By Samuel Holmes and Camilla Sutton
GPS Background and Development
GPS is a space-based radio navigation system consisting of 30 satellites that provide precise position, velocity, and timing information to receivers on the ground that can simultaneously obtain the signal of four or more satellites (Iqbal and Lim 2008). It was developed by the United States Department of Defense primarily for military use. The technology played a major role in the 1991 Gulf War, as U.S troops used it for navigation on land, sea, and in the air for targeting of bombs and for on board missile guidance (Pham 2011).
In 1987, as a result of the Korean Airline disaster, President Reagan announced that it would be available for civilian use once the system was fully operational (Pham 2011). It became fully integrated and available for civilian use after President Clinton announced it permanent end of intentional degradation of GPS signal to the public (Pham 2011). GPS consists of several components. The space operating component consists of 30 satellites that transmit one-way signal that give the GPS satellites position and time. The control component consists of worldwide monitor and control stations, and the user component consists of GPS receiver equipment that receives the signals from the GPS satellites and uses the transmitted information to calculate the user’s three-dimensional position and time (Pham 2011). The U.S. military still uses GPS, but the commercial use has been widely adopted by civilian for recreational, navigation, construction, tracking, illegal activities, etc. Today, GPS devices have gone from larger-size to pocket-size, from exclusive military use to commercial usage, and from most expensive to cost effective.
Negative GPS Social Issues Affecting Society
Even though GPS technology has had tremendous impacts on society since it released for civilian use, there are some major issues surrounding the use of GPS devices. Issues such as privacy, warfare, criminal use of the device, and driving distractions are current controversies surrounding the use of GPS devices.
Privacy
Privacy is one of the major issues of GPS technology. The ability to accurately locate or track one’s location has led some people to question the use of GPS. Law enforcement officers, for example, use the device to track and collect data about a person without permission. The U.S. Supreme decision this past January held that Americans have constitutional protections against GPS surveillance by law enforcement. In Jones v. USA case, the court ruled that GPS tracking is a “search,” thus long term GPS surveillance of a suspect’s car violated the Fourth Amendment (Friedman 2012). According to the case, FBI agents mounted a GPS tracking device on a car and then tracked the position of the vehicle every ten seconds for a full month without court oversight. “If police are allowed to plant GPS devices wherever they please, that’s essentially blanket permission for widespread, ongoing police surveillance without any court supervision,” noted Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Legal Director Cindy Cohn (EFF.org 2012).
Additionally, in another case several years ago, a suspicious wife placed a GPS device in her husband’s vehicle to monitor his routes. Data obtained by the device led to filling of murder charges by the police in the death of the couple’s twelve year old baby sitter (Iqbal and Lim 2008). The wife placed the device on her husband’s truck a few days earlier before the incident because she suspected him of having an affair. He was initially charged with felony count of reckless endangerment, however based on the data obtained from the GPS unit the charges were raised to second degree murder as the data revealed that the defendant did not take the girl to see horses at all. He drove around other roads instead and spent more than three hours with her behind an abandoned home (Iqbal and Lim 2008). The use of GPS device in the case might have been helpful to the outcome of the case, but the wife’s act of monitoring her husband’s routes using GPS was a violation of his privacy even though they are legally married. These cases are typical examples of some of the privacy issues surrounding the use of GPS and the power of the technology to track and collect data on a person’s movement without his or her permission.
Warfare:
GPS enabled bombs and missiles are some of the most deadly weapons used in modern warfare. These weapons have taken away human lives and have also destroyed property, causing billion of dollars for aftermath reconstruction, family losing love ones and creating animosity between nations. The results from the Gulf war and other most recent wars fought by the United States and other developed nations with well-equipped military are clear evidences. It is estimated that about 1000 GPS receivers were issued during the Gulf war, and by the end of the war 9000 were in use (Baijal and Arora). Modern weapons such as Cruise missiles and the Multi Lunched Rocket System (MLRS) are designed to use GPS data as input for targeting and guidance. For instance, the Cruise missile accurately hit it targets from large standoff distances using multichannel GPS receivers to precisely determine their location while constantly in flight (Baijal and Arora). Additionally, the U.S. Army through the Exploitation of DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System) for Guidance Enhancement (EDGE) program developed a 2000 lb glide bomb, which uses GPS—enabling it to accurately hit its target 11 miles from its drop point guided by four DGPS based stations about 1000 nautical miles away (Baijal and Arora). Though GPS is widely available to civilians, it stated that the U.S. government still has full control over the technology. As a result, the government has the authority to disable or intentionally degrade certain features.
The Abuses of GPS Use by Drug Dealers and Pirates
Another social issue is criminals’ use of GPS technology to transact illegal business. Drug dealers or cartels are using GPS devices to transact business. For instance, drug dealer’s use GPS to drop the drugs on a specific location and record the location on a GPS device .They inform business partners that have their own GPS device where to pick up the drugs (Norman 1998). It is also possible that sex offenders or stalkers use GPS to know a victim’s location at all times by hidden GPS units under the victim’s vehicle.
GPS has also gotten in the hands of pirates. With continuous attacks on vessels on the Gulf of Aden, which is the southern gateway to the heavily traffic Suez Canal; Somali pirates have become more sophisticated by using GPS to track and navigate to vessels. “The most important things for Somali pirates are getting relevant information regarding merchant vessel that they wish to hijack...they use navigational technologies in their daily operation”, said Andrew Mwangura of East African Seafarers Assistance Program (Underleider 2012). The Oceans Beyond Piracy cited in a study that the global economic impact of piracy attacks for marine vessels is estimated between $7 to $12 billion dollars annually, of which security equipment consists of $2 million and a regional economic cost of $1.25 million (OBP 2011). Additionally, with the aid of GPS and other hi-tech devices, attacks on vessels have also led to severe humanitarian crisis in the region and prolonged civil unrest. Ransom collected from hijacked vessels is helping to finance wars in the region (Middleton 2008). As of January 2012, Somali pirates currently have 10 vessels and 159 people under hostage (ICC-CCS 2012).
