History: Laos' Jars

Laos is a relatively small nation of 236,800 square kilometers bordering Vietnam from the west and Thailand from the east. The most peculiar aspect of this small, land-locked, south-east-Asian country is its massive collection of stone pots, also known as the "Plain of Jars."

Physical Description

The Plain of Jars is finds its epicenter around the Xieng Khouang region, a city that was leveled by U.S. bombing raids during the Secret War* in the 1960s. These massive stone jars are dated between 500 BC - 800 AD and were built by the ancient Mon-Khmer people. While some jars may be small enough to lift by oneself, the largest jars reach up to 6 metric tons. They are formed from several different stones, mostly sandstone, though granite and calcified coral are not uncommon. In some cases, "lids" or large, flat, layered rocks, can be found on top of some of the jars. The jars can be seen at 400 sites throughout central Laos; though only three of these area are safe for tourists.

Plausible Uses

Historians have been unsure of the purpose of Laos' jars for almost a century, though they have theorized some logical services they may have provided.
Urns -- After finding burnt ashes and bones near a "double-chimneyed" cave, Colani** believed that the jars were actually urns that housed the cremated remains of the native people. The dating of unburned bones and ash from this cave match up with the time period when the jars/urns were constructed. Some archaeologists claim that this cave was actually a kiln where the jars were molded out of clay and natural rocks of the area, but considering the make-up of the jars, many disprove this theory; the jars were made of imported stone. Along with the discovery of bones and ash, Colani also found many bronze and iron artifacts, further developing her theory of a tomb-like jar.
Water Basins -- Another well developed reasoning for these jars are the benefits they offered to ancient traders. The jars are said to be placed in a line along a popular Northern-Indian trade route. When a monsoon made landfall, the rain would collect in these jars or "basins" and sit on said trade route to quench the thirst of weary merchants. This would provide a use for the "lids,"
which were meant to cover the open top of the jars and protect the water from insects and diseases. This use may also explain the beads and tools found in the urns. Beads and other items may have been offered up to the heavens as an offering for more rain, while the tools and other metal objects may have been set by the jars as a "lost and found" sort of system.
Storage -- Considering the groupings of the jars (which can reach up to 100 in a single area), one might find it plausible that the jars were used to store food and other goods in an ancient village. While the wooden houses and mud huts may have long since rotted away, the solid stone jars and their lids remain as a testament to earlier, simpler times.

The Future of The Jars

Due to Laos' tumultuous past, many of the jar sites remain inaccessible and too dangerous for archaeologists to explore. Xieng Khouang Province holds the dark title of being the most bombed region on the face of the planet. During the Secret War, America dropped four billion pounds of explosives on Laos, leveling many of its towns. However, its approximated that a third of these bombs failed to detonate. These OXDs (unexploded ordinances) lie buried in the ground, awaiting the pressure that might result from as little as a single footstep. People are injured every week by these explosives, making the exploration of Laos' monolith jars very difficult and risky. However, there is hope. The push for the Plain of Jars to become a UNESCO*** World Heritage site it making progress. While the UNESCO-Lao Plain of Jars Project surveys the regions, huge loads of OXDs still need to be removed before the Plain can be designated a Heritage site. New studies have been taken up in the Plain of Jars by Belgian archaeologist Julie Van Den Bergh who has been working on the sites regularly since 2005.
The future of the Plain of Jars looks bright, though it will be many years and millions of dollars before all of the sites are cleared and their secret unveiled for the public to see.



*Secret War: America's secret involvement in the Laotian Civil War (1960-1975)
**Madeline Colani: a French archaeologist who became one of the first to report on the Plain of Jars in 1930. She published her works in her book titled, "Megaliths of Upper Laos."
***UNESCO: "United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization" seeks to preserve international sites of human history and to spread knowledge through culture.

Sources:
Wikipedia
Dark Roasted Blend [more photos]
Archaeology.com
Geology.com
Index Mundi

America: World Police

When I say 'America', what's the first thing that comes to mind? Military prowess? Economic superiority? Greatness? I agree with all three of these statements and more. The following blog is taken almost directly from a speech I wrote for my 10th grade accelerated lit and comp class; it's a persuasive speech in favor of the U.S. becoming a regulatory force throughout the world. In the sake of simplicity, I'm going to make more of an ordered list/outline, because the speech was 5 minutes on the whole.
Without much further ado, my speech.

