I am hanging hope for Christmas, once again this year, not because I'm brimming over with enthusiasm for the run up to the 2012 national elections which began last month the day after the mid-term elections. It's because of my conviction that this world belongs, as it always has, to the God who created it. What else can one cling to after the first decade of the 21st century which began with 9/11 and moved immediately into two wars, a worldwide recession and still growing tensions between the partisans of Islam, most of which are stuck in the 13th century, and the West. One has to go back to WW II to find a world more messed up and confused. We're showing increased signs of weariness, stagnation and corruption after a tumultuous century of conflict and financial stress, but I'm still not going to hang black crape.
Life expectancy has increased, thanks to vastly improved nutrition, sanitation and health care. Stunning scientific achievements have been made, long with clear progress on human rights. Democracy triumphed over deadly challenges from fascism and communism, but only at horrific cost, and so it goes, two steps forward, one step backwards, if we're lucky. There will be no breather in which we can revitalize ourselves. Indeed, there is now solid evidence that our system of governance needs major tweeking to improve effectiveness and that our laissez -faire, free market economy has developed some serious problems. As anyone who has read previous blogs knows, I have no confidence in Wall Street moguls and most of the nation's business leaders. Greed has triumphed in America and most of them will do whatever it takes to generate ever larger profits and personal gain, regardless of their heritage, education and privileged position. They must be regulated wisely and sooner or later they will be.
Yet, underneath it all, there is the intrinsic goodness of the American people. We are a goodhearted, god -fearing , hard working people who have fine traditions and a solid underpinning. Our recent Thanksgiving holiday reminded me of the atmosphere on the ground of a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or a city wide blackout or even a national tragedy. The people are kind, the cops good humored , the spirit palpable. Many years ago, during the first terrible Ethiopian famine, I was raising money by phone for UNICEF and I encountered this unique American spirit in talking to people all over the country, as TV images of vultures hungrily eying emaciated babies on the verge of starvation, spread by time zone from east to west. People gave with enormous generosity, reducing me to tears with comments like "Here's $25. and I think my husband has $30. left on his Visa" or "Would you take $5? I'm very ill, but I can go without a meal without killing myself." As I looked around the crowded phone bank room, I saw many workers wiping their eyes. That's why I'm not hanging crape this year. Never conquered America is still strong enough to survive and revitalize our failed institutions (the church, the markets, the Congress, etc.) and our ineffective, self -aggrandizing leaders. Furthermore, every 12 hours we get a real time image of the glory of our planet and the work of His hands.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Torture and Pregnancy
A large mural in the Tower of London depicts a naked man facing a festive crowd on Tower Hill gathered for whatever pleasure can be found in watching him be hideously tortured, his body burned and mutilated alive and finally dismembered for display in various cities as evidence of the monarch's authority and power. It's a scene of utter degradation. I looked for the man with the pointy beard, he was surely there, but the faces were too indistinct. Ironically, a few miles to the north, Shakespeare was writing "Good night sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."
After 9/11, an understandably panicked American government led by an inexperienced president to whom nuance was equivalent to weakness, let torture become a part of America's fight against Al Quaeda. He was poorly advised by people anxious to tell him what he wanted to hear, or to encourage his "cowboy" attitude, and he was unable to discriminate about the advise given to him.
There is no place for torture in American policy. It is a barbaric practice of a bygone era of which most nations who once used torture to enforce a monarch's control are not proud. At the foundation of America, various rights and freedoms were guaranteed to prevent the abuse of power to which we descended after 9/11, for the Founding Fathers knew that executive power was to be feared and that "absolute power corrupts absolutely."
There must never be an MOS for torture. The idea of American soldiers, those honored and sturdy, freckled faced farm boys from Kansas who won WW II, engaged in torture is an affront to everything that is American. We cannot be a great shining city on a hill and practice torture any more than we can claim to be a unique and wonderful, historic experiment in governance with notions that the president can do whatever he wishes in a time of emergency, including torture. We became a nation because we were fundamentally repulsed by the idea of any man or woman having such enormous and cruel power.
