Category Archives: US Foreign Policy

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT

We offer observations on the human condition from a 22 year old mind trapped in an 82 year old body.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT

I  lack ability to sell my talent.

We once went to the Moon, today we can’t get a tunnel built under the Hudson River.

I shall never see dawn break on Mars.

Grandpa enjoys feeding grandchild.

I know who I am, few do.

All too often those with economic power lack social power.

The ultimate power is deciding what my mind thinks.

If you sit in a coffee shop, eventually someone gazes at you.

Some blow on soup before eating, some are adventurous and just plunge in.

My mom believed chicken soup was the silver bullet of drugs.

Most open laptop and then get food.

These days people do not travel unless accompanied by a gadget.

I have absolutely no interest in sharing  pictures with anyone.

If one is pondering the great issues of the day, after a few moments, one must take a drink.

I enjoy gazing at trees.

I was born on concrete, raised in concrete, and think concretely.

After getting the food, one must rearrange the laptop.

I can not recall the last time I purchased anything with a penny.

Sad sight pot bellied white haired man.

Trend, fewer employees working harder.

Shall We Talk?

The pattern is clear, there are hurried attempts to bring together diplomats from Western nations and Iran only to be followed by months of non-contact in which each side charges the other refuses to talk. Sometimes, notes are exchanged, and a few polite inquiries made as to whether you would like to dance with me in the coming weeks. Saeed Jalili, key Iranian atomic negotiator, who is also a candidate to become president of Iran, offered to enage in what is termed, “negotiations” over the issue of atomic development in his nation. “We are ready to continue ourtalks with the six powers whenever they are ready, before or after the presidential election in Iran. Talks will take place soon.”

I do not think the issue any longer is having a talk. I believe the issue is WHAT to discuss. And, will the other side actually listen to what is being discussed??

Spy Who did Not Come In From Cold

We were raised during the Cold War with tales of secret spies, daring escapades into eastern Europe in order to gain access to secret documents and intrepid actos like Michael Caine who always found a way out of trap laid by KGB agents. Today,we are left with the exploits of one Ryan Fogle and his blond wig and thousands of dollars being offered to a Russian turncoat. Why the American government needs a Russian spy in order to learn about terrorist activities in the Caucasus is simply beyond reason. Of course, one could actually read an historical work  written about this topic. Instead of putting on a wig, how about putting on a hat and going to a university library?

This is a farce wrapped up into stupidity and simply another reason why the American government stumbles from one crisis to another. Heck, everything the CIA wants to learn about is on the INTERNET!

If A Happens, Does B?

The New York City Police Department is convinced that its program of halting people in the streets and searching them has led to a reduction in crime. Joseph Esposito, a retired police chief, argues that halting 4,430,104 individuals between 2004 to 2012 has led to a  40% decrease in crime. Of course, 86% of those halted and searched on the streets of New York were African American or Hispanic youth. Esposito and Ray Kelly, police commissioner, insist there was no racial profiling, it just turns out that people with darker skin color are more prone to become criminals. Gee, when I was growing up the common thought was that young Italian boys were more prone to become criminals and prior to that group the common thought was that Jewish or Irish youth were more prone to become criminals.

The best indicator of crime is the number of people in the age bracket 18-27 since it is from this group that most crime emerges. To conclude that halting people is THE cause of  declining crime is ridiculous and not supported by any evidence. Actually, if those in the age bracket 18-27 decline, then crime rates drop-regardless of what police do or do not do.

Texas On Our Minds

The good people of Texas have been leaders in fighting the evil of Islamic terrorism. Led by the brightest governor in this nation, Rick Perry, Texans  have challenged American Muslim groups and insist that any Islamic terrorist should be locked up for life, or even better, sent to the gas chamber for an encounter with death. Texans watch Fox News which is the only network that understands how the American people are threatened by evil Muslims. Unfortunately, during the past month there have been several incidents in which decent God fearing Americans, including those from Texas, were gunned down–not by Muslim terrorists, but by Christian  terrorists! As of this date no Islamic person has gunned down anyone from the state of Texas!

J.R. McClelland, son of Mike McClelland, a prosecutor who was recently murdered, has openly blamed the Aryan Brotherhood for this assault. He terms the murder of his father an example of “domestic terrorism.” I agree. The real danger facing America is not from Muslims, it is from Christian terrorists who pose as defenders of America. Texas, you have me the enemy and he is you.

