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(10/19/17 10:06pm)
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy summarized the crisis in Catalonia with, “There is no possible mediation between democratic law and disobedience or illegality.”
For the past forty years, Catalonians have been engineering a break with Spain. First they advocated for and were granted more autonomy in local government. This led them to teaching of Catalan, a separate dialect distinct from Spanish. Then came the demand for all correspondence and advertising to be in Catalan. Later, local authorities exacted a tax on public works projects which some believe is a front for the Catalonian government to promote their secessionist agenda as a method of funding.
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In the last regional election, pro-secession parties in Catalonia decided to unite around a single issue: independence. They not only failed to win a majority of the vote but also lost votes relative to the prior election. Polls held in Catalonia after the Scottish Referendum, paid for by the separatists, indicate that support for independence is a minority and in decline.
Yet, the Catalonian government, led by Carles Puigdemont, is moving towards secession yet again—perhaps realizing it’s “now or never.” In early October, an illegal—according to Spanish law—referendum was held in which the separatists claimed 90% of the Catalan population voted for independence. Yet less than 50% of the population participated. All reputable international parties, meanwhile, doubt this claim, as the vote was plagued with violence and corruption.
More recently, Puigdemont has approached the European Union and other major powers such as Germany and France requesting financial support and backing for a independent Catalonia. He was quickly disappointed when every potential creditor declined.
What Puigdemont is doing in Catalonia is a coup against the Spanish government and is treasonous. Catalonia is not an oppressed state as its citizens enjoy the rights as all Spanish citizens do and Catalonia has never been an independent state even before Spain was united between Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile in 1492.
While the Spanish government sent police forces to obstruct the illegal vote, it has indicated great tolerance toward the pro-secessionists in Catalonia. If Puigdemont persists and moves toward independence, Spain should step in and send in the military to arrest the separatists and declare martial law.
Catalonia must never be allowed to be its own state because it would cause great turmoil all throughout Europe sparking more independence movements. There is only room in Europe for a united Spain, not a fragmented one.
(09/28/17 12:21pm)
Over the past year North Korea has rocketed through the headlines with reports of its growing missile and nuclear program. This situation has brought us closer to armed conflict in the Koreas since the end of the Korean war in 1953.
In response to North Korea’s actions, nations of the world have come together within the United Nations to place sanctions on North Korea. According to CNN, the latest United Nations sanctions on Sept. 11 were a reduction of oil exports to North Korea, termination of textile exports from North Korea, termination of overseas labor contracts, reduction of smuggling efforts and the sanctioning of North Korean government bodies.
"Today, we are saying the world will never accept a nuclear armed North Korea, and today the Security Council is saying that if the North Korean regime does not halt its nuclear program, we will act to stop it ourselves," said United States’ Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley in a CNN article.
On Sept. 21, President Trump announced additional sanctions on North Korea by the United States,. According to the BBC, the United States’ latest sanctions include the ability for the United States’ Department of the Treasury to target firms and financial institutions conducting business with North Korea.
According to Reuters, European Union officials are planning to draft more sanctions and restrictions on North Korea.
However, the question remains, will these sanctions actually accomplish anything?
My answer is no, not unless imposed sanctions are stronger.
CNN indicated that a full oil import ban and sanctions on North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un were dropped before the last United Nations’ security council meeting. This may have been a possible attempt to gain China’s and Russia’s support.
However, evidence has shown that North Korea refuses to submit to the United Nations. The nation continues with their nuclear tests and missile launches, some flying dangerously close to United States’ allies in the Far East such as Japan.
Nevertheless, it is only a matter of time before Kim Jong Un goes too far and prompts United States military action. In the news, President Trump frequently mentions that China has the most responsibility for North Korea as their only ally.
“China should also make clear that if North Korea launches missiles that threaten U.S. soil first and the U.S. retaliates, China will stay neutral,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang in a Washington Post article.
China has responded against its ally by stationing an unknown number of troops and building up border defences according to CNN.
This could also be protection against a massive flow of refugees in the case of war. Additionally, in a July report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, North Korea was determined to be close to a state of famine which could also increase a massive amount of refugees desperate for food.
War should always be an option of last resort, especially one that could end up being nuclear.
Harry J. Kazianis, director of defense studies at the Center for National Interest said, that up to 8 million people have the possibility to lose their lives. Although the United States has many military options on the table, it is determined to let North Korea make the first move.
The United States and the rest of the world must realize that the world cannot afford another nuclear power especially in the form of a rogue state like North Korea. The country would undoubtedly give technology to America’s enemies such as Iran.
The United States should give North Korea an ultimatum and threaten to shoot down a missile with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system. The sanctions must be brutal and completely isolate North Korea from the rest of the world, forcing them to choose between nuclear weapons or their citizens.
Should it come to military action, the world must be decisive and swift to utterly destroy the North Korean Army and neutralize the Korean leadership and nuclear weapons. It will take immense cooperation with China, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
For the sake of the balance of power and the future of the world, we must not let today’s decisions be tomorrow’s failures.
(09/23/17 10:00am)
The Avengers, Wonder Woman and Thor. All of these movies were first comics. You can find these and many more comic books at a comic book store in downtown Macon.
Comic Plus, owned by Will Peavy, moved to downtown Macon this summer. The store, which was previously on Northside Drive, isn’t a typical comic book store. The store sells comics, action figures, old game systems, video games and non-alcoholic beverages.
“We sell basically everything,” Peavy said.
Peavy said he has operated Comic Plus since 1987. He said he first bought it because he could not find a job. He said the idea to own a comic store came from his past.
“I was always a closet nerd,” he said.
The store’s inventory contains thousands of items that vary from being rare and quite expensive to simple reproductions of popular Marvel and DC comics. Even with all his years of experience in the comic business, Peavy said he doesn’t have a favorite comic.
“I don’t have a favorite comic because I don’t want to offend anyone,” he said.
Peavy said his store does more than just cater to comic book fans. With a variety of products, he said that Comic Plus is able to cater to a wide audience.
“We have a huge downstairs area that can fit up to 250 people. We rent it out as an event space,” he said.
Some of the events that occur in the space include games like Dungeons and Dragons, Pokemon, Warhammer and more. Peavy said groups will meet in this space to play against each other.
Peavy said he enjoys operating Comic Plus.
“The one unique thing about Comic Plus is that we focus on family, fun and being friendly,” he said.
Mercer sophomore Evan Gambill was impressed by the store.
“I can’t help but admire the commitment it takes to run a place like that,” he said.
Comic Plus is now located at 502 Cherry St, right across the street from the Rookery.
For more information concerning their hours and events, people interested can check out Comic Plus’ Facebook page.