Event: | |||||||
|
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Training Opportunity: Primary Care for Substance Use Professionals 5-hour Online Course
Monday, May 26, 2014
Map Shows All the African Countries Where the U.S. Has Active Military Operations
http://www.policymic.com/articles/89831/surprising-map-shows-all-the-african-countries-where-the-u-s-has-active-military-operations
Surprising Map Shows All the African Countries Where the U.S. Has Active Military Operations
Surprising Map Shows All the African Countries Where the U.S. Has Active Military Operations
The news: Today’s reality check comes courtesy of the Washington Post.
President Barack Obama made headlines Wednesday when he deployed 80 American troops to Chad. Their stated mission is to find the over 200 Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haramlast month, a crime that’s galvanized the international community.
But this is the U.S. military, and we’d be foolish to assume anything is so simple. Anyone worried about the broader implications of their actions need look no further than this map:
Image Credit: Washington Post
Thirteen nations – stretching from the Horn of Africa to
Mali’s western border – already house U.S. troops involved
in “actual military operations.” Their presence is widely
considered part of an expanding “shadow war against
al-Qaeda affiliates and other militant groups” in the
region – and the American people know very little about it.
Mali’s western border – already house U.S. troops involved
in “actual military operations.” Their presence is widely
considered part of an expanding “shadow war against
al-Qaeda affiliates and other militant groups” in the
region – and the American people know very little about it.
Like many wars throughout history, this one is
starting small. Troop numbers remain low, and intelligence
operations are housed mainly in small airbases constructed
in the past seven years.
They emphasize spy missions: Many involve aircraft
disguised as private planes, and are equipped with full-motion
sensors that track infrared heat patterns, record video
and pick up radio and cellphone signals. At least 12 such
bases have been built since 2007.
starting small. Troop numbers remain low, and intelligence
operations are housed mainly in small airbases constructed
in the past seven years.
They emphasize spy missions: Many involve aircraft
disguised as private planes, and are equipped with full-motion
sensors that track infrared heat patterns, record video
and pick up radio and cellphone signals. At least 12 such
bases have been built since 2007.
Things have been quiet thus far, but the U.S. has a troubled
history of conducting proxy wars throughout Africa.
Since 9/11 alone, American covert operations have contributed
to violence and destabilization in Mali, the Central African
Republic and Libya, among others. Without the level of
pomp and troop involvement as the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan, U.S. forces can now subtly influence Africa’s
political landscape as they see fit, while evading public scrutiny.
history of conducting proxy wars throughout Africa.
Since 9/11 alone, American covert operations have contributed
to violence and destabilization in Mali, the Central African
Republic and Libya, among others. Without the level of
pomp and troop involvement as the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan, U.S. forces can now subtly influence Africa’s
political landscape as they see fit, while evading public scrutiny.
This should worry us. Despite their operations’ relative
tameness nowadays – if launching drone strikes and
fighting proxy wars can be considered “tame” – U.S.
military intervention on the continent has rarely been without
negative consequences. It’s grown increasingly important to
remember this when calling for intervention in African affairs:
Whatever Band-Aid effect Americans may have now, the
long-term impact will be felt almost exclusively by the people
who actually live there.
tameness nowadays – if launching drone strikes and
fighting proxy wars can be considered “tame” – U.S.
military intervention on the continent has rarely been without
negative consequences. It’s grown increasingly important to
remember this when calling for intervention in African affairs:
Whatever Band-Aid effect Americans may have now, the
long-term impact will be felt almost exclusively by the people
who actually live there.
Remaining vigilant as our troops amass in growing numbers
might be one of the few ways to avoid creating more
problems we’re ill equipped to fix. The beginning of that
process is education.
might be one of the few ways to avoid creating more
problems we’re ill equipped to fix. The beginning of that
process is education.
To that end, here’s a brief rundown of recent U.S. military
activities and outposts in Sub-Saharan Africa:
activities and outposts in Sub-Saharan Africa:
Burkina Faso. Base established 2007 in Ouagadougou,
launches spy planes to police and patrol the Islamic Maghreb.
launches spy planes to police and patrol the Islamic Maghreb.
Image Credit: Public Intelligence
Congo. Troops stationed in Congo to aid the search for
Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army.
Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army.
Central African Republic. Part of the broader search for
the Lord’s Resistance Army.
the Lord’s Resistance Army.
Chad. 80 troops deployed May 21 to search for the
kidnapped Nigerian girls.
kidnapped Nigerian girls.
Djibouti. Home to Camp Lemonnier, a full-blown military
base that houses 4,000 troops and has a $1.4 billion
expansion plan in the works. Also faces allegations of being
used as a “black site” where terrorism suspects are tortured.
A congressional investigation into the issue has yet to be
declassified.
base that houses 4,000 troops and has a $1.4 billion
expansion plan in the works. Also faces allegations of being
used as a “black site” where terrorism suspects are tortured.
A congressional investigation into the issue has yet to be
declassified.
Image Credit: Public Intelligence
Ethiopia. Airport annex used to house Reaper drones
flown over East Africa since 2011.
flown over East Africa since 2011.
Image Credit: Public Intelligence
Kenya. Multiple bases, including Manda Bay (used to
launch drone strikes) and Camp Simba, home to 60 military
personnel since 2013.
launch drone strikes) and Camp Simba, home to 60 military
personnel since 2013.
Image Credit: Public Intelligence
Mali. Troops sent in 2013 to aid French and African forces
in wartime, though the White House insisted they were not
directly engaged in combat.
in wartime, though the White House insisted they were not
directly engaged in combat.