Driving distractions is another social issue of GPS technology inn society. Like cell phones, using the GPS while driving could lead to an accident especially when inputting address data or using a sophisticated one to search for nearby food or gas stations. In 2008, a survey found that GPS devices contributed to 30,000 crashes in the United Kingdom (Schulman 2011). It also cited that over million drivers change directions dangerously while following GPS directions. Additionally, a Dutch study found that GPS devices increased traffic accident casualties and “purposely put the driver in to a situation of unacceptable social behavior” (Schulman 2011). GPS could be used for positive purposes, but once such devices get in the hands of bad guys, it becomes a serious problem.
Future GPS Issues
There is an ongoing debate about a proposed technology that would have the potential to disrupt GPS signals, affecting its reliability and functionality. The debate suggests that if the technology is deployed, it is likely that all GPS signals-receiving equipment will suffer signal degradation ranging from mild to severe (Pham 2011). Lightsquared, a technology company, is planning to build a nationwide 4G-LTE wireless broadband utilizing spectrum allocated for mobile satellite service, which will transmit signals in a radio band immediately adjacent to GPS frequencies (Pham 2011). “The downstream industries that rely on professional and high precision GPS technology for their own business operations would face serious disruption to their operations should interference occur, and U.S. leadership and innovation would suffer“, cited Nam Pham of NDP Consulting (Pham 2011). The US GPS Council, Lightsquared Company, and other key stakeholders are currently conducting a test of GPS equipment under different scenarios. Lightsquared is claiming that it has bought the right to operate at the controversial bandwidth.
Positive Impacts of GPS on Society
Although there are some negative issues of GPS, the technology has also impacted society positively. GPS has completely revolutionized many industries and necessities such as our agriculture, aviation, environment, marine, public safety and disaster relief, rail industry, recreation, roads/highways and space. Overall, some of the most common positive impacts that Global Positioning Systems (GPS) have had on our society range from transportation, navigation, tracking, rescue facility management construction and cost economic benefits has been phenomenal.
Transportation and Navigation
With regards to transportation, since its conception, GPS has made planning road trips and family vacations much more easy and enjoyable. Compared to 10 years ago, most people would not even think of purchasing a vehicle, or much less taking a family vacation without GPS. Whether you are travelling locally, across country, or globally, you will get accurate directions and constant monitoring of your current position.
Planning a road trip is much easier with GPS system because the device can determine the distance from starting location to destination, telling a user exactly how much time should be planned for reaching a desired destination. It is more convenient and can save time and money because it eliminates the need for paper maps that were previously used to navigate from state to state. The GPS system can also prevent the likelihood that a traveler will get lost because a missed turn can be corrected by re-routing a driver to an alternate route to reach the desired destination (Written 2E 2005). When traveling on a family vacation, GPS can provide points of interest information to help locate family favorites such as restaurants, malls, parks and movie theaters. In addition to other safety features, in case of an accident or an emergency, a GPS can direct a driver to the nearest hospital. Furthermore, to add to the convenience of a family transportation, GPS navigation systems available on the market today are portable and can be used outside of vehicles for locating other points of interest or transferred for use between family vehicles (Pham 2011).
Family Benefits: Tracking and Rescue
In addition to safer transportation, the tracking of a particular person or object utilizing GPS is a feature that can be integrated for human safety concerns. This form of tracking has become extremely common in recent years and the possibilities of using GPS for this feature are infinite. You can track vehicles, children, pets, valuables, elderly people, cargo, etc. Global Tracking Technologies, a web-based GPS technology company, provides innovative location based services and tracking to vulnerable members of our society such as children and the elderly. Today, with the help of GPS, parents and family members have peace of mind knowing they can locate loved ones at all times. The small lightweight GPS personal tracking devices can fit almost anywhere—in a backpack, purse, coat pocket and in a family car. A similar GPS device called Tagg, produced by The Pet Tracker by Snaptracs, Inc. can be attached to the collar of a pet to keep track in case it is missing (Becker 2011).
Moreover, GPS also benefits people with disabilities. Assistive GPS technology devices offer benefits to persons who travel that are disabled, hard of hearing or visually impaired. The GPS Ranger® multimedia tour guide device introduced in July 2008, is just one example of GPS technology currently being utilized on public lands to assist persons with disabilities (Writing 2E 2005). Interpretive content can be delivered in sign language and captioning so that the deaf visitors can benefit from the same independent, high-tech tour experience that other visitors enjoy. Audio description and audio directional cues can be programmed for the visually impaired as well (Pham 2011).
Commercial Benefits: Tracking and Business Analysis
GPS can become an important business tool in improving the productivity, and eventually the profitability of a business enterprise. For instance, Kentucky Fried Chicken uses GPS to analyze their competition and decide where to build new restaurants (Writing 2E). Business across the economic spectrum from mid-sized manufactures to large service providers own or lease vehicles used to carry out various functions of companies’ operations. Companies with large fleets of vehicles and distribution and sales network use GPS to dispatch trucks for deliveries using shorter routes, which provide savings on fuel costs and on time delivery. GPS also provides real-time supply chain visibility by enabling both the customer and the transportation service provider to track and trace the location of freight or packages at all times (Pham 2011). Vehicle tracking, which is one of the fastest growing applications for GPS technology, helps increase mobile productivity and safety while enabling enterprises to reduce labor and fuel expenses.
GPS Economic Benefits
The GPS industry creates jobs and economic activities which spur economic growth. In fact, the advent of GPS and its commercialization has delivered enormous benefits to society and the U.S. economy overall. Today, there are more than 3.3 million jobs that rely on GPS technology. GPS technology creates direct and indirect positive spillover effects such as emissions reductions from fuel savings, health and safety gains, time savings and improved public safety including national defense (Pham 2011).
In addition to being vital to our U.S. National Security and logistics supply chain management, two examples of how GPS applications have improved business operations and best practices in farming and engineering construction are below:
Precision Agriculture: The GPS application is used for farm planning, field mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance, crop scouting, and variable rate applications of seeds, fertilizer and pesticides. The GPS guidance equipment enables more precise application of chemicals during critical planting and harvesting months. GPS technology provides crop farming with cost savings on labor, capitol and raw materials.
