Bitter Analysis

Hypocrisy and Organized Religion - A Match Made in Heaven?

2010-05-10T05:29:00.000-07:00

A business article in the May 7, 2010 New York Times business section caught my eye. "2 at Faith-Based Bank Are Indicted Over Bribes" I quote the first four paragraphs. click here to read more

ATLANTA — When government regulators here shut down Integrity Bank at the height of the recession, in August of 2008, the bank was seen as just another failed lender that had overvalued the real estate market and collapsed.

But a federal indictment unsealed on Friday accused two former vice presidents at the bank of hastening its downfall by selling fraudulent loans to a hotel developer in exchange for bribes.

The two executives, Douglas Ballard and Joseph Todd Foster, were charged with conspiracy, insider trading and bank fraud, according to the indictment. Mr. Ballard was also charged with bribery. The developer, Guy Mitchell, who received $80 million in loans, was charged with conspiracy and bribery.

Founded on Christian principles in 2000 in an Atlanta suburb, Integrity used the motto “In God We Trust.” The bank gave customers free Bibles, and employees prayed together at meetings. Onetime investors included a Georgia state senator and the former CNN host Lou Dobbs.

Where to begin? The very idea of founding a for-profit business based "on Christian (or any other religion's) principles" gives me pause. Apparently, the founders of Integrity Bank forgot about Matthew 21:12 "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves." Granted, a bank is not the same as a Temple. However, moneychanging under the guise of Christ's teachings, would surely make him turn over in his grave, had he ever been buried.

Let's see. What might have been included on the day before Integrity Bank opened its doors for business?

Two high ranking executivess probably held a meeting to make the Ten Commandments more up-to-date, and bring them more in line with an unrestricted moneymaking business plan. Let's listen in...

"Hey D, isn't this a heavenly day?"

"Amen to that, J. What's on the agenda today? I know we talked about it last night, but I think I had a sip or two too much of that sacramental wine. Woke up today with a helluva headache. Oops - sorry."

"Well, to paraphrase what the Big Guy says, "To err is human, to forgive is to be a bleeding heart radical liberal!"

"I don't get it. What's 'pair of faces' mean?"

"Forget it, D. We're here today, the day before our Grand Opening, to update the Ten Commandments. You know, God wrote that the Earth is about 6000 years old, so I figured it's time for a rewrite of His laws, and make them a better fit for our Bank."

"Oh yeah, now I can only remember the Second one, you know, the one about our right to have as many guns as we want, and how the NRA is next to Godliness. That was a great one!"

"No, no. Although He should have made that one of His, here's the list, from the King James version...since any more recent translation is full of liberal leaning leftist propaganda. We'll take them one at a time."

ONE: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. "This is an easy one, D. Too dogmatic. And doesn't acknowledge the need for greed. #1 - DELETED."

TWO: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. "Hey, J. Another easy one. How can we include this one? Too long. We don't want to confuse the MTV generation. And how can we establish true brand identity without a powerful graven image, I mean Corporate Logo?. #2 - DELETED."

THREE: Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. "This one seems okay...hey, D, pass me my water bottle...no...not so fast...you spilled it, God Da#@"!!!. Oh well. #3 - DELETED."

FOUR: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. "J, I thought those Jews were shrewd businessmen? Not do business, even online, for 1/7 of the week? #4 - DELETED."

FIVE: Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. "Gimme a break D. What's this socialist talk about family members living a long time? Sounds like an expensive health care plan to me! #5 - DELETED."

SIX: Thou shalt not kill. "Yo, J. How will we enforce some of our, shall we say, more 'juicy' loans, if we have this one in our business plan? And killing is a stimulus package, most often supported by no-bid military contracts, for lots of our future clients. #6 - DELETED."

SEVEN: Thou shalt not commit adultery. "Now this is another no-brainer, D. Appropriate 'investments' that we've already made in clout-heavy Congress members would be wasted if we used this antiquated Commandment. I mean, how many motels in D.C. would go belly-up if adultery was banned? #7 - DELETED."

EIGHT: Thou shalt not steal. "Yeah, right, J. God must have included this one just to prove His sense of humor! #8 - DELETED."

NINE: Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. "You know what, D? God was saving His best material for last! Oh, by the way, don't we now own the best judges money can buy? And I'm told that with this economic correction, witnesses are literally now a dime a dozen. #9 - DELETED."

TEN: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s. "We plan to not only covet our neighbor's house and belongings, we'll file liens against them, take full legal possession, then sell them over and over again, complete with our very own financing deals, in an endless cycle of fun, games, and profit! Right, J? #10 - DELETED."

"Good day's work, D. We accomplished more than I could ever have envisioned."

"That's so right, J. Now that we cleared away the obstructions of these 10 speed bumps on our Grand Business Highway, our Bank will reflect Our values, Our morals, and most importantly, Our Integrity. This is going to be easier than I had expected!"

"One more thing, D. Aren't bankers supposed to wear conservative suits? Maybe we should pick out something with stripes."

What is Hanukkah?

2009-12-11T17:27:00.000-08:00

Until today, I had no real idea. Born into a home in which my mother was ostensibly a Methodist, but who never attended church, and a father who was ostensibly a Catholic, but who never attended church, I was dutifully marched off to attend Bethany Covenant Church, a neighborhood Evangelical church (the Evangelical Covenant Church was founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants) on the south side of Chicago, more so because the very religious mother of my best friend sent her own two sons there, than for any particular religious reason. I attended from about age 7 to 17 before deciding that organized religion was not my cup of tea.

Comparative religions was not a topic of Sunday sermons. What was a regular topic was progress reports from China or India or Africa of the great work our missionaries were performing - followed by the special collection plate (passed around by stern elders after the regular collection plate) to support those brave souls seeking to save the unfortunate godless masses of the world. A kind of post-slavery white man's burden, as I later analyzed it in disgust.

So the only Jewish person I ever heard discussed was Jesus. And it was always in the context of how, while it was the Romans who hung Jesus on a cross, it was the Jews who were the actual villains, as they had the chance to spare Jesus, but chose not to, as he posed a threat to rabbis' wealth and power. Years later, I realized how slanted and simplistic a view that was.

In my 20s, I knew a couple who was ostensibly Jewish, but neither attended temple nor observed any Jewish holiday.

It was not until today, 12/11/09, at sundown when Hanukkah 2009 begins, that I stumbled across an article entitled "The Hanukkah Story" in the New York Times by David Brooks. I found it to be both fascinating and educational. But first, let me direct you to the more traditional, sanitized explanation of what Hanukkah stands for, published in chabad.org:

"Chanukah -- the eight-day festival of light that begins on the eve of Kislev 25 -- celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality.

More than twenty-one centuries ago, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who sought to forcefully Hellenize the people of Israel. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G-d.

When they sought to light the Temple's menorah, they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks; miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.

To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah. At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting: a single flame on the first night, two on the second evening, and so on till the eighth night of Chanukah, when all eight lights are kindled.

On Chanukah we also recite Hallel and the Al HaNissim prayer to offer praise and thanksgiving to G-d for "delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, the many into the hands of the few... the wicked into the hands of the righteous."

Chanukah customs include eating foods fried in oil -- latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts); playing with the dreidel (a spinning top on which are inscribed the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hei and shin, an acronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, "a great miracle happened there"); and the giving of Chanukah gelt, gifts of money, to children."

This is a very simple tale of good versus evil. Traditionally, organized religions promote this type of story. But as with most events, both religious and secular, the truth is often more complex and not so black-and-white.

Let's read Mr. Brooks' piece in the New York Times, The Hanukkah Story:

"Tonight Jewish kids will light the menorah, spin their dreidels and get their presents, but Hanukkah is the most adult of holidays. It commemorates an event in which the good guys did horrible things, the bad guys did good things and in which everybody is flummoxed by insoluble conflicts that remain with us today. It’s a holiday that accurately reflects how politics is, how history is, how life is.

It begins with the spread of Greek culture. Alexander’s Empire, and the smaller empires that succeeded it, brought modernizing ideas and institutions to the Middle East. At its best, Hellenistic culture emphasized the power of reason and the importance of individual conscience. It brought theaters, gymnasiums and debating societies to the cities. It raised living standards, especially in places like Jerusalem.

Many Jewish reformers embraced these improvements. The Greeks had one central idea: their aspirations to create an advanced universal culture. And the Jews had their own central idea: the idea of one true God. The reformers wanted to merge these two ideas.

Urbane Jews assimilated parts of Greek culture into their own, taking Greek names like Jason, exercising in the gymnasium and prospering within Greek institutions. Not all Jews assimilated. Some resisted quietly. Others fled to the hills. But Jerusalem did well. The Seleucid dynasty, which had political control over the area, was not merely tolerant; it used imperial money to help promote the diverse religions within its sphere.

In 167 B.C., however, the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV, issued a series of decrees defiling the temple, confiscating wealth and banning Jewish practice, under penalty of death. It’s unclear why he did this. Some historians believe that extremist Jewish reformers were in control and were hoping to wipe out what they saw as the primitive remnants of their faith. Others believe Antiochus thought the Jews were disloyal fifth columnists in his struggle against the Egyptians and, hence, was hoping to assimilate them into his nation.

Regardless, those who refused to eat pork were killed in an early case of pure religious martyrdom.

As Jeffrey Goldberg, who is writing a book on this period, points out, the Jews were slow to revolt. The cultural pressure on Jewish practice had been mounting; it was only when it hit an insane political level that Jewish traditionalists took up arms. When they did, the first person they killed was a fellow Jew.

In the town of Modin, a Jew who was attempting to perform a sacrifice on a new Greek altar was slaughtered by Mattathias, the old head of a priestly family. Mattathias’s five sons, led by Judah Maccabee, then led an insurgent revolt against the regime.

The Jewish civil war raised questions: Who is a Jew? Who gets to define the right level of observance? It also created a spiritual crisis. This was not a battle between tribes. It was a battle between theologies and threw up all sorts of issues about why bad things happen to faithful believers and what happens in the afterlife — issues that would reverberate in the region for centuries, to epic effect.

The Maccabees are best understood as moderate fanatics. They were not in total revolt against Greek culture. They used Greek constitutional language to explain themselves. They created a festival to commemorate their triumph (which is part of Greek, not Jewish, culture). Before long, they were electing their priests.

On the other hand, they were fighting heroically for their traditions and the survival of their faith. If they found uncircumcised Jews, they performed forced circumcisions. They had no interest in religious liberty within the Jewish community and believed religion was a collective regimen, not an individual choice.

They were not the last bunch of angry, bearded religious guys to win an insurgency campaign against a great power in the Middle East, but they may have been among the first. They retook Jerusalem in 164 B.C. and rededicated the temple. Their regime quickly became corrupt, brutal and reactionary. The concept of reform had been discredited by the Hellenizing extremists. Practice stagnated. Scholarship withered. The Maccabees became religious oppressors themselves, fatefully inviting the Romans into Jerusalem.

Generations of Sunday school teachers have turned Hanukkah into the story of unified Jewish bravery against an anti-Semitic Hellenic empire. Settlers in the West Bank tell it as a story of how the Jewish hard-core defeated the corrupt, assimilated Jewish masses. Rabbis later added the lamp miracle to give God at least a bit part in the proceedings.

But there is no erasing the complex ironies of the events, the way progress, heroism and brutality weave through all sides. The Maccabees heroically preserved the Jewish faith. But there is no honest way to tell their story as a self-congratulatory morality tale. The lesson of Hanukkah is that even the struggles that saved a people are dappled with tragic irony, complexity and unattractive choices."

Happy Hanukkah December 11-19, 2009

Health Care Reform Plan Submitted For Your Approval

2009-10-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

Selected key features of this plan:

- Requires employers to provide adequate health insurance for their employees, who would share in underwriting its costs. This approach follows precedents of long-standing under which personal security--and thus national economic progress--has been enhanced by requiring employers to provide minimum wages and disability and retirement benefits and to observe occupational health and safety standards.

- Includes certain deductibles and coinsurance features, which would help keep costs down by encouraging the use of more efficient health care procedures.

- Workers and unions would have a direct economic stake in the program (which) would serve as an additional built-in incentive for avoiding unnecessary costs and yet maintaining high quality.

- The national standards prescribed, moreover, would necessarily limit the range within which benefits could vary. This provision would serve to sharpen competition and cost-consciousness among insurance companies seeking to provide coverage at the lowest overall cost.

- Any time the Federal Government, in effect, prescribes and guarantees certain things it must take the necessary follow-through steps to assure that the interests of consumers and taxpayers are fully protected.

- Accordingly, legislative proposals have been submitted to the Congress within recent weeks for regulating private health insurance companies, in order to assure that they can and will do the job, and that insurance will be offered at reasonable rates. In addition, States would be required to provide group-rate coverage for people such as the self-employed and special groups who do not qualify for other plans.

- Another vital step in my proposed program is the Family Health Insurance Plan which would meet the needs of poor families not covered by the National Health Insurance Standards Act because they are headed by unemployed or self-employed persons whose income is below certain levels.

- Medicaid would remain for the aged poor, the blind, the disabled and some children.

- Beyond filling gaps in insurance coverage, we must also turn our attention to how the money thus provided will be spent---on what kind of services and in what kind of institutions.

- It brings together into a single organization the physician, the hospital, the laboratory and the clinic, so that patients can get the right care at the right moment.

- Utilizes a method of payment that encourages the prevention of illness and promotes the efficient use of doctors and hospitals. Unlike traditional fee-for-service billing, (it) provides comprehensive care for a fixed annual sum that is determined in advance.

- Under this financial arrangement, the doctors' and hospitals' incomes are determined not by how much the patient is sick, but by how much he is well.

- Ought to be everywhere available so that families will have a choice between these methods.

- One of the greatest hazards to life and health is poverty. Death and illness rates among the poor are many times those for the rest of the Nation. The steady elimination of poverty would in itself improve the health of millions of Americans.

- Includes the following measures to extend health care to more Americans--especially older Americans-and to control costs:

Additional Persons Covered:

--Persons eligible for Part A of Medicare (hospital care) would be automatically enrolled in Part B (physician's care).

--Medicare (both Parts A and B) would be extended to many disabled persons not now covered. Congress (should) eliminate (Medicare part B's) monthly premium payment and finance Medicare coverage of physician services through the social security payroll tax. This can be done within the Medicare tax rate. If enacted, this change would save (billion$) annually for older Americans and would be equivalent to a 5 percent increase in social security cash benefits.

- The overall health program encompasses actions on three levels: 1) improving protection against health care costs; 2) improving the health care system itself; and 3) working creatively on research and prevention efforts, to eradicate health menaces and to hold down the incidence of illnesses.

- A truly effective national health strategy requires that a significant share of Federal research funds be concentrated on major health threats, particularly when research advances indicate the possibility of breakthrough progress.

- Working together, this Administration and the Congress already have taken some significant strides in our mutual determination to provide the best, and the most widely available, health care system the world has ever known. The time now has come to take the final steps to reorganize, to revitalize and to redirect American health care--to build on its historic accomplishments, to close its gaps and to provide it with the incentives and sustenance to move toward a more perfect mission of human compassion.

- If the Administration and the Congress continue to act together--and act on the major proposals this year, as I strongly again urge--then the 1970s will be remembered as an era in which the United States took the historic step of making the health of the entire population not only a great goal but a practical objective.

That's correct. The 1970s. In fact, the above excerpts are from a speech by President Richard Nixon to Congress on March 2, 1972. To read the entire speech, click here.

Congress never acted upon these proposals.

President Nixon. A closet progressive? Unlikely. A Democrat in Republican clothing? No. My political cynicism tells me that this was part of his 1972 campaign for re-election, as well as an attempt to co-opt support for Senator Ted Kennedy's even more far-reaching health care reform plans. My political idealism tells me that the President must have had the best wishes of the American people in his heart, at least some of the time.

Had Congress enacted just a few of President Nixon's health care reform initiatives, then we could have avoided at least some of the heated national debate (angst?) through which we are suffering today.

While reasoned debate is healthy for a Republic, when what should have been dialogues allowing for the free flow of opinions and information concerning two or more sides of an issue, such as health care reform, become angry one-dimensional shouting monologues (see many of the town hall meetings held this summer), then disparate venues for discourse must be explored and used.

Good Economic News From Chile

2009-10-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

Today's Santiago Times provided a sign of hope that the worldwide recession may finally be abating. An article entitled, CHILE ANNOUNCES 4.3 PERCENT BUDGET INCREASE FOR 2010, opens with, "While other nations are struggling to cut costs and sacrificing social programs to combat the worldwide economic crisis, Chile´s 2010 budget will grow by 4.3 percent next year and includes a 5.8 percent increase in social assistance programs, Finance Minister Andrés Velasco announced Wednesday."

The next sentence does give one pause: "The 2010 budget - proposed by Velasco this week - follows news that unemployment appears to have stabilized at 10.8 percent for the second consecutive month." Of course, the official U.S. unemployment statistic is now 9.8%, and I heard on CNN today that if you include those unemployed folks who have either exhausted their unemployment benefits, or who have taken part-time work in place of the full-time jobs they used to have, the figure rises to 17.2%.

But back to Chile. The remainder of the article is as follows:

"Velasco said Chile will meet budget its responsibilities and be one of the nations to most quickly recover from the world economic crisis because, “We were well prepared.”

Under Velasco´s guidance, President Michelle Bachelet’s government implemented a strict savings plan when the economy was soaring due to high copper prices a few years back. That decision was highly criticized by opposition parties at the time (and some within the governing Concertacion coalition), but proved to be a very wise decision. The surplus that accumulated allowed Chile to continue with social programs, increase stimulus spending and provide assistance to the most vulnerable through the tough 2009 fiscal year and on into 2010.

Velasco proposes a balanced budget for 2010 with a 4.3 percent spending increase compared to 2009. Spending focuses on education, social needs and increasing economic activity. The finance minister is projecting a 5 percent growth in GDP.

The budget allocates over US$7 billion to infrastructure spending to build sports and cultural facilities, roads and housing throughout the country. The Health Ministry alone will spend US$5.9 billion, an 8 percent increase over 2009, to build 31 new hospitals, among other projects. That will bring the number of hospitals built under Bachelet´s government to 90, a promise made during her campaign.

Education funding will increase for the third year in a row and represents the largest block of spending in the 2010 budget. The nearly US$8 billion will in part be used to double, from 30,000 to 60,000, the number of laptops awarded to the country’s best performing 7th graders. There are also increases in grants for students to study English, computer sciences or technical fields and those wanting to complete post graduate studies abroad. Velasco stressed that education spending is key to Chile’s future growth, stating, “A good education is a priority for today, not tomorrow.”

The key is Velasco's quote, “We were well prepared.”

A successful business plan should include a budget line item for Bad Debt. This covers customers to whom the business extended credit and who could not pay off their debt, accounts receivable that the company has to settle for less than 100% of the total due, et cetera. The Chilean government should be praised for its economic foresight. Citizens of Chile are now going to reap the rewards of this thinking.

Could the U.S. federal government do the same? The answer is not as simple as it seems. We have voluntarily taken upon our shoulders international responsibilities that a country such as Chile is neither equipped, nor inclined, to accept. Let's hope that the citizens of the U.S. will likewise reap the rewards of that thinking.

Obama Likes Tyrants and Dislikes America?

2009-09-25T00:18:00.000-07:00

Michael Ledeen wrote an article, Is Obama Naive?, that appeared on the National Review's web site on 09/24/2009, in which he claims that President Obama likes tyrants and dislikes America:

Is Obama Naive?

"I don't think so. I think that he rather likes tyrants and dislikes America. I think he'd like to be more powerful, I think he is trying to get control over as much of our lives as he can, so that he can put an end to the annoying tumult of our public life. As when he said (about health care) to the Congress, "Okay, you've talked enough, now it's time to do the right thing (my thing)." And he's trying to end American power in the outside world. He's saying "I'm going to stop us, before we kill again."

There is nothing unusual about elitist hatred of freedom. Back in the 18th century, when book publishing really got going, British authors were infuriated that they had to submit to the judgment of a marketplace. They didn't want to be judged by people who were obviously inferior to them, and there was a great rage among the intelligentsia, including some very famous men. And in modern times, we can all name famous intellectuals who fawned all over Mussolini, Stalin, Fidel, and even Hitler.

American politics are very fractious, and always have been. Leaders are constantly frustrated, and some of them come to yearn for an end to our freedom. They think they know best, they just want to tell us what to do and have us shut up and do it. I think Obama is one of them. He's not naïve. It's different. He doesn't like the way things work here, he thinks he can do much better, and he's possessed of the belief that America has done a lot of terrible things in the world, and should be prevented from doing such things ever again. The two convictions mesh perfectly. It's The Best and the Brightest run amok.

Democratic leaders' envy of tyrants' power can be understood. But it can't be forgiven."

Let's examine this article and see how it fails to support its own assertions.

Ledeen says, "I think that (Obama) rather likes tyrants and dislikes America. I think he'd like to be more powerful, I think he is trying to get control over as much of our lives as he can, so that he can put an end to the annoying tumult of our public life."

How does he back up these bold statements? By allegedly quoting one sentence from a speech by President Obama concerning health care: "Okay, you've talked enough, now it's time to do the right thing (my thing)." Weak. Also, possibly not even an accurate quote. I tried searching the internet using that quote, minus the "my thing," and the only results were references back to Ledeen's article, not to any quote by President Obama. Ledeen even had to editorialize in that sentence by assuming that Obama only wanted Congress to act on the health care matter to support his "thing." How is this proof that Obama likes tyrants and dislikes America? Your guess is as good as mine.

Ledeen then goes on to say, "And he's trying to end American power in the outside world. He's saying "I'm going to stop us, before we kill again." Where is Ledeen's evidence? Nowhere to be found in this article.

"There is nothing unusual about elitist hatred of freedom. Back in the 18th century, when book publishing really got going, British authors were infuriated that they had to submit to the judgment of a marketplace. They didn't want to be judged by people who were obviously inferior to them, and there was a great rage among the intelligentsia, including some very famous men." Ledeen could have named some. After all, there were many British authors in the 18th century. Surely he could have provided some quotes. Wonder why he didn't?

Same criticism applies to Ledeen's next statement: "And in modern times, we can all name famous intellectuals who fawned all over Mussolini, Stalin, Fidel, and even Hitler." Is that right? I challenge any reader, off the top of your head, to name these "famous intellectuals." Good luck. Obviously, Ledeen didn't choose to name any. Picture him being interviewed by Bill O'Reilly. "So, Mr. Ledeen, as I cannot come up with those "famous intellectuals," please name them for me." I can hear Ledeen's stammering now. One thing for which I admire O'Reilly, besides his penchant for increasing our vocabulary at the end of each show, is that he doesn't let politicians and newsmakers wiggle off his interviewing hook. He reels them in. Bill would have a ball with Ledeen.

"American politics are very fractious, and always have been. Leaders are constantly frustrated, and some of them come to yearn for an end to our freedom. They think they know best, they just want to tell us what to do and have us shut up and do it. I think Obama is one of them." I agree with the first sentence. The next three just constitute more unsubstantiated hyperbole. Evidence please.

"He doesn't like the way things work here, he thinks he can do much better, and he's possessed of the belief that America has done a lot of terrible things in the world, and should be prevented from doing such things ever again. The two convictions mesh perfectly. It's The Best and the Brightest run amok." I imagine that most politicians, regardless of party, don't like the way things work, and think they can do much better. But then Ledeen continues with yet another unsupported statement, "... (Obama's) possessed of the belief that America has done a lot of terrible things in the world, and should be prevented from doing such things ever again." Yawn.

Drum roll, please. Ledeen concludes, not surprisingly, with, "Democratic leaders' envy of tyrants' power can be understood. But it can't be forgiven." He made clear his opinion that President Obama falls into that category. So who are the others? Names and quotes to substantiate that claim, Mr. Ledeen. Oh...I see...that would have required research and an intellectual discipline that you do not seemingly possess. Your comments, therefore, can be understood. But they can't be forgiven.

But wait. I must commend you on one success. Your article's title is, "Is Obama Naive?" You first sentence stated, "I don't think so." Yet near the end of your article, you wrote, "He's not naïve." This is a 313 word essay. Yet in that short time, you at least succeeded in changing the mind of one person, yourself, on the issue of whether Obama is naive or not. Congratulations.

Recession Hits U.S. Workers 54 and Under Hardest

2009-09-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

Dennis Cauchon of USA TODAY reported that the current recession has affected U.S. workers who are less than 54 years old, particularly males, harder than any other segment of the population. Why? The article states:

"The incomes of the young and middle-aged — especially men — have fallen off a cliff since 2000, leaving many age groups poorer than they were even in the 1970s, a USA TODAY analysis of new Census data found.

People 54 or younger are losing ground financially at an unprecedented rate in this recession, widening a gap between young and old that had been expanding for years.

While the young have lost ground, older people have grown more prosperous over the years and the decades. Older women have done best of all.

The dividing line between those getting richer or poorer: the year 1955. If you were born before that, you're part of a generation enjoying a four-decade run of historic income growth. Every generation after that is now sinking economically.

Household income for people in their peak earning years — between ages 45 and 54 — plunged $7,700 to $64,349 from 2000 through 2008, after adjusting for inflation. People in their 20s and 30s suffered similar drops. Older people enjoyed all the gains.

The line between the haves and have-nots runs through the middle of the Baby Boom, the population explosion 1946-64.

"The second half of the Baby Boom may be in the worst shape of all," says demographer Cheryl Russell of New Strategist Publications, a research firm. "They're loaded with expenses for housing, cars and kids, but they will never generate the income that their parents enjoyed."

What caused the income gap:

- Waiting line for good jobs. Older people are working longer, crowding out young people from the best-paying jobs while boosting the incomes of older workers and seniors.

- Global competition. Low-income workers in other nations have pushed down wages in the USA. Newly hired workers — generally younger people — experience the wage decline first, says economist Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a liberal-leaning think tank.

- Golden age of retirement. Social Security and private pensions have elevated the incomes of retired people to record levels and reduced poverty among the elderly.

One bright sign: Women have boosted income by holding half the USA's jobs, working longer hours and narrowing the gender pay gap from 2000, when women made 25% less than men, to 2008, when they made 23% less. Older, college-educated career women have had the biggest gains.

Terry Neese, founder of a human resources firm in Oklahoma City, says income shifts partly reflect changing gender roles and values.

As women bring in more income, men can work less or stay home with children, she says. Neese says her own daughter, who now runs the family firm, worked less and went to more kids' soccer games. "My daughter says, 'I'm not going to work like you worked,' " says Neese, 60."

An important part of the American Dream has always been that the next generation will be better off financially than the current one. That has always been the case. Will the current recession be only a temporary setback in the continuation of that trend?

It has been argued that since the U.S. recovered from the Great Depression, then it can certainly recover from this crisis. However, the U.S. had both WWII and the rebuilding that followed to help pull it out of the depression. Also, there was no low wage world wide competition with which to deal in 1945.

