), [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], [[Estonia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Belarus]], [[Georgia]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Armenia]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Kazakhstan]], and [[Moldova]].

==Rise of Stalin==
Upon Lenin's death, a power struggle ensued between [[Leon Trotsky]] and [[Joseph Stalin]], two influential officials during Lenin's tenure. Stalin eventually gained the upper hand in the fight, and forced Trotsky into exile; he was eventually assassinated in [[Mexico]] in 1940. By 1932, the standard of living of average Soviet workers was lower than that of the unemployed in Western countries. Tens of thousands had been shot as dissenters and as “speculators,” i.e., for engaging in [[free market]] trade. <ref>[http://www.independent.org/publications/article.asp?id=1468 ''FDR: The Man, the Leader, the Legacy''], Ralph Raico, Future of Freedom Foundation, April 1, 2001. Retrieved from The Independent Institute.org 06/17/07.</ref> The [[Gulag]] was rapidly filling up with millions condemned to hunger and death. And then came the great terror-famine of 1932–33. In this forgotten [[democide]], some five or six or more millions died of starvation and diseases resulting from malnutrition, mostly in the Ukraine, but also in the North Caucasus and other regions. From the villages stretching across this vast area, state functionaries nervously informed Moscow that conditions were so bad that cannibalism was becoming common.

The correspondent of the ''[[New York Times]]'', Walter Duranty, staunchly denied in print that any famine existed, although he admitted it in private. For his reporting from Russia, Duranty won a [[Pulitzer Prize]], of which the ''New York Times'' still boasts to this day.

On the eve of [[World War II]] came the [[Great Purge]], in which Stalin disposed of all followers of Lenin and Trotsky. The liquidation of the military leadership had important ramifications after the Germans invaded in 1941, and is largely accredited as the cause of the USSR's unpreparedness and setbacks in the early part of the War.

During the Second World War, the USSR was invaded by [[Nazi Germany]]. [[Adolf Hitler]] was an outspoken anti-Communist and longed to crush Russia. The German army, however, failed to capture Moscow, mostly due to the harsh Russian winter. Over twelve million Russians died in the Second World War.

The Soviet Union supposedly was vocal in protecting workers' interests, however Isaac Deutscher noted after World War II restrictions on the employment of [[child labor]] were abolished.<ref>Isaac Deutscher, ''The Great Purges'', edited by Tamara Deutscher (Basil Blackwell, Oxford, 1984), p. 79.</ref>

{{Famine of 1933}}

==Soviet aggression==
[[Image:Sovietambitions.jpg|thumb|300px|right|The darkened areas represent territorries of Soviet ambitions and designs, 1921 - 1949.]]
Soviet ambitions in China as early as 1921 were to transform all northern China — [[Sinkiang]], [[Mongolia]] and [[Manchuria]] — into outright Russian dependencies and to convert what remained of China into a Communist satellite.<ref>''While You Slept : Our Tragedy in Asia and Who Made It'', John T. Flynn, New York : The Devin - Adair Company, 1951, [http://www.mises.org/books/whileyouslept.pdf pg. 17] pdf.</ref>

The [[U.S. Department of State]] refused to regard [[Japan]] as a bulwark against Soviet expansion in North China in the 1930s. As a matter of fact, not one protest was sent by the Department of State against the Soviet Union despite her absorption of Sinkiang and [[Outer Mongolia]],
while at the same time, Japan was censured for stationing troops in China. <ref>"The Explanation of the Foreign Minister at Imperial Conference," December 1, 1941, Far Eastern Military Tribunal, Record p. 26101. According to Alexander Barmine, who was in charge of the supply of Soviet arms, by 1935, Sinkiang had become "a Soviet colony in all but name." One Who Survived (NewYork: G. P.Putnam's Sons, 1945), pp. 231-232. [http://home.comcast.net/~markconrad/Sinkiang.htm#_ednref9][http://www.oxuscom.com/sovinxj.htm]</ref>

==The Cold War==

Later the USSR would steathly oppose the [[United States]] by providing aid to enemies in direct conflict. In 1971 the USSR provided heavy arms shipments to Egypt and Syria that were used in their 1973 war with [[Israel]]. Although the two Arab nations were routed the Soviets would replenish the arms lost. Soviet military assistance aided North Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s during the [[Vietnam War]].

In 1979 Soviet forces entered [[Afghanistan]] to support that government against Islamic fundamentalist Mujahideen rebels. These rebels found support from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other Muslim nations. By 1989 the Soviets withdrew with some 14,000 killed and 53,000 troops wounded. This along with the economic cost helped lead to the disintegration of the Soviet Union. (Only 80,000 - 140,000 troops were in Afghanistan at any given time.)<ref>The World Almanac, Global Press, 1999</ref>

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to the America and several other nations boycotting the Moscow 1980 Summer [[Olympics]]. In turn the Soviets and many of their proxy states would boycott the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics.

==Disintegration==
The Soviet Union eventually imploded after a series of economic and political reforms known as [[Glasnost]] and perestroika introduced by the last Chairman of the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] (CPSU), [[Mikhail Gorbachov]], in the 1980s. As previously mentioned, the Soviet Union was also strategically weakened by its engagement in Afghanistan. The USSR was formally dissolved in 1991 by [[Boris Yeltsin]]. The [[successor state|successor states]] to the Soviet Union are the [[Russian Federation]], and the other members of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]].

==See Also==
[[Nazi Germany]]
[[United States of America]] - The enemy of the Soviet Union and the evil practice of Communism

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*State Defense Committee Decree No. 5859ss [http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/archives/l2tartar.html "On the Crimean Tatars"], The Kremlin, May 11, 1944.

[[category:European History]]
[[Category:Former Countries]]
[[Category:Warsaw Pact Members]]
[[Category:Communist States]]

Socialism

2008-01-23T04:34:28Z

LibertyorDeath:

[[Image:Backrdv12n2.jpg|right|400px|thumb|The caption reads, "Long live the great undefeatable flag of Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin!"]]
The ideology of '''Socialism''' is subject to a variety of interpretations. From a conservative perspective, socialism is an economic system whereby the means of production are seized and monopolized by the government without compensation to the builders of the [[capital]], and where investments, production, distribution, income, prices, and economic justice are administered by a government [[nomenklatura]] that regulate the transfer of money, goods (including capital goods), and services primarily through taxation and regularized and institutionalized aggressive coercion. However, the majority of socialists would reject this description. Democratic socialists advocate a system of governance based on the principles of solidarity, equality and liberty, viewing these principles as interconnected, with increased socio-economic equality associated with increased practical freedom to fulfil human potential. In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, socialist movements have been built on Christian and co-operative bases, embracing the notion that individuals should 'treat others as they would wish to be treated', and arguing that all individuals have a moral responsibility for the welfare of other members of their society. Socialism seeks to prioritize human welfare over other goals, such as profit and wealth accumulation by elites; it views increased redistribution of wealth as vital to securing greater freedom and happiness for the bulk of the people, and deplores the devastating effects of gross inequality on society in terms of increased crime, mental illness, evil, unhappiness and lack of life chances.

==Key elements==

As a political ideology based on the expropriation of wealth, socialism stresses the privileges of the nomenklatura over the rights of workers and earners. Many of the most notoriously oppressive dictatorships have been socialist, such as the [[Soviet Union]] and [[National Socialist]] Germany. As an economic theory, socialism calls for redistribution of wealth, through taxation of private wealth coupled with "[[Progressivism|progressive]]" social policy or directly via nationalization and public ownership of property without compensation to owners. Wage earners suffer under Socialism, as it is hard to get paid in a system that discourages private persons from accumulating income.

Although socialist ideas such as the provision of unemployment benefit, state pensions, universal health care, and state control of key industries have been common throughout the developed world in the modern era, the [[United States]] has tended to reject socialism as an ideological position. In other parts of the world, such as Europe, Africa, Asia, and South and Central America, there has generally been more explicit support for socialism as a doctrine, and socialist parties have been among the most successful political forces of the last 100 years.

While socialism has often been atheistic in character, and many leading socialists (most prominently Karl Marx) have been critical of the role of religion - and conservative religion in particular - which they criticize for lending support to an unjust social order, some Socialists have been Christians, and there has been considerable interplay between Christian and Socialist ideas. Christian socialists have noted that early Christian communities, in particular, displayed certain traits, such as the holding of possessions in common, the rejection of conventional sexual mores and gender roles, the provision for communal education, etc., that could be considered similar to socialism. See, for instance, Acts 2:44: "Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need." Arnold Toynbee, the British historian, has responded to this,

:"the Marxian excerpt from a Christian Socialism is an experiment which is doomed to failure because it has denied itself the aid of the spiritual power which alone is capable of making Socialism a success. ….'Christianity', they say, 'is the opiate of the People'; and, in the [[Soviet Union]]… Christianity or of any other theistic religion have been debarred… from admission to membership of the All-Union Communist Party. In fact, Communism has been definitely and militantly anti-Christian.

Thus the campaign against Christianity which is to-day an integral part of the propaganda of Marxian Socialism is a challenge to the living generation of Christians …we latter-day Christians may still turn a Marxian attack upon Christianity to good account … a re-awakening of the Christian social conscience has been the one great positive practical achievement of Karl Marx" <ref>Arnold Toynbee, ''A Study of History'', Annex II to Vol. V, Part C (i) (c) 2, p. 585-586, Marxism, Socialism, and Christianity.</ref>

[[Marx, Karl|Karl Marx]] considered socialism to be a transitory stage between capitalism and communism. In his view, socialism is summed up by the expression: "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs." A major criticism of socialism is that it infringes individual rights in favor of the populace. In a very real sense, politics in the western world throughout the 20th century was shaped by the conflict between socialist and capitalist governmental policies.

Although socialist parties are common in Europe, the leading examples all currently embrace some free enterprise, individual property rights and certain other aspects of capitalism although leading European Socialists are very critical of America. In many European countries socialism has been changing to [[Social democracy]].

== Britain, the Labour Party and socialism ==

At its inception, the Labour Party borrowed socialist ideas by committing itself to a program of nationalisation under 'Clause 4' of their Consitution, but was always fundamentally committed to the British State and the Westminster model of parliamentary government. Clause 4 was formally dropped after the election of [[Tony Blair]] as Party leader, signaling the creation of 'New' Labour.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/21/newsid_2515000/2515825.stm</ref> The British governments of 1945-1950 and 1950-1951 under Clement Atlee implemented the nationalisation of several industries and utilities, including coal, steel, water, railways and electricity. The best known example is the nationalisation of health care to create the National Health Service (NHS). This made - literally overnight - health care free at the point of delivery for everybody in Britain.

Since the election to government of the Labour Party in 1997, many progressive measures have been introduced, such as the Minimum Wage, Child Tax Credits, union recognition legislation, increased maternity and paternity leave, the Child Trust Fund, refurbishment of council housing, free bus travel for the elderly, increased paid leave for all workers, free nursery-school places, and large cuts in unemployment[http://www.towerhamlets.labour.co.uk/a1c1ce9b-1488-7bb4-a528-14436f084ba3]. In addition, over a million children and a million pensioners have been lifted out of poverty; however, many in the Labour Movement are extremely critical of New Labour's tentative approach to reducing inequality, and are frustrated that the government has not been more willing to make the case to the public for the redistribution of wealth.

==World socialism==

US liberal politicians often echo the rhetoric of world socialism: <ref>Before Congress adjourned last week on another of its lengthy holidays, Speaker Nancy Pelosi repeated a phrase she has previously used about the war in Iraq. She again referred to it as "the Bush policy of unending war in Iraq." [http://www.townhall.com/columnists/CalThomas/2007/05/29/unending_war Cal Thomas] Tuesday, May 29, 2007] </ref>

*"Because George W. Bush [is] among the most menacing and belligerent [presidents] in American history. [He has] outlined a program of limitless and perpetual warfare, on every continent, and against any regime that stands in the way of the rapacious American ruling class.... like Hitler and the Nazis, American militarism has embarked on a campaign of world conquest and world domination... [President Bush has issued] a declaration of the unbridled appetites of the military and of the most ruthless, corrupt and criminal sections of the American ruling elite ...Like Hitler, Bush presents an upside-down view of the world in which small and weak states are mortal threats to the most powerful and heavily armed..." (World Socialist Web Site, 31 January 2002)

==Different strands of socialism==
*[[Communism]]
*[[Social democracy]]
*[[National socialism]] (Nazism)
*[[Fascism]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://www.mises.org/etexts/hayekintellectuals.pdf The Intellectuals and Socialism], By F.A. Hayek, ''The University of Chicago Law Review'', (Spring 1949), pp. 417-420, 421-423, 425-433.
*[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9109587/socialism Socialism] Encyclopædia Britannica.

[[Category:Politics]]

Rocky horror picture show

2008-01-23T04:32:10Z

LibertyorDeath:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult film from 1975 known for its theme of accepting [[homosexuality]], [[transsexualism]] and [[necrophilia]]

Rocky horror picture show

2008-01-23T04:32:00Z

LibertyorDeath:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult film from 1975 with its theme of accepting [[homosexuality]], [[transsexualism]] and [[necrophilia]]

Stuyvesant

2008-01-23T04:30:49Z

LibertyorDeath:

Stuyvesant is an elite high school in New York City, known for it's rigorous curriculum and the student body's acceptance of homosexuality (among other liberal principles) and love of musical theatre.

Stuyvesant

2008-01-23T04:30:39Z

LibertyorDeath:

[[Image:http://www.severud.com/projects/04-ed/images/0410-Stuyvesant.jpg]]
Stuyvesant is an elite high school in New York City, known for it's rigorous curriculum and the student body's acceptance of homosexuality (among other liberal principles) and love of musical theatre.

Stuyvesant

2008-01-23T04:29:33Z

LibertyorDeath: New page: Stuyvesant is an elite high school in New York City, known for it's rigorous curriculum and the student body's acceptance of homosexuality (among other liberal principles) and love of musi...

Ireland

2008-01-16T22:14:54Z

LibertyorDeath: /* Religion */

'''Ireland''' is an [[island]] off the north-western coast of [[Europe]]. Since 1922 it has been divided into two separate entities:
* The '''[[Republic of Ireland]]''' (Irish: ''Éire'') is an independent state which consists of twenty-six traditional counties in the provinces of Munster, Leinster, Connacht, and three of the nine counties of Ulster. According to the last census the Republic of Ireland has a population of 4,234,925<ref>[http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/environment/copy_of_census/]</ref>
*'''[[Northern Ireland]]''' a [[constituent country]] of the [[United Kingdom]] which comprises six counties of the province of Ulster. Northern Ireland has a population of 1,685,267 (2002 est.)<ref>[http://www.nicensus2001.gov.uk/nica/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Demography&mainArea=&mainLevel=]</ref>

==People==
The Irish people are mainly of Celtic origin, with the country's only significant sized minority having descended from the Anglo-Normans. English is the common language, but Irish (Gaelic) is also an official language and is taught in schools.

