Yesterday a coworker was talking about the Muslim cultural center near ground zero. He was accusing Obama of supporting the center, and suggesting that we should just bomb all those countries. Though I was not in the discussion I spoke up. I defended Obama for his support of our constitution. I defended the center. I defended the right of Manhattan to self govern. I defended freedom of religion.
Last night Dianne and I ended up watching most of South Pacific. There were several parts that brought me to tears, none more so than this.
South Pacific
South Pacific was written in 1949.
61 years later:
The mortgage companies bypassed the red-lining laws to re-impoverish blacks and other minorities.
Muslims are all considered potential terrorists (whatever that is) because a few Muslims committed mass murder, including the murder of innocent Muslims.
The government has sanctioned the killing of Mexicans; forcing them to cross the border where the risks are the highest, and preventing people from providing the basic aid to keep them alive.
We are denying people the right to marriage based only upon the gender of who they love.
61 years later. I cry for the victims. I cry for those who hate. I cry for a nation founded under the self evident truth "that all men (and women) are created equal".
61 years. The tears were for the characters, but the tears were also for the nation.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I understand why Michael Steele was attacked so viciously for his comments on the Afghanistan war. It was not that he said "this was a war of Obama's choosing." It is that he told the truth.
"Well, if he's (Obama is) such a student of history, has he not understood that you know that's the one thing you don't do, is engage in a land war in Afghanistan? All right, because everyone who has tried, over a thousand years of history, has failed. And there are reasons for that. There are other ways to engage in Afghanistan."
While Russia was fighting in Afghanistan for a decade their budget deficit ballooned, and their internal infrastructure crumbled. Many historians believe that this and other imperialistic activities caused the downfall of the Soviet Union.
Sound familiar?
Do you know of any other country with military bases across the globe?
(Hint: As of 2005 the United States had 737 military bases on foreign soil. )
Is there any other country where the roads are crumbling, but money is being spent to control internal travel?
(Hint 1: 70,000 bridges in the United States are structurally deficient.)
(Hint 2: In 2008 an estimated 63% of major urban roadways were considered to be in less than good shape.)
(Hint 3: The TSA budget for 2010 is $7.8 billion, an increase of $800 million from 2009.)
(Hint 4: There is no count or accounting of people on the no-fly list, though it is known that non-dangerous people are not allowed to fly.)
Do you know of another country building walls on its boarders?
(Hint: Look south.)
Mr. Obama, tear that wall down! Mr. Obama, close our overseas bases! Mr. Obama, spend my tax money on us, the U.S. That will be a true war on terror.
"Well, if he's (Obama is) such a student of history, has he not understood that you know that's the one thing you don't do, is engage in a land war in Afghanistan? All right, because everyone who has tried, over a thousand years of history, has failed. And there are reasons for that. There are other ways to engage in Afghanistan."
While Russia was fighting in Afghanistan for a decade their budget deficit ballooned, and their internal infrastructure crumbled. Many historians believe that this and other imperialistic activities caused the downfall of the Soviet Union.
Sound familiar?
Do you know of any other country with military bases across the globe?
(Hint: As of 2005 the United States had 737 military bases on foreign soil. )
Is there any other country where the roads are crumbling, but money is being spent to control internal travel?
(Hint 1: 70,000 bridges in the United States are structurally deficient.)
(Hint 2: In 2008 an estimated 63% of major urban roadways were considered to be in less than good shape.)
(Hint 3: The TSA budget for 2010 is $7.8 billion, an increase of $800 million from 2009.)
(Hint 4: There is no count or accounting of people on the no-fly list, though it is known that non-dangerous people are not allowed to fly.)
Do you know of another country building walls on its boarders?
(Hint: Look south.)
Mr. Obama, tear that wall down! Mr. Obama, close our overseas bases! Mr. Obama, spend my tax money on us, the U.S. That will be a true war on terror.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
"All you need is love"
Most of my writings are depressing. I found this uplifting, and hope you do too. Please note that "we" includes me. I am not lecturing, but rather sharing.