Will the U.S. (and world) economy return to, and ultimately exceed, the pre-recession levels? Or will we live with lowered expectations for the foreseeable future?

The 'under age 54s' that I know personally are damned hard workers. They and their families deserve the bright futures that preceding generations have virtually taken for granted. I know that they will work extra hard to succeed in spite of the extra obstacles in their pathes, yet it still angers me when bad things happen to good people.

9/11 - A Time to Remember and Reflect

2009-09-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

Let's spend our time this week remembering and reflecting, rather than bitterly analyzing and debating. See you next Friday.

End of Life Counseling: Death With Dignity

2009-09-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

As we approach our life's end, counseling can ease that final step. Ever since certain politicians began frothing at the mouth about 'death panels', and how they will be pulling the plug on grandma, I had seen no information about the established procedure of end-of-life counseling. Until now.

The July 8, 2009 New York Times published an article entitled, Sisters Face Death With Dignity and Reverence. I quote the article verbatim:

"Gravely ill with heart disease, tethered to an oxygen tank, her feet swollen and her appetite gone, Sister Dorothy Quinn, 87, readied herself to die in the nursing wing of the Sisters of St. Joseph convent where she has been a member since she was a teenager.

She was surrounded by friends and colleagues of nearly seven decades. Some had been with her in college, others fellow teachers in Alabama at the time of the Selma march, more from her years as a home health aide and spiritual counselor to elderly shut-ins.

As she lay dying, Sister Dorothy declined most of her 23 medications not essential for her heart condition, prescribed by specialists but winnowed by a geriatrician who knows that elderly people are often overmedicated. She decided against a mammogram to learn the nature of a lump in her one remaining breast, understanding that she would not survive treatment.

There were goodbyes and decisions about giving away her quilting supplies and the jigsaw puzzle collection that inspired the patterns of her one-of-a-kind pieces. She consoled her biological sister, who pleaded with her to do whatever it took to stay alive.

Even as her prognosis gradually improved from hours to weeks and even months, Sister Dorothy’s goal was not immortality; it was getting back to quilting, as she has. She spread her latest on her bed: Autumnal sunflowers. “I’m not afraid of death,” she said. “Even when I was dying, I wasn’t afraid of it. You just get a feeling within yourself at a certain point. You know when to let it be.”

A convent is a world apart, unduplicable. But the Sisters of St. Joseph, a congregation in this Rochester suburb, animate many factors that studies say contribute to successful aging and a gentle death — none of which require this special setting. These include a large social network, intellectual stimulation, continued engagement in life and spiritual beliefs, as well as health care guided by the less-is-more principles of palliative and hospice care — trends that are moving from the fringes to the mainstream.

For the elderly and infirm Roman Catholic sisters here, all of this takes place in a Mother House designed like a secular retirement community for a congregation that is literally dying off, like so many religious orders. On average, one sister dies each month, right here, not in the hospital, because few choose aggressive medical intervention at the end of life, although they are welcome to it if they want.

“We approach our living and our dying in the same way, with discernment,” said Sister Mary Lou Mitchell, the congregation president. “Maybe this is one of the messages we can send to society, by modeling it.”

Primary care for most of the ailing sisters is provided by Dr. Robert C. McCann, a geriatrician at the University of Rochester, who says that through a combination of philosophy and happenstance, “they have better deaths than any I’ve ever seen.”

Dr. McCann’s long relationship with the sisters gives him the time and opportunity, impossible in the hurly-burly of an intensive-care unit, to clarify goals of care long before a crisis: Whether feeding tubes or ventilators make sense. If pain control is more important than alertness. That studies show that CPR is rarely effective and often dangerous in the elderly.

“It is much easier to guide people to better choices here than in a hospital,” he said, “and you don’t get a lot of pushback when you suggest that more treatment is not better treatment.”

But that is not to say the sisters are denied aggressive treatment. Sister Mary Jane Mitchell, 65, chose radical surgery and radiation for a grave form of brain cancer. She now lives on the Alzheimer’s unit, unable to speak and squeezing shut her lips when aides try to feed her.

Then there is Sister Marie Albert Alderman, 84 and blind in one eye from a stroke. She sees a kidney specialist, who, she says, “is trying to keep me off the machine by staying on top of things.” By that she means dialysis, which she would not refuse. “If they want to try it, fine,” she said. “But I don’t want it to go on and on and on.”

But Sister Mary Jane and Sister Marie Albert are exceptions here. Few sisters opt for major surgery, high-tech diagnostic tests or life-sustaining machinery. And nobody can remember the last time anyone died in a hospital, which was one of the goals in selling the old Mother House, with its tumbledown infirmary — a “Bells of St. Mary” kind of place — and using the money to finance a new facility appropriate for end-of-life care.

“There is a time to die and a way to do that with reverence,” said Sister Mary Lou, 56, a former nurse. “Hospitals should not be meccas for dying. Dying belongs at home, in the community. We built this place with that in mind.”

In the old Mother House, the infirmary was a place apart. Here, everyone mixes. Of the 150 residents, nearly half live in the west wing, designated for independent living, in apartments with raised toilets, grab bars and the like. These are the sisters who have given up paying jobs and shared apartments in the community because of encroaching infirmity.

Forty sisters live in assisted-living studios, and another 40 in the nursing home and Alzheimer’s unit, all in the east wing, with the chapel, dining rooms and library at the central intersection. Closed-circuit television allows those confined to their rooms to watch daily religious services.

Remaining money from the sale of the Mother House went into a shared retirement fund covering the women’s lodging and medical care, along with Social Security payments of the retired and salaries of those still working — one is a surgeon, another a chief executive, and several are college professors. Dr. McCann bills Medicare for home visits, although most of the care he delivers is not covered by the government and goes without reimbursement.

Dr. McCann said that the sisters’ religious faith insulated them from existential suffering — the “Why me?” refrain commonly heard among those without a belief in an afterlife. Absent that anxiety and fear, Dr. McCann said, there is less pain, less depression, and thus the sisters require only one-third the amount of narcotics he uses to manage end-of-life symptoms among hospitalized patients.

On recent rounds, Dr. McCann saw Sister Beverly Jones, 86, a former music teacher losing her eyesight to macular degeneration. Upbeat, Sister Beverly told the doctor about the latest book she was reading using a magnifying device — “Beethoven’s Hair” by Russell Martin, about the composer’s DNA.

He also saw Sister Jamesine Riley, 75, once the president of the congregation, who barely survived a car accident that left her with a brain injury, dozens of broken bones and pneumonia. “You’re not giving up, are you?” Dr. McCann asked her.

“No, I’m discouraged, but I’m not giving up,” Sister Jamesine replied in a strong voice.

He told her he worried that she now found herself with so little control. She nodded in stoic assent.

Some days, Dr. McCann said, he arrives with his “head spinning,” from hospitals and intensive-care units where death can be tortured, impersonal and wastefully expensive, only to find himself in a “different world where it’s really possible to focus on what’s important for people” and, he adds, “what’s exportable, what we can learn from an ideal environment like this.”

Laura L. Carstensen, the director of the Center on Longevity at Stanford University, says the convent setting calms the tendency for public policy discussion about end-of-life treatment “to devolve into a debate about euthanasia or rationing health care based on age.”

“Every time I speak to a group about the need to improve the dying process, somebody raises their hand and says, ‘You’re talking about killing old people,’ ” Dr. Carstensen said. “But nobody would accuse Roman Catholic sisters of that. They could be a beacon in talking about this without it turning into that American black-and-white way of thinking: Either we have to throw everything we’ve got at keeping people alive or leave them on the sidewalk to die.”

Often the Roman Catholic position on end-of-life issues is misconstrued as “do anything and everything necessary” but nothing in Catholic theology demands extraordinary intervention, experts say, nor do the sisters here, or their resident chaplain, Msgr. William H. Shannon, 91, advocate euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide.

“Killing somebody who is very, very old, with a pill or something, that isn’t right,” Sister Dorothy said. “But everybody has their own slant on life and death. It’s legitimate to say no to extraordinary means. And dying people, you can tell when they don’t want to eat or drink. That’s a natural thing.”

Barbara Cocilova, the nurse practitioner here, sees differences in the health of these sisters compared with elderly patients in other settings. None have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (perhaps because they do not smoke) and only three have diabetes (often caused by obesity). Among those with Alzheimer’s, Ms. Cocilova said, diagnostic tests tend to produce better-than-expected results among those who are further along in the disease process, a possible result of mental stimulation.

Dr. McCann and others say that the sisters benefit from advanced education, and new ventures in retirement that keep them active. Sister Jamesine was a lawyer who founded a legal clinic for Rochester’s working poor. Sister Mary Jane Mitchell was the first female chaplain in a federal penitentiary.

Sister Bernadine Frieda, 91, spry and sharp, spends her days visiting the infirm with Sister Marie Kellner, 77, both of them onetime science teachers. Sister Marie, who left the classroom because of multiple sclerosis, reminds an astounded sister with Alzheimer’s that she was once a high school principal (“I was?!”) and sings “Peace Is Like a River” to the dying.

“We don’t let anyone go alone on the last journey,” Sister Marie said.

Seven priests moved here in old age, paying their own way, as does Father Shannon, who presides over funerals that are more about the celebratory “alleluia” than the glum “De Profundis.” But he has been with the sisters since he entered the priesthood, first as a professor at Nazareth College, founded by the order, and now as their chaplain. He shares with them the security of knowing he will not die among strangers who have nothing in common but age and infirmity.

“This is what our culture, our society, is starved for, to be rich in relationships,” Sister Mary Lou said. “This is what everyone should have.”

This article did an excellent job of providing real world information on a very sensitive subject. Much needed light was shed. Often, people don't want to face the reality of their demise. Yet we should not be in denial, no matter how painful that realization is.

When my time comes, I hope that I, as well as my wife, will have the support and advice of such counselors. Change is not easy. This ultimate transition is no exception.

Exploring Umm Al Quwain

2009-08-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

Umm Al Quwain is one of seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The term 'emirate' compares roughly to the old term 'shiekhdom'. It is the last of the seven that I will have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah, please see my posts dated February 13, 2009 (Bye Bye, Dubai?), March 6, 2009 (Exploring Abu Dhabi), April 3, 2009 (Exploring Ajman), May 8, 2009 (Exploring Fujairah), June 12,2009 (Exploring Ras Al Khaimah), and July 17, 2009 (Exploring Sharjah). It has been a fascinating and enriching journey for me.

Umm Al Quwain's population is 41,000, which makes it the least populated of the seven UAE emirates.

gowealthy.com summarized the history of Umm Al Quwain:

"The history of Umm Al Quwain dates back to remote antiquity. The name Umm Al Quwain is derived from Umm Al Quwatain, which means "Mother of two powers", a reference to the powerful seafaring tradition of this emirate.

The earliest settlements in Umm Al Quwain had strong Hellenistic traits; some of these are more than 7,000 years old. Traces of these ancient communities are still discernible in Al Dour, near the town of Umm Al Quwain.

Arrowheads and other polished flint tools have been unearthed in various sites across the UAE, including Umm Al Quwain. And pieces of Ubaid pottery have been unearthed along the shores of the emirate; all evidence obtained so far indicate that contact with Mesopotamia existed as early as the 5th millennium BC as an indigenous ceramic industry did not emerge until the 3rd century BC.

During the Bronze Age (3000 – 1300 BC), semi-nomadic tribes inhabited the region; they shifted in groups from place to place foraging for timber from the indigenous acacia for smelting copper. The metal was sent to all the prominent ports on the Gulf, Umm Al Nar being one of them. Ties with Mesopotamia were jealously maintained and consequently the trade in copper ushered in prosperity in the region.

Also during the Bronze Age, agriculture flourished, with dates being the prominent crop. Wheat, millet and other grains were also cultivated wherever there was enough water for irrigation. It is now widely believed that the climate during the period was more temperate than now. Buildings, mostly fortress towers came up in the UAE, especially in Umm Al Quwain, during the Umm Al Nar period (2500 – 2000 BC). The most common buildings associated with this era are the circular burial tombs. In Alexander the Great’s day, Hellenistic culture thrived in the Al Dour settlement in Umm Al Quwain.

Al Dour was located roughly where the town of Umm Al Quwain is now. It was an important trading port from about 200 BC to 200 AD. The site is interesting not only due to its fort and cemeteries but also because of the discovery, of a temple which has been attributed to the sun god.

The modern history of Umm Al Quwain began some 200 years ago when the Al Ali tribe moved their capital from Al Sinniyah Island to its present location in the mid 18th century, when the sweet water supply dried up.

In 1775 Sheikh Majid Al Mu’alla, founder of the ruling Al Mu’alla lineage of the Al Ali clan, established an independent sheikhdom in Umm al-Quwain. The emirate became a British protectorate on Jan 8, 1820 when the then ruler Sheikh Abdullah I signed the General Maritime Treaty with the United Kingdom. Owing to its strategic position on the way to India, Umm Al Quwain, like Ajman, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah was made a salute state. And on Dec 2 1971, Sheikh Ahmad II joined the United Arab Emirates. The current ruler of Umm Al Quwain is Sheikh Rashid III bin Ahmad Al Mu’alla; he has reigned since 1981, when he succeeded his father Sheikh Ahmad II.

In the 21st century, Umm Al Quwain has made major economic and technological inroads and ranks as one of fastest developing emirates in the country."

How has the current economic crisis affected Umm Al Quwain? This question came to me as I had just read that the unemployment rate for Las Vegas is up to 13.1%. Do we have an unfortunate area of common interest with the citizens of this emirate? Unfortunately, yes.

recruitgulf.com has a page devoted to Umm Al Quwain. I clicked on each of the 30 job categories and found the following lead sentence on each of them:

"There are currently no job vacancies matching your particular criteria in Umm al-Quwain."

Let's hope that the job situation in Umm Al Quwain and Las Vegas reverses the current trend so we can both share prosperity again soon. Of course I want to expand that hope to all countries as well.

Check out the recreation. You might enjoy the emirate's Dreamland Aqua Park. If you can wait until 2015, the Umm Al Quwain Marina will be a site to see. With an expected completion date of 2011, White Bay sounds like a residential area not to miss, with "...an arrangement of 8 thousand leasehold residential units as waterfront villas, park-view villas, terraced condominiums, mid-rise apartments and townhouses...".

Can you see yourself enjoying these attractions, and chatting with local folks? I can. Such a vision makes the alleged differences between the citizens of the United States and the citizens of the United Arab Emirates seem trivial.

Forget what fearmongering politicians might want us to believe. Think for yourself. The benefits might surprise you.

Ten Wheel Drive: The Best Band Not At Woodstock

2009-08-14T22:40:00.000-07:00

August 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the ground-breaking festival of peace and music known as Woodstock. I was 19 years old and desperately wanted to attend, but couldn't afford it. I had recently completed my freshman year at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, and worked part time as a stock boy at a Montgomery Ward store at 95th and Western. It paid for my books, clothes, dating expenses, and auto insurance. Thank God I had a scholarship that covered tuition.

During the summer of 1969, I had a couple of summer classes, and worked full time stocking shelves; assembling everything from tricycles to above ground swimming pools to storage sheds to riding mowers; and moving 50 pound bags of fertilizer, all for $1.40 per hour. But I digress...

Since you've probably seen and heard numerous clips from varied Woodstock performances this month, I want to introduce you to the Best Band Not At Woodstock. But first, additional background to this story.

Two years after Woodstock, in the record department at Wards, I found, in the remaindered (marked down) section, some albums by a band called Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan (TWD). What caught my eye was the jazz-rock notations on the albums' covers. I was already a huge fan of jazz-rock. Blood, Sweat, and Tears had whetted my appetite with "Spinning Wheel". (NOTE: When clicking on the songs, you will be taken to "last.fm". To listen to the original versions of the songs, click on their titles in the upper right hand portion of the web page.)

Then I played the TWD albums. Nothing prepared me for the force of this band's music. As a Chicagoan, and fan of the great jazz-rock group Chicago Transit Authority, known as simply Chicago after their first album, it pains me to say that they were bypassed in that genre by this east coast jazz-rock band.

A TWD sampler: How Long Before I'm Gone; I Am A Want Ad; House In Central Park; Eye of the Needle; Tightrope; Pulse; Stay With Me; Last of the Line; Ain't Gonna Happen.

TWD leads the jazz-rock pack thanks to remaining true to a strong jazz sound carrying the melodies; Genya Raven's powerful vocals; the brilliant arrangement of the songs; the tight horn section that won't be denied; and last, but certainly not least, the creative genius of Aram Schefrin.

I guarantee that you will either love or loathe Genya's vocal stylings (needless to say, I love her voice), but TWD is the real deal. Look for their songs on last.fm, youtube, or on ITunes. Their creative heart and soul, Aram Schefrin, recorded a series of revealing podcasts about TWD, that are still accessable on Itunes for free. The podcasts include a wide selection by Aram of TWD's songs.

In the aforementioned TWD podcasts, Aram mentions Woodstock, and how TWD was not invited. Such an omission on the part of Woodstock's organizers was a musical loss. Their appearance at Woodstock would have garnered them the publicity necessary to propel them to much greater commercial success, as well as perhaps keeping the band together for much more artistic success as well. At least we have three TWD albums with Genya (not including a so-called "Greatest Hits").

I close my eyes and imagine a duet at Woodstock with Janis Joplin and Genya Ravan, backed by Big Brother and the Holding Company and Ten Wheel Drive. Could the stage have supported such talent? It would have been electric.

Health Care Crisis - Life Expectancy by Country Tells Tale

2009-08-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

Is the health care system in the United States the envy of the rest of the world? Check out the top 50 countries by life expectancy before you answer:

#1 = Macau (84.36); #2 = Andorra (82.51); #3 = Japan (82.12); #4 = Singapore (81.98); #5 = San Marino (81.97);
#6 = Hong Kong (81.86); #7 = Australia (81.63); #8 = Canada (81.23); #9 = France (80.98); #10 = Sweden (80.86).

#11 = Switzerland (80.85); #12 = Guernsey (80.77); #13 = Israel (80.73); #14 = Iceland (80.67); #15 = Anguilla (80.65);
#16 = Cayman Islands (80.44); #17 = Bermuda (80.43); #18 = New Zealand (80.36); #19 = Italy (80.20);
#20 = Gibraltar (80.19).

#21 = Monaco (80.09); #22 = Liechtenstein (80.06); #23 = Spain (80.05); #24 = Norway (79.95); #25 = Jersey (79.75);
#26 = Greece (79.66); #27 = Austria (79.50); #28 = Faroe Islands (79.44); #29 = Malta (79.44); #30 = Netherlands (79.40).

#31= Luxembourg (79.33); #32 = Germany (79.26); #33 = Belgium (79.22); #34 = Saint Pierre and Miquelon (79.07);
#35 = Virgin Islands (79.05); #36 = United Kingdom (79.01); #37 = Finland (78.97); #38 = Jordan (78.87);
#39 = Isle of Man (78.82); #40 = Korea, South (78.72).

#41 = European Union (78.67); #42 = Puerto Rico (78.53); #43 = Bosnia and Herzegovina (78.50);
#44 = Saint Helena (78.44); #45 = Cyprus (78.33); #46 = Denmark (78.30); #47 = Ireland (78.24); #48 = Portugal (78.21);
#49 = Wallis and Futuna (78.20); #50 = United States (78.11).

From where did these disturbing 2009 statistics originate? Was it some left-wing web site trying to distort the facts to fit an agenda?

Only if you put the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States into that category. click here to read more

The United States can do better. We need substantial health care reform now.

Did Sherpa Brothers Set New Everest Record?

2009-07-24T21:06:00.000-07:00

According to the April 11, 2009 online edition of the Seattle Times:

"Three Sherpa brothers hoping to set a new record by spending 24 hours at the top of the world set out Sunday for the summit of Mount Everest.

The trio - Pemba Dorje, 31; Nima Gyalzen, 23; and Phurba Tenzing, 20 - boarded a plane in Katmandu, Nepal's capital, and flew to a small airport on the foothills of Everest. They were expected to trek to the base camp with their team, climbing gear and supplies in the next few days.

The brothers plan to reach the 29,035-foot (8,850-meter) summit in May and spend 24 hours at the top, known as "the death zone" because of the extreme weather. Most climbers linger there for only a few minutes, just long enough to take a photograph.

Several friends and supporters of the brothers gathered at the airport to wish them success.

"It is going to be difficult, but we are confident because all of us have reached the Everest summit many times and we are all experienced climbers on the mountain," Dorje told reporters at the airport.

At the summit, they will face extreme cold weather, low air pressure, brain-starving low levels of oxygen, high winds and blizzard conditions.

The last record was set by Babu Chhiri, who spent 21 hours at the summit in 1999. A veteran mountaineer, he died in 2001 during an expedition

The brothers said they planned to pray, take notes of the changing temperatures and the effect they have on human bodies.

Dorje holds the record for the fastest climb of the world's highest mountain, sprinting from a base camp to the summit in just eight hours 10 minutes.

Sherpa tribesmen were mostly yak herders and traders living in the Himalayas until Nepal opened its borders to tourism in 1950. Their stamina and knowledge of the mountains makes them expert guides and porters.

They typically have no family name and are called after the days of the week they are born."

Did they succeed?

Yes and no.

The May 27, 2009 online edition of the NepalMountainNews unfortunately reported:

"Three Sherpa brothers who were eying to set a new world record by staying atop Mt. Everest for 24 hours have abandoned the effort and have returned from Camp 2, their expedition organizer said Tuesday.

Speed climber Pemba Dorje Sherpa, who set the record for the fastest climb of the 8,848-meter peak on May 21, 2004 when he clocked 8 hours and 10 minutes, returned from Camp 2, located at 6,600 meters, on Monday owing to bad weather, said Dambar Parajuli, Chief Executive Officer of Prestige Adventure that organized the expedition.

“They have abandoned the expedition,” Parajuli told myrepublica.com.

Pemba, 31, was vying to stay atop the peak for a full day without supplementary oxygen. He was accompanied by his younger brothers Nima Gyalzen, 23, and Phurba Tenzing, 20, who were also trying to stay the same duration atop the peak, but with supplementary oxygen.

All of them have returned to the Base Camp.

The record for most time atop the peak is currently held by Babu Chiri Sherpa, who spent 20 hours on top in 1999. Babu Chiri died in 2001 in an accident along the slopes of Mt. Everest.

The only new record set this climbing season was by Appa Sherpa, 49, who climbed the peak for the 19th time, breaking his own world record of 18 ascents."

So, "No", they did not succeed in their specific goal.

But, "Yes", they succeeded in many other ways.

- They inspired me, and I hope, you as well.

- They brought publicity to the Sherpas, long overlooked as mere "hired help" in the lore of Mount Everest climbs. The Sherpa's employers used to get all the glory.

- These three young men embarrassed me. The next time I wake up for work and moan about wishing I could sleep longer, I'll think about how my concern paled in comparison to the dangerous concerns these men face on every climb.

- In researching this attempt, I came across another outstanding group of Sherpa climbers. What sets this group apart is that they are all females. I quote from Dawa Yangzi, member of 2000 Nepali Sherpa Women's Climbing Team: "When we were young, my friends and I were in awe of Pasang Lhamu. I remember talking about how it would be great to get a chance to go to Everest. Some friends said women couldn't do it. I insisted that women could." I encourage you to read this account in full. click here to read more

Our world has its problems. Take the time to dream, and put those dreams into action. The Sherpas did. I honor them.

Exploring Sharjah

2009-07-17T18:09:00.000-07:00

Sharjah is one of seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The term 'emirate' compares roughly to the old term 'shiekhdom'. It is the sixth of the seven that I have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah, please see my posts dated February 13, 2009, Bye Bye, Dubai?, March 6, 2009, Exploring Abu Dhabi, April 3, 2009, Exploring Ajman, May 8, 2009, Exploring Fujairah, and June 12,2009 Exploring Ras Al Khaimah.

The Department of Seaports & Customs of the Government of Sharjah web site provides the following overview of Sharjah's commercial offerings:

"The Emirate of Sharjah has been associated with maritime trading in the Gulf for centuries. Today, that proud tradition is maintained through its three modern sea ports – Port Khalid and Hamriyah on the west coast on the Arabian Gulf and Khor Fakkan on the east coast on the Gulf of Oman.

The Emirate’s unique position enables it to benefit from these three maritime access points which are owned and managed by the Sharjah Government’s Department of Seaports & Customs.

The management team reports directly to His Highness the Ruler who takes an active interest in the ports’ development resulting in their modern construction, having been upgraded and improved constantly in line with increasing trade.

We handle all types of vessels with cargoes ranging from break-bulk to timber, logs, refrigerated, vehicles, Ro Ro, heavy lifts and containers for which the terminals are equipped with the latest ship-shore gantries and modern yard equipment. Two cold stores of 10,000 tons capacity are located at Port Khalid, where passenger ships call periodically and a regular passenger service operates to Iranian ports.

Our employees are especially trained and customer focused and port users receive personal and dedicated attention throughout our 24 hour operation."

The current world economic downturn made me imagine that such an energenic series of port facilities, with their associated support services, stores, maintenance, homes, et cetera would provide numerous well-paying jobs, leading to positive and prosperous career futures for Sharjah's citizens.

A Sharjah travel web site adds some history and cultural details:

"The Sharjah city is located on the west coast of United Arab Emirates. However, the Sharjah Emirate has been connected with both sides, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The city of Sharjah is renowned for its commitment to art, culture and the city has preserved the local heritage. In 1998, the city was rewarded as the ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’ by the UNESCO.

The history of Sharjah dates back to 5000 years when it was one of the wealthiest towns in the gulf region. At that time, the population of the city was very low and the income sources were associated with the economic activities such as trade, farming, hunting, fishing and peal (editor's note: probably 'pearl') farming.

In the 16th century, the town became little unstable as the Portuguese conquered area of the east coast in order to control the spice trade. The fort at Khor Fakkan, Kalba and Dibba were built during their command. After that Dutch tried to dominate the area for the same reason.

The 17th century was the turning point of city as British arrived in the region and started trading with Qawasim, the forefathers of present Sharjah ruling family. The area of Gulf and Red sea was preferred by Europeans for linking principal routes of communication between the Mediterranean and India.

In the early of 18th century, ruling Qawasim turned out to be a stronger marine power in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaima. In 1804, Sultan bin Saqr bin Rashid Al Qasimi became the Sheikh of Sharjah. This forefather of present ruler governed Sharjah for over 50 years.

At the end of 18th century, the relationships between Qawasim and British deteriorated as they blamed each other for attacks and misbehavior.

In 1809, the initial land based attacks by British were stopped. In the year 1820, the first of other peace treaties was signed assuring maritime peace, security and protection of British against any attacks for 150 years. Then the coast was known as Oman Peaceful Coast and Sheikhdoms of Oman as reconciled countries. Until the formation of United Arab Emirates in 1971, these names were attached to the relevant regions."