I. Reasoning for implementing such a policy
- Many nations as of late have been shying away from an assertive foreign policy, leaving a power vacuum that needs to be filled.
Ex: The UK’s misadventure in Somalia (’93) led to their inaction against the genocide in Rwanda a year later (1 million casualties resulted. Now after the Iraq War “debacle”, many fear they will fall into another relapse of foreign policy under their new Prime Minister Brown.
Ex: A German parliamentary conference on 1/10/08 came to the conclusion that German foreign policy lacks interest in both the minds of the people, and the Parliament. The head speaker said that German foreign policy is going through a "switzerlandization" phase (leaning towards neutrality).
- Through the U.S.'s military action, economic aid can be restored those in need by nations who refuse to help out through militaristic means.
Ex: The U.N. has recently made a statement saying that over 100,000 Kenyans are in need of emergency care following post-electoral violence. And just today, FOX News released an update on the situation in Kenya, saying that the tribal warfare has already left 800 dead since December.
- This would be an easy policy to implement because most nations throughout the world have grown accustom to harboring U.S. troops.
Ex: Since 1950, 54 countries have had more that 1,000 American troops in them at any one time.
Ex: America has 702 bases in 130 countries worldwide with over 253,000 military personnel deployed.
Ex: And as a bonus, U.S. military installations actually benefit the surrounding locals. Over 44,000 natives globally are hired by the U.S. to manufacture products for them.

II. America could drastically improve the current situations in Africa
- The genocide in Darfur could be swiftly ended through U.S. military presence and action. Over 450,000 have already been killed and 2.5 million have been displaced.
- The removal of corrupt dictators would improve the conditions for those who are being oppressed.
Ex: Yoweri Museveni, the president of Uganda, is currently leading the genocide of the Acholi people.
+ Uganda is also the source of Invisible Children; children recruited into the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). These kids learn to fight and kill ruthlessly at a very young age.
III. It is imperative that the war on terror continues
- The U.S. already has troops stationed in the Middle East.
Ex: 160,000 in Iraq and 30,000 in Afghanistan.
Ex: There are 5 permanent military bases planned for Iraq in the future.
- Depending on the source, the kill ratio of American soldiers to terrorist insurgents is 1:3 - 1:10. This means that America is winning the battles, but the war must continue on.
- War with neighboring Middle Eastern nations seems almost imminent.
Ex: The nuclear-bound nation of Iran. Diplomatic missions have failed, so it looks like the only solution will be military action.

Now as the world continues on its way, will its nations have what it takes to rise up together as a united front to defend the people of Earth from its multitude of threats, or will America have to rise to the occasion, take the world by the hand, and lead it into a new era of peace and prosperity? I favor the latter.

I received a 94% on this speech, what would you give me?
And the topic is open for discussion, so if anyone's reading this, feel free to argue for or against this policy.

What's the deal with Ron Paul?

Surely I'm not the only one out there wondering what this Ron Paul character is all about, right? I mean, surely we've all heard of him on the news and certainly online, but what are Ron Paul's values and where does he stand on the political stage? Well, I'm here to give you an overview of this Texas congressman so you can make an informed decision as to whether you like him or not.
Let's start with some background info on Ron Paul's life and his character. Born in 1936 in a small town in Pennsylvania, Ron Paul lived a seemingly normal childhood. Congressman Paul graduated from Gettysburg College with his bachelor's in 1957, he then went on to Duke University School of Medicine where he graduated with his M.D. four years later. Using his skills in medicine, Dr. Paul enlisted as a flight surgeon in the mid-1960s with the U.S. Air Force. His knowledge then carried over into his personal life outside the army when Ron and his wife moved to Texas to start his own medical practice. Specializing in obstetrics/gynecology, Ron Paul has delivered over 4,000 babies. Dr. Paul has 5 children of his own and 17 grandchildren. Ron Paul is also a Baptist, like myself.
Now onto Paul's political life. Congressman Paul served as the U.S. Representative from Texas from '76-'77, '79-'85, and '97-present. Over the years that Dr. Paul has been in office, there have been many contradictory statements made about him and his philosophies. Some Representatives compare Paul to the Founding Fathers, while many frown upon his Constitutional beliefs and unrelenting push for a more limited government power. Ron Paul is against embryonic research and abortion, for he has voted against the two subjects on numerous occasions. According to his website, Ron Paul has never voted to hike up taxes, enforce federal gun control, raise congressional pay, or to provide more power to the executive branch (president). Paul has voted against the Patriot Act, regulation of the internet, and the Iraq War. He has shown trends of support toward homosexual rights and the legalization of hemp. As far as foreign policy goes, it appears that Ron Paul believes America should stay completely out of everything not related to itself. He has stated that there is no Constitutional authority for the U.S. to go into Darfur or Sudan and that any preemptive strikes on another nation are "not part of the American tradition". Basically, Ron Paul wants to bring America back to its roots and away from the Bush regime, while make the U.S. into less of an "empire" and making financial reforms.
Now, why is it that we've heard so much about this Texan Representative? Part of it maybe me from his spontaneous online following and record holding $6 million dollars raised online in a 24 hour period. On his website, you can see Paul's current donation statistics which can be quite staggering. What also makes Ron Paul such an interesting candidate are his constitutional based beliefs, unlike that of any other politician of the day. Nicknamed "Dr. No" by his fellow colleagues, Paul compares most decisions he makes to his morals and the Constitution. Now with the caucus season in full swing, we'll have to see how Ron Paul does. Obtaining 10% of the Republican vote last week at the Iowa caucus (3% behind Thompson and McCain) and with a national poll vote of around 10%, Ron Paul has some work to do, but if he continues his avid campaign online and on the national stage, he just might have what it takes. But sources point towards no.
If you have any other questions about Ron Paul, feel free to ask them of me in a comment below.

