It is the 21st century - the age of terrorism and 'long wars.' Yet in the US and abroad, nuclear power, that 20th century energy behemoth, is quietly coming back. If successful, it threatens to plunge the global populous into unseen levels of darkness and despair.
Charles Taylor has been indicted on 17 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in violation of international humanitarian law. However, the trial has not yet been held, and it will be of interest to see what elements of proof will be presented.
This month, a highly controversial European law came into effect that raises concerns about our fundamental right to privacy.
"Who will come to our town when the smokestack is making its toxic clouds, when the fish die off from the water pollution? How will we make our living then?" -- Gualeguaychú taxi driver
In the stillness of an autumn afternoon in Argentina, Anna and Oscar Bargas launch into their story across the table in an off-season hotel lobby. Organizers with the Gualeguaychú Citizens Environmental Assembly (ACAG), they had never been activists before, just regular participants in small town civic life.
Years before the arrival of the Spanish, Bolivia's indigenous people used "magic water" to cure wounds and keep fires going. With the invention of the automobile in the 1880s this black liquid took on a new importance. Since then, the oil and gas has been more of a curse than a blessing for the Bolivian people. On May 1st of this year, the history of these resources entered a new phase.
Charles Taylor has left Liberia with a society shattered, the population fragmented and the economy ruined. However, he is unlikely to be tried for his actions in coming to power through civil war nor for his use of violence to stay in power once president.
Copyright Toward Freedom 2019