Would you expect a nation in the Middle East to promote vehicles that run on natural gas rather than on gasoline? Probably not. However, on July 1, 2009, the following article, entitled 'Street cleaning vehicles in Sharjah now run on natural gas', appeared on the Gulfnews web site:

Sharjah: Street sweeping vehicles in Sharjah are now using compressed natural gas in order to promote a healthier environment in the emirate.

"At present, we are supplying the gas to 300 of our vehicles and 20 vehicles that belong to other companies," said Tareq Rashid Deemas, Head of the Directorate of Gas at the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa).

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is the cleanest burning fuel, requires less vehicle maintenance and supports a longer engine life.

"Through this initiative we hope that it will encourage other companies to take on the responsibility of using environmentally friendly fuel, which will in turn make Sharjah a greener emirate."

CNG is the most suitable alternative to petrol as it does not release carbon dioxide, which in turn prevents further global warming.

He pointed out that Sewa is also planning to convert 85 per cent of its fleet to natural gas vehicles. CNG vehicles produce the fewest emissions of any fuel.

"We have set up the first natural gas station in the region with the intention of eliminating car emissions in the emirate, but this can only be done with the cooperation of all companies, whether private or publicly owned," said Deemas.

Sewa launched the first CNG station in the Halwan area, near the Sharjah Co-operative Society, in 2005 and initially only vehicles of Sewa were fitted with the converters to run on gas.

Converting a petrol engine to gas takes about a day and a half, and one canister lasts for about 140 kilometres."

Frankly, I was impressed. Aren't you?

I fear that many Americans see countries like the UAE as socially very conservative and not much fun for its inhabitants. Wrong! In researching Sharjah, I learned about various festivals and entertainment that put that stereotype to rest. Here is but a sampling:

- Sharjah Water Festival: The Sharjah water festival offers several activities that include sand sculpture competitions, water skiing, fireworks display and many more activities.

- Sharjah Arts Biennial: Since 1993, the Department of Culture and Information of Sharjah organizes international Art Biennial event in the city. This event is organized to encourage contacts between artists and art institutions of Arab countries. This event gives great opportunity to Arab artists to share their ideas, art with the artists coming from all around the world. The event is held in the months of April and June.

- The international book fair: The city of Sharjah hosts annual international book fair which is a popular event among the tourists. It takes place in beautifully landscaped Expo centre of Sharjah. The Emir of Sharjah personally takes interest in annual book fair event. Hundreds of publishers from all over the world come here to join this event.

- Sharjah Spring Festival: Every year, thousands of tourists visit Sharjah Spring Festival takes place in the month of January. The event is participated by over 1700 outlets selling variety of things. The promotions in the spring festival include special discounts, offers, fun and entertainment events and activities aimed at highlighting the tourism scene of Sharjah.

Besides these events, I counted 21 different sports that have events for the public in Sharjah - everything from cricket, bowling, and hockey, to snorkeling, powerboat racing, and wind surfing. I got winded just reading about the variety of entertainment available in Sharjah.

The best thing about the preceding information is that it will hopefully put to rest many negative stereotypes about countries like the United Arab Emirates.

The many that are good eclipses the few that are bad. Let's ALL keep that in mind.

Governor Palin Quits. Say It Ain't So!

2009-07-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today announced that (1) She will not run for a second term as Governor of Alaska, and (2) She would resign on July 26, 2009, far short of the four year term's end in 2010.

Her announcement (speech part 1 of 2) (speech part 2 of 2) was poorly timed. The Friday before a holiday ranks amongst the lowest ratings for news. Had she sincerely wanted maximum exposure, today was not the day.

Her speech was poorly written. She began by providing a history lesson on Alaska: "We were purchased as a territory because a member of President Abe Lincoln's cabinet, William Seward, providentially saw in this great land, vast riches, beauty, strategic placement on the globe, and opportunity." Oops. Wrong President. I guess since she's only a proud Alaskan and the state's Governor, she would not know that while Seward was appointed Secretary of State by President Lincoln, it wasn't until after Lincoln's assassination, during President Andrew Johnson's administration in 1867, that Secretary Seward negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia.

She proceeded to state the accomplishments of her administration. It was an impressive list. The ones that I really cheered for were, "And we made common sense conservative choices to eliminate personal luxuries like the jet, the chef, the junkets... the entourage. And the Lt. Governor and I said "no" to our pay raises." I must say that I didn't realize that such choices were "conservative." If so, I guess I'm more conservative that I realized!

As I watched, I expected to hear her follow up with an announcement of an exploratory committee for the 2012 Presidential campaign. Or perhaps an announcement of her candidacy for Alaska's Senate seat in 2010. So when she said she was not running for reelection as Governor, it did not come as much of a surprise.

Then she became a quitter. Resigned her office. But not before making this interesting statement, "Life is too short to compromise time and resources... it may be tempting and more comfortable to just keep your head down, plod along, and appease those who demand: "Sit down and shut up", but that's the worthless, easy path; that's a quitter's way out."

So she quit rather than take the hard road - stay in her job and fight back against those who demanded that she "Sit down and shut up". Didn't show much backbone and Alaskan pluck by quitting, did she?

Well, I guess she couldn't take the heat, so she got out of the kitchen. Alaska will be better off without a Governor like that.

Her plans? "I WILL support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the RIGHT reasons, and I don't care what party they're in or no party at all. Inside Alaska - or Outside Alaska."

It's good that she recognized her considerable limitations. But she'll support others who have the guts to serve in ways she obviously could not.

Palin stated, "With this announcement that I am not seeking re-election... I've determined it's best to transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell; and I am willing to do so, so that this administration - with its positive agenda, its accomplishments, and its successful road to an incredible future - can continue without interruption and with great administrative and legislative success."

"And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean Parnell."

Interesting. During the 2008 Presidential race, she refused to temporarily turn over the responsibilities of the Governor's office to Sean Parnell. Now she will be turning over the entire Governor's office to him. What changed her mind about Parnell's ability to run the state?

Palin stated, "Let me go back to a comfortable analogy for me - sports... basketball. I use it because you're naïve if you don't see the national full-court press picking away right now:..."

If anything, the "full court press" occurred during the 2008 Presidential campaign, not now. Where has she been?

"And I know when it's time to pass the ball - for victory." Huh?

So why did I title this week's blog, "Governor Palin Quits. Say It Ain't So!"?

It seems that Palin has made a disastrous career decision that will negatively impact her chances in 2012. Had she either been re-elected Governor, or been elected Senator, her candidacy in 2012 would have been strong, and would have caused the Republican Party base to further shrink. Had she won the 2012 Republican nomination, the ensuing Palin versus Obama campaign, debates, and interviews would have been an amazing contrast of skill sets and abilities.

So I entreat, "Sarah, say it ain't so!"

Deaths Du Jour

2009-06-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson Dead at 50!

- Who cares?

Farrah Fawcett Dead at 62!

- Who cares?

Ed McMahon Dead at 86!

- Who cares?

Sarah Hogan Dead at 90!

- Who?

From the Obituary page of the June 26 Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper web site is the notice of Sarah Logan's death. Her death is no less important to her family and loved ones than the other deaths listed above. Her notice (minus funeral home address and phone number):

HOGAN, Sarah Sarah Bulloch Hogan, age 90 of Loganville, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009. Funeral Services will be held 3:30 PM Sunday, June 28, 2009 in the Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home with Rev. David Dills and Rev. Nick Harmon officiating. Burial will follow in Ozora Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Hogan retired from Walton Manufacturing as a seamstress and was a member of Ozora Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Grady Hogan in 1986. She is survived by Children: Linda & Kenneth Guthrie, Loganville; Larry & Alice Hogan: Snellville; Jane Cahill, Loganville; Special Friend: Carl Moon, Loganville; Sisters-in-law: Macy Bulloch, Loganville; Sara Still, Good Hope; Care Givers: Barbara Biggers, Loganville; Dixie Short, Grayson; 7 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; several nieces & nephews.

I recognize the interest in the lives and deaths of 'famous' people. They do provide a certain superficial common bond between the rest of us. Their deaths deserve a note on the news, but not the untold hours of airtime and untold pages in newspapers and magazines that they receive. Such over-exposure detracts from their lives and reputations. It also detracts from the integrity and professionalism of our news outlets.

By the time you read this, I'll bet that you will be sick of hearing about Jackson, Fawcett, and McMahon. I already am. That's too bad. Each was talented.

So I suggest that you pause for a moment and think of Sarah Hogan, chosen at random by me. Then, look in your local newspaper and choose any obituary notice. Think about the stranger you're reading about. That person will then no longer be a stranger to you. Maybe you'll ponder the same questions as I have about Sarah. Was she a happy person? What troubles did she deal with in her life? Was she an optimist or a pessimist?

Mark Twain wrote, "There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside of the dullest exterior there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy."

My experience with people has been the same as old Sam Clemens. For that I am glad.

Jon Voight Degenerates From Actor To Hater

2009-06-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

Jon Voight has descended from an acclaimed actor (Midnight Cowboy) to a person making dangerous, threatening statements against President Obama in a speech made to the Republican Senate-House Fundraising Dinner earlier this month.

Of particular concern to me are these Voightisms:

1. "Let’s give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this false prophet Obama."

2. "I’ll tell you why this really scares the hell out of me. Because everything Obama has recommended has turned out to be disasterous."

3. "Obama really thinks that he is a soft-spoken Julius Ceaser. He thinks he’s going to conquer the world with his soft-spoken sweet talk."

4. "We and we alone are the right frame of mind to free this nation from this Obama oppression."

5. "We can blame Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd, George Soros, David Axelrod and their ilk for the downfall of this country."

In the interest of providing all the facts, here is the text of Voight's speech:

VOIGHT: My most pressing concern at this hour is the safety of Israel. I think Obama has no idea that Israel was built on the blood and sweat of the Jewish people. Every blade of grass, every tree, has been a successful effort because the Jewish people understanding they would have a safe homeland forever. He could not possibly understand this or he would know that the Jewish people are tried time and time again to give the Palestinians land and bring a peaceful solution. But every attempt, every attempt, was returned with violence. The Palestinians used Gaza to attack Israel. As far as I’m concerned, their only agenda is to wipe Israel off the Earth. And he reprimands the Israeli people, Obama. Like he’s a professor and they’re the school children. I was embarrassed to watch his press conference with the great war hero, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has helped keep his country safe for many years. Obama sat there with complete arrogance that he is the new American power, that he is able to dictate what he thinks is best for Israel. So how worried are we supposed to be now? Was I hearing things when he said that Iran might have the right to nuclear power? Are we supposed to be sitting and waiting, watching for the possibility of a new Holocaust? Who’s going to take the responsibility to keep Ameri — Israel safe?

I’ll tell you why this really scares the hell out of me. Because everything Obama has recommended has turned out to be disasterous. His so-called stimulus package and his budgets will leave our grandchildren with great burdens and great debts. The government is now owning car companies and banks and we’re losing job after job. Our unemployment rate is an astronomic 9.4. And of course they send out Joe Biden, one of the great double-talkers of our time, to tell us the unemployment rate is getting better. The government wants to run health care and tell people what doctors they can see. How much they can make. What cars to drive. And they’re killing off the entrepreneurs who are the backbone of our economy. It’s no wonder that the Russian newspaper Pravda, the former house organ for the former Soviet Communist regime, has said the American descent into Marxism is happening with breath-taking speed. We can blame Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd, George Soros, David Axelrod and their ilk for the downfall of this country. It saddens me greatly to think we were the great power for good in the world. We as Americans knew America to be strong. And we were the liberators of the entire world. We are becoming a weak nation. Obama really thinks that he is a soft-spoken Julius Ceaser. He thinks he’s going to conquer the world with his soft-spoken sweet talk. And really thinks he’s going to bring all the enemies of the world into a little playground where they’ll swing each other back and forth. We and we alone are the right frame of mind to free this nation from this Obama oppression.

And let’s give thanks to all the great people like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, William Bennett, Glenn Beck, Hugh Hewitt, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Dennis Miller, Dick Morris, Ann Coulter, John Kasich, Michael Steele, Karl Rove, Newt Gingrich, Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson, Shelby Steele, Charles Krauthammer, Michelle Malkin, Fred Barnes and so many others. Let’s give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this false prophet Obama."

Of the five quotes I listed above, it is the first one, "Let’s give thanks to them for not giving up and staying the course to bring an end to this false prophet Obama.", that worries me the most. It states quite clearly that "...an end to this false prophet Obama." is what Jon Voight desperately wants. And the Republicans in the audience agreed wholeheartedly. If Voight had said, instead, that it should be the goal of the Republican Party to defeat President Obama in the next election, that would have been acceptable. That approach fits in both with our political system of peaceful change and our culture. So why did Voight choose the incendiary language he did? Does he hope that some lunatic takes his words to heart?

I could possibly excuse Voight if he misspoke because he was in the heat of the moment. But this was not the first time he had given this hate-filled speech. Earlier that day he had given an expanded version of the speech to the National Republican Congressional Committee. There is no excuse for Voight.

I heard many times during anti-Vietnam War marches from haters like Voight who would shout, "America - Love It or Leave It!" Isn't it ironic that today, those same haters wouldn't think about taking their own advice? Hypocrites.

My hope is that this speech will only serve to further marginalize the Republican right-wing and show the world what idiots reside there. Where are the Republican leaders who should be condemning the sentiments of this speech? And oh yes, did you notice that Voight failed to even extend the courtesy of referring to "President" Obama? I wonder why not???

Perhaps Voight is upset that he didn't get the role Dustin Hoffman played in "Rainman." Voight would have been a natural.

Exploring Ras Al Khaimah

2009-06-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

Ras Al Khaimah is one of seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The term 'emirate' compares roughly to the old term 'shiekhdom'. It is the fifth of the seven that I have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, and Fujairah, please see my posts dated February 13, 2009, Bye Bye, Dubai?, March 6, 2009, Exploring Abu Dhabi, April 3, 2009, Exploring Ajman, and May 8, 2009, Exploring Fujairah.

Ras Al Khaimah, Arabic: رأس الخيمة‎,, literally translated means "The Top of the Tent". The Gulfnews.com web site describes Ras Al Khaimah:

"Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northern-most emirate in the UAE and has been ruled by His Highness Shaikh Saqr bin Mohmmad Al Qasimi since 1948.

It is the smallest of the seven emirates by some way, covering just 168 square kilometers. That’s just over two per cent of the total mainland of the UAE.

The Emirate has been largely dependent upon traditional occupations, such as fishing, trading and agriculture. Since the establishment of the Federation, much effort has been put into modernising these traditional sectors to meet the demands of the UAE's economy.

In the 1980's, Ras Al Khaimah discovered the small, though useful, offshore Saleh oilfield. Ras Al Khaimah abounds in tuna fish. Another important local industry is cement and building materials.

Ras Al Khaimah’s Saqr Port (Mina Saqr), located next to the town of Ras Al Khaimah, is a deep water port with the latest facilities. It has also developed its new Free Zone on the Al Holaylah Island.

The city of Ras Al Khaimah is divided into two sections by Khor (creek) Ras Al Khaimah. In the western section, known as Old Ras Al Khaimah, are Ras Al Khaimah National Museum and a number of government departments.

The eastern part, known as Al Nakheel, houses the Ruler's office, several government departments and commercial companies. The two sections are connected by a large bridge built across the khor.

RAK was also once the centre of the naval strength of the southern Gulf states. Clashes with the British Navy led to its downfall in 1820 and the subsequent arrival of a British presence upon the local scene.

Ras Al Khaimah officially became a part of the UAE Federation on October 10, 1972, a year after the Federation was formed."

The Awafi Desert is an increasing tourist draw to the area. According to a January 2005 posting on www.ameinfo.com, the inaugural 2005 Awafi Festival included: "...traditional Arabic song and dance shows, colourful display of fire works and a performance by a band troupe..."

I was particularly interested in the traditional Arabic song and dance shows item. Cultural exchanges will ultimately bring various peoples together. Not politics. Not conquest. Sharing each other's dances, songs, and foods establish strong common bonds. They also bring smiles.

While actively involved in the Diversity Committee at a former employer of mine, I found that our annual Diversity picnic was the one event that virtually everyone looked forward to. The chance to share a culinary treat reflective of one's heritage was both irresistible and delicious!

How about a United Nations cultural initiative based on sharing culinary delights in a cooperative, not competitive, way? It's an idea I could really sink my teeth into. What about you?

04 June 2009: An Important Day for World Peace

2009-05-29T11:54:00.000-07:00

President Obama will make a speech at the University of Cairo on June 4. The topic? An attempt to convince the Muslims of the world that the West, primarily the United States, is not at war with Islam.

Former President George W. Bush tried to make that case, but failed to do so. Why did he fail? First, after the September 11 attacks, President Bush said, "...this crusade, this war on terrorism, is going to take awhile." Second, the fact that his Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, headlined his written war briefings to the President with Biblical quotations, such as, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Referring to a "crusade" and then having Bible quotes embellishing official documents kind of wrecks one's credibility concerning the non-religious aspect of the war. I suspect that history will not be kind to President George W. Bush.

The May 9 Boston Herald carried this story about President Obama's upcoming speech in Egypt:

"President Barack Obama will visit Egypt on June 4 to deliver a long-planned speech aimed at convincing Muslims worldwide that the United States isn’t at war with their faith.

Egypt is a strategic but politically risky choice for such a venue. With more than 83 million people, it’s the most populous nation in the Middle East.

However, the Egyptian government, led by 81-year-old President Hosni Mubarak, is widely criticized for its authoritarian rule, corruption and human rights abuses, issues that are likely to provoke criticism of Obama’s choice to speak there, and that will require him to walk a careful line between promoting democratic values and criticizing his host.

President Bush repeatedly said after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that the United States was not at war with Islam, only terrorists, a message since repeated by Obama.

Obama’s speech is expected to be delivered in Cairo, historically an Arabic center of intellectual thought in the Muslim world, but the location hasn’t been finalized, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Gibbs called Egypt “a country that in many ways represents the heart of the Arab world” and said the speech won’t be aimed at Muslim leaders so much as it will be at the populace.

It represents “a continuing effort by this president and this White House to demonstrate how we can work together to ensure the safety and security and the future well-being through hope and opportunity of the children of this country and of the Muslim world,” he said.

The State Department’s most recent human rights report said that Mubarak’s regime routinely abuses human and political rights, employing torture, detaining hundreds of people without charges or trial, including political opponents, restricting freedom of speech and the press, and rigging elections.

Gibbs acknowledged that “the issues of democracy and human rights . . . are on the president’s mind,” and said “we’ll have a chance to discuss those in more depth on the trip.”

After Egypt, Obama will travel to Germany for a June 5 visit to Dresden and the Buchenwald concentration camp, which a great uncle of his helped to liberate, then on to France on June 6 for the 65th anniversary of D-Day."

I am simultaneously concerned for President Obama's safety, and optimistic that his trip will, at a minimum, plant the seeds of understanding in the minds of Middle Eastern citizens who happen to be of the Islamic faith.

As always, I look for areas of common interest. If his speech goes as planned at the University of Cairo, I can see President Obama reaching out to the students there with some shared concerns that he had, both as a student in the United States, and as a teacher at the University of Chicago. Perhaps a brief comment that students around the world represent this world's future; or a comment in favor of students studying overseas in order to help gain a global perspective on issues. He would then direct his comments to the wider audience.

The shape of the world will be molded, in large part, by how the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are resolved. Peaceful and just conclusions will introduce stability and hope for generations to come.

I wish the President a safe and successful trip, and thank him in advance.

Betrayed by General Motors... Twice!

2009-05-15T01:48:00.000-07:00

In 1984 I became the owner of a 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. It had classic looks, ran well, had decent gas mileage (for a mid-size vehicle), and gave me 125,000 miles until, in 1994, it was stolen from a downtown Chicago parking lot, stripped, and used by numerous homeless people as a combination of sleeping quarters, kitchen, and toilet for three weeks before I got a call from the Chicago Police Department that it had been located.

When I saw it, I was amazed at (1) how god-awful it looked and smelled, (2) how close it was to the parking lot from which it had been stolen (about 6 blocks away), and (3) the fact that it had accumulated about 30 parking tickets. Yes, my license plates and city sticker were still attached. But the fact that the police records showed it as a stolen vehicle, and they had my name, address, and phone number, did not prevent cops from ticketing it over and over and over.

Although I've gone off on a tangent, I must finish the story by saying that I submitted my police report, dated prior to the tickets being written, with the tickets to the appropriate administrative agency requesting that all the tickets be voided. The bureaucrats voided 22 of the 30 tickets only, without explanation. When I called and called and got transferred and transferred, I was told not why they had let the other 8 tickets stand, but that I could appeal those 8 'convictions' only by going, in person, to another police agency, posting $300 cash PER DISPUTED TICKET, and then appear in court to plead my case. Perhaps numerous court dates would be required. Each court date would require me to take an entire day off from work.

Justice unaffordable is justice denied! Was I stuck in a Kafka novel? I finally gave up and paid the $240 for the 8 tickets. After the car was 'repaired' and detailed by my auto insurance company, "old dependable" was never quite the same.

In 1995 we bought a 1996 Saturn SL2. It is a small four door sedan that averages 25 MPG in the city and ~30 MPG on the highway. Reading about the Saturn philosophy concerning "no haggle pricing", treating customers as family, focus on customer satisfaction, and the new factory in the U.S. of A. (!) at Spring Hill, Tennessee - a model of union-management cooperation that was to set the pattern not only for the rest of General Motors, but perhaps all U.S. car companies, made me wildly enthusiastic.

The two Saturn dealers we visited were just as advertised. There was no pressure. No haggling over price. The sales staff showed us the wall in the showroom covered with Polaroid photos of new owners picking up their cars, with all the dealership's employees cheering them on. A mechanic in the shop showed us the bulletin board with handwritten letters from satisfied customers.

We showed the saleswoman our 12 year old Oldsmobile trade-in and was offered $100. She said the dealership would not be able to sell it, and would probably have a scrap dealer haul it away. She then told me that I should donate it to the charity of my choice, as it would not only benefit others, but the tax deduction would be more than $100. Since I had acquired the Olds upon my mother's death, from a stroke caused in large part by a 2 pack-a-day unfiltered Camel cigarette habit since age 16, I felt it was appropriate, and appreciated by Mom, to donate it to the Lung Association, which was very glad to get it.

Yes, the day we picked up the Saturn, all the employees at the dealership gathered around and cheered. Our photo was taken and posted on the wall. When taking the car in for regular maintenance, we found that the other customers waiting were like friends. We gushed about what a wonderful buying experience it was; how fair the mechanics were; and how we were all supporting the future of the U.S. automotive industry. Did I mention that during the summer, Saturn dealers would have outdoor barbeques and give free hot dogs, bratwursts, or hamburgers to customers? After all, what's a family for?

As of this posting date, the Saturn has logged 175,000 miles. It's time to get another car. Naturally, I started looking at my local Saturn dealer, in the summer of 2007. I took a hybrid SUV for a test drive. So far, so good. I told the salesperson that it rode well, but I wasn't ready to purchase a new vehicle just yet. My 1996 was in the shop that day for an oil change, and I only wanted to see how a Saturn hybrid performed. He said the price for the SUV was reasonable, but he was going to talk to the manager. I had no intention of buying an SUV, but that was the only hybrid they had available for a test drive that day. But this salesperson hadn't even asked me if I wanted an SUV!

He came back with a serious look and several sheets of paper. He showed me the SUV's manufacturers listed price. Then he wrote in Saturn's monthly sales promotion discount, and also, he almost whispered this, the dealership's special discount. I thanked him, but said again that I wasn't interested this year - maybe next year. He then confided to me some "insider information" about the Saturn line of hybrids: The battery system was currently being bought from Toyota, who had much greater experience with hybrid battery technology, but next year a new system developed by General Motors would be installed, and it was not well tested, and therefore inferior to, the system used in this year's Saturns. Buy now, he said. If you were in my family, I'd tell you the same thing. I politely but firmly declined. He said he would talk to the manager.

He came back five minutes later with another $1000 off the price. I said "No" again, and asked when my car's oil change would be done. He left to check. Ten minutes later he came back with a very serious man who actually had a furrowed brow and almost a scowl on his face. He was introduced as the owner of the dealership. We shook hands. The owner rehashed the reasons why I should buy the SUV today. I again declined. He leaned forward, and I swear to God he actually said this, "So what do I have to do to put you in that SUV today?" I smiled and said, "Give it to me free of charge." I laughed out loud and told him that I could not believe he would use the most overused, hackneyed car salesperson phrase ever invented! Especially at a Saturn dealership! He was not amused. He shook my hand and told me I was making a mistake, but these special discounts would be available one more week for when I changed my mind.

Saturn had changed. For the worse. The philosophy that had drawn me, and hundreds of thousands of other true believers to Saturn, had withered away. The vehicles in Saturn's lineup had gotten bigger, gaudier, racier, and less fuel efficient also.

All these years I've faithfully taken my Saturn only to Saturn dealers for servicing. Two weeks ago, my Service Engine Soon light went on. Right before I had to take a smog test. Since that light would mean an automatic failure of the test, I went to my Saturn dealer. The diagnosis for getting that light to turn off so I could pass the test? Over $1000 in power steering column repairs plus a 30 mile road test to reset five different computers in the car. I said I would think about it. That diagnosis alone cost me $130. As I drove home, I noticed the light had gone off. I pulled into the nearest smog test station, and my almost 14 year old Saturn passed with flying colors. The Service Engine Soon light still has not gone back on again.

Even the service department at Saturn has been corrupted. Hell hath no fury like a Saturn owner scorned. Future service work will be done anywhere but at a Saturn dealer.

Of course the final betrayal was the not so secret news this year that General Motors will kill off the Saturn Division, probably after the 2011 model year. Dealerships will close. Saturn owners will be cast aside and adrift.

Lest we forget, in April of 2004, General Motors put the final nail in the coffin of the Oldsmobile Division, when the final Oldsmobile rolled out of their Lansing, Michigan assembly line. Loyal Olds owners were betrayed.

Hey GM, why don't you give me a heads up on what division you want to trash and burn next so I can buy a new car from it. That's all I'm good for, isn't it? I'm surprised I don't own a Pontiac too.

To recap, from 1984 to today (25 years), I have owned two cars: an Oldsmobile and a Saturn, totaling 300,000 miles. GM has repaid my loyalty with disloyalty. I enthusiastically supported a U.S. automaker. Now I don't care about buying a vehicle from any U.S. manufacturer. Once bitten - twice shy. Twice bitten - as mad as Hell and not going to take it any more!

I still am interested in a hybrid sedan. You know, maybe that hack Saturn salesperson in 2007 did me a favor. I've never forgotten his "insider information" about how well made and dependable Toyota hybrid technology was. And that was two years ago.

