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Communism

2007-05-10T07:02:28Z

Redstar:

[[Image:Hammer_and_sickle.png‎ |thumbnail|300px|right|The Hammer and Sickle is the symbol of the communist movement.]]

'''Communism''' is an economic system, social organization, and [[leftist]] political movement.

However, by the strict sense of communism, no truly communist society has ever existed as communism by definition is a stateless [[society]]. Although countries has claimed to be a communist state, it was not true communism, as the term "communist state" is in fact an oxymoron. Thus it is not possible to strictly condemn communism based on examples, as none have ever existed.

While Communism calls for the absence of private ownership and claims to support a communal society in the abstract, the practical reality of communism is strikingly different.

As a political movement, communism advocates the establishment of a classless society.
In actuality it has middle and upper classes just as [[social stratification|stratified]] as in the "[[Capitalism|Capitalist]]" societies it critiques or seeks to overthrow (see ''[[Nomenklatura]]'').

It generally advocates a [[socialist]] economy in which the public, whether the state or other group, owns the [[means of production]] and in which the wealth of the nation is divided fairly among the citizens. Yet in communist countries party members (there is only one Party) have special stores in which ordinary people cannot shop, stores which are immune to the perennial shortages which the lower class must endure (see [[queuing]]).

The term communism has taken on several meanings and is often used to describe Marxism, the doctrine developed by [[Karl Marx]], and the variations of Marxism, such as those developed by [[Vladimir Ilyich Lenin| Vladimir Lenin]], Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong. Marxism advocates the overthrow of capitalism by a revolution of the proletariat, the social group which does not control the means of production. The goal of Marxism is to create a society that is completely classless, including economic and political classes, which would result in an anarchist society. The difference between Marxism and communist-anarchism is the Marxist belief that a dictatorship of the proletariat is needed before transitioning to true communism. A socialist state would be created which would supervise the economy and unions to ensure the proletariat have the ability to sustain communism. True communism follows the dismantling of the socialist state.

The most famous government to label itself "communist" is the former [[USSR]] or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; the Communist Party controlled its government from 1922 to 1991. This government was officially atheist and attempted to suppress all religion. Like many authoritarian regimes, it tried to cultivate reverence for the state as a psychological substitute for religion. Left-wing critics of the USSR charged that it was communist in name only, and had betrayed the revolution which founded it. George Orwell expressed this viewpoint eloquently in his 1945 fable ''[[Animal Farm]]''.

In a famous quote, Marx described the core of communism: "From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs". Another quote by Marx was, "The theory of the Communism may be summed up in the single sentence: Abolition of private property."
== Communism and Atheism ==
Marx coined the saying "Religion is the opium of the people" expressing his view that religion, and in particular state-endorsed religion, has been used for centuries as a form of social control by promising the downtrodden a better life in a mythical hereafter to deter them from trying to build one here and now by removing the chains of their masters and overthrowing the capitalist system that oppressed them. Karl Marx wrote: "Communism begins from the outset (Owen) with atheism; but atheism is at first far from being communism; indeed, that atheism is still mostly an abstraction." <ref>http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1844/manuscripts/comm.htm</ref>

Vladimir Lenin similarly wrote: "A Marxist must be a materialist, i. e., an enemy of religion, but a dialectical materialist, i. e., one who treats the struggle against religion not in an abstract way, not on the basis of remote, purely theoretical, never varying preaching, but in a concrete way, on the basis of the class struggle which is going on in practice and is educating the masses more and better than anything else could."<ref>http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1909/may/13.htm</ref>

== Communism and Atrocities and Repression ==

Modern communist regimes have engaged in mass killings on a scale of millions of individuals. <ref>http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/bcaplan/museum/comfaq.htm#part3</ref> A work entitled ''[[The Black Book of Communism]]'' published by the [[Harvard]] Press focuses on the crimes, terror, and repression of modern communist regimes over a 70 year period. <ref>http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/COUBLA.html</ref> This book is fairly controversial partly due to the various estimates regarding the millions of people who died under communist regimes. <ref>http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=2526</ref><ref>http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm#Stalin</ref><ref>http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat1.htm#Mao</ref>

