In conflict zones spanning the globe, several factions are utilizing various types of “cluster munitions”.
Unlike ordinary explosives, which are a one and done affair, cluster munitions are a type of warhead that is far more insidious. They disperses bomblets, thus peppering an area with the loaded munitions.
This is problematic due to the tendency of some of the bomblets to not detonate immediately.
These unexploded ordinance can later detonate, and shred civilians in their wake.
Laos for instance has suffered heavily from unexploded cluster bombs in the decades since the American war in Vietnam.
As a result the UN passed a resolution banning the use of cluster munitions in 2008.
As is often the case, the United States is not a signatory to the convention, but has desisted from using cluster munitions, and the White House has blocked the sale of cluster munitions to Saudi Arabia, who has been using them in the war in Yemen.
This was after damning accusations by Human Rights Watch, claiming that Riyadh was even using cluster bombs in urban areas.
However, Saudi Arabia is joined by: Russia and Ukraine, the Libyan National Army, Sudan, and Russia and Al-Assad in Syria, who are potentially field testing a new variety of cluster bomb, according to War is Boring.
The American Government, has been largely silent on the use of cluster munitions.
While the sale of cluster munitions blocked by the President was nearly unnecessary due to a close fight in the House, this slight reaction was only triggered following Saudi airstrikes on urban centers.
A slap on the wrist for a customer and ally, but no condemnation for the many other actors who use cluster munitions on civilian centers.
Whilst the United States is not a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Bombs, this would not be the first time the United States has acted to enforce international law it is not a de jure party to.
The dispute in the South China Sea is one largely over the arcane minutia of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), of which the United States is not party to, due to vague arguments regarding sovereignty.
Nevertheless, the United States largely abides by the conditions of UNCLOS, and has demonstrated its determination to not recognize China’s maritime claims, based on the text of UNCLOS.
In the words of the late International Law scholar Lewis Henkin;
“Almost all nations observe almost all principles of international law and almost all of their obligations almost all of the time.”
If the cost of doing business is to adhere to certain laws and norms, then states will adhere to those laws and norms in all but extraordinary cases.
It then should be surprising that the United States has not used either the Convention on Cluster Munitions, or its own invented doctrine of no use in civilian areas, as a rhetorical stick to hit its adversaries hard and often.
Fear of hypocrisy has not deterred the American Government from criticizing bad actors before, and even more so when decades of damage to civilian populations is guaranteed by inaction.
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Photo Credit: Mario Micklisch/Flickr (CC by 2.0)
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Reports: Marco Rubio Will Run For Reelection
Despite repeated statements to the contrary, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio will run for reelection.
Rubio had previously promised that he would be a private citizen after his current term ends in January.
He even reportedly tried to get a gig with the Miami Dolphins for when his time in office was over.
According to the Washington Post, Rubio was wooed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to run again due to the fact that he would give the GOP the best chance to keep hold of the seat.
“If that were to happen, that would be a great outcome,” McConnell told a Post reporter while smiling.
Rubio came to national recognition in 2010 when his grassroots campaign toppled then Republican heavyweight Charlie Crist in the Republican primary for an open Senate seat. Rubio went on to beat Crist (who left the GOP to become an Independent) and the Democratic nominee by a wide margin.
Rubio’s star continued to rise until his ill-fated 2016 presidential campaign that was stopped by Donald Trump.
However, Trump has come out in recent weeks to urge Rubio to run for reelection:
Poll data shows that @marcorubio does by far the best in holding onto his Senate seat in Florida. Important to keep the MAJORITY. Run Marco!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2016
He will have to face a crowded Republican primary, including a current member of Congress (Ron DeSantis), the current Lt. Gov Carlos Lopez-Cantera, and wealthy businessman Carlos Beruff.
The most recent polls before Rubio’s expected announcement showed that Beruff was leading the primary race. He gained attention a few weeks ago after he repeatedly called President Obama an “animal” in a speech at a local party event.
Rubio will almost certainly become the frontrunner in the primary and will have a strong chance to retain his seat.