Thanks to:
www.ontheissues.org
www.dailypaul.com
www.ronpaul2008.com
www.cnn.com

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History: The 3 Main Winter Holidays and Their Meanings

Christmas

The Christian holiday of Christmas represents the birth of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Mary, Jesus' earthly mother, was first visited in a dream by an angel, telling her she was to bear a child, and his name was to be Jesus. The Virgin Mary got her name because she gave birth to a child without having intercourse with her husband, Joseph [a carpenter]. The birth of Jesus occurred while Mary and Joseph were heading back to their hometown of Bethlehem to register for the census, ordered by Caesar Augustus, the current emperor of Rome. But as the couple grew nearer to Bethlehem, Mary went into labor. The nearest inn was full, but the innkeeper allowed them to stay in the stable with the animals. It was there, that Jesus Christ was born in a manger. This is what is depicted in what we call "nativity" scenes today.
Nowadays, Christmas is the day when everyone is delivered presents by the mystical Santa Claus [who's existence has not been confirmed]. However, Santa Claus didn't just come out of nowhere, there is a very real story behind him. Saint Nicholas, the bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, was a very knowledgeable man who was known for his charity [and giving money/presents to the poor]. Saint Nicholas would die in 340 AD and buried in Myra. In the 11th century, his remains were brought back to Bari, Italy where the church of Saint Nicholas was erected in his honor. Soon, Christian pilgrims from all over the world came to visit the church and learn of the legend of Saint Nicholas. These pilgrims brought the story of Saint Nick back to their home countries where it became twisted and skewed by the native peoples. During the 12th century, Germany, France, and Holland declared December 6th a religious holiday where gifts were traditionally given. As the Dutch immigrated to America, they brought with them their Sinterklaas, an austere bishop with red robes who rode atop a white steed. Thus, the first image of Santa was born in the United States. After centuries of evolution and publishings of poems/drawings, Santa Claus was born.

Channukah

The Jewish holiday of Channukah [Hannukah] has an interesting story behind it and is celebrated over a period of 8 days. The celebration of Channukah begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar [approximately corresponds with December on the Gregorian calendar]. The holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews overran the Greek-Syrians. However, in 168 BC [3 years later] the temple was seized by the Greek-Syrians again. Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria, ordered the Jews to cease their worship of their own God and follow the Greek gods. When they refused, the Greeks attacked, and many fled to the neighboring mountains where they rallied under the leadership of Judah Maccabee. After a period of guerrilla fighting from the mountains, the Jewish forces came down out of the mountains and back to their temple, which had been converted into a temple of Zeus, a Greek god. Once the Jews had refurbished the temple [including repairing the golden menorah], they searched for oil with which to light the giant menorah. After an extensive search, the Jews were only able to come up with a small flask, enough for one day. Through nothing short of a miracle, the menorah remained lit for eight days, which was enough time to find more oil in order to keep the menorah lit [following the eight days with one flask]. So today, Jews celebrate Channukah in eight days, lighting one candle of the menorah each night to represent the eight days the menorah remained lit in the Temple. Accompanied with the story and celebration of Channukah, many games and traditional foods are also scene throughout the eight days. Things like dreidels and potato cakes called latkes are traditionally seen around this time of year.

Kwanzaa

The holiday of Kwanzaa [unlike Christmas and Channukah], isn't associated with any one religion, but rather, a culture. Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", which means "first fruits". Kwanzaa occurs from December 26th until January 1st. Kwanzaa celebrates the "first harvest" and is a time to reaffirm bonds amongst Africans worldwide and acknowledge their rich history as a people. Established in the midst of the Black Liberation Movement in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa symbolized the strong African culture that was still very much alive along with serving as a communal celebration to allow the African people to take part in a much needed fellowship at the time. The seven green, red, and black candles on the "kinara", a menorah like candle holder, represent the seven values of Kwanzaa: cooperation, creativity, faith, purpose, responsibility, self-determination, and unity. As Kwanzaa approaches its 42nd celebration, it is estimated that 28 million Africans and African immigrants will be taking part in the traditions of Kwanzaa this year.

So there's the big three December-time holidays for you. I hope you learned something about these three different cultures. Feel free to comment your thoughts, opinions, or other holidays of interest.