Anglo-Irish writers such as Swift, Sheridan, Goldsmith, Burke, Wilde, Joyce, Yeats, Shaw, and Beckett have made a major contribution to world literature over the past 300 years.

===Religion===
The Republic of Ireland is predominantly Roman Catholic in religion (86.8%). Atheists and the Non-religious account for 4.4% of the population <ref>[http://www.cso.ie/census/documents/Final%20Principal%20Demographic%20Results%202006.pdf ]</ref>while membership of the Church of Ireland runs at about 3%, with most of the rest of the population belonging to other Protestant/Christian denominations. Southern Protestantism had been in decline since independence due to the ''ne temere'' decree(children in mixed Catholic/Protestant marriages had to be raised Catholic) <ref>[http://www.catholic-forum.com/saintS/ncd05730.htm]</ref> and emigration. However, it has experienced a revival of late due to immigrants and some converts from Catholicism. There is a small Jewish community in Ireland. The Muslim community has grown recently due to immigration. The worship of nature and the pagan gods of ancient Ireland has seen a recent resurgence as well.
<ref>[http://www.cso.ie/statistics/popnclassbyreligionandsex2002.htm]</ref>

The Republic has maintained a nominally Catholic ethos since independence. Abortion remains controversially illegal (although information on obtaining abortions in other jurisdictions is a constitutional entitlement, and many thousands of women travel to the UK for treatment<ref>[http://www.crisispregnancy.ie/pub/statistical_report_2005.pdf]</ref> ). However, in line with a more general liberalization of Irish society since the early nineties, restrictions on the availability of contraception have been removed; the right to divorce has been enshrined in the constitution; homosexuality has been decriminalized and the rights of gay people have been enshrined in 'Equal Status' legislation.

Northern Ireland has a Protestant majority (53%), the main denominations being Presbyterian and Church of Ireland (Anglican/Episcopal). Roughly 44% of the population are Roman Catholic, with most of the remainder professing no religion. <ref>[http://www.nicensus2001.gov.uk/nica/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Cultural&mainArea=&mainLevel=]</ref>

==Government and Political Conditions==
Ireland is a sovereign, independent, democratic state with a parliamentary system of government. The president, who serves as head of state in a largely ceremonial role, is elected for a 7-year term and can be re-elected only once. The current president is Mary McAleese, who is serving her second term after having succeeded President Mary Robinson - the first instance worldwide where one woman has followed another as an elected head of state. In carrying out certain constitutional powers and functions, the president is aided by the Council of State, an advisory body. On the Taoiseach's (prime minister's) advice, the president also dissolves the Oireachtas (Parliament).

The prime minister (''Taoiseach'', pronounced "TEE-shuck") is elected by the Dail (lower house of Parliament) as the leader of the political party, or coalition of parties, which wins the most seats in the national elections, held approximately every 5 years (unless called earlier). Executive power is vested in a cabinet whose ministers are nominated by the Taoiseach and approved by the Dail.

The bicameral ''Oireachtas'' (Parliament) consists of the ''Seanad Eireann'' (Senate) and the ''Dail Eireann'' (House of Representatives). The Seanad is composed of 60 members--11 nominated by the prime minister, 6 elected by the national universities, and 43 elected from panels of candidates established on a vocational basis. The Seanad has the power to delay legislative proposals and is allowed 90 days to consider and amend bills sent to it by the Dail, which wields greater power in Parliament. The Dail has 166 members popularly elected to a maximum term of 5 years under a complex system of proportional representation. A member of the Dail is known as a Teachta Dala, or TD.

Judges are appointed by the president on nomination by the government and can be removed from office only for misbehavior or incapacity and then only by resolution of both houses of Parliament. The ultimate court of appeal is the Supreme Court, consisting of the chief justice and five other justices. The Supreme Court also can decide upon the constitutionality of legislative acts if the president asks for an opinion.

Local government is by elected county councils and--in the cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and Waterford--by county borough corporations. County councils/corporations in turn select city mayors. In practice, however, authority remains with the central government.

Irish politics remain dominated by the two political parties that grew out of Ireland's bitter 1922-23 civil war. Fianna Fail was formed by those who opposed the 1921 treaty that partitioned the island. Although treaty opponents lost the civil war, Fianna Fail soon became Ireland's largest political party. Fine Gael, representative of the pro-treaty forces, remains the country's second-largest party. The Progressive Democrats, Labour, Sinn Fein, and the Greens are the other significant parties.

The May 2007 national elections brought the Fianna Fail party and its leader Bertie Ahern back to power in a coalition government for an unprecedented third five-year term. Coalition members joining Fianna Fail were the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats. In recent months the Mahon Tribunal has been investigating allegations of corruption against the PM when he was Minister of Finance in the early 1990s. However, the PM has not suffered politically -- the coalition remains intact and in September 2007, he survived a vote of no confidence on the issue. Ahern appointed Finance Minister Brian Cowen Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste, pronounced "TAW-nish-tuh"). The Foreign Minister is Dermot Ahern (no relation to the Taoiseach).

Local and European elections took place in June 2004 and saw gains for opposition parties. The election also featured a referendum on citizenship. Until that time, Ireland had granted citizenship on the basis of birth on Irish soil. Concerns about security and social welfare abuse prompted the government to seek to bring citizenship laws in line with the more restrictive policies prevalent in the rest of Europe, and the 2004 referendum measure passed by a wide majority. Now, persons with non-Irish parents can acquire Irish citizenship at birth only if at least one parent has been resident in Ireland for three years preceding the birth.

===Political Parties===
* '''Fianna Fáil''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's main political party, they do not class themselves as either left or right wing but rather as pragmatic centrists and republicans (In the sense of opposing the notion of formal classes in society, in particular the monarchy. Typically republicans in Ireland seek to unite Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland into a single Republic separate from the United Kingdom.). The party was founded as a splinter from Official Sinn Féin by Eamon de Valera. Traditionally the party of small farmers and the urban working class community, and generally conservative on social issues. Currently the largest party in the ruling coalition. Led by Bertie Ahern, current [[Taoiseach]]([[Prime Minister]]) of the Republic of Ireland. Fianna Fáil generally opposes any action that would be seen to erode Ireland's neutrality and independence in foreign policy, including joining NATO.<ref>[http://www.fiannafail.ie/]</ref>
* '''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for 'Family of the Irish'). Ireland's second largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. Under the leadership of [[Garret FitzGerald]] in the 1980's, the party embraced [[social democracy]]. Today the party likes to characterize itself as a party of the "progressive centre". Led by [[Enda Kenny]]. Many of the parties elected members would like to see Ireland join NATO and at least one has called for Ireland to rejoin the [[British Commonwealth]].<ref>[http://www.finegael.com/index.cfm]</ref>
* '''Labour Party''': A social democratic left-wing party, similar to the British Labour Party under [[Tony Blair]]. [[Pat Rabitte]] is the leader of the Labour Party.<ref>[http://www.labour.ie/]</ref>
* '''Progressive Democrats''':It is very right wing on economic issues, favoring low-taxation, pro-business policies, but are very liberal on social issues. [[Mary Harney]] is the current interim leader after the previous leader lost his seat in the last Genreal Election.<ref>[http://www.progressivedemocrats.ie/index-main.php]</ref>
* '''Green Party''': A left-wing party in favor of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by Trevor Sargent.<ref>[http://www.greenparty.ie/]</ref>
* '''Sinn Féin''': (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves') Claims to be a remnant of Ireland's oldest political party, it is closely connected with the Provisional IRA, a terrorist movement that sought a United Irish Republic. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a party of left-wing socialist economics which espouses liberal social issues such as gay marriage. They organize in all 32 counties of Ireland. Led by Gerry Adams. <ref>[http://www.sinnfein.ie/]</ref>
* '''Socialist Party''': A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland. Led by Joe Higgins. <ref> [http://www.socialistparty.net/] </ref>

===Northern Ireland===
Consolidating the peace process in Northern Ireland and encouraging the full implementation of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement (GFA) and the 2006 St. Andrews Agreement remain U.S. priorities in Ireland.

The conflict in Northern Ireland stems from a history of British rule, historical animosity between Catholics and Protestants, and the various armed and political attempts to unite Northern Ireland with the rest of the island. "Nationalist" and "Republican" groups seek a united Ireland, while "Unionists" and "Loyalists" want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. After decades of violence by both Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries, most notably the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the British and Irish governments negotiated an IRA ceasefire in 1994, which was followed by the landmark U.S.-brokered Good Friday Agreement (GFA) in 1998.

The GFA established a power-sharing legislative assembly to serve as the autonomous local government of Northern Ireland. The 108-member Northern Ireland Assembly is led by a first minister and deputy first minister, one from each of the two communities, and a 10-minister executive. The GFA also provided for changes in both the British and Irish constitutions. Ireland ceded territorial claim to Northern Ireland, and the U.K. agreed that Northern Ireland could become part of Ireland if a majority (North and South) so voted in the future. Finally, the GFA provided the blueprint for "normalization," to include the eventual removal of British forces, devolution of police and justice functions, and guarantees of human rights and equal opportunity for all individuals. The agreement was approved in a 1998 referendum by 71% of Northern Ireland voters and 95% of Irish voters.

The major political parties in Northern Ireland are:
* '''Democratic Unionist Party'''(DUP): Currently the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland. The DUP is a right-wing, ultra-conservative, hardline unionist party currently led by its founder, the Reverend Ian RK Paisley. The party has strong links with Rev. Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church. <ref>[http://www.dup.org.uk/]</ref>
* '''Sinn Féin''' Currently the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland, they sit in the Irish parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly, but refuse to take their seats in the British Parliament in Westminster.
* '''Ulster Unionist Party'''(UUP): A moderate right-wing party, which had strong links with the British Conservative Party. Nobel Peace Prize laureate David Trimble is a former leader. Currently in decline, with voters turning to the DUP. Currently led by Sir Reg Empey. <ref> [http://www.uup.org/]</ref>
* '''Social Democratic and Labour Party'''(SDLP): A left-wing nationalist party. Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume is a former leader. The SDLP were the largest nationalist party until recently, when they were overtaken by Sinn Féin. Unlike SF, the SDLP have always advocated a non-violent and constitutional approach to achieving a United Ireland. Current leader is Mark Durkan. <ref>[http://www.sdlp.ie/]</ref>
* '''Alliance Party''': The Alliance party identifies as neither unionist or nationalist and thus receives support from both communities. The current leader is David Ford. <ref>[http://www.allianceparty.org/]</ref>

In October 2002, the British Government suspended (for the fourth time) the Assembly, following a breakdown in trust between Unionists and Republicans. The British and Irish Governments began discussions with the parties to try to resolve longstanding unresolved differences between the communities, and to secure a commitment from Sinn Fein that Republicans would divest themselves of all paramilitary activities and capabilities. Efforts to restore the political process in time to stage new elections to the Assembly in May 2003 broke down when the two governments concluded they did not have sufficient assurances from the Republicans. However, the governments proceeded to publish a joint declaration, mapping out the timetable to full implementation of the GFA. The governments also created an International Monitoring Commission to serve as a forum to hear complaints of alleged breaches of GFA commitments by the political parties and/or by British authorities. The four-member commission includes a representative from the United States.

Beginning in 2005, there were significant steps to reinvigorate the peace process. In July 2005, the IRA unilaterally announced that it would end its "armed struggle" and rely upon solely peaceful and democratic means to achieve its political objectives. The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD) confirmed in September 2005 that the IRA had effectively put its weapons "beyond use." A series of reports by the International Monitoring Commission also noted significant progress by the IRA in its move away from criminality. Following upon this momentum, the British and Irish Governments in April 2006 launched a new negotiation process that envisioned the restoration of the Assembly and the selection of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister by year's end.

This process led to a summit at St. Andrews, Scotland, in October 2006, brokered by Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Bertie Ahern and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, which achieved agreement between Sinn Fein and the DUP on the process for restoring power to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Elections for the Assembly took place on March 7, 2007, which led to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly on May 8, 2007. DUP leader Ian Paisley was elected First Minister, while Sinn Fein leader Martin McGuinness became Deputy First Minister. Two breakthroughs enabled this historic agreement to proceed: Sinn Fein's decision at an extraordinary Ard Fheis ("AR-desh," party conference) on January 28 to endorse policing and justice; and the DUP's decision to contest the March 7 election, signaling that the party would agree to share power with Sinn Fein in a restored Assembly. In the meantime, both the British and Irish Governments have offered significant new financial packages for the new Assembly.

The Special Envoy for the Northern Ireland Peace Process is Paula Dobriansky, who coordinates with the U.S. Missions in London, Belfast and Dublin to reinforce the views of the British and Irish Governments that the newly restored Northern Ireland Assembly must govern effectively in order to achieve economic growth and community reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

The United States also continues to provide funding ($13.5 million in 2007) for projects administered under the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), created in 1986 to generate economic opportunity and cross-community engagement in the border areas, both North and South. Since the IFI's establishment, the U.S. Government has contributed over $482 million, roughly half of total IFI funding.

===Principal Government Officials===
*President--Mary McAleese
*Taoiseach (Prime Minister)--Bertie Ahern
*Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Finance--Brian Cowen
*Ambassador to the United States--Michael Collins

===Foreign Relations===
Ireland is a member of numerous international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the European Union. Ireland has been an important contributor to numerous international peacekeeping missions, such as in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Liberia (UNIMIL), and the Balkans (KFOR and EUFOR). Ireland's overseas development assistance focuses on Sub-Saharan Africa and stands at 5 percent of GDP.

==Economy==
Ireland boasts a vibrant, globalized economy, with GDP per capita second only to Luxembourg's in the EU. The "Celtic Tiger" period of the mid to late 1990s saw several years of double-digit GDP growth, driven by a progressive industrial policy that boosted large-scale foreign direct investment and exports. GDP growth dipped during the immediate post-9/11 global economic slowdown, but has averaged roughly 5 percent yearly since 2004, the best performance for this period among the original EU 15 Member States. Since 2004, the Irish economy has generated roughly 90,000 new jobs annually, attracting over 200,000 foreign workers, mostly from the new EU Member states, in an unprecedented immigration influx. The construction sector has accounted for approximately one-quarter of these jobs, and economists caution that any slowdown in Ireland's vibrant housing market would have ramifications for continued GDP growth.

Economic and trade ties are an important facet of overall U.S.-Irish relations. In 2005, U.S. exports to Ireland were valued at $9 billion, while Irish exports to the U.S. totaled $28 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The range of U.S. exports includes electrical components and equipment, computers and peripherals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and livestock feed. Irish exports to the United States represent approximately 20% of all Irish exports, and have roughly the same value as Irish exports to the UK (inclusive of Northern Ireland). Exports to the United States include alcoholic beverages, chemicals and related products, electronic data processing equipment, electrical machinery, textiles and clothing, and glassware. According to Ireland's Central Statistical Office, Irish exports to the United States from January to September 2006 rose by 7% compared to the same period in 2005, while Irish imports from the United States from January to September 2006 fell by 14% compared to the same period in 2005.