I can hear a conservative reader snickering at my naivete, but a recent book authored by Charles Fried, a very conservative former solicitor general of the United States under President Reagan, and his father a law professor, expressed very similar sentiments. Fried, the younger, who graduated from my college a couple of years after me, differed from his father in only one material way. Fried, the elder, felt that the Bush Administration's sins regarding torture were so egregious that in order to restore the nation's honor, they needed to be clearly identified and those responsible punished. I understand why President Obama decided not to drag up this dreadful stuff, but it was a serious mistake. Republicans, who impeached president Clinton for his reprehensible sexual adventures, wouldn't have hesitated a minute had the situation been reversed. Sex sullied President Clinton's personal honor; torture besmirches America's honor and as of today, no one has has admitted to the disgraceful decisions involved or been convicted of any misdeed, let alone punished. On the contrary every effort has been made to justify torture and belittle the "timid souls" who condemn it. I am pleased to say that group includes me.
The Frieds made clear in their lawyerly analysis what any thoughtful person understands instinctively: torture is very seldom effective and situations wherein torture might save the country are exceedingly rare, contrary to the TV series, "24" which appeared to legitimatize torture once a week. My belief is that there are no situations that warrant torture and no disasters to be avoided as horrible as the one that destroys our national personna, and everything we stand for, while concurrently taking us back 500 years in the progress of civilization. A democratic nation can no more use anonymous torture just occasionally, than a woman can be a little bit pregnant.
After 9/11, an understandably panicked American government led by an inexperienced president to whom nuance was equivalent to weakness, let torture become a part of America's fight against Al Quaeda. He was poorly advised by people anxious to tell him what he wanted to hear, or to encourage his "cowboy" attitude, and he was unable to discriminate about the advise given to him.
There is no place for torture in American policy. It is a barbaric practice of a bygone era of which most nations who once used torture to enforce a monarch's control are not proud. At the foundation of America, various rights and freedoms were guaranteed to prevent the abuse of power to which we descended after 9/11, for the Founding Fathers knew that executive power was to be feared and that "absolute power corrupts absolutely."
There must never be an MOS for torture. The idea of American soldiers, those honored and sturdy, freckled faced farm boys from Kansas who won WW II, engaged in torture is an affront to everything that is American. We cannot be a great shining city on a hill and practice torture any more than we can claim to be a unique and wonderful, historic experiment in governance with notions that the president can do whatever he wishes in a time of emergency, including torture. We became a nation because we were fundamentally repulsed by the idea of any man or woman having such enormous and cruel power.
I can hear a conservative reader snickering at my naivete, but a recent book authored by Charles Fried, a very conservative former solicitor general of the United States under President Reagan, and his father a law professor, expressed very similar sentiments. Fried, the younger, who graduated from my college a couple of years after me, differed from his father in only one material way. Fried, the elder, felt that the Bush Administration's sins regarding torture were so egregious that in order to restore the nation's honor, they needed to be clearly identified and those responsible punished. I understand why President Obama decided not to drag up this dreadful stuff, but it was a serious mistake. Republicans, who impeached president Clinton for his reprehensible sexual adventures, wouldn't have hesitated a minute had the situation been reversed. Sex sullied President Clinton's personal honor; torture besmirches America's honor and as of today, no one has has admitted to the disgraceful decisions involved or been convicted of any misdeed, let alone punished. On the contrary every effort has been made to justify torture and belittle the "timid souls" who condemn it. I am pleased to say that group includes me.
The Frieds made clear in their lawyerly analysis what any thoughtful person understands instinctively: torture is very seldom effective and situations wherein torture might save the country are exceedingly rare, contrary to the TV series, "24" which appeared to legitimatize torture once a week. My belief is that there are no situations that warrant torture and no disasters to be avoided as horrible as the one that destroys our national personna, and everything we stand for, while concurrently taking us back 500 years in the progress of civilization. A democratic nation can no more use anonymous torture just occasionally, than a woman can be a little bit pregnant.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Military Justice Oxymoron
Military justice is in the news again with the dismissal of dozens of charges against a terrorist who was tried in a federal court and nevertheless convicted on one charge that will put him behind bars for a minimum if 20 years. Evidence that would have likely convicted him of more serious charges was tossed out by the judge because it was tainted by various illegalities, including likely torture. Several prominent Republicans are currently using the so called defeat of the government as proof that President Obama should have had him tried in a military court where convictions are easier.
I have some small experience with military justice and it is of interest only because it pertains to the culture of the military jury pool, so to speak. Though I am long out of the US Army, I doubt very much if the culture of the Army has changed materially. Cultures change slowly and, if anything, I believe prejudices may have hardened. The attitudes to which I refer are not just confined to junior officer ranks either. I believe they go clear to the top, but they may be tempered by the gray hair to be found in the most senior ranks.
