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Saturday, January 29, 2005 Armaments Are Our Business 'I read your communication with intense interest and learned a good deal, thank you. I know it sounds childish, but if only we could change the economy of this planet from developing the best weapons to kill to the best education, medical, business systems. However, at my age I don't think it's going to happen. As for Iraq, how can we stay, how can we leave, what a Pandora's box!' Bette, you write of a great concern. It is not so much the economy of the planet as it has become the economy of American. The earliest major warnings were from Eisenhower who warned us of the growing, 'military industrial complex'. Constant messages from many areas followed the same concern. As Chancellor of the Lincoln Academy I made an address on the same subject. It was not well received. In fact they decorated Westmoreland. Dismantling the defense establishment is the only answer. We don't have a politician of any party willing to take that on. As for Iraq, I can only see one best solution. Let there be three seperate entities following tribal and religious groups in a form of federation. Iraq was created by foreign cartographers from the old Ottoman empire.If the civil war continues this plan will be best. Michael Thursday, January 20, 2005 How Can We Leave! I don’t know how we can leave Iraq any time soon unless we accept a Civil War. This election is considered false without any real consideration of the local scene. Trying to remake Iraq into our image is stepping into a quagmire. What we may consider intolerance is not the prevailing mode in Iraq. We deplore a violation of the rights of women which are not so viewed by the Iraqis. Rule by the Book is the dominant philosophy of those people. Past history has been one of continued betrayals of local aspirations by Western powers. Starting with the mission of T. E. Lawrence the West betrayed the Arab cause of independence. Before that it was geopolitical as the path to India. Then it was and still is oil. The current administrations claims that our invasion is for installing democracy is simply not believed in the Arab world. Not surprising as a large percentage of Americans do not believe our aims are altruistic. So the theocrats will dominate the scene. Shias will prevail with Iran in the background. Sunnis will be disenfranchised. Kurds will be betrayed again and feel their independence threatened. If we leave Civil War is certain. It may happen even if we stay. The Bush hubris will not carry the day. I confess being very suprised that there is no consideration of dividing the country. Kurds, Shias, Sunnis could have their own countries or a separation in a federation. It might be worthwhile to study the Ottoman Empire approach. We should recall that Iraq was a cartographers creation. As was the partition of India and at what happened there. Friday, January 14, 2005 Our Next Attorney General and... Perhaps our next Chief Justice; Alberto Gonzales Are we going to have the architect of American Torture? When asked he said, "I'll have get back to you."Is this another Himmler, Who is responsibe? We are, if we have this type of represntation.A legacy of hate is being spawned beyond our greatest fear. A legion of hating people will be a legacy of this adminstrations. Abu Ghraib is just the tip of the iceberg. We have established a world reputation for brutality. This will grant a horrible legality to all of us receiving the same.Who is responsible? Just some despicable soldiers? No one else? , " Tuesday, January 04, 2005 Spin About Compassion “Repairing America's image Bush asks his dad and Clinton to lead a fundraising appeal among U.S. citizens, who so far have donated about $100 million to tsunami relief. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - By Julian Borger and John Aglionby Jan. 4, 2005 | George W. Bush Monday recruited two former presidents, his father and Bill Clinton, to launch a joint appeal to the American people for emergency donations to victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami. They stood side by side in the White House's Roosevelt Room as Bush told reporters: "We're here to ask our fellow citizens to join in a broad humanitarian relief effort. In the coming days, Presidents Clinton and Bush will ask Americans to donate directly to reliable charities already providing help to tsunami victims. In this situation, cash donations are most useful, and I've asked the former presidents to solicit contributions both large and small. I ask every American to contribute as they are able to do so." It is interesting that Bush is trying to pass the buck to the American people-giving the impression that he has to defend Americans being charitable. Another spin to cover up the fact that the administration originally offered $15MM and was shamed into increasing to $35MM and now to $350MM. Michael |
ARTICLES
OF NOTE
Remarks for Friends of Conservation Probably Our Major Problem Today All In The Name You Give It We All Have The Same Problems Questions About HAIR Fury, Rage, Sadness, Embarrassed, Ashamed Answers for Simon "But I Can't Make A Difference" "God said it. I believe it. That settles it" ARCHIVES December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005
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Friday, January 28, 2005
The Crux of the Problem
'At little Waioli Hui'ia Church in Hanalei we have a new minister, he's Japanese and did undergrad at Berkley. Usually I don't pay attention to sermons, I just like the atmosphere and music. Well, he caught my attention a week ago when he announced that throughout the US the general consensus of opinion is the worst problem is America is loss of morals, right across the line. He bases the problem on individuality, rationalism and secularism. It was a sit on the edge of your chair sermon! Since then the more I think about what he said the more I see the negatives happening locally, nationally and internationally. A really great legacy for our grandchildren'
Just received from a friend in Hawaii. To me, very disturbing, as the interpretation can be made several ways. The loss of morals by whose criteria? Not to disagree with the state of human relations, they surely have much to be desired. This sermon bases the problem on 'individuality, rationalism and secularism'. In other words Freedom is the culprit. So who’s rules are we to follow? This seems to be the driving question. I am brought to mind to quote a passage I frequently use.
...The Battle
"There are two great powers and they've been fighting since time began. Every advance in human life, every scrap of knowledge and wisdom and decency we have has been torn by one side from the teeth of the other. Every little increase in human freedom has been fought over ferociously between those who want us to know more and be wiser and stronger, and those who want us to obey and be humble and submit"
"The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
Take Care,
Michael
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