Now, let me finish this blog post, so I can do an internet search for Toyota dealers nearby.

Exploring Fujairah

2009-05-08T00:22:00.000-07:00

Fujairah is one of seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The term 'emirate' compares roughly to the old term 'shiekhdom'. It is the fourth of the seven that I have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ajman, please see my posts dated February 13, 2009, Bye Bye, Dubai?, March 6, 2009, Exploring Abu Dhabi, and April 3, 2009, Exploring Ajman.

Fujairah is a small island (1165 square kilometers; population 108,546). The Fujairah Government Portal web site (FGP) describes the emirate:

"Fujairah holds a unique position in the UAE. It is the only emirate that lies on the eastern side of the UAE, along the Gulf of Oman, while the other six emirates are along the Arabian Gulf. The Emirate derives its name from a spring of water located beneath one of the mountains. The Hajar mountain range that divides the UAE in two, from Ras Al Khaimah to Al Ain has kept Fujairah separated from the rest of the country. The historical importance of Fujairah dates back to the period before the birth of Christ. It was known in the old ages as the land of sea giants. The main cities and villages in Fujairah are Dibba, Murbeh, Qidfa, Al Bidiyah, Masafi and Al-Siji. Fujairah is a land endowed with remarkable beauty."

Granted, this is an official government web site, but just reading that paragraph makes me want to visit Fujairah, and get to know its people, culture, and natural wonders. We in the USA date our history, at most, to 1492 (having eliminated most of the history of the indigenous peoples). Imagine living in Fujairah and tracing your roots back well over 2000 years. I wonder if such a long historical perspective gives the residents a better sense of being centered, and knowing who they are, than we in the USA have. Wouldn't it be great to share a meal with a Fujairah family, and share our ideas and ideals? I'm willing to bet that we would have more in common than you might imagine (maybe along the lines of Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs). See my post on Maslow.

The following excerpt from the FGP describes not only the important strategic value of Fujairah, but also gratefully puts to rest a stereotype that many outsiders have of this area of the world. You'll read about the highways that connect Fujairah to cities in other emirates. Now admit it. Didn't you envisage the emirates as being akin to the images in the film Lawrence of Arabia? Sand dunes followed by sand dunes. You may now consign that stereotype to the dustbin of history. Read on:

"This small community today enjoys modern facilities and conveniences, and is linked by modern highways to all major cities in the United Arab Emirates. Fujairah is a mere 90 minutes drive time from Sharjah, under two hours from Dubai, and just three and a half hours from Abu Dhabi. Its strategic location, which provides easy access to international shipping routes, has played a key role in its development as one of the world's top oil-bunkering ports. Over 40 giant tankers pass through the port daily."

Shall we further deconstruct the stereotype of Arabian lands being sand and sand alone? The Port of Fujairah web site has these tidbits:

"Fujairah is also renowned for its high mountains of multiple colours and deep valleys where water courses flow throughout the year which represent yet another attraction for tourists. There are marine reserves where a variety of beautiful and rare sea creatures live amongst a jungle of coral reefs - another attraction for tourists interested in the diving sport.

Tourists are also attracted by the mineral and healing waters such as those to be found at the Madhab and Gamour springs. The waters of these springs are claimed by natives to heal from rheumatism and some skin diseases. The Wareea's waterfalls are is one of the most beautiful mountainous spots in Fujairah.

The attractions of Fujairah are not merely the rugged mountains, the mild weather or the unspoiled beaches, but tourists interested in relics may also leisurely have a stroll in area dating thousands of years before Christ. The ruins of old fortresses and mosques at Fujairah, Bithna and Bidiya areas provide enormous clues to the spectacular history of the region."

Another, far more vicious stereotype to address and, hopefully, erase. These prior quotes that I found from official Fujairah Government web sites, chosen at random, make references to "...the birth of Christ." and "... years before Christ." The mainstream Fujairah rulers, by using these references to the capital 'C' Christ, are revealing, in a small yet significant way, that their religious beliefs are more tolerant than the Western media portrays them to be. The references to dates could have used the current non-religious scientific acronym BCE (Before Common Era), but instead chose to use Christ. I found this an important bridge between peoples, one that was built by the Fujairah leaders. I thank them for that.

But back to the Port of Fujairah, and how reading about it led me to a connection with my home town - Chicago. On Chicago's far south side is the Port of Chicago. I visited it several times as an adult, and was always impressed by its size, its contribution to industry, and how it displayed the brute strength and diversity of Chicago's economy. Have Fujairah citizens reacted like I did when they first viewed their Port? I'll bet their civic pride ran just as deep as mine whenever we saw our respective Ports. Another bridge between peoples.

One of my first jobs after finishing college was at the U.S. Labor Department. My duties included traveling throughout the Midwest and giving audio-video presentations about a newly passed pension protection law known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The first presentation I made was at a Longshoremans Union Local meeting near the Port of Chicago. A rough, tough crowd to be sure, but one that was overjoyed to hear that their pensions finally had some government-backed protection.

As I continue these monthly explorations of the emirates, I am continually surprised and pleased with the commonalities I find. It hasn't taken much time or research to find them. I'll bet that other folks, in the emirates and elsewhere, are doing the same thing I am. That thought makes me feel good about our world. Technology is expanding communications in ways as yet unimagined. Let's explore.

May Day - History, Reflection, Analysis

2009-05-01T20:52:00.000-07:00

Imagine if your work week consisted or 12 hour work days, five to six days a week. Doesn't sound very pleasant, does it? Thanks to the blood, sweat, tears, and deaths of workers, we now enjoy 8 hour work days, 5 days a week. It is the struggle for the 8 hour work day, and more specifically, the struggle in Chicago's Haymarket Square in 1886, that the modern May Day celebrates.

First, a bit of history of the original May Day. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation web site:

"May Day rituals in Britain cropped up with Saxon and Celtic celebrations of the first spring planting.

Only from medieval times, however, did they take on an anti-establishment tone. As May Queens and young bucks danced around the Maypole, local jokers poked fun at priests, lords and local government. (editor's note: Sounds like the roots from which Monty Python's Flying Circus sprung had been firmly planted many centuries before!)

London was at the hub of the action with Mayfair, as the name suggests, playing home to a bawdy 15-day fair surrounding Brookfield Cattle Market. It seems the party surrounding the heifer hawking got pretty wild.

Seventeenth century writer Ned Ward was shocked to find prostitutes doing good business and various booths staging comedies.

The authorities were not amused and a halt was called to proceedings in 1708, although celebrations carried on regardless."

Now, moving forward to the average work week in USA non-agricultural industries in the 1880s. The average was between 60-65 hours, without the perks we take for granted today - paid sick days, paid vacations, Social Security, pensions, health plans, et cetera.

As early as 1866, the USA's first national labor union, the National Labor Union (NLU), had listed as its primary demand the eight hour work day. The NLU's President, William Silvis, died suddenly in 1869, and the NLU followed shortly thereafter.

In 1886, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (later known as the American Federation of Labor) called for a nationwide strike on May 1 for the 8 hour work day. The strike was peaceful and mostly successful. Those were two reasons that certain owners of certain industries decided to take action.

On May 3, 1886, a rally was being held by striking workers of the McCormick Harvester Works on the south side of Chicago. A nearby lumber company had also been shut down by a strike, so the workers there decided to walk the quarter of the mile to join the rally near the Harvester plant. The purpose was to confront strike-breakers as they left the plant. At the end of the shift, Chicago police, with pistols drawn, ran into the crowd of striking workers. The strikers turned and ran. Six strikers were shot in the back and killed; uncounted others were wounded.

This set the stage for the May 4 rally in Haymarket Square, located just northwest of Chicago's downtown business district. Here again is a description from the British Broadcasting Corporation web site:

"The turnout for the rally at Haymarket Square consisted of some 3000 people, including the then Mayor of Chicago, who wanted to ensure that the rally remained peaceful. There was also a force of 180 police officers mobilised, ready to break up the rally at the first sign of violence.

The first speaker was August Spies, who took the police department to task as murderers. Then Albert Parsons spoke. Near the beginning of his speech, he made it clear that he was not calling on anybody to take any action that night, but was planning on simply stating the facts of the previous day's events. The Mayor made his way out of the crowd and told the police captain that the rally was peaceful and that the mobilised police officers should be put back onto regular duty. After Spies and Parsons had spoken, other, less charismatic, speakers took the platform. It was now about 10 o'clock at night. While Samuel Fielden was speaking, the 180 police officers, with clubs drawn and in military formation, closed in on the remaining participants of the rally. The police captain commanded that the rally 'immediately and peaceably disperse'.

As Fielden was protesting that the rally was peaceful, a bomb exploded in the ranks of the assembled police officers, killing one immediately and wounding 65 others, seven of whom later died of their injuries. The remaining police officers drew their revolvers and fired into the crowd, wounding 200 and killing an unknown number." click here to read more

The farcical trial that followed created mass hysteria in the USA against anarchists, trade unions, and the 8 hour work day.

It wasn't until unions recouped their strength and influence that the 8 hour work day began to be realized. The United Mine Workers fought for, and got, the 8 hour work day in their 1898 contract with the mine owners. Other unions fought tooth and nail to get the 8 hour work day with no cut in pay. Many non-union workers also were given the 8 hour work day by business owners in order to prevent their workers from forming unions.

Amazingly, the 8 hour work day did not become the law of the land (expanding the classes of workers to be covered) until a popular Democratic President, Franklin Roosevelt, and a Democratic Congress, passed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938!

And it wasn't until 1962, when a popular Democratic President, John Kennedy, and a Democratic Congress, passed the Work Hours Act, that provided for time and a half pay for work in excess of either 8 hours in one day, or 40 hours in one week.

May 1 has been celebrated around the world as the International Worker's holiday to commemorate the struggle for worker's rights, triggered by the events in Chicago in May, 1886. Why has the country in which those events took place officially shunned the celebration, instead choosing the first Monday in September?

You can 'thank' President Grover Cleveland, who, in 1894, days after he had sent federal troops into a company town south of Chicago, built by George Pullman of the Pullman company (manufacturer of railway passenger cars) to break a strike by workers who were upset that their wages had been repeatedly cut, but the prices in the company stores and rents for their apartments (the only stores and apartments available to them) had not been reduced. Strikebreaker Cleveland choose to separate workers in the USA from the rest of the world's workers by choosing the first Monday in September, rather than May 1 as their Worker's Holiday.

As a personal note, I spent many an hour in Haymarket Square over the years on May 1. When the weather was bad, I was alone. Other years, I saw tourist buses carrying people from many other countries who wanted to be at the spot that is so important in labor history. It made me feel sad that our memories are so short. Sometimes I would close my eyes and imagine I heard the voices of that fateful May 4, 1886. Many think that an agent provocateur, hired by an industry owner who wanted to discredit the 8 hour work day movement, threw the bomb. The actual bomber was never found.

I have also had the privilege of visiting the south side Chicago neighborhood known as Pullman. Old George would have been quite upset to know that his company town, built to be very far away from the wicked Chicago, had finally been incorporated as part of the city. I knew a family who lived in the (now) historical landmark area of Pullman apartments. It was small, but neat. Each apartment shared a wall with its neighbor. As a matter of fact, the owner had an extensive model train set in his basement. Ironic, no? But when I walked alone past the open fields where the factory buildings once stood, I had the eerie sensation that I had been there before. I quickly opened my eyes, got back in my car, and drove home.

So take a moment and reflect upon what workers have sacrificed in the past so that we can have what we have today. Our benefits were not handed to us on a silver platter. Men and women fought and died for them. Let's never forget.

Greed Wrecks Jamaican Natural Beauty

2009-04-24T20:11:00.000-07:00

On April 3, 2009, Worldpress.org published the following Op-Ed article entitled, Jamaica: Corporate Exploitation by the Bauxite Ore Industry:

"Should you wish to evaluate the management ethic and the rarefied aesthetic values of those who manage the Jamaican bauxite industry you need go no further than Roxburgh, a spot quite near the geographic center of the country and which happens to be an important place in Jamaican history.

Roxburgh, which used to be a place of tranquility and peace, of big old guangos and expansive views in all directions of the rolling green hills of Manchester, is now fatally composed of bauxite. On Melrose Hill, before the turn off to Roxburgh to the south there once was a ravine cut through meters of solid bauxite, dark red, like living flesh, frozen.

At Roxburgh, off the beaten track like most other bauxitic obscenities, the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (J.B.I.), the Commissioner Of Mines and Geology (C.M.G.), the mining companies and the Jamaican bauxite workers have combined to create a shambles out of what is supposed to be a national monument. A shambles, in the old meaning of the word, is a slaughterhouse, a vision of bloody confusion, an end to order and civilization.

So it is at Roxburgh, the birthplace of Norman Manley, the man most of us revere as the Father of the Nation. But there must be others who don't share that respect and reverence and their appetites have been unleashed at Roxburgh, where green tranquility has been butchered and gouged by men seeking to despoil this shrine. There's no accounting for tastes, nor for power.

I don't know who ordered this disaster, who approved it, or who drove the bulldozers. I don't want to know. What I want to know is, who will protect the public interest?

Half a century ago some of us were fighting trade union battles not won even now. The head of the Chamber of Commerce, Richard Youngman, the head of the Industrial Development Corporation, Robert Lightbourne and Jamaica's leading capitalist, N.N. "Dickie" Ashenheim were all busy trying to convince Jamaicans that bauxite workers' pay should be in line with the average pittance paid in sugar and other so called industries
.
People like me campaigned for the union line that bauxite workers pay should reflect the companies' ability to pay. We won, and hoped the higher wages would trickle down and produce a benign multiplier effect. The reality was different. As Michael Kaufman wrote (in "Jamaica Under Manley") bauxite created a "high-income ghetto within an underdeveloped economy, representing a point of disequilibrium within the economy. … This is but one contradiction between national capitalist development and the expansion of multinational capital."

There were other malignant effects. Bauxite owned 19 percent (one in every five acres) of Jamaica's farmland — some of the best — removing them from economic production and driving the communities that lived on the land into exile into the ghettoes of Kingston, Brixton and Brooklyn.

Although the 1974 Manley initiative restored Jamaican ownership of the land previously owned by the companies, the more recent policies of the Jamaican bauxite managers have restored the status quo ante — where, legally or illegally, the J.B.I. and the C.M.G. have again sterilized Jamaican farmland and destroyed our capacity to feed ourselves.

Meanwhile, bauxite is the only remaining source of revenue for the trade unions and this makes the unions absolutely dependent on the companies for survival. To say, as I do, that bauxite is a "Bad Thing" is to court virulent hostility.

What the unions do not realize is that there are alternatives to bauxite mining that are at least as lucrative to their members and would in fact contribute to real human and economic development. The union leaders have not thought about "Life after bauxite," preferring to think of Jamaica as a gigantic quarry which, in the fullness of time, will be reduced to a limestone bas relief submerged twice a day by the Caribbean Sea. Then the whole island will be a beach.

The bauxite companies have the responsibility to clean up the mess they left behind at their red mud lakes, at least two of which — Kirkvine and Mount Rosser — pose catastrophic and immediate threats to the lives and property of tens of thousands of people in the neighboring downstream towns, villages, farms factories and highways.

Jamaica is one of the most seismically active areas in the world and we have experienced two of the most disastrous earthquakes in this hemisphere within the last three centuries. In their red mud ponds and in other depositories the bauxite managers have stored 63,000,000,000 gallons of red mud and other toxic waste. This waste is equivalent to 70,000 times the capacity of Jamaica's largest fresh water store, Mona Reservoir.

If Mona or Hermitage were to rupture, thousands of people would die from impact injuries and drowning. If the red mud lake at mount Rosser should decide to take a stroll down the mountain we would lose the refinery itself, Ewarton and Linstead, everything in the Rio Cobre gorge and the Bog Walk area, in addition to thousands of acres of citrus and other farmland, thousands of human lives and hundreds of thousands of livestock. Possibly large parts of Spanish Town and Portmore would become uninhabitable. The Kirkvine disaster would be at least as dreadful.

Since it is clear, as the United States Corps of Engineers said four years ago, that Jamaica cannot absorb any more red mud, we need to find better ways of dealing with these problems.

With the billions owed by the mining companies we could finance some intelligent, appropriate sustainable development. We could start by removing and stabilizing the red mud. The flatter, desert areas left behind by mining could be used as sites for solar power plants, since they get between 11 and 13 hours of sunshine a day. The mined-out pits should be waterproofed by leaving a patina of bauxite supplemented by rammed earth. And since the C.M.G. may not be aware that he is entitled to give directions to mining companies as to exactly how much they may mine and even the profiles of their digs — someone should tell him. Perhaps a writ of mandamus might accelerate his willingness to recover damages from the mining companies for all that they have neglected to do.

Meanwhile in the rehabilitated pits we could establish public fishponds in which people would pay per pound for the fish they caught. The pond waters could be used for irrigation and for neighborhood tourism, boating and bird watching.
The Public Defender should attempt to enforce specific performance of dishonored contracts between the companies and poor communities such as in Aboukir, Sawyers, Mocho and dozens of others who were cheated out of their livelihoods and conned into relocating to various 'no mans lands.'

Building their houses, building facilities to manufacture wind turbines and photovoioltaic cells would generate income to pay for decent new housing and to invest in cooperative family farms out of the old sugar estates.

The ordinary Jamaican knows we can do all these things and more. It is only the politicians, the bureaucrats and the merchants who believe we are helpless."

In addition to this story, the Jamaican Observer (link available on my Links of Note) published the following on March 22, 2009:

"A few years ago there was in Jamaica a Czech scientist, Dr Jasmino Karanjac, who retired as professor of hydrogeology at UWI, Mona. While he was here he carried out several studies with the co-operation of the Water Resources Authority and its head, Mr Basil Fernandez, who like him is an authority on bauxite refinery contamination. In a paper prepared for a conference, "Water Resources & Environmental Problems in Karst" in September 2006, Professor Karanjac said, inter alia, "Today, it appears that Jamaica, which has the size of 10,991 sq km, may have problems developing enough good-quality water for its population of just over 2.7 million ... ground water in Jamaica is very vulnerable. There are no feasible sites for surface water storage, and ground water remains the major source of water supply. Along the coast, aquifers are overabstracted and in the interior explorations and drilling are prohibitively expensive."

Professor Karanjac points out that under the UN definitions, Jamaica ranks as a water-stressed country and suggests that desalination/reverse osmosis plants will certainly be needed in the near future; before even considering red mud contamination. According to Basil Fernandez, billions of cubic yards of underground water have been contaminated by bauxite waste."

This story of unrestrained greed and boundless stupidity based on short term thinking made me sick. It is a shining example of a small country, whose natural resources should be regulated for the good of the entire populace, being exploited and, ultimately, abandoned. Instead, it has been stripped bare by money grubbing owners; and unchecked by politicians and trade unions who see the bauxide industry as a teat upon which to suckle.

If water is not basic to a nation's survival, I don't know what is. If private enterprise combined with complacent and/or bought-off politicians can't be trusted to keep the nation's brst interests at heart, while making a reasonable profit, then that industry must be nationalized, with currupt individuals tried in courts of law. After nationalization, periodic audits of the industry must be made to ensure both the public's safety and economic security.

After all, Jamaica depends on tourism too. If its natural beauty is wrecked, and with it a major source of income, all Hell is likely to break loose. The Jamaican people deserve better. Much better.

Thank You World For A Great Year!

2009-04-17T00:46:00.000-07:00

On 04-17-2008 I published my first post, on this, my first blog. It was during the heat of the Obama-Clinton Democratic primary race.

Now, I want to thank some folks.

- First, a gentleman who has chosen to remain anonymous. He suggested not once, but twice, that I start a blog, and provided helpful hints. It was his statement that a blog can be like a diary that would live long after I did not, that brought me to my decision. Immortality by Internet?

- Second, my most faithful reader and commenter, Wayne in Pa. He constantly keeps me honest with his opinions, both pro and con. I look forward to my future October post about our favorite team, the Chicago Cubs, winning the World Series. After all, won't such a win reverse global warming? I mean, it will mean that Hell has finally frozen over, right?

- Third, to commenter Bfoxy, who offers that all-too-rare combination - intelligent conservative opinion. Just kidding!

- Fourth through forty-eighth, the readers from the 45 countries that have read my postings since I installed StatCounter in August, 2008. The following is a breakdown of the visits. As the most famous ad campaign of my former employer, AT&T, used to say, "Reach out and touch someone!"

974....75.39%.......United States
85......6.58%.........United Arab Emirates
43......3.33%.........United Kingdom
30......2.32%.........India
29..... 2.24%.........Canada
13..... 1.01%.........Australia
9....... 0.70%.........Germany
7....... 0.54%.........Sweden
7....... 0.54%.........Oman
7....... 0.54%.........Hong Kong
6....... 0.46%.........China
6....... 0.46%.........Mexico
6....... 0.46%.........South Africa
5....... 0.39%.........Sri Lanka
5....... 0.39%.........Japan
5....... 0.39%.........Saudi Arabia
4....... 0.31%.........Ireland
4....... 0.31%.........Singapore
4....... 0.31%.........New Zealand
4....... 0.31%.........France
3....... 0.23%.........Malaysia
3....... 0.23%.........Poland
3....... 0.23%.........Pakistan
3....... 0.23%.........Denmark
2....... 0.15%.........Romania
2....... 0.15%.........Austria
2....... 0.15%.........Finland
2....... 0.15%.........Switzerland
2....... 0.15%.........Spain
2....... 0.15%.........Russian Federation
1....... 0.08%.........Maldives
1....... 0.08%.........Korea, Republic Of
1....... 0.08%.........Bahrain
1....... 0.08%.........Chile
1....... 0.08%.........Kenya
1....... 0.08%.........Taiwan
1....... 0.08%.........Qatar
1....... 0.08%.........Philippines
1....... 0.08%.........Croatia
1....... 0.08%.........Norway
1....... 0.08%.........Slovakia
1....... 0.08%.........Serbia
1....... 0.08%.........Nigeria
1....... 0.08%.........Greece
1....... 0.08%.........Israel

Privacy Policy for http://bitteranalysis.blogspot.com/

2009-04-17T00:44:00.000-07:00

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Schools Step In Where Parents Fear To Tread

2009-04-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

On September 2, 2008, the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper published an editorial entitled, "Schools must confront root causes of violence". I quote it verbatim here:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thirty-five sixth-graders attended Kohn School in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood just before classes let out in June.

Counselor Lee Jones of the South Side Help Center met with sixth-graders weekly last year at Kohn School in Roseland. He taught them, according to one student, "how to express your feelings instead of fighting all the time."

Students at Schneider School, including Veronica Carter and Gessina Rodriguez gathered daily to share the good and bad things happening in their lives.

Twenty-six of those kids -- nearly 75 percent -- told a visitor from the Chicago Sun-Times that they knew someone who had been murdered. Half said they had actually seen a shooting, including Amos, who saw his 19-year-old cousin take a bullet to the head.

"He was throwing up black blood, that's how I knew he was going to die," Amos told the visitor and his classmates, who were gathered in a stuffy classroom for a weekly social skills and counseling session.

"Sometimes," Amos said quietly, "I think it could happen to me."

Since last September, 36 Chicago public school students have been killed, but the fallout extends far beyond those grieving families.

Legions of Chicago kids are traumatized by what they've seen in their neighborhoods.

Many know little about resolving problems except through violence.

Still more carry the burdens of the poverty, isolation and mental illness that fuels the violence around them.

Today, these children arrive for their first day of the new school year. There, they'll find little to salve their wounds.

The Chicago Public Schools spends $55 million on security each year to quell violence. Several high schools, such as Farragut and South Shore, spend more than $400,000 annually on security guard salaries alone.

But when it comes to confronting the root social and emotional causes of violence, the city's public schools fall woefully short.

Social workers drop by most elementary schools just a few days a week; psychologists come by even less. Almost all their time is taken up by special education students, leaving little time for anyone else.

Counselors work at schools full time, but many students never see them. In high schools, it's one counselor for every 350 students. In grammar schools, it's one counselor per school. But that just started this fall. For years, it was one elementary counselor for as many as 1,200 students, with most of the counselor's time reserved for special needs students.

Faced with limited budgets and an unyielding emphasis on raising test scores, the vast majority of schools simply get by.

We must do better.

Today, the Chicago Sun-Times is advocating for a radical rethinking in the way the Chicago Public Schools deal with the social and emotional problems plaguing many students -- the stuff that makes metal detectors and security guards necessary in the first place.

It's not enough to teach fractions: kids must be taught to get along.

It's not enough to teach American history: kids must be taught to stand in each other's shoes.

It's not enough to teach spelling: kids must be taught to express their feelings in words, not with their fists.

We're not asking schools to take on more than they're already doing. These problems are in the schools now, poisoning them. But we are urging the entire Chicago school system, not just individual teachers and schools, to confront these problems head on, instead of drowning in them.

"It's not reading, writing and arithmetic anymore -- that doesn't work," said Lisa Maggiore, a rare social worker who is assigned to just one school because her principal sets aside extra money for it. "I look around and see how many kids are hurting and feeling abandoned, and they bring it right here, into the classroom."

The good news is that some top Chicago school officials already get it. The school system, after a year of planning, is experimenting with a radically different approach this fall.

A handful of schools are launching a well-established program that systematically teaches kids the social and emotional skills many aren't getting at home: anger management, empathy and problem-solving. The program also helps schools take concrete steps to promote and reward good behavior.

Needier students will get group or individual counseling -- and not only by already-burdened social workers, counselors and psychologists. The pilot program calls for freeing up in-house staff or enlisting outside mental health professionals. It also, wisely, calls for hiring a coordinator at each school to make sure the program doesn't get shelved.

CPS hopes to bring this model to most of its schools by 2011, says Bryan Samuels, chief of staff to Schools CEO Arne Duncan and the driving force behind the new approach.

But scaling up from a handful of schools will require money, proof the model works and widespread public support.

We know there is no magic solution. We also know this model is no cure-all and won't be carried out effectively at every school. But it represents a clear break with the school system's understaffed and haphazard approach. That's a mammoth step -- a revolution, really -- and it's way overdue.

This pilot program holds promise of genuine progress. Don't let it go the way of hundreds of other CPS efforts -- here today, gone tomorrow.

Many teachers and administrators object to all this, saying a school's job is to teach, not to fix all of society's ills. We don't blame them. They were trained as teachers, not as social workers. They also say they have no time -- the demands of raising test scores trump everything else.

But a frontal assault on the social and emotional issues facing kids should make teaching easier, as any veteran teacher already knows. When kids have a place to turn, rather than blowing up in a classroom, when kids learn to manage their emotions, rather than repeating what they learn in the streets, teaching is easier and scores go up.

This isn't just intuition talking. Research backs it up.

