President Obama Africa Needs Democracy and Development not Guns and Weapons

The US is undoubtedly the biggest arms exporter to Africa contributing to about 50% of all arms to the continent. It is under statement to say that arms exports to Africa, political instabilities, wars, economic underachievement and poverty are intractably linked and that African countries will be unable to achieve any economic development unless they achieve political stability. The continent is littered with hundreds of millions of small arms and light weapons even though South Africa and Egypt are the only countries on the continent with infrastructures that could support huge arms production. Tens of millions of Africans have died from the export of arms to the continent and several millions have been injured as a result of the wars fuelled by the arms exports. About 90% of all civilian casualties in the wars come from the use of small arms and light weapons. Besides, billions of dollars meant for economic and social development have been squandered over the years from diamond, gold, timber, coltan, cassiterite and oil profits to procure arms and fund the instabilities in the continent.For decades we have witnessed the tragic and the devastating effects of wars on the continent fuelled by arms imports from US, UK, France, Russia, North Korea, China, former Soviet and Eastern European nations. Most of the arms exports to Africa are used for internal repression and external aggression. Some of these arms have found their way into rebel hands, organised criminals and bandits. The arms have been used by totalitarian regimes to hold back critical thinking in their countries. It is estimated that the continent has lost up to 500 billion dollars to arms imports alone while children have no access to education, water and health facilities. In the face of mounting poverty, malnourishments, diseases, lack of genuine democracy and civil wars what Africa need at this critical moment are not guns and weapons but the seed of genuine democracy and economic development. The failed state of Somalia where armed groups have been battling one another for 19 years should inform the president of the dangers of small arms and light weapons sales to the continent and the importance of banning arms exports to the continent.The continued instabilities in the Great Lake Region and the constant arm struggles in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and northern Uganda should also inform the President about the dangers arms shipments from America and Europe are posing to the continent. The genocide in Darfur cannot stop unless there are concrete efforts to obtain international arms ban against the Sudanese government and the rebel groups who are abducting, raping, terrorising, torturing and massacring the innocent people. In Nigeria where there is no civil war going on the state has used arms to kill about 20,000 of her mostly unarmed civilians. In Ethiopia millions of people face starvation every year while hundreds of millions of dollars are used to import arms. This explains why you should work with your allies to ban arms exports to the continent as you take office.The widely forgotten wars in the Casamance Province of Senegal, Western Sahara, Ivory Coast, Niger and Burundi will negate any economic aid to those countries and territories unless arms shipments to both the governments and the rebels are ceased. The wars in Chad will not stop unless the flow of arms to the government and the rebels are cut. President Obama, please know that the ever present wars and the instabilities in the continent will make any economic aid less effective and less beneficial to the people.I want to urge the President Obama to use his good office to help ban the sale of small arms that have been used to terrorise the people for quite so long. President Obama should encourage the other western countries notably the UK and France to also ban the sale of small arms to the continent. The UK and France together account for 10% of the total arms market in Africa. Their companies are heavily involved in the sale of arms that continue to destabilise the continent. The US should let her influence be bear on China who is increasingly ignoring all calls to halt arms sales to the continent. China in particular is the greatest obstacle to peace and stability as it is not democratic and does not respect international laws when it comes to her interests. China has continued to export arms to Sudan despite mounting evidence that the arms are being used to commit genocide in Darfur. In 2008 when the people of Zimbabwe were starving and was clear that Mugabe had lost the elections all that China could do to support the people and democracy was to ship arms to Mugabe's repressive regime. Such actions by China, North Korea, Russia and other undemocratic nations must stop. They should be made to sign up to international laws banning and criminalising the sale of small arms to the continent.President Obama should know that the waves of civil wars that hit and devastated Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Congo, Chad, Central African Republic, Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, Angola, Niger and Guinea were made possible through the sale of small arms and light weapons to governments and rebels alike by western defence contractors and arms companies including US companies. These wars apart from its human cost have contributed to the destruction of roads, harbours, airports, railway lines, telecommunications, hospitals, schools and the livelihoods of the people. The wars have decimated regions, countries, communities and families. It has brought poverty, hunger and misery to the people on the continent. Mr. President, the beneficiaries of the wars are not the people but the corrupt politicians, rebel commanders, army generals, western companies, a shadow economy, governments and their allies who enrich themselves while the people face famine, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, diseases, have no access to health, education and have become refugees within and outside their countries. Besides, billions of dollars meant for economic and social development have been squandered over the years from diamond, gold, timber, coltan, cassiterite and oil profits to procure arms and fund the instabilities on the continent.As you asked Americans to choose hope over fear in your speech so do I ask you to ask African leaders to choose democracy and economic development over dictatorship, arms, conflicts and political repression. It is time for US, Europe, Russia and China to act together and call their defence contractors and arm companies to order and give Africa peace.Mr. President, please know that so far as people in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sudan, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Tunisia, Cameroon and Uganda cannot democratically change their leaders there will be the constant threat of wars and instabilities in these countries and the desire by the people to overthrow these undemocratic leaders. Mr. President please reach out to these tyrants and encourage them to peacefully give up their hold on power. Tell them to unban opposition parties, unban civil and political activists, free political prisoners and organise free and fair elections. President Obama, please do more to encourage them to embark on democratic reforms long needed on the continent. Let the leaders understand that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Let them understand that politics is about winning and loosing and that it should be possible for opposition parties to win elections and hell does not need to break loose. The presence of such dictators is not only harmful to the image and the development of the continent but a major factor why impoverishment and underdevelopment is prevalent on the continent.How on earth should a person continue to rule for 30 years when he is not a monarch? Even monarchs sometimes abdicate in favour of change. Isn't it? Are these kleptocrats monarchs? Why has Gaddafi of Libya been in power for 39 years now? And Omar Bongo of Gabon has ruled for 31 years, Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea 28 years, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe 28 years, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt 27 years, Paul Biya of Cameroon 26 years, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda 22 years, Omar Al Bashir of Sudan 19 years, Iddriss Derby of Chad 17 years, Yahya Jammeh of Gambia 14 years. Tunisian president has just announced that he is going to rule for life. Are these tyrants monarchs? I do not understand. Mr. President I do not understand. Tens of millions of Africans have died from the export of small arms and light weapons to the continent. Please Mr. President, at this critical moment in world history what Africa need is democracy and economic development not arms. Help mobilise international support to ban small arms and light weapons exports to Africa. Encourage African leaders to adopt democracy and to embark on social and economic development that will benefit the people in the continent.We know USA can help. So please help.