Engineering Construction (Heavy Civil Surveying and Mapping): GPS equipment increased productivity in the construction industries by providing accurate machine guidance and measurement technology. The technology improves accuracy and increases efficiency in related functions such as surveying, excavating, grading, sub-grading, urban planning, and jobsite safety.
Conclusion
Like many other technologies that have impacted society, there are always positive and negative issues. The paper discussed the origin of GPS, which was exclusively developed for military use and later released to the public. It also discussed in detail some of the major issues surrounding the use of GPS such as privacy and driving distractions. Lastly, it discussed some future issues that might lead to the disruption of GPS functionality and concluded with some of the positive impacts of GPS technology in our society today.
References
Baijal, Rajat and Arora, K. Manoj. GPS: A Military Perspective. GISDevelopment. 1-7
Becker, Karen. (2011 September). GPS Pet Tracking System: Pros and Cons. Mercola.com. Pg. 1-3.
Friedman, Barry. (2012 January). Privacy, Technology and Law. New York Times. Pg.1-3
International Commerce Commission-Commercial Crime Services. Piracy News & Figures. Icc-ccs.org.
Iqbal, Usman Muhammad and Lim, Samsung (2008). Legal Implications of GPS Vulnerabilities. Journal of International Commercial Law and Technology, Vol.3.Issue 3. 178-187.
Middleton, Roger. (2008) Piracy in Somalia. Threatening Global Trade, Feeding Local Wars. The Chatham House.
Norman, Geoffrey. (1998 May). Bearing Straight. Forbes, 161(9), 396.
Oceans Beyond Piracy. (2011). The Economic Cost of Piracy. 1-2. Oceansbeyondpiracy.org
Pham, D. Nam. (2011 June). The Economic Benefits of Commercial GPS Use in the U.S. and the Costs of Potential Disruption. NDP Consulting Publication. 1-18.
Schulman, A. N. (2011). GPS and the End of the Road. New Atlantis: A Journal of Technology & Society, 4-32.
Underleider, Neal. (2011 June). Somali Pirates Go High Tech. Fast Company. 1-5
Writing 2E. (2005). Social Impact of the Global Positioning System (GPS). 2
Friday, February 17, 2012
Monday, July 25, 2011
Happy 164 Birthday Mama Liberia!
As Liberia celebrates its 164 birthday today (July 26, 2011), I would like to first congratulate the people of Liberia for their effort and support towards the current peace building process. They have truly demonstrated for the past 5 years to the international community and their African neighbors that they never want to go back to their chaotic past—which was devastated by senseless and bloody civil wars for 14 years. I hope by this time all Liberians have realized that war is not the solution to the many social and economical problems the nation have faced over the past decades.
There is a long way to go as the nation progresses through reconciliation and post-war reconstruction. But remember, united we stand to build a vibrant nation that was once called “The Sweet Land of Liberty.”
I encourage all Liberians to be hopeful about the future and continue to rally around the present and future government to help rebuild the future of Liberia. The past need not repeat itself. We need not let it hold us back. Other great nations have gone through the same circumstances and have come out of it successfully. We too can do the same. I am strongly confident that we can. This is the time that every Liberian contribution (time, talents, and treasures) is important in helping to rebuild the public (health, education, research and development, and other social programs, etc.) and private (domestics businesses, investments, foreign trade, etc.) sectors of our nation.
Additionally, I would like to congratulate Her Excellence Madam Sirleaf, President of Liberia, for her leadership and hard work over the past years. Despite the struggles, her leadership has helped to restore peace, economic developments and good governance to a nation that was once ruined by chronic civil conflicts that displaced millions of Liberians. Well done on your achievements over the past years. I wish you and other political leaders good luck in the upcoming general presidential election in October. I hope and pray that whoever wins will put the nation and its people first rather than his or her selfish political interest—one which has kept the nation from moving forward from 1990 to 2003.
I would also like to thank the United Nation, its donors, as well as the working men and women who have worked tirelessly to bring peace to one of its first founding member states—Liberia. Your effort is priceless.
I wish all Liberian a Happy Independence Day! Let us continue to keep our nation and its people in our prayers.
God Bless Liberia and the rest of the world.
Monday, January 24, 2011
A Response to: If a company uses a foreign supplier with cheap labor that still produces a good product is that bad ethics or good business?
It is not unethical under certain circumstances if a U.S based company chooses to buy its products from a foreign supplier that uses cheap labors. For instance, why will a company want to pay $20 per hour to a U.S based labor for producing the same product that a labor right across the border or in another trade pact
country could produce for $ 5 per hour? You do the math. Though we must also consider transportation and other associated cost involved for transporting the goods, it is cost effective to produce or buy the good from overseas.
If the supplier is not using child labor to produce its goods and if they are compensating their employees well based on the nation’s pay scales and is also obeying international human right laws, it is not unethical. However, if the supplier is violating human rights law, it is unethical because it against the core-values of the American society.
To stay competitive in today’s global market, a company will have to make use of those opportunities in order to compete with its competitors or else it will go bankrupt. Will you as a manager pay a higher price to a U.S. based supplier for the same quality goods that you can purchase from overseas for an affordable price? Good luck with that… because your competitors are possibly buying from an overseas market and giving their customers an affordable price on goods that you will be selling for a higher price.
Today’s educated consumers will rather buy from a company that provides quality and affordable price then buy the same items from a company that sells it for a higher cost. You will end up with a 90% discount to get those high price goods out of your warehouse.
Businesses are able to provide customers with lower cost if their overhead cost is reduced. No businesses with a high overhead cost can provide goods to customers for a cheaper cost…good luck with their bottom line
if they did.
Over all, my point is not for businesses to exploit its customers or be unpatriotic, but they should make use of opportunities such as buying from foreign suppliers in order to stay competitive and provide reasonable price for consumers.
country could produce for $ 5 per hour? You do the math. Though we must also consider transportation and other associated cost involved for transporting the goods, it is cost effective to produce or buy the good from overseas. If the supplier is not using child labor to produce its goods and if they are compensating their employees well based on the nation’s pay scales and is also obeying international human right laws, it is not unethical. However, if the supplier is violating human rights law, it is unethical because it against the core-values of the American society.