U.S. investment has been particularly important to the growth and modernization of Irish industry over the past 25 years, providing new technology, export capabilities, and employment opportunities. As of year-end 2006, the stock of U.S. foreign direct investment in Ireland stood at $84 billion, more than double the U.S. total for China and India combined ($31.2 billion). Currently, there are approximately 620 U.S. subsidiaries in Ireland, employing roughly 100,000 people and spanning activities from manufacturing of high-tech electronics, computer products, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals to retailing, banking, finance, and other services. In more recent years, Ireland has also become an important research and development (R&D) center for U.S. firms in Europe.

Many U.S. businesses find Ireland an attractive location to manufacture for the EU market, since it is inside the EU customs area and uses the euro. In 2005, U.S. firms accounted for 61% of Ireland's total exports of euro 89 billion. Other reasons for Ireland's attractiveness include: a 12.5 percent corporate tax rate for domestic and foreign firms; the quality and flexibility of the English-speaking work force; cooperative labor relations; political stability; pro-business government policies; a transparent judicial system; strong intellectual property protection; and, the pulling power of existing companies operating successfully (a "clustering" effect). Factors that negatively affect Ireland's ability to attract investment include: increasing labor and energy costs (especially when compared to low-cost countries in Eastern Europe and Asia), skilled labor shortages, inadequate infrastructure (such as in the transportation and internet/broadband sectors), and price levels that are ranked among the highest in Europe.

==History==
===Early History===
The earliest inhabitants--people of a mid-Stone Age culture--arrived about 6000 BC. About 4,000 years later, tribes from southern Europe arrived and established a high Neolithic culture, leaving behind gold ornaments and huge stone monuments. The Bronze Age people, who arrived during the next 1,000 years, produced elaborate gold and bronze ornaments and weapons.

The Iron Age arrived abruptly in the fourth century BC with the invasion of the Celts, a tall, energetic people who had spread across Europe and Great Britain in the preceding centuries. The Celts, or Gaels, and their more numerous predecessors divided into five kingdoms in which, despite constant strife, a rich culture flourished.

===Early Christian Ireland===
The coming of Christianity from across the Irish Sea brought major changes and civilizing influences. Ireland's first bishop, Palladius, arrived from [[France]] around 431 AD, evidence that Christianity had already arrived due to trading or other outside contacts. St. Patrick's mission most likely took place later, in the mid-to-late 5th century AD. Modern scholarship has discovered that many dates and facts attributed previously to Saint Patrick were likely the work of Palladius, and that the two had become blended into a single figure in the historical record.

The pagan druid tradition collapsed before the spread of the new faith, and Irish scholars excelled in the study of Latin learning and Christian theology in the monasteries that flourished. Missionaries went forth from Ireland to England and the continent, spreading news of the flowering of learning, and scholars from other nations came to Irish monasteries. The excellence and isolation of these monasteries helped preserve Latin and Greek learning during the Dark Ages. The arts of manuscript illumination, metalworking, and sculpture flourished and produced such treasures as the Book of Kells, ornate jewelry, and the many carved stone crosses that dot the island.

===Medieval Ireland===
At the end of the 8th Century, Norse and Danish raiders (commonly called Vikings) began to appear on Ireland's shores (as they were appearing in much of Europe at the same time). Several waves of attacks followed. The first were small, quick raids by small groups of boats on outlying areas (coastal settlements, islands off the coast, etc). Later raiding parties grew much larger, and began making inroads into the island. Eventually, the raiders began to build longphorts in Ireland, which were the first towns. Among these were Dublin, Waterford, and Wexford. The Vikings eventually became integrated into Irish politics and culture, and had major effects on many aspects of Irish life.

In the 12th century, Norman lords invaded Ireland at the behest of Diarmait MacMurrough who wanted their help to regain land that he had lost. While they quickly spread across most of the island, their conquest was incomplete. The Native Irish later began to retake much of the land that was lost and many Normans began to adopt Gaelic culture, which made the island very difficult to govern from England. The English were unable to bring the entire island under their control until the 17th century, after the defeat of the Irish in the Nine Years War. King James I of England (King James VI of Scotland) decided to plant Ulster, in the North of Ireland, with English and Scottish Protestant settlers, in an attempt to prevent future rebellions.<ref>[http://www.hoganstand.com/general/Identity/stories/ulster.htm]</ref>

===Modern Ireland===
In 1690, the Catholic King James II and his Irish allies were defeated by the Protestant William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne. This defeat ushered in an era of Protestant dominance in Ireland. A series of regulations limiting the status of the Catholic majority were passed between 1691 and 1760, known as the Penal Laws. These laws also discriminated against Presbyterians and other dissenting Protestants, who along with Catholics were forced to pay tithes to the Anglican Church.<ref>[http://www.risingroadtours.com/a7_penallaws.htm]</ref> <ref>[http://prorev.com/irish.htm]</ref>

In 1800 the Irish Parliament passed the Act of Union with Great Britain, and Ireland was an official part of the United Kingdom until 1921. Religious freedom, outlawed in the 18th century, was restored in 1829, but this victory for the Irish Catholic majority was overshadowed by a severe economic depression and the great famine from 1846-48 when the potato crop failed. Millions died, and the millions that emigrated spawned the first mass wave of Irish emigration to the United States. A decade later, in 1858, the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB--also known as the Fenians) was founded as a secret society dedicated to armed rebellion against the British. An aboveground political counterpart, the Home Rule Movement, was created in 1874, advocating constitutional change for independence.

Galvanized by the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell, the party was able to force British governments after 1885 to introduce several home rule bills. The turn of the century witnessed a surge of interest in Irish nationalism, including the founding of Sinn Fein ("Ourselves Alone") as an open political movement.

Nationalism was and is a potent populist force in Irish politics. A home rule bill passed in 1914, but its implementation was suspended until war in Europe ended. Believing the mantra: "England's problem is Ireland's opportunity," and tapping into a mood of Gaelic revivalism, Padraic Pearse and James Connolly led the unsuccessful Easter Rising of 1916. Pearse and the other 1916 leaders declared an independent Irish republic, but a lack of popular support doomed the rebellion, which lasted a week and destroyed large portions of Dublin. The decision by the British military government to execute the leaders of the rebellion, coupled with the British Government's threat of conscripting the Irish to fight in the Great War, alienated public opinion and produced massive support for Sinn Fein in the 1918 general election. Under the leadership of Eamon de Valera, the elected Sinn Fein deputies constituted themselves as the first Dail. Tensions only increased: British attempts to smash Sinn Fein ignited the Anglo-Irish War of 1919-1921.

The end of the war brought the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921, which established the Irish Free State of 26 counties within the British Commonwealth and recognized the partition of the island into Ireland and Northern Ireland, though supposedly as a temporary measure. The six predominantly Protestant counties of northeast Ulster--Northern Ireland--remained a part of the United Kingdom with limited self-government. A significant Irish minority repudiated the treaty settlement because of the continuance of subordinate ties to the British monarch and the partition of the island. This opposition led to further hostilities--a civil war (1922-23), which was won by the pro-treaty forces.

In 1932, Eamon de Valera, the political leader of the forces initially opposed to the treaty, became Prime Minister, and a new Irish constitution was enacted in 1937. The last British military bases were soon withdrawn, and the ports were returned to Irish control. Ireland was neutral in World War II. The government formally declared Ireland a republic in 1948; however, it does not normally use the term "Republic of Ireland," which tacitly acknowledges the partition, but refers to the country simply as "Ireland."

====Premiers of the Republic of Ireland====
President of the Executive Council

* '''William Thomas Cosgrave''' (Cummann na nGaedheal): 1922-1932.
* '''Éamon de Valera''' (Fianna Fáil): 1932-1937

An Taoiseach
* '''Éamon de Valera''' (Fianna Fáil): 1937-1948, 1951-1954, 1957-1959.
* '''John A.Costello''' (Fine Gael): 1948-1951, 1954-1957.
* '''Seán Lemass''' (Fianna Fáil): 1959-1966.
* '''Jack Lynch''' (Fianna Fáil): 1966-1973.
* '''Liam Cosgrave''' (Fine Gael): 1973-1977.
* '''Jack Lynch''' (Fianna Fáil): 1977-1979.
* '''Charles Haughey''' (Fianna Fáil): 1979-1981, March 1982 - December 82 and March 1987 - February 1992.
* '''Garret FitzGerald''' (Fine Gael): 30 June 1981- 9 March 1982 and 14 December 1982 - 10 March 1987.
* '''Albert Reynolds''' (Fianna Fáil): February 1992-1994.
* '''John Bruton''' (Fine Gael): 1994-1997.
* '''Bertie Ahern''' (Fianna Fáil): 1997-Present. <ref> [http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/index.asp?locID=349&docID=-1] </ref>

====Premiers of Northern Ireland====
Prime Minster of Northern Ireland (1921-1972)
*''Government of Ireland Act''
* '''Sir James Craig''' (UUP): 1921-1940
* '''John Miller Andrews''' (UUP): 1940-1943
* '''Sir Basil Brooke''' (UUP): 1943-1963
* '''Terence O'Neill''' (UUP): 1963-1969
* '''Brian Faulkner''' (UUP): 1969-1972
*''Post abolished in 1972.''

Chief Executive of Northern Ireland (1973–1974)
*''Sunningdale Agreement''
* '''Brian Faulkner''' (UUP) 1973–1974
*''Post abolished in 1972.''

First Minister of Northern Ireland (1998-present)
*''Belfast Agreement''
* '''David Trimble''' (UUP) 1998-July 2001, November 2001-October 2002
* '''Sir Reg Empey''' (UUP) (Acting): July 2001-October 2001
* ''Executive abolished''
*''St Andrews Agreement''
* '''Rev Dr Ian Paisley''' (DUP) 2007-present
<ref>[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/United_Kingdom.html#Northern]</ref>

==References==

<references/>

{{License|license = This work is in the [[public domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the US Code.| source = [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3180.htm]}}

[[Category:Ireland| ]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Islands]]

Gaelic

2008-01-16T22:14:00Z

LibertyorDeath:

'''Gaelic''' refers to three closely related modern [[Indo-European]] [[Celtic]] languages spoken on the islands [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]]. Irish Gaelic, usually known as ''Irish'' (or ''Gaelige'' in its own speech), is spoken on the island of [[Ireland]], Manx Gaelic on the Isle of Man, and Scottish Gaelic (or ''Gaidhlig'') in the Western [[Highlands of Scotland]] and The [[Hebrides]]. Scottish Gaelic was at one stage the dominant (but never the only) language in [[Scotland]]. These three languages form the Goidelic (from ''goidel'' (Ir.)= an Irishman) group of [[Celtic]] languages as opposed to the Brythonic group which comprises Welsh, Cornish and Breton. Gaelic has been in danger of becoming extinct in many of the traditional Gaelic speaking areas, but now a Gaelic renaissance has slowed this trend if not yet reversed it. In Ireland, for example, depending on where you are, many or all road signs are written in Gaelic, and the language is taught in their public school systems.

==Further Readings==
*[http://www.ceantar.org/Dicts/MF2/index.html], Gaelic Dictionary.

[[Category:Scottish Languages]]
[[Category:Languages]]

Gaelic

2008-01-16T22:13:37Z

LibertyorDeath:

'''Gaelic''' refers to three closely related modern [[Indo-European]] [[Celtic]] languages spoken on the islands [[Great Britain]] and [[Ireland]]. Irish Gaelic, usually known as ''Irish'' (or ''Gaelige'' in its own speech), is spoken on the island of [[Ireland]], Manx Gaelic on the Isle of Man, and Scottish Gaelic (or ''Gaidhlig'') in the Western [[Highlands of Scotland]] and The [[Hebrides]]. Scottish Gaelic was at one stage the dominant (but never the only) language in [[Scotland]]. These three languages form the Goidelic (from ''goidel'' (Ir.)= an Irishman) group of [[Celtic]] languages as opposed to the Brythonic group which comprises Welsh, Cornish and Breton. Gaelic has been in danger of becoming extinct in many of the traditional Gaelic speaking areas, but now a Gaelic renaissance has slowed this trend if not yet reversed it. In Ireland, for example, many road signs are written in Gaelic, and the language is taught in their public school systems.

==Further Readings==
*[http://www.ceantar.org/Dicts/MF2/index.html], Gaelic Dictionary.

[[Category:Scottish Languages]]
[[Category:Languages]]

Celts

2008-01-16T22:12:43Z

LibertyorDeath:

The '''Celts''' are people who speak the Celtic languages, primarily of [[Ireland]], [[Scotland]], [[Wales]], [[Cornwall]], [[Brittany]] and the [[Isle of Man]]. Other nations and regions with Celtic heritage, music and customs include [[Galicia]] in Northern [[Spain]], and [[England]]. The English share a similar mixed heritage of Celtic, [[Scandinavian]], and [[Germanic]] origin as the Scots. However, unlike Scotland, where the [[Gaelic]] Language was introduced from Ireland, no extant Celtic languages are spoken in England or Galicia.

The Celts were the first ethnic group to become widespread in Europe. Using tribes rather than stable civilizations, the Celts began in central Europe and migrated west beginning in about 500 B.C. to the British Isles and also northwest France and portions of Spain. Their religion consisted of worshipping the land, the waters and the changing of the seasons. Many aspects of life were associated with a particular God or Goddess, and their priests were called “druids”. They had no written language but often told myths and folktales. The Celts were renowned by the Romans for their fighting prowess, due to the Roman Empire's consistently failed attempts to conquer Ireland.

==Pronunciation==

The name "Celt" and the adjective "Celtic" can be pronounced with either a hard or a soft ''c.'' According to dictionaries the hard-c version ("kelt") is more common, and perhaps more correct since it is derived from the Greek word ''keltoi.''