Students completing social and emotional learning programs score 11 percentile points higher on standardized tests in reading and math than kids who don't, according to a 2007 meta-analysis of 207 studies spearheaded by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

They are also better behaved, have better attitudes, are less depressed, and show fewer other signs of distress.

"It's not about marching in the street against violence," said Joyce Brown, who oversees high school counselors for the Chicago school system. "It's about getting to know the kids and their needs. Many just need to know someone cares."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whenever I hear people weep and moan about how schools should not be in the business of teaching anything besides reading, writing, and arithmetic, I agree - IN THEORY. However, I suspect they are living with their heads in the sand.

The above editorial clearly shows that people who live in the real world recognize that certain moral values are no longer being taught in families or religious institutions. Yet those values still must be imparted for the good of society at large. Hence it falls to the schools to do so. Do teachers and administrators, skilled in teaching and administrating, want to devote scarce resources to these topics? No. But they are undertaking those duties, and getting nothing but grief for their efforts.

I say they should be applauded. Of course, the public should have input into both the subject matter and the process by which it is taught. Chicago is fortunate to have democratically elected local public school councils to help in this area. People who reside in other school districts around the country are not so lucky. Every state legislature should provide for such public input. Perhaps such action would help to motivate those in the communities to take a more active interest in the education of our young people.

Once people get back to being involved in instructing their children in areas such as how to deal with differences without resorting to violence, the pressure on schools to do so will wither on the vine, and our teachers can apply 100% of their efforts and expertise on subject matter more germane to their institutions' goals.

Exploring Ajman

2009-04-03T01:08:00.000-07:00

Ajman is one of seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The term 'emirate' compares roughly to the old term 'shiekhdom'. It is the third of the seven that I have written about. To read about the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, please see my posts dated 02-13-09 Bye, Bye, Dubai? and 03-06-09 Exploring Abu Dhabi

The Oxford Business Group webpage has this to say about Ajman:

- Ajman was formed by the Al Nuaim tribe, who migrated to the region from Oman around 1775. Ajman’s first recognition as an autonomous state was the General Treaty of Peace with Britain (1820). It also subscribed to the Maritime Truce of 1835 and to the Perpetual Maritime Truce in 1853. An exclusive agreement was signed in 1892, placing Ajman and the other Trucial States’ foreign relations in the hands of the British government. In 1968, Britain announced its intention to withdraw from its Gulf treaty obligations by 1971. In December 1971, the British left the area permanently, leaving a path for the formation of the UAE, of which Ajman was a founding member.

- Ajman itself is the smallest of the seven emirates, with a total landmass of 260 sq km, accounting for approximately 0.3% of the total UAE. It is composed of three sections, the principal portion being landward on the Gulf coast, sharing almost its entire border with Sharjah. This section is also the capital city of Ajman and the emirate’s only urban settlement.

- Ajman’s climate is very dry, with minimal rainfall. The weather varies depending on distance from the Gulf coast. The climate is pleasant from November to April, with warm sunny days, cool evenings and low humidity. Daytime temperatures range from 18 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. From May to September, the summer heat and often-high humidity forces most people to head to cooler climes, with daytime temperatures in excess of 45 degrees Celsius. There are occasional tropical storms from January to March.

- Ajman has granted petroleum concessions to foreign companies; however, no supplies have yet been discovered. The Al Zora gas field, off the coast of Ajman, has potential to be developed in the future, but operations have not yet begun. click here to read more

Additional interesting facts about Ajman that I found while looking up other things:

(1) From the brief history above - "Ajman was formed by the Al Nuaim tribe, who migrated to the region from Oman around 1775." One year before the colonies, which were to become the United States of America, declared their independence from England, the Al Nuaim tribe left Oman and, in a sense, declared its own independence. Why did the Al Nuaim tribe decide to leave Oman? Was there repression of some kind to escape, like what motivated the USA's founders? Was it to search for better natural resources?

After a lengthy research battle, with both Google and Dogpile as my allies, I most humbly admit scholarly defeat and refer to Wikipedia for this possible answer: "The Al Nuaim (Arabic: النعيم) tribe is an Arab bedouin tribe, based primarily in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The tribe is the ruling family in Ajman. In Bahrain, the traditional home of the tribe has been Halat Nuaim island. The tribe used to be involved in the lucrative pearl diving industry. The Al Nuaim tribe was one of the several bedouin tribes to move to Bahrain in 1783 after the Al Khalifa conquered the island."

(2) In 1988, the Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST) was founded. Reading this brought to mind one of my alma maters, DeVry University, formerly known as Devry Institute of Technology. It would be interesting to sit down with some AUST students in electronics and compare notes. I suspect their coursework is now so far advanced from what I learned in 1979-1981, that we'd likely be speaking different languages (in more ways than one!). If I brought up troubleshooting a circuit board at the individual component level, they would probably laugh. Well, I enjoy a good laugh - even when it's at my expense.

(3) Traditional methods of learning about a foreign land can sometimes make what should be a vitally interesting exercise... well... boring. I mean, are population figures, Gross National Product, and budget figures really interesting? I know, I myself included some facts like this at the outset of the post. So your intrepid explorer has found a topic that truly bridges the gap between peoples of different countries: sewage disposal! In July of 2007, the website, arabianbusiness.com, carried an article entitled, "Ajman turns on sewage system". I quote the opening two paragraphs:

- The northern emirate of Ajman will soon switch on its new AED 800 million sewerage system, according to the Ajman Municipality. The addition to the emirate's infrastructure is being set up to cope with large-scale commercial and residential projects.

- "A healthy living environment for residents, a more vibrant economy, and a greener Ajman are just a few of the benefits promised by the new system," said Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, chairman of Ajman Sewerage Company. click here to read more

Yet another area of common interest, my memory called out. In the late 1950s, I remember new, large sewage pipes being installed in my south side Chicago neighborhood. They seemed enormous to my 8 year old self. The large piles of dirt created in order to accommodate the pipes were great fun to climb, and being modestly dangerous was a bonus too. Did the children in Ajman have similar fun experiences? I'd like to hope so.

(4) Finally, what better bridge-builder between peoples is there than sports? When members of racial minorities were permitted to play in the major USA sports, resistance was experienced at first. But soon, you had white Americans cheering for African American, Hispanic, and Asian players. And what is rarely mentioned, is the reverse. You had minority group kids and adults cheering for white athletes. It gets tougher and tougher to hate someone when you're cheering for them.

So I close this week's post with this item from the March 18, 2009 Gulf Daily News:

- Al Nuaim Boys School clinched the Secondary Schools Handball Championship after a 44-32 victory over Ahmed Al Omran School at Al Shabab Club gym in Jedhafs.

- The final match was held under the patronage of Education Ministry's physical education and scouts director Dr Shaikha Al Jeeb who presented the trophy and other individual prizes to the winners at the awarding ceremony in presence of physical education head Ghazi Al Marzooq and other ministry officials.

Impress your friends, coworkers, and neighbors by mentioning that sports item at your next get-together!

Human Behavior... Explained!

2009-03-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why people act the way they do? I have. Looking at both individuals and groups, there seemed to be precious little in common that explained their actions. Person A might react to a situation in a wildly different way than person B. Same stimulus. Different responses. Same choices to make. But different outcomes.

Reading through philosophical, political, and religious texts did not provide me with the answers I sought. Turning finally to psychological theories, I found one that has had a profound effect on my way of thinking. It was developed by Abraham Maslow.

Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) is best known for his theory of human motivation and personal development. His original work, known as the Hierarchy of Needs, hypothesized that there are five distinct stages through which humans develop, and is represented most often as a five level pyramid, but here represented, due to the usage of an eight year old MAC with only TEXT/EDIT capabilities, without the pyramid shape!:

-----TOP OF THE PYRAMID-----

SELF ACTUALIZATION (creativity, personal growth)

ESTEEM (status, achievement, respect)

BELONGING (family, friends, work group)

SAFETY (security, stability, freedom from fear)

PHYSIOLOGICAL (air, food, water, sex, shelter)

-----BASE OF THE PYRAMID-----

Maslow believed that these needs have become ingrained in humans over many thousands of years of evolution and remain constant across racial, gender, and ethnic differences. Survival possibilities were enhanced by those who followed this pattern of development and therefore their reproduction was likewise more successful than was those who did not.

People move both up and down the pyramid as a person's life undergoes both positive and negative changes. As a child, one's physiological and safety/security needs are hopefully met by one's primary caregivers. This permits movement into, and exploration of, the social (belonging) stratum. A cohesive family structure provides one part of belonging to a group. In school, the child develops additional group identities, such as being a member of their particular grade level, spelling bee team, soccer team, or crossing guard group. Once the child feels secure at the social level, he begins to strive for ego fulfillment - being recognized for individual achievements and achieving status within the group. Running faster than his peers, or being the best at multiplication tables may raise his status. Once this level of need is fulfilled, he can reach for the very top of the pyramid: self-actualization. This can include artistic self-expression, challenging oneself at the highest level of one's chosen field of interest, or the exploration of abstract fields of philosophies, arts, or sciences. Working on a special science project in a field he enjoys may provide the requisite accomplishment for achieving self-actualization.

Maturing from a child to an adult does not alter the way development evolves and devolves. When young adults leave home to live on their own for the first time, there is a realization that while parents had been providing for their physiological needs up to that time, a realignment in considering need fulfillment would now have to take place. Rent, utilities, insurance, et cetera now rush to the forefront, de-emphasizing the exploration of ego and self-actualization needs. The memories of those former need achievements may provide an additional impetus for again reaching the top of the pyramid.

Take the instance of an adult who is comfortably within "self-actualization" and has taken up, for example, oil painting and a musical instrument as means of self-expression. Suddenly he suffers a catastrophic illness that results in his losing his life savings, selling his home, and declaring bankruptcy. His free time, formerly spent self-actualizing, will now be spent with safety/security, or even some physiological needs. Perhaps he will need to take a second job, pawn his saxophone, and put his oils and canvases into storage. He will spend time worrying about fulfilling his basic needs. Gradually, he will move upwards again toward the top. This movement is most always gradual. However, if circumstances permit, and he were to come into an inheritance, then his oil painting could resume in a much more rapid fashion.

The factors that motivate movement up the pyramid include basic physiological and survival needs at the lowest steps followed by social or group interactivity and finally the need for individual fulfillment. The completion of one level motivates the individual to move to attempt similar completion of the next level. Development upwards through the hierarchy 'ends' with the self-actualization stage. However, that should not suggest stagnation. If a person's self-actualization involves being a writer, he may evolve that stage further by exploring music. Horror writer Stephen King and political satirist Dave Barry are examples. Both became very successful writers, and then decided to put together a rock band as well.

At this point, you might be asking yourself, "What about 'starving artists'? Are they an exception to Maslow's theory? It seems that all they care about is their 'art' - not about the more basic needs." Not necessarily.

Maslow's theory requires development into why 'starving artists' can apparently leapfrog past several levels and remain at self-actualization while ignoring more basic drives. This group is defined as those who remain in the self-actualization stage while apparently not fulfilling one or more intermediary stages. Literally, a starving artist will use her limited resources to purchase art supplies while ignoring bills for rent and food. How can such an individual continually self-actualize while bypassing safety/security, social, and ego needs as well as often those physiological needs that the vast majority of us respond to on a daily basis?

There is a great deal of difference in the amount of satisfaction a person requires before considering a specific need fulfilled before advancing to the next need. This may make it appear that a drive level has been bypassed when, in fact, the individual has fulfilled it with minimal apparent effort. Some actions, while seeming to fulfill just one need, may fulfill two or more. As an example, in agrarian societies, people grow their own crops and raise farm animals. This action fulfills both physiological (food) and safety/security (economic) needs. If a particularly successful harvest is brought in, it may even gratify social and ego needs. There are also individual differences in terms of how much discomfort a person can withstand before they decide to pay attention to that need. Perhaps the aforementioned artist can ignore some of her more basic needs while reaching for self-actualization. Another possible explanation is that she had, earlier in her life, an abundance of basic need fulfillment, and can therefore draw upon those memories during her current phase.

Let's look at another, related group - the political activists of the 1960s and 1970s. During the social upheavals of those decades, people who hungered for political and social change often chose courses of action and ways of living that put much less emphasis on individual needs and more on the wellness of the group. Experimentation in communal living was one such example. To the mainstream observer not versed in the philosophy of this movement, it would appear that the ego stage had been bypassed. Cultural blinders would have prevented the recognition that this lifestyle included the facet of a temporary voluntary suppression of the ego stage, as most communes ultimately disbanded for various reasons, and Maslow's hierarchy re-asserted itself.

From a political perspective, it can be seen how Maslow's ideas have, either consciously or unconsciously, influenced public policies around the world. Governments are accepting responsibilities for providing for their citizens' needs in areas that had been provided in the past, if at all, by the individual, family, or religious institutions: food stamps, rent assistance, publicly funded hospitals, halfway houses, public education, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and so on.

The list does not end with attempts to fulfill the physiological and safety/security needs. Public funding of art exhibits, arts and crafts classes in local communities, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, are a few ways governments assist their citizens in the self-actualization realm.

Some criticize this as big government over-reaching its true function. I see it as recognition of people's needs, wants, and desires, and sincere attempts to help individuals develop their potentials to the maximum. As a result, all of society benefits.

Israeli Killings of Civilians in Gaza Detailed

2009-03-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

A New York Times article about the killings of Palestinian civilians by Israeli soldiers during the recent military incursion into the Gaza Strip should concern us all. The reasons for Israel's invasion are not at issue here. The history of civilian casualties on both sides since 1948 is not at issue here. What is at issue is the way Palestinian civilians have been viewed, and killed, by some Israeli soldiers during this most recent warfare.

The following indented paragraphs, from the article, are especially noteworthy. click here to read the entire article

- Now testimony is emerging from within the ranks of soldiers and officers alleging a permissive attitude toward the killing of civilians and reckless destruction of property that is sure to inflame the domestic and international debate about the army’s conduct in Gaza. On Thursday, the military’s chief advocate general ordered an investigation into a soldier’s account of a sniper killing a woman and her two children who walked too close to a designated no-go area by mistake, and another account of a sharpshooter who killed an elderly woman who came within 100 yards of a commandeered house.

- When asked why that elderly woman was killed, a squad commander was quoted as saying: “What’s great about Gaza — you see a person on a path, he doesn’t have to be armed, you can simply shoot him. In our case it was an old woman on whom I did not see any weapon when I looked. The order was to take down the person, this woman, the minute you see her. There are always warnings, there is always the saying, ‘Maybe he’s a terrorist.’ What I felt was, there was a lot of thirst for blood.”

- The testimonies by soldiers, leaked to the (Israeli) newspapers Maariv and Haaretz, appeared in a journal published by a military preparatory course at the Oranim Academic College in the northern town of Tivon. The newspapers promised to release more such anecdotal accounts on Friday, without saying how many.

- The academy’s director, Dany Zamir, told Israel Radio, “Those were very harsh testimonies about unjustified shooting of civilians and destruction of property that conveyed an atmosphere in which one feels entitled to use unrestricted force against Palestinians.”

- Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Israel Radio that he believed such incidents to be exceptions, adding, “The Israeli Army is the most moral in the world, and I know what I’m talking about because I know what took place in the former Yugoslavia, in Iraq.”

- Amir Marmor, a 33-year-old history graduate student in Jerusalem and a military reservist, said in an interview with The New York Times that he was stunned to discover the way civilian casualties were discussed in training discussions before his tank unit entered Gaza in January. "Shoot and don’t worry about the consequences,” was the message from the top commanders, he said. Speaking of a lieutenant colonel who briefed the troops, Mr. Marmor said, “His whole demeanor was extremely gung ho. This is very, very different from my usual experience. I have been doing reserve duty for 12 years, and it was always an issue how to avoid causing civilian injuries. He said in this operation we are not taking any chances. Morality aside, we have to do our job. We will cry about it later.”

- Some 1,300 people were killed in the Gaza war, but how many of them were combatants remains a matter of controversy. Israel lost about 10 soldiers in Gaza, some because of fire by its own forces.

- One of the soldiers’ testimonies involved the killing of a family. The soldier said: “We had taken over the house, and the family was released and told to go right. A mother and two children got confused and went left. The sniper on the roof wasn’t told that this was O.K. and that he shouldn’t shoot. You can say he just did what he was told.”

Leaders set the atmosphere, philosophy, direction, and culture of their organizations. These organizations range from businesses to cities to departments of governments. Need I say more?

And what of the "defenses" used to excuse the killing of a Palestinian family by an Israeli sniper on the roof of the family's house?
- Defense #1: The family turned left instead of right after they were released from their house.
- Defense #2: "You can say (the sniper) just did what he was told."

Where have we heard Defense #2 before?

The "I was only following orders" defense was used, most prominently, by Nazi SS Lieutenant Colonel Karl Adolf Eichmann at his trial in Jerusalem in 1961. While serving in the SS, he had been in charge of the mass deportation of Jews to concentration camps in World War II. Eichmann was convicted, and executed, in 1962.

President Obama's Legacy Assured By a Pen Stroke

2009-03-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

March 9, 2009. President Obama signed an Executive Order. Restrictions on federal funding of stem cell research, put into place by former president George W. Bush, are eliminated.

In so doing, President Obama's legacy has been guaranteed. If he does nothing else of significance, history will remember him for this one simple act. He has allowed the United States of America to join with other nations, such as China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Switzerland, Spain, France, et cetera in researching and developing not just treatments, but permanent CURES for numerous debilitating diseases and conditions, including diabetes, Alzheimer's, heart disease, Parkinson's, spinal cord injuries, stroke, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even severe burns. Stem cell research holds that much promise, and perhaps even more.

Here is the full text of President Obama's speech on the day he signed the Order:

"Today, with the Executive Order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers; doctors and innovators; patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield.

At this moment, the full promise of stem cell research remains unknown, and it should not be overstated. But scientists believe these tiny cells may have the potential to help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases and conditions. To regenerate a severed spinal cord and lift someone from a wheelchair. To spur insulin production and spare a child from a lifetime of needles. To treat Parkinson’s, cancer, heart disease and others that affect millions of Americans and the people who love them.

But that potential will not reveal itself on its own. Medical miracles do not happen simply by accident. They result from painstaking and costly research – from years of lonely trial and error, much of which never bears fruit – and from a government willing to support that work. From life-saving vaccines, to pioneering cancer treatments, to the sequencing of the human genome – that is the story of scientific progress in America. When government fails to make these investments, opportunities are missed. Promising avenues go unexplored. Some of our best scientists leave for other countries that will sponsor their work. And those countries may surge ahead of ours in the advances that transform our lives.

But in recent years, when it comes to stem cell research, rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values. In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering. I believe we have been given the capacity and will to pursue this research – and the humanity and conscience to do so responsibly.

It is a difficult and delicate balance. Many thoughtful and decent people are conflicted about, or strongly oppose, this research. I understand their concerns, and we must respect their point of view.

But after much discussion, debate and reflection, the proper course has become clear. The majority of Americans – from across the political spectrum, and of all backgrounds and beliefs – have come to a consensus that we should pursue this research. That the potential it offers is great, and with proper guidelines and strict oversight, the perils can be avoided.

That is a conclusion with which I agree. That is why I am signing this Executive Order, and why I hope Congress will act on a bi-partisan basis to provide further support for this research. We are joined today by many leaders who have reached across the aisle to champion this cause, and I commend them for that work.

Ultimately, I cannot guarantee that we will find the treatments and cures we seek. No President can promise that. But I can promise that we will seek them – actively, responsibly, and with the urgency required to make up for lost ground. Not just by opening up this new frontier of research today, but by supporting promising research of all kinds, including groundbreaking work to convert ordinary human cells into ones that resemble embryonic stem cells.

I can also promise that we will never undertake this research lightly. We will support it only when it is both scientifically worthy and responsibly conducted. We will develop strict guidelines, which we will rigorously enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse. And we will ensure that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction. It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society, or any society.

This Order is an important step in advancing the cause of science in America. But let’s be clear: promoting science isn’t just about providing resources – it is also about protecting free and open inquiry. It is about letting scientists like those here today do their jobs, free from manipulation or coercion, and listening to what they tell us, even when it’s inconvenient – especially when it’s inconvenient. It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda – and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology.

By doing this, we will ensure America’s continued global leadership in scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs. That is essential not only for our economic prosperity, but for the progress of all humanity.

That is why today, I am also signing a Presidential Memorandum directing the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a strategy for restoring scientific integrity to government decision making. To ensure that in this new Administration, we base our public policies on the soundest science; that we appoint scientific advisors based on their credentials and experience, not their politics or ideology; and that we are open and honest with the American people about the science behind our decisions. That is how we will harness the power of science to achieve our goals – to preserve our environment and protect our national security; to create the jobs of the future, and live longer, healthier lives.

As we restore our commitment to science, and resume funding for promising stem cell research, we owe a debt of gratitude to so many tireless advocates, some of whom are with us today, many of whom are not. Today, we honor all those whose names we don’t know, who organized, and raised awareness, and kept on fighting – even when it was too late for them, or for the people they love. And we honor those we know, who used their influence to help others and bring attention to this cause – people like Christopher and Dana Reeve, who we wish could be here to see this moment.

One of Christopher’s friends recalled that he hung a sign on the wall of the exercise room where he did his grueling regimen of physical therapy. It read: “For everyone who thought I couldn’t do it. For everyone who thought I shouldn’t do it. For everyone who said, ‘It’s impossible.’ See you at the finish line.”

Christopher once told a reporter who was interviewing him: “If you came back here in ten years, I expect that I’d walk to the door to greet you.”

Christopher did not get that chance. But if we pursue this research, maybe one day – maybe not in our lifetime, or even in our children’s lifetime – but maybe one day, others like him might.

There is no finish line in the work of science. The race is always with us – the urgent work of giving substance to hope and answering those many bedside prayers, of seeking a day when words like “terminal” and “incurable” are finally retired from our vocabulary.

Today, using every resource at our disposal, with renewed determination to lead the world in the discoveries of this new century, we rededicate ourselves to this work.

Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America."

On a personal note:

In 2004, I lived in Chicago. Illinois State Senator Obama did not know me when I supported him in his race for the U.S. Senate.

In 2007, U.S. Senator Obama did not know me when I volunteered as an Obama precinct captain in Nevada during his campaign for the Democratic nomination for President.

In 2008, U.S. Senator and Democratic Presidential nominee Obama did not know me as I continued to support his candidacy for President.

In 2009, President Obama does not know me. He does not know how this Executive Order has moved me to the very core of my being. But in his heart, I suspect he knows how many lives he has touched.

And I know him. He is a man of vision and honor, and represents hope on so many levels.

Thank you, Mr. President. At the risk of being overly repetitive, your legacy - personal, local, national, and international, is now assured.

Exploring Abu Dhabi

2009-03-06T00:05:00.000-08:00

In February, 2009, I posted an article entitled Bye Bye, Dubai?. In the course of researching it, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), I learned about a region of our world that I, as well as most in the Western world, knew virtually nothing about. Nothing, except for stereotypes promulgated by TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines. Screaming headlines designed to sell airtime and advertising space.

Therefore, once a month, I intend to explore this region further, in an effort to understand the area that includes what we often refer to as the Cradle of Civilization. These posts will not serve as traditional history lessons. Just my own personal impressions based on reading as much as I can. However, I will include brief modern histories as background information.

Since I began with Dubai, one of the seven Emirates that comprise the UAE, I will continue with the remaining Emirates, in alphabetical order.

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Loosely translated, "Abu Dhabi" means "Father of the Gazelles." Gazelles and oryx roamed the desert. What's an 'oryx'? I had to look it up myself. An oryx is a species of large antelope that prefers an arid environment and lives with virtually no water for long periods of time. If you happen to come across an oryx in your travels, you better stay on good terms with him. His horns are lethal weapons. Oryx have killed lions with them.

The @llo' Expat website has a short history of Abu Dhabi. These are a few excerpts:

"The Portuguese were to remain in the region until 1633. By then, the British began to make their presence felt, exercising their naval superiority and prowess in the Gulf. However, at that point in time too, a local power, the Qawasim also decided to make their presence felt, much to the consternation of the British, and by the 19 th century, had built up a fleet of 60 large vessels. Sensing a serious threat to their influence in the Gulf, the British launched 'corrective' raids against the Qawasim. In 1820, the British consolidated their influence in the Gulf by destroying and capturing Qawasim vessels. Based on devious claims that the Qawasim were involved in piracy, the British imposed a General Treaty of Peace on nine Arab sheikh doms, resulted in the area being called 'The Trucial States'."

"Abu Dhabi began exporting crude oil in 1962 and with revenues growing steadily as oil production increased, became the richest emirate from being the poorest. With its new found wealth, Sheikh Zayed (Zayed the Great's grandson, not to be confused with the great man himself!), who was chosen Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966, continued to increase contributions to the less fortunate emirates through the Trucial States Development Fund, which was established a few years earlier by the British."

"In 1968, the British announced that it has had enough and intended to leave the region in 1971. The announcement came as a shock to most of the ruling sheikhs. However, having recovered from the initial shock, Sheikh Zayed, along with Sheikh Rashid, took on the initiative of calling for a federation that would not only include the seven emirates which made up the Trucial States, but also Bahrain and Qatar. However, following a period of negotiation, agreement was reached between the rulers of six of the emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Fujairah and Ajman). Thus on 2 December 1971, the Federation, to be known as the United Arab Emirates was formally established. The seventh emirate, Ra's al-Khaimah, formally acceded to the Federation on 10 February 1972."

I found that combining research with my own emotional responses and personal memories of similar surroundings and events, resulted in an almost exhilarating experience. These are a few:

Abu Dhabi has a portion of the Al Hajar Mountain range of which to point with pride. My reaction to reading of this mountain range was not only a memory of seeing the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada, but also visiting Mt. Charleston near Las vegas. Initial impressions of my trips rushed back, and warmed me. I learned that the Al Hajar Mountains are made up mostly of Cretaceous limestone. This triggered memories of certain buildings in my hometown of Chicago, built mainly in the late 1890s and early 1900s, of limestone quarried from an area just southwest of the city. I wonder if there are similar limestone block buildings in Abu Dhabi?

Sand skiing, anyone? I read that the Abu Dhabi sand dunes are a major tourist attraction. My first reaction was a memory of visiting the lovely Indiana Dunes State Park in Indiana, and marveling at the dunes. How peaceful they were. Nature had sculpted flowing works of art from uncounted particles of sand. This memory not only connected part of my childhood to that of what children in Abu Dhabi must experience, but tugged at me to visit there - to compare the dunes of Abu Dhabi to the dunes of Indiana. Feel yet another common bond between countries and peoples so seemingly unlike, but sharing experiences and emotions as a result of something as basic to this planet as sand.