His potential Democratic opponents include Reps. Patrick Murphy and Alan Grayson. And a recent poll out yesterday from Quinnipiac shows that Rubio has a 7 point lead on both Democrats.
But Rubio does have a way to steal defeat from the jaws of victory.
Let us never forget this gem:
Cover Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
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“A Complex Story”: Hillary Clinton Posts Late Night Apology On Facebook
In a latenight Facebook post, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apologized for her role in a deepening email scandal.
In the post, Clinton admitted that she should have used two email addresses during her time at the State Department-something that Colin Powell said he did during his time in the role.
Read Clinton’s full message below:
“I wanted you to hear this directly from me:
Yes, I should have used two email addresses, one for personal matters and one for my work at the State Department. Not doing so was a mistake. I’m sorry about it, and I take full responsibility.
It’s important for you to know a few key facts. My use of a personal email account was aboveboard and allowed under the State Department’s rules. Everyone I communicated with in government was aware of it. And nothing I ever sent or received was marked classified at the time.
As this process proceeds, I want to be as transparent as possible. That’s why I’ve provided all of my work emails to the government to be released to the public, and why I’ll be testifying in public in front of the Benghazi Committee later next month.
I know this is a complex story. I could have—and should have—done a better job answering questions earlier. I’m grateful for your support, and I’m not taking anything for granted.
I understand that you may have more questions, and I am going to work to keep answering them. If you want to read more, including my emails themselves, please go here:
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/emails/
Thank you,
Hillary”
Cover Photo Credit:Marc Nozell/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
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Does The Movie “Suffragette” Create Delusions About Modern Day Feminist Success?
By Sean Moran
At the October 7 London premiere of the film Suffragette, several activists from the group Sisters Uncut crashed the red carpet and released smoke canisters as part of a protest against recent budget cuts to facilities that offer care to victims of domestic violence. When asked why they chose this film for the protest, one activist replied that the film’s “celebratory sense” has created a “delusional element” that feminism has accomplished its goals.
Suffragette, set to begin a limited American release on October 23, tells the story of one mother’s experiences as she gets caught up in the female suffrage movement in early 20th century Britain. The movie stars Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter (who also happens to be the real life great granddaughter of H.H. Asquith, the Prime Minister who opposed female suffrage), and Meryl Streep as the leader of the suffrage movement, Emmeline Pankhurst.
A movie can be effective in getting an ideological message across, but how much can you ignore or even distort actual history?
Along with the protest at the premiere, the film has also received some backlash against a promotional photoshoot where the actresses wore t-shirts that read “I’d rather be a rebel than a slave.” Critics immediately began criticizing this quote for perceived racial insensitivity. Some pointed out that Emmeline Pankhurst and many other suffragettes were not advocating for black female suffrage too.
As much as people try to argue that the Pankhurst was a progressive feminist, the truth is that she wasn’t. Pankhurst was aided by her two daughters, Christabel and Sylvia, the former much in her mother’s image, while the latter had much more radical beliefs. Neither Emmeline nor Christabel believed women should wear pants or short hair, and both detested the rise of the Labour Party that represented the working class. Emeline also believed women should remain chaste, and all but denounced her daughter Sylvia when she had a child out of wedlock.
This raises an important issue with historical films: is it okay to force historical facts to fit a modern narrative? A movie can be effective in getting an ideological message across, but how much can you ignore or even distort actual history?
It would seem more authentic if characters did have inconsistent beliefs about equality, believing men and women should be equal but only some men and women (white, educated, upper class, etc.).
So in a way, the protestors at the premiere were right; this film shouldn’t be seen as the epitome of feminist ideology (Note: I have not seen the actual movie yet, and the film could totally address these issues).
Having said all that, I think this film will provide an adequately objective viewpoint. In an interview with Variety’s Kristopher Tapley, screenwriter Abi Morgan admitted that she didn’t want to do a feminist film.
“I don’t think any of us said, ‘Let’s make a feminist movie.’ I think we kind of went, ‘This is exciting. We never see women blow up buildings. We never see them militant.’”
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