The Boston Celtics basketball team is named after the Celts, a loose reference to Boston's Irish association; the team name is always pronounced with a soft ''c,'' as if it were spelled "seltics"; the same applies the the [[Glasgow]] football team Celtic F.C.
[[Category:culture]][[category:European History]]

Religion

2008-01-16T22:11:17Z

LibertyorDeath:

[[Image:Jesus5.jpg‎|thumb|200px|Artist's depiction of our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]]]
"'''Religion'''" refers to a set of core beliefs upon which people base their lives. Morality is often based on religion. Beyond this general definition, the word "religion" is used in several ways:

* '''Formal definition''': "The service and worship of [[God]] or the [[supernatural]];"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=religion "Religion"] in Merriam Webster dictionary.</ref> Under this definition, [[atheism]], [[agnosticism]], and [[secular humanism]] are not "religions." <ref>Religious Groups Participating in Religious Congregations & Membership Study 2000. [http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/alldenoms.asp]</ref>.
* '''Functional definition''': "A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=religion "Religion"] in Merriam Webster dictionary.</ref> By this definition, non-theistic belief systems such as [[atheism]], [[humanism]], and [[agnosticism]] could be considered religions. Indeed, the Supreme Court of the [[United States of America]] has acknowledged that "religion" does not need to include a belief in a god or gods, and included Secular Humanism as an example of a non-theistic religion.<ref>"Among religions in this country which do not teach what would generally be considered a belief in the existence of God, are Buddhism, Taoism, Ethical Culture, Secular Humanism, and others.". [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=367&invol=488#t11 Torcaso v. Watkins, (1961)]</ref><ref>"A federal court of appeals ruled ... Wisconsin prison officials violated an inmate's rights because they did not treat atheism as a religion." [http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45874 Court rules atheism a religion] WorldNet Daily</ref>
* '''Organisational definition''': Under the definition, the term refers to a particular religious organisation or movement, such a [[Roman Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Methodist|Methodism]], or [[Lutheran]]ism. These groups generally consist of a central creed or body of beliefs, an ethical component (i.e. a code of morals), a body of literature or holy texts or stories, and a set of individual and communal practices. Under this definition, a person might say, "I'm not religious, because I don't go to church—but I believe in God."
* '''Practical definition''': Under this definition, the term refers to a set of practices, rites, or rituals observed by followers. Under this definition, a person might say, "I'm not religious, because I'm not into rituals. My relationship with God is enough."

== List of religions ==
Religions can be classified according to how many gods the religion recognises.
=== Monotheistic religions ===

Monotheistic ("one god") religions are followed by the vast majority of the world's population.

* [[Bahá'í]]
* [[Christianity]]
* [[Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints|Mormonism]]
* [[Islam]]
* [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
* [[Judaism]]
* [[Rastafari movement]]
* [[Sikhism]]
* [[Zoroastrianism]]

=== Polytheistic religions ===
Polytheistic ("many gods") religions believe in multiple gods or spirits or other supernatural being needing to be worshipped. Polytheism has declined since the rise of Christianity, but has seen a recent resurgence among pagan cults in developed nations.

* [[Animism]]
* [[Cao Dai]]
* [[Paganism]]
* [[Scientology]] {{fact}}
* [[Shamanism]]
* [[Shinto]]
* [[Wicca]]
*[[Greek Paganism]]
*[[Irish Paganism]]

=== Pantheistic religions ===
Pantheistic ("all is god") religions believe that all of creation or nature is a god.

* [[Hinduism]]
* [[Jainism]]
* [[New Age]] beliefs

=== Non-theistic religions and philosophies===
Non-theistic religions do not have a belief in God or gods. Some consider the existence of God to be unknown or irrelevant, while (strong) Atheism is the belief that that there is no god or gods.
* [[Agnostic]]ism
* [[Atheism]]
* [[Buddhism]] (Though with elements of [[Pantheism]]
* [[Secular Humanism]]

=== Parody and joke religions ===
Several "religions" have been invented in an effort to denigrate or parody traditional religions. As a rule, these religions do not have followers who actually believe the tenets of the religions.

* [[Flying Spaghetti Monster|The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster]]
* [[Discordianism]]
* [[Jedi]]
* [[Last Thursdayism]]
* [[Church of the SubGenius|SubGeniism]]

== Faith in organised religion ==

The percentage of respondents answering they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in organised religion has decreased in the [[United States]] according to a [[Gallup]] poll taken in 2007. Only 46% of respondents selected either of the choices above. The numbers peaked at 68% in May 1975.<ref>Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg. 24</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==See Also==
* [[World Religions by Number of Followers]]

[[Category:Religion]]

Religion

2008-01-16T22:10:05Z

LibertyorDeath: /* Polytheistic religions */

[[Image:Jesus5.jpg‎|thumb|200px|Artist's depiction of our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]]]
"'''Religion'''" refers to a set of core beliefs upon which people base their lives. Morality is often based on religion. Beyond this general definition, the word "religion" is used in several ways:

* '''Formal definition''': "The service and worship of [[God]] or the [[supernatural]];"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=religion "Religion"] in Merriam Webster dictionary.</ref> Under this definition, [[atheism]], [[agnosticism]], and [[secular humanism]] are not "religions." <ref>Religious Groups Participating in Religious Congregations & Membership Study 2000. [http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/alldenoms.asp]</ref>.
* '''Functional definition''': "A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith"<ref>[http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=religion "Religion"] in Merriam Webster dictionary.</ref> By this definition, non-theistic belief systems such as [[atheism]], [[humanism]], and [[agnosticism]] could be considered religions. Indeed, the Supreme Court of the [[United States of America]] has acknowledged that "religion" does not need to include a belief in a god or gods, and included Secular Humanism as an example of a non-theistic religion.<ref>"Among religions in this country which do not teach what would generally be considered a belief in the existence of God, are Buddhism, Taoism, Ethical Culture, Secular Humanism, and others.". [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=367&invol=488#t11 Torcaso v. Watkins, (1961)]</ref><ref>"A federal court of appeals ruled ... Wisconsin prison officials violated an inmate's rights because they did not treat atheism as a religion." [http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45874 Court rules atheism a religion] WorldNet Daily</ref>
* '''Organisational definition''': Under the definition, the term refers to a particular religious organisation or movement, such a [[Roman Catholic|Catholicism]], [[Methodist|Methodism]], or [[Lutheran]]ism. These groups generally consist of a central creed or body of beliefs, an ethical component (i.e. a code of morals), a body of literature or holy texts or stories, and a set of individual and communal practices. Under this definition, a person might say, "I'm not religious, because I don't go to church—but I believe in God."
* '''Practical definition''': Under this definition, the term refers to a set of practices, rites, or rituals observed by followers. Under this definition, a person might say, "I'm not religious, because I'm not into rituals. My relationship with God is enough."

== List of religions ==
Religions can be classified according to how many gods the religion recognises.
=== Monotheistic religions ===

Monotheistic ("one god") religions are followed by the vast majority of the world's population.

* [[Bahá'í]]
* [[Christianity]]
* [[Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints|Mormonism]]
* [[Islam]]
* [[Jehovah's Witnesses]]
* [[Judaism]]
* [[Rastafari movement]]
* [[Sikhism]]
* [[Zoroastrianism]]

=== Polytheistic religions ===
Polytheistic ("many gods") religions believe in multiple gods or spirits or other supernatural being needing to be worshipped. Polytheism has declined since the rise of Christianity, but has seen a recent resurgence among pagan cults in developed nations.

* [[Animism]]
* [[Cao Dai]]
* [[Paganism]]
* [[Scientology]] {{fact}}
* [[Shamanism]]
* [[Shinto]]
* [[Wicca]]
*[[Greek Paganism]]
*[[Irish Paganism]]

=== Pantheistic religions ===
Pantheistic ("all is god") religions believe that all of creation or nature is a god.

* [[Hinduism]]
* [[Jainism]]
* [[New Age]] beliefs

=== Non-theistic religions and philosophies===
Non-theistic religions do not have a belief in God or gods. Some consider the existence of God to be unknown or irrelevant, while (strong) Atheism is the belief that that there is no god or gods.
* [[Agnostic]]ism
* [[Atheism]]
* [[Buddhism]]
* [[Secular Humanism]]

=== Parody and joke religions ===
Several "religions" have been invented in an effort to denigrate or parody traditional religions. As a rule, these religions do not have followers who actually believe the tenets of the religions.

* [[Flying Spaghetti Monster|The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster]]
* [[Discordianism]]
* [[Jedi]]
* [[Last Thursdayism]]
* [[Church of the SubGenius|SubGeniism]]

== Faith in organised religion ==

The percentage of respondents answering they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in organised religion has decreased in the [[United States]] according to a [[Gallup]] poll taken in 2007. Only 46% of respondents selected either of the choices above. The numbers peaked at 68% in May 1975.<ref>Christian Examiner, Sept. 2007, Vol 25, No 9, Pg. 24</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==See Also==
* [[World Religions by Number of Followers]]

[[Category:Religion]]

Rocky horror picture show

2008-01-16T18:26:33Z

LibertyorDeath: New page: The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult film from 1975 with homosexual undertones.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a cult film from 1975 with [[homosexual]] undertones.

Alan Keyes

2008-01-15T01:00:26Z

LibertyorDeath:

[[Image:Keyes.jpg|thumb|Alan Keyes]]
'''Alan Keyes''' (born 1950) is an [[American]] conservative activist and pundit, and was a [[Republican]] candidate for president in 1988, 1992, and 2004. He has announced that he is also running in 2008.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Sep17/0,4670,Keyes2008,00.html</ref>. In 2004 Keyes unsuccessfully ran against Democrat African-American [[Barack Obama]] in the [[Illinois]] U.S. Senate race. According to the Obama camp as studiously reported by [[NBC]] affiliate WMAQ TV of Chicago, Keyes is alleged to have said that [[Jesus]] would not vote for Obama. <ref>http://www.nbc5.com/politics/3712293/detail.html</ref>

During the [[Ronald Reagan | Reagan]] administration, Keyes served as an ambassador to the [[United Nations]]. This position made him the highest ranking African-African in the Reagan administration.

==Political Beliefs==
'''[[Global Warming]]''': Alan Keyes said in an Iowa debate that the biggest environment problem was the hot air being produced by politicians.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category: Republican Party]]
{{2008 presidential candidates}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Keyes, Alan}}

Jesse Jackson

2008-01-15T00:58:19Z

LibertyorDeath:

[[Image:Wld3.jpg|right|400px|thumb|Jesse Jackson with [[PLO]] Chairman [[Yasser Arafat]].]]
'''Reverend Jesse Jackson''' is a Democratic black political activist. He is highly controversial for various reasons, including [[anti-Semitic]] remarks when using a slang name to refer to New York City. Jesse Jackson was part of [[Martin Luther King]]'s [[African-American]] circle, although how close is debated. His perceived self promotion with Dr. King's death led to an alientation from the King family. Jackson ran for President on the [[Democrats|Democratic]] ticket in 1984 and again in 1988. He fared much better in 1988, but his past New York City slur came back to haunt him and he was especially lambasted by then New York City mayor [[Ed Koch]], who is also [[Jewish]].

According to ''[[Washington Post]]'' reporter Milton Coleman, Jackson remarked about "the preoccupation of some with [[Israel]]." Coleman quotes Jackson as saying,
{{Cquote|That's all Hymie wants to talk about, is Israel; every time you go to Hymietown, that's all they want to talk about. <ref>[http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=187440 Jesse and the Jews], Michael W. Hirschorn, ''The Harvard Crimson'', March 05, 1984.</ref>}}

The ''American Journalism Review'' reported Jackson issued a non-denial-denial.<ref>[http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=370 "Hymietown" Revisited], Gigi Anders, ''American Journalism Review'', May 1999.</ref>

Jesse Jackson was arrested by Decatur, Illinois in December 1999 and charged with criminal trespass and contributing to the delinquency of a minor <ref>[http://www.judicialwatch.org/archive/2006/jackson-report.pdf Jesse Jackson Exposed,] A Judicial Watch Special Report. Retrieved from judicialwatch.org 06/04/07.</ref> in connection with a demonstration at a local high school.

Jackson runs the Rainbow coalition, a group with much controversy such as in 2001 when it was revealed payments were made from the organization to Jackson's mistress.

In the wake of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]] Rev. Jackson was virtually alone in opposing retaliation on terrorists and the regimes that harbored them. Speaking in a meeting at Operation PUSH headquarters in Chicago four days after the attacks, Jackson told listeners rather than deploy troops the U.S. should,
{{Cquote|launch the fight for the redistribution of resources. One hundred million people will have AIDS in five years. We should use our strength for that. <ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_38_17/ai_79027414 A Tale of Two Preachers - Louis Farrakhan and Jesse Jackson], by Kenneth R. Timmerman, ''Insight on the News'', Oct 15, 2001.</ref>}}

He was prominent in the [[Michael Richards]] and [[Don Imus]] cases.

In June 2007, Jackson was again arrested outside a gun shop. Jackson was allegedly protesting the killing of a 16 year old honor student who was the unitended victim of gang violence. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,286412,00.html Rev. Jesse Jackson Arrested at Gun Shop Protest], June 24, 2007.</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External link==
*[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=26851 Jesse Jackson's ties to terrorists exposed], By Paul Sperry, ''WolrdNetDaily.com'', March 18, 2002.

[[category:liberal activists]]

Dennis Kucinich

2008-01-15T00:52:32Z

LibertyorDeath:

[[Image:Kucinich.png‎ |thumb|250x250px|]]
'''Dennis Kucinich''' is a [[liberal]] [[United States]] [[Congress]]man from [[Ohio]] and candidate for [[Democrat]] presidential primary election in 2008. He served as mayor of [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]] from 1978 through 1980.

==History==

===Early Life===
Kucinich was born in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]] in 1946. For his high school education, Kucinich attended St. John Cantius, in Cleveland. After graduating from high school at the age of 17, Kucinich moved away from home and rented an apartment while enrolling in classes at [[Cleveland State University]]. Although he attended [[Cleveland State University]] for three year, he eventually received a masters degree in Speech and Communications from [[Case Western University]] in 1974. At the age of 23, Kucinich began his political career by running for Cleveland City Counsel.

===Mayor===
He won the election for City Counsel, and in 1977 ran for mayor of Cleveland and won the election, becoming the youngest person ever to lead a major American city<ref> http://kucinich.house.gov/Biography/</ref>. Kucinich married Sandra Lee McCarthy who he divorced in 1986<ref>http://www.nndb.com/people/763/000024691/</ref>. When he took over the Mayor’s office in Cleveland, he was handed over a city in disastrous economic conditions, all of which would be compounded under his administration. Kucinich refused to grant a major bank in Cleveland, [[Cleveland Public Power]], request for the city to sell one of their municipal utility into the private sector. The disagreement between the bank and the mayor led to greater economic problems, causing the city to become the first to city to fall into [[default]] since the [[Great Depression]]<ref> http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2004/primaries/kucinich_bio.html</ref>. Mayor Kucinich appointed a 19 year old into a key position of office and also placed a 24-year-old, with less then a year experience as a [[stockbroker]], in office as city [[finance director]]. Kucinich also got into a fight with the popular Cleveland Police Chief, who he fired on live TV for insubordination. The [[Cleveland Police Department]] later went on strike protesting the Mayor’s budget cuts. The public outraged at his policy, gave him the nickname of, "Dennis the Menace,” and called for a recall election<ref>http://www.nndb.com/people/763/000024691/</ref>. In 1978, as Kucinich threw out the first pitch wearing a bullet proof vest, nearly all 75,000 fans at the opening of [[Cleveland Municipal Stadium]] booed him. The recall took place and Kucinich just survived the recall by only 236 votes<ref> http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2004/primaries/kucinich_bio.html</ref>.