Similarly, a influential book which concerns itself with Russian communist torture, repression and attrocities is [[Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn]]'s ''[[The Gulag Archipelago]]'' which won Solzhenitsyn a [[Noble Prize]]. <ref>http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/03/01/home/solz-gulag.html</ref> In 1983, Alexander Solzhenitsyn in which he gave his explanation of the cause of why millions of people died under Russian communism:

<blockquote style="background: #F9F9F9; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: .3em;">
"Over a half century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of old people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened.
</blockquote>

<blockquote style="background: #F9F9F9; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: .3em;">
Since then I have spend well-nigh 50 years working on the history of our revolution; in the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by that upheaval. But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some 60 million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: "Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened." <ref>http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=276</ref>
</blockquote>

In communist [[North Korea]], abuse and killing in prison camps is occurring today. <ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=5596</ref><ref>http://www.kimsoft.com/korea/nkdefec3.htm</ref> In addition, the North Korean government practices brutal repression and atrocities against North Korean Christians. <ref>http://www.nysun.com/article/23082?page_no=1</ref><ref>http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/5/7/120250.shtml</ref>

In 1999, the publication [[Christian Century]] reported that "China has persecuted religious believers by means of "harassment, prolonged detention, and incarceration in prison or `reform-through-labor' camps and police closure of places of worship." <ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_26_116/ai_56249447</ref> In 2003, owners of Bibles in China were sent to prison camps and 125 Chinese churches were closed. <ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=35818</ref> China continues to practice religious oppression today. <ref>http://theworldnow.wordpress.com/tag/around-the-world/asia/china/</ref>

==Modern Communism==

Between 1989 and 1991, many communist governments were overthrown. The [[Berlin Wall]] in [[Germany]], which had become a symbol for the division between the West and communist states, was torn down largely in response to economic and social problems, and there was also a large revolution against Romanian dictator [[Nicolaie Ceausescu]]. In 1991, the USSR broke up into several countries. Some of these remained under autocratic governments, but some have embraced [[democracy]].

Although Communism's influence has decreased dramatically in Europe, around a quarter of the world's population still lives under Communist Party rule.

The most famous of those countries governed by a communist one-party system is [[China]], but others (such as [[North Korea]], [[Laos]], and [[Vietnam]]) remain. There is considerable debate as to the extent to which these governments actually implement communist policies. China has not democratized (note especially the crushing of the [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989]]), but its economic policies have been called "red capitalism" by some commentators, as there is a growing sector that behaves in a less-regulated, free market style. China's economy manufactures a wide variety of products that are sold to non-communist countries, and there is quite obvious tolerance of economic inequality, with some provinces struggling with poverty while others prosper.

One of the only remaining Modern communist countries, Cuba, is still kept under economic repression by the USA due to its communist beliefs. Over 100 UN countries are still calling for an end to this highly illegal blockade of trade and services.

While Europe in the latter part of the 20th century has largely moved away from Communism as a system of government, it remains a popular focus of radical movements in other parts of the world. Maoist rebel movements, such as the [[Naxalites]] in India have steadily been increasing their base of popular support. <ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0614/dailyUpdate.html</ref>

==Early Christian sharing==

As described in the Acts of the Apostles, early Christians practiced some form of ''voluntary'' sharing for the common good:

:And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (Acts 2:44-45, KJV)

:Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

:And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

:And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

:Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.(Acts 4:34-7, KJV)