On the south side of the entrance to the Sydney Harbor is The Gap Park with rocky cliffs. There is one location that has been a notorious suicide spot since the 1800's. In those last desperate moments before jumping many people have had a stranger walk up behind them, and with a smile ask "Why don't you come and have a cup of tea?" That stranger in Don Ritchie.
Richie has lived across the street from the cliff for almost 50 years. He is 84 years old, 6'2" tall, with blue eyes and a raspy voice. He has been described as exuding calm. The official tally of people who have accepted his invitation is 150 people. Unofficially the count is closer to 400 people.
Richie can not stop everyone, and some jump. These people do not haunt Richie; he did what he could. Moya, Richie's wife said "I think, 'isn't it wonderful that we live here and we can help people?'".
The Golden Gate Bridge is another notorious suicide spot. 29 people have jumped and lived. One of those survivors is John Kevin Hines. At 19 he paced the bridge weeping, and hoping someone would ask him what was wrong. After 40 minutes someone approached and asked him to take her picture. Moments later he jumped. Mr. Hines says that if one person had shown concern he probably would not have jumped.
How much effort is it to smile at a stranger? We never know, it just might improve someone's day. Are we really so tied up in ourselves that we can't show compassion for a stranger? It might cost us minutes of the rest of our life, but we never know, it just might add years to someone else's.
Smile. Mr. Hines is.
On the south side of the entrance to the Sydney Harbor is The Gap Park with rocky cliffs. There is one location that has been a notorious suicide spot since the 1800's. In those last desperate moments before jumping many people have had a stranger walk up behind them, and with a smile ask "Why don't you come and have a cup of tea?" That stranger in Don Ritchie.Richie has lived across the street from the cliff for almost 50 years. He is 84 years old, 6'2" tall, with blue eyes and a raspy voice. He has been described as exuding calm. The official tally of people who have accepted his invitation is 150 people. Unofficially the count is closer to 400 people.
Richie can not stop everyone, and some jump. These people do not haunt Richie; he did what he could. Moya, Richie's wife said "I think, 'isn't it wonderful that we live here and we can help people?'".
The Golden Gate Bridge is another notorious suicide spot. 29 people have jumped and lived. One of those survivors is John Kevin Hines. At 19 he paced the bridge weeping, and hoping someone would ask him what was wrong. After 40 minutes someone approached and asked him to take her picture. Moments later he jumped. Mr. Hines says that if one person had shown concern he probably would not have jumped.How much effort is it to smile at a stranger? We never know, it just might improve someone's day. Are we really so tied up in ourselves that we can't show compassion for a stranger? It might cost us minutes of the rest of our life, but we never know, it just might add years to someone else's.
Smile. Mr. Hines is.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Another letter
The people of Gaza have suffered enough. All they want to do is defend themselves and for that crime the Israeli and U.S. governments have been punishing them with death. Please help the international community bring an end to this suffering. If all you can do is send a message, follow the "contact the White House" link on this site and let the White House know how you feel.
The attack on the Gaza flotilla gives us an opportunity to open the eyes of the country to what is happening. We need to use it.
The following letter was sent to the President. My apology for the formatting. It looked nicer in MS Word.
President Barack Obama
The attack on the Gaza flotilla gives us an opportunity to open the eyes of the country to what is happening. We need to use it.
The following letter was sent to the President. My apology for the formatting. It looked nicer in MS Word.
President Barack Obama
The White House1800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Mr. President
Washington, DC 20500
Mr. President
Last month Israel attacked a Gaza flotilla on the high seas in violation of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea[i]. In the process of this violation at least 9 people were killed including at least one U.S. citizen. They repeated the violation on the second Gaza flotilla, though this time without fatalities.
This was the latest example of Israel's disregard for international law, and the latest example of our unwillingness to confront Israel even when U.S. citizens are killed by Israeli actions[ii] [iii] [iv]. Israel has come to count on our inaction, even when their actions are so egregious that the U.S. is the only U.N. member blocking U.N. action against Israel[v].
Israel has attempted to control all information about what happened, starting before the initial attack. Here is what we do know.
- The members of the flotilla were unarmed and unprepared for a military conflict. They used found sticks and kitchen knives to try and defend themselves.
- The Israeli attackers confiscated all media that they found, and have used their stolen goods to "shape the story" in their interest.