I learned that from March 17-22, 2009, the 19th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) is being held. The promo included:

"Now in 2009 with over 500 exhibitors from 51 countries, growth in space, new venues for events and a large range of services to exhibitors, visitors and the press, the ADIBF continues on its path of growth. Organised by KITAB, a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and the Frankfurt Book Fair, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair has made one more considerable step towards becoming the hub for the Arab book markets and for worldwide business."

Reading is a passion of mine. The ADIBF brought back a very fond memory, formed in the 1970s when I lived in a cramped studio apartment near the University of Chicago (No - I was not a student). A street that cut through the center of the University, 57th street, contained three used book stores. They were each housed in old, large, delightfully rambling buildings. Just thinking about them brings back the scent of millions of aged pages and leather covers. You could sit there and read for hours with no pressure to purchase anything. I wonder if there are people like me in Abu Dhabi who have had similar experiences with books? If so, I'll bet they'll be at the ADIBF this year.

This post could go on and on. But I will conclude it with another concern that all citizens on this planet will face: pensions. Gulfnews.com published an article on June 19,2008 entitled, "Pensioners in Abu Dhabi to get faster and more efficient service":

"Abu Dhabi: Pensioners in Abu Dhabi will receive faster and more efficient services as a result of a progressive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Wednesday.

The MoU was initiated by the Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund and signed by Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior and Commander of Abu Dhabi Police, and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund.

Both government entities agreed this was a positive step forward for pensioners and for cross-Government collaboration. They hoped it would be the first stage in a close and on-going relationship, which will see a significant improvement in services to the people of Abu Dhabi.

Shaikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: "The MoU’s aim is to develop and facilitate procedures to increase performance and improve services for pensioners. Two key elements are reducing the time it takes to process payments and minimising the costs involved."

"It also aims to improve the protection of confidentiality and privacy of information and documents, especially when information is shared via the internet and other media." Click here to read more

Before reading of this initiative to better serve older Abu Dhabi citizens, I had no idea how, or even if, the people and government interacted on the issue of pensions. It was good to read that pension concerns are being opening dealt with, and reported. Yet I wonder if the citizens there feel as insecure about their upcoming retirement years as I do, given the current recession and collapse of stock markets in so many countries. I hope, for their sake, that they are secure and without worry. Are people there who are over age 60 treated with respect? If so, we in the United States could take notes and move more in that direction.

I want to know more about all these things. Imagine visiting Abu Dhabi and sharing experiences with an Abu Dhabi family. Person to person - building bridges of understanding. Learning and sharing replacing misunderstandings and false divisiveness. Maybe that's what it will take for the ultimate goal of world peace. Not nations battling nations. Individuals talking with, and respecting, other individuals. Butterfly wings flapping here impacting cultural climates there, and vice versa. But not chaos theory - compassionate reality.

Drop That Burger Before It Drops You

2009-02-27T21:21:00.000-08:00

Do you want to tempt fate? Do you want to roll out the red carpet for Alzheimer's disease to enter your life and not leave? I didn't think so. But if you continue a daily diet that includes hefty amounts of fats, sugars, and cholesterol, you're doing just that.

Susanne Akterin, a researcher at Sweden's Karolinska Institute's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, ran a study in which mice were fed junk food for nine months.

Reuters news service reported:

"Alzheimer's disease is incurable and is the most common form of dementia among older people. It affects the regions of the brain involving thought, memory and language.

While the most advanced drugs have focused on removing clumps of beta amyloid protein that forms plaques in the brain, researchers are also now looking at therapies to address the toxic tangles caused by an abnormal build-up of the protein tau.

In her research, Akterin focused on a gene variant called apoE4, found in 15 to 20 percent of people and which is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's. The gene is involved in the transport of cholesterol.

She studied mice genetically engineered to mimic the effect of the variant gene in humans, and which were fed a diet rich in fat, sugar and cholesterol for nine months -- meals representing the nutritional content of fast food."

At the conclusion of the study, Akterin reported:

""On examining the brains of these mice, we found a chemical change not unlike that found in the Alzheimer brain. We now suspect that a high intake of fat and cholesterol in combination with genetic factors ... can adversely affect several brain substances, which can be a contributory factor in the development of Alzheimer's."
Click here to read more

In the past, we could blame McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, KFC, et cetera for providing only items that were bad for us. No longer. The so-called 'fast food' industry now at least gives us the option to choose salads instead of greasy burgers and fries. We have a choice.

Let's heed the warnings about the bad fast foods and their connection to Alzheimer's disease. I know it's not easy. I love a juicy burger and fries every now and then myself. But I've started substituting the occasional salad and slice of whole grain bread once or twice a week. We all can do it if we try. Consumption of food that's bad for our health is cumulative in its effects. So is the consumption of healthy foods. Moderation in all things.

Ask your doctor for a blood test to determine your cholesterol levels. Knowledge is power. Give it a try.

Pensions + Politician's Plunder = Pensioner's Peril

2009-02-20T01:12:00.000-08:00

Billions in public pension fund assets are targeted to be used for rebuilding or refurbishing schools, because private financing has either disappeared, or proposed loans are not large enough. These funds have been collected from worker's paychecks and employer's matching contributions over the years for the specific purpose of providing pensions.

But when politicians want to spend money on a project like this, and private sector financial firms say "No", what's the next step? Convince the bankers that better schools are an investment in the nation's future? Postpone, or downsize the project until the economy stabilizes and lending returns to normal? Or salivate over, and greedily grab from public pension funds, thereby threatening the stability, and possibly the ability, of these funds to pay retirees so their chance of living out their lives with a modicum of dignity is diminished? I'll give you three guesses, and the first two don't count.

Oh, have I mentioned yet that I'm not talking about the outrageous 'reappropriation' of U.S. Social Security funds by our own short-sighted politicians and bureaucrats? Those thefts are legendary, distressing, and immoral enough. In August, 2001, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that Social Security money would be used to cover other government deficits in these amounts: $9 billion in 2002; $18 billion in 2003; and $3 billion in 2004.

No. Today's blog refers to Great Britain. The London Times, on February 20, reported that:

"Billions of pounds could be taken from council staff pension schemes to bail out the Government’s PFI school projects, The Times has learnt.

Partnership for Schools, the government body responsible for the £55 billion building programme, has approached several local authorities to ask for emergency cash from pension funds because private finance has dried up.

The funds, worth £100 billion, cover final-salary pensions for two million council staff including social workers, cleaners, refuse collectors, lollipop ladies and town hall officials. Unlike other public sector schemes, they are made up of contributions from staff and employers.

Under the proposal, a council would invest pension cash in a school building project. The cash would be paid back by the Government in instalments with an agreed rate of return." Click here to read more

#1. Isn't it more than a little bit ironic that public pension plans are being used to bail out projects known as PFI (Private Finance Initiative)? One might dare to imagine that a "Private Finance Initiative" would involve, well, PRIVATE FINANCING!

#2. Public pension funds should be a separate and distinct line item in any country's budget. Investments allowed in federal government securities only.

#3. Even though this project appears to be structured as a loan, doesn't it sound like a very risky one, in that the private banking sector has declined to fully fund it?

#4. This project did not manifest itself overnight. If it was so vital to the nation's future that it could not wait, then it should have been funded in the budget by reducing expenditures in other areas, rather than relying on public pension funds.

#5. This type of scheme is actually a safety valve for Great Britain's politicians. Instead of doing the hard work required to help fix the foul economic climate besetting us all, they chose the easy road. Tap pension funds now - pass the problems on to the politicians who'll be there when the bills come due.

I'm reminded of a poster from the 1960s that I saw in the Old Town neighborhood in Chicago. It read: "it will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber."

Bye Bye, Dubai?

2009-02-13T12:51:00.000-08:00

The worldwide economic house of cards continues its collapse. The latest victim? Dubai. On February 11, the New York Times carried an article entitled, "Laid-Off Foreigners Flee as Dubai Spirals Down" Click here to read more. Before examining this report, let's look at a bit of background on Dubai.

What and where is Dubai? It is a city/emirate within the country known as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) See Dubai map. An 'emirate' is defined as a domain that is ruled by an emir. An 'emir' is the term applied to a leader, or chiefain, especially in the Middle East. The UAE is located in the Middle East. It borders Saudi Arabia and Oman. See UAE map. It is made up of seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain) that were previously known as the Trucial States.

What is Dubai's recent history? The following is a partial quote from an official Dubai government website: Click here to read more

"In the 1980s and early 1990s, Dubai took a strategic decision to emerge as a major international-quality tourism destination. Investments in tourism infrastructure have paid off handsomely over the years.

Dubai is now a city that boasts unmatchable hotels, remarkable architecture and world-class entertainment and sporting events. The beautiful Burj Al Arab hotel presiding over the coastline of Jumeira beach is the world's only hotel with a seven star rating. The Emirates Towers are one of the many structures that remind us of the commercial confidence in a city that expands at a remarkable rate. Standing 350 meters high, the office tower is the tallest building in the Middle East and Europe.

Dubai also hosts major international sporting events. The Dubai Desert Classic is a major stop on the Professional Golf Association tour. The Dubai Open, an ATP tennis tournament, and the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race, draw thousands every year."

The world's tallest building is being built there. Man-made recreational islands were constructed for those in the world's wealthiest class to enjoy. At least one could admire Dubai's attempts to diversify its economy.

These projects were begun when oil was approaching $100 a barrel, and economic boom times seemed to have no end in site. Tens of thousands of people from around the world flocked to Dubai for good-paying jobs and low, sometimes non-existent, taxes. As a matter of fact, 90% of Dubai's population is comprised of these foreigners.

That brings us to Sofia's story in the Times article:

"Sofia, a 34-year-old Frenchwoman, moved here a year ago to take a job in advertising, so confident about Dubai’s fast-growing economy that she bought an apartment for almost $300,000 with a 15-year mortgage." ... “I’m really scared of what could happen, because I bought property here,” said Sofia, who asked that her last name be withheld because she is still hunting for a new job. “If I can’t pay it off, I was told I could end up in debtors’ prison.”

Well, debtor's prison certainly worked wonders during the Middle Ages, didn't it? It worked so well that it totally eliminated the problem of people going in over their heads in debt, right? Similarly, when punishment for stealing a loaf of bread resulted in the thief's hand being cut off resulted in the virtual end of theft as a category of crime. But back to Dubai.

Dubai may also have the dubious distinction of having the world's largest used car lot. It's known as the Dubai airport parking lot.

"With Dubai’s economy in free fall, newspapers have reported that more than 3,000 cars sit abandoned in the parking lot at the Dubai Airport, left by fleeing, debt-ridden foreigners (who could in fact be imprisoned if they failed to pay their bills). Some are said to have maxed-out credit cards inside and notes of apology taped to the windshield."

The Dubai government has officially declined comment on this economic collapse-in-progress. However, the word on the street, in the form of real estate and auto sales, says it all:

"Some things are clear: real estate prices, which rose dramatically during Dubai’s six-year boom, have dropped 30 percent or more over the past two or three months in some parts of the city. Last week, Moody’s Investor’s Service announced that it might downgrade its ratings on six of Dubai’s most prominent state-owned companies, citing a deterioration in the economic outlook. So many used luxury cars are for sale , they are sometimes sold for 40 percent less than the asking price two months ago, car dealers say."

Many people must wonder if no corner of the globe is immune from this recession/depression. We might have thought that even though oil prices are down to ~$35 a barrel, the oil-producing Middle Eastern countries would still stay monetarily afloat, minus a few Mercedes or so. But look at Dubai. Its foreign population is fleeing. And what of its native populace? Neighboring emirates of the UAE are not helping Dubai. Neighboring Middle Eastern countries are not helping. It has become every group for itself.

Now is the time for a unified vision and approach. Not fractured fearful reactions. Yet what has history shown us? The Great Depression of the 1930s did nothing to unite nations in the common bond of economic despair. It was followed by World War II, setting the world chessboard for the matches we've been playing the past 65 years.

Will this current economic free fall result in a reshuffling of the chess pieces? Maybe, it's time to change the game.

See my other posts on emirates: Exploring Abu Dhabi, Exploring Ajman, and Exploring Fujairah

California Octuplets, a/k/a Irresponsibility

2009-02-06T05:58:00.000-08:00

On Monday, January 26, Nadya Suleman, an unemployed 33 year old single mother of six children in California, gave birth to eight more. Was this some natural, multiple birth? No. Nadya has been quite calculating about her baby production. Her six existing children had all been born as a result of in-vitro fertilization.

Was raising six children while unemployed and living with her parents enough of a challenge for this self-obsessed baby machine? Quite obviously, no.

So she had multiple embryo implants and, voila, eight more babies pop out. That means 14 grandchildren, and 1 daughter, will soon be living with the oh-so-proud grandparents.

Her parents declared bankruptcy. Kind of goes with the moral bankruptcy of their daughter.

What are her plans? She has hired (?!) a public relations firm to arrange for the inevitable tour of the talk shows that have come to pass as our society's culture/entertainment/education/loosener of bowels. Nadya's price? Well, we know what she is, so it's only a matter of negotiating a price, is it not? On February 2, Fox News reported that she is seeking $2 million from Oprah, et cetera. Obscene. Degrading. Disgusting.

Will companies pander to her for her endorsement of everything from baby food to diapers in exchange for free products? Will 'newspapers' like the National Enquirer pay big bucks for exclusive photos? You betcha.

Just think, she's still plenty young enough to have several dozen more. This is America. She only TIED the record for multiple births. She can do better than that! Maybe The Guinness Book of World Records will arrange for live video coverage of Nadya's World Record Birthing Attempt! Nine? No. Ten. Hogwash. A Baker's dozen! 13!

Does Nadya not care about personal responsibility? What about a sense of social responsibility? Why employ extra-ordinary medical methods to add 14 children to an already overpopulated planet? What will young girls think when they read about the publicity and riches that will undoubtedly be showered upon Nadya? Positive role model, huh?

Let's hope that these 14 children can adapt to this bizarre situation, and live healthy, happy, well-adjusted lives. Unlike their mother.

Was Criticism Of 2008 Wall Street Bonuses Justified?

2009-01-30T13:25:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, January 29, news outlets reported that President Obama had called the bonuses that some Wall Street financial firm executives received for their 2008 performances "shameful" and the "height of irresponsibility". The bonuses totaled $18.4 billion. His concern was that those firms should not have accepted federal money when they obviously had plenty of cash for bonuses. President Obama's concern, as outlined in the hald dozen accounts I read, seemed more than justified. My initial title for this Friday's blog was "Obama's Criticism of 2008 Wall Street Bonuses Justified". Then, I dug further.

I learned that the source of Obama's criticism was a report by the New York State Comptroller. So I went to the source. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's report, DiNapoli: Wall Street Bonuses Fell 44% in 2008, did mention that $18.4 billion was paid in bonuses. The title of the report itself, however, suggests that its focus was on the decrease. What wasn't even mentioned in most other news articles was that this amount represented a 44% decrease as compared to the 2007 bonuses.

Does this excuse the $18.4 billion that was paid out? Depends. Was some of that money paid to executives of firms that were profitable in 2008? That detail is missing. Was some of that money paid out under obligatory, written pre-existing agreements in the executives contracts? That detail is missing. Where is the investigative reporting in the media that should have uncovered these facts?

What is shameful is if some of that money was paid out to executives by boards of directors of firms that incurred large losses, and then begged the federal government for money. In those cases, those boards clearly did not exercise their fiduciary responsibilities.

The federal money that was loaned to these firms should have had specific, legally binding wording that would have prevented use of the money to pay unwarranted bonuses. That no such wording was included is the fault of the politicians who wrote, amended, and scrutinized the legislation. There is blame aplenty to go around.

It's said that when a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The same applies to headlines and reports. If it sounds as simple as black and white, it probably isn't. There is an almost infinite number of shades of gray into which the truth may fall.

State Of New Jersey Kidnaps Three Children

2009-01-23T07:26:00.000-08:00

In a case that seems more reminiscent of Nazi Germany than the United States, on Tuesday, January 13, New Jersey authorities removed three children from their parent's home in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The children's names are: Adolf Hitler Campbell (age 3), his sister JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell (age 1), and other sister Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell (age 8 months). No allegations of abuse of any kind were leveled against the parents, Heath and Deborah Campbell.

You may recall the December, 2008 incident about a New Jersey store that refused to put Adolf's full name on a birthday cake. Who would have expected that it would have been a mere prelude to this outrageous act, this virtual kidnapping, by New Jersey's Department of Children and Families.

Let's cut to the chase. It was about the kid's names. Sure, the parents are idiots and cowards. They gave their children names like Adolf Hitler, Aryan Nation, and then, in an even further attempt to profess their ignorance, "Honszlynn Hinler". Honszlynn Hinler? There was the infamous Heinrich Luitpold Himmler, head of the Nazi SS during World War II. The Campbells made an interesting choice to both feminize the Nazi thug's name and then misspell it as well. They probably never heard of Eva Braun.

And if the Campbell parents love Nazis so much, why didn't they change their own names? Here are a few I found listed in Wikipedia that Heath and Deborah might like for themselves: Mengele. Bormann. von Epp. And one that is new to me, but that embodies the finest of Nazi idealism and Aryan superiority: Oskar Dirlewanger (Commanded the infamous SS-Sturmbrigade Dirlewanger unit, which was composed of amnestied Germans convicted of major crimes). Does anyone hear the Campbells scurrying to the court house for their own name changes? Me either.

Yet, as foolish as the Campbell's choices were, do they equate to abuse? No. They do not. What's next? The Official List Of Approved Names For Children Born In New Jersey? Approved Religions? Mandatory Religious Upbringing? Approved Political Viewpoints? If the state has allegations of physical or emotional abuse, let's hear them. If not, it should butt out and return the kids immediately. If the authorities insist on keeping the kids, a lawsuit must be filed and, if necessary, fast-tracked to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In reality, the children will be unmercifully teased as they grow up. Perhaps fights will be picked with them. But, once they reach legal age, they can have their names changed. If they so desire, absent parental consent, they could probably retain an attorney at an even younger age to have their names changed. Wouldn't it be poetic justice for Adolf to change his name to Martin Luther King Junior Campbell?

U.S. Airways Pilot A Hero? I Don't Think So

2009-01-16T17:32:00.000-08:00

You cannot turn on the news since Thursday afternoon, January 15, without seeing breathless reporters praising U.S. Airways flight 1549's pilot, Chesley Sullenberger, as being a hero who performed a Miracle On The Hudson. Twenty-four hours of such lofty praise made me wonder if the media's designation of him as virtually the Second Coming of Christ was indeed warranted. I came to the decision that he was a good pilot, but not a hero. The subject of my rant for this week was clear.

But darn it if Rex Huppke, reporter for the Chicago Tribune, didn't beat me to it. His article, Have we set the bar too low for miracles? was right on the point. Huppke said it best in this choice paragraph:

- "The pilot, we now know, is highly trained and has years of experience. From a pragmatic standpoint, with an expert at the helm, the result was just what it should have been."

It seems like the reporters and news producers, so anxious to sensationalize stories for the sake of shock value, and subsequently higher viewership, ignored the testimony of other pilots they have had on their own programs. Those pilots have said they admired the skill of Sullenberger in what was obviously a sudden and dangerous situation. But they added that all pilots are trained for eventualities just like this - sudden loss of engine power, and how to land a plane in the water.

In fact, Ben Sherwood, author of "The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science That Could Save Your Life" devotes a section to what he terms "The myth of hopelessness." He notes, in a Time magazine website article, Q&A: How to Survive a Plane Crash, "But according to government data, 95.7% of the passengers involved in airplane crashes categorized as accidents actually survive. Then, if you look at the most serious plane crashes, that's a smaller number; the survival rate in the most serious kinds of accidents is 76.6%. So the point there is, when the NTSB [National Transportation Safety Board] analyzed all the airplane accidents between 1983 and 2000, 53,000 people were involved in those accidents, and 51,000 survived. That's an incredibly high survival rate."

Apparently Sullenberger is but one of a fairly large group of airline pilot 'miracle workers.' Why haven't these other pilots attained this level of publicity? Is Sullenberger merely the flavor of the day, to be replaced tomorrow by other so-called miracles: Angelina's New Baby's Name! And Exclusive Photos! Michael Jackson On Comeback Trail! Madonna Receives Marilyn Monroe Impersonator Of The Year Award!

Has our culture become so blase that people who do very well at remembering their job training are anointed with the title 'Miracle Worker'?

Is our society so worn out from years of warfare, and a sudden, devestating recession, that we need any kind of diversion just to get our minds off our problems?

Maybe. Captain Sullenberger did a fine job under the most trying of circumstances. For that I thank him, and wish him well in what I'm sure will be his upcoming book and book tour.

The aforementioned Tribune article quoted John C. Cavadini, chair of the theology department at the University of Notre Dame.

- "Strictly speaking, the term 'miracle' would be reserved for an event for which there is no natural explanation. Something is ineligible to be called a miracle unless there is no known natural explanation."

Amen.

Obama Promises Bid to Overhaul Retiree Spending

2009-01-09T08:50:00.000-08:00

Do you think I made that up? The title given to the January 8, 2009 New York Times article, Obama Promises Bid to Overhaul Retiree Spending evokes a strong emotional response. Sounds drastic. Sounds like a knife through the hearts of not only current retirees, but also those millions approaching retirement age. "Overhaul" most often means cutbacks. What will be the first to go? Medicare prescription drug coverage? Social security cost of living increases? Raising the age requirements in the hope that those who have been taxed the most to support Social Security and Medicare will die before they become eligible? What a relief to the system! Those people are better off dead anyhow, than living to see the turncoat politicians bend them over again and again, aren't they?

But wait. Let's see what the so-called 'liberal' New York Times is saying in this twenty paragraph article. Here are the paragraphs that relate to the "overhaul retiree spending" the headline so boldly proclaims as the article's main thrust:

- President-elect Barack Obama said Wednesday that overhauling Social Security and Medicare would be “a central part” of his administration’s efforts to contain federal spending, signaling for the first time that he would wade into the thorny politics of entitlement programs.

- Speaking at a news conference in Washington, he provided no details of his approach to rein in Social Security and Medicare, which are projected to consume a growing share of government spending as the baby boom generation ages into retirement over the next two decades. But he said he would have more to say about the issue when he unveiled a budget next month.

- Should he follow through with a serious effort to cut back the rates of growth of the two programs, he would be opening up a potentially risky battle that neither party has shown much stomach for. The programs have proved almost sacrosanct in political terms, even as they threaten to grow so large as to be unsustainable in the long run. President Bush failed in his effort to overhaul Social Security, and Medicare only grew larger during his administration with the addition of prescription drug coverage for retirees.

- Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, the senior Republican on the Budget Committee, and his House counterpart, Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, said the extensive borrowing by the government could be a disaster if Congressional Democrats and the new Obama administration did not also work on long-term solutions including changes to Social Security and Medicare.

This is the information, contained withing the second quoted paragraph above, that has the greatest relevance: "... he provided no details of his approach to rein in Social Security and Medicare... But he said he would have more to say about the issue when he unveiled a budget next month."

What shoddy journalism! The headline makes strong implications that Obama will drastically cut federal spending for retirees. He may, indeed, do just that. And if that happens, it will be bitterly analyzed right here on this blog. But there is not one scintilla of evidence given in the article, not even a possible set of scenarios provided, that may come forth when Obama announces his budget in February 2009. So what gives? Trying to out-sensationalize the National Inquirer?

I caution you. When right-wingers like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and, increasingly, Lou Dobbs, froth at the mouth about the liberal, radical, left-wing, drive-by, mainstream media, check and doublecheck what they're saying. Their main target is most often the New York Times. Yet, in the article I discussed here today, the Times may have succeeded in planting seeds of doubt not only about Obama's true agenda, but also about whether he can be trusted. Sounds like what the Rush-Sean-Bill-Lou crowd loves to do. And all before Obama takes the oath of office.

Remember - these right-wing goons will never be satisfied with news outlets that don't march in lockstep with them. Even if they succeed in pushing the 'mainstream' media to the right, it will never be far enough right for them. I urge you all to do your own bitter analysis of everything you read and hear.

Bush Allows Religion to Block Your Health Care

2009-01-02T20:49:00.000-08:00

It would have been nice for George W. Bush to just fade away, like a bad memory. January 20, 2009 is not that far away. But no. He had to stick his big fat 'Christian' religious nose where it doesn't belong before he and his ilk creep away from Washington, D.C. Maybe he's a frustrated proctologist wannabe. That would explain a lot.

On December 18, 2008, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued a chilling statement entitled "HHS ISSUES FINAL REGULATION TO PROTECT HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FROM DISCRIMINATION."

Here is part of that statement: "In the preamble to the final regulation, the Department also encourages providers to engage their patients early on in “full, open, and honest conversations” to disclose what services they do and do not provide. While it would strengthen provider conscience rights, the regulation would in no way restrict health care providers from performing any legal service or procedure. If a procedure is legal, a patient will still have the ability to access that service from a medical professional or institution that offers it. For example, the regulation does not affect the ability of medical institutions to provide abortion services in accordance with the law."

Examples of how this regulation could allow health care providers to refuse treatments abound. Abortions, anti-AIDS drugs, day-after contraceptive pills might all fall outside belief-systems of certain doctors, nurses, or pharmacists. Here's another example:

Let's say you're driving through a county whose hospitals are staffed mainly by doctors who are Jehovah's Witnesses. Let's say you have an accident that requires a blood transfusion. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions. So be prepared, if you are conscious that is, and if not, your next of kin if they can be reached in time, to be engaged by your health care providers in “full, open, and honest conversations” to disclose what services they do and do not provide."

I can hear it now. "Hello patient X. I'm your 'Doctor'. Your suffering and imminent death can be prevented by a blood transfusion, but... well, you know how it is, gosh darn it, the God I worship (the only REAL one, of course) doesn't permit such foul degradations of the human body. But don't think we're totally without compassion. We've alerted the local cab company, and within about 30-90 minutes or so, the driver will take you to any heathen hospital you want. Your body may recover, but your soul, alas, will perish. What was that? You don't know of any hospital that does blood transfusions in the area? Do we know? Why of course we do. But our conscience simply will not permit us to tell you. Perhaps the taxi driver will know. Have a nice day. And may the God I worship (the only REAL one, of course) have mercy on your soon to perish soul."

Good bye, Dubya. And good riddance.

See You Next Year

2008-12-26T17:20:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

Happy Chanukah

Happy Kwanzaa

Merry Masa'il

Happy Sharaf

Happy Day of Hajj

Merry Eid al-Adha

Happy Maunajiyaras

Merry Tohji-taisai

Happy Yule

and...

Happy Festivus!

Be seeing you next Friday/Month/Year

Choice Of Rick Warren For Inaugural Is Wrong

2008-12-19T09:11:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, December 17, President-elect Obama's transition team, along with the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies announced the inaugural program. The invocation is to be given by Dr. Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California.