To stay competitive in today’s global market, a company will have to make use of those opportunities in order to compete with its competitors or else it will go bankrupt. Will you as a manager pay a higher price to a U.S. based supplier for the same quality goods that you can purchase from overseas for an affordable price? Good luck with that… because your competitors are possibly buying from an overseas market and giving their customers an affordable price on goods that you will be selling for a higher price.
Today’s educated consumers will rather buy from a company that provides quality and affordable price then buy the same items from a company that sells it for a higher cost. You will end up with a 90% discount to get those high price goods out of your warehouse.
Businesses are able to provide customers with lower cost if their overhead cost is reduced. No businesses with a high overhead cost can provide goods to customers for a cheaper cost…good luck with their bottom line
if they did. Over all, my point is not for businesses to exploit its customers or be unpatriotic, but they should make use of opportunities such as buying from foreign suppliers in order to stay competitive and provide reasonable price for consumers.
Friday, January 21, 2011
As the 2011 Presidential Election Progresses in Liberia
As all Liberians get ready for the upcoming general election, I would like to encourage everyone that is eligible, especially my fellow youths, to vote to make the right and God fearing choice to vote for an individual that loves our nation not because of its wealth, but for the good of its people and the nation in general. I encourage all Liberians to look back just 6 years ago and reflect on what happened in June, July and August of that year. After that, pause and think a moment about the following questions for the presidential candidate you wish to vote for: What had he or she done to help our nation before? Did she/he stay in the country to support the current elected government or help support education or other community programs to help Liberians after losing the previous election? What are her/his post-election plans if he/she loses? Who are his team members? Are they accountable, transparent, and have a past corruption free record—not necessarily government job record?
To my fellow youths that are eligible to vote, this is the time to change your future. Please do not base your judgments on popularity and false rhetoric. Think twice before you vote because whatever choice you make in October will affect your future for six years or in years to come. God bless Mama Liberia and the rest of the world.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
LOOKING BACK AT 2010: ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR ME
As we enter the New Year, I would like to thank God first for all his blessings and kindnesses upon my life. HE is my light and salvation. It is because of Him I have come this far by faith...and I am thankful that He stood by me at all times. 2010 was truely another great year of my life and studies in Texas,USA.
I would like to thank the Orchard's family (sponsor family---Dave, Marie and chidren, aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews) for their support toward to my stay and education in the United States. This is my third year living you and I am delighted as always to be part of this wonderful and loving family.
I also want to thank these special families,who are Dave and Marie friends, for their support. They are: the Johnson's family(Laurie and Rick), the Sutton's (Mark and Gail), the Wilkins' (Bonnie and Jim), the Keddy's (Peggy and Charlie), the Schnieder's (Kay and George)and the Lozano's (Patti and Alberto), the Powells' (Cecilia and Ernest)and other Deer Field neigbors. I have achieved great things because of your help.
Also, I would like to say a special thank you to my family in Liberia, my mom, dad, brothers and sisters and relatives for their prayers and words of encouragement. Hope they are having a wonderful holidays.
This year would not have been another great year for me without the above mentioned people prayer, educational and financial support. I would not have achieved the following this year without you. Thank you for being there for me...as always.
• Graduated from Lone Star College -CyFair in May with an associate degree and two professional certificates in Logistics Management;
• Graduated from the Lone Star College System Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI) in April with a Leadership Certificate;
• Recognized by NASA in May for the second time for participating in a project that is currently up in space at the International Space Station;
• Went to nationals in Surprise, Arizona in April for the second time and won the National Copper Division Tennis Championship Title with my college tennis team;
• Worked as a Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) leader on campus (as a way to give back some of my time and talents) and helped orient 2200 new students in the summer and approximately another 120 in the fall;
• Received the Lone Star College-CyFair Outstanding Club Member of the Year Award
• Inducted as Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society member;
• Volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Adopt-a-Highway, Adopt-a-Soldier, Speical Olympics Clinic, Adopt-an-Angel project, Helped collect gift items and donation for St. Dominic Home Retired Priests, and ran in the 2010Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure;
• Won my fifth singles championship titles at Lone Star College-CyFair Fall Invitational Tennis Tourney in November
• Served as president for the Catholic Student Union (CSU) and president for the Supply Chain Industry and Distribution Organization (SIDO) on campus;
• Have one more class at CyFair to obtain a second degree in associate of arts (AA), which I hope to complete in the summer;
• Finally, ended this fall semester with a 3.7 GPA (semester) and an accumulative GPA of 3.56 and 111 college credits.
I am proud of all my achievements this year.I am also very excited to start another college life at the University of Houston in January.
I wish you and your family a God filling New Year. Once again, thank you for your help.
2011 Resolution:
My primary resolutions this year are to continue to pray for world peace, love and humanity for places that are still undergoing internal and external instabilities.
SEE MY 2010 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY DAYS AT LSC-CYFAIR AND OTHER RECENT PHOTOS ( at nationals and state tournaments, with family, at community service projects and at professional development events).
I would like to thank the Orchard's family (sponsor family---Dave, Marie and chidren, aunts and uncles, cousins, nephews) for their support toward to my stay and education in the United States. This is my third year living you and I am delighted as always to be part of this wonderful and loving family.
I also want to thank these special families,who are Dave and Marie friends, for their support. They are: the Johnson's family(Laurie and Rick), the Sutton's (Mark and Gail), the Wilkins' (Bonnie and Jim), the Keddy's (Peggy and Charlie), the Schnieder's (Kay and George)and the Lozano's (Patti and Alberto), the Powells' (Cecilia and Ernest)and other Deer Field neigbors. I have achieved great things because of your help.
Also, I would like to say a special thank you to my family in Liberia, my mom, dad, brothers and sisters and relatives for their prayers and words of encouragement. Hope they are having a wonderful holidays.
This year would not have been another great year for me without the above mentioned people prayer, educational and financial support. I would not have achieved the following this year without you. Thank you for being there for me...as always.
