The Great Dying - Genocide?

What happened to them, the Aztecs, Incas, Mayans. Ever since I was a child and learned about these three types of South American tribes, I was fascinated with their art, religion, games and civilization. For me, they were in a word of their own. Yes of course, some of their beliefs were barbaric and must have been a little overwhelming to watch, but their infrastructure was amazing for such an underdeveloped society. They had Olympic style games, organized military, sewer and water systems, very ornate jewelry, communication - what a cool little civilization. 

Then came the westerners, who brought conquests, forced religion and disease. Disease that killed large parts of the population because the immune system was not developed in these native Americans. If the conquistadors did not get you then their disease did. I just could not imagine having this wonderful life, living among a well established society that you thought was well protected then - bam! You are hit by the white man and all the troubles that come with him. It is all about time during your life on earth, you just need to be living during the happy times and hope you are not part of the bad times. 

The Atlantic Revolution

 I am pretty well versed in the American Revolution, knew about the French Revolution, and have read about the Spanish Revolution in South America, what I did not know is the timeline of all of these events. I did not know that one fell after another. It is so interesting that the American Revolution kind of sparked this unrest across the globe. People did not want to be ruled by another ruler across the sea or where sick of being ruled by a privileged group while others starved. 

The American Revolution was a hard fought battle and was about freedom and the right to these freedoms. Not only did the Americans win their independence, but they also establish some basic civil liberties that would become on of the most fairest governments in history. Not that this does not eventually become corrupt with corporate power, but it has a great structure. 

It is hard to fathom that the French and Spanish American Revolutions went on for more than twenty five years. Could you imagine growing up during this time in that place and spending twenty five years living life during a revolution. You would be constantly in turmoil. There would be so much worry and you would be in survival mode. I guess if you have a passion for your freedom then you just become part of the history while it is being made. 

A positive is that questions started to arrive about equality, woman's rights, abolition of slavery, and new forms of elected governments. Though a lot of these positives did not come into full effect until years later, it is always the thought that get interjected into society that creates change.  

Muslim Religion - My Take

      When I joined the U.S. Army in 1980, I was trained that the Communist were our enemies. Well, being one not just to follow, I studied the work of Karl Marx and his Communist Manifesto. What I took away from this, was hey whats the big deal. I was attracted to socialistic aspects of this type of government. My research quickly turned to rebellion and I did not see eye to eye with the military. You cannot tell me that I should kill these people because of the political views, when the overall theory is not that bad. 

As I grew older and wiser, I found that it really is not the basis of they type of government, but that government in itself is a corrupt entity. The Communist party, the Congress, the House of Commons, it is all corruption at its finest. Greed and power prevail throughout all of the government entities, this gets infused with corporate money and then the whole thing turns into war and death. 

When I read about the six pillars of the Koran, I cannot help to have the same feeling as when I read the Communist Manifesto, not a bad thing. But once again, power and greed will work their way into anything. I enjoy the fact that the Koran speaks to taking care of the poor and being humble. But what happens is the words get twisted to benefit another agenda. The "Jihad" has been taken to a whole new level, and this is where I separate from this religion.  Even though it claims equal rights for men and women, I also disagree with the fact that the women should be fully concealed, eat in a different room and cannot be educated - Shariah Law. 

Once again, as I learn about this religion I will always keep an open mind and never discount the basics of the religion. For me religion is as corrupt as the governments of this world and that both are fear based entities.  

The Greek Empire or the Roman Empire 

I am fascinated with both the Greek and Roman Empires and I cannot decide which one I would to have lived in. Would I like to hang out with the Philosophers of the Greek Empire or the Great Commanders of the the Roman Empire. Both are so fascinating and it would be very interesting to live in either time period, one thing for sure, I would need to be born into royalty. If you are not in the upper class then you are a slave, worker, or soldier, but if you are in the upper class then you have a life of luxury. You have servants, fountains, food, and education. 

It seems to me that the Greek Empire would be the better of the two because of the education and artistry that was being created at the time - the "Golden Age", while the Roman Empire was more about conquest and territory.  The Romans did however construct some really cool building and completed some vast beautiful buildings and infrastructure; you just do not want to be part of the crew building. The Greeks were a feisty group and loved their separate republics, so there was a lot of turmoil. 

My final decision is - I am happy where I landed in the history books.