A Overview of the Flat Coated Retriever Gun Dog

If you are searching for a great dog breed than can be both the ideal hunting companion and perfect family pet, then a flat coated retriever may be everything you are looking for.
Originally developed from the St. John's Dog, Water Spaniels, Setters and Labrador Retrievers, this breed has become a favorite for many sportsmen (or women) that is looking for a breed to work with in the field.
They are easy to train and have a happy approach to the world around them. They are often referred to as the "Peter Pan" of the dog world and they will happily approach their work with the exuberance of a puppy, even into their senior years.
The Good And Bad of owning a Flat Coated Retriever.
The Flat Coated Retriever is an active breed that is full of life, spirit and has a good natured temperament. They are the quintessential puppy that enjoys playing around at home as much as they enjoy working in the field. While this breed is energetic and has been ranked as an ideal field dog, it is not for everyone. They have a variety of pros and cons and it is important to weigh each one before you choose whether a Flat Coated Retriever is the right breed for you.
The Good
There are many good points about the Flat Coated Retriever breed and at one time they were the preferred breed for field work and conformation. If you are looking for an energetic gundog that enjoys his work and remains the eternal puppy, then this is definitely the breed for you.
• They are intelligent and easy to train if you use positive reinforcement.
• They get along with other pets and do well in multi-dog homes.
• They are great with kids, although they are better suited for older children since they can knock down younger children with their antics.
• They generally love people and are very friendly.
• They work well as retrieving dogs and can work on both sparse and thick foliage and in water.
• They are a versatile breed and do well as both hunting dogs and pets
• They are sweet tempered and can be very funny.
The Bad
As with all dog breeds, there are a number of cons that should be taken into consideration before you purchase a Flat Coated Retriever. The breed has a number of serious health issues, listed in the section below, and they have an active and bouncy personality that does not work for everyone.
• They are average to heavy shedders
• Although they are known for their eager to please personality, some Flat Coated Retrievers can be very stubborn.
• They have high energy levels, which make them unsuitable for apartment living.
• They require large amounts of exercise on a daily basis, usually requiring about 90 minutes each day.
• Flat Coated Retrievers are very sensitive and while this can be a wonderful quality in some ways, it can also be difficult when it comes to training and other areas. They are more likely to shut down and refuse to train if any type of training is used except positive reinforcement.
• They are the "Peter Pan" of the dog world and you can expect to have a happy, bouncy and exuberant puppy until your dog reaches old age.
• If they are left alone for long periods of time they can suffer from separation anxiety. This can lead to barking problems and destructive behavior.
• They are mouthy. This equates to a dog that may nip at hands, carrying objects away and chewing items around the house.
•They are prone to Coprophagy, which is eating their own feces.

Non-lethal Self Defense Stun Guns or Pepper Spray

The other evening I was walking to my car after a summer concert in the park.  I had lingered afterward to visit with friends and to tell the local country music group how much I had enjoyed the music.  The evening was warm, and I was feeling very lucky to be living in a small town and to be able to discover the outside venue for music under the stars as the family gathered and kids and dogs played and the adults took in the songs.  Well, you get the idea.  At any rate the park had cleared out by the time I got around to leaving.  My car didn't seem so far away a few hours earlier, but now I realized I had to cross the empty park to get there or walk around the whole place.  Neither option looked appealing.  I looked to see if there were any familiar faces, and like a bad teen B movie, no.  There was no one I knew, and the straggles were a little rough looking.  I think they were just settling in for a different kind of evening in the park.  Interesting orders wafted my way.  What were my choices?  I reached into my purse and found the pepper spray I bought just for such occasions.  I conveniently slipped it on my hand, tucked in my purse, and remembered all I had heard and read about looking confident and self-assured from my women's defense class.  No problem.  No one really seemed to pay be any attention.  I reached my car and drove home without incident.  Happy ending! Nevertheless, it can be a scary world out there.  I was happy to have had that little back up.  Maybe it was knowing that I had my pepper spray filled with MACE for self-defense that helped with the self-assured aura. It is nice to know that there is available, to the general public, a number of non-lethal self defense tools for personal security.  My friend lives alone  and sleeps with a stun-gun on her bedside table.  My daughter would never give up her nanny-cam.  This hidden camera gives her extra piece of mind.  No home should be without a hidden safe to protect valuables.You can find a source for non-lethal self defense and personal security products for your home or small business on line.  One such complete source for personal security is Stunner Defense it is a famliy owned business - ask for Shelly she is great.

Beeman Silver Sting Air Rifle Combo One Gun for All Targets

Are you an ardent hunter who likes to venture out into the woods to hunt a game? Or are you one who is easily satisfied by plinking targets in your own backyard and hunting down rodents in your garden? If the answer to either one or both the questions is “yes”, then the Beeman Silver Sting Air Rifle is what you need for your shooting activities. The Beeman Silver Sting Air Rifle is one of the two air soft guns that come under the Crossover Series, the other being the Beeman Heavy Target Rifle Combo. These Beeman air rifles are a blend of American and European design and are suited for hunting, backyard plinking, field target, and small game hunting. This Beeman air rifle can also be used to shoot spinners. The .177 caliber Beeman Silver Sting Air Rifle employs a spring piston technique that can be assembled easily. These Beeman air rifles can be used comfortably and effortlessly by both right-handed and left-handed shooters, thanks to the ambidextrous, all-weather, synthetic stock with Monte Carlo and rubber buttpad. Beeman combo kits consist of a receiver that is made completely out of steel and has a nickel plating, just like the barrel, to withstand any weather condition. These Beeman combo kits come with a Bushnell Banner 3-9 x 40 scope that has-finger adjustable windage, elevation knobs, and an adjustable objective. (It’s always better to have this Bushnell Banner scope professionally mounted by an expert gunsmith from Beeman.) A fluted sleeve is also included in Beeman combo kits to provide enhanced stability when a shot is fired. A tin of 200 Beeman pellets is also included in the kit. From hunting games to shooting rodents, from target practice to plinking, the Beeman Silver Sting Air Rifle is the perfect choice to keep you going.

Using Auto Feed Screw Guns

The all-new Auto Feed screw gun offers a selection of tools to meet a variety of fastening needs. Engineered for specific fastening applications. The Auto feed screw-driving system is the toughest auto-feed tool on the market. Each model is designed to be fast, easy, and efficient in a single fastening application.
There aren't too many materials that can't be fastened together by hand with a simple hammer or screwdriver, the right nail or screw, and a little a bit of elbow grease. But over the years, manufacturers have developed fastening tools such as screw guns, nailers, and staplers that make this essential part of construction faster and easier.
Screws have always been superior to nails when it comes to holding ability, but until recently it has been faster to drive nails--either with a hammer or a pneumatic nailer than screws. Now, however, different types of screw guns make it possible to use screws in a wide range of applications, from hanging drywall to fastening down a deck to installing trim. Screws also have the advantage of being easier to remove than nails.
The process of using the auto feed screw gun can be defined as below:
Firstly, Sub flooring And Underlayment: Screws provide the fast and easy solution to squeaky sub flooring. Now you can drive them with labor saving speed - from a standing position.
Secondly, Backer board: Stand up and give your tile, ceramic tile or vinyl flooring a solid foundation with fasteners engineered specifically for the job.
Thirdly, Drywall to Wood or Steel: Auto feed screw-driving system offers a wide choice in collated drywall screws. All feature a bugle head, designed to grip the board firly with a minimum of material displacement. Even the new guy on the job can drive with efficient speed using our automatic driver.
Fourthly, Decks & Docks: Screws deliver the power to pull lumber into position and keep it there and the N2000 galvanized coating offers long lasting corrosion protection. In fact, if you build with conventional pressure treated lumber, our screws will likely outlast the wood.
Fifthly, Steel-To-Steel: Pan Head and Truss Head screws are the standard in many steel-to-steel fastening operations. Now available on collated strips to eliminate the waste and aggravation of handling individual screws.
Sixthly, Metal Roofing to Wood: The cordless kit and these hex washer head screws make fastening metal roofing and siding to wood faster and easier than ever.
Seventhly, Tile Roofing to Wood: The tile fasteners meet strict Dade County Florida codes for fastening concrete tile, ceramic tile, and slate roofing.
Lastly, Residential Steel Framing: Auto feed screw-driving system offers specialty fasteners to help builders meet the growing demand for residential steel framing.

Stun Guns. Alternative Treatment For Venomous Bites

The stun gun is a well-known non-lethal weapon that works by applying electric current in a jolt to shock the target’s nervous system, causing violent muscle contractions and rendering the target helpless. However, a new use for the stun gun has come into being: the treatment of venomous bites.

After years of disrepute, the use of electricity in medicine began making a comeback in the 1980s. Electricity is used in certain nerve therapies, and to break up painful kidney stones. After years of largely anecdotal evidence, the matter started to receive major study in the 1980s, and so the shocking thing is that the possibility of using electroshocks to treat snake and spider bites is not better known.

A study of the use of electroshocks to combat venomous bites appeared in the July 26, 1986 edition of the British medical journal The Lancet, authored by Dr. Charles D. MacKenzie of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Dr. Jeffery Williams of the University of Michigan, and Dr. Ronald H. Guderian, a missionary physician in Ecuador, based on Guderian’s experiences there. While treating a poisoned bite with anti-venom is a well-established procedure, there are practical problems involved. Sometimes the creature that produced the poisoned bite is unknown, and therefore, the type of anti-venom that must be used can only be guessed at. Some patients may be allergic to the anti-venom, or may need to travel long distances to the anti-venom, which are expensive and must be carefully stored and cannot be easily or widely distributed. Finally, a patient debilitated by spider or snake venom may not be able to even make the trip. On the other hand, while stun guns are not widely available, there is a wide variety of available machines that can be refitted to provide the necessary electric current.

The basic procedure is simple: using wires with alligator clips, you attach the leads to the extremities of the bite area, and apply a one-second shock. The clips are rotated around the bite wound area in either a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion, until half a dozen shocks are applied. Care must be taken to achieve good skin contact, to avoid arcing and skin burns. In theory, the current works by breaking down the hydrogen bonds of the poison, as well as reducing any metal ions and cytotoxic polypeptides that might be present.

There are obvious problems with using electricity to treat snakebites, however. Just as the reckless application of the “cut and suck”  technique of treating snakebites can make matters worse by accidentally cutting an artery, the improper use of electrical shocks on people with heart conditions can be fatal. Therefore, this is not a technique that should be applied by anyone who has not received some basic training in it.