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Showing posts from March, 2011

Advertising – Good for Society or Bad?

By Faiz Ahmed The question was posed to me about whether advertising is a positive activity in relation to society or whether it is a negative one. There are two types of advertisements, informative advertisements and commercial advertisements. Informative advertisements are just that – informative. Informative advertisements are used to inform us about health issues, political issues, social issues, religious issues etc. Commercial advertisements on the other hand, are used to inform people about goods and products in the market. There is nothing wrong with that, however when advertisements start effecting the consumption patterns of people, wherein people become so attached to acquiring material possessions that the rest of the world suffers, then advertising in indeed a danger to society. Materialism, through advertising and marketing has created some of the most dangerous problems for the world as a whole. Materialism has created the problems of global warming and global poverty an

What is McCarthyism? Why is it Bad?

Faiz Ahmed ---“The domestic anti-communist crusade of the 1940s and 1950s was essential during a time of great peril. American communists posed a legitimate threat to national security and the American way of life. Indeed, many American communists were spies and traitors. Although it is possible that some innocent people suffered, that was a relatively small and necessary price to pay to defend American freedoms. Those who fought communism at home deserve our nation’s highest praise”---- McCarthyism was a phenomenon in the history of the United States at the time of the Cold War, when elected officials used extremely exaggerated fear mongering tactics to marginalize Socialists, Communists, Leftists and even Liberals. Many patriotic Leftist, centrist and even conservative people suffered because of the actions of a few members of the communist party. McCarthyism brought about a lot of repression and many of the constitutional rights of people were trampled upon. Senator Joe McCa

Orange County Hate Rally – Islamophobia Update

By Faiz Ahmed Oakland University Orange County, California recently was the scene of a really ghastly, disgusting and repugnant hate rally, with self proclaiming “patriotic” citizens yelling obscenities at women and children. The rally was held as a protest outside a community center where ICNA was holding a fundraising dinner for a women’s shelter and services for the homeless. There were many political leaders on the scene as well who were encouraging the mob. Republican Councilwoman Deborah Pauly showed her ugly side, by threatening Muslim families, children, organizations and leaders. This is what Deborah Pauly; the Republican Councilwoman came down to; encouraging a probably drunk mob who were shouting obscenities at children by telling the mob that her “wonderful 19 year old son who is a marine” would “help these terrorists (Muslim families and Muslim children) to an early meeting in paradise.” I wouldn’t be surprised if I found out she was frothing at t

Malcolm X Remembered

By Faiz Ahmed Oakland University   The life of Malcolm X is an example of sincerity and devotion. Malcolm X is an example of change, an example of rehabilitation, an example of broadmindedness and fluidity of thought and an example of courage and bravery. He lived for the cause to which he was devoted and he died for that same cause. The life story of Malcolm X is one that can bring anyone to love this great man. Malcolm X was born to Earl Little who was a Baptist preacher who taught African Americans to respect themselves. He was a follower of the militant Pan Africanist, Marcus Garvey. Earl Little was assassinated by the Ku Klux Klan because of his unrelenting preaching and the family was later targeted by government agencies which locked up the mother in an insane asylum and parted the children out for adoption. American society at that time was unrelentingly and openly racist. African Americans were denied decent housing, education, jobs and were forced to live in