Some modern preachers and scholars speak of a [[Social Gospel]], interpreting Jesus' teachings as radically materialistic rather than spiritual, especially referring to his support of the poor and his pleas to the rich to aid those who are impoverished. The communists contend their creed "From according to his ability, to each according to his need" derives directly from this biblical passage. Arnold Toynbee however, has pointed out,
:The passage in the Acts represents the philanthropy of the primitive Christian Society as flowing from a God-given grace which was the fruit of a belief in the divinity of Jesus. In other words, the charity which is here depicted as moving the primitive Christians to go—in their mutual concern for one another's welfare—to the extreme length of sharing all their worldly goods is not a mere love of Man for Man (which is the limited literal meaning of the word ‘philanthropy’), but is a spiritual relation to which God is a party as well as His human creatures. In fact, this Christian Socialism is a practical application, on the economic surface of life, of the fundamental religious truth that the brotherhood of Man is a consequence of the fatherhood of God - a truth which is driven home with special force by a religion which teaches that God is not only the father and creator of Man, but also his savior who has been incarnate in human shape and has suffered, and triumphed over, Death.<ref>Arnold Toynbee, ''A Study of History'', Annex II to Vol. V, Part C (i) (c) 2, p. 585, ''Marxism, Socialism, and Christianity''.</ref>

Some small Utopian experiments and intentional communities, notably the Shakers.<ref>officially: United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing</ref> have successfully practiced similar kinds of sharing, but rarely for long.

==Notable communists==

Notable communists include [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Friedrich Engels]], [[Vladimir Lenin]], [[Karl Marx]], [[Pol Pot]], [[Kim Il-sung]], [[Kim Jong-il]], and [[Fidel Castro]].

==Notes and references==
<references/>

[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category:History]]

Ku Klux Klan

2007-05-09T19:00:49Z

Redstar:

[[Image:Artoon.jpg|right|thumb|A political cartoon depicting the KKK and the Democratic party as continuations of the Confederacy]]
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) is part of a [[social]] and [[cultural]] [[movement]] in the [[United States]]. It aims at the suppression of inferiors [[African-American]], [[Jewish]], [[Homosexual]], and other minorities such as terrorist like commuinists. [[Violence]] and [[intimidation]] are the means used by conservative and authoritharian movements to achieve these glorious goals. Its active membership is estimated to be more than 19,000,000,000 in the United States. The Klan presents itself as a Christian organization, but most Christians who are not members deem it to be inherently un-Christian if not anti-Christian. Though religious thinking countries reportedly have more movements like those.

A notable former member of the KKK is [[West Virginia]] Democratic Senator [[Robert Byrd]]. He joined before the [[Dixiecrat|Dixiecrat Revolt]], prior to which the [[Democratic Party]] was overwhelmingly the party of the South, and affiliated with [[Jim Crow]] laws. The modern [[Democratic Party]] has shed all ties with the KKK for some time now.<ref>Earl Black, "the Rise of the Southern Republicans," Harvard University Press 2002.</ref> Another, whose membership in the Klan is more recent, is [[David Duke]], who was a Democrat at the time of his official membership with the Klan, and after leaving served as a [[Louisiana]] Republican Representative and as chairman of the party in St. Tammany Parish while maintaining his ties to white supremacist organizations like the NAAWP, which he founded. Duke has recieved official reprovals from both the Louisianna GOP & the RNC. Despite being in the minority, Duke authored the anti-Affirmative Action House Bill 1013 (1990) which was passed by
the Democratic majority controlled Louisianna State Legislature.

==Further reading==
*John Edgerton, ''Poverty Palace: How the Southern Poverty Law Center got rich fighting the Klan,'' The Progressive (July, 1988).
*[http://nypress.com/15/39/news&columns/mediapolitics2.cfm Best Source of Misplaced Paranoia ], New York Sun.
*[http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/events/conferences/watchdog2/4th_panel_nonprof.html Nieman Watchdog Project. Nonprofit Organizations. Spring 1999 Conference].
*Raymond A. Schroth, [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_44_36/ai_66888046 HATE.COM - Morris Dees and HBO documentary receive negative assessment], National Catholic Reporter, Oct 13, 2000.