- The Israeli government has not returned their stolen goods.
- The Israeli government has heavily edited the stolen video and released it.
- The members of the flotilla treated injured Israeli attackers for minor injuries and then returned them to their attackers.
- The Israeli attackers denied medical help to severely injured civilians and allowed them to die.
- There are people that are unaccounted for.
- Video that did get out clearly shows that the people on the boat were using speakers to announce that they were civilians and not armed.
- The civilians were kidnapped by the Israeli government, forced to enter Israel against their will, and then expelled from Israel for entering the country illegally.
It can be claimed that under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea Israel committed an act of piracy[vi].
Because of the severity of the Israeli actions, and their belief that they can take whatever action they want regardless of the cost in human lives and international law, the reaction of the U.S. government needs to be more than just words. In the spirit of the people on the flotilla who believe in nonviolence, a violent response is not called for. At a minimum we do need to do the following.
- Break the Gaza blockade. In response to this outrageous action the U.S. needs to start transporting aid to Gaza WITHOUT ISRAELI PERMISSION.
- Give the Israeli government a specified number of hours (I suggest 12) to return of all stolen goods in the condition it was stolen. That includes all media with the content intact and unedited.
- Account for the missing people. They are the only people who can.
- Tell Israel that they must resend the absurd expulsions of any U.S. citizen as they entered Israel against their will.
- Inform the Israeli government that unless they comply with numbers 2, 3 and 4 above we will begin to expel Israeli ambassadors.
- Take these actions publically so that the U.S. citizens will know the extent of the Israeli crimes.
- Support an international investigation of this event, and support the conclusions.
- Call for an investigation of any U.S. sold equipment used in this action, and of any U.S. government support for this action.
Friends do not blindly support all actions of friends. At some point friends will intervene in the actions of a friend. If we are truly a friend of Israel we must intervene. Israel's response will tell us if they are truly a friend.
Stanford Smith
Cc: Senator Mark Udall, Senator Michael F. Bennet, Representative Mike Coffman
[i] United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 10 December 1982, Article 110
Right of visit
1. Except where acts of interference derive from powers conferred by treaty, a warship which encounters on the high seas a foreign ship, other than a ship entitled to complete immunity in accordance with articles 95 and 96, is not justified in boarding it unless there is reasonable ground for suspecting that:
(a) the ship is engaged in piracy;
(b) the ship is engaged in the slave trade;
(c) the ship is engaged in unauthorized broadcasting and the flag State of the warship has jurisdiction under article 109;
(d) the ship is without nationality; or
(e) though flying a foreign flag or refusing to show its flag, the ship is, in reality, of the same nationality as the warship.
2. In the cases provided for in paragraph 1, the warship may proceed to verify the ship's right to fly its flag. To this end, it may send a boat under the command of an officer to the suspected ship. If suspicion remains after the documents have been checked, it may proceed to a further examination on board the ship, which must be carried out with all possible consideration.
3. If the suspicions prove to be unfounded, and provided that the ship boarded has not committed any act justifying them, it shall be compensated for any loss or damage that may have been sustained.
4. These provisions apply mutatis mutandis to military aircraft.
5. These provisions also apply to any other duly authorized ships or aircraft clearly marked and identifiable as being on government service.
This is only one of the provisions violated.
[ii] On June 8, 1967 34 U.S. citizens were killed when Israel attacked the USS Liberty. There is strong evidence that the investigation was at best insufficient, and possibly a cover-up. U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk and most of the witnesses to the event believe that the attack was intentional.
[iii] On March 16, 2003 Rachel Aliene Corrie acted as a human shield to prevent the demolition of Palestinian homes. Eyewitnesses said "there was nothing to obscure the driver's view" as he crushed this Evergreen State College student.
[iv] On May 31, 2010 Furkan Dogan was shot 5 times, 4 times in the head at almost point black range. There is no physical possibility that 4 shots to the head were all in self defense (the Israeli explanation for the killings).