The program includes the following profile of Dr. Warren: "Dr. Rick Warren founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, in 1980 with one family. Today, it is an evangelical congregation averaging 22,000 weekly attendees, a 120-acre campus, and has more than 300 community ministries to groups such as prisoners, CEOs, addicts, single parents, and those with HIV/AIDS. He also leads the Purpose Driven Network of churches, a global coalition of congregations in 162 countries. TIME magazine named him one of "15 World Leaders Who Mattered Most in 2004," and in 2005 one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

But there's another side to Dr. Warren. The Christian Post website stated, "Attempting only to make abortions “rare” is not much different than saving some of the Jews during the Holocaust when all could be saved, according to megachurch pastor Rick Warren." Warren himself is quoted as saying, “For these people who believe life begins at birth, all right, at conception, it’s an American holocaust. They believe that there’s 40 million people who should be here." Comparing legal abortions to the Holocaust is absurd and is indicative of someone with a not quite hidden 'Christian' right-wing agenda.

Dr. Warren has compared same-sex marriage to pedophilia and incest. He has claimed that had Proposition 8 in California (which restricted marriage in California to one man and one woman) not passed, pastors who speak their mind on certain issues would have had silenced - their free speech rights severely restricted. Obama should refrain from having Warren, who attempts to prop up this intellectually barren philosophy by guilt by association with pedophilia and incest, be anywhere near the inauguration. click here to listen to Dr. Warren.

He has called Christians who advance a social gospel Marxists. Not exactly a bridge-builder, is he? Divisive, hypocritical, and cruel are terms more apt.

This is not a person that President-elect Obama should showcase during his historic inauguration. Why was the decision made to include Warren? Was it political? Thinking about 2012? Would the choice of Warren drain Christian right-wing votes from the Republicans? Unlikely. Those votes will flock to Palin in 2012.

It is not too late. Obama can still change the man or woman who will give the invocation. Or he could be really bold and eliminate it altogether. You know, something about the separation of church and state.

Music Keeps Us Young (part 2 of 2)

2008-12-12T08:10:00.000-08:00

I left off last Friday in the mid-1960s. No one who was a teenager in Chicago at that time was unaffected by the plethora of Chicago area rock bands that were played on the two major radio rock stations, WLS (890) and WCFL (1000). Their 50,000 watt stations were heard across many states, and helped these bands achieve success. There was a distinct feature of most of these groups. They virtually all had horn sections. Why was that? The Chicago public high schools encouraged every incoming freshman to take band class. If you agreed, you were usually given a choice of trumpet, trombone, saxophone, or other brass instrument. You could take it home and practice. So horn sections were a natural addition to local Chicago rock bands. The special depth that gave to the music resulted in it being described as the 'Chicago Sound.' My favorite local Chicago bands included:

- The Buckinghams. KIND OF A DRAG, and MERCY MERCY MERCY.

- The New Colony Six. I WILL ALWAYS THINK ABOUT YOU, and what I consider the most beautiful love song ever written, about a girl who breaks up with her guy, and even though he's hurting badly, still loves her with all his heart and wants only the best for her, THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY.

- The Chicago Transit Authority, later shortened due to a lawsuit threat to Chicago. Here are two seldom heard songs. The first has their greatest horn, bass, and wah-wah pedal guitar work. LISTEN, and the politically charged PROLOGUE, AUGUST 29, 1968 - SOMEDAY.

- The Shadows of Knight's cover of GLORIA, and OH YEAH.

- The American Breed. BEND ME SHAPE ME.

- The Cryan' Shames. IT COULD BE WE'RE IN LOVE, and SUGAR AND SPICE (sorry...no YouTube link to this song worthy of posting).

- The Ides of March. VEHICLE.

- Moving ahead now to my first car - a used, light blue 1964 Buick Skylark convertible, purchased in 1967. Of course I had to have an 8 track tape player installed. The first tape I purchased? The Beatles' MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR. But the band I had the most tapes of was Buffalo Springfield. Their biggest hit was FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH. I also fondly recall driving west on 95th street towards Maple Lake with the top down, sun in my face, and wind in my (increasingly long) hair, listening to their MR. SOUL, and the wonderfully melodic ON THE WAY HOME.

- When I entered college in 1968 I supported the war in Vietnam. The Chicago public high school I had attended had done its brainwashing best. But fellow students at the University of Illinois at Chicago Circle showed me the other side to U.S. involvement. My musical tastes changed accordingly. I reinterpreted the lyrics to The Jefferson Airplane's SOMEBODY TO LOVE. "When the truth is found to be liew, and all the joy within you dies" was exactly how I felt about my changed viewpoint on Vietnam. Their signature song for me, though, will always be VOLUNTEERS. Playing these songs just now brought back all the emotions of that time. But they pale in comparison to the next entry in my personal 'Hit Parade."

- After Nixon expanded the Vietnam war by invading Cambodia on April 30, 1970, my world changed. Anti-war protests, though peaceful, increased greatly in terms of participants. Then came the shootings of thirteen students at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio by Ohio National Guardsmen. Four students were murdered, and nine more seriously wounded. It is said that when Neil Young (formerly of Buffalo Springfield, and then with Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young) heard the news, he went to the bathroom and wept. Ten minutes later, he had written both the lyrics and the music to OHIO.

This post has gone on longer than I had intended. Tempus fugit. But indulge me a moment longer while I mention other musical artists that have moved me (click their names to hear a song):

- SHIRLEY BASSEY

- TEN WHEEL DRIVE

- CELTIC WOMAN

- FRANK ZAPPA

- NIGHTWISH

- EVANESCENCE

- PINK MARTINI

- GUSTAV HOLST

- VAYA CON DIOS

- WITHIN TEMPTATION

Thanks again to the artists and YouTube. And thanks to you for reading and listening!

Next Friday: Back to politics

Music Keeps Us Young (part 1 of 2)

2008-12-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

Music and memory - what's the connection? A scientist might say it has to do with the rostromedial prefontal cortex. That's the section of our brain that not only processes and tracks musical tones, but also is activated when we try to remember something. Did you learn your alphabet, a-b-c-d-e-f-g et cetera, accompanied by the "Alphabet Song"? Fifty-plus years after learning it that way, I still hum the tune when I'm trying to remember what letter comes before 'Z' or 'L'.

The thrust of today's post goes beyond the science of 'why', and into the connection between certain specific songs from my past, and the feeling of well-being that I experience upon hearing those songs today. More often than not, I find that certain music transports me back to when I heard it for the first time. In approximate chronological order, I list the songs that have had the greatest effects on me. But first, a big 'Thank You' to the artists and YouTube.

- EXODUS. My earliest such recollection is of the title track for the movie, released in 1960. I was ten years old, had been taken to the movie, and the music compelled me to use up my number 1 Christmas wish on the soundtrack. I still have that vinyl disc. When I hear this song, I'm back in 1960, when times seemed simpler, and the future was so far away I didn't care.

- GIRL GROUPS. 'Girl Groups' songs left an indelible impression on me. Martha and the Vandellas remains my favorite of this genre. HEATWAVE, DANCIN' IN THE STREETS, and NOWHERE TO RUN, had more soul than the Supremes. But there are two Supremes' songs, released in 1966 and 1968 respectively, that stand out from their entire repertoire: LOVE IS LIKE AN ITCHIN' IN MY HEART, for its percussion, bass, and complex rhythmic structure - thanks to the incredible but unappreciated Motown house band, the Funk Brothers, and LOVE CHILD, for its social commentary. This category would be incomplete without mention of the Ronettes' BE MY BABY, and the Shangri-Las, best known for THE LEADER OF THE PACK, but even more memorable to me was their musically interesting WALKIN' IN THE SAND. Listening to these songs today takes me away from adulthood, and back to what seemed at the time to be a less stressful existence. I wonder if my blood pressure decreases when I listen?

- LOUIE LOUIE, covered by the Kingsmen in 1963, was by far the greatest single influence on my musical tastes. It is the classic 'three chord rock' song that launched thousands of garage bands. In my case, it was a basement band, as the house I grew up in had no garage. It changed my personal musical instrument from an accordion to a beat-up acoustic guitar ($5) in 1964, replaced by a red Vox solid body single pickup electric guitar ($35) in 1965.

Three chord rock means the song's rhythm guitar sound (when all six strings are strummed simultaneously) is composed of only three different chords. Even the beginning guitar player can master three chords. It didn't hurt the song's popularity when, due to the poor sound quality of the cheap recording studio that the struggling band used, many words were muffled, and rumors spread about what the "real, dirty words" were. Then, the Governor of Indiana tried to ban all airplay of the song in Indiana, and last, but not least, it was investigated because of its "obscene" lyrics, by J. Edgar Hoover's FBI. Your tax dollars at work.

My friends and I played the 45 rpm record at 33 1/3 RPM and even 16 RPM to try to make out the words. Of course our feverish 13 year old male minds concocted our own outlandish lyrics, which we played to our heart's content when we finally put a band together the next year. Oh yeah, the three chords were A, D, and Em. Listening to this song today brings me to the beginning of my adolescence, when making a rudimentary form of music, mixed with hormonal drives, fueled creativity on several levels. The band lasted only two years, but it feels like yesterday.

- THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN by the Animals (1964). At a time when the Beatles were appealing to teenage love angst, the Animals were fusing the blues with rock, and singing about how a combination saloon/gambling den/house of ill repute in New Orleans led to a young man's downfall. Eric Burdon's voice was rough, filled with raw emotion, and so unlike Paul, John, Dave Clark, or even Mick Jagger's, that I had no choice but to succumb to Animalism. Coincidentally, it was the album Animalism that introduced me to traditional Chicago Blues (electric guitar driven instead of acoustic, more urban and hard-edged than the Delta blues. Bluesman Muddy Waters moved from Memphis to Chicago in 1954, and quickly discovered that his new audiences were both larger and rowdier. He couldn't be heard. So he traded his acoustic guitar for an electric one, and the Chicago Blues sound was born. He later wrote the song, "The Blues Had a Baby, And They Named It Rock and Roll". The song on Animalism that did it for me was their cover of GOIN' DOWN SLOW. Listening to the Blues does not necessarily take me back to a specific, younger age. It does, however, take me on a trip to the very core of my being, which is perhaps the best "wayback" journey of them all.

Next Friday: Music Keeps Us Young, Part 2 of 2

Thanksgiving Myths Deconstructed

2008-11-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

My intent for this weeks post was a kind of warm, fuzzy, gee... isn't it nice that it's Thanksgiving message. My memories of the Thanksgiving tradition, learned in a Chicago public elementary school, had made this my favorite holiday. But first, I wanted to delve more deeply into Thanksgiving, and learn more. I'm almost sorry I did.

Thanksgiving Day commemorates the communal sharing of food and friendship between Pilgrims and Native Americans in the Plymouth Bay Colony in 1621, right? The Pilgrims invited their new friends to a feast of celebration. One wonders how this peaceful relationship between two peoples could have turned so horribly sour in such a short time thereafter.

Let's examine some facts and fallacies:

- When the Mayflower landed in the New World, the passengers were virtually all Pilgrims. Wrong. There were 102 colonists aboard the Mayflower. Only 35 were what we today call Pilgrims.

- The 'Pilgrims' actually referred to themselves as 'Saints' (humble types, eh?), while others referred to them as 'Separatists'. A few of the other Mayflower settlers referred to themselves as 'Puritans', in that they wanted to purify the Church. It wasn't until after the Revolution that the term 'Pilgrims' was applied to the Saints, and they became what the spin doctors of the time painted as the image of the new country's morality and Christian ideals.

- The date and location of the first communal feast was not 1621 and was in the Plymouth Colony. According to the History News Network, "Texans claim the first Thanksgiving in America actually took place in little San Elizario, a community near El Paso, in 1598 -- twenty-three years before the Pilgrims' festival." "Then again, you may want to go to Virginia.. At the Berkeley Plantation on the James River they claim the first Thanksgiving in America was held there on December 4th, 1619....two years before the Pilgrims' festival... " A certain U.S. President from Massachusetts officially recognized Virginia's claim in 1963.

- The weary settlers from the Mayflower were supposed to join up with Virginian tobacco plantations. However, due to either heavy storms, or errors using their charts, they landed in what was to become Massachusetts.

- They did not heroically carve a civilization out of the wilderness. They settled on land that had been occupied by an Indian tribe that had either departed the region, or had died. Our intrepid colonists appropriated the Indian belongings they found there. A Native American survivor, Squanto, showed them the corn fields, and explained how to survive in their new environment.

- The colonists did not originate the idea of a fall festival. Native American tribes had been celebrating harvest time for centuries.

- Thanksgiving did not become a national holiday until President Lincoln, looking for a way to fire up patriotic spirit during the dismal days of the War Between the States, made it one. His decree was on the same day that he ordered Union troops to march against the Sioux tribe in what now is Minnesota.

- The Pilgrims' clothing was black and white with buckles on their hats and shoes. Wrong. Buckles did not come to be worn until the late years of the 17th century, and black and white clothing was worn only on Sundays. Their clothes would have been more earth tones like green and brown, with the occasional blue and beige.

The concept of a day set aside for a special meal to share with friends and family is a wonderful thing. But let's delete the phony public relations aspects of what we pretend was the first Thanksgiving. A little honesty would be just the right spice for the fourth Thursday in November.

Next Friday: Music keeps us young.

Adam Smith and Karl Marx on the 2008 Economy

2008-11-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

Hello. My name is Adam. No, not that Adam... Adam Smith, the influential economist best known for my book, The Wealth of Nations, published in 1776, considered by many to be the foundation of modern capitalism. In it, I explained how rational self-interest in a free-market economy leads to economic well-being for all. I was born in Scotland in 1723, and just read on the Internet (yes, we have access up there) that I 'died' in 1790. I lived a pleasant life. Never married. Coincidence?

I'm here today, channelled (against my will, I'll have you know) through this annoying blogger (to what a pitiful level the English language has sunk... 'blogger'?), known rather boastfully as 'the thinker' (my belief is that he left a leading 's' off his moniker), to analyze the current financial maladies you bloody colonists are having.

Let me examine today the state of your automotive industry, which employs, either directly or indirectly in support or supply functions, approximately 10% of your work force. For many years it was a profitable sector, for both its managers and workers. Although it would have been even more profitable, had all the employees been compensated on an individual basis - judged on their personal productivity, instead of salaries and raises determined primarily by what job title a person was in. That applied mainly to the production workers. But I am similarly dismayed that managers, and especially those in the upper executive ranks, manipulated their compensation through whom they knew on the board of directors, and how many times they purposely lost to them on the golf course. As a Scotsman, that venue for perverting my theory of "rational self-interest" is particularly vexing.

Many in your news industry bemoan the staggering losses of market share and profits that the North Central American Colonial (I cannot bring myself to utter 'United States of America" or that even cruder and less descriptive word 'American' - as if there are no other countries in North, Central, and South America deserving of inclusion in that title!... but I digress) automotive industry has been absorbing lately. Haven't they read my philosophy that any successful business enterprise must, at the very least, produce something others value?

Lowering my standards to use your local vernacular, the Asian automakers are eating your lunch! So I object, most vociferously, to your government even thinking about a loan to your GM, Chrysler, and Ford. Those companies should redirect their efforts and retool their plants in order to make something of value that people will buy. If they cannot accomplish this basic tenet of business, then let those enterprises fail. It might help if successful automotive companies are examined, and emulated. Efficiencies can also be gleaned from those who know the work the best - the people who are doing it. Seems simple, but it's often overlooked. Ask your employees periodically for ideas on streamlining operations and cutting corners. You may discard ten bad suggestions before finding one good one. But that is definitely a profitable ratio.

I see that my time is just about up, and some unkempt (both physically and intellectually) vagabond is next to be brought forth through the narrow confines of this blogger's alleged mind. Bear this in mind... this 'Karl' person claims to be the voice of the poor, exploited, downtrodden working class. But if you see a picture of him, it is obvious that he never missed a meal in his life. Take that, Karl the Commie!

Good-bye, and good luck.

Hello. My name is Karl Marx, and my economic ideas have fomented revolutions. I was born in Prussia in 1818. But first, I need to air a grievance. A complete overhaul of this 'channeling' business is past due. The stories I could tell about the sad and angry faces on the wealthy, lazy, lay abouts calling for some member of a slapstick comedy family who shares my surname, and finding me in their midst instead, would turn your stomach! Note to self: contact Frederick and Vladimir when I get back. Then you people will see one heck of a union organizing drive. New members must have gone through this channelling humiliation at least twice in order to join. I'll even steal the word "Bitter" from this... well, whatever this is, and use it in the new union's title: Bitter Union of Re-channelled Persons. Our slogan: B.U.R.P. - It'll Make You Feel Better.

Now, I see that a certain evil capitalist named Adam Smith (I'll bet his middle initial is S. Get it? He's a real A.S.S.) has analyzed (with the emphasis on 'anal') America's automotive industry. The astute observer will note that I used 'America' here because I know it's one of Smith's pet peeves. His rude and crude comment about my weight showed his lack of understanding and compassion (typical for those of his ilk). You see, I have a metabolic problem... But that's not important here. Sit down, fellow members of the international working class, and I will raise your (class) consciousness even further, using the automotive industry, and its current travails, as an example.

The economic ups and downs of all facets of the economy, and especially the automotive sector, are due almost exclusively to the fact that there is no long term planning under capitalism. Your auto company executives are not rewarded for any results beyond the current fiscal quarter. Stock prices plunge at the very hint of underperforming Wall Street projections. Therefore, efforts are confined exclusively to meeting those expectations. If there is a likelihood of failure to make the requisite profit margins, then immediate short term steps must be taken, regardless of the long term effects on the company, its employees, or the industry as a whole. And what is the most expensive cog in the company's corporate wheel? Workers. So first, managers issue speed up orders on the production lines, even though the additional units are not yet needed. Why? In order to stockpile cars and parts, in preparation for the layoffs necessary to keep profits in line with projections. The effects on the workers? Who cares? This is unrestrained capitalism.

Even labor unions these days cannot adequately protect their members during times of extreme economic crisis in your economy. Most have become as stilted and bureaucratic as both the corporate fat cats in their corner offices, and the governmental henchmen who fleece the paychecks of the working men and women they are charged with representing.

The solution? Ownership transfer of the major means of production to proletariat owned and run councils. It applies even more in 2008 than during the rise of the Industrial Age circa 1848. This would stabilize production for both short and long term projected needs and use, and eliminate immediate, destabilizing profiteering. Would bureaucrats take over such a system? Not to worry! My philosophy should actually endear me to your 'smaller government' Republican Party. I believe in the eventual withering away of the government. Once a just, balanced, global society has been attained, the need for government oversight will cease. Hasta la vista, politicians.

Will you look at the time? This damned blogger boss made me miss my lunch break. I'm putting in for time-and-a-half AND talking to my union steward! Don't mourn my departure... workers of the world unite!

Good-bye, and good luck.

Next Friday: Subject undetermined at this time.

London Times Column on Obama Bitterly Analyzed

2008-11-14T00:45:00.000-08:00

Today's London Times carried a column by Gerald Baker entitled "Only a great president could cope with all this". I took issue with several statements:

- "Much - way too much - has already been written about Senator Obama's capabilities. The one thing we can say with certainty is this: if he can somehow navigate the US safely and prosperously through the swirling currents of the next four years he will really have a claim to greatness."

In reading more than my fair share about the presidential candidates, I cannot recall ever thinking that I had read too much about their capabilities. I had read too much of vague accusations about character flaws, distortions of policy positions, wardrobe costs, flag pins, and that nefarious McCarthyite era bugaboo about whether you had ever dared to exercise your right of freedom of association. I halfway expected to hear, "Are you now, or have you ever been, a member, or fellow-traveler, of (fill in your favorite fearsome organization). But too much about "capabilities"? I say, I wanted to read more!

If President Obama is able to only "... navigate the US safely and prosperously through the swirling currents of the next four years... " his claim will be far less than "greatness." A claim to a modicum of success would certainly fit. Maybe even a claim to having been very good at his job in a time of multiple crises. But to achieve greatness, in only a four year span, will require that he persuade the Congress to make substantial specific strides in the areas of economic stabilization and reform, environmental initiatives, and tax reform. Add to that his personal tasks of repairing the USA's image abroad, and re-establishing trust with both our traditional allies, and listening to the views of those not yet our friends, but with whom a dialogue might just ease tensions and increase understanding. A daunting task indeed, but "greatness" is a description not easily achieved, nor should it be.

- "So Washington is agog with anticipation about the arrival of the new president. But Washington being what it is, the immediate focus of frenzied concern doesn't involve tax cuts or bailouts or sit-downs with foreign leaders. It is the critical decision that will bring euphoria to some and break the hearts of others: where the Obama daughters will go to school."

"I've long thought that there's a certain type of parent in Washington that rears children solely for the same reason they do everything else: to move upward in society. They would literally kill to get Nelson Jr into a particular school in the hope that it might be an entrée to some important contact. True happiness for many in this city is the possibility that little Meredith will play on the same soccer team as the daughter of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administrative Affairs, or if fortune is really smiling, some glamorous White House correspondent for one of the networks."

Baker begins his first paragraph with the sweeping generalization "So Washington is agog...", thereby insinuating that all its residents are "agog". In so doing, he implies that they are all basically social butterflies, flitting from party to social to debutant ball to enduring the heartbreaking angst over whether their children will get into the 'right' elementary school, oblivious to both the real world and the nation's business upon which they were either elected, or hired, to work.

Then he perhaps reconsidered his statement. Note the first sentence of the second paragraph: "I've long thought that there's a certain type of parent in Washington... " I can agree with that statement. Singling out certain members of a group not united by ideology for criticism, as individuals, is ethically and logically preferable to a blanket condemnation of the entire group. You may say that is 'political correctness'. If so, I hereby plead guilty. But back to these two Baker paragraphs, the second undercuts the first. Debate points have been lost for less.

-"The times and circumstances of (Obama's) election call not for a sharp ideological turn but for pragmatism. We trust you to do what works, was the message from the voters."

Wrong. The message from the voters was a strong majority in favor of ideological change, not pragmatism; hope and faith in a leader who will not provide more-of-the-same, but one who will address the mountain of problems left by Bush II from new perspectives, trying new approaches, not merely trusting him "... to do what works."

I must now acknowledge Baker's humor. In his description of the frenzy-to-be surrounding what school Obama's children, Sasha and Malia, will attend, he says that social climbing parents will:

"... flood the lucky academy next year with admission applications. The city's proudest lawyers will plead with administrative assistants for reconsideration. There will be attempts at bribery. There will be blood."

My favorite, though, is his portrayal of Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel:

"His managerial style is famous. He is to the courtesies of polite society what Sweeney Todd was to the short back and sides. He is known for using a familiar Anglo-Saxon expletive in conversation as a convenient all-purpose verbal utility vehicle: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, participle, gerund, whatever."

Wow, when was the last time you saw the word "gerund" used outside of a textbook? Is it even suitable for polite social intercourse? (oops).

Next Friday: Adam Smith and Karl Marx analyze the 2008 economy

Why Obama Won: Presidential Election Analysis

2008-11-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

The numbers are, as of this date, unofficial. Here are the latest figures:

Popular Vote:

Barack Obama-------64,904,451------52.5%

John McCain---------57,063,155------46.2%

Ralph Nader--------------671,182------00.5%

Bob Barr------------------496,153------00.4%

Cynthia McKinney-------145,442------00.1%

Other candidates--not tabulated yet---00.3%

Electoral College Vote:

Barack Obama-------------364---------69%

John McCain---------------162---------31%

Note: With 100% of precincts reported, Missouri's 11 electoral votes have not yet been assigned. McCain has 1,442,673 votes and Obama has 1,436,814 votes. A recount is pending.

What were the main reasons for Obama's victory?

- Iowa. Had Obama not won a surprise victory in the first primary/caucus state, he would have faced a daunting, uphill battle. Had Edwards not come in a surprise second place, knocking front-runner Hillary Clinton into a stunning third place, it is quite likely that she would have quickly and easily regrouped for the rest of the primaries. Her victory in New Hampshire was not as big of a boost as some thought. New Hampshire residents are very displeased with Iowa usurping media attention every Presidential primary season. So even though polls showed Obama ahead of Clinton in New Hampshire, it was the chance for some New Hampshire voters to thumb their noses at Iowa's choice that resulted in the margin necessary to put Hillary over the top. Hillary, referred to by most media analysts before the primaries as the presumptive Democratic nominee, and ahead of Obama by as much as 25% before Iowa, never fully recovered.

- Message. Obama's was consistent and clear in all major areas - from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the economy to appealing to the best in Americans and providing a real promise of change for the better. McCain's focus varied from 'I was right about the surge' to 'Obama associates with a terrorist' and from 'The fundamentals of our economy are strong' to 'I'm suspending my campaign and rushing to Washington, D.C. to help fix our faltering economy'.

- V.P. choice. Obama chose country over campaign by choosing Joe Biden, a seasoned veteran, well-known to many Americans, and fit to assume the presidency at any time. McCain chose campaign over country by choosing Sarah Palin, a political unknown outside of Alaska, someone whom he hoped would capture disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters at the same time as she tilted the ticket farther to the political right to appease the party's conservatives and 'Christian' fundamentalists.

Instead, his choice offended many female voters, since it assumed that they would march in lockstep with any female candidate, regardless of her views. It also angered those Republicans who recognized that Palin did not have the requisite political knowledge to perform even the somewhat limited duties of a Vice President. There was also disaffection with the fact that McCain bypassed more qualified female Republican Senators and Governors, both past and present, who had been Republican loyalists for many years, who had paid their dues, and who would have provided a more electable ticket. Finally, as Palin's inadequacies became more and more apparent, independent and undecided voters looked again at not only Obama, but Biden, and the comparisons did not bode well for the Republicans.

- Organization. My first-hand knowledge of Obama's Nevada organization will forever remain as one of my most cherished memories. Initially, I 'signed up' as a supporter on Obama's web site. Within a week, I received a phone call from an enthusiastic and persuasive Las Vegas local field organizer, who shall remain nameless to protect her privacy, but who will recognize herself should she read this. The closest office was 12 miles away. I arrived, and expected to see a few young 'believers' who might not exactly be thrilled at seeing a 57 year old white guy. Was I wrong. There were at least 35 people, young, old, racially and ethnically diverse. I was warmly welcomed by all. My field organizer taught me my responsibilities as a volunteer (and soon thereafter as a precinct captain): to whom I would report, meeting dates and conference call schedules, email and text message updates system.

There was joy in the air, even in those early days when it seemed to me as much a quixotic quest as a campaign with a legitimate chance of success. Making phone calls, writing postcards, pounding the pavement loaded down with flyers and brochures and voter lists on which to make those important notes about voter preferences - all the basics of other campaigns I'd been involved in since 1968... but this time it felt different. And it was. The tone and mood set by those overworked field organizers, who always found the energy to listen to our successes and woes and who provided encouragement at every turn, as well as others even higher up on the organization chart, who never failed to stop and say hello to me if they walked by - was, I am certain, not unique to the campaign in Nevada. They gave us their best, and we returned the favor.

