As the first few days of 2012 slide by, there is very little indication that the new year will bring much relief from the political tensions and turmoils that embroil humanity from one side of the globe to the other.   The simmering tensions between the religious sects in Iraq continue to  heat up, the war between the Taliban and the government forces in Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to be  more explosive and destructive than ever, the much sought-after political reforms in Egypt, Libya and Bahrain continue to be elusive, and …

Over the last week the U.S. military officially pulled out of Iraq after almost ten years of war and occupation.  The last of the remaining combat troops and equipment were moved across the border to Kuwait, and loaded on board vessels for the trip home to America.  There were no triumphant  speeches from American politicians, nor were there jubilant celebrations by the military for their great sacrifices and accomplishments.   However, in a dusty corner of a soon-to-be abandoned air base, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, along with a few Generals …

In the early years of the 1930′s, all the signs were present that something extraordinary was going on in Germany.  The German people, impoverished by years of economic recession, and angry with the crushing burden of war reparations, began to turn their attentions to a charismatic ex-army corporal from Austria named, Adolph Hitler.  Desperate for a strong leader, and willing to believe the lies of Hitler and the  Nazi party, the German people abandoned all of the individual rights afforded them by the constitution, and put into power a maniacal …