===Congress===
In 1979, the disgraced mayor ran for a second term, but lost to a [[Republican]], [[George Voinovich]]. With his political future looking bleak, former Mayor Kucinich moved to [[Los Angeles]]. He returned to Cleveland in 1994. Here he had success with his business, [[Kucinich Communications]], a company that produced industrial videos and brokered media time for clients. Kucinich ran for [[State Senator]] in 1994, and he won the election. He held this position for two terms. In 1996, Kucinich won a race for [[United States Congress]] and has been re-elected every two years since. In his last congressional election he received 66% of the [[Ohio]] vote. In 2004 Kucinich sought the [[Democratic Presidential nomination]] but lost. Kucinich currently is serving his 6th term in Congress, and second time as Democrat presidential primary contender.

==Political Positions==

===Abortion===
Kucinich’s position on abortion has been somewhat of a “flip-flop.” During Kucinich’s first three terms at congress he compiled a consistently pro-life record; this earned him a 95-percent approval rating from the [[National Right to Life Committee]] in 2000. Kucinich stated that he believed that “life begins at conception”.<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-enrich022003.asp National Review, “Kucinich Choice”</ref>” However in 2003, he changed his position, stating that he was “pro-choice” and promised before an Iowa campaign crowed in 2003, "as president, I would protect that right [to abortion], and I would also make sure that appointees to the [[Supreme Court]] protected that right."<ref>http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-enrich022003.asp National Review, “Kucinich Choice”</ref>. The President of the National Abortion Rights Action League, Kate Michelman, stated that, “[Kucinich] understands that this [abortion] is a fundamental freedom. Do I think that's sincere? Yes I do."

===Health Care===
Like the majority of the Democrat primary candidates, Kucinich supports a type of socialized universal healthcare. He co-sponsored “Medicare for All Act”, with Congressman [[John Conyer]], this bill would create a [[universal healthcare]] system. The healthcare system would create a government program that would eliminate private health insures, and buy prescription drugs in large amounts, the estimated cost for Kucinich’s plan would cost the United States about $2.2 trillion a year. until 2013<ref> http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june03/kucinich_05-29.html</ref>.

===Foreign Affairs===
Kucinich has said that he supports diplomatic foreign policy but not militaristic. He stated in an NBC News Democrat debate that, “I opposed the idea of using war as a matter of policy. I don't think it reflects America's greatness..”<ref>NBC News Debate Transcript, http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/stories/wcnc-042607-krg-debate_part1.1023b3ba.html</ref> He calls Bush’s war on terrorism an excuse for aggressive action, similar to the position held by [[John Edwards]]. He said that, “Because the fact of the matter is that the global war on terror has been a pretext for aggressive war. As president of the United States, I intend to take America in a different direction, rejecting war as an instrument of policy, reconnecting with the nations of the world, so that we can address the real issues that affect security all over the globe and affect our security at home: getting rid of all nuclear weapons, the United States participating in the chemical weapons convention, the biological weapons convention, the small arms treaty, the landmine treaty, joining the International Criminal Court, signing the Kyoto climate change treaty”. <ref>Votes and statements on foreign policy, http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Dennis_Kucinich_Foreign_Policy.htm, NBC News Debate Transcript, http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/stories/wcnc-042607-krg-debate_part1.1023b3ba.html</ref>

===Iraq===
Unlike many of his Democratic opponents, Kucinich opposed the war with Iraq since the very beginning. He states that Congress should use its power to withdraw funds from the war. Kucinich bill would, as he stated, “call on the international community to provide peacekeepers and security forces that will move in as our troops leave. But we can’t do that until we determine we’re going to end the occupation. And we will do that when we stop the funding.” <ref>NBC News Debate Transcript, http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/stories/wcnc-042607-krg-debate_part1.1023b3ba.html</ref> In 2007, Kucinich said that [[Vice President]], [[Dick Cheney]], should be impeached for ‘lying about Iraq’<ref>On the Issues, http://www.ontheissues.org/Government_Reform.htm#Dennis_Kucinich</ref>.

===Trade===
Kucinich does not support free trade agreements such as [[NAFTA]]. He has stated that as President, one of his first acts would be to end NAFTA. He also said that he wants to end other trade agreements such as the [[World Trade Organization]] and [[GATT]]. He says that free trade agreements must end because of United States citizen’s jobs are lost by the trade agreements, and also the lack of worker right provisions in the agreements. In replacement of the multilateral trade agreements, Kucinich supports bilateral trade<ref>http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Dennis_Kucinich_Free_Trade.htm</ref>.

===Gun Control===
In 2003, Kucinich was given an F by the [[National Rifle Association]] in regards to gun control, indicating a pro-gun control record. Kucinich voted no on prohibiting suing gun makers and seller for gun misuse, he also voted no on decreasing gun waiting period from three days to one<ref>http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Dennis_Kucinich_Gun_Control.htm</ref>.

===Energy and Oil===
Kucinich support the raising of [[CAFÉ]] standards from 27.5 mpg to 40 for cars and 40 mpg for SUV’s. He voted no on opening [[ANWR]] for oil drilling. He supports the use of renewable sources to replace fossil fuels, he stated, “I would lead this country on a new energy initiative. In the same way that President Kennedy decided to bring the academic and spiritual resources of this country to reach the moon, I intend to have a journey to planet Earth about sustainable and renewable energy. By the year 2010, I'll call upon Americans to assist in creating a program, not only of conservation, but of moving to renewable energy, away from oil, nuclear and coal, and towards wind and solar and geothermal, green hydrogen and biomass.”<ref>http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/Dennis_Kucinich_Energy_+_Oil.htm</ref>
===Immigration===
In 2004, Kucinich said that, “We also ought to agree that there ought to be amnesty for anyone who has been working in this country and would otherwise be denied rights.” He got a 0% rating from the [[Federation for American Immigration Reform]], mostly because of his ardent support for a path for citizenship for illegal immigrants. Kucinich also does not support the building of a fence between [[Mexico]] and the United States border. He also voted against a bill that would help in hospital’s reporting of illegal alien’s treatment<ref>http://www.ontheissues.org/Dennis_Kucinich_VoteMatch.htm</ref>.

==Democratic Primary Campaign==

===Support===
On December 11, 2006, Dennis Kucinich announced that he would again run for the Democrat presidential nomination. Seen as a lower tier candidate, Kucinich lashed out at his Democrat opponents, calling them hypocritical for funding the [[Iraq War]], “Trust in the Democratic Party is on the line... What kind of credibility will our party have if we say we are opposed to the war, but continue to fund it?” Despite his push for the liberal base, Kucinich still remains as a lower tier candidate, poll numbers show that only 1% of Democrats voters support him<ref>Poll Numbers, http://www.pollingreport.com/wh08dem.htm</ref>.

===Funding===
In first quarter fundraising Kucinich raised $756,567, more then 25 million behind the first quarter leader [[Hillary Clinton]]<ref>http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/democrat-obama-nears-clinton-first-quarter/story.aspx?guid=%7B841BDC61-B47D-4A74-87DB-1D3D49961CF4%7D</ref>. The second quarter fundraising for Kucinich was not released by his campaign. [[Chris Dodd]] and [[Mike Gravel]] also did not release fund raising estimates<ref>http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/tag/second-quarter-fundraising/</ref>.

===Primary Debates===
After a July 2007 democrat primary debate, presidential primary candidate [[John Edwards]] said in a conversation with [[Hillary Clinton]] that "We should try to have a more serious and a smaller group.” Clinton agreed, and stated that the candidates they needed to cut were “not serious." Being a lower tier candidate, Kucinich attacked Edwards, "This is a serious matter, and I'm calling him on it," Kucinich said. "Whispering, trying to rig an election, then denying what's going on and making excuses. It all reflects a consistent lack of integrity."<ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/13/AR2007071301891.html?hpid=sec-politics</ref>

In addition, he was excluded from a primary debate in Nevada, he sued for reentry and won. However, there has been no news since then concerning his reentry in to the debate.

==See Also==
[[Previous Breaking News/Dennis Kucinich|Articles about '''Dennis Kucinich''' from previous "Breaking News"]]

==References==
<references/>
==External Links==
*[http://kucinich.house.gov/ Official Website]
*[http://kucinich.house.gov/ Congressional Website]
*[http://ontheissues.org/Dennis_Kucinich.htm Voting Record]
{{2008_presidential_candidates}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kucinich, Dennis}}
[[Category: 2008 Presidential Candidates]]
[[Category:United States Representatives]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]

Kenya

2008-01-14T03:00:53Z

LibertyorDeath:

{{Country
|name =''Jamhuri ya Kenya''
|map =Kenya rel 88.JPG
|flag =kenyaflag.gif
|arms =Arms of Kenya.jpg
|capital =Nairobi
|capital-raw =
|government =Republic
|government-raw =
|language =Swahili, English
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Mwai Kibaki
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =
|pm-raw =
|area =45,405 sq mi
|pop =34,707,817
|pop-basis =2005
|gdp =$48.33 billion
|gdp-year =2005
|gdp-pc =$1,445
|currency =Kenyan shilling
|idd =
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}}
'''Kenya''' is one of the few [[democracies]] in [[Africa]]. Located in the east of the continent, it is famous for its majestic wildlife.

==Geography==
Kenya rises from a low coastal [[plain]] on the [[Indian Ocean]] in a series of [[mountain]] ridges and plateaus which stand above 3,000 [[meter]]s (9,000 ft.) in the center of the country. The Rift Valley bisects the country above [[Nairobi]], opening up to a broad arid plain in the north. Highlands cover the south before descending to the shores of [[Lake Victoria]] in the west. The climate is tropical in south, west, and central regions; arid and semi-arid in the north and the northeast.

==People==
Kenya has a very diverse population that includes three of Africa's major sociolinguistic groups: Bantu (67%), Nilotic (30%), and Cushitic (3%). Kenyans are deeply [[religious]]. About 80% of Kenyans are [[Christian]], 10% [[Muslim]], and 10% follow traditional African religions or other faiths. Most [[city]] residents retain links with their rural, extended families and leave the city periodically to help work on the family farm. About 75% of the work force is engaged in [[agriculture]], mainly as subsistence farmers. The national motto of Kenya is Harambee, meaning "pull together." In that spirit, volunteers in hundreds of communities build schools, clinics, and other facilities each year and collect funds to send students abroad. The six state [[universities]] enroll about 45,000 students, representing some 25% of the Kenyan students who qualify for admission. There are six private universities.
*Population (June 2007 est.): 36.9 million.
*Major ethnic groups: Kikuyu 22%, Luyia 14%, Luo 14%, Kalenjin 11%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 5%.
*Religions: Christian 80%, Muslim 10%, traditional African religions 9%, Hindu/Sikh/Baha'i/Jewish 1%.
*Languages: [[English]] (official), [[Swahili]] (national), over 40 other languages from the Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic linguistic groups.
*Education: First 8 years of primary [[school]] are provided free by the government. Attendance--92% for primary grades. Adult literacy rate--85.1%.
*Health: Infant mortality rate--57.4/1,000. [[Life]] expectancy--55.3 yrs (2007 est.).
*Work force (1.95 million wage earners): public sector 30%; private sector 70%. Informal sector workers--6.4 million. Services--45%; industry and commerce--35%; agriculture--20%.

==Government==
The [[unicameral]] National Assembly consists of 210 members elected to a term of 5 years from single-member constituencies, plus 12 members nominated by [[political parties]] on a proportional representation basis. The [[president]] appoints the [[vice president]] and cabinet members from among those elected to the assembly. The [[attorney general]] and the speaker are ex-officio members of the National Assembly.

The [[judiciary]] is headed by a High Court, consisting of a [[Chief Justice]] and High Court judges and judges of Kenya's [[Court of Appeal]], all appointed by the [[president]].

Local administration is divided among 69 rural districts, each headed by a commissioner appointed by the president. The government has proposed 37 more districts, but these are not yet ratified by [[Parliament]]. The districts are joined to form seven rural provinces. Nairobi has special provincial status. The Ministry of State in charge of Provincial Administration and Internal Security supervises the administration of districts and provinces.

===Principal Government Officials===
*President--Mwai Kibaki
*Vice President--Moody Awori
*Minister of Foreign Affairs--Raphael Tuju
*[[Ambassador]] to the United States--Peter Ogego
*Ambassador to the [[United Nations]]--Zachary Muita-Muburi

===Political Conditions===
Since [[independence]], Kenya has maintained remarkable stability despite changes in its political system and crises in neighboring countries. Particularly since the re-emergence of multiparty [[democracy]], Kenyans have enjoyed an increased degree of [[freedom]].

In December 2002, Kenyans held democratic and open [[election]]s, which were judged free and fair by international observers.{{cn}} The 2002 elections marked an important turning point in Kenya's democratic [[evolution]] as the presidency and the parliamentary [[majority]] passed from the party that had ruled Kenya since independence to a coalition of new political parties. The [[government]] lost a referendum over its draft constitution in November 2005. This vote too was widely accepted as free, fair and credible.

Under the presidency of [[Mwai Kibaki]], the NARC coalition promised to focus its efforts on generating economic growth, improving and expanding education, combating corruption and rewriting the constitution. The first two goals were largely met, but progress toward the second two goals has been limited. President Kibaki's current cabinet consists of Members of Parliament from allied parties and others recruited from opposition parties who joined the cabinet without the approval of their party leaderships.

In early 2006, revelations from investigative reports of two major government-linked [[corruption]] scandals rocked Kenya and led to resignations, including three ministers (one of whom was later re-appointed). In March 2006, another major scandal was uncovered involving money laundering and tax evasion in the Kenyan banking system. The government's March 2006 raid on the Standard Group media house conducted by masked Kenyan police was internationally condemned and was met with outrage by Kenya media and civil society. The government did not provide a sufficient explanation. No one has been held accountable.

In December 2007, presidential and parliamentary elections were held, and the president, [[Mwai Kibaki]] was declared the victor. However, there have been allegations of foul play and election rigging, because polling done before the election showed the country supported known Socialist, [[Raila Odinga]]. Riots erupted across the country, between the [[Socialist]] supports of Odinga and the supports of Kibaki.

After a disputed election, Odinga's Socialist party won 95 of 122 legislative seats in parliamentary balloting, and half of Kibaki's Cabinet lost their seats. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080105/ap_on_re_af/kenya_elections]

===Foreign Relations===
Despite internal tensions in [[Sudan]] and [[Ethiopia]], Kenya has maintained good relations with its northern neighbors. Recent relations with [[Uganda]] and [[Tanzania]] have improved as the three countries work for mutual [[economic]] benefit.

