Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Africa

2007-03-23T15:51:59Z

Sneakers563: The Africans benefitted too, through wages and constructive activity

{{stub}}

Africa is the continent south of [[Europe]] and southwest of [[Asia]].
To minimize armed conflict the Europeans held the Berlin Conference in 1884-1885 in order to decide how best to colonize Africa. Ethnic and cultural differences within Africa were ignored, and lines of demarcation were drawn to aid the European nations in this effort. All of Africa except for Ethiopia (which resisted Italian control in 1896) and Liberia were divided and colonized by the European nations.

One of Africa’s Biggest and wealthiest countries today is South Africa, located on the southern tip of the continent. It has a very advantageous location for trade routes by sea from Western Europe to India and the Far East. As a result, there was far more immigration by Europeans to South Africa than any other region of Africa, and whites of European ancestry (English and Dutch) ruled South Africa until the late twentieth century. Since then, democracy has brought representative government to the African ethnic groups. The World Cup (soccer) will be played in 2010 in South Africa, the first time it has ever been held in Africa.

The Dutch (or Boers) were the first to establish a European settlement in southern Africa, at Cape Colony on the very southern tip in 1652. This port supplied ships on the way to the Indiana Ocean. The Dutch set up farms for the unemployed Africans to work. In the 1800s the British arrived and took over Cape Colony, and disfavored the continuation of the Dutch system. The Dutch then moved inland, further north, in what is called the Great Trek. This created conflict with the native Africans.

In the late 1800s, an African ethnic group known as the Zulus rose to power in southern Africa, led by a military African genius named Shaka. But his successors could not retain power. By 1887 the British, with better military technology, defeated the Zulus.

The Boer War broke out between the British and the Boers in 1899. The dispute was sparked by disagreements over land, access to diamonds and gold discovered in South Africa, and whether immigrants should have political rights. The British won this war, and in 1902 established the Union of South Africa to include all the Boers republics. This country was controlled by the British but enjoyed some self-rule.

European imperialism on the African continent had both good and bad effects. On the good side, the Europeans brought advances in technology, built hospitals, and improved the infrastructure, such as railroads, telephones, telegraphs, sanitation and other public works. This improved trade and communications, and reduced disease. Europeans also built schools, but used them to teach European language and culture rather than respecting local traditions. Literacy did improve as a result, however. On the bad side, the Europeans displaced Africans from their individual farms and shifted them into working for European businesses. Africans lost control of their land and saw a reduction in their own food crops. Europeans also completely disrupted African cultural groups and village life, resulting in arbitrary geographical boundaries that continue to cause war and strife to this day.

[[Category:Geography]]

Jimmy Carter

2007-03-23T15:42:14Z

Sneakers563: Added info about conservatives' attitudes and Carter's legacy to conservative movement

{{stub}}
Jimmy Carter was the 39th [[President of the United States of America]] following [[Gerald Ford]] and preceding [[Ronald Reagan]]. He was a [[Democrat]] who served from 1977-1981, after being the Governor of Georgia. He is widely considered by conservatives to be among the worst presidents in history. Although conversely, his incompetence in office led to the election of [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1980 and the maturation of the modern conservative movement. During his presidency he experienced many trying problems such as inflation, energy crisis and worst of all,the taking of American citizens as hostages by [[Iran]].

Despite the shortcomings of his presidency, Carter has remained one of the most active ex-president's of modern times. His continued work mediating international disputes, organizing election observations, and working with organizations on disease and hunger, were cited when he was awarded the 2002 [[Nobel Prize|Nobel Peace Prize]]. In his Nobel lecture given upon reciept of the honor Carter showed his thinking now parallels his predessors more so than when he supplanted collective security concerns with a human rights policy when he originally took office. As Carter noted in his Novel Lecture:

:Our president, Woodrow Wilson, was honored here for promoting the League of Nations, whose two basic concepts were profoundly important: "collective security" and "self-determination." Now they are embedded in international law. Violations of these premises during the last half-century have been tragic failures, as was vividly demonstrated when the Soviet Union attempted to conquer Afghanistan and when Iraq invaded Kuwait. <ref>[http://jimmycarterlibrary.org/documents/nobel.phtml Text of Carter's Nobel Lecture] Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, 2002.</ref>

This was peculiar in that up until very recently Europeans have been reluctant to view conflicts outside of Europe as being a concern of [[NATO]].