U.S. Vetoes of UN Resolutions Critical of Israel
(1972-2006)
Vetoes: 1972-1982
Subject | Date & Meeting | US Rep Casting Veto | Vote |
Palestine: Syrian-Lebanese Complaint. 3 power draft resolution 2/10784 | 9/10/1972 | Bush | 13-1, 1 |
Palestine: Examination of Middle East Situation. 8-power draft resolution (S/10974) | 7/2/1973 | Scali | 13-1, 0 (China not partic.) |
Palestine: Egyptian-Lebanese Complaint. 5-power draft power resolution (S/11898) | 12/8/1975 | Moynihan | 13-1, 1 |
Palestine: Middle East Problem, including Palestinian question. 6-power draft resolution (S/11940) | 1/26/1976 | Moynihan | 9-1,3 (China & Libya not partic.) |
Palestine: Situation in Occupied Arab Territories. 5-power draft resolution (S/12022) | 3/25/1976 | Scranton | 14-1,0 |
Palestine: Report on Committee on Rights of Palestinian People. 4-power draft resolution (S/121119) | 6/29/1976 | Sherer | 10-1,4 |
Palestine: Palestinian Rights. Tunisian draft resolution. (S/13911) | 4/30/1980 | McHenry | 10-1,4 |
Palestine: Golan Heights. Jordan draft resolution. (S/14832/Rev. 2) | 1/20/1982 | Kirkpatrick | 9-1,5 |
Palestine: Situation in Occupied Territories, Jordan draft resolution (S/14943) | 4/2/1982 | Lichenstein | 13-1,1 |
Palestine: Incident at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. 4-power draft resolution | 4/20/1982 | Kirpatrick | 14-1, 0 |
Palestine: Conflict in Lebanon. Spain draft resolution. (S/15185) | 6/8/1982 | Kirpatrick | 14-1,0 |
Palestine: Conflict in Lebanon. France draft resolution. (S/15255/Rev. 2) | 6/26/1982 | Lichenstein | 14-1 |
Palestine: Conflict in Lebanon. USSR draft resolution. (S/15347/Rev. 1, as orally amended) | 8/6/1982 | Lichenstein | 11-1,3 |
Palestine: Situation in Occupied Territories, 20-power draft resolution (S/15895) | 8/2/1983 | Lichenstein | 13-1,1 |
Security Council Vetoes/Negative voting 1983-present
Subject | Date | Vote |
Occupied Arab Territories: Wholesale condemnation of Israeli settlement policies - not adopted | 1983 |
|
S. Lebanon: Condemns Israeli action in southern Lebanon. S/16732 | 9/6/1984 | Vetoed: 13-1 (U.S.), with 1 abstention (UK) |
Occupied Territories: Deplores "repressive measures" by Israel against Arab population. S/19459. | 9/13/1985 | Vetoed: 10-1 (U.S.), with 4 abstentions (Australia, Denmark, UK, France) |
Lebanon: Condemns Israeli practices against civilians in southern Lebanon. S/17000. | 3/12/1985 | Vetoed: 11-1 (U.S.), with 3 abstentions (Australia, Denmark, UK) |
Occupied Territories: Calls upon Israel to respect Muslim holy places. S/17769/Rev. 1 | 1/30/1986 | Vetoed: 13-1 (US), with one abstention (Thailand) |
Lebanon: Condemns Israeli practices against civilians in southern Lebanon. S/17730/Rev. 2. | 1/17/1986 | Vetoed: 11-1 (U.S.), with 3 abstentions (Australia, Denmark, UK) |
Libya/Israel: Condemns Israeli interception of Libyan plane. S/17796/Rev. 1. | 2/6/1986 | Vetoed: 10 -1 (US), with 4 abstentions (Australia, Denmark, France, UK) |
Lebanon: Draft strongly deplored repeated Israeli attacks against Lebanese territory and other measures and practices against the civilian population; (S/19434) | 1/18/1988 | vetoed 13-1 (US), with 1 abstention (UK) |
Lebanon: Draft condemned recent invasion by Israeli forces of Southern Lebanon and repeated a call for the immediate withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Lebanese territory; (S/19868) | 5/10/1988 | vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Lebanon: Draft strongly deplored the recent Israeli attack against Lebanese territory on 9 December 1988; (S/20322) | 12/14/1988 | vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Occupied territories: Draft called on Israel to accept de jure applicability of the 4th Geneva Convention; (S/19466) | 1988 | vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Occupied territories: Draft urged Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention, rescind the order to deport Palestinian civilians, and condemned policies and practices of Israel that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories; (S/19780) | 1988 | vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Occupied territories: Strongly deplored Israeli policies and practices in the occupied territories, and strongly deplored also Israel's continued disregard of relevant Security Council decisions. | 2/17/1989 | Vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Occupied territories: Condemned Israeli policies and practices in the occupied territories. | 6/9/1989 | Vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Occupied territories: Deplored Israel's policies and practices in the occupied territories. | 11/7/1989 | Vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Occupied territories: NAM draft resolution to create a commission and send three security council members to Rishon Lezion, where an Israeli gunmen shot down seven Palestinian workers. | 5/31/1990 | Vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Middle East: Confirms that the expropriation of land by Israel in East Jerusalem is invalid and in violation of relevant Security Council resolutions and provisions of the Fourth Geneva convention; expresses support of peace process, including the Declaration of Principles of 9/13/1993 | 5/17/1995 | Vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Middle East: Calls upon Israeli authorities to refrain from all actions or measures, including settlement activities. | 3/7/1997 | Vetoed 14-1 (US) |
Middle East: Demands that Israel cease construction of the settlement in east Jerusalem (called Jabal Abu Ghneim by the Palestinians and Har Homa by Israel), as well as all the other Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories | 3/21/1997 | Vetoed 13-1,1 (US) |
Call for UN Observers Force in West Bank, Gaza | 3/27/2001 | Vetoed 9-1 (US), |
Condemned acts of terror, demanded an end to violence and the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to bring in observers. | 12/14/2001 | Vetoed 12-1 (US) |
On the killing by Israeli forces of several UN employees and the destruction of the World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse | 12/19/2002 | 12-1 (US) |
Demand that Israel halt threats to expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat | 9/16/03 | Vetoed 11-1 (US) |
Seeks to bar Israel from extending security fence | 10/14/03 | Vetoed 10-1 with four absentations (Britain, Germany, Bulgaria and Cameroon) |
Condemns Israel for killing Ahmed Yassin | 3/25/04 | Vetoed 11-1 (US) |
Calls For Israel To Halt Gaza Operation | 10/05/04 | Vetoed 11-1 (US) |
Calls For Israel To Halt Gaza Operation | 7/13/06 | Vetoed 10-1 (US) |
Calls For Israel To Halt Gaza Operation | 11/11/06 | Vetoed 10-1 (US) |
Source: U.S. State Department; UN, various news sources
[vi] United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 10 December 1982, Article101
Definition of piracy
Piracy consists of any of the following acts:
(a) any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft, and directed:
(i) on the high seas, against another ship or aircraft, or against persons or property on board such ship or aircraft;
(ii) against a ship, aircraft, persons or property in a place outside the jurisdiction of any State;
(b) any act of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts making it a pirate ship or aircraft;
(c) any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating an act described in subparagraph (a) or (b).
Thursday, April 29, 2010
... governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
The title of this post comes from the Declaration of Independence. This is a very powerful statement, both threatening to government and placing extreme responsibility upon the governed. Because government derives their right to govern from us, when government infringes upon unalienable rights, we are collectively responsible for their actions.
What Israel has done to Palestine is a modern example of "a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism. ... it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."
Though the Declaration of Independence was written to justify the self defense of the colonies against abuse, at no point does it hold the governed innocent for government abuse of those not consenting to be governed. Under the name of the War on Terror our government kidnapped people, held them without trial, and tortured them. These citizens of other nations did not consent to be governed by us. Some of these people did nothing wrong except to be of the wrong religion and in the wrong place. If our declaration of independence was justified; if the very beliefs that formed the basis of our form of government as expressed in the Constitution are still our beliefs today, then we have a moral duty to correct these wrongs and insure that they never happen again.
This is not an issue of the past. We are still holding innocent people only because they can not be returned to their nation of origin. We still have innocent people held in chains (literally). When we do release them they are kept in chains and locked to the floor of the plane as we return them to their country.