Why Debt Is OK

The never ceasing mantra of the Republican party is that  going into debt is a terrible, terrible thing and will  lead to the end of American prosperity. Of course, this is nonsense. Why?

I purchase a house for $300,000 and use life savings to  put down a $30,000 deposit. This leaves me with a $270,000 debt and I earn $40,000 per year. I am lucky after making mortgage payments and living expenses to break even. It will require at least 30 years at this rate to pay off my debt. Over 90% of Americans spend twenty or thirty years in debt and do not go bankrupt. Of course, in this case, the value of my home increases which means when the house is sold, I might even make a profit.

So, what do we learn from economics. If in going into debt, the overall value of society increases, the debt is a positive factor. For example, veterans of WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War received large amounts of money to pay for education and vocational training. Statistically, for each dollar received they eventually sent to the US Treasury about $20.

We need MORE POSITIVE DEBT!

HEADLINES FROM WORLD PRESS

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

Turkey, Hurriyet:  ”Female MPs Wear Pants In Parliament”

Next thing you know females can protest being married off without permission.

USA, NY Daily News:  ”Trouble In Paradise”

The Benghazi committee forgot to complain today.

UK, Guardian:  ”Dennis Rodman To North Korea”

He will demonstrate a fast break away from oblivion.

France, Connexion:  ”Something Smells Funny”

Oh, it is just Republicans holding a farting session about Benghazi.

Iran, Tehran Times:  ”Iran Politicians Register To Run For President”

Now, we need  registration to hold an honest election.

Denmark, Copenhagen Post:  ”Government Hangs By Thread”

Cut the damn thread!

USA, aol:  ”Two Popes Meet”

There can not be anything infallible in this session.

Horror Of War

There is a dynamic in war, the longer it goes on, the more intense and violent becomes behavior of those enaged in fighting. The slaughter in Syria has gone on for over two years with scant evidence that it will cease. Each day brings new stories of murder and violation of people. The Internet now shows a grisly film of a Sryian rebel commander who is eating the lung of a dead government fighter. The perpetrator, Khaled al-Hamad has now admitted that he mutilated the body of a government soldier in an act of revenge. The video shows a rebel soldier cutting out the liver and heart of the dead body as he mumbles hatred toward members of the
Alawite sect. Alawaites are strong supporters of President Bashar al-Assad.

A fellow rebel soldier claims that Hamad had a female relative raped by governmetn forces and wanted to revenge her death. The video only strengthens President Assad and his gang of murderous thugs. We are approaching a point of no return in this war when so many have been brutalized that it is impossible for those remaining to maintain any sense of being able to live in peace with their foes. It is the point of no return when sanity has taken a vacation-for good!

Angry-Contact GOP

I assume when a member of the Republican party is nearing death, the last words to be uttered will be, BENGHAZI. Four Americans died in an attack by militants in Libya. Initially, the State Department believed mobs had been created due to showing of a video which made fun of the Prophet. It turned out the mobs were organized by terrorist organizations. So, the issue of today is -why did the State Department believe the video caused the riot rather than a terrorist organizatiion. Assume, the State Deapartment had said, “terrorist organization.” Four people would  still be dead but Republicans would not have something to complain about.

Senior State Department Gregory Hicks, told Congress that special forces had been on their way to Benghazi but were told to stand down. The Pentagon denies this version. Hicks claims he was demoted and denied a new job after he left Libya. The State Department notes he left Libya early and thus it was necessary to find him a new position. He has the same pay and status. But, becoming part of the Republican drive to use Benghazi will lead to work on Fox News and a good book.

German Spanish Arrives

The dream of Germans during the Nazi era was to spread across Europe ad bring their culture to the world. Alas, today, Germans are not going anywhere but, instead are welcoming those from other areas of Europe. A new program to bring skilled and semi-skilled Spanish workers to Germany confronts two problems- the need for semi-skilled workers and the need to bring in more Christians in order to prevent Muslims from gaining greater population strength. Small business firms will partner Spanish workers with their own people and, hopefully, within a year there will be a hard working Spanish German added to the work force and the “German” population.

The collapse of Spain’s construction industry  has left hundreds of thousands    available to work, and if the weather is a bit colder, who cares as  long as their is work. Unlike America, Germany welcomes immigrants and many receive subsidies while they adjust to life in Germany. In some cases, government finances the trip to Germany. Ami,welcome to Germany.