• Graduated from Lone Star College -CyFair in May with an associate degree and two professional certificates in Logistics Management;
• Graduated from the Lone Star College System Collegiate Leadership Institute (CLI) in April with a Leadership Certificate;
• Recognized by NASA in May for the second time for participating in a project that is currently up in space at the International Space Station;
• Went to nationals in Surprise, Arizona in April for the second time and won the National Copper Division Tennis Championship Title with my college tennis team;
• Worked as a Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) leader on campus (as a way to give back some of my time and talents) and helped orient 2200 new students in the summer and approximately another 120 in the fall;
• Received the Lone Star College-CyFair Outstanding Club Member of the Year Award
• Inducted as Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society member;
• Volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Adopt-a-Highway, Adopt-a-Soldier, Speical Olympics Clinic, Adopt-an-Angel project, Helped collect gift items and donation for St. Dominic Home Retired Priests, and ran in the 2010Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure;
• Won my fifth singles championship titles at Lone Star College-CyFair Fall Invitational Tennis Tourney in November
• Served as president for the Catholic Student Union (CSU) and president for the Supply Chain Industry and Distribution Organization (SIDO) on campus;
• Have one more class at CyFair to obtain a second degree in associate of arts (AA), which I hope to complete in the summer;
• Finally, ended this fall semester with a 3.7 GPA (semester) and an accumulative GPA of 3.56 and 111 college credits.
I am proud of all my achievements this year.I am also very excited to start another college life at the University of Houston in January.
I wish you and your family a God filling New Year. Once again, thank you for your help.
2011 Resolution:
My primary resolutions this year are to continue to pray for world peace, love and humanity for places that are still undergoing internal and external instabilities.
SEE MY 2010 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY DAYS AT LSC-CYFAIR AND OTHER RECENT PHOTOS ( at nationals and state tournaments, with family, at community service projects and at professional development events).
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Dear Africa: A Commentary to the Ongoing Post Presidential Election Crisis in Ivory Coast, West Africa
Following the ongoing post presidential election crisis in Ivory Coast, West Africa...which currently has two presidents vowing to control the state, I hope and pray that the meeting today Dec 28 with Gbagbo and the three regional leaders from other African states will yield some solutions to the current crisis. Read more about the ongoing crisis.
Ivorians do not want to go back to another civil war. War is just not the solution to our many problems in Africa. Our major problems are the lack of accountability, transparency and reliability in the bureaucrats—which most often times lead to distrust in the government by the people. In any form/system of government, once the people distrust their leader—that nation is likely to fall into serious crisis. This has been the case with many post-war nations in Africa. In general, chronic corruption and the failure of most leaders to run the state justly—that is by reaching its power and economic developments in rural parts of the nation, has been one of the biggest causes of conflicts in Africa.
It makes me sad to see many of our African political leaders, who got their education from the western world, misusing what they have learned by bringing instability to their home countries rather than contributing constructively to help the nation. Is that what universities in the western world taught these leaders who have walked through the walls of great schools in the developed world? I beg to differ. I am currently attending university in the United States—studying Supply Chain and Logistics Tech, but none of my classes, nor the ones in liberal arts, have taught me to go back to my home country and disrupt the peace that many people are enjoying by negatively influencing my brothers and sisters, who are less educated, to fight against the current government in order to gain political power and do nothing for the nation—but to enrich myself and my family.
I think it is time for African leaders and students that are currently studying aboard in developed nations to rethink their role in society as college graduates. It is our educational duties as students and good citizens to contribute to the well being of society—specifically toward humanity. By contributing our time and talents and if possible our treasures, we will to help make the world a peaceful and better place for all.
If our African leaders can only promote education among the growing youth population and foster accountability and transparency in our government, Africa will rise. Our leaders also need to benchmark our economic development policies and capacity building strategies by looking at key players in today’s global economy—China is a good example—rising from being a developing nation to becoming one of the major players in the global economy.
So, why most leaders in Africa are power greed? I have been trying to find an answer to this question. However, I came up with this possible answer... I strongly believe that the answer is post-presidency insecurity due to the way they got in power (military often the case) or their political actions toward the public in general during their term in office... corruption and mismanagement of public funds and natural resources. It is often said that what goes around comes around; therefore, most African leaders, who have tasted power for several years, do not want to step down for fear that people who they have offended during their presidency might go after them.
Overall, Africans need to start thinking ahead. Our leaders need to see what others in the developed world are doing positively and adopt to a best practice strategy to help improve the lives of Africans be it from east to west or from north to south. All African nations need to rally around one another to help develop a vibrant economy, good roads network and transportation systems that enable the free flow of goods and services throughout the continent. This is not a one person or one nation task; it is every African responsibility. Our brothers and sisters in other African nations have suffered and are still suffering today because of some individuals’ selfish political will.
As we enter the New Year, it is time to shine our eyes, look back and think constructively on how best we can improve the well being of all Africans. We have the resources to do this, but we need the right people with God fearing hearts to manage these resources properly by accounting for every dollar received and putting the received revenues into programs that promotes economic developments, prosperity, and education for all people. We need leaders that love the continent not because of its wealth, but because of it people and the continent as a whole.
Some Possible Solutions
How can we move toward economically self-efficient, socially viable and environmentally sustainable society in years to come? African Union, ECOWAS and other trade blocs within Africa and the international community will have to assist in capacity building and economic developments in all African states to ensure the proper management of funds. Regional, religious, tribal and local leaders will all have to work together in all capacities to help create a vibrant economy by assisting the state government with the management of natural resources and public funds. An African Union development fund will also need to be set aside to help strengthen the economy of poorer nations on the continent. Every state will have to contribute somehow, either through human capital, financial capital and natural capital, to this fund in order to benefit from it. A board of trustees consisting of two representatives ( nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate from each state) from all African states should govern the allocation of this fund by ensuring that every dollar spent is accounted for and is approved by majority of the board for the right purpose.
We must also empower current college graduates to contribute what they have learned to help with the economic developments process. These students should be compensated well according to their academic level in order to avoid corruption and other malpractices. We must also encourage students that are studying overseas to come back home and help with the development process. We must also empower our educational institutions by providing all the necessary teaching resources to create first class learning environments in all African states. It is also important to invest in regional research institutions such as medical, technological and transportation, and other studies that will contribute findings to help improve the standard of living of citizens on the continent.