Kenya has hosted and played an active role in the negotiations to resolve the civil war in Sudan and to reinstate a central government authority in [[Somalia]]. The Sudan[[ peace]] negotiations have made major progress, resulting in the signing in Kenya of agreements between the Khartoum government and the southern Sudan rebels to put an end to the two-decade-long war. On January 9, 2005 a Sudan North-South Comprehensive Peace Accord was signed in Nairobi. Negotiations in the Somali National Reconciliation Conference resulted at the end of 2004 in the establishing of Somali Transitional Federal Institutions ([[Assembly]], President, Prime Minister, and Government). Until early 2005, Kenya served as a major host both for these institutions and for refugees from Somalia as well as Sudan. Between May and June 2005, members of the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions relocated to Somalia.

Kenya maintains a moderate profile in [[Third World]] [[politics]]. Kenya's relations with Western countries are generally friendly, although current political and economic instabilities are sometimes blamed on Western pressures.

==Economy==
After independence, Kenya promoted rapid economic growth through public investment, encouragement of smallholder agricultural production, and incentives for private (often foreign) industrial investment. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual average of 6.6% from 1963 to 1973. Agricultural production grew by 4.7% annually during the same period, stimulated by redistributing estates, diffusing new crop strains, and opening new areas to cultivation. After experiencing moderately high growth rates during the 1960s and 1970s, Kenya's economic performance during the last two decades has been far below its potential. The economy grew by an annual average of only 1.5% between 1997 and 2002, which was below the population growth estimated at 2.5% per annum, leading to a decline in per capita incomes. The decline in economic performance in the last two decades was largely due to inappropriate agricultural policies, inadequate credit, and poor international terms of trade contributing to the decline in agriculture. Kenya's inward-looking policy of import substitution and rising oil prices made Kenya's manufacturing sector uncompetitive. The government began a massive intrusion in the private sector. Lack of export incentives, tight import controls, and foreign exchange controls made the domestic environment for investment even less attractive.

From 1991 to 1993, Kenya had its worst economic performance since independence. Growth in GDP stagnated, and agricultural production shrank at an annual rate of 3.9%. Inflation reached a record 100% in August 1993, and the government's budget deficit was over 10% of GDP. As a result of these combined problems, bilateral and multilateral donors suspended program aid to Kenya in 1991. In the 1990s, the government implemented economic reform measures to stabilize the economy and restore sustainable growth. In 1994, nearly all administrative controls on producer and retail prices, imports, foreign exchange and grain marketing were removed. The Government of Kenya privatized a range of publicly owned companies, reduced the number of civil servants, and introduced conservative fiscal and monetary policies. By the mid-1990s, the government lifted price controls on petroleum products. In 1995, foreigners were allowed to invest in the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). In July 1997, the Government of Kenya refused to meet commitments made earlier to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on governance reforms. As a result, the IMF suspended lending for 3 years, and the World Bank also put a $90-million structural adjustment credit on hold.
*Annual growth rate (2006): 6.1%.
*Gross national income per capita (2006): $455.
*Natural resources: Wildlife, land.
*Agriculture: Products--tea, coffee, sugarcane, horticultural products, corn, wheat, rice, sisal, pineapples, pyrethrum, dairy products, meat and meat products, hides, skins. Arable land--5%.
*Industry: Types--petroleum products, grain and sugar milling, cement, beer, soft drinks, textiles, vehicle assembly, paper and light manufacturing.
*Trade (2006): Exports--$3.1 billion: tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products, cement, pyrethrum, soda ash, sisal, hides and skins, fluorspar. Major markets--Uganda, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Egypt, South Africa, United States. Imports--$7.2 billion: machinery, vehicles, crude petroleum, iron and steel, resins and plastic materials, refined petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, paper and paper products, fertilizers, wheat. Major suppliers--U.K., Japan, South Africa, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Italy, India, France, United States, Saudi Arabia.

The Government of Kenya took some positive steps on reform, including the establishment of the Kenyan Anti-Corruption Authority in 1999, and the adoption of measures to improve the transparency of government procurements and reduce the government payroll. In July 2000, the IMF signed a $150 million Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and the World Bank followed suit shortly after with a $157 million Economic and Public Sector Reform credit. The Anti-Corruption Authority was declared unconstitutional in December 2000, and other parts of the reform effort faltered in 2001. The IMF and World Bank again suspended their programs.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) was negative from 2000-2003, but started trickling back in 2004, as demonstrated by an increase in the number of enterprises operating in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) from 66 to 74 between 2003 and 2004. The value of total investments increased from Ksh18.7 billion (U.S. $247.3 million) in 2005 to Ksh20.1 billion (over U.S. $278.3 million) in 2006. Following the end of the Multifiber Arrangement (MFA) textile agreement in January 2005, several textile and apparel factories closed, leaving 68 EPZ enterprises. In 2006, this number increased to 70 EPZ enterprises.

The economy began to recover after 2002, registering 2.8% growth in 2003, 4.3% in 2004, 5.8% in 2005, and 6.1% in 2006. Under the leadership of President Kibaki, who took over on December 30, 2002, the Government of Kenya began an ambitious economic reform program and resumed its cooperation with the World Bank and the IMF. The National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) government enacted the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and Public Officers Ethics Act in May 2003 aimed at fighting graft in public offices. There was some movement to reduce corruption in 2003, but the government did not sustain that momentum. Other reforms especially in the judiciary, public procurement etc, led to the unlocking of donor aid and a renewed hope of economic revival.

In November 2003, following the signing into law of key anti-corruption legislation and other reforms by the new government, donors reengaged as the IMF approved a three-year $250 million Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and donors committed $4.2 billion in support over 4 years. In December 2004, the IMF approved Kenya's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement equivalent to U.S. $252.8 million to support the government's economic and governance reforms. However, the government's ability to stimulate economic demand through fiscal and monetary policy remains fairly limited while the pace at which the government is pursuing reforms in other key areas remains slow. Although the Privatization Law was enacted in 2005, modest steps have been made on privatizing of parastatals apart from Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and the concessioning of Kenya Railways, while civil service reform is limited despite the government's assertion that reforms would be undertaken. Accelerating growth to achieve Kenya's potential and reduce the poverty that afflicts more than 56% of its population will require continued de-regulation of business, improved delivery of government services, addressing structural reforms, massive investment in new infrastructure (especially roads), reduction of chronic insecurity caused by crime, and improved economic governance generally.

The current expansion is fairly broad-based and is built on a stable macro-environment fostered by government, and the resilience, resourcefulness, and improved confidence of the private sector. Nairobi continues to be the primary communication and financial hub of East Africa. It enjoys the region's best transportation linkages, communications infrastructure, and trained personnel, although these advantages are less prominent than in past years. On January 31, 2007, the government signed a $2.7 million contract with Tyco Telecommunications to perform an undersea survey for the construction of a fiber-optic cable to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) called the East African Marine Systems (TEAMS). Two other fiber-optic cables projects are being pursued to link Kenya to the rest of East Africa and India. Once TEAMS and the domestic fiber-optic cables planned by the government are completed, the economy is expected to benefit significantly from reduced internet access prices and improved capacity. A wide range of foreign firms maintain regional branches or representative offices in the city. In March 1996, the Presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda re-established the East African Community (EAC). The EAC's objectives include harmonizing tariffs and customs regimes, free movement of people, and improving regional infrastructures. In March 2004, the three East African countries signed a Customs Union Agreement paving the way for a common market. The Customs Union and a Common External Tariff were established on January 1, 2005, but the EAC countries are still working out exceptions to the tariff. Rwanda and Burundi have since joined the community. In May 2007, during a Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit, 13 heads of state endorsed a move to adopt a COMESA customs union and set December 8, 2008 as the target date for its adoption.

Tourism is now Kenya's largest foreign exchange earning sector, followed by flowers, tea and coffee. In 2006 tourism generated $803 million, up from $699 million the previous year. Africa is Kenya's largest export market, followed by the European Union (EU). Kenya benefits significantly from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Although Congress renewed the AGOA third-country fabric provision in December 2006 to provide more time to develop local cotton and fabric production that meets the buyers' rigorous standards, its apparel industry is struggling to hold its ground against Asian competition. Kenya's main exports to the U.S. are AGOA-program garments, but it continues to run a trade deficit with the U.S.

Kenya faces profound environmental challenges brought on by high population growth, deforestation, shifting climate patterns, and the overgrazing of cattle in marginal areas in the north and west of the country. Significant portions of the population will continue to require emergency food assistance in the coming years.

====Media====
The key independent print media in Kenya are the Nation Media Group, the Standard Group, People Limited, and the Times Media Group. The Nation Media Group publications, which include the Daily Nation, the Sunday Nation, the Business Daily, the weekly East African, and the only Swahili publications, Taifa Leo and Taifa Jumapili, have the largest circulations. The Standard and the Sunday Standard, published by the Standard Group, are also popular newspapers, although with smaller circulations. Approximately 120 foreign correspondents representing 100 media organizations report from Nairobi. There is no government-owned or controlled newspaper.

Major independent radio and television media are the Kenya Television Network (KTN), the broadcast media arm of the Standard Group; Nation Radio/TV, owned by the Nation Media Group; and Citizen Radio/Television, owned by Royal Media Services. The government owns and controls the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and its subsidiaries. KBC is the only national radio and television network.

Kenya also has hundreds of FM radio stations, some broadcasting in Swahili or in local languages. Radio has a wide reach in Kenya, especially in rural areas. Some major international broadcasters, including British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Voice of America (VOA) and Radio France Internationale (RFI), rebroadcast their programming in Kenya.

==History==
Cushitic-speaking people from what is now Sudan and Ethiopia moved into the area that is now Kenya beginning around 2000 BC. Arab traders began frequenting the Kenya coast around the first century AD. Kenya's proximity to the Arabian Peninsula invited colonization, and Arab and Persian settlements sprouted along the coast by the eighth century. During the first millennium AD, Nilotic and Bantu peoples moved into the region, and the latter now comprise two thirds of Kenya's population. The Swahili language, a Bantu language with significant Arabic vocabulary, developed as a trade language for the region.

Arab dominance on the coast was interrupted for about 150 years following the arrival of the Portuguese in 1498. British exploration of East Africa in the mid-1800s eventually led to the establishment of Britain's East African Protectorate in 1895. The Protectorate promoted settlement of the fertile central highlands by Europeans, dispossessing the Kikuyu and others of their land. Some fertile and well watered parts of the Rift Valley inhabited by the Maasai and the western highlands inhabited by the Kalenjin were also handed over to European settlers. For other Kenyan communities, the British presence was slight, especially in the arid northern half of the country. The settlers were allowed a voice in government even before Kenya was officially made a British colony in 1920, but Africans were prohibited from direct political participation until 1944 when a few appointed (but not elected) African representatives were permitted to sit in the legislature.

From 1952 to 1959, Kenya was under a state of emergency arising from the "Mau Mau" insurgency against British colonial rule in general and its land policies in particular. This rebellion took place almost exclusively in the highlands of central Kenya among the Kikuyu people. Tens of thousands of Kikuyu died in the fighting or in the detention camps and restricted villages. British losses were about 650. During this period, African participation in the political process increased rapidly.

The first direct elections for Africans to the Legislative Council took place in 1957. Kenya became independent on December 12, 1963, and the next year joined the Commonwealth. Jomo Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu and head of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), became Kenya's first President. The minority party, Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU), representing a coalition of small ethnic groups that had feared dominance by larger ones, dissolved itself in 1964 and joined KANU.

A small but significant leftist opposition party, the Kenya People's Union (KPU), was formed in 1966, led by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a former Vice President and Luo elder. The KPU was banned shortly thereafter, however, and its leader detained. KANU became Kenya's sole political party. At Kenyatta's death in August 1978, Vice President Daniel arap Moi, a Kalenjin from Rift Valley province, became interim President. By October of that year, Moi became President formally after he was elected head of KANU and designated its sole nominee for the presidential election.

In June 1982, the National Assembly amended the constitution, making Kenya officially a one-party state. Two months later, young military officers in league with some opposition elements attempted to overthrow the government in a violent but ultimately unsuccessful coup. In response to street protests and donor pressure, Parliament repealed the one-party section of the constitution in December 1991. In 1992, independent Kenya's first multiparty elections were held. Divisions in the opposition contributed to Moi's retention of the presidency in 1992 and again in the 1997 election. Following the 1997 election Kenya experienced its first coalition government as KANU was forced to cobble together a majority by bringing into government a few minor parties.

In October 2002, a coalition of opposition parties formed the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC). In December 2002, the NARC candidate, Mwai Kibaki, was elected the country's third President. President Kibaki received 62% of the vote, and NARC also won 59% of the parliamentary seats. Kibaki, a Kikuyu from Central province, had served as a Member of Parliament since Kenya's independence in 1963. He served in senior posts in both the Kenyatta and Moi governments, including Vice President and Finance Minister. In 2003, internal conflicts disrupted the NARC government, culminating in its defeat in 2005 in a referendum over the government's draft constitution. Two principal leaders of the movement to defeat the draft constitution, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, who are both former Kibaki allies, are now presidential candidates for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and the Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya (ODM-K) party, respectively. In September 2007, President Kibaki and his allies formed the coalition Party of National Unity (PNU). KANU joined the PNU coalition, although it serves in Parliament as the official opposition party. Kenya is scheduled to hold presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections in December 2007.

==External links==
*[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080105/ap_on_re_af/kenya_elections Kenya ready to form unity government] - Associated Press, Jan. 5, 2008

{| style="width: 100%; background:transparent; border: 2px solid #000099;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
!colspan=2 style="width: 100%; text-align: center; background-color: #000088; color: white; "|'''Copyright Details'''
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!style="background-color: #000088; color:white;"|License:
|style=" background-color: none;"| This work is in the [[Public Domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code
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[[Category:African Countries]]

Kenya

2008-01-10T23:45:57Z

LibertyorDeath: /* Political Conditions */

{{Country
|name =''Jamhuri ya Kenya''
|map =Kenya rel 88.JPG
|flag =kenyaflag.gif
|arms =Arms of Kenya.jpg
|capital =Nairobi
|capital-raw =
|government =Republic
|government-raw =
|language =Swahili, English
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Mwai Kibaki
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =
|pm-raw =
|area =45,405 sq mi
|pop =34,707,817
|pop-basis =2005
|gdp =$48.33 billion
|gdp-year =2005
|gdp-pc =$1,445
|currency =Kenyan shilling
|idd =
|tld =
}}
'''Kenya''' is one of the few [[democracies]] in [[Africa]]. Located in the east of the continent, it is famous for its majestic wildlife.

