Most people I've seen affirm that their support of a certain candidate for the presidency is based upon what is believed to be best for our democracy and for relationships with others throughout the world. Essentially, an upbeat, positive trust and hope for the future of us all.
We are human, of course, and affirmations of this kind may or may not be what is believed or what is intended in the ballot box. If you listen there is too-often a strong undercurrent of violent racial hatred and religious bigotry in our country that takes the breath away. We've come a long way since the 50's, I'm sure ... and we can do better if we would just think through the messages we receive from others. . . and challenge what you believe is not right! Even religious leaders can be wrong, as can any human. Even Presidents.
To stay silent is the greatest crime and will guarantee failure of our democracy.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
PEACE
Ever since I can remember, people of all kinds spoke about Peace ... a world wide goal that will someday become reality. As an armchair historian I can affirm a belief that human beings have never truly experienced Peace for any length of time. If I were a bookie, I'd bet a million to one that there will never be peace for any length of time. Whether it is someone else's land, wife, food, oil, or whatever ~ humans will soon or later murder to achieve acquisition of that thing that is important and desired & that which is owned by others. Religions of all kinds urge for peace through prayers, reaching out to a god or gods to help others in many ways. And yet, religions of all kinds have also through history happily participated in blood baths ~ in the past, in the present, and some urge the same for the future. . . at the same time, religions can and have often done much good among us all.
Ultimate violence is something in us ... it may change for the better. We must try ~ but perhaps the old saying about Peace is true as put forward by Frederick the Great and many others: "Peace Is Best Guaranteed In the Shadow Of Bayonets".
That seems to be where we are now and have been since a man picked up a rock ~
Ultimate violence is something in us ... it may change for the better. We must try ~ but perhaps the old saying about Peace is true as put forward by Frederick the Great and many others: "Peace Is Best Guaranteed In the Shadow Of Bayonets".
That seems to be where we are now and have been since a man picked up a rock ~
Friday, May 2, 2008
How Will You Vote?
I had a relative that proudly stated intention to vote for Thomas E. Dewey for President ~ that was many years ago, of course. Upon questioning the reasoning became clear ... "...he has a mustache just like my father ..." This is not a joke. On the contrary, votes for this person or that person or for this legislation or that often happen along that line. It might be that a person "has always" voted this way or that ~~ or perhaps historically the family has voted Democrat or Republican regardless of candidates, or we "just don't like the looks of ... "
It remains a mystery that some ~ perhaps many ~ individuals just follow these habits, particular parties, or whatever their guiding light ~ unwilling or unable to make an independent personal decision based on the reality around them.
Our reality is a nation in severe trouble. No need here to list the deep, immediate problems we face, many of which we try very hard to ignore ~ resulting in inaction. Absent rapid change we will decline further and faster than we have already. We must stop hiding what we know is true in order to cling to what-has-always-worked. It won't work anymore. The world around us knows that and waits for their time in the sun.
It remains a mystery that some ~ perhaps many ~ individuals just follow these habits, particular parties, or whatever their guiding light ~ unwilling or unable to make an independent personal decision based on the reality around them.
Our reality is a nation in severe trouble. No need here to list the deep, immediate problems we face, many of which we try very hard to ignore ~ resulting in inaction. Absent rapid change we will decline further and faster than we have already. We must stop hiding what we know is true in order to cling to what-has-always-worked. It won't work anymore. The world around us knows that and waits for their time in the sun.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Mea Culpa
I sent this to the Republican candidate for President ... in my opinion, Hagee is not only a bigot but a nutcase ...
"Rev. John Hagee continues to blame the people of New Orleans for the catastrophe of Katrina. Senator McCain: If you reject intolerance and bigotry, reject Hagee's political support and stop courting hate-mongers like him."
Thursday, April 10, 2008
"Significant Progress"
"Significant progress" ~ words that have been used often in our present conflict. It calls to mind other wars. Korea, Viet Nam, and our present conflict in the middle east. In each, question has been often raised with respect to the enemy ~ ours is a powerful country. We plastered our enemy with the most modern weapons of death, on the ground and in the air. Korea ended as a "draw" to many since we failed to defeat them. Viet Nam endured our best destructive efforts but many of us remember our rapid evacuation by sea and by air as the enemy troops advanced into the South and assumed control of the country.
Each war had its public purpose that is debated back and forth. Many believe that our present war in Iraq is a war to control middle east oil. Not our oil, middle east oil. There are a dozen of other reasons and causes that are put forward but at the bottom the issue always seems to boil down to control of oil. Words used by politicians is that we are there to "protect our interests". Or "bring democracy" . . words that are sometimes close to acceptable truth but do ring hollow. At the same time we all know that we are desperately in need of oil and some suspect we will do almost anything to control management of it ...even to the invasion of another country. Those who own the oil are not fools. They know our desperation. They know our greed. They also know that our economy is in serious trouble. We cannot even take serious actions against China for their inferior products, some of which has poisoned and killed our citizens ~ Certainly we can shout at them and be angry but aggressive "either-or" actions cannot happen. This simply because they own our paper ... they have our bonds ...we are using their credit, along with credit granted by other countries to fight our wars in Iraq and elsewhere. . . and to finance other basic functions of our government. As one well known CPA stated: "...they own us...have you noticed taxpayers don't have to pay for the war here, now, today? Think about it". That's probably a exaggeration. I hope it is an exaggeration.