Most importantly, we must also invest in turning our own natural resources into finished goods, which will help to create possibly millions of jobs, rather than solely depending on imported goods or having foreign companies extract our resources and export them overseas. We must invest in clean agriculture technology to grow more food to feed the growing population and the workforce. We must also invest in good road networks and public transportation systems to create easy access for farmers to reach regional and local markets. Also, it is important to focus on major environmental issues such as safe drinking water, good air quality and the conservation of our natural resource for future generation.
Further, we must forgo the mentality that war is the only solution to our problems. For decades, it can clearly be stated that war has not taken us anywhere. It has led to millions of deaths, poor living conditions, hundreds of children undernourished and malnourished and increased dependent on foreign aid. Africans, this is the time for us to rise. Let’s say NO to WAR in every region, town and village. Also, let us learn to manage our own conflict without international intervention (they should be the last result), if one arises, from the onset before it becomes a major one.
Finally,I do understand that it is not easy to just come together as one people to achieve these above mentioned goals taking into consideration the size of our continent, the hundreds of different tribal languages and traditional practices, but it is the time now to start working toward it. Nothing comes easy—it takes people, hard work and self dedication and unity to achieve a common goal. If Europe with all its post internal conflicts or the United States with all it post civil conflicts can unite as one people today regardless of their political differences and heritage, we too can come together to rebuild our continent and unite as one people. We must all learn to compromise our tribal, religious and political differences for the sake of peace and the love of our people, the nation and the continent.
Ivorians do not want to go back to another civil war. War is just not the solution to our many problems in Africa. Our major problems are the lack of accountability, transparency and reliability in the bureaucrats—which most often times lead to distrust in the government by the people. In any form/system of government, once the people distrust their leader—that nation is likely to fall into serious crisis. This has been the case with many post-war nations in Africa. In general, chronic corruption and the failure of most leaders to run the state justly—that is by reaching its power and economic developments in rural parts of the nation, has been one of the biggest causes of conflicts in Africa.
It makes me sad to see many of our African political leaders, who got their education from the western world, misusing what they have learned by bringing instability to their home countries rather than contributing constructively to help the nation. Is that what universities in the western world taught these leaders who have walked through the walls of great schools in the developed world? I beg to differ. I am currently attending university in the United States—studying Supply Chain and Logistics Tech, but none of my classes, nor the ones in liberal arts, have taught me to go back to my home country and disrupt the peace that many people are enjoying by negatively influencing my brothers and sisters, who are less educated, to fight against the current government in order to gain political power and do nothing for the nation—but to enrich myself and my family.
I think it is time for African leaders and students that are currently studying aboard in developed nations to rethink their role in society as college graduates. It is our educational duties as students and good citizens to contribute to the well being of society—specifically toward humanity. By contributing our time and talents and if possible our treasures, we will to help make the world a peaceful and better place for all.
If our African leaders can only promote education among the growing youth population and foster accountability and transparency in our government, Africa will rise. Our leaders also need to benchmark our economic development policies and capacity building strategies by looking at key players in today’s global economy—China is a good example—rising from being a developing nation to becoming one of the major players in the global economy.
So, why most leaders in Africa are power greed? I have been trying to find an answer to this question. However, I came up with this possible answer... I strongly believe that the answer is post-presidency insecurity due to the way they got in power (military often the case) or their political actions toward the public in general during their term in office... corruption and mismanagement of public funds and natural resources. It is often said that what goes around comes around; therefore, most African leaders, who have tasted power for several years, do not want to step down for fear that people who they have offended during their presidency might go after them.
Overall, Africans need to start thinking ahead. Our leaders need to see what others in the developed world are doing positively and adopt to a best practice strategy to help improve the lives of Africans be it from east to west or from north to south. All African nations need to rally around one another to help develop a vibrant economy, good roads network and transportation systems that enable the free flow of goods and services throughout the continent. This is not a one person or one nation task; it is every African responsibility. Our brothers and sisters in other African nations have suffered and are still suffering today because of some individuals’ selfish political will.
As we enter the New Year, it is time to shine our eyes, look back and think constructively on how best we can improve the well being of all Africans. We have the resources to do this, but we need the right people with God fearing hearts to manage these resources properly by accounting for every dollar received and putting the received revenues into programs that promotes economic developments, prosperity, and education for all people. We need leaders that love the continent not because of its wealth, but because of it people and the continent as a whole.
Some Possible Solutions
How can we move toward economically self-efficient, socially viable and environmentally sustainable society in years to come? African Union, ECOWAS and other trade blocs within Africa and the international community will have to assist in capacity building and economic developments in all African states to ensure the proper management of funds. Regional, religious, tribal and local leaders will all have to work together in all capacities to help create a vibrant economy by assisting the state government with the management of natural resources and public funds. An African Union development fund will also need to be set aside to help strengthen the economy of poorer nations on the continent. Every state will have to contribute somehow, either through human capital, financial capital and natural capital, to this fund in order to benefit from it. A board of trustees consisting of two representatives ( nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate from each state) from all African states should govern the allocation of this fund by ensuring that every dollar spent is accounted for and is approved by majority of the board for the right purpose.
We must also empower current college graduates to contribute what they have learned to help with the economic developments process. These students should be compensated well according to their academic level in order to avoid corruption and other malpractices. We must also encourage students that are studying overseas to come back home and help with the development process. We must also empower our educational institutions by providing all the necessary teaching resources to create first class learning environments in all African states. It is also important to invest in regional research institutions such as medical, technological and transportation, and other studies that will contribute findings to help improve the standard of living of citizens on the continent.
Most importantly, we must also invest in turning our own natural resources into finished goods, which will help to create possibly millions of jobs, rather than solely depending on imported goods or having foreign companies extract our resources and export them overseas. We must invest in clean agriculture technology to grow more food to feed the growing population and the workforce. We must also invest in good road networks and public transportation systems to create easy access for farmers to reach regional and local markets. Also, it is important to focus on major environmental issues such as safe drinking water, good air quality and the conservation of our natural resource for future generation.