==Breaking News==

After a disputed election, Odinga's party won 95 of 122 legislative seats in parliamentary balloting, and half of Kibaki's Cabinet lost their seats. [http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080105/ap_on_re_af/kenya_elections]

==Geography==
Kenya rises from a low coastal [[plain]] on the [[Indian Ocean]] in a series of [[mountain]] ridges and plateaus which stand above 3,000 [[meter]]s (9,000 ft.) in the center of the country. The Rift Valley bisects the country above [[Nairobi]], opening up to a broad arid plain in the north. Highlands cover the south before descending to the shores of [[Lake Victoria]] in the west. The climate is tropical in south, west, and central regions; arid and semi-arid in the north and the northeast.

==People==
Kenya has a very diverse population that includes three of Africa's major sociolinguistic groups: Bantu (67%), Nilotic (30%), and Cushitic (3%). Kenyans are deeply [[religious]]. About 80% of Kenyans are [[Christian]], 10% [[Muslim]], and 10% follow traditional African religions or other faiths. Most [[city]] residents retain links with their rural, extended families and leave the city periodically to help work on the family farm. About 75% of the work force is engaged in [[agriculture]], mainly as subsistence farmers. The national motto of Kenya is Harambee, meaning "pull together." In that spirit, volunteers in hundreds of communities build schools, clinics, and other facilities each year and collect funds to send students abroad. The six state [[universities]] enroll about 45,000 students, representing some 25% of the Kenyan students who qualify for admission. There are six private universities.
*Population (June 2007 est.): 36.9 million.
*Major ethnic groups: Kikuyu 22%, Luyia 14%, Luo 14%, Kalenjin 11%, Kamba 11%, Kisii 6%, Meru 5%.
*Religions: Christian 80%, Muslim 10%, traditional African religions 9%, Hindu/Sikh/Baha'i/Jewish 1%.
*Languages: [[English]] (official), [[Swahili]] (national), over 40 other languages from the Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic linguistic groups.
*Education: First 8 years of primary [[school]] are provided free by the government. Attendance--92% for primary grades. Adult literacy rate--85.1%.
*Health: Infant mortality rate--57.4/1,000. [[Life]] expectancy--55.3 yrs (2007 est.).
*Work force (1.95 million wage earners): public sector 30%; private sector 70%. Informal sector workers--6.4 million. Services--45%; industry and commerce--35%; agriculture--20%.

==Government==
The [[unicameral]] National Assembly consists of 210 members elected to a term of 5 years from single-member constituencies, plus 12 members nominated by [[political parties]] on a proportional representation basis. The [[president]] appoints the [[vice president]] and cabinet members from among those elected to the assembly. The [[attorney general]] and the speaker are ex-officio members of the National Assembly.

The [[judiciary]] is headed by a High Court, consisting of a [[Chief Justice]] and High Court judges and judges of Kenya's [[Court of Appeal]], all appointed by the [[president]].

Local administration is divided among 69 rural districts, each headed by a commissioner appointed by the president. The government has proposed 37 more districts, but these are not yet ratified by [[Parliament]]. The districts are joined to form seven rural provinces. Nairobi has special provincial status. The Ministry of State in charge of Provincial Administration and Internal Security supervises the administration of districts and provinces.

===Principal Government Officials===
*President--Mwai Kibaki
*Vice President--Moody Awori
*Minister of Foreign Affairs--Raphael Tuju
*[[Ambassador]] to the United States--Peter Ogego
*Ambassador to the [[United Nations]]--Zachary Muita-Muburi

===Political Conditions===
Since [[independence]], Kenya has maintained remarkable stability despite changes in its political system and crises in neighboring countries. Particularly since the re-emergence of multiparty [[democracy]], Kenyans have enjoyed an increased degree of [[freedom]].

In December 2002, Kenyans held democratic and open [[election]]s, which were judged free and fair by international observers.{{cn}} The 2002 elections marked an important turning point in Kenya's democratic [[evolution]] as the presidency and the parliamentary [[majority]] passed from the party that had ruled Kenya since independence to a coalition of new political parties. The [[government]] lost a referendum over its draft constitution in November 2005. This vote too was widely accepted as free, fair and credible.

Under the presidency of [[Mwai Kibaki]], the NARC coalition promised to focus its efforts on generating economic growth, improving and expanding education, combating corruption and rewriting the constitution. The first two goals were largely met, but progress toward the second two goals has been limited. President Kibaki's current cabinet consists of Members of Parliament from allied parties and others recruited from opposition parties who joined the cabinet without the approval of their party leaderships.

In early 2006, revelations from investigative reports of two major government-linked [[corruption]] scandals rocked Kenya and led to resignations, including three ministers (one of whom was later re-appointed). In March 2006, another major scandal was uncovered involving money laundering and tax evasion in the Kenyan banking system. The government's March 2006 raid on the Standard Group media house conducted by masked Kenyan police was internationally condemned and was met with outrage by Kenya media and civil society. The government did not provide a sufficient explanation. No one has been held accountable.

In December 2007, presidential and parliamentary elections were held, and the president, [[Mwai Kibaki]] was declared the victor. However, there have been allegations of foul play and election rigging, because polling done before the election showed the country supported known Socialist, [[Raila Odinga]]. Riots erupted across the country, between the [[Socialist]] supports of Odinga and the supports of Kibaki. I guess Socialists can't handle losing an election.

===Foreign Relations===
Despite internal tensions in [[Sudan]] and [[Ethiopia]], Kenya has maintained good relations with its northern neighbors. Recent relations with [[Uganda]] and [[Tanzania]] have improved as the three countries work for mutual [[economic]] benefit.

Kenya has hosted and played an active role in the negotiations to resolve the civil war in Sudan and to reinstate a central government authority in [[Somalia]]. The Sudan[[ peace]] negotiations have made major progress, resulting in the signing in Kenya of agreements between the Khartoum government and the southern Sudan rebels to put an end to the two-decade-long war. On January 9, 2005 a Sudan North-South Comprehensive Peace Accord was signed in Nairobi. Negotiations in the Somali National Reconciliation Conference resulted at the end of 2004 in the establishing of Somali Transitional Federal Institutions ([[Assembly]], President, Prime Minister, and Government). Until early 2005, Kenya served as a major host both for these institutions and for refugees from Somalia as well as Sudan. Between May and June 2005, members of the Somalia Transitional Federal Institutions relocated to Somalia.

Kenya maintains a moderate profile in [[Third World]] [[politics]]. Kenya's relations with Western countries are generally friendly, although current political and economic instabilities are sometimes blamed on Western pressures.

==Economy==
After independence, Kenya promoted rapid economic growth through public investment, encouragement of smallholder agricultural production, and incentives for private (often foreign) industrial investment. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual average of 6.6% from 1963 to 1973. Agricultural production grew by 4.7% annually during the same period, stimulated by redistributing estates, diffusing new crop strains, and opening new areas to cultivation. After experiencing moderately high growth rates during the 1960s and 1970s, Kenya's economic performance during the last two decades has been far below its potential. The economy grew by an annual average of only 1.5% between 1997 and 2002, which was below the population growth estimated at 2.5% per annum, leading to a decline in per capita incomes. The decline in economic performance in the last two decades was largely due to inappropriate agricultural policies, inadequate credit, and poor international terms of trade contributing to the decline in agriculture. Kenya's inward-looking policy of import substitution and rising oil prices made Kenya's manufacturing sector uncompetitive. The government began a massive intrusion in the private sector. Lack of export incentives, tight import controls, and foreign exchange controls made the domestic environment for investment even less attractive.

From 1991 to 1993, Kenya had its worst economic performance since independence. Growth in GDP stagnated, and agricultural production shrank at an annual rate of 3.9%. Inflation reached a record 100% in August 1993, and the government's budget deficit was over 10% of GDP. As a result of these combined problems, bilateral and multilateral donors suspended program aid to Kenya in 1991. In the 1990s, the government implemented economic reform measures to stabilize the economy and restore sustainable growth. In 1994, nearly all administrative controls on producer and retail prices, imports, foreign exchange and grain marketing were removed. The Government of Kenya privatized a range of publicly owned companies, reduced the number of civil servants, and introduced conservative fiscal and monetary policies. By the mid-1990s, the government lifted price controls on petroleum products. In 1995, foreigners were allowed to invest in the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE). In July 1997, the Government of Kenya refused to meet commitments made earlier to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on governance reforms. As a result, the IMF suspended lending for 3 years, and the World Bank also put a $90-million structural adjustment credit on hold.
*Annual growth rate (2006): 6.1%.
*Gross national income per capita (2006): $455.
*Natural resources: Wildlife, land.
*Agriculture: Products--tea, coffee, sugarcane, horticultural products, corn, wheat, rice, sisal, pineapples, pyrethrum, dairy products, meat and meat products, hides, skins. Arable land--5%.
*Industry: Types--petroleum products, grain and sugar milling, cement, beer, soft drinks, textiles, vehicle assembly, paper and light manufacturing.
*Trade (2006): Exports--$3.1 billion: tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum products, cement, pyrethrum, soda ash, sisal, hides and skins, fluorspar. Major markets--Uganda, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Egypt, South Africa, United States. Imports--$7.2 billion: machinery, vehicles, crude petroleum, iron and steel, resins and plastic materials, refined petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, paper and paper products, fertilizers, wheat. Major suppliers--U.K., Japan, South Africa, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Italy, India, France, United States, Saudi Arabia.

The Government of Kenya took some positive steps on reform, including the establishment of the Kenyan Anti-Corruption Authority in 1999, and the adoption of measures to improve the transparency of government procurements and reduce the government payroll. In July 2000, the IMF signed a $150 million Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF), and the World Bank followed suit shortly after with a $157 million Economic and Public Sector Reform credit. The Anti-Corruption Authority was declared unconstitutional in December 2000, and other parts of the reform effort faltered in 2001. The IMF and World Bank again suspended their programs.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) was negative from 2000-2003, but started trickling back in 2004, as demonstrated by an increase in the number of enterprises operating in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) from 66 to 74 between 2003 and 2004. The value of total investments increased from Ksh18.7 billion (U.S. $247.3 million) in 2005 to Ksh20.1 billion (over U.S. $278.3 million) in 2006. Following the end of the Multifiber Arrangement (MFA) textile agreement in January 2005, several textile and apparel factories closed, leaving 68 EPZ enterprises. In 2006, this number increased to 70 EPZ enterprises.

The economy began to recover after 2002, registering 2.8% growth in 2003, 4.3% in 2004, 5.8% in 2005, and 6.1% in 2006. Under the leadership of President Kibaki, who took over on December 30, 2002, the Government of Kenya began an ambitious economic reform program and resumed its cooperation with the World Bank and the IMF. The National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) government enacted the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and Public Officers Ethics Act in May 2003 aimed at fighting graft in public offices. There was some movement to reduce corruption in 2003, but the government did not sustain that momentum. Other reforms especially in the judiciary, public procurement etc, led to the unlocking of donor aid and a renewed hope of economic revival.

In November 2003, following the signing into law of key anti-corruption legislation and other reforms by the new government, donors reengaged as the IMF approved a three-year $250 million Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility and donors committed $4.2 billion in support over 4 years. In December 2004, the IMF approved Kenya's Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) arrangement equivalent to U.S. $252.8 million to support the government's economic and governance reforms. However, the government's ability to stimulate economic demand through fiscal and monetary policy remains fairly limited while the pace at which the government is pursuing reforms in other key areas remains slow. Although the Privatization Law was enacted in 2005, modest steps have been made on privatizing of parastatals apart from Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) and the concessioning of Kenya Railways, while civil service reform is limited despite the government's assertion that reforms would be undertaken. Accelerating growth to achieve Kenya's potential and reduce the poverty that afflicts more than 56% of its population will require continued de-regulation of business, improved delivery of government services, addressing structural reforms, massive investment in new infrastructure (especially roads), reduction of chronic insecurity caused by crime, and improved economic governance generally.

The current expansion is fairly broad-based and is built on a stable macro-environment fostered by government, and the resilience, resourcefulness, and improved confidence of the private sector. Nairobi continues to be the primary communication and financial hub of East Africa. It enjoys the region's best transportation linkages, communications infrastructure, and trained personnel, although these advantages are less prominent than in past years. On January 31, 2007, the government signed a $2.7 million contract with Tyco Telecommunications to perform an undersea survey for the construction of a fiber-optic cable to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) called the East African Marine Systems (TEAMS). Two other fiber-optic cables projects are being pursued to link Kenya to the rest of East Africa and India. Once TEAMS and the domestic fiber-optic cables planned by the government are completed, the economy is expected to benefit significantly from reduced internet access prices and improved capacity. A wide range of foreign firms maintain regional branches or representative offices in the city. In March 1996, the Presidents of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda re-established the East African Community (EAC). The EAC's objectives include harmonizing tariffs and customs regimes, free movement of people, and improving regional infrastructures. In March 2004, the three East African countries signed a Customs Union Agreement paving the way for a common market. The Customs Union and a Common External Tariff were established on January 1, 2005, but the EAC countries are still working out exceptions to the tariff. Rwanda and Burundi have since joined the community. In May 2007, during a Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit, 13 heads of state endorsed a move to adopt a COMESA customs union and set December 8, 2008 as the target date for its adoption.

Tourism is now Kenya's largest foreign exchange earning sector, followed by flowers, tea and coffee. In 2006 tourism generated $803 million, up from $699 million the previous year. Africa is Kenya's largest export market, followed by the European Union (EU). Kenya benefits significantly from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Although Congress renewed the AGOA third-country fabric provision in December 2006 to provide more time to develop local cotton and fabric production that meets the buyers' rigorous standards, its apparel industry is struggling to hold its ground against Asian competition. Kenya's main exports to the U.S. are AGOA-program garments, but it continues to run a trade deficit with the U.S.

Kenya faces profound environmental challenges brought on by high population growth, deforestation, shifting climate patterns, and the overgrazing of cattle in marginal areas in the north and west of the country. Significant portions of the population will continue to require emergency food assistance in the coming years.

====Media====
The key independent print media in Kenya are the Nation Media Group, the Standard Group, People Limited, and the Times Media Group. The Nation Media Group publications, which include the Daily Nation, the Sunday Nation, the Business Daily, the weekly East African, and the only Swahili publications, Taifa Leo and Taifa Jumapili, have the largest circulations. The Standard and the Sunday Standard, published by the Standard Group, are also popular newspapers, although with smaller circulations. Approximately 120 foreign correspondents representing 100 media organizations report from Nairobi. There is no government-owned or controlled newspaper.

Major independent radio and television media are the Kenya Television Network (KTN), the broadcast media arm of the Standard Group; Nation Radio/TV, owned by the Nation Media Group; and Citizen Radio/Television, owned by Royal Media Services. The government owns and controls the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) and its subsidiaries. KBC is the only national radio and television network.

Kenya also has hundreds of FM radio stations, some broadcasting in Swahili or in local languages. Radio has a wide reach in Kenya, especially in rural areas. Some major international broadcasters, including British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Voice of America (VOA) and Radio France Internationale (RFI), rebroadcast their programming in Kenya.