Each war had its public purpose that is debated back and forth. Many believe that our present war in Iraq is a war to control middle east oil. Not our oil, middle east oil. There are a dozen of other reasons and causes that are put forward but at the bottom the issue always seems to boil down to control of oil. Words used by politicians is that we are there to "protect our interests". Or "bring democracy" . . words that are sometimes close to acceptable truth but do ring hollow. At the same time we all know that we are desperately in need of oil and some suspect we will do almost anything to control management of it ...even to the invasion of another country. Those who own the oil are not fools. They know our desperation. They know our greed. They also know that our economy is in serious trouble. We cannot even take serious actions against China for their inferior products, some of which has poisoned and killed our citizens ~ Certainly we can shout at them and be angry but aggressive "either-or" actions cannot happen. This simply because they own our paper ... they have our bonds ...we are using their credit, along with credit granted by other countries to fight our wars in Iraq and elsewhere. . . and to finance other basic functions of our government. As one well known CPA stated: "...they own us...have you noticed taxpayers don't have to pay for the war here, now, today? Think about it". That's probably a exaggeration. I hope it is an exaggeration.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Military-Industrial-(Congressional) Complex
President of the United States (and former General of the Army) Dwight D. Eisenhower used the term listed above in his Farewell Address to the Nation on January 17, 1961. In part he urged us
"...In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist..."
It is important to note that in the penultimate draft of the address, Eisenhower initially used the term military-industrial-congressional complex and thus indicated the essential role that the United States Congress plays in the propagation of the military industry. The President chose to strike the word congressional in order to placate members of the legislative branch of the federal government.
Others have noted that the "Power Elite" class of military, business, and political leaders, driven by mutual interests, were the real leaders of the state and were effectively beyond democratic control.
All of this creates confusion and uncertainty for most people who are trying to decide which direction our country should move. Perhaps what we do or say has no real meaning whichever direction we move. Still, we are asked to choose, regardless of political games, what is best in our opinion.
"...In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist..."
It is important to note that in the penultimate draft of the address, Eisenhower initially used the term military-industrial-congressional complex and thus indicated the essential role that the United States Congress plays in the propagation of the military industry. The President chose to strike the word congressional in order to placate members of the legislative branch of the federal government.
Others have noted that the "Power Elite" class of military, business, and political leaders, driven by mutual interests, were the real leaders of the state and were effectively beyond democratic control.
All of this creates confusion and uncertainty for most people who are trying to decide which direction our country should move. Perhaps what we do or say has no real meaning whichever direction we move. Still, we are asked to choose, regardless of political games, what is best in our opinion.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
War: Bits and Pieces
Pick some dates: November 2007 ~ to the present time, just for an example. Significant things have been said about our War but time does pass rapidly and new issues replace the old. And we forget. Well, some do remember, especially those families that have lost their sons and daughters to death and handicap.
Torture of prisoners comes up now and again ... not too long ago Andrew Sullivan observed in the Sunday Times of London that our "enhanced interrogation" techniques have a grotesque provenance: "Verscharfte Vernehmung, enhanced or intensified interrogation, was the exact term innovated by the Gestapo to describe what became known as the third degree. It left no marks. It included hypothermia, stress positions and long-time sleep deprivation." A US Marine told me that as we use this, it is certain that it will be or has been used against us. We can only trust your family will not be so dealt with.
We've been told that our contractors in Iraq (financed by unlimited taxpayer dollars) are actually on their own within their own organization ~ our military does not have oversight despite alleged illegal murders. ... Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq war combat veteran, said that should Baghdad implode, our contractors, not having to answer to the military chain of command, can simply drop their guns and go home. Vulnerable American troops could be deserted by those "who deliver their bullets and beans".
This is a familiar thing in recent years. Our government transfers tax money and oversight responsibility to corporations that in turn by their own nature will do what is best for the corporation ~ and incidentally the taxpayer may or may not be well served. In the meantime, we are told to praise the fact that our government reduces staff that historically have attempted to keep corporate waste & mismanagement to a minimum. A dangerous thing, I think, as we look to the terrific greed, misfeasance & malfeasance that is brought to light on a regular basis.
As the war has dragged on, it is hard to give Americans a free pass. We are too slow to notice, let alone protest, the calamities that have followed the original sin ~ the original sin in question is the invasion of another country and failure to pursue the real dangerous folks in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
This is America's longest War & perhaps we as citizens must examine our own responsibility for the hideous acts committed in our name.
Torture of prisoners comes up now and again ... not too long ago Andrew Sullivan observed in the Sunday Times of London that our "enhanced interrogation" techniques have a grotesque provenance: "Verscharfte Vernehmung, enhanced or intensified interrogation, was the exact term innovated by the Gestapo to describe what became known as the third degree. It left no marks. It included hypothermia, stress positions and long-time sleep deprivation." A US Marine told me that as we use this, it is certain that it will be or has been used against us. We can only trust your family will not be so dealt with.
We've been told that our contractors in Iraq (financed by unlimited taxpayer dollars) are actually on their own within their own organization ~ our military does not have oversight despite alleged illegal murders. ... Paul Rieckhoff, an Iraq war combat veteran, said that should Baghdad implode, our contractors, not having to answer to the military chain of command, can simply drop their guns and go home. Vulnerable American troops could be deserted by those "who deliver their bullets and beans".
This is a familiar thing in recent years. Our government transfers tax money and oversight responsibility to corporations that in turn by their own nature will do what is best for the corporation ~ and incidentally the taxpayer may or may not be well served. In the meantime, we are told to praise the fact that our government reduces staff that historically have attempted to keep corporate waste & mismanagement to a minimum. A dangerous thing, I think, as we look to the terrific greed, misfeasance & malfeasance that is brought to light on a regular basis.
As the war has dragged on, it is hard to give Americans a free pass. We are too slow to notice, let alone protest, the calamities that have followed the original sin ~ the original sin in question is the invasion of another country and failure to pursue the real dangerous folks in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
This is America's longest War & perhaps we as citizens must examine our own responsibility for the hideous acts committed in our name.
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