Further, we must forgo the mentality that war is the only solution to our problems. For decades, it can clearly be stated that war has not taken us anywhere. It has led to millions of deaths, poor living conditions, hundreds of children undernourished and malnourished and increased dependent on foreign aid. Africans, this is the time for us to rise. Let’s say NO to WAR in every region, town and village. Also, let us learn to manage our own conflict without international intervention (they should be the last result), if one arises, from the onset before it becomes a major one.
Finally,I do understand that it is not easy to just come together as one people to achieve these above mentioned goals taking into consideration the size of our continent, the hundreds of different tribal languages and traditional practices, but it is the time now to start working toward it. Nothing comes easy—it takes people, hard work and self dedication and unity to achieve a common goal. If Europe with all its post internal conflicts or the United States with all it post civil conflicts can unite as one people today regardless of their political differences and heritage, we too can come together to rebuild our continent and unite as one people. We must all learn to compromise our tribal, religious and political differences for the sake of peace and the love of our people, the nation and the continent.
Monday, December 6, 2010
An Analysis on Confucius and the Analects
“Always keep in mind the age of your parents. Let this thought be both your joy and your worry,” writes Confucius, explaining to his disciple the responsibility of one’s relationship and dedication to parents (Analects 4:21). Confucius was a well respected and influential person in Chinese history. His parents died when he was a child, and he experienced severe hardships as an orphan during his childhood. As a result of the hardships he underwent, he started working at a much earlier age as an accountant and a livestock caretaker to support himself. He was a native son of duchy Lu, known today as Shandong Province, China (“Confucius” Current Event). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Confucius cites that Confucius, being self-motivated and passionate about learning, taught himself in music and ancient history. He started teaching a group of disciples at age 20, and at 50 he became involved in politics. He served during the Duke Ding regime as Minister of Public Work and later Minister of Crime. However, he served a short term as a Minister of Crime and was forced into exile due to some political conflict between him and other government officials. His teachings are referred to today as Confucianism, which centers on the teaching that people should treat others with respect—Confucius’s golden rule—and they must not only better themselves, but also work to enrich the lives of others around them (“Confucius” The Stanford). Despite all the struggles that Confucius underwent during his early childhood, he devoted the remainder of his life teaching the moral and the social philosophical ideas of love, peace, wisdom and respect.
The “Analects,” which contains his teachings, conversations and exchanges with his disciples, was compiled by several generations of his students. It contains his teachings on subjects such as government, personal conduct, warfare, family values and the spirit. The original text was first translated into Latin and published in Paris in 1687, under the title “Confucius Sinarum Philosophus” (Spencer 1). Confucius’s teachings in the “Analects,” such as his emphasis on respecting and obeying parents and elders and education and study, are significant in understanding his ideology or philosophy.
Devotion to parents is one of the major hallmarks of Confucius’ teaching that is outlined in the “Analects.” He regards respect to parents and other family members as the most basic form of promoting the interest of others before one’s self interest. According to Confucius, “A man who respects his parents and his elderly would hardly be inclined to defy his superior” (Analects 1.2). Confucius also believed that parents and elderly persons are wiser and more experienced; therefore, having respect for them is the “root of humanity” (Analects 1.2). The phrase “root of humanity” possibly implies that being respectful to parents and elders forms the foundation of treating others with respect and love and self-discipline. This root of humanity starts from home because if one treats his or her parents and older siblings at home with respect, he or she will treat others the same way. The root of humanity also forms the basics of living in peace and harmony because respect brings love, which fosters peace.
Confucius also stressed the importance of family values with respect to obeying parents. For instance, when one of his disciples asked him about filial piety, which relates to family values, Confucius responded by saying, “Never disobey,” meaning be a servant to your parents; do whatever they tell you to do. He went on to say that “when your parents are alive, serve them according to the ritual” (Analects 2.5). The ritual he is referring to is Li, which is the ritual forms and rules of prosperity through which one expresses respect for parents and the elderly and behave accordingly so that his role in society is worthy of respect and admiration. The Stanford Encyclopedia on Confucius argued a similar point toward serving parents, that being submissive does not mean subjecting oneself to ritual; rather it gives one the ability to learn “how to reconcile one’s own desires with the needs of one’s family and community” (“Confucius,” The Stanford). Being humble does not mean being subject to others, but it shows that one is disciplined and respectful. Confucius mentioned that filial piety is about attitude, and he stressed that an individual, especially youths, should always offer to help when there is work (Analects 2.8). Being respectful and obedient to parents and elders brings prosperity and joy because it is the basis of how one would treat others around in a society.
Education and study are also other major hallmarks of Confucius’ teachings. He disagrees with those who believe in intuition and holds that the understanding of subjects originates from long and careful study. According to Confucius, “a gentleman enlarges his learning through literature” (Analects 6:27). This is to say the more one reads, the broader his knowledge becomes. He also emphasizes the effectiveness and characteristics of a good teacher. For Confucius, a good teacher is one who studies the past to make informed decision about the future (Analects 2.11). He sees study as thinking critically and finding a right teacher and following his or her footsteps. Confucius believes that “studying without thinking is futile” (Analects 2.15). He defines knowledge as taking “…what you know for what you know, and what you do not know for what you do not know” (Analects 2:17). This statement implies that one must critically explore beyond the mere understanding of something that one has a little knowledge about in order to get a better understanding.
Robin Wittermore, author of the article “To Know is to Act Knowledge,” argued that acting knowledge requires dedication, being creative, detail oriented and intellectually inclined (Wittermore 1). To act knowledge is to practically demonstrate with integrity and enthusiasm what one has studied. Confucius would possibly agree with Wittermore too because he himself made it clear that he only teaches those who are willing to learn and individuals should practice what they preach. “I only enlighten the enthusiastic; I guide only the fervent,” Confucius writes (Analects 7.8). The Phrase “I only enlighten the enthusiastic” implies that Confucius was an instructor who was willing to teach anyone that was ambitious to learn. He also made it clear that he only “guided” those that are passionate and serious about learning.
