February 21, 2010
Commentary, Current Affairs, Ideas, Politics
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The Middle East is a part of the world with a violent rap sheet ages long–lots of boiling oil to fight over. And then there is the land. Nothing is straightforward in this land of milk and honey. The main conflict is described as Jews versus Arabs. Of course the Jews are a religious group and the Arabs are a linguistic group—apples and oranges and reason enough there is no feng shui balance.
Taking the old patriarch route let the Solomon method, sort things out. Divide the disputed Holy Land into two “states”. That way each can claim ownership as land title seems more important than eternal peace. Jerusalem will be under International control. The new entity will be called United States of Semitica. “Semitica” or rather the Semitic language family is what unites these quarreling cousins. And the idea is to find unity, not wanton apartheid. Each state will be self governing. A ruling council of thirds (Arabs, Hebrews, and Internationals) will handle larger national and international affairs. From them, one of each group will be part of a three person ruling junta (President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister). All three thirds will of course have their own sub political divisions, left to right—so the choice will be, from top to bottom, cooperate or collapse.
Getting peace out of 4,000 year old desert spat will take extreme courage and lots of bullet biting. But otherwise what value is peace when peace is not valued?
February 18, 2010
Commentary, Current Affairs, Good Works, Ideas, News, Politics
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Mitt Romney, former contender in the 2008 Presidential Olympiad, is known as Mr. Fixit. He rescued companies, states, and Olympic games. Despite his crippling good looks and bloated personal wealth, Mitt has himself a golden opportunity to set himself up for the next presidential race.
Haiti, a disaster with a disaster, is just about as bad as it gets. Perfect for a go to guy with chin and muscle. Bring your family. Their fashionable good looks would beautify by mere presence. But the Romneys bring more impressive ivories. They have family teamwork and solid Christian values.
And then there is the money. Not that it won’t end up in some foundation anyway. Why not cut loose a slab of millions. Show your mettle Mitt. If you rescue Haiti think of accolades—Mitt the Messiah of Haiti.
People, the voting public, would be sold on your boldness and executive nerve—-you would be unbeatable. But you need to get going. Time and opportunity are wasting (as well as scores of human lives).
February 13, 2010
Commentary, Current Affairs, History, Ideas, Media, Politics, Technology
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Since 2001 the United States has been involved in two major wars as part of a world wide of nebulous nature. Despite pouring immense amount of treasure, among other resources tangible and intangible, we have not been able to link effort to long term success.
Looking back historically the wars we won came from full effort or “total war”. Despite one third for, one third against, and one third apathetic, we won the Revolution after 8 long years, The War of 1812 was won in part because our war was part of a wider war—and even then many Americans and parts of America sat out the war.
The Indians Wars were uneven. Despite this it took three bouts to make the Seminoles cry uncle. The Apaches and Sioux were long term headaches. The Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection were more uneven conflicts—yet costs, mostly financial, were easily burdened.
Both the World Wars were “total war” affairs. America went full bore. And even in the most complex Second World War, America made short order of the duece and a half threats.
Korea was a stalemate and Vietnam was a checkmate. In both cases America took a more comfortable tact towards the wars faced. And if the military was retarded in Vietnam, the Home Front never got out of the easy chair.
As I said above, we are coming on the decade anniversary of this war. I would be curious to compare our expenditures to our enemies. Not only do I suspect our body count ratios look bad, but our financials must be far much worse.
Despite our efforts the wars are being fought by less than 1% of the US population. Are we doing it right? Are we placing technology, the darling of the last two decades, on such a “never fail” pedestal that we are losing wars. Is it too late to harness the best of America’s resources, human and otherwise, to go all out and get the job done.
Technology has brought much, but it is no end all panacea for this complex war. Nor does money solve matters. We may be able to hold any line, except the bottom line.
The Twin Towers were a symbol of All Conquering Capitalism. Unfortunately that same decade the captains of commerce not only destroyed lives worldwide, but they came close to destroying the very capitalism that brought them to the position of high and mighty. Tyco, Enron, Madoff…were not commies with AK-47s. Yet they did not lay patriotism ahead of profits.
Are we going to repeat ourselves? We had three rounds with the Seminoles. Will we have to do Iraq Take 3? 1% seems awfully small of effort for the job at hand. Playing the percentages—is a very dangerous margin to bet on.
