'War and Peace' - Debate and Review

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Why are we reviewing War and Peace again?

Last week Negau published a review of War and Peace, and here we are writing about it again, why? There are a couple of reasons why we thought a follow-up needed to be written:

-The review was our most popular article and we want to give our readers more of what they like. It's all about you guys here at Negau, so we'll keep writing about the articles you enjoy.

-There has also been a lot of debate about violence in society following the George Zimmerman trial, our coverage of which can be found here and here, with opinions from my blog partner Alina here. The rationality and morality of violence are considered throughout War and Peace. It seemed to us that if people want to know why lives are being taken in the present, they need look no farther than a book describing one of the most bloody periods of history.

Why is War and Peace still relevant today?

War and Peace is a historical novel set during the Napoleonic Wars, for a full plot description see our previous article. The Napoleonic Wars saw countless people killing others and losing their own lives attempting to satisfy the ambitions of powerful individuals, or so the history texts tell us, but was this due to the whims of the social elite or the unavoidable instincts of the masses? Answers to questions such as these would help us to understand why members of one social/racial/political group kill people who they see as belonging to the 'other'.

What are Tolstoy's views on war in War and Peace?

Tolstoy does not present war in the same way as conventional histories or historical novels. His view of war and human violence is that it is the product of irresistible movements by the masses, one group of people moves in one direction and if another group opposes that movement violence results. Tolstoy uses the Napoleonic invasion of Russia as an example of this. The people of the West (Napoleon's armies) were driven eastwards by an unknown force acting upon their collective subconscious, and at first the people of the East (the Russian Tsar's armies) gave way before them. Later, however, the people of the West grew fatigued, lost the desire to move eastwards which had motivated them and the people of the East turned to oppose the West's advance. At this point bloody conflicts resulted and the tables were turned, with both the people of the East and West advancing towards Western Europe at a frantic pace.

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George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin, racial tension in the US

Tolstoy's views in War and Peace go some way towards explaining the violence taking place in the US this past year. The actions of George Zimmerman in 2012, when he fatally shot African American teenager Trayvon Martin, could be explained by this shared subconscious and mass-movements theory. The US is a country with a history mired by racial segregation and discrimination. There is still a large amount of underlying racial tension in US society to this day. Trayvon Martin was shot under unknown circumstances while walking through a gated community where he was staying. In recent years, due to reductions in racial segregation, young African Americans have begun to fill professional roles in the US economy. As a result of this, the numbers of African Americans living in communities such as the one in question have increased. Twenty, thirty or forty years ago such figures would have been almost non-existent. Therefore, one can say that there have been the beginnings of a mass-movement of African American people to what were previously segregated areas. George Zimmerman's subconscious opposition to this movement (it has been argued that he racially profiled Trayvon Martin) might have motivated the violence which took Trayvon's life.

Conclusion

The truth is that nobody will ever know what really happened on the night when Trayvon Martin was killed. Only one person survived the encounter and he has every reason to lie, while we have no way of knowing whether he is telling the truth. It is therefore important that we focus on understanding the underlying issues rather than the isolated incidents which they produce. War and Peace is a fantastic book for fans of history or literature, but also an important work to read in attempting to understand the world better.

Joe Malpas

Other articles you might enjoy: Public Transport Dos and Don'ts, War and Peace book review, Freelance Writing Online, The US gun laws debate, GTA 5, The Great Gatsby, NCIS news and review, Trayvon Martin case, British Summer, George Zimmerman verdict, Rome 2, Iron Man 3

George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin - Opinion

Frankly, I'm shocked. Maybe I'm missing the facts, but as a strong believer that guns are dangerous, it seems to me that this incident could set precedent for others.
What's to stop others from shooting someone's child, frankly 17 is still a child, and claiming that they were attacked or threatened. I've read little to suggest that Trayvon Martin actually attacked or threatened George Zimmerman other than a statement from the shooter himself.
Does this mean that others will use this case to try and get off Scot free on what they may claim was the same situation?
Now I understand that there's an idea of guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. An that people may be hesitant about sending someone to prison without being sure.
Now, say that the incident had happened inside the house, or even at the front door. I could see some threat. But shooting an unarmed kid? 'Black' or not. Regardless of race, it's unacceptable.
Living in the UK, where guns are so heavily restricted that I've never even seen one, it scares me.
For killing a child, for taking any life without serious proof of innocence, I think that he should have been jailed, for manslaughter if not murder.
Tell me what you think? Have I missed some vital information living so far away?

George Zimmerman found Not Guilty for Trayvon Martin Shooting

http://www.businessinsider.com/george-zimmerman-verdict-2013-7

George Zimmerman verdict

George Zimmerman has been found innocent of all charges relating to the shooting of Trayvon Martin. Trayvon Martin died last year after being shot by Zimmerman, who claimed he was acting in self-defence. Supporters of George Zimmerman are said to be "ecstatic" with the verdict. The entirely female jury deliberated for a total of 15 hours before announcing their decision that Zimmerman had acted in self-defence.

How has the US public reacted to the verdict?

Protest marches took place overnight in several major US cities. These spontaneous protests were carried out because large numbers of people disagree with the acquittal of George Zimmerman. Fears have been expressed during and after the trial that there might be civil unrest if a 'not guilty' verdict was reached. So far there have been no reports of violence or threats in response to the verdict, but it is yet to be seen whether peaceful protests will escalate.

Why is the George Zimmerman case controversial?

George Zimmerman has been accused of racial profiling. The Trayvon Martin case has also brought up the issue of gun control in the US. Issues of race and the use of guns in the US have therefore come into the public consciousness as a result of this case. President Obama has even likened Trayvon Martin to his own son in a statement made last year. The NAACP, an organisation which fights against racial segregation and discrimination, described the shooting of Trayvon Martin  and subsequent events as "civil rights violations". Zimmerman was acquitted because the jury found him to have acted in self-defence.

What are the Stand Your Ground laws?

Stand Your Ground laws allow people in certain states of the US to defend themselves through the use of deadly force. Deadly force may include an action (such as shooting) which endangers or takes a person's life. This deadly force is allowed when the person defending themself fears for their life. Self-defence with a weapon may, therefore, be carried out rather than running away from an attacker. At least 33 US states allow the use of deadly force in self-defence. 

Our opinion on the George Zimmerman verdict? 

The Stand Your Ground laws encourage people to fight rather than run away from attackers. This standpoint is not too hard to understand, but the term 'fears for their life' is problematic. This wording leaves the decision of whether their life is in danger in the hands of the would-be victim. It has been argued that this allows people to shoot first at others who appear to be a threat and ask questions later. In the US, African Americans can be profiled and seen as a threat because some people think that they are more likely to be criminals. Therefore, they might be shot by someone who believes they are acting in self-defence when their was no threat. In such cases, as may have happened in the trial of George Zimmerman, the shooter can be acquitted for killing an innocent person. The Stand Your Ground laws complicate the underlying racial issues in US society.

Other articles you might enjoy: What not to do on the tube, War and Peace book review, Freelance Writing Online, The US gun laws debate, GTA 5, The Great Gatsby, NCIS news and review, Trayvon Martin case, British Summer

Joe Malpas

Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman Trial News

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Trayvon Martin Shooting Trial News

George Zimmerman's defence has begun closing arguments in the trial over the shooting of Trayvon Martin. Claiming that he shot Trayvon in self defence, Zimmerman has denied charges of murder. The trial will see a decision made by a jury of six female jurors as to whether George Zimmerman should be jailed for murder, manslaughter or found not guilty and acquitted. There is a possibility that if Zimmerman is released there will be large-scale protests or civil unrest in Florida. There were peaceful protests across the US last year in response to Trayvon Martin's shooting. The jury will begin deliberating later today, Friday 12th July.

Who is George Zimmerman?

George Zimmerman is a Florida, USA resident and a member of his local neighbourhood watch. He is now on trial in the US in relation to his shooting of an unarmed African American teenager in 2012. This shooting was supposedly motivated by Trayvon Martin's race. George Zimmerman is accused of 'profiling' Trayvon. If Trayvon was profiled then George Zimmerman could be found guilty of murder or manslaughter. Profiling is a term used to describe when one person make assumptions about another based on their appearance or behaviour.

Why is the Trayvon Martin Shooting so Controversial?

The shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman is controversial due to the involvement of two divisive issues, race and guns. The US gun laws debate concerns the possession, carrying and use of guns in the US. Issues of race and hate crime have made the Trayvon Martin shooting controversial as it is argued by some that George Zimmerman shot Trayvon because the latter was African American. Race and race-related hate crimes are hot topics of debate in the US partly due to the disparity between the wealth of white Americans and African Americans.

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Other articles you might enjoy: What not to do on the tube, War and Peace book review, Freelance Writing Online, The US gun laws debate, GTA 5, The Great Gatsby, NCIS news and review

Joe Malpas

The US Gun Laws Debate

What is the law on gun control in the US?

This is a simple question, but one which has a complicated answer. The law on gun ownership varies from state to state in the US. Some states allow only the possession of firearms in one's own home. Others allow the possession of firearms and their being carried in public, but their concealment is forbidden. Therefore, in some states carrying a hidden weapon is illegal but owning that weapon is legal. There are also states where carrying concealed weapons is legal. A licence is needed in order to legally possess a gun in any state.

What is the gun control debate about?

This month the US state of Illinois became the last state which permits 'concealed carry' - carrying hidden firearms in public. The US gun laws have become the focus of media attention and political debate due to recent gun massacres in the US. The December massacre at a Connecticut primary school and July cinema shooting during a Batman film release caused a public outcry against US gun laws and global media coverage. The argument for gun rights centres on the Second Amendment to the US Constitution. The Second Amendment is the part of the constitution which gives US citizens the right to own and carry weapons. Many Americans, particularly members of the NRA (National Rifle Association), therefore see the possession and bearing of arms as a constitutional right necessary to their freedom and safety. Gun control advocates counter this position by suggesting that guns make the US a more dangerous place, citing recent massacres involving guns as evidence. Some also argue that the Second Amendment was appropriate to the period when it was written, but is not suitable for the modern world. 

Why was the Second Amendment written?

The Second Amendment was written so that US citizens would have the right to arm themselves. This right was important at the time for many reasons. It was considered essential for the citizen's duty to fight in defence of the state. The right to bear arms also allowed people to defend themselves in the inhospitable environment which was colonial America and the early United States. 

Should the Second Amendment be repealed?

Some gun control advocates and other interested parties argue that the Second Amendment should be repealed or revised. They argue that the modern US citizen does not benefit from the right to bear arms. Defence of the state is now carried out by professional soldiers, armed by the state, unlike colonial America and the early US, when armed militia took part in conflicts. Gun control proponents also suggest that if the US today is as dangerous as it was when the Second Amendment was written, it is due to the legality of guns coupled with problems in society. Therefore, weapons are no longer required for personal protection. 

Recent developments in the gun laws debate...

There have recently been two shocking developments in the US, the release of the 3D printable gun and possible threats made against President Barack Obama. It has been confirmed that a letter sent to President Obama, 'similar' to poisoned letters sent to the New York City Mayor, was intercepted. Poisoned letters to Mayor Bloomberg referred to his support for gun control reforms. It is yet to be seen how these developments will affect the gun control debate, but expect us to continue to post and respond to your comments on the US Gun laws debate.

Other articles you might like: What not to do on the tube, War and Peace book review, Freelance Writing Online

Joe Malpas