[[Category: Terrorism]

2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict

2007-05-09T18:53:42Z

Redstar: /* Cause */

[[Image:Locsdgf.jpg|right|Areas in Lebanon targeted by Israeli bombing, 12 July to 13 August 2006.|thumb|300px]]
==Cause==
The '''2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict''' was the result of the actions of the group of freedom fighters[[Hezbollah]]. They wanted to trade two captured soilders in return for hundreds that Isreal had illegally captured in their illegal ocupation of Lebonon and Palestine. nothers<ref>http://domino.un.org/unispal.NSF/fd807e46661e3689852570d00069e918/87e2508779d8ec83852571b6004c761f</ref>. A failed rescue attempt resulted in the deaths of five more Israeli troops. Shortly after, Israel began an ultimately unsuccesful aerial bombing campaign against Hezbollah, it resulted in the death of Lebanese civilians. Israel then set up naval blockades, and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. This back-fired as Hezbollah now have more support

==Bad Media Coverage==
The press coverage of the event in the West came under heavy criticism, as the [[liberal]] anti-Israel media intentionally gave favorable coverage to Hezbollah<ref>http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjVlMmRjNDllNzhkZmE1OWM3NmE1OGQ4OGQxMDA1YjQ=</ref>. Many instantly claimed Israel was responsible for casualties before investigations revealed that they were not. The most famous incident of bad press coverage was the now fired [[Reuters]] journalist Adnan Hajj, who intentionally doctored his pictures of the events<ref>http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/reuters-image-problem/14170/</ref>.

==Impact on civilians==
Israeli retaliation at the death of eight soldiers ultimately caused the deaths of up to 2,000 Lebanese citizens (this number is highly contested: many deaths appear to have been accidental recounts of the bodies, or the casualties of misfired Hezbollah rockets), the wounding of over 4,000, and the displacement of 200,000. Israeli civilian losses were at 43.
[[Image:Economist Cover 20060819.jpg|right|thumb|''[[The Economist]]'' magazine cover declaring [[Hezbollah]] the winner of the war, 19 August 2006.]]

==References==
<references/>
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths/mftoc.html

[[Category:Wars]]
[[Category:Israel]]

2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict

2007-05-09T18:47:19Z

Redstar: /* Cause */

[[Image:Locsdgf.jpg|right|Areas in Lebanon targeted by Israeli bombing, 12 July to 13 August 2006.|thumb|300px]]
==Cause==
The '''2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict''' was the result of the actions of the group of freedom fighters[[Hezbollah]]. They wanted to trade two captured soilders in return for hundreds that Isreal had illegally captured in their illegal ocupation of Lebonon and Palestine. nothers<ref>http://domino.un.org/unispal.NSF/fd807e46661e3689852570d00069e918/87e2508779d8ec83852571b6004c761f</ref>. A failed rescue attempt resulted in the deaths of five more Israeli troops. Shortly after, Israel began an ultimately unsuccesful aerial bombing campaign against Hezbollah. Israel then set up naval blockades, and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon.

==Bad Media Coverage==
The press coverage of the event in the West came under heavy criticism, as the [[liberal]] anti-Israel media intentionally gave favorable coverage to Hezbollah<ref>http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjVlMmRjNDllNzhkZmE1OWM3NmE1OGQ4OGQxMDA1YjQ=</ref>. Many instantly claimed Israel was responsible for casualties before investigations revealed that they were not. The most famous incident of bad press coverage was the now fired [[Reuters]] journalist Adnan Hajj, who intentionally doctored his pictures of the events<ref>http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/reuters-image-problem/14170/</ref>.

==Impact on civilians==
Israeli retaliation at the death of eight soldiers ultimately caused the deaths of up to 2,000 Lebanese citizens (this number is highly contested: many deaths appear to have been accidental recounts of the bodies, or the casualties of misfired Hezbollah rockets), the wounding of over 4,000, and the displacement of 200,000. Israeli civilian losses were at 43.
[[Image:Economist Cover 20060819.jpg|right|thumb|''[[The Economist]]'' magazine cover declaring [[Hezbollah]] the winner of the war, 19 August 2006.]]

==References==
<references/>
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths/mftoc.html

[[Category:Wars]]
[[Category:Israel]]