Those of my readers who are among my personal friends may be aware
that for several months I have had health problems which put in question my survival on any given day. Nevertheless things are too dull
for me so I want to introduce a blog topic which is guaranteed to bring plenty of excitement for you and me. For doing so, among the plagues which are likely to descend on me are Bile, Calumny and Ostracism.
The subject is a clause in a document written 300 years ago, when the nation was tiny and no one could even imagine the size, population government structure and state of development as we know it today--
the Second Amendment to the constitution.
Except for the emotional
and commercial content involved in the manufacture and sale of firearms
there is no sensible reason for any one other than those who need them
in the line of duty to possess a deadly handgun.
I am aware of the powerful passions aroused at the mere mention of guns
in the context of control of their possession and display. It is not my desire
or intent to enter that minefield. What I want to do is survey my diverse
readership on their opinions. I will then try, in a non-judgemental
fashion, to present some options for my readers to consider and debate, hopefully in the interest of reducing the number of gun caused deaths.
In the near future I will post a few questions to which I hope a significant number of you will reply.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Era of the Eastern Giants
The era that is beginning now will be known as the Eastern Giants, China, So. Korea and Taiwan. The United States is in eclipse on
the world stage. We still retain a powerful military (for which we are unable to pay) and can use it to punish or influence countries or regions which displease us. That also will be gone in a relatively brief time. But the loss of our hegemonic position may be good for us. It will remove from us any temptation to again act as world policeman, get us out of
our disastrous foreign adventures and impose restraint on our self
appointed role to impose our democratic system upon others who are not
yet ready for such a societal change. The events of the day in the middle East show that when a people are ready and willing to die for freedom
they bring it about at their time.
Free from our immense military and world wide bases we will be able to exploit our vast natural resources, our highly productive manpower and
enormous technological capability to build a new industrial base devoted
to a green economy , and once again creating the brain power that
made us the largest economy in the world.
But for that to happen our
people, ALL our people must accept that there are no more free rides
for a privileged few. All will be required to sacrifice in the form of higher
taxes to pay off our debts, and to finance our rebirth.
What kind of world policy can we expect from the Eastern Giants?
For certain they will not take on the roles of world policeman. They
will keep their noses out of the internal affairs of other nations except to
assure access to raw materials under favorable terms. They will deal
with the elements in control to create markets for the enormous productive capacity which their vast manpower (many highly educated and trained at state expense) delivers. Ideology will take second place to commerce.
So let us Americans accept the new facts of economic and and political
life as they are, abandon illusions about what our financial capabilities
are, get to work, and act responsibly. We were, and can and WILL be
a great nation again.
the world stage. We still retain a powerful military (for which we are unable to pay) and can use it to punish or influence countries or regions which displease us. That also will be gone in a relatively brief time. But the loss of our hegemonic position may be good for us. It will remove from us any temptation to again act as world policeman, get us out of
our disastrous foreign adventures and impose restraint on our self
appointed role to impose our democratic system upon others who are not
yet ready for such a societal change. The events of the day in the middle East show that when a people are ready and willing to die for freedom
they bring it about at their time.
Free from our immense military and world wide bases we will be able to exploit our vast natural resources, our highly productive manpower and
enormous technological capability to build a new industrial base devoted
to a green economy , and once again creating the brain power that
made us the largest economy in the world.
But for that to happen our
people, ALL our people must accept that there are no more free rides
for a privileged few. All will be required to sacrifice in the form of higher
taxes to pay off our debts, and to finance our rebirth.
What kind of world policy can we expect from the Eastern Giants?
For certain they will not take on the roles of world policeman. They
will keep their noses out of the internal affairs of other nations except to
assure access to raw materials under favorable terms. They will deal
with the elements in control to create markets for the enormous productive capacity which their vast manpower (many highly educated and trained at state expense) delivers. Ideology will take second place to commerce.