When I reported to duty in Germany, as a "butter bar" lieutenant, I was handed several duty assignments. Among them was Defense Counsel for the battalion, probably because I was a graduate of a distinguished Ivy League university. Almost immediately, I noticed a slight prejudice for the prosecution. "Bring the guilty bastard in" was my introduction. The fact that one of the board's officers was giving me the finger as he was sworn in was another indication even the dullest defense counsel might have noticed. In a different case, a negative verdict was reached in something like 19 minutes, a record I was told. It didn't take long before I got angry, and on the first case that wasn't a negative slam dunk, I used that wonderful education to secure an acquittal, the first one anyone in my battalion could remember. The level of justice had been raised a tiny bit and hereafter the cases were argued more seriously. There were always good natured, out of session pleas from the "judges" to move things along because "Happy Hour starts in 20 minutes" or "to can the exculpatory evidence stuff because you know as well as I that he's as guilty as sin." I knew what was going to happen as soon as the battalion commander commented briefly and with a slight smile on my victories, and sure enough I was appointed Trial Counsel and put in charge of prosecuting future cases. Nothing really wrong about that, but it all left me a bit dubious about the average level of justice one could expect in the military justice system. Maybe prejudice learned as junior officers diminishes with age and higher rank, but I'd hate to have to depend on it for my freedom or life.
There's another dimension to this issue, of course; could a civilian court handle a terrorism case? The answer is, of course and the proof is there for all to see. We have plenty of tough, fair judges who will honor our heritage and produce justice. We've always had plenty of these men and their ranks are now being supplemented by brilliant women. There were similarly explosive cases in the last century and most were handled with great aplomb. Harold Medina's guidance of a famous communist case in the 1940s comes to mind. Today's terrorist trials have been made more difficult by their nature and the fact that we bungled the first round with secret detentions in foreign countries and torture under which most people would admit to just about anything. The more acts of terrorism are assigned to solo ideological unkowns, the more reason they should be tried locally as part of the criminal justice system. To do otherwise will weaken our American character which now wears a bit of tarnish that needs to be removed. I believe it was a mistake not to identify the previous administration's brand of justice for what it was, a disgrace of American values.
I have some small experience with military justice and it is of interest only because it pertains to the culture of the military jury pool, so to speak. Though I am long out of the US Army, I doubt very much if the culture of the Army has changed materially. Cultures change slowly and, if anything, I believe prejudices may have hardened. The attitudes to which I refer are not just confined to junior officer ranks either. I believe they go clear to the top, but they may be tempered by the gray hair to be found in the most senior ranks.
When I reported to duty in Germany, as a "butter bar" lieutenant, I was handed several duty assignments. Among them was Defense Counsel for the battalion, probably because I was a graduate of a distinguished Ivy League university. Almost immediately, I noticed a slight prejudice for the prosecution. "Bring the guilty bastard in" was my introduction. The fact that one of the board's officers was giving me the finger as he was sworn in was another indication even the dullest defense counsel might have noticed. In a different case, a negative verdict was reached in something like 19 minutes, a record I was told. It didn't take long before I got angry, and on the first case that wasn't a negative slam dunk, I used that wonderful education to secure an acquittal, the first one anyone in my battalion could remember. The level of justice had been raised a tiny bit and hereafter the cases were argued more seriously. There were always good natured, out of session pleas from the "judges" to move things along because "Happy Hour starts in 20 minutes" or "to can the exculpatory evidence stuff because you know as well as I that he's as guilty as sin." I knew what was going to happen as soon as the battalion commander commented briefly and with a slight smile on my victories, and sure enough I was appointed Trial Counsel and put in charge of prosecuting future cases. Nothing really wrong about that, but it all left me a bit dubious about the average level of justice one could expect in the military justice system. Maybe prejudice learned as junior officers diminishes with age and higher rank, but I'd hate to have to depend on it for my freedom or life.