Confucius' teaching is important to the social orders of a society. His teachings, such as filial piety and the significance of education, create an ideal moral society that fosters love, peace and harmony, respect, obedience and a learning community that promotes disciplined scholars. His philosophy or ideology creates a gentleman that demonstrates integrity, respect for humanity and family values. Some of his ideologies, such as filial piety, are still relevant in some parts of the world. Even though all of Confucius' teachings might not be relevant today in modern society, putting to practice some of his major teachings such as respecting and obeying parents and treating others with love and respect and promoting education foster an ideal society.
Work Cited
“Confucius.” Current Events, a Weekly Reader Publication. 29 Sept 2006: SS2. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. 4 Oct. 2010
“Confucius.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 5 Sept. 2006. Web.5 Oct. 2010
Page duBois et al. “The Analects.” The Longman Anthology of World Literature. Editors David Damrosch and David L. Pike. New York: Pearson Publication 2009.1046-1050. Print.
Spence, Jonathan. "What Confucius Said." The New York Review of Books (1997): 10-13. Rpt. in Literature Resource Center. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Literature Resource Center. Web. 5 Nov. 2010.
Wittermore, Robin. “To Know Is To Act Knowledge (2.17).” Journal of Nursing Scholarship 31.4 (1999): 365. Health Reference Center Academic. Web. 4 Oct. 2010.
The “Analects,” which contains his teachings, conversations and exchanges with his disciples, was compiled by several generations of his students. It contains his teachings on subjects such as government, personal conduct, warfare, family values and the spirit. The original text was first translated into Latin and published in Paris in 1687, under the title “Confucius Sinarum Philosophus” (Spencer 1). Confucius’s teachings in the “Analects,” such as his emphasis on respecting and obeying parents and elders and education and study, are significant in understanding his ideology or philosophy.
Devotion to parents is one of the major hallmarks of Confucius’ teaching that is outlined in the “Analects.” He regards respect to parents and other family members as the most basic form of promoting the interest of others before one’s self interest. According to Confucius, “A man who respects his parents and his elderly would hardly be inclined to defy his superior” (Analects 1.2). Confucius also believed that parents and elderly persons are wiser and more experienced; therefore, having respect for them is the “root of humanity” (Analects 1.2). The phrase “root of humanity” possibly implies that being respectful to parents and elders forms the foundation of treating others with respect and love and self-discipline. This root of humanity starts from home because if one treats his or her parents and older siblings at home with respect, he or she will treat others the same way. The root of humanity also forms the basics of living in peace and harmony because respect brings love, which fosters peace.
Confucius also stressed the importance of family values with respect to obeying parents. For instance, when one of his disciples asked him about filial piety, which relates to family values, Confucius responded by saying, “Never disobey,” meaning be a servant to your parents; do whatever they tell you to do. He went on to say that “when your parents are alive, serve them according to the ritual” (Analects 2.5). The ritual he is referring to is Li, which is the ritual forms and rules of prosperity through which one expresses respect for parents and the elderly and behave accordingly so that his role in society is worthy of respect and admiration. The Stanford Encyclopedia on Confucius argued a similar point toward serving parents, that being submissive does not mean subjecting oneself to ritual; rather it gives one the ability to learn “how to reconcile one’s own desires with the needs of one’s family and community” (“Confucius,” The Stanford). Being humble does not mean being subject to others, but it shows that one is disciplined and respectful. Confucius mentioned that filial piety is about attitude, and he stressed that an individual, especially youths, should always offer to help when there is work (Analects 2.8). Being respectful and obedient to parents and elders brings prosperity and joy because it is the basis of how one would treat others around in a society.
Education and study are also other major hallmarks of Confucius’ teachings. He disagrees with those who believe in intuition and holds that the understanding of subjects originates from long and careful study. According to Confucius, “a gentleman enlarges his learning through literature” (Analects 6:27). This is to say the more one reads, the broader his knowledge becomes. He also emphasizes the effectiveness and characteristics of a good teacher. For Confucius, a good teacher is one who studies the past to make informed decision about the future (Analects 2.11). He sees study as thinking critically and finding a right teacher and following his or her footsteps. Confucius believes that “studying without thinking is futile” (Analects 2.15). He defines knowledge as taking “…what you know for what you know, and what you do not know for what you do not know” (Analects 2:17). This statement implies that one must critically explore beyond the mere understanding of something that one has a little knowledge about in order to get a better understanding.
Robin Wittermore, author of the article “To Know is to Act Knowledge,” argued that acting knowledge requires dedication, being creative, detail oriented and intellectually inclined (Wittermore 1). To act knowledge is to practically demonstrate with integrity and enthusiasm what one has studied. Confucius would possibly agree with Wittermore too because he himself made it clear that he only teaches those who are willing to learn and individuals should practice what they preach. “I only enlighten the enthusiastic; I guide only the fervent,” Confucius writes (Analects 7.8). The Phrase “I only enlighten the enthusiastic” implies that Confucius was an instructor who was willing to teach anyone that was ambitious to learn. He also made it clear that he only “guided” those that are passionate and serious about learning.
Confucius' teaching is important to the social orders of a society. His teachings, such as filial piety and the significance of education, create an ideal moral society that fosters love, peace and harmony, respect, obedience and a learning community that promotes disciplined scholars. His philosophy or ideology creates a gentleman that demonstrates integrity, respect for humanity and family values. Some of his ideologies, such as filial piety, are still relevant in some parts of the world. Even though all of Confucius' teachings might not be relevant today in modern society, putting to practice some of his major teachings such as respecting and obeying parents and treating others with love and respect and promoting education foster an ideal society.
Work Cited
“Confucius.” Current Events, a Weekly Reader Publication. 29 Sept 2006: SS2. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web. 4 Oct. 2010
“Confucius.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 5 Sept. 2006. Web.5 Oct. 2010
Page duBois et al. “The Analects.” The Longman Anthology of World Literature. Editors David Damrosch and David L. Pike. New York: Pearson Publication 2009.1046-1050. Print.
Spence, Jonathan. "What Confucius Said." The New York Review of Books (1997): 10-13. Rpt. in Literature Resource Center. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Literature Resource Center. Web. 5 Nov. 2010.
Wittermore, Robin. “To Know Is To Act Knowledge (2.17).” Journal of Nursing Scholarship 31.4 (1999): 365. Health Reference Center Academic. Web. 4 Oct. 2010.
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