NOBODY ASKED ME BUT

We offer observations on the human condition from a 22 year old mind trapped in an 83 year old body.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT

My true friends are all dead.

To me, bad manners are a sin.

Wrong question to pose me while on a walk: have you lost your dog!

Children strive to appear taller.

College students have no yesterday, just today.

Tallest woman in group always leads it.

In the end, we decide our lives.

We can not undo the past, only the moment.

Maturity is being able to see self, as is.

The pen is my weapon of war.

One must periodically evaluate self.

I wonder what birds think, I assume they do.

Mothers carry things differently than do men.

Long time since I heard the word, “scam.”

To have meaning is to have life.

Some stand to explain, others do not.

In the end, self respect is what really counts.

One can only love another if one loves self.

At age, 82, the question is simply: when??

Live life if you want it to love you.

Are You Listening To Me?

There are no longer any “secrets” concerning listening in to conversations of those deemed to be “enemies.” Turkey is furious at reports that during aG-20 meeting of finance ministers British secret service agents listened to what Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek was saying to his staff or someone. I assume what he told his staff was told to other finance ministers, but there is a principle somewhere about not bugging the residence of those with whom one meets. Simsek is mad. Simsek wants an apology. Apparently the British were attempting to find out if Turkey was willing to cooperate with other nations. I would assume the British would learn this piece of information during the meeting.

The British government was asked if it would comment. British Embassy officials in Turkey made clear their government does not  comment on what its intelligence agency does or says. I assume this means M16 has no connection with the British government.

The End Of Israel Democracy!

Those who founded the state of Israel believed in the principle that both Palestinians and Jewish Israelis had to possess their own nation and live in peace with one another.Naftali Bennett, newly appointed minister of economics and trade informed the people of Israel that any idea for a separate Palestinian state would not be allowed. Referring tot the idea of a Palestinian state, he made clear, “never have so many people invested so much energy in something that is hopeless.” He wants to move forward by annexting Area C of the West Banka nd make it part of the state of Israel “as quickly as possible.”

In other words, the Palestinian people can have a small piece of the West Bank, not be citizens of Israel but inhabit some form of no man’s land. US Secretary of State John Kerry now confronts the reality of people who do NOT believe in compromise. Of course, these are the same people who decry Iran for failing to compromise.  Bennett argues, “this land has been ours for 3,000 years.” I guess my study of history was not correct. I thought only a small number of Jews resided in this land for 2,000 years while the majority fled to other parts of the world.

Today, both Jews and Muslims and Christians live on what is termed the West Bank. Now, is the time to bring all people together and allow all to possess land.

Turkish Leaders Talk Turkey

The current impasse in Turkey between those seeking to half construction of a mall began when activists took over a park in order to demonstrate their anger at the increasing autocratic behavior of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. It has since escalated into violent confrontations because Erdogan believes he is defending the government of Turkey. Several Turkish trade unions announced they would go on strike in order to demonstrate support for those fighting to defend Gezi Park against destruction. Police stood guard over Taksim Square to prevent activists from entering the area in order to continue their protest.

There is no doubt some unionists who protest a government decision to build a mall will be punished, if not arrested for daring to make clear support for activists. Erdogan has lost credibility as an international leader, but he definitely has boosted his ego.

Tragedy Of Iraq

Once upon a time, not so long ago there were some wise men who believed it was their responsibility to share their wisdom with those in the backward Middle East who did not understand how to create a modern society. So George and Don and Dick sent American forces into Iraq in order to get rid of the bad, bad dictator and replace him with peace and democracy. Oh, there were a few minor problems but George sent in General David who slew the evil giant beasts and brought peace and democracy to those in Iraq.

It is a decade later. Over the weekend at least 51 more people died due to terrorist attacks-hey, I thought General David ended violence with his “surge?” Each day there is another and another car bombing, another and another attack by either Sunni or Shiite folk and the war goes on.