There's another dimension to this issue, of course; could a civilian court handle a terrorism case? The answer is, of course and the proof is there for all to see. We have plenty of tough, fair judges who will honor our heritage and produce justice. We've always had plenty of these men and their ranks are now being supplemented by brilliant women. There were similarly explosive cases in the last century and most were handled with great aplomb. Harold Medina's guidance of a famous communist case in the 1940s comes to mind. Today's terrorist trials have been made more difficult by their nature and the fact that we bungled the first round with secret detentions in foreign countries and torture under which most people would admit to just about anything. The more acts of terrorism are assigned to solo ideological unkowns, the more reason they should be tried locally as part of the criminal justice system. To do otherwise will weaken our American character which now wears a bit of tarnish that needs to be removed. I believe it was a mistake not to identify the previous administration's brand of justice for what it was, a disgrace of American values.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
No Where To Go
I am a faithful Presbyterian and have been all my life. I go to church many miles from my home because there are essentially no other Presbyterian Churches to go to in my home town. The two biggest have been torn, no shredded, by the misdeeds of their pastors and have caused me and my loved ones much pain.
I've been a practicing Democrat for the last 50 years and now I don't really have a place to go with my anger, no rage is a better word, and frustrations with the weak, unruly and selfish bunch who call themselves the democratic leadership. Not President Obama, who could have led them to glory if they'd given him even half a chance, but the Blue Dogs, the poseurs, and penny ante congressmen and senators who always put their interests first and squandered the oppurtunity of a life time. They deserve to be defeated, even by the dismal ranks of the Republican tide of lying, cynical, midgets who did them in and who will now resume their do nothing destruction of the Republic.
Anyone who is not convinced that things can change rapoidly in American politics has not been watching the last 2 years of American history. What is equally clear is that is that our two party system is dead, not dying, but deceased. Government today is smoke and mirrors. Policies are determined on Wall Street in New York and brokered in Washington to the highest bidder. Is it any wonder that the middle class has been destroyed and that the rich have gotten enormously richer, recession be damned? News has become propaganda, issues lost in packaging and sloganeering.
For me, it's time for another political party. The democrats deserved defeat. I can no longer trust them to deliver any more than I can imagine the Republican party of Mitch McConnell, Dick Armey, John Boehner, Sarah Palin and Rand Paul coming up with anything I'd vote for. Someone needs to step up to the task and I'll vote for him or her. It has to be soon, however and my guess is will be Mike Bloomberg, a man with a name, a brain and big bucks.
People are going to have to trust a new party to overhaul the tax code fairly so that it protects American ideals, supports the elderly, the indigent and disabled while encouraging investment and growth. People of all stripes feel cheated and ripped off today, so if deductions for mortgages and charitable gifts are changed or eliminated, for instance, their loss will be offset by new moves to make union organization automatic or similar efforts to strengthen the middle class. Efforts to cut the national debt and/or balance the budget by skinning the middle class will unacceptable. Our next leader is going to have to know how to communicate broadly and specifically in the clearest terms, for the Republicans have proved beyond a shadow of doubt that packaging, style and slogans rule the day. I'm ready to follow a new leader if he/she will show me where to go.
I've been a practicing Democrat for the last 50 years and now I don't really have a place to go with my anger, no rage is a better word, and frustrations with the weak, unruly and selfish bunch who call themselves the democratic leadership. Not President Obama, who could have led them to glory if they'd given him even half a chance, but the Blue Dogs, the poseurs, and penny ante congressmen and senators who always put their interests first and squandered the oppurtunity of a life time. They deserve to be defeated, even by the dismal ranks of the Republican tide of lying, cynical, midgets who did them in and who will now resume their do nothing destruction of the Republic.
Anyone who is not convinced that things can change rapoidly in American politics has not been watching the last 2 years of American history. What is equally clear is that is that our two party system is dead, not dying, but deceased. Government today is smoke and mirrors. Policies are determined on Wall Street in New York and brokered in Washington to the highest bidder. Is it any wonder that the middle class has been destroyed and that the rich have gotten enormously richer, recession be damned? News has become propaganda, issues lost in packaging and sloganeering.
For me, it's time for another political party. The democrats deserved defeat. I can no longer trust them to deliver any more than I can imagine the Republican party of Mitch McConnell, Dick Armey, John Boehner, Sarah Palin and Rand Paul coming up with anything I'd vote for. Someone needs to step up to the task and I'll vote for him or her. It has to be soon, however and my guess is will be Mike Bloomberg, a man with a name, a brain and big bucks.
