Monthly Archives: June 2007

The latest Pew Study of world opinion notes an ever increasing downward slide in how people regard the United States. Of the 46 countries surveyed, only Israel, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria support continued American military presence in Iraq. Respect for America has declined from 2002-2007:
Germany from 60$ favorable to 30%
England from 75% to 51%
Mexico from 64% t0 56%
The current approval rate for the United States is 9% in Turkey, 13% among Palestinians, and 15% in Pakistan.

I find it distressing people in Israel still haven’t grasped that George Bush has done more damage to their nation than any figure in the past fifty years. They should ask a simple question: Is Israel today better off than it was in 2003?

If you happen to be in Nepal in the coming months and stop at the Hyatt Regency or the Radisson to engage in some gambling, be aware that many people running the casino tables are members of the Nepal Communist Party. For some reason, the Maoists have decided that workers of the world should unite at the nearest gambling casino. You will note every time the House wins a pot, the casino worker raises a clenched fist in the air.

I have a hunch old Karl Marx is turning over in his grave.

Following are items appearing on the front page of the Pajhook Afghan News today.
Four tons of drugs burned.
11 rockets land on cities.
3 schools burned.
9 of 18 miners kidnapped by Taliban are released.
7 suspects detained.
5 kidnappers killed.
3 rebels killed and four arrested.
18 rebels eliminated
Store of drugs are burned.
Taliban executes defector as government spy.

So, what was your day like today?

Senator Lindsey Graham wants to impose mandatory detention of any immigrant who overstays a visa. At present, 230,000 immigrants are detained for one violation or another and 63 have died while being held in prisons since 2004. The Graham solution fits in perfectly with Republican hysteria about immigrants and terrorism. Actually, could any Republican provide some examples of exactly how many, if any, immigrants have been arrested and convicted for being terrorists?

People have immigrated to America for hundreds of years, and many, for one reason or another overstayed a visa. We currently have over a million foreign students in this country and we can assume X percent overstay their visa for legitimate or lazy reasons. If we adopt Senator Graham’s plan, it will be a bonanza for those who wish to build prisons since we would need quite a few more Guantanamos in this country rather than in Cuba. Or, maybe Senator Graham wants to send hundreds of thousands of detained immigrants to Cuba.

America is rapidly gaining a reputation as having a Not Welcome sign to visitors. Visitors are responsible for billions of dollars of revenue, and if we continue taking negative attitudes we will lose that source of revenue. I suspect if anyone examined his or her immigrant history examples would crop up of a distant relative who overstayed a visa or broke one or another immigration rule. My uncle entered this country illegally and turned out to be a decent citizen.

Exxon Mobil Corporation and ConocoPhillips have quit Venezuela after failing to come to an agreement with the Chavez government over what percent goes to the government. Several other oil companies like Chevron decided to give Venezuela up to 60% control and profits.

Control over oil is a sore point with many Latin American nations who historically, were exploited by American companies. It is not surprising Chavez is attempting to get more money from the oil companies. Frankly, I will not cry for Exxon since it has gotten quite a few billion out of Venezuela oil. I guess Chevron and the others don’t want to quibble about a billion here or there.

The Lebanese army is pounding away at Fatah militants holed up in Palestinian refugee camps while thousands are at the beaches enjoying summer sun. There is a surreal atmosphere in Lebanon these days as the nation is being torn to pieces by various militant forces, some native to Lebanon, and some from outside. Hizbullah has promised to find out and punish who killed six Spanish UN peacekeepers while Palestinian fanatics fire away at the Lebanese army.

People on the outside forget Lebanon has been engaged in one form or another of civil war since 1980 but daily life must go on. Dani M. told a reporter as he lounged in a beach chair: “I don’t think it is inappropriate to have fun– just because the country is in a war.” Fortunately, Lebanon has been spared the madness of suicide bombers so people can swim, drink, and conduct their daily business of work and romance.