- The economy. It would be dishonest to deny the impact that the 'perfect storm' of bad economic news throughout October had on the average American voter's psyche. A tumbling stock market, shrinking retirement plans, rising unemployment, bank and mortgage fears and failures, all combined to nudge an as yet unknown number of voters from undecided to Democrat. Presidents and their political parties always get too much credit when the economy is strong and too much blame when the economy weakens. But that's just the way it is.

Next Friday: Something less serious (world events permitting)

Obama For President In 2008!

2008-10-31T00:11:00.000-07:00

I suspect that you, like me, have had more than enough political information and disinformation thrown at you for the last eighteen months. Over the next few days, even more commercials, automated phone calls, and doorbell ringers will descend upon us with scads of specifics. So, I'm going to give you only gut feelings for my choice. Some are wishful, some are down-to-earth. Should you desire details of Obama's positions from his web site, click here.

On Tuesday, November 4, I will go to a nearby elementary school and proudly cast my ballot for Senator Barrack Obama for President. Why? Since I first compared all the candidates in the Republican, Democratic, Independent, and Libertarian parties, Obama's beliefs were the only ones that stirred my blood, and rekindled the joy I felt when I cast my first vote for President in 1972. Shackles of cynicism fell away.

Obama represents hope and change for a brighter future. He has fleshed out these broad concepts with specific programs and plans in a variety of areas: jobs; health care; environment; pensions; tax policy; education; and foreign policy, such as: the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, rebuilding America's image, encouraging peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation for goals both domestic and global.

Unlike his opponents in this race, Obama is a contemplative man who will look at problems and issues from a variety of angles. This type of person does not make snap judgments. Our nation does not need a hot-headed individual making ill-considered choices. Obama will have advisors who will not always agree with him. And that is a good thing. Having alternative viewpoints presented marks a clear break from most prior Presidents, both Democratic and Republican.

With apologies to John Lennon...

Imagine our families secure in the knowledge that: health care won't disappear on the whim of an employer's ax; a college education can be obtained without the resultant debilitating drag of debt; hard-earned pensions won't dry up when they're needed the most; and the economic engine on which so much of our lives depend won't lurch recklessly, destroying confidence and security.

Imagine our nation with a new sense of proactive, future-based purpose, instead of reactive, backward-looking responses.

Imagine a world in which alliances for peaceful conflict resolution replace the all too frequent tendency to reach for weapons.

Will we realize these visions during an Obama administration? That's for you to answer for yourselves. But one last gut feeling - Barack Obama is the only candidate who will at least start clearing the clutter and defining the mission's direction. It will be our responsibility to see that we reach these goals, and give a new meaning to the term "Mission Accomplished."

Next Friday: 2008 Election Analysis

Three Reasons To Vote For Barack Obama In 2008

2008-10-24T00:06:00.000-07:00

Beginning Friday, October 3, and continuing through Friday, October 24, I intend to be positive, and provide three reasons to vote for each of the four best known candidates for President. Friday the 3rd: Independent candidate Ralph Nader. Friday the 10th: Libertarian candidate Bob Barr. Friday the 17th: Republican candidate John McCain. Friday the 24th: Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

Barack Obama, Democrat

Barack Obama served three terms in the Illinois Senate (1997-2004). He lost a race for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2000. As the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Illinois, in July 2004 he attracted national attention when he made a dynamic, unifying keynote speech at the Democratic Party National Convention. In November of 2004, he was elected Senator with 70% of the vote. He is the third African-American elected to the U.S. Senate. The first was Republican Edward Brooke from Massachusetts (1966-1978). The second was Carol Moseley Braun from Illinois (1992-1998).

Interesting side note #1: Had Braun been re-elected in 1998, Obama would likely still be serving in the Illinois Senate, as he would not have run against an incumbent Democrat in the 2004 primary. Interesting side note #2: Had Hillary Rodham Clinton not moved to New York to run for Senator in 2000, and had waited to run for the Senate from Illinois in 2004, Obama again would likely still be serving in the Illinois Senate.

Based strictly on data from the Obama for President web site, the following are three reasons to vote for Obama on November 4: click here to read more

#1. Tax relief. Obama's plan provides tax relief for middle class Americans. Specifics include (a) a tax cut for working families and (b) simplified filing procedures: (a) "The typical middle class family will receive well over $1,000 in tax relief under the Obama plan, and will pay tax rates that are 20% lower than they faced under President Reagan. Barack Obama will eliminate all income taxation of seniors making less than $50,000 per year. This proposal will eliminate income taxes for 7 million seniors and provide these seniors with an average savings of $1,400 each year. Under the Obama-Biden plan, 27 million American seniors will also not need to file an income tax return." (b) "Obama and Biden will dramatically simplify tax filings so that millions of Americans will be able to do their taxes in less than five minutes. Obama and Biden will ensure that the IRS uses the information it already gets from banks and employers to give taxpayers the option of pre-filled tax forms to verify, sign and return. Experts estimate that the Obama-Biden proposal will save Americans up to 200 million total hours of work and aggravation and up to $2 billion in tax preparer fees."

There is also targeted tax relief for small businesses and corporations. Obama's plan would: "Eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses, cut corporate taxes for firms that invest and create jobs in the United States, and provide tax credits to reduce the cost of healthcare and to reward investments in innovation."

I like simplification, and paying less taxes. Seniors especially deserve a break. Although Obama's plan does not make Social Security benefits non-taxable, his plan to eliminate income taxes for seniors earning less than $50,000 per year will go a long way towards helping them live the life for which they worked all of their careers.

#2. The Iraq war. In Chicago, I heard Obama speak against the USA invading Iraq. I had never heard of the man. He was an effective speaker whose sincerity was apparent. Frankly, I wasn't completely convinced at the time. I still felt anger after 9/11, and still had faith in my President, and especially General Powell, when he presented the Bush case before the United Nations. Time has proven Obama's judgment to have been correct.

A small quote from his web site says it best: "Our troops have heroically helped reduce civilian casualties in Iraq to early 2006 levels. This is a testament to our military’s hard work, improved counterinsurgency tactics, and enormous sacrifice by our troops and military families. It is also a consequence of the decision of many Sunnis to turn against al Qaeda in Iraq, and a lull in Shia militia activity. But the absence of genuine political accommodation in Iraq is a direct result of President Bush’s failure to hold the Iraqi government accountable."

Unlike Bush, Obama has a clearly defined exit strategy:

- "Immediately upon taking office, Obama will give his Secretary of Defense and military commanders a new mission in Iraq: ending the war. The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, directed by military commanders on the ground and done in consultation with the Iraqi government. Military experts believe we can safely redeploy combat brigades from Iraq at a pace of 1 to 2 brigades a month that would remove them in 16 months. That would be the summer of 2010 – more than 7 years after the war began."

- "Under the Obama-Biden plan, a residual force will remain in Iraq and in the region to conduct targeted counter-terrorism missions against al Qaeda in Iraq and to protect American diplomatic and civilian personnel. They will not build permanent bases in Iraq, but will continue efforts to train and support the Iraqi security forces as long as Iraqi leaders move toward political reconciliation and away from sectarianism."

- "Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that America has both a moral obligation and a responsibility for security that demands we confront Iraq’s humanitarian crisis—more than five million Iraqis are refugees or are displaced inside their own country. Obama and Biden will form an international working group to address this crisis. He will provide at least $2 billion to expand services to Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries, and ensure that Iraqis inside their own country can find sanctuary. Obama and Biden will also work with Iraqi authorities and the international community to hold the perpetrators of potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide accountable. They will reserve the right to intervene militarily, with our international partners, to suppress potential genocidal violence within Iraq."

#3. Technology. Obama believes that the USA may be in danger of losing our traditional lead in developing and implementing new technologies. Evidence from his web site includes: (a) "A recent international study found that U.S. students perform lower on scientific assessments than students in 16 other economically developed nations, and lower than 20 economically developed nations in math performance. Only one-third of middle class physical science teachers are qualified to teach in that subject, and only one-half of middle school math sciences have educational background in that subject area." and (b) "As a share of the Gross Domestic Product, American federal investment in the physical sciences and engineering research has dropped by half since 1970."

Obama's plan includes:

- "Obama and Biden will recruit math and science degree graduates to the teaching profession and will support efforts to help these teachers learn from professionals in the field. He will also work to ensure that all children have access to a strong science curriculum at all grade levels."

- "Obama and Biden will address the dropout crisis by passing his legislation to provide funding to school districts to invest in intervention strategies in middle school - strategies such as personal academic plans, teaching teams, parent involvement, mentoring, intensive reading and math instruction, and extended learning time."

- "Obama and Biden will reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act, and increase resources for community colleges and lifelong learning initiatives to ensure our citizens can continue to gain new skills throughout their lifetimes."

- "Barack Obama knows that we need to rely on technology to help solve the critical energy and environmental problems facing this country. As he announced in his energy policy, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will invest $150 billion over the next ten years to enable American engineers, scientists and entrepreneurs to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, and begin the transition to a new digital electricity grid. This investment will transform the economy and create 5 million new jobs."

- "A key reason the Internet has been such a success is because it is the most open network in history. It needs to stay that way. Barack Obama strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet."

Education in technologies for the future will help the USA thrive. And the time to start the foundation by laying the building blocks is actually yesterday. But it's not too late.

Next Friday: My choice for President in 2008.

Three Reasons To Vote For John McCain In 2008

2008-10-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

Three Reasons To Vote For Bob Barr In 2008

2008-10-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

Three Reasons To Vote For Ralph Nader In 2008

2008-10-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

For the next four Fridays, I intend to be positive, and provide three reasons to vote for each of the four best known candidates for President. Today, I look at Independent candidate Ralph Nader. Friday the 10th will be Libertarian candidate Bob Barr. Friday the 17th will be Republican candidate John McCain. Friday the 24th will be Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

Ralph Nader, Independent

It is safe to assume that most folks have heard of Ralph Nader. He first came to prominence in 1965, when, as a lawyer, consumer advocate, and author of 'Unsafe At Any Speed,' he battled General Motors (GM) over the safety, or lack thereof, of the Chevrolet Corvair. When Nader was through, so were Corvair sales. He has run for President numerous times. See his web site for additional details.

#1. He favors opening up the Presidential debates. The League of Women Voters ran the debates until 1987. A private corporate entity, the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), took over the process that year. It was formed by both the Republican and Democratic parties, and has not been kind to third party candidates. In 1992, Ross Perot was included in the debates. He won 19.7 million votes, equating to 18.9% of the vote total. In 1996, Perot ran again. This time, he was excluded by the PDC from the debates, and won only 8.9% of the vote.

#2. He favors a securities speculation tax to reduce the radical fluctuations in the stock market. His web site has this explanation: "Securities speculation -- buying and selling blocks of derivatives to profit from rapid fluctuations in price -- is one cause of the escalation in oil prices at the pump, the mortgage industry meltdown, and the dot.com bust. A securities speculation tax would reduce speculation in the markets and increase stability." I take pride in my knowledge of economics. I faithfully balance my checkbook every month! But my knowledge on the subject pretty much ends there. So I had to look up 'derivatives,' and found that they are futures contracts and options, used primarily by institutional investors. A speculation tax of this nature, with, say, a two year trial life span, with analysis thereafter before extending or ending it, might help reduce the wild swings we've seen in the stock market, and the ripple effects on well-diversified IRAs and 401Ks.

#3. He is squeaky clean. He is so untainted by... well, anything... that during the 1960s Nader-GM war, GM's private investigators were unable to dig up any dirt on the guy. And you know they dug deep.

Next Friday: Libertarian Party candidate Bob Barr.

Chubby Checker and Cable TV Weakened Society

2008-09-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Outrageous title? Or bold truth?

Before Chubby Checker's version of The Twist became a phenomenon, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 19, 1960, dancing involved two people actually holding each other, looking into each other's eyes, and moving together as a team across a dance floor. A necessary skill was the need to avoid bumping into other 'teams,' giving them the requisite space to achieve the broader goal of a successful dance floor. When the occasional bumping between teams occurred, social interaction on another level took place. Apologies and smiles ensued, and people moved on together, embracing one other.

The Twist started a trend that continues today: non-contact dancing. Individual expression without the counterbalance of meeting your partner's needs. Dancing with a partner became dancing with someone who had became of secondary interest and concern. What's the point? Perhaps non-contact dancing was an expression of general alienation that people were beginning to feel. The pace of society was speeding up. The Cold War threatened the destruction not only of countries, but of civilization itself. The perception was that the End Was Near. Were people afraid to connect emotionally, as the world may not exist much longer? Or did people just become more selfish?

Before cable and satellite TV systems became popular, with their dozens, and then hundreds of channels, in the USA you had the choice of ABC, CBS, NBC, maybe a PBS station, and if you were lucky, an independent station. When you went to work, school, or socialized with friends, it was highly likely that you watched at least one program the prior night that other people in your group had also watched. You discussed the pros and cons of plots, acting, and the latest commercials. There was a social bond. If politics and religion were off-limit subjects due to their controversial nature, you could always opine on The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, Mission Impossible, MASH, or I Dream of Jeannie. Sharing views like this provided a safe zone, and a socially acceptable way to interact, even with those folks you barely knew.

Cable TV changed all that. I first noticed this trend in the 1980s. A group of coworkers was sitting in our company's break room. Someone walked in and mentioned that he had just gotten cable TV. 35 channels! Better reception! We all oohed and ahed. Then the discussion returned to the latest developments on Dallas, The Cosby Show, or Star Search. Our cable TV guy did not participate. He had watched channels none of us had even heard of. Within a few years, we all had at least basic cable with about 60 channels. The break room discussions were more narrow. Few people watched the same shows. Those that did share that experience tended to cluster near one another for their essentially private talks. The encroaching isolation and lack of common interest was very evident. We had again chosen self over group. I'm just as guilty. I recently subscribed to the HBO package.

Maybe a partial answer lies in another technological revolution. In an odd twist, the Internet has ridden to the rescue. Now fans of TV shows can share their thoughts in a global meeting room, not just a company's break room. But at what cost? Sitting at a keyboard and screen, even with cameras, does not replace person-to-person interaction.

The Internet giveth, and the Internet taketh away. But that's a subject for another week.

McCain's Health Care Plan May Make You Sick

2008-09-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

Are you one of the 158 million Americans who are covered by a health care plan by your employer?

Have you heard that John McCain wants to impose a tax on that benefit, based upon what premium your employer pays for you, while simultaneously providing a refundable annual tax credit of $2500 for an individual, or $5000 for a family, that may, or may not, cover the tax increase? But there's more: the real possibility that your employer may terminate your company's health care plan, under the pretense that the workers will be better off choosing a plan on their own, partially paid for by that tax credit.

On July 6, 2008, USATODAY.com carried an Associated Press article entitled, "McCain's health plan: A threat to employer plans?" It describes McCain's plan and its possible side-effects:

"There's a great unknown about Sen. John McCain's health plan: How many employers would drop insurance coverage for their workers because of his tax policies?

The Republican presidential nominee-in-waiting has proposed that everyone buying health insurance get a refundable tax credit, $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families. At the same time, he would treat employer contributions toward health insurance like income, meaning workers would have to pay income, but not payroll, taxes on it.

McCain's Democratic rival, Barack Obama, says the plan would "shred" the employer-based system that provides health insurance to about 158 million workers.

Most health analysts won't go that far, but both liberals and conservatives say McCain's approach would strengthen the individual and small-group insurance market. And by strengthening that market, it will pull in workers now covered through their jobs.

The workers most inclined to make that transition will be younger, healthier ones who most likely will be able to buy a policy on the individual market for less than their tax credit, said Paul Fronstin, a senior research associate at the Employee Benefit Research Institute, which studies employee benefits.

To the degree that happens, the employer-based market will become less healthy as sicker, older workers stay with their employer-based coverage while more of the healthier workers move to the individual market.

"What you'll see happening is average cost in the employer-market will go up and average cost in the individual market will go down," Fronstin said. "You'll start to get into a cycle where people at the margin start to leave employer coverage for individual coverage. At some point, employers will start to ask: Why am I doing this if my workers don't value it anymore? If I don't need to do this to be competitive in the labor market, why should I do it?"

Hence, the disincentive for employers to maintain their own health plans. Why put up with the headaches, and expense, of health care when they can let their employees fend for themselves, as individuals, in the health plan market. But these workers will have the buying power of one, instead of the buying power of hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands as exists today in employer-provided plans.

The free-market pundits will tout this as a great leap forward in choice. They will say that the marketplace will work its wonders in a more competitive fashion. Yet that freedom exists today. Any person can apply for health care coverage on their own. The only change, under a President McCain, will be that this person will get a $2500 federal government credit to help pay for that plan. Oh yeah, in this brave new world of individuals seeking their own coverage, you better get educated, really fast, on all the minutiae of every illness you might get, and what level of coverage, deductibles, maximum payouts, et cetera that your new prospective health care plan will provide, negotiate with them over those areas that are especially important to you, and then hope, if they haven't already rejected you outright as a result of pre-existing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, history of heart problems, or if you are a cancer survivor, that the premium is covered by McCain's $2500. John McCain himself falls into the category of cancer survivors, so he may be excluded, but oh yes, as a Senator, he already has a government health care plan - but I thought that government health care plans are socialistic and therefore especially toxic to Republican Party karma... oh well, do as I say, not as I do, right John?

Health care costs are stifling both our country's economy and our family's budgets. We need reforms, and McCain's health care program has some promising ideas: promoting the availability of smoking cessation programs, lowering drug prices by bringing greater competition to drug markets through safe re-importation of drugs and faster introduction of generic drugs, and making insurance more portable from job to job. But his main proposal, concerning the taxing of individuals for their employer-provided health care plan coverage, is unacceptable.

The Still Living Victims of 9/11

2008-09-11T07:03:00.000-07:00

The cowards who planned and carried out the September 11, 2001 attacks left behind more than just crumbled buildings and dead bodies. They left behind severely wounded people who relive that terror-filled day every day of their lives. As the numerals we use to apply to our annual remembrance of this tragedy reached 7 in 2008, the still living victims fade just a little bit more in our collective consciousness. I'm ashamed to admit that I myself had not thought about them for several years, until the New York Times printed, on September 9, 2008, an article detailing the lives of three of them.

The article, entitled "Maimed on 9/11, Trying to Be Whole Again," had three immediate effects on me. First, I said a silent prayer that all the victims were rendered unconscious immediately prior to the planes impacting the buildings (even though logic, and video evidence, made it quite clear that many suffered horribly, I hoped that God, somehow, removed their suffering); second, I felt a fresh flush of rage against those who, under the guise of religious fervor, carried out such a cold-blooded attack; and third, I vowed to also remember the living victims, and include them in the few prayers that, as an agnostic, I say.

The opening paragraph in the article summarized Lauren Manning's current handshake. "Lauren Manning’s handshake is strong, almost bionic. You might think it was a byproduct of decades of playing tennis and golf. But her grip has been painfully relearned, and bolstered with more titanium pins than she cares to count." This is but one of the painful injuries inflicted upon her when, "On Sept. 11, 2001, Mrs. Manning — newly married, the mother of a 10-month-old boy, at the top of her profession on Wall Street — was met by a fireball as she strode into the lobby of the World Trade Center." She suffered severe burns on over 80% of her body, and is 'lucky' to have survived.

Elaine Duch was a senior administrative assistant in the real estate department at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. She worked on the 88th floor of the World Trade Center's north tower, and is another severe burn victim. "... in her mind’s eye her professional self still haunts the upper reaches of the north tower, where she was standing in a hallway when the flames came; she managed to get down, only to be given last rites as she emerged from the building." What does the memory of receiving last rites, and then surviving, do to a person? "Ms. Duch, 56, has cut herself off from her old friends, partly because, as she put it, “I’m never going to be the Elaine that I used to be.” "Of her current friends, Ms. Duch said, “Well, see, they did not know me before, they only know me as an injured person.” Readers - stop right now and put yourself in her shoes. Imagine if such an extreme event happened to you, and you felt compelled to end all contact with your current friends because you were no longer you. Close your eyes and feel what that would do to you on a daily basis. I suspect that Elaine considered the option of attempting to retain ties with her old friends, but felt that the fear of rejection, pity, or abandonment due to her 'change' was so palpable that she could not bear the burden. Perhaps she loved her friends so much that she didn't want them to suffer either. Oh yes, "She no longer drives because her hands are too weak and she is easily rattled. She avoids zippers, tiny buttons and opening the wax paper in cereal boxes. She suffers through summers and winters because her burned skin does not tolerate heat and cold very well."

Harry Waizer was given a 5% chance of surviving his burn injuries. His story involves a plummeting elevator. "In testimony before the 9/11 Commission on its first day of hearings in 2003, Mr. Waizer recounted how he had been going up to his office on the 104th floor when he felt an explosion and the elevator began to plummet. Burned as he beat out the flames, Mr. Waizer got out on the 78th floor and took the stairs to the ground, seeing looks of horror and sympathy on the faces of those who let him pass." He too is not the same person he had been. "Perhaps the most distinctive relic of his injuries is his whispery, soothing voice, possibly caused by inhaling jet fuel that left him with “a bit of vocal cord paralysis.” click here to read more

This post focused on three specific individuals. But each has spouses and family that must suffer as well. And for what? A twisted political statement written in the blood of innocents? At times like this, I feel less an agnostic, and more a believer... at least in a heaven and hell. A wrong must be balanced by a right, whether that right is defined by a punishment or a redemption. I remember being taught in church that "Revenge is mine, sayeth the Lord." That sentence tempers my desire for revenge... a bit.

Each victim has learned how to cope with their injured bodies and painful memories. The Times article did not indicate that these people had any residual anger or hatred towards anyone. Could you and I be that forgiving? I don't think that I would have the inner strength to let go of my feelings of hate that would dwell within me following such an outrage against my person. What about you?

Three Problems With Republican VP Candidate Palin

2008-09-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

When Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, was first introduced, I liked her. I was intrigued by her background, and thought that she was the first 'normal, everyday citizen' that had been thrust into the national political spotlight since Harry Truman. But Truman had a 22 year political track record of elected positions from district judge to U.S. senator prior to being selected by President Franklin Roosevelt as his vice presidential running mate in 1944.

So Palin was truly a fresh face. Fresher even than Senator Obama. She had fought the political establishment in Alaska. This sounded promising. I began to research her political beliefs, and found that the devil was in the details. The following are three of those devilish details that bother me about Palin's policy positions.

#1 - In June 2008, Palin made a speech to ministry students in Alaska. The venue was the Wasilla Assembly of God church. An Australian newspaper, The Herald Sun, amongst many others, printed the story on September 4 from which the following quote by Palin is taken:

"Pray for our military men and women who are striving to do what is right. Also, for this country, that our leaders, our national leaders, are sending soldiers out on a task that is from God. That's what we have to make sure that we're praying for, that there is a plan and that that plan is God's plan." click here to read more

That's just what our country does not need - a Vice President, and potential President, who sets public policy based upon what is "God's plan."

#2 - On August 29, 2008, Michael Paulson, who covers religion for The Boston Globe, and shared the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in the 'Meritorious Public Service by a Newspaper' category, wrote:

And in October of 2006, the Anchorage Daily News reported that Palin said the following about creationism at a debate:

"Teach both. You know, don't be afraid of information....Healthy debate is so important and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And you know, I say this too as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject -- creationism and evolution. It's been a healthy foundation for me. But don't be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides." click here to read more

That's another thing this country does not need - a Vice President, and potential President, who proposes the teaching of creationism in public schools. If creationism is permitted, then why not other non-scientific theories?

#3 - Abortion and a woman's right to choose. Palin opposes all abortions except when the mother's health is endangered. During the 2006 governor's race debate, she opined that even if her own daughter had been raped and became pregnant as a result of that rape, (Palin) would choose life over abortion. click here to hear Palin's comment

The official McCain/Palin web site clearly states the Republican Party's position on abortion:

"John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench."

That's yet another thing this country does not need - a return to dangerous, illegal, back alley abortions in those states that, absent the Roe v. Wade decision, would again outlaw abortion.

Michelle Obama's Convention Speech Lives Inside Me

2008-08-29T01:52:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of professional pundits commenting on professional political candidates. I'm even getting tired of my own bitter analysis of said candidates. So today I'm exploring Michelle Obama's speech, delivered on Monday, August 25 at the Democratic Party's National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

The first thing I noticed was the way Michelle spoke. Her voice did not have the polished, smooth sound that we've come to expect from politicians. While I am sure that she is an accomplished speaker at small meetings where she works, and even before good-sized crowds on the campaign trail, she betrayed just a bit of stage fright when speaking to the very large gathering in Denver. It was enchanting, and lent sincerity and passion to her words. It said, "Yes I am nervous speaking to you, but I want so badly to get my message across, I'll face down my fears." The thought that she might make a mistake (she didn't) also gave the event an aura of excitement. I hung on her every word. When Barack Obama or John McCain speak, I am lulled into complacency by the knowledge that they have done those speeches many dozens of times and could probably perform them while asleep. Michelle's periodic slight hesitations brought back the thrill of what only live television broadcasts can deliver.

Now, let's look at some of her words, and how they affected me.

As someone who, like Michelle, was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, I felt a thrill each time she mentioned that part of town. The South Side of Chicago is, for the sake of this post, broadly defined as that part of the city south of Madison Street. South-Siders are from an area that, especially when Michelle and I were growing up, was the industrial, blue-collar heart of the city. The Union Stockyards, the steel mills, factories, junk yards, lumber yards, and gangs vying for control of my public high school, all remain vivid in my memory.

This industrial strength, however, resulted in a social price: residents of the more 'gentile' North Side of the city, as well as the outer suburban ring of towns and villages, and the more spacious, sometimes even rural 'collar counties' (geographically forming a 'ring' around metropolitan Chicago) often looked down on South Side residents. White collar versus blue collar. Managers versus union workers. Rich versus middle class, lower middle class, and poor. Also, as most African-Americans were segregated into neighborhoods on the South and West sides, and the aforementioned North Side and suburbs were virtually all White, a strong racial division was also part of the scene. With these separations in place, there was still a sense of pride in living on the South Side. An 'us' versus 'them' grittiness that, at least for a moment or two, transcended race.

So, when Michelle expressed her pride in coming from the South Side, and described her life there, my own memories and emotions rushed forward. Some negative, but mostly positive. I wonder if that's because our brains constantly filter out the painful while retaining, and even enhancing, the joyous? She united me with her and her family. I wanted to visit with them, ask what their daughters wanted to be when they grew up. What high school will they attend? How are their neighbors? Is their garbage being picked up regularly, and if not, have they complained to their Alderman? Yes, all politics are grounded in basic needs.

But, moving on, Michelle also discussed her father:

"My dad was our rock. Although he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early thirties, he was our provider, our champion, