After delving through the extraordinarily well-thought analysis of personal identities (the ideal being one that has been reasoned though to ensure that all applicable identities are considered and, as many as possible, are included in one's own identity), we see how difficult such a objective is in Iraq.
Peter Galbraith has often written on the situation in Iraq. He has advocated for a tripartite solution (Kurds, Sunnis, Shiites) as inevitable since, for it is the reality of Iraq. His current article is devastatingly clear and convincing.
It appears that no one can identify with the nation-state we label "Iraq". It is very clear that the Kurds will never become part of Iraq. They will not even allow an Iraqi flag to fly when ceremonies occur! The Kurds have the only stable area and it is under their control, i.e., no Iraqis are involved in their security.
It is also clear that the Sunnis will never tolerate a Shiite-led government. As Peter Galraith says: "The Sunni tribes also regard Iraq's Shiite-led government as an enemy" and "Sunni fundamentalists consider the Shiites apostates who deserve death, not power".
The article would make any adult weep with bitterness that we have created this mess.
Send in Amartya Sen to see if he can inculcate the virtues of reason!!!!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Impeachment: A Necessity for the Future!
While I have continually thought that impeachment of the President and Vice-President was an appropriate means to address the horrendous distortions of the executive powers to the point that the Constitution is seemingly meaningless, I have tried to rain in my personal views in light of those who say that it will serve no immediate purpose (cf. Nancy Pelosi's statements that impeachment is "off of the table").
However, John Nichols adds fuel to my personal biases.
The issues at stake are so serious that leaving them "off of the table" will reinforce the idea for future inhabitants of the White House to think that these behaviors are acceptable.
For the sake of the future of our Constitution, I agree with those who advocate impeachment of both the President and Vice-President!!
However, John Nichols adds fuel to my personal biases.
The issues at stake are so serious that leaving them "off of the table" will reinforce the idea for future inhabitants of the White House to think that these behaviors are acceptable.
For the sake of the future of our Constitution, I agree with those who advocate impeachment of both the President and Vice-President!!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Leaving Iraq!
In the past, I have referred to the ambiguity of the drive to develop a new strategy in Iraq that will result in our leaving the nation (at least, leave the areas where civil war occurs) and focus only on the terrorists and support of the Iraqi forces. My problem has been two-fold: (a) we initiated the uncalled for action and we are responsible for putting things back together again in some stable fashion, and (b) leaving may represent only an interim maneuver before our need to return to avoid disintegration of the entire nation (with the inevitable involvement of neighboring Muslim nations).
The recent Time article, "How to Leave Iraq", adds another troublesome reality, viz., it takes time to leave, a lot of time. "Pulling out 10 combat brigades — roughly 30,000 troops, along with their gear and support personnel — would take at least 10 months". Were some plans to reduce our forces by half to be implemented, presumably it would be that much longer. Moreover, there are reasons to believe that the departing forces will be easy targets to many Iraqis.
Getting out of a failed nation is no easy task. We never received the welcome envisioned by our Vice-President. I hate to think how we will be perceived as we walk away from the mess we created.
The recent Time article, "How to Leave Iraq", adds another troublesome reality, viz., it takes time to leave, a lot of time. "Pulling out 10 combat brigades — roughly 30,000 troops, along with their gear and support personnel — would take at least 10 months". Were some plans to reduce our forces by half to be implemented, presumably it would be that much longer. Moreover, there are reasons to believe that the departing forces will be easy targets to many Iraqis.
Getting out of a failed nation is no easy task. We never received the welcome envisioned by our Vice-President. I hate to think how we will be perceived as we walk away from the mess we created.
When an Answer Becomes a Problem!
The violence and bloodshed that has marked the last 50 years of self-rule in Africa has been attributed to many factors. One source of the conflicts has been the lack of water, commonly associated with droughts and poor land management.
Now, an underground lake the size of Lake Erie has been found in north Dafur! This seems too good to be true! A solution to one of the major problems affecting the continent.
Based on the experience of the past 50 years (one could even consider how poorly Western Powers ruled before), there are fears that this discovery will result in the same short-sightedness of the central government demonstrated thus far. Unless African leaders can reach beyond their own needs for resources and power to see how the vast majorities in rural areas can benefit, there is fear that this new resource will be exploited to no gain for the masses.
Now, an underground lake the size of Lake Erie has been found in north Dafur! This seems too good to be true! A solution to one of the major problems affecting the continent.
Based on the experience of the past 50 years (one could even consider how poorly Western Powers ruled before), there are fears that this discovery will result in the same short-sightedness of the central government demonstrated thus far. Unless African leaders can reach beyond their own needs for resources and power to see how the vast majorities in rural areas can benefit, there is fear that this new resource will be exploited to no gain for the masses.
"Identity and Violence" by Amartya Sen
Admittedly, I have been influenced in the past years by authors who argue from the view that current events are being driven by culture (religion being also heavily involved). Sam Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” and Vali Nasr’s “The Shia Revival” represent the conflicts of culture (Hindu vs. Muslim, Western vs. Muslim, etc.) or religious identification (Shia vs. Shiites).
While there is truth embodied in such conflicts, there is a need to be reminded that no one is ONLY driven by a culture or a religion. There are other identities a person (potentially at least) has.
Amartya Sen’s “Identity and Violence”, focuses on the need to understand how our cultures have been historically influenced by each other, e.g., West received decimal system from India and printing, gun powder, and magnets came from China and persons can identify with multiple groupings, e.g., political, professional, nationality, religion, etc.
The trick is to contribute to the expansion of reasoning so that more people will see beyond their traditional identities and choose priorities among the various possible identities.
The book (compilations of a series of lectures) is somewhat repetitive in zeroing in the need to expand the people’s need to be more inclusive. But the repetition serves to clarify his propositions.
While there is truth embodied in such conflicts, there is a need to be reminded that no one is ONLY driven by a culture or a religion. There are other identities a person (potentially at least) has.
Amartya Sen’s “Identity and Violence”, focuses on the need to understand how our cultures have been historically influenced by each other, e.g., West received decimal system from India and printing, gun powder, and magnets came from China and persons can identify with multiple groupings, e.g., political, professional, nationality, religion, etc.
The trick is to contribute to the expansion of reasoning so that more people will see beyond their traditional identities and choose priorities among the various possible identities.
The book (compilations of a series of lectures) is somewhat repetitive in zeroing in the need to expand the people’s need to be more inclusive. But the repetition serves to clarify his propositions.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Is It Democrats or Is It the Constitution?
I agree with the polls indicating that the Democratic Congress is performing not much better than the President who now rolls to the bottom! Whatever I expected in terms of change, surely it has not happened. There has been no change in policy or legislation (hard to get too happy that they managed to get approved a change in the minimum wage).
And yet, I can understand why the Democrats have been unsuccessful. The rule of getting 60 votes in the Senate in order to proceed for a vote (with a majority)is unfair (to set a standard above the majority exceeds realistic expectations within the context of a democracy).
I am starting to think that the problem may be more ominous, viz., the Constitution as written.
The problem may relate to the vast difference between the time when the Constitution was devised and current affairs. Matters are so complex today that it is virtually impossible to develop a viable middle ground (i.e., sixty votes) on many issues.
If the current congressional standoff occurred within a parliamentary system, there would be a vote of no confidence and presumably, in the instance, there would be a new election. The Bush Era would be over.
In our situation, we are witnessing the inability of the Democrats to address their constituents who voted for a change in policy in Iraq and the rules of Congress that prohibit the change.
I am hoping that brains will recognize that the inability to move forward signals trouble for our Democracy and they will make the necessary modifications in their legislative proposals to win sufficient votes to proceed with change, even if modest.
And yet, I can understand why the Democrats have been unsuccessful. The rule of getting 60 votes in the Senate in order to proceed for a vote (with a majority)is unfair (to set a standard above the majority exceeds realistic expectations within the context of a democracy).
I am starting to think that the problem may be more ominous, viz., the Constitution as written.
The problem may relate to the vast difference between the time when the Constitution was devised and current affairs. Matters are so complex today that it is virtually impossible to develop a viable middle ground (i.e., sixty votes) on many issues.
If the current congressional standoff occurred within a parliamentary system, there would be a vote of no confidence and presumably, in the instance, there would be a new election. The Bush Era would be over.
In our situation, we are witnessing the inability of the Democrats to address their constituents who voted for a change in policy in Iraq and the rules of Congress that prohibit the change.
I am hoping that brains will recognize that the inability to move forward signals trouble for our Democracy and they will make the necessary modifications in their legislative proposals to win sufficient votes to proceed with change, even if modest.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Another Strategy for Pakistan
Vali Nasr has become my guru of Islam knowledge. His academic credentials as a scholar of the Middle East are good (Naval Postgraduate School and Council of Foreign Relations). He surely has opened my eyes to many of the problems inherent in intra-Islamic conflicts.
In the Christian Science Monitor, he presents an interpretation of what is at stake in Pakistan. While it is common knowledge that Musharraf has manipulated situations to secure his hold on both the military and presidency, I did not know that India has been making positive strides in Afghanistan, setting up offices throughout the country. In the past, the control exercised by the Pashtuns in both northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan served to upset any equilibrium in Afghanistan while providing a protection of Pakistan from India. While recognizing that the United States cannot give Pakistan greater security with India, he concludes by saying that “Washington can give Pakistan greater interest in Afghanistan's stability than it has now by encouraging Kabul to include Pakistan's allies and clients in government; and more important, to finally recognize its international border with Pakistan”.
In the Christian Science Monitor, he presents an interpretation of what is at stake in Pakistan. While it is common knowledge that Musharraf has manipulated situations to secure his hold on both the military and presidency, I did not know that India has been making positive strides in Afghanistan, setting up offices throughout the country. In the past, the control exercised by the Pashtuns in both northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan served to upset any equilibrium in Afghanistan while providing a protection of Pakistan from India. While recognizing that the United States cannot give Pakistan greater security with India, he concludes by saying that “Washington can give Pakistan greater interest in Afghanistan's stability than it has now by encouraging Kabul to include Pakistan's allies and clients in government; and more important, to finally recognize its international border with Pakistan”.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
"Man Gone Down" by Michael Thomas
Retirement provides the opportunity to read books only because they are being recognized the critics. "Man Gone Down" is Michael Thomas' first book and had been well received.
In summary, it deals with a black man in a biracial marriage who is struggling to overcome a history of addiction to become the success his education and intellect warrants. The problems of trying to live according to standards primarily established by his wife include financial and marital discord.
What makes the book worth reading is the author's style of writing. While I found it very confusing, it surely captured the complexity of his life. His writing is like a stream of consciousness. There is no thread clearly connecting each portion of the book. He toggles between his past (childhood, college, addiction), present, and future aspirations without notice.
In a sense, I find myself doing such toggling, often frustrated by my brain's constant meandering between the reality at hand and the plethora of other matters that float into my consciousness. For this reason, reading the book at least provided some support that I am not crazy!
In summary, it deals with a black man in a biracial marriage who is struggling to overcome a history of addiction to become the success his education and intellect warrants. The problems of trying to live according to standards primarily established by his wife include financial and marital discord.
What makes the book worth reading is the author's style of writing. While I found it very confusing, it surely captured the complexity of his life. His writing is like a stream of consciousness. There is no thread clearly connecting each portion of the book. He toggles between his past (childhood, college, addiction), present, and future aspirations without notice.
In a sense, I find myself doing such toggling, often frustrated by my brain's constant meandering between the reality at hand and the plethora of other matters that float into my consciousness. For this reason, reading the book at least provided some support that I am not crazy!
"Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemriovsky
This best selling book deserves all of its accolades. Superbly written, she captures the agony of what it must be like to live within an occupied country where you lose control of everything.
The history of the author and actual publication of the book is doubly worthy of note.
The author grew up in Russia. Her father was a very successful banker. With the October Revolution, the family migrated to Finland, Sweden, and ultimately, France where this young woman not only mastered another language, but excelled at the Sorbonne in literature. Even though being in France for a long time and converting to Catholicism, her Jewish roots resulted in her (and her husband) deportation to Auschwitz and death. Only because her adult children found the manuscript of this novel 60 years later do we benefit from the opportunity to read the agonizing dilemmas forced on those who are victims of war.
It is hard not to think of what our lives would be like if terrorists were able to seriously impair the fabric of our nation, e.g., nuclear or biological weapons. Living life would focus on very basic functions to ensure that we could survive.
The history of the author and actual publication of the book is doubly worthy of note.
The author grew up in Russia. Her father was a very successful banker. With the October Revolution, the family migrated to Finland, Sweden, and ultimately, France where this young woman not only mastered another language, but excelled at the Sorbonne in literature. Even though being in France for a long time and converting to Catholicism, her Jewish roots resulted in her (and her husband) deportation to Auschwitz and death. Only because her adult children found the manuscript of this novel 60 years later do we benefit from the opportunity to read the agonizing dilemmas forced on those who are victims of war.
It is hard not to think of what our lives would be like if terrorists were able to seriously impair the fabric of our nation, e.g., nuclear or biological weapons. Living life would focus on very basic functions to ensure that we could survive.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Los Angeles Settlement of Clergy Sex Abuse Cases
One might think that a settlement of $660 million to settle 500 cases of clergy sex abuse would satisfy the needs of justice. However, one cannot help but criticize the church's leadership (Cardinal Mahoney) that has waited until the day before court cases were to start to arrive at a settlement. For these many years, they have stonewalled the prosecution's attempt to (a) examine documents, (b) address the needs of victims, and (c) admit to the horrendous criminal activity and the irresponsible management of clergy who were moved from place to place in spite of their criminal behavior.
It is the lack of responsible leadership that is the worse aspect of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. If clergy who abused young people were properly processed criminally immediately and removed from the status of priests, the numbers of victims would have been reduced to the rate of other helping professions, e.g., teachers, youth workers, etc. The high number of victims can be attributed to irresponsible leadership and no bishop has been sanctioned. This is a source of great anger and frustration. How can an organization that promotes justice and love be credible when their leaders cannot exemplify the virtues held as standards?
It is the lack of responsible leadership that is the worse aspect of the clergy sexual abuse crisis. If clergy who abused young people were properly processed criminally immediately and removed from the status of priests, the numbers of victims would have been reduced to the rate of other helping professions, e.g., teachers, youth workers, etc. The high number of victims can be attributed to irresponsible leadership and no bishop has been sanctioned. This is a source of great anger and frustration. How can an organization that promotes justice and love be credible when their leaders cannot exemplify the virtues held as standards?
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Expectation
With pregnancy comes the unknown.
Boy or girl, healthy or not.
Will I meet the expectations of parenthood?
Will I meet the expectations of my child?
For nine months, hope and anxiety couple
In a dance of expectation,
Without ground for answers.
The unknown crushes the known.
The next generation travels the same path,
Even if never traveled.
Always new, never certain,
The past sinks before the future.
Now with age and little personal expectation,
Sharing the joy that your children
Surpassed any expectation.
The unexpected overwhelms the moment.
Boy or girl, healthy or not.
Will I meet the expectations of parenthood?
Will I meet the expectations of my child?
For nine months, hope and anxiety couple
In a dance of expectation,
Without ground for answers.
The unknown crushes the known.
The next generation travels the same path,
Even if never traveled.
Always new, never certain,
The past sinks before the future.
Now with age and little personal expectation,
Sharing the joy that your children
Surpassed any expectation.
The unexpected overwhelms the moment.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Zermatt, Switzerland
Being a tourist can be tricky! You are aware that others know that you are not one of them. However, when you are with a native-born son of Switzerland, you perceive this world through his eyes. You can begin to understand the feelings of pride that envelope a people at home with nature's beauty and power. The mountains speak volumes of strength based in solid rock, a gift of the glaciers! We need do nothing to become a beneficiary of the gift! We simply have to experience its majesty with awe!
We wait until tomorrow to ride the gornergrat bahn which will take us around 29 mountains that are more than 4000 meters high! Should the day be enveloped in sun, the experience will be that much greater!
THE MATTERHORN
Stretching into the clouds,
Beyond her neighbors,
We waited for the cover to wilt,
And then she appeared in her glory!
The Matterhorn spikes like the conqueror
Making her dominance cast a spell,
As her neighbors kneel in worship,
Feeling proud just to serve!
We wait until tomorrow to ride the gornergrat bahn which will take us around 29 mountains that are more than 4000 meters high! Should the day be enveloped in sun, the experience will be that much greater!
THE MATTERHORN
Stretching into the clouds,
Beyond her neighbors,
We waited for the cover to wilt,
And then she appeared in her glory!
The Matterhorn spikes like the conqueror
Making her dominance cast a spell,
As her neighbors kneel in worship,
Feeling proud just to serve!
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