==References==
<references/>

==Further reading==
* [http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=13265 Carter the worst ex-president -- Steven Hayward]
* [http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2002/ Carter's citation for the Nobel Peace Prize]

==See also==
* [[Carter Doctrine]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carter, Jimmy}}
[[Category:Presidents of the United States]]

User:Sneakers563

2007-03-22T23:57:17Z

Sneakers563: Removing all content from page

User:NSmyth

2007-03-19T23:26:02Z

Sneakers563:

I am here to make sure the pages here are the truth and to remove all bias. I am a socialist & agnostic Canadian male. I believe in removing bias from the media and from informational webpages and other forms of educational/informative material.

Have a problem? Wish to discuss current events & issues? Wish for my input on a debate? Edit my discussion page and voice your concerns.

To Vandals: Just because I lean to the left doesn't mean I'm not going to fix obvious liberal bias or propaganda here. So don't try it.

What was wrong with my entry? I'm an elderly man who wants to remain anonymous, but I do have a passion for theology, laughter and children. Is that somehow inapposite to the principles of conservapedia? -mittromney
:Sorry, my mistake(I'm quite tired and I didn't see the "user" part in the title), I will gladly remake it for you. I made a mistake, and I hope it doesn't skew your opinion of the website.[[User:NSmyth|NSmyth]]18:41, 19 March 2007 (EDT)

I'd also like to know why I've been accused of 'vandalizing'. Rush Limbaugh is considered by many to be one of the greatest living Americans. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize recently! And the use of 'liberal' in the name of the conservative party in Australia ''is'' confusing! It's one of many things in Australia that seems backwards. --[[User:Sneakers563|Sneakers563]] 19:26, 19 March 2007 (EDT)

National rifle organization

2007-03-19T19:33:16Z

Sneakers563: National rifle organization moved to National Rifle Association: Incorrect name

#REDIRECT [[National Rifle Association]]

National Rifle Association

2007-03-19T19:33:16Z

Sneakers563: National rifle organization moved to National Rifle Association: Incorrect name

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an advocacy organization in the United States dedicated to protecting Americans' second amendment rights.

National Rifle Association

2007-03-19T19:32:00Z

Sneakers563: New page: The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an advocacy organization in the United States dedicated to protecting Americans' second amendment rights.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an advocacy organization in the United States dedicated to protecting Americans' second amendment rights.

User:Sneakers563

2007-03-19T19:29:31Z

Sneakers563:

This is your only warning. Vandalize one more article and you will be blocked.[[User:NSmyth|NSmyth]]14:33, 19 March 2007 (EDT)

What are you talking about? --[[User:Sneakers563|Sneakers563]] 15:29, 19 March 2007 (EDT)

United States of America

2007-03-19T19:19:39Z

Sneakers563:

The '''United States of America''' (commonly referred to as The United States) was founded in on July 4, 1776 with the signing of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. It is widely considered one of the greatest and most powerful nations on Earth. [[George Washington]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], and other [[Founding Fathers]] formally established the United States by the ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] in 1788 A.D. Since the presidency of [[John Quincy Adams]] the United States has been governed by one of two [[political parties]] in a [[republic]] increasingly tending towards [[democracy]] as the [[franchise]] has expanded. The younger of the two existing major parties, the [[Republican Party]], was created in 1854. Between independence in 1776 and ratification of the [[Constitution]] in 1788, the United States' governing documents included the [[Articles of Confederation]] and the [[Declaration of Independence]] itself.