Niger. Drone base since 2013, also houses 100 military
intelligence personnel.
intelligence personnel.
Image Credit: Public Intelligence
Nigeria. Troops deployed to aid the search for the kidnapped
girls earlier this month.
girls earlier this month.
Somalia. Fewer than two dozen troops deployed for “training
and advising” purposes in 2014.
and advising” purposes in 2014.
South Sudan. Forty-five military personnel deployed to
protect U.S. citizens and property in 2013.
protect U.S. citizens and property in 2013.
Image Credit: Public Intelligence
Uganda. Launches surveillance aircraft out of a base in
Entebbe, mostly used to search for Joseph Kony’s Lord’s
Resistance Army.
Entebbe, mostly used to search for Joseph Kony’s Lord’s
Resistance Army.
Image Credit: Public Intelligence
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Deadline May 27, 2014. $102K for Campus Suicide Prevention Grants
Date: 5/7/2014 8:50 AM
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office
Telephone: 240-276-2130
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office
Telephone: 240-276-2130
SAMHSA is accepting applications for up to $4.2 million for the Campus Suicide Prevention Grant
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for Prevention and Public Health Fund-2014 Campus Suicide Prevention (PPHF-2014) grants. The purpose of this program is to facilitate a comprehensive approach to preventing suicide in institutions of higher education. This program is designed to assist colleges and universities build a foundation for their efforts to prevent suicide attempts and completions and to enhance services for students with mental and substance use disorders that put them at risk for suicide and suicide attempts.
Funding for the grants is provided by the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF-2014).
SAMHSA anticipates that up to 14 awards will be made at up to $102,000 each year for up to three years. Actual award amounts may vary, depending on the availability of funds.
WHO CAN APPLY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education that have not previously been awarded a Campus Suicide Prevention grant. Tribal Colleges and Universities are eligible and encouraged to apply. See Section III-1 of the Request for Applications (RFA) for complete eligibility information.
HOW TO APPLY:You must go to both http://www.grants.gov and the SAMHSA websitehttp://beta.samhsa.gov/grants/applying to download the required documents you will need to apply for this SAMHSA grant.
Applicants must apply online through http://www.Grants.gov . Please refer to Appendix B, “Guidance for Electronic Submission of Applications” of the (RFA) for more information.
APPLICATION DUE DATE: May 27, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time). Applications must be received by the due date and time to be considered for review. Please review carefully Section IV-2 of the application announcement for submission requirements.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Applicants with questions about program issues should contact Rosalyn Blogier at (240) 276-1842 or rosalyn.blogier@samhsa.hhs.gov . For questions on grants management issues contact Gwendolyn Simpson at (240) 276-1408 or gwendolyn.simpson@samhsa.hhs.gov .
|
Monday, May 19, 2014
Cultural Competency, Knowledge, and Understanding.
Regrettably this is the start of psychological
subconscious\conscious training that starts at the earliest age for young black
youths due to a lack of cultural knowledge\understanding.
Readers, you be the judge of what’s taking place
for both the short and long term effects.
From: Andrew Williams Jr [
To: LiBugg
Subject: Young black
students in Fresno and nationally need our help
Andrew Williams Jr.
On May 19, 2014 6:20 PM, "LiBugg" wrote:
I re-read your email and attachments today hoping to stimulate my thoughts. I want to know how can I help the African American students I get to know while substitute teaching. I teach in predominantly white and or Spanish districts. Here is my experience today.
My heart was broken today.
On May 19, 2014 6:20 PM, "LiBugg" wrote:
I re-read your email and attachments today hoping to stimulate my thoughts. I want to know how can I help the African American students I get to know while substitute teaching. I teach in predominantly white and or Spanish districts. Here is my experience today.
My heart was broken today.
A 3rd grade African
American boy worked hard to get his weekly visiting English/drama teacher’s
approval. Let's call him Jon.
He was one of two African
American male students in a class of 26 (Mostly
white.… Perhaps 5 Spanish). The
students prepared to stand up before the class and read their poems.
I walked by Jon’s table
and was impressed with his ability to memorize a poem …with inflection and
pauses within 15 minutes.
The visiting teacher then
said, "I will pick the students who worked hard to come up first."
She called all the kids to come up and read their poems.
Jon was called third to
last and then another African American boy second to last.
I saw Jon's face when she
got to the 15th student. It looked so sad. I fought hard not to speak up
for him. I had to watch it through to the end to be sure of what was taking
place.
When Jon did read, the
teacher was looking down at her papers. Again, this time I fought hard
not to show my anger. I had to be wise and careful (at this point).
When the teacher was alone, I told her he was one of the best, but called
at the end (after she said the best would be called first).
Her response, “Well...He
doesn't behave!"
“Well, today he memorized
a poem and did an excellent job, I replied.“ I did not see him misbehave
and he was with me all day. Later, I told Jon he did a great job. Then I
made him and a another student (white girl) who did well.... captains of teams.
It was all I could do for
now!
Nevertheless, I see
so many African American children misunderstood as I travel from school to
school. I know other kids go through the same experiences…but there
is a consistent experience with many (not all but many) African Americans.
That is, they are so misunderstood. Something has to be done.
LiBugg
AU African Risk Capacity (ARC)
Even though non-political in nature African Risk Capacity guidelines, and contingency planning documentation must be designed with anti-corruption & enforcement criteria for country participation in order to be an effective and sustainable tool for planning and recovery.
Black Emergency Managers Association