Thanks to:
holidays.net
history.com
officialkwanzaawebsite.org

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Obesity in America: Facts, Fiction, Protection

Obesity is an epidemic in the United States. The People no longer care for their diet or their bodies and simply pig-out on all of modern societies sugar coated and fat soaked treats. In this blog, I'm going to attempt to outline the cause and effects of obesity and recommend some ways to protect or help yourself against it.

FACTS

- Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
- Approximately 127 mil. adults are overweight and 60 million of those are considered obese.
- ~62% of all females in the U.S. are overweight-- more than half! That means 1 in every 2 women/girls are overweight! Doesn't that tell you that something needs to be done?
- ~67% of all males in the U.S. are overweight-- more than 2/3! Something has to be done to fix this.
- Genetics does not determine whether you will be obese or not, it simply raises the tendency for you to be one or the other. Think of it as balancing a broom on your hand [with the top of the handle in your palm and the bristles in the air], except, there's a lead weight attached to the top of it, making it more prone to falling over. Same with genetics, so I suppose you could thing of it as magnifying your weight gain. Other people may have inherited a high metabolism, making them more prone to being thin [though they can definitely still be overweight].
- Overweight-ness has doubled in children ages 6-11 and tripled in adolescents aged 12-19 in the past 20 years alone.
- Obesity costs approximately $123 billion per year.
> ~$63 million in doctor's visits and ~$39 million lost in missed work days.
- Obesity leads to many different illnesses; and not always just one. A "metabolic syndrome" is a cluster of illnesses related to being overweight [type 2 diabetes, heart disease, etc.].
- Losing 10% of one's weight can significantly reduce the chances of developing obesity-related diseases.

FICTION

- The Body Mass Index [BMI] calculator accurately determines whether you're overweight or not.
-- The BMI calculator compares your height and your weight and determines whether your weight is above that of the "healthy" standard for your height. The major flaw here is that the calculator can't account for muscle. Since muscle weighs more than fat, someone could be a 6'2" weightlifter, or a 6'2" habitual McDonald's diner. It could go either way; but according to the BMI calculator, both of these people would be considered overweight, though one is not.
- Long term dieting works.
-- Diet is one part of losing weight, but diet alone won't work. Coupled with exercise/physical activity, diets will help the dieter lose weight. Another problem arises from this though; most obese people probably have very little to no diet restrictions and most likely don't exercise often [thus their current physical condition]. This lifestyle is hard to change, which is why motivation is a key factor that many lack. An overweight person surely wants to be healthy and maybe even look slimmer, but it is extremely difficult to dedicate oneself to those kind of restrictions and routines; which is a main cause as to why many long term diets fail. But if someone's got the motivation, long-term dieting can make a difference in one's weight.

PROTECTION & Tips

- To prevent obesity, begin developing healthy habits early on [read the information below to find some ways to help you with that].
- Eat healthy foods. Cut trips to fast food restaurants and if you need a snack, replace it with something healthy; get rid of those empty calorie potato chips and eat a fruit or whole grain bread. Oranges and whole-grain bagels are a good choice [don't be afraid to throw on some fat-free cream cheese].
- Eat slower. Eating slowly is a great way to prevent overeating. Not only does it prevent overeating, but it also improves digestion, since part of it takes place in your mouth, which is one reason to chew slower. By eating slowly, you're giving your stomach more time to react to the food you're taking in, which triggers the sensation that you're "full" sooner, which prevents you from eating more food that would otherwise make you feel sick if you were mowing it down as fast as possible.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Exercising is the other half of the battle [along with dieting] and is probably the most important. Physical activity both tones your body and burns the calories that have been consumed. But the motivation issue arises again. Many people don't want to go out for a run [or even a walk] if they think about it too much. So try this: just go outside, put your shoes on, and start. Don't think about how far you'll go, just get started. Once you've got your shoes on, let your feet do the rest.
- Start out slow. Don't look at this as a huge wall that you've got to climb over, think of it as a hill you've got to walk up; it takes time. Start off by maybe exercising every other day, or cutting back on your fast-food trips or improving your snacking habits. So don't do everything at once, do certain things first until all the pieces come together into a full-on healthy routine.

I hope that all this information has both enlightened and encouraged you to stay healthy and avoid obesity. And if you are overweight, I hope that some of these tips will encourage you to get back down to a healthy weight. But remember, it is possible to defeat obesity.


Sources:
obesityinamerica.org
obesityscam.com
zenhabits.net


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Testing- 1, 2, 3...

Just decided to set up a blog. Kinda want to get my opinion and take on things out there (and it'll give me something to do this summer). I hope I can lend some insightful thoughts and writings here to you; but I'm not making in promises xD. I plan on blogging about websites, politics, and oddities throughout the world that I find appealing. So I'm gonna try this out. Hope you like it.