==History==
Cushitic-speaking people from what is now Sudan and Ethiopia moved into the area that is now Kenya beginning around 2000 BC. Arab traders began frequenting the Kenya coast around the first century AD. Kenya's proximity to the Arabian Peninsula invited colonization, and Arab and Persian settlements sprouted along the coast by the eighth century. During the first millennium AD, Nilotic and Bantu peoples moved into the region, and the latter now comprise two thirds of Kenya's population. The Swahili language, a Bantu language with significant Arabic vocabulary, developed as a trade language for the region.

Arab dominance on the coast was interrupted for about 150 years following the arrival of the Portuguese in 1498. British exploration of East Africa in the mid-1800s eventually led to the establishment of Britain's East African Protectorate in 1895. The Protectorate promoted settlement of the fertile central highlands by Europeans, dispossessing the Kikuyu and others of their land. Some fertile and well watered parts of the Rift Valley inhabited by the Maasai and the western highlands inhabited by the Kalenjin were also handed over to European settlers. For other Kenyan communities, the British presence was slight, especially in the arid northern half of the country. The settlers were allowed a voice in government even before Kenya was officially made a British colony in 1920, but Africans were prohibited from direct political participation until 1944 when a few appointed (but not elected) African representatives were permitted to sit in the legislature.

From 1952 to 1959, Kenya was under a state of emergency arising from the "Mau Mau" insurgency against British colonial rule in general and its land policies in particular. This rebellion took place almost exclusively in the highlands of central Kenya among the Kikuyu people. Tens of thousands of Kikuyu died in the fighting or in the detention camps and restricted villages. British losses were about 650. During this period, African participation in the political process increased rapidly.

The first direct elections for Africans to the Legislative Council took place in 1957. Kenya became independent on December 12, 1963, and the next year joined the Commonwealth. Jomo Kenyatta, an ethnic Kikuyu and head of the Kenya African National Union (KANU), became Kenya's first President. The minority party, Kenya African Democratic Union (KADU), representing a coalition of small ethnic groups that had feared dominance by larger ones, dissolved itself in 1964 and joined KANU.

A small but significant leftist opposition party, the Kenya People's Union (KPU), was formed in 1966, led by Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, a former Vice President and Luo elder. The KPU was banned shortly thereafter, however, and its leader detained. KANU became Kenya's sole political party. At Kenyatta's death in August 1978, Vice President Daniel arap Moi, a Kalenjin from Rift Valley province, became interim President. By October of that year, Moi became President formally after he was elected head of KANU and designated its sole nominee for the presidential election.

In June 1982, the National Assembly amended the constitution, making Kenya officially a one-party state. Two months later, young military officers in league with some opposition elements attempted to overthrow the government in a violent but ultimately unsuccessful coup. In response to street protests and donor pressure, Parliament repealed the one-party section of the constitution in December 1991. In 1992, independent Kenya's first multiparty elections were held. Divisions in the opposition contributed to Moi's retention of the presidency in 1992 and again in the 1997 election. Following the 1997 election Kenya experienced its first coalition government as KANU was forced to cobble together a majority by bringing into government a few minor parties.

In October 2002, a coalition of opposition parties formed the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC). In December 2002, the NARC candidate, Mwai Kibaki, was elected the country's third President. President Kibaki received 62% of the vote, and NARC also won 59% of the parliamentary seats. Kibaki, a Kikuyu from Central province, had served as a Member of Parliament since Kenya's independence in 1963. He served in senior posts in both the Kenyatta and Moi governments, including Vice President and Finance Minister. In 2003, internal conflicts disrupted the NARC government, culminating in its defeat in 2005 in a referendum over the government's draft constitution. Two principal leaders of the movement to defeat the draft constitution, Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, who are both former Kibaki allies, are now presidential candidates for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party and the Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya (ODM-K) party, respectively. In September 2007, President Kibaki and his allies formed the coalition Party of National Unity (PNU). KANU joined the PNU coalition, although it serves in Parliament as the official opposition party. Kenya is scheduled to hold presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections in December 2007.

==External links==
*[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080105/ap_on_re_af/kenya_elections Kenya ready to form unity government] - Associated Press, Jan. 5, 2008

{| style="width: 100%; background:transparent; border: 2px solid #000099;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
!colspan=2 style="width: 100%; text-align: center; background-color: #000088; color: white; "|'''Copyright Details'''
|-
!style="background-color: #000088; color:white;"|License:
|style=" background-color: none;"| This work is in the [[Public Domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code
|-
!style=" background-color: #000088; color:white;"|Source:
|style="background-color: none;border-top: 2px solid black"| File available from the {{{1|[[United States Federal Government]] [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2962.htm]}}}.
|}
[[Category:African Countries]]

Howard Dean

2008-01-10T23:39:56Z

LibertyorDeath:

''Howard Dean'' (born November 17, 1948) is a controversial member of the [[Democratic]] party and the current chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Dean received a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1978. He was elected lieutenant governor of [[Vermont]] in 1986 and became governor in 1991 upon the death of Richard A. Snelling. During his governorship he balanced the budget, cut taxes two times and fought to keep socialized Health Care. In 2004 he ran for President of the United States on a very [[liberal]] platform. While he was the front runner for a period of time, he lost to [[Massachusetts]] Senator [[John Kerry]]. After his third place finish in the Iowa caucus, Dean quickly gained notoriety as an internet fad of sorts, due to his "unconventional" concession speech. Especially notable was the "Dean Scream" which has parodied countless times on the internet. Many say this scream lead to his drop as national frontrunner. On February 12, 2005 Howard Dean was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), despite opposition by prominent Democrats such as House Minority Leader [[Nancy Pelosi]] and Senate Minority Leader [[Harry Reid]].

During the run up to the [[2008_Presidential_Election#Democratic_Strategy|2008 Presidential Primaries]], Dean was scheming to violate the equal and proportionate representation of [[Florida]]'s delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.<ref>[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_DEMOCRATIC_PRIMARY_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME Fla. Democrats warn of voting rights probe if state sanctioned], By Rasha Madkour, Associated Press, Aug 23, 2007. Retrieved from ''St. Petersberg Times'' August 24, 2007.</ref>

==Quotes==
*"I think with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, you can't play, you know, hide the salami, or whatever it's called." --urging President Bush to make public Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers's White House records.

*"You know, the Republicans are not very friendly to different kinds of people. They're a pretty monolithic party. Pretty much, they all behave the same, and they all look the same. ... It's pretty much a white Christian party.'' --speaking about the lack of outreach to minority communities by political parties.

*"I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks."

*"We've gotten rid of (Saddam Hussein), and I suppose that's a good thing."

*"The idea that the United States is going to win the war in Iraq is just plain wrong."

*"Now that we're on dog pee, we can have an interesting conversation about that. I do not recommend drinking urine…but if you drink water straight from the river, you have a greater chance of getting an infection than you do if you drink urine."

*"Not only are we going to New Hampshire ... we're going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico, and we're going to California and Texas and New York! And we're going to South Dakota and Oregon and Washington and Michigan. And then we're going to Washington, D.C. to take back the White House, Yeeeeeaaaaaargh!" --The notorious 'Dean Scream' from Howard's concession at the Iowa caucus.

==References==
<references/>

[[category:political people]]

Howard Dean

2008-01-10T23:39:34Z

LibertyorDeath:

''Howard Dean''' (born November 17, 1948) is a controversial member of the [[Democratic]] party and the current chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Dean received a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1978. He was elected lieutenant governor of [[Vermont]] in 1986 and became governor in 1991 upon the death of Richard A. Snelling. During his governorship he balanced the budget, cut taxes two times and fought to keep socialized Health Care. In 2004 he ran for President of the United States on a very [[liberal]] platform. While he was the front runner for a period of time, he lost to [[Massachusetts]] Senator [[John Kerry]]. After his third place finish in the Iowa caucus, Dean quickly gained notoriety as an internet fad of sorts, due to his "unconventional" concession speech. Especially notable was the "Dean Scream" which has parodied countless times on the internet. Many say this scream lead to his drop as national frontrunner. On February 12, 2005 Howard Dean was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), despite opposition by prominent Democrats such as House Minority Leader [[Nancy Pelosi]] and Senate Minority Leader [[Harry Reid]].

During the run up to the [[2008_Presidential_Election#Democratic_Strategy|2008 Presidential Primaries]], Dean was scheming to violate the equal and proportionate representation of [[Florida]]'s delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.<ref>[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_DEMOCRATIC_PRIMARY_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME Fla. Democrats warn of voting rights probe if state sanctioned], By Rasha Madkour, Associated Press, Aug 23, 2007. Retrieved from ''St. Petersberg Times'' August 24, 2007.</ref>

==Quotes==
*"I think with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, you can't play, you know, hide the salami, or whatever it's called." --urging President Bush to make public Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers's White House records.

*"You know, the Republicans are not very friendly to different kinds of people. They're a pretty monolithic party. Pretty much, they all behave the same, and they all look the same. ... It's pretty much a white Christian party.'' --speaking about the lack of outreach to minority communities by political parties.

*"I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks."

*"We've gotten rid of (Saddam Hussein), and I suppose that's a good thing."

*"The idea that the United States is going to win the war in Iraq is just plain wrong."

*"Now that we're on dog pee, we can have an interesting conversation about that. I do not recommend drinking urine…but if you drink water straight from the river, you have a greater chance of getting an infection than you do if you drink urine."

*"Not only are we going to New Hampshire ... we're going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico, and we're going to California and Texas and New York! And we're going to South Dakota and Oregon and Washington and Michigan. And then we're going to Washington, D.C. to take back the White House, Yeeeeeaaaaaargh!" --The notorious 'Dean Scream' from Howard's concession at the Iowa caucus.

==References==
<references/>

[[category:political people]]

Howard Dean

2008-01-10T23:34:35Z

LibertyorDeath: /* Quotes */

'''Howard Dean''' (born November 17, 1948) is a controversial member of the [[Democratic]] party and the current chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Dean received a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1978. He was elected lieutenant governor of [[Vermont]] in 1986 and became governor in 1991 upon the death of Richard A. Snelling. During his governorship he balanced the budget, cut taxes two times and fought to keep socialized Health Care. In 2004 he ran for President of the United States on a very [[liberal]] platform. While he was the front runner for a period of time, he lost to [[Massachusetts]] Senator [[John Kerry]]. On February 12, 2005 Howard Dean was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), despite not being endorsed by prominent Democrats such as House Minority Leader [[Nancy Pelosi]] and Senate Minority Leader [[Harry Reid]].

During the run up to the [[2008_Presidential_Election#Democratic_Strategy|2008 Presidential Primaries]], Dean was scheming to violate the equal and proportionate representation of [[Florida]]'s delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.<ref>[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_DEMOCRATIC_PRIMARY_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=HOME Fla. Democrats warn of voting rights probe if state sanctioned], By Rasha Madkour, Associated Press, Aug 23, 2007. Retrieved from ''St. Petersberg Times'' August 24, 2007.</ref>

==Quotes==
*"I think with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, you can't play, you know, hide the salami, or whatever it's called." --urging President Bush to make public Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers's White House records.

*"You know, the Republicans are not very friendly to different kinds of people. They're a pretty monolithic party. Pretty much, they all behave the same, and they all look the same. ... It's pretty much a white Christian party.'' --speaking about the lack of outreach to minority communities by political parties.

*"I still want to be the candidate for guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks."

*"We've gotten rid of (Saddam Hussein), and I suppose that's a good thing."

*"The idea that the United States is going to win the war in Iraq is just plain wrong."

*"Now that we're on dog pee, we can have an interesting conversation about that. I do not recommend drinking urine…but if you drink water straight from the river, you have a greater chance of getting an infection than you do if you drink urine."

==References==
<references/>

[[category:political people]]

Talk:Republican in name only

2008-01-10T23:32:40Z

LibertyorDeath: Ron Paul

== The "Accused" RINOs section in the article ==
I think the section entitled "accused RINOs" should have references and/or should be eliminated lest it become a platform for internet users to vent. [[User:PheasantHunter|PheasantHunter]] 00:28, 25 July 2007 (EDT)

== Lincoln Chafee ==

His article actually lists him as a liberal, so would we consider him a centrist here? [[User:DanH|DanH]] 17:20, 30 July 2007 (EDT)
:Yes, based upon party affiliation. A centrist is by definition someone can can work with either liberals or conservatives, and he does exactly that. [[User:RobS|RobS]] 17:25, 30 July 2007 (EDT)

== Ron Paul ==

I added Ron Paul because he seems like more of a Libertarian than a Republican. His ideas are far too 'out there' versus a traditional Republican.

RINO

2008-01-10T23:31:39Z

LibertyorDeath:

A '''RINO''' ('''R'''epublican '''i'''n '''N'''ame '''O'''nly), also known as a '''Reform Democrat''', is a disparaging term used by immoderate [[Republican Party|Republicans]], opposition [[Democratic Party|Democrats]], or the [[liberal media]] to characterize an officeholder or candidate who is a member of the [[Republican Party]] but comes from a constituancy which votes Republican but may hold views outside the mainstream Republican Party. RINO's and Reform Democrats typically come from [[New England]] states where corrupt Democrat political machines do not allow dissent and opposition so reformers have difficulty gaining ballot access. A similar term is '''cafeteria conservative''', for a person who picks and chooses which [[conservative]] principles to believe, as a person might choose foods in a cafeteria.<ref>[http://www.manp.org/association-spotlight/archives/james-carville-mary-matalin-he-said-she-said James Carville & Mary Matalin: He Said, She Said]</ref>

Conservatives are urged to vote for their favorite RINO. Winners will get a "beautiful [[gold]] [[rhinoceros]], adding a special touch to their plush homes or offices." <ref>http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200708/POL20070814c.html</ref>

== Centrists ==
*Former Senator [[Lincoln Chafee]] of [[Rhode Island]]
*Senator [[Olympia J. Snowe]] of [[Maine]]
*Senator [[Susan Collins]] of [[Maine]]
*Senator [[Arlen Specter]] of [[Pennsylvania]]
*Senator [[Chuck Hagel]] of [[Nebraska]]
*Senator [[Gordon Smith]] of [[Oregon]]
*Senator [[John McCain]] of [[Arizona]]
*Governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] of [[California]]
*Former Governor [[George Pataki]] of [[New York]]
*Former [[New York City]] mayor [[Rudy Giuliani]]
*Former NJ Governor and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator [[Christie Whitman]]
*Former Secretary of State [[Colin Powell]]
*Former Supreme Court Justice and Arizona Senate Majority Leader [[Sandra Day O'Connor]]
*Texas House Representative and '08 Republican Presidential Nominee [[Ron Paul]]

==See Also==
[[Republican Party]]

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Conservative]]
[[Category:Politics]]