So let us Americans accept the new facts of economic and and political
life as they are, abandon illusions about what our financial capabilities
are, get to work, and act responsibly. We were, and can and WILL be
a great nation again.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
PIRACY
For the "mighty naval power" that is the United States to be held as impotent hostages to a band of rag tag thugs in Somalia is the ultimate national embarrassment. A nation that fails to defend its citizens on the
high seas forfeits its status as a great power.
The annals of naval warfare offer many examples of tactics that have
eliminated the problem. All begin with a demand that all hostages be freed at once, unharmed and in good condition. If this demand is ignored, or if the hostages are threatened, a series of punitive measures are begun.
First, the coast of the offending nation is mined and completely blockaded. Vessels may enter or leave only with armed escort, for innocent purposes such as fishing.
Second, any vessel discovered outside the mined area that does not have
proper clearance will be evacuated and sunk. The crew may choose
to go down with the ship.
Third, if there is still no compliance, the systematic destruction of all
vessels in ports and on the coast, will begin, including the fishing fleet.
The disruption to the food supply will exert great pressure on whomever is in charge.
Fourth, a series of small land excursions could be carried out as possible
rescue and punishment.
We shall soon see if the U. S. has lost its will to remain a world power!
high seas forfeits its status as a great power.
The annals of naval warfare offer many examples of tactics that have
eliminated the problem. All begin with a demand that all hostages be freed at once, unharmed and in good condition. If this demand is ignored, or if the hostages are threatened, a series of punitive measures are begun.
First, the coast of the offending nation is mined and completely blockaded. Vessels may enter or leave only with armed escort, for innocent purposes such as fishing.
Second, any vessel discovered outside the mined area that does not have
proper clearance will be evacuated and sunk. The crew may choose
to go down with the ship.
Third, if there is still no compliance, the systematic destruction of all
vessels in ports and on the coast, will begin, including the fishing fleet.
The disruption to the food supply will exert great pressure on whomever is in charge.
Fourth, a series of small land excursions could be carried out as possible
rescue and punishment.
We shall soon see if the U. S. has lost its will to remain a world power!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
PIRACY, an act of war
World history is replete with Piracy. It has been an act of statecraft from medieval
times, used to extract concessions from an opposing power, or simply to rob weaker nations of booty. At times it was used to capture hostages of strategic value in
inter-nations affairs. From time to time the exercise of piracy got out of hand. The
pirates began to operate as free agents. When that occurred sovereign nations responded by taking armed action to punish those involved, and keep the enterprise
"honest".
Modern piracy, as practiced in the Atantic off the coast of Somalia is simply a
criminal affair involving hostages for ransom. It flourishes in countries with
non-functioning governments which cannot exercise control over populations scattered over large areas, and with ruling authorities who share the loot. The powerful
maritime nations cannot permit it to continue. It disrupts international commerce and increases the cost of products. Inevitably the consequences escalate as happened today when four American citizens were executed in an attempt by the pirates to prevent boarding of the hostage vessel by U. S. Navy troops.
That tragedy compounds what began as an act of war, and demands a forceful response.
Somalia is one place diplomacy won't work.
times, used to extract concessions from an opposing power, or simply to rob weaker nations of booty. At times it was used to capture hostages of strategic value in
inter-nations affairs. From time to time the exercise of piracy got out of hand. The
pirates began to operate as free agents. When that occurred sovereign nations responded by taking armed action to punish those involved, and keep the enterprise
"honest".
Modern piracy, as practiced in the Atantic off the coast of Somalia is simply a
criminal affair involving hostages for ransom. It flourishes in countries with
non-functioning governments which cannot exercise control over populations scattered over large areas, and with ruling authorities who share the loot. The powerful
maritime nations cannot permit it to continue. It disrupts international commerce and increases the cost of products. Inevitably the consequences escalate as happened today when four American citizens were executed in an attempt by the pirates to prevent boarding of the hostage vessel by U. S. Navy troops.
That tragedy compounds what began as an act of war, and demands a forceful response.