People are going to have to trust a new party to overhaul the tax code fairly so that it protects American ideals, supports the elderly, the indigent and disabled while encouraging investment and growth. People of all stripes feel cheated and ripped off today, so if deductions for mortgages and charitable gifts are changed or eliminated, for instance, their loss will be offset by new moves to make union organization automatic or similar efforts to strengthen the middle class. Efforts to cut the national debt and/or balance the budget by skinning the middle class will unacceptable. Our next leader is going to have to know how to communicate broadly and specifically in the clearest terms, for the Republicans have proved beyond a shadow of doubt that packaging, style and slogans rule the day. I'm ready to follow a new leader if he/she will show me where to go.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Celestial Navigation
A number of my good friends have been sailors. They've built boats with their own hands, raced them and been U S Navy officers; they're familiar with the stars, warm bridge coats and short watches "before the rising sun." Many of them have also been fine athletes, because sailing requires discipline, concentration and stamina.
Despite the awful jokes about God playing golf, I think He particularly likes athletes because they are using the wonderful minds and bodies He gave them for a decent purpose and refining their skills. I appreciate athletes, too, and I've always ranked them mentally as simply good athletically, good athletically and scholastically and, at the top of the heap, those who are fine athletes with excellent minds and an understanding of God's loving relationship with His people.
Throughout the New testament there are numerous references to an athletic approach to living life, "running the good race, the victor's crown," etc. We are instructed on how to dresss for combat ("put on the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, etc. "and the terms of the conflict are painted vividly. In defying sin, we are fighting all the powers of Hell. This makes every day a noble effort rather than just another game to be won or lost. Best yet, in the game God is interested in, one can lose again and again and still win, not with a desperate pass with a terrible name, but a redemption that lets us join Christ's victory at the finish line.
The game I am thinking about goes on long after we lose the ability to be good sailors or golfers. Are we still thinking about wins, as we move into our late 70's and beyond? Unless you are a household name, your experience is seemingly worth zero; a silver star or a knighthood? Forget it. Who knows, who cares? But I think, if one's motive is pure, there are innumerable things that can be done at almost any age to score big. That is certainly the way God planned it.
At the very least, many older people hope they can die well, being cheerful and without complaint. (If there is anything I am certain about it is that literally no one wants to hear about anyone's poor health.) Maybe they can still rescue someone from a car wreck, but that would probably require a small miracle. Surely, however, seniors can think up a good idea or two. Start up a charity in your basement like one of those mentioned recently in the NY Times Magazine. I like the idea of quietly or anonymously supplying some family or young person with direct financial aid, no strings attached. Share a trip or cultural event with some promising young person in school who can't afford such an experience. I have been a recruiter for my college for years, and I am pained to say that those kids who can afford mind expanding experiences almost have to score higher than those who must help tend the family's store whenever they have a free moment. Focus on women, too, they are still a long way from parity with men and they can surely do better. Who knows, when all the planets are aligned properly, what good things might happen right up to the very end.
Despite the awful jokes about God playing golf, I think He particularly likes athletes because they are using the wonderful minds and bodies He gave them for a decent purpose and refining their skills. I appreciate athletes, too, and I've always ranked them mentally as simply good athletically, good athletically and scholastically and, at the top of the heap, those who are fine athletes with excellent minds and an understanding of God's loving relationship with His people.
Throughout the New testament there are numerous references to an athletic approach to living life, "running the good race, the victor's crown," etc. We are instructed on how to dresss for combat ("put on the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, etc. "and the terms of the conflict are painted vividly. In defying sin, we are fighting all the powers of Hell. This makes every day a noble effort rather than just another game to be won or lost. Best yet, in the game God is interested in, one can lose again and again and still win, not with a desperate pass with a terrible name, but a redemption that lets us join Christ's victory at the finish line.
The game I am thinking about goes on long after we lose the ability to be good sailors or golfers. Are we still thinking about wins, as we move into our late 70's and beyond? Unless you are a household name, your experience is seemingly worth zero; a silver star or a knighthood? Forget it. Who knows, who cares? But I think, if one's motive is pure, there are innumerable things that can be done at almost any age to score big. That is certainly the way God planned it.