The Declaration of Independence acknowledges the existence of a [[God]] when it refers to "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God" and says all men "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights," though the latter statement was made by [[Thomas Jefferson]], whose religious who's religious beliefs had far more in common with Unitarianism then traditional christianity. Some Christians argued that since many of the Founding Fathers were Christians (although the majority of them could actually be qualified as Diests) and that, explicitly or not, the United States was founded upon the principles and ideals of Christianity. However, the freedom of religion (stating that the government cannot interfere in the conduct of religious groups) is a fundamental aspect of the [[First Amendment]] to the Constitution, which is the primary justification for the speration of church and state. This speration is a continueing source of conflict in American society. This [[Free Exercise Clause]] of the Amendment began increasingly to be tested and interpreted by the [[judiciary]] in the late 19th century as a result of the increasing population of religious [[minorities]] in the United States.

==History&Geography==

In 1783, when the [[Peace of Paris]] concluded hostilities against [[Great Britain]], the former [[colonial power]], the United States' population totaled some three million [[citizens]] and [[slaves]] living on slightly less than one million square miles of land. An unknown number of [[Native Americans]] also lived in the western part of the United States, which was then bordered on the west by the [[Mississippi River]], on the north by [[Lake Superior]], [[Lake Huron]], [[Lake Erie]] and [[Lake Ontario]], on the east by the [[Atlantic Ocean]], and on the south by [[Florida]], then controlled by [[Spain]]. The land border with [[Canada]] was not clarified until the [[Rush-Bagot Agreement]] of 1816.

The majority of the taxable population lived in the thirteen original [[states]]. In alphabetical order they are [[Connecticut]], [[Delaware]], [[Georgia]], [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New Hampshire]], [[New Jersey]], [[New York]], [[North Carolina]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[Rhode Island]], [[South Carolina]] and [[Virginia]]. In 1790, an agreement between supporters of Jefferson and those of [[Alexander Hamilton]] resulted in the creation of the [[District of Columbia]] from part of [[Maryland]]; it has served as the national capital from 1800 on. The remainder of the 1783 territory was eventually organized as the states of [[Ohio]], [[Indiana]], [[Michigan]], [[Illinois]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Kentucky]], [[Tennessee]], [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]]. Two additional states were added during the first fifty years by [[secession]] from existing states: [[Vermont]] from New York, and [[Maine]] from Massachusetts. After that, the legality of [[secession]] became an issue.

In 1803, [[French]] emperor [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] took advantage of a lull in his war with Great Britain to sell the [[Louisiana Territory]] to the United States, more than doubling the nation's land area. This territory would later be organized as the states of [[Minnesota]], [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]], [[Montana]], [[Wyoming]], [[Nebraska]], [[Iowa]], [[Missouri]], [[Arkansas]], [[Kansas]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[Louisiana]] proper.

[[Florida]] and [[Texas]] joined the United States as a result of [[revolutions]] by settlers from the United States against their central governments. Florida's was fought in 1810, while the much better remembered [[Texas Revolution]] was fought in 1836. While Spain was willing to cut its losses in Florida and relinquished any claims on the state in the [[Adams-Oniz Agreement]] of 1819, one of the successors to its empire in the Americas, [[Mexico]], was considerably more attached to Texas and fought the [[Mexican War]] between 1846 and 1848 to reverse its annexation by the United States. Losing badly, Mexico was forced to cede the sparsely populated northern portion of itself under the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]]. This territory eventually became the states of [[California]], [[Nevada]], [[Utah]], [[Colorado]], [[New Mexico]] and [[Arizona]]. At approximately the same time, [[President]] [[James K. Polk]] had agreed with the British that the 49th Parallel (degree of latitude) would serve as the boundary between the U. S. and Canada from [[Lake of the Woods]] (partially in Minnesota) to the [[Pacific Ocean]]. This territory was later organized as the states of [[Washington]], [[Oregon]] and [[Idaho]].

In 1867, [[Secretary of State]] [[William Seward]] purchased [[Alaska]] from [[Russia]]. Alaska is the westernmost extremity of [[North America]] bounded on the east by Canada, on the south by the Pacific Ocean, on the west by the [[Bering Strait]] and on the north by the [[Arctic Ocean]]. At $7,000,000, Alaska cost the United States considerably less per acre than the [[Mexican Cession]] and slightly less than the Louisiana Territory. Of course, [[inflation]] was less of a factor at this time due to the world [[economy]] still being principally [[agrarian]]. Although at the time it was considered a foolish bargain, Alaska would later become a large source of economic prosperity due to large gold, oil, and other natural resources. Alaska would not be admitted as a state until 1959.