Somalia is one place diplomacy won't work.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Where is Nero when you need a fiddler?
The world is alight with the fires of insurrection against the entrenched oligarchs
in the middle East. But the movement seems to be fragmented among many disparate groups. It could benefit from some form of central direction, to move the forces of public opinion and outrage in the most strategic direction where the oppressors are most vulnerable at each moment. Divide and conquer is the defense of the entrenched regimes. The reform movement needs to recognize their common purpose and join in a
mutual assistance pact. It will be very dangerous to the leaders of such a joint effort--assassination is the common tactic used against one's opponents in mid-east politics. But the end is worth some deaths; liberty doesn't come cheap.
The United States and the European Union can provide the leadership, training, political support and legitimacy, and financial resources to assure success of a united movement. What is needed is the recognition by the West of the benefits a successful reform movement will yield to the entire world. Do we have the vision?
in the middle East. But the movement seems to be fragmented among many disparate groups. It could benefit from some form of central direction, to move the forces of public opinion and outrage in the most strategic direction where the oppressors are most vulnerable at each moment. Divide and conquer is the defense of the entrenched regimes. The reform movement needs to recognize their common purpose and join in a
mutual assistance pact. It will be very dangerous to the leaders of such a joint effort--assassination is the common tactic used against one's opponents in mid-east politics. But the end is worth some deaths; liberty doesn't come cheap.
The United States and the European Union can provide the leadership, training, political support and legitimacy, and financial resources to assure success of a united movement. What is needed is the recognition by the West of the benefits a successful reform movement will yield to the entire world. Do we have the vision?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
We have met the enemy.......
.....and he is us. The current budget process going on between the Republicans and Democrats is a charade and a fraud. The good ship America is sinking and the leaders of both parties are dithering about the placement of the deck chairs. Our debt problem is so enormous that slashing 61, or even 100 Billion from the current deficit budget will do no more than slow the rate of growth of the accumulated debt. What it will do is devastate many lives and futures and destroy any likely remedy. The way to reduce debt is to PAY IT OFF. That would require not only intelligent budget cuts, but also increased government revenue, which can only come from increased economic activity, and increased taxes from those with means to pay. The prevailing mood among the Tea Party members and right wingers is that taxes are the root of all evil, and that it is preferable to demolish all government programs than to pay for a civilized society. That way lies third world status for most Americans, and an oligarchical society. How ironic that the system which enabled so many to become affluent is now viewed by them as the enemy.
We are rapidly approaching default and bankruptcy. Without a will to sacrifice to
save the American Dream for the next generation we will have accomplished our destruction, which no combination of military powers or terrorists could have done.
We are rapidly approaching default and bankruptcy. Without a will to sacrifice to
save the American Dream for the next generation we will have accomplished our destruction, which no combination of military powers or terrorists could have done.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Judy, Judy, Judy!
Since I have become physically less able, from time to time I am the recipient
of acts of kindness by strangers, which make my daily tasks less daunting. Some
do things that require little time and effort and it passes as simple good manners. Others take an extra moment to bring confidence and comfort to their act. This afternoon at Bloomingdales I wanted to exit through two sets of heavy swinging doors.
A lovely Canadian woman, Judy Chapdelaine noticed my intent and stopped to assist
me, including ushering aside others approaching the doors. Once outside she asked if she could assist me on my way, the entire action done with grace and charm. Thank you Judy. You made me feel valued.
of acts of kindness by strangers, which make my daily tasks less daunting. Some
do things that require little time and effort and it passes as simple good manners. Others take an extra moment to bring confidence and comfort to their act. This afternoon at Bloomingdales I wanted to exit through two sets of heavy swinging doors.
A lovely Canadian woman, Judy Chapdelaine noticed my intent and stopped to assist
me, including ushering aside others approaching the doors. Once outside she asked if she could assist me on my way, the entire action done with grace and charm. Thank you Judy. You made me feel valued.
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