At the very least, many older people hope they can die well, being cheerful and without complaint. (If there is anything I am certain about it is that literally no one wants to hear about anyone's poor health.) Maybe they can still rescue someone from a car wreck, but that would probably require a small miracle. Surely, however, seniors can think up a good idea or two. Start up a charity in your basement like one of those mentioned recently in the NY Times Magazine. I like the idea of quietly or anonymously supplying some family or young person with direct financial aid, no strings attached. Share a trip or cultural event with some promising young person in school who can't afford such an experience. I have been a recruiter for my college for years, and I am pained to say that those kids who can afford mind expanding experiences almost have to score higher than those who must help tend the family's store whenever they have a free moment. Focus on women, too, they are still a long way from parity with men and they can surely do better. Who knows, when all the planets are aligned properly, what good things might happen right up to the very end.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Written for the Ages?
Below is a list of books and documents that I feel are written for the ages and not subject to question or careful revision.
Don't see it? Good. It's not there. Not the Holy Bible, not the Constitution of the United Staes, not E=Mc2.
As you might guess from blogs I have written, I am a repenting sinner and a practicing Christian who believes every word of the Apostle's Creed. I do not, however, believe in countless statements in the Bible that make no sense today and seem incompatible with the Good News of Jesus Christ, which itself represents a New Covenant offered by God to His people, after the Flood.
Antonin Scalia, the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court best kown for his strong belief in strictly interpreting the US Constitution, is a legal scholar I can't argue with, but common sense tells me his cause is basically flawed. It simply doesn't allow for the explosive changes that have legitimately occured in the world we live in, which is led by the United States of America. We've ammended the Constitution many times and we should not be afraid to do so again. In the meantime it needs to be interpreted not merely recited.
Einstein's famous formula concerning relativity looks like a winner in the Truth Forever category, but who really knows? He apparently made plenty of mistakes and the day may come when his best idea will simply be tossed on to the scap heap of science. And Einstein won't mind because he was seeking truth, which is what counts.
I am weary and wary of people who have got all the answers. Politicians who sound so earnest, ministers and priests who are supremely confident that they know God's mind and heart positively annoy me. They have disappointed so many times, it's a wonder many of them are again given the time to speak. Many of the events I see coming could turn the world upside down. We need people with the depth of perspective to respond with fresh wisdom and courageous action.
Don't see it? Good. It's not there. Not the Holy Bible, not the Constitution of the United Staes, not E=Mc2.
As you might guess from blogs I have written, I am a repenting sinner and a practicing Christian who believes every word of the Apostle's Creed. I do not, however, believe in countless statements in the Bible that make no sense today and seem incompatible with the Good News of Jesus Christ, which itself represents a New Covenant offered by God to His people, after the Flood.
Antonin Scalia, the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court best kown for his strong belief in strictly interpreting the US Constitution, is a legal scholar I can't argue with, but common sense tells me his cause is basically flawed. It simply doesn't allow for the explosive changes that have legitimately occured in the world we live in, which is led by the United States of America. We've ammended the Constitution many times and we should not be afraid to do so again. In the meantime it needs to be interpreted not merely recited.
Einstein's famous formula concerning relativity looks like a winner in the Truth Forever category, but who really knows? He apparently made plenty of mistakes and the day may come when his best idea will simply be tossed on to the scap heap of science. And Einstein won't mind because he was seeking truth, which is what counts.
I am weary and wary of people who have got all the answers. Politicians who sound so earnest, ministers and priests who are supremely confident that they know God's mind and heart positively annoy me. They have disappointed so many times, it's a wonder many of them are again given the time to speak. Many of the events I see coming could turn the world upside down. We need people with the depth of perspective to respond with fresh wisdom and courageous action.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Test Time for America
It's here! Finally, inevitably. Test time for America.
No, I don't mean the mid-term elections, now only 15 days, 7 hours and 43 minutes away, as our pretend press corps reports 24/7 from some redoubt in Iowa. It's our equivalent of the famous Battle for Britain.
Americans are furious and scared at the moment, outraged with government at all levels and politicians of both parties and they have every right to be angry. They have been betrayed by religious leaders, predatory business people, even sports heroes and they are throwing wild punches right and left. They are enduring 2 wars they don't want and reeling from terrible financial losses, too, while 15 million are unemployed. Capitalism needs some adjustments. Soon, if worse distractions like riots, assassinations, and terrorist attacks don't intervene, they will more calmly come to understand what has actually gone wrong and who specifically is responsible. The goodness and greatness of our people will burst through and we will settle down as a nation to repair the damage and live with the wonderful things we have. That's my hope and prayer because we are of the same blood as our valiant English cousins and those indomitable pioneers who made this country great. This could be one of "our finest hours."
But not if we don't get coherent political leadership. This is no slap at President Obama, whom I admire and respect. I simply see no chance whatsoever that either of our two political parties can handle this crisis. Democrats have been craven and reckless, impossible to lead, while Republicans have been criminally irresponsible and cynical beyond belief, especially when a crisis is at hand. We must have a 3rd party as quickly as possible and I absolutely don't mean the Tea Party.
First, there has to be a public debate about what kind of a country we want to be. The ideological garbage has to be dumped as it clashes with the tides of history. Example: women, composing half of the human race, have been striving for equality with men for thousands of years. They will not be denied, so forget about repealing Roe v. Wade. The country has accepted that people can have different lifestyles, so knock off the bigotry on gays. Legalize sex and drugs; they've been around forever and regulation causes more problems than it can ever prevent. Americans want Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid and when the actual truth is known about Obama Care 42 million Americans will want it. We do not want a country where 24% of the wealth is owned by 1% of the people. We do not want bedroom police peering into our homes. Pass legislation that America can never go to war for more than 90 days without starting a national draft. Change the rules of Congress so that a disciplined or spiteful minority cannot block important legislation. Stop perpetual political campaigning and get the special interests out of campaign financing. Bite the bullet and raise taxes without partisanship. These are some of the preconditions for an effective 3rd party. The future leaders are there in people like Mike Bloomberg, David Petraeous and many more. We're in an existential crisis with no time for posturing and pettiness.
America has never been occupied by a foreign power. Our cities have never been bombed to rubble. Our people have never been enslaved or dominated. We will pass this test because we have to. It has already been brutally painful and more difficult days and years lie ahead, but we'll do it and be stronger for the effort.
No, I don't mean the mid-term elections, now only 15 days, 7 hours and 43 minutes away, as our pretend press corps reports 24/7 from some redoubt in Iowa. It's our equivalent of the famous Battle for Britain.
Americans are furious and scared at the moment, outraged with government at all levels and politicians of both parties and they have every right to be angry. They have been betrayed by religious leaders, predatory business people, even sports heroes and they are throwing wild punches right and left. They are enduring 2 wars they don't want and reeling from terrible financial losses, too, while 15 million are unemployed. Capitalism needs some adjustments. Soon, if worse distractions like riots, assassinations, and terrorist attacks don't intervene, they will more calmly come to understand what has actually gone wrong and who specifically is responsible. The goodness and greatness of our people will burst through and we will settle down as a nation to repair the damage and live with the wonderful things we have. That's my hope and prayer because we are of the same blood as our valiant English cousins and those indomitable pioneers who made this country great. This could be one of "our finest hours."
But not if we don't get coherent political leadership. This is no slap at President Obama, whom I admire and respect. I simply see no chance whatsoever that either of our two political parties can handle this crisis. Democrats have been craven and reckless, impossible to lead, while Republicans have been criminally irresponsible and cynical beyond belief, especially when a crisis is at hand. We must have a 3rd party as quickly as possible and I absolutely don't mean the Tea Party.
First, there has to be a public debate about what kind of a country we want to be. The ideological garbage has to be dumped as it clashes with the tides of history. Example: women, composing half of the human race, have been striving for equality with men for thousands of years. They will not be denied, so forget about repealing Roe v. Wade. The country has accepted that people can have different lifestyles, so knock off the bigotry on gays. Legalize sex and drugs; they've been around forever and regulation causes more problems than it can ever prevent. Americans want Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid and when the actual truth is known about Obama Care 42 million Americans will want it. We do not want a country where 24% of the wealth is owned by 1% of the people. We do not want bedroom police peering into our homes. Pass legislation that America can never go to war for more than 90 days without starting a national draft. Change the rules of Congress so that a disciplined or spiteful minority cannot block important legislation. Stop perpetual political campaigning and get the special interests out of campaign financing. Bite the bullet and raise taxes without partisanship. These are some of the preconditions for an effective 3rd party. The future leaders are there in people like Mike Bloomberg, David Petraeous and many more. We're in an existential crisis with no time for posturing and pettiness.
America has never been occupied by a foreign power. Our cities have never been bombed to rubble. Our people have never been enslaved or dominated. We will pass this test because we have to. It has already been brutally painful and more difficult days and years lie ahead, but we'll do it and be stronger for the effort.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)