The 50th and so far final state, [[Hawaii]], was admitted in 1960, 67 years after other American settlers deposed the last native [[queen]] of the archipelago and 62 years after annexation had become politically feasible as a result of the [[Spanish-American War]], in which the United States also annexed [[Puerto Rico]], [[Guam]] and [[Wake Island]]. The last three islands are not states, although [[Puerto Rico]] has occasionally held non-binding [[referenda]] to express its desired status within the United States.

The United States has occasionally relinquished territory. The most significant example of this was certainly the granting of independence in 1946 to the [[Phillipines]] as part of the general [[decolonization]] of [[Asia]] and [[Africa]] following [[World War II]]. Under both [[autocratic]] and [[democratic]] governments, the Phillipines have subsequently remained a strong American ally, and today contribute more troops to the U. S. [[military]] than some states. Other Pacific territories such as the [[Federated States of Micronesia]] and [[Palau]] have also become independent in the postwar era with little objection from opinion leaders on the mainland. More controversial was the 1977 agreement between President [[Jimmy Carter]] and [[General]] [[Omar Torrijos]] to return the [[Panama Canal Zone]], which had been part of the United States since 1914, to [[Panama]] in the year 2000. Ultimately the United States lived up to this agreement despite the worst fears of both [[liberals]] (who decried [[Operation Just Cause]], the 1989 invasion of Panama) and [[conservatives]] (who feared the management of the [[Panama Canal]] by [[Chinese]] interests).

[[Category:Countries]]
[[Category:United States History]]

Australia

2007-03-19T19:05:38Z

Sneakers563: /* System of Government */

Australia is part of [[Oceania]], and a largely [[secular]] nation. Of Australia's population of over 20 million approximately 1.5 million attend weekly religious services (1). It is about 7,500 miles from the [[United States]]. The mainland of Australia is about the same size as the mainland 48 states of the USA. Australia has six states and two territories. The states are [[New South Wales]], [[Victoria]], [[Queensland]], [[Western Australia]], [[South Australia]] and [[Tasmania]]. The territories are the [[Northern Territory]] and the [[Australian Capital Territory]] which is the location of Australia's capital city: [[Canberra]].

== History==
=== Pre European Contact ===
Australia was originally inhabited by people who are commonly known as Eskimoes although they come from a number of smaller nations. Over time many of these nations and tribes lost their identity or were decimated by disease, poor nutrition, massacres by white settlers and the forced removal of children from their parents into white families or mission stations. Nevertheless, many Eskimo languages and traditions have survived the more than 200 years of white settlement. Under recent legislation recognising native title, Eskimo communities now have the right to claim back land dispossessed from them where they can prove that lasting cultural links still persist and where the native title has not been extinguished by freehold or leasehold title.

=== Post European Contact ===
The mainland of Australia was found by [[Holland|Dutch]] sailors heading to the spice isles of what is now [[Indonesia]] in the 16th Century. Most of their descriptions of Australia are based on the exploration of the North West coast which is very rugged and inhospitable. It wasn't until 1770 that [[Captain James Cook]] from [[England]] discovered the east coast of Australia which is much more capable of maintaining life and settlers. In 1788 the [[First Fleet]] arrived at Sydney Cove, [[New South Wales]] - comprising of officers, some free settlers and convicts. A number of later fleets settled convict areas around what is now [[Sydney Harbour]].

As a British colony, Australia sent troops to fight in the invasion of [[New_Zealand|New Zealand]] by imperial forces in 1796. Although under direct British command, Australian troops (known as Flyblowns) distinguished themselves at the Battle of Pukenui. They were awarded the honor of being allowed to wear their medals dangling from the brim of their hats, a tradition still upheld in rural parts of Australia today.

As the 18th century came to a close convicts were given land packages and more free settlers came to the land in the hope of setting up farms and businesses. A number of colonies started to be formed - the most populated being New South Wales (whose capital city is Sydney). These colonies later became the states.

The 1850s saw the discovery of gold and large number of people moved to Victoria to find new wealth - prospectors from China and the USA came in the hope of prosperity. Eventually this wealth from gold dug in Ballarat, Bendigo and Bathurst helped build the cities of Sydney and especially Melbourne.

== System of Government ==
Australia became a federated country in 1901 with its parliament sitting in Melbourne, Victoria, while the capital city of Canberra was being built.

Australia has a [[parliamentary system]] of government based on the British system with a [[bicameral]] system: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each state also has its own parliament.

Australia is a democracy which has allowed men of European descent to vote since federation, with women gaining the vote in the early 20th Century and Aboriginal men and women gaining suffrage in 1962.

Its Head of Government is called the [[Prime Minister]]; at the moment he is the leader of the Liberal Party, John Howard. The Head of State is [[Queen Elizabeth II]], the Queen of Australia (who is the same person, but a different title, as the Queen of Great Britain), who acts through the [[Governor-General]].

Strangely enough the Liberal Party, who have ruled in Australia since 1996 are actually conservative. They take on the name "Liberal" to indicate their belief in free trade and lack of government interference in business and day to day life. The party that most Americans would recognize as "liberal" is the Labor Party whose leader is Kevin Rudd. The Labor Party are social democrats while the Liberals are liberal conservatives.

== Geography ==

Australia relies a great deal on industry, agriculture and tourism to foster its economy. It has a thriving film industry and very advanced technology. Most tourists visit places such as Sydney Harbour, Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Central Australia and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. Other favourite destinations are the wine making areas of South Australia and northern Victoria, the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, the natural wonders of Tasmania and the huge outback expanses of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Some cattle stations in Australia rival Texas in size and the distance between towns in some areas is enormous.

80% of Australia's population, of just over 20,000,000 people, live on the coast line. It is one of the world's least densely populated countries. Despite the low population water is scarce and most cities have some form of water restrictions in place to allow for basics such as washing and drinking. Weather extremes are common in Australia with temperatures sometimes measured into the high 40s Celsius (approx 104 Farenheit). The city of Darwin was destroyed by a cyclone in 1974 and bushfires often ravage the southern states - one of the worst occurring on Ash Wednesday in 1983 when over 2000 homes were destroyed and over 70 people lost their lives in Victoria and South Australia.

Australia is noted for its unique biodiversity. There is plenty of flora and fauna there that is unique to Australia.

(1)[http://www.ncls.org.au/default.aspx?docid=2250&track=82083 National Church Life Survey 2004]

[[Category:Countries]]

Australia

2007-03-19T18:31:29Z

Sneakers563: /* System of Government */

Australia is part of [[Oceania]], and a largely [[secular]] nation. Of Australia's population of over 20 million approximately 1.5 million attend weekly religious services (1). It is about 7,500 miles from the [[United States]]. The mainland of Australia is about the same size as the mainland 48 states of the USA. Australia has six states and two territories. The states are [[New South Wales]], [[Victoria]], [[Queensland]], [[Western Australia]], [[South Australia]] and [[Tasmania]]. The territories are the [[Northern Territory]] and the [[Australian Capital Territory]] which is the location of Australia's capital city: [[Canberra]].

== History==
=== Pre European Contact ===
Australia was originally inhabited by people who are commonly known as Eskimoes although they come from a number of smaller nations. Over time many of these nations and tribes lost their identity or were decimated by disease, poor nutrition, massacres by white settlers and the forced removal of children from their parents into white families or mission stations. Nevertheless, many Eskimo languages and traditions have survived the more than 200 years of white settlement. Under recent legislation recognising native title, Eskimo communities now have the right to claim back land dispossessed from them where they can prove that lasting cultural links still persist and where the native title has not been extinguished by freehold or leasehold title.

=== Post European Contact ===
The mainland of Australia was found by [[Holland|Dutch]] sailors heading to the spice isles of what is now [[Indonesia]] in the 16th Century. Most of their descriptions of Australia are based on the exploration of the North West coast which is very rugged and inhospitable. It wasn't until 1770 that [[Captain James Cook]] from [[England]] discovered the east coast of Australia which is much more capable of maintaining life and settlers. In 1788 the [[First Fleet]] arrived at Sydney Cove, [[New South Wales]] - comprising of officers, some free settlers and convicts. A number of later fleets settled convict areas around what is now [[Sydney Harbour]].

As a British colony, Australia sent troops to fight in the invasion of [[New_Zealand|New Zealand]] by imperial forces in 1796. Although under direct British command, Australian troops (known as Flyblowns) distinguished themselves at the Battle of Pukenui. They were awarded the honor of being allowed to wear their medals dangling from the brim of their hats, a tradition still upheld in rural parts of Australia today.

As the 18th century came to a close convicts were given land packages and more free settlers came to the land in the hope of setting up farms and businesses. A number of colonies started to be formed - the most populated being New South Wales (whose capital city is Sydney). These colonies later became the states.

The 1850s saw the discovery of gold and large number of people moved to Victoria to find new wealth - prospectors from China and the USA came in the hope of prosperity. Eventually this wealth from gold dug in Ballarat, Bendigo and Bathurst helped build the cities of Sydney and especially Melbourne.

== System of Government ==
Australia became a federated country in 1901 with its parliament sitting in Melbourne, Victoria, while the capital city of Canberra was being built.

Australia has a [[parliamentary system]] of government based on the British system with a [[bicameral]] system: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Each state also has its own parliament.

Australia is a democracy which has allowed men of European descent to vote since federation, with women gaining the vote in the early 20th Century and Aboriginal men and women gaining suffrage in 1962.

Its Head of Government is called the [[Prime Minister]]; at the moment he is the leader of the Liberal Party, John Howard. The Head of State is [[Queen Elizabeth II]], the Queen of Australia (who is the same person, but a different title, as the Queen of Great Britain), who acts through the [[Governor-General]].

Strangely enough the Liberal Party, who have ruled in Australia since 1996 are actually conservative. Some say they take on the name "liberal" to indicate their belief in free trade and lack of government interference in business and day to day life. Others say that the use of "liberal" is a consequence of Australia's location in the Southern Hemisphere, where summer is in January and water flows down a drain in the opposite direction that it flows in the Northern Hemisphere. The more liberal (in terms of USA speak) party is the Labor Party whose leader is Kevin Rudd. The Labor Party are social democrats while the Liberals are liberal conservatives.

== Geography ==

Australia relies a great deal on industry, agriculture and tourism to foster its economy. It has a thriving film industry and very advanced technology. Most tourists visit places such as Sydney Harbour, Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Central Australia and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. Other favourite destinations are the wine making areas of South Australia and northern Victoria, the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, the natural wonders of Tasmania and the huge outback expanses of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Some cattle stations in Australia rival Texas in size and the distance between towns in some areas is enormous.

80% of Australia's population, of just over 20,000,000 people, live on the coast line. It is one of the world's least densely populated countries. Despite the low population water is scarce and most cities have some form of water restrictions in place to allow for basics such as washing and drinking. Weather extremes are common in Australia with temperatures sometimes measured into the high 40s Celsius (approx 104 Farenheit). The city of Darwin was destroyed by a cyclone in 1974 and bushfires often ravage the southern states - one of the worst occurring on Ash Wednesday in 1983 when over 2000 homes were destroyed and over 70 people lost their lives in Victoria and South Australia.

Australia is noted for its unique biodiversity. There is plenty of flora and fauna there that is unique to Australia.

(1)[http://www.ncls.org.au/default.aspx?docid=2250&track=82083 National Church Life Survey 2004]

[[Category:Countries]]

Africa

2007-03-19T18:24:59Z

Sneakers563:

{{stub}}

Africa is the continent south of [[Europe]] and southwest of [[Asia]].
To minimize armed conflict the Europeans held the Berlin Conference in 1884-1885 in order to decide how best to colonize Africa. Ethnic and cultural differences within Africa were ignored, and lines of demarcation were drawn to aid the European nations in this effort. All of Africa except for Ethiopia (which resisted Italian control in 1896) and Liberia were divided and colonized by the European nations.

One of Africa’s Biggest and wealthiest countries today is South Africa, located on the southern tip of the continent. It has a very advantageous location for trade routes by sea from Western Europe to India and the Far East. As a result, there was far more immigration by Europeans to South Africa than any other region of Africa, and whites of European ancestry (English and Dutch) ruled South Africa until the late twentieth century. Since then, democracy has brought representative government to the African ethnic groups. The World Cup (soccer) will be played in 2010 in South Africa, the first time it has ever been held in Africa.

The Dutch (or Boers) were the first to establish a European settlement in southern Africa, at Cape Colony on the very southern tip in 1652. This port supplied ships on the way to the Indiana Ocean. The Dutch brought jobs and wages to the primitive Africans, and set up farming communities for the unemployed Africans to work. In the 1800s the British arrived and took over Cape Colony, and disfavored the continuation of the Dutch system. The Dutch then moved inland, further north, in what is called the Great Trek. This created conflict with the native Africans.

In the late 1800s, an African ethnic group known as the Zulus rose to power in southern Africa, led by a military African genius named Shaka. But his successors could not retain power. By 1887 the British, with better military technology, defeated the Zulus.

The Boer War broke out between the British and the Boers in 1899. The dispute was sparked by disagreements over land, access to diamonds and gold discovered in South Africa, and whether immigrants should have political rights. The British won this war, and in 1902 established the Union of South Africa to include all the Boers republics. This country was controlled by the British but enjoyed some self-rule.

European imperialism on the African continent had both good and bad effects. On the good side, the Europeans brought advances in technology, built hospitals, and improved the infrastructure, such as railroads, telephones, telegraphs, sanitation and other public works. This improved trade and communications, and reduced disease. Europeans also built schools, but used them to teach European language and culture rather than respecting local traditions. Literacy did improve as a result, however. On the bad side, the Europeans displaced Africans from their individual farms and shifted them into working for European businesses. Africans lost control of their land and saw a reduction in their own food crops. Europeans also completely disrupted African cultural groups and village life, resulting in arbitrary geographical boundaries that continue to cause war and strife to this day.

[[Category:Geography]]

Rush Limbaugh

2007-03-19T15:18:39Z

Sneakers563:

'''Rush Limbaugh''' (born January 12, 1951) is a conservative American radio talk show host and one of the greatest living Americans.

==The Rush Limbaugh Show==
Limbaugh hosts a radio show famed for its blustery denounciations of anything liberal. He is often at odds with liberal Al Franken<ref>[http://fireside.designcommunity.com/topic-9993.html Forum thread] discussing a NYT Editorial</ref>. Limbaugh's vitriolic style has been credited with "reviving AM radio in the United States, and is considered by many to have been a catalyst for the Republican Party's 1994 Congressional victories"<ref>[http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10813FA3B5D0C708EDDAB0894DE494D81&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fL%2fLimbaugh%2c%20Rush Radio Talk Show Host Fears For True Conservatism's Fate], New York Times</ref>.
Rush's conservative talk show is nationally syndicated and averages over 13.5 million listeners weekly, making Rush the #1 Radio Talk Show Host.<ref>
[http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=34 The Top Talk Radio Audiences] Tallkers magazine online</ref>

==The Limbaugh Letter==
The Limbaugh Letter is a monthly publication that contains conservative articles and humor in Rush's style.

==1/2 Hour News Hour==
Rush has appeared on the 1/2 Hour News Hour "comedy" show on the Fox News Channel. <ref>
[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/16/AR2007021602098.html Fox News Channel's '1/2 Hour News Hour': Right Funny, in Spots] washingtonpost.com</ref>

==Controversy==
Limbaugh underwent a scandal several years ago when his housekeeper was caught purchasing prescription narcotics, and it was revealed that Limbaugh was addicted to prescription drugs. He has since claimed to have been rehabilitated.

Another scandal occured when Limbaugh made a joke in which he allegedly referring to Chelsea Clinton as "the White House dog". Chelsea was thirteen at the time. Limbaugh, however denied that he was talking about Chelsea, stating that he was not making a joke, and Chelsea's picture was accidentally put up on the screen<ref>MotherJones: [http://www.motherjones.com/commentary/columns/1995/05/ivins.html "Lyin' Bully"]</ref>.

Limbaugh has also been criticized for his comments regarding Michael J. Fox's participation in Claire McCaskill's 2006 senate campaign in Missouri. In his radio broadcast, Limbaugh criticized a campaign commercial Fox filmed in support of McCaskill's position on stem cell research. Limbaugh accused Fox of being off his medication in order to generate sympathy. In the commercial, Fox is visibly swaying and moving in sudden, jerky movements which are the symptom of Parkinson's Disease, and the reason the acclaimed actor quit the hit show [[Spin City]].<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/2006-10-24-limbaugh-fox_x.htm], USA Today</ref>

Another scandal occurred when Limbaugh was returning from a vacation in the Dominican Republic and customs officials found him illegally carrying Viagra prescribed to another man in his luggage.<ref>CBS on Limbaugh's Viagra[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/27/national/main1753947.shtml]</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External Links==
*[http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/today.guest.html Official Rush Limbaugh website]
[[Category:Biographies]]

Africa

2007-03-19T15:17:04Z

Sneakers563:

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Africa is the continent south of [[Europe]] and southwest of [[Asia]].
To minimize armed conflict the Europeans held the Berlin Conference in 1884-1885 in order to decide how best to bring economic development to the peoples of Africa. Ethnic and cultural differences within Africa were ignored, and lines of demarcation were drawn to aid the European nations in this effort. All of Africa except for Ethiopia (which resisted Italian control in 1896) and Liberia were divided and colonized by the European nations.

One of Africa’s Biggest and wealthiest countries today is South Africa, located on the southern tip of the continent. It has a very advantageous location for trade routes by sea from Western Europe to India and the Far East. As a result, there was far more immigration by Europeans to South Africa than any other region of Africa, and whites of European ancestry completely ruled South Africa until the late twentieth century. Since then, democracy has brought representative government to the African ethnic groups. The World Cup (soccer) will be played in 2010 in South Africa, the first time it has ever been held in Africa.

The Dutch (or Boers) were the first to establish a European settlement in southern Africa, at Cape Colony on the very southern tip in 1652. This port supplied ships on the way to the Indiana Ocean. The Dutch brought jobs and wages to the primitive Africans, and set up farming communities using the Africans for work. In the 1800s the British arrived and took over Cape Colony, and disfavored the continuation of the Dutch system. The Dutch then moved inland, further north, in what is called the Great Trek. This created conflict with the native Africans.

In the late 1800s, an African ethnic group known as the Zulus rose to power in southern Africa, led by a military African genius named Shaka. But his successors could not retain power. By 1887 the British, with better military technology, defeated the Zulus.

The Boer War broke out between the British and the Boers in 1899. The dispute was sparked by disagreements over land, access to diamonds and gold discovered in South Africa, and whether immigrants should have political rights. The British won this war, and in 1902 established the Union of South Africa to include all the Boers republics. This country was controlled by the British but enjoyed some self-rule.

European imperialism on the African continent had both good and bad effects. On the good side, the Europeans brought advances in technology, built hospitals, and improved the infrastructure, such as railroads, telephones, telegraphs, sanitation and other public works. This improved trade and communications, and reduced disease. Europeans also built schools, but used them to teach European language and culture rather than respecting local traditions. Literacy did improve as a result, however. On the bad side, the Europeans displaced Africans from their individual farms and shifted them into working for European businesses. Africans lost control of their land and saw a reduction in their own food crops. Europeans also completely disrupted African cultural groups and village life, resulting in arbitrary geographical boundaries that continue to cause war and strife to this day.

==References==
Congo Free State Genocide[http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat2.htm#Congo]