There is one and only one way to insure that no leader of the United States ever treats humans as inhumanely as we have recently. That is to take the leaders, all of who consented to be governed, and give them what they what they took away from so many. We must give them a fair trail and if appropriate send them to prison.
The logical question, and one I was asked is "what can I do?" I too feel that what I do is insignificant. This is what Patti Smith said in an interview.
This blog is one of my "smallest things." It does good only if it is read. Patti Smith's music only has an impact if people listen to it.
Murat Kurnaz was born in 1984. In 2001 he was detained, abused, and held at Guantanamo, even though he did nothing wrong or against our country. After five years he was returned to Germany, and when his parent removed his chains (yes his parents) he fell down because he didn't know how to walk without chains. This gentleman is now trying to help other victims of our government, and to live without bitterness.
This is a link to Patti Smith's song about Murat Kurnaz.
http://pattismith.net/audio/Without_Chains.mp3
Please help Patti Smith make a difference by sharing her song.
What Israel has done to Palestine is a modern example of "a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism. ... it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."
Though the Declaration of Independence was written to justify the self defense of the colonies against abuse, at no point does it hold the governed innocent for government abuse of those not consenting to be governed. Under the name of the War on Terror our government kidnapped people, held them without trial, and tortured them. These citizens of other nations did not consent to be governed by us. Some of these people did nothing wrong except to be of the wrong religion and in the wrong place. If our declaration of independence was justified; if the very beliefs that formed the basis of our form of government as expressed in the Constitution are still our beliefs today, then we have a moral duty to correct these wrongs and insure that they never happen again.
This is not an issue of the past. We are still holding innocent people only because they can not be returned to their nation of origin. We still have innocent people held in chains (literally). When we do release them they are kept in chains and locked to the floor of the plane as we return them to their country.
There is one and only one way to insure that no leader of the United States ever treats humans as inhumanely as we have recently. That is to take the leaders, all of who consented to be governed, and give them what they what they took away from so many. We must give them a fair trail and if appropriate send them to prison.
The logical question, and one I was asked is "what can I do?" I too feel that what I do is insignificant. This is what Patti Smith said in an interview.
Well, I mean, I would never call myself an activist ever. I don’t really—I mean, I hope that I am a humanist and sort of a good citizen. I really think of the people who are out there in the front lines every day and I am so grateful to all of you. I am sort of- I think of activism on many levels for people that are out in the trenches and then citizens who can do just small things, the smallest things.
This blog is one of my "smallest things." It does good only if it is read. Patti Smith's music only has an impact if people listen to it.
Murat Kurnaz was born in 1984. In 2001 he was detained, abused, and held at Guantanamo, even though he did nothing wrong or against our country. After five years he was returned to Germany, and when his parent removed his chains (yes his parents) he fell down because he didn't know how to walk without chains. This gentleman is now trying to help other victims of our government, and to live without bitterness.
This is a link to Patti Smith's song about Murat Kurnaz.
http://pattismith.net/audio/Without_Chains.mp3
Please help Patti Smith make a difference by sharing her song.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Quotes
Sometimes others have already already put ideas into words better, and more concisely than I can. With that in mind I have some quotes below. I have chosen speakers with proven credentials.
I have included these quotes, most from people with credentials equal to the above, for varying reasons. I hope the author and/or the time makes my reason evident.
I will conclude with these observations.
1. In my life we have been at war during these times.
1977 - 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1993 - 1998, 2000
2. Children born during a time of peace are now at least 9 years old, and we have teenagers who can not remember a time of peace.
"No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare." James Madison
"Thus in my life we have not been involved in military conflicts during 15 of my 60 years." Stanford Smith
I knew I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without first having spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today—my own government. For the sake of those boys, for the sake of this government, for the sake of the hundreds of thousands trembling under our violence, I cannot be silent...
–Martin Luther King, Jr., Riverside Church, NYC April 4, 1967Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes; and armies, and debts, and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the Executive is extended; its influence in dealing out offices, honors, and emoluments is multiplied; and all the means of seducing the minds, are added to those of subduing the force, of the people. The same malignant aspect in republicanism may be traced in the inequality of fortunes, and the opportunities of fraud, growing out of a state of war, and in the degeneracy of manners and of morals engendered by both. No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.
–James Madison, "Political Observations", April 20, 1795; also in Letters and Other Writings of James Madison (1865), Vol. IV, p. 491Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of Vietnam. I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted. I speak for the poor of America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home and death and corruption in Vietnam. I speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours.
-Martin Luther King, Jr., The Trumpet of Conscience, 1967Allow the president to invade a neighboring nation, whenever he shall deem it necessary to repel an invasion, and you allow him to do so whenever he may choose to say he deems it necessary for such a purpose—and you allow him to make war at pleasure.
–Abraham LincolnI destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.
–Abraham LincolnForce is all-conquering, but its victories are short-lived.
–Abraham LincolnAmerica will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter, and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
–Abraham LincolnNothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war.
–Albert EinsteinPeace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.
–Albert EinsteinThe world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.
–Albert EinsteinWars are not paid for in wartime, the bill comes later.
–Benjamin FranklinA highwayman is as much a robber when he plunders in a gang as when single; and a nation that makes an unjust war is only a great gang.
–Benjamin Franklin, Speaking to Benjamin Vaughan, 14 March 1785.I hope....that mankind will at length, as they call themselves responsible creatures, have the reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats...
–Benjamin FranklinThere never was a good war or a bad peace.
–Benjamin FranklinThose who give up essential liberties for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
–Benjamin FranklinWe Americans have no commission from God to police the world.
–Benjamin Harrison, from an 1888 address to CongressNo nation ever had an army large enough to guarantee it against attack in time of peace, or ensure it of victory in time of war.
–Calvin CoolidgeWar is never economically beneficial except for those in position to profit from war expenditures.
–Congressman Ron PaulWe will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security.
–Dwight D. EisenhowerWar settles nothing.
–Dwight D. EisenhowerI think that people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of their way and let them have it.
–Dwight D. EisenhowerIn politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.
–Franklin Delano RooseveltI have included these quotes, most from people with credentials equal to the above, for varying reasons. I hope the author and/or the time makes my reason evident.
Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.
–Adolph HitlerWhy should we hear about body bags, and deaths...I mean, it's not relevant. So why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?
–Barbara Bush, ABC's "Good Morning America," March 18, 2003.You cannot be on one hand dedicated to peace and on the other dedicated to violence. Those two things are irreconcilable.
–Condoleeza Rice, Comment trying to convince mideast policy makers Russia, the EU and the UN to stop aid to the new Hamas Palestinian government; 1/30/06.The question in my mind is how many additional American casualties is Saddam worth? And the answer is not very damned many.
–Dick Cheney, Speaking to the Discovery Institute after the first Gulf War, on 8/14/1992, when he was Secretary of Defense.There are a lot of people who lie and get away with it, and that's just a fact.
–Donald RumsfeldDeath has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.
–Donald RumsfeldI will conclude with these observations.
1. In my life we have been at war during these times.
Korean War 1950 - 1953
Second Indochina War (Vietnam War) advisers and sponsors only 1950 - 1960
Operation Blue Bat 1958
Second Indochina War (Vietnam War) 1960 - 1975
First Taiwan Strait Crisis 1954 - 1955
Second Taiwan Strait Crisis 1958
Bay of Pigs 1961
Operation Power Pack 1965 - 1966
Angolan Civil War 1975 - 1976
Nigerian Civil War 1981 - 1990
First Gulf of Sidra Incident 1981
Operation Urgent Fury 1983
Multinational Forces in Lebanon 1984
Operation Prairie Fire 1986
Operation El Dorado Canyon 1986
Iran-Iraq war 1989
Second Golf of Sidra Incident 1989
Operation Just Cause 1989 - 1990
Gulf War 1991
Somali Civil War 1992
Bosnian War 1992
Operation Uphold Democracy 1999
War on Terrorism 2001 - now
Second Liberian Civil War 2003
2004 Haiti rebelion 2004
Thus in my life we have not been involved in military conflicts during 15 of my 60 years.Second Indochina War (Vietnam War) advisers and sponsors only 1950 - 1960
Operation Blue Bat 1958
Second Indochina War (Vietnam War) 1960 - 1975
First Taiwan Strait Crisis 1954 - 1955
Second Taiwan Strait Crisis 1958
Bay of Pigs 1961
Operation Power Pack 1965 - 1966
Angolan Civil War 1975 - 1976
Nigerian Civil War 1981 - 1990
First Gulf of Sidra Incident 1981
Operation Urgent Fury 1983
Multinational Forces in Lebanon 1984
Operation Prairie Fire 1986
Operation El Dorado Canyon 1986
Iran-Iraq war 1989
Second Golf of Sidra Incident 1989
Operation Just Cause 1989 - 1990
Gulf War 1991
Somali Civil War 1992
Bosnian War 1992
Operation Uphold Democracy 1999
War on Terrorism 2001 - now
Second Liberian Civil War 2003
2004 Haiti rebelion 2004
1977 - 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1993 - 1998, 2000
2. Children born during a time of peace are now at least 9 years old, and we have teenagers who can not remember a time of peace.
"No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare." James Madison
"Thus in my life we have not been involved in military conflicts during 15 of my 60 years." Stanford Smith
A theory
After the December "underwear bomber" incident I realized that Al Qaeda did not really want to blow up the plane, but rather they wanted the U.S. to believe that it was a failed attempt.
Suppose that the "bombing attempt" had succeeded. A bomb would be the immediate suspected cause, and likely Al Qaeda would have taken credit. But, it would take an investigation to determine cause, they might not be able to determine with certainty that it was a bomb, and unless they found pieces of a man's genitals splattered around the plane they would not know where the bomb had been hidden.
Now, look at the results of this and previous "failed" attempts, presuming Al Qaeda's goal is to maximize the impact on our lives. After the "shoe bomber" we had to remove our shoes to go through security. Al Qaeda would know the explosive they used could not be easily set off, and would probably know from reports that even if it had exploded the damage would likely not have been catastrophic.
I imagine the Al Qaeda leadership sitting around making fun of us; thousands upon thousands taking off their shoes just to get on a plane, and someone says "I wonder if we could get them to take off their clothes!" After they stop laughing, one of them on a sleepless night gets an idea. "Of course. Exploding underpants."
Though that conversation is fantasy, look at the results. We are so accustomed to being unreasonably searched without cause that many are willing to be virtually stripped naked by a stranger on a machine with a hard drive on the promise that the image will be destroyed.
I believe that these "failed" attempts are also in the interest of some in our government. There was a study of what average people could come up with to defeat our security, so they know that any steps they take can be defeated. So why is there a rush to implement virtual strip searches, except that they have the technology and were looking for an excuse?
I will conclude with this. Let us hope that no one tries to set off a tampon bomb.
Suppose that the "bombing attempt" had succeeded. A bomb would be the immediate suspected cause, and likely Al Qaeda would have taken credit. But, it would take an investigation to determine cause, they might not be able to determine with certainty that it was a bomb, and unless they found pieces of a man's genitals splattered around the plane they would not know where the bomb had been hidden.
Now, look at the results of this and previous "failed" attempts, presuming Al Qaeda's goal is to maximize the impact on our lives. After the "shoe bomber" we had to remove our shoes to go through security. Al Qaeda would know the explosive they used could not be easily set off, and would probably know from reports that even if it had exploded the damage would likely not have been catastrophic.
I imagine the Al Qaeda leadership sitting around making fun of us; thousands upon thousands taking off their shoes just to get on a plane, and someone says "I wonder if we could get them to take off their clothes!" After they stop laughing, one of them on a sleepless night gets an idea. "Of course. Exploding underpants."
Though that conversation is fantasy, look at the results. We are so accustomed to being unreasonably searched without cause that many are willing to be virtually stripped naked by a stranger on a machine with a hard drive on the promise that the image will be destroyed.
I believe that these "failed" attempts are also in the interest of some in our government. There was a study of what average people could come up with to defeat our security, so they know that any steps they take can be defeated. So why is there a rush to implement virtual strip searches, except that they have the technology and were looking for an excuse?
I will conclude with this. Let us hope that no one tries to set off a tampon bomb.
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