Good news! George is chopping wood in Texas and Dick is wandering around giving his words of wisdom to all and Don is writing books to make gobs of money. And, Iraqis die and die.

Putin Supports Democracy

There are unconfirmed reports that President Vladimir Putin has decided to transform Russia into a model of what should constitute a democratic society. First, to make clear, he agreed with British Prime Minister David Cameron about the importance of ending the Syrian civil war. Putin opposes any form of violence against innocent people and hopes the world would adhere to democratic principles practiced in his beloved Russia. This is a man of peace and gentleness. Just ask anyone who has been in the care of Russian police how their rights were respected and they were treated like an old friend.

Putin is upset at the video of a rebel who took  a bite of the heart of a government soldier. “Are these the people you want to support?” asked Putin. Now, if they broke a few legs or beat the hell out of someone and put them in jail for a few years, that would prove they were men of peace and democracy!

Iran Uncertain About Future

A new president has been elected in Iran and his initial comments offer both hope and uncertainty. He insists “the Syrian crisis must be resolved by the people of Syria. We are against terrorism, civil war and foreign internvention.” OK, we agree. I assume this means Russia and Iran will cease providing arms and planes and troops to assist President Assad. How can any sane person oppose allowing the people of Syria to determine their future. This would require a free election. Anyone in Iran for that idea?

Newly elected Hassabn Rowhani emphasized his desire for resolution of the conflict over nuclear weapons with western nations. There is a solution. Iran is supported in its efforts to develop a nuclear industry and it agrees not to build atomic weapons. It IS time to end threats and engage in negotiations based on the right of Iran to have a nuclear industry.

HEADLINES FROM WORLD PRESS

We offer samples of headlines that appeared in the world press along with our comments.

Russia, Moscow Times:  ”Putin-Wife Separate”

Now, how can the Russian people separate from him?

UK, Guardian:  ”Sued Over Big Man”

Or, was it something on the big man?

Sweden, Local:  ”Work Does Not Fall From Sky”

And, it sure doesn’t fall from the kindness of our wealthy folk.

Denmark, Copenhagen Post:  ”Minister Will Attend Gay Parade”

How jolly of him.

France, Connexion:  ”Bank Robberies Drop”

No surprise in Greece, there  is less money to steal.

USA, NY Daily News:  ”My Husband Is A Vampire”

His name is Abraham Lincoln.

Netherlands, Dutch News:  ”Don’t Wear Tight Pants”

Just have a tight purse.

New Era In Iran?

During the past five years Republicans have been blasting the “weak” policy of the Obama administration toward Iran. Mitt Romney promised, if elected, to let the Iranians know they can not refuse demands of the United States and John McCain is ready to send in the troops. There was an election in Iran over the weekend which resulted in victory for Hasan Rouhani. The cleric is a close ally of Hashemi Rafsanjani who  has been urging resuming talks with western nations.  Rouhani gained at least 50% of the vote and immediately came out with a new approach to other nations. “We won’t let the past eight years be continued. I’ll pursue a policy of reconciliation and peace. We will reconcile with the world.”

In the streets  cars were honking their horns, people smiling and  hugging one another while shouting “Ahmadi Bye Bye.” It was a farewell song to current President Ahmadinejad. So, Republicans, was the Obama approach the right one?

Putin, The Medicine Man

During the nineteenth century there would appear a man in your town with a wagon from which he dispensed bottles of nostrums designed to cure one and all forms of disease. Naturally, before anyone could figure out if the medicine actually worked, the man would be gone and in another town with his miracle cures. Vladimir Putin heads an army that would encounter difficulty defeating any armed force in Africa or even the Middle East, but he continues to frighten the world with dire prospects of war. Actually, Putin still retains a decent armament industry and uses its weapons to frighten the world.

A little man with a modest armed force now has the world shaking in its boots because he hands out weapons of mass destruction to anyone who enables him to claim more and more power. He is a man made of mud who intimidates any who oppose his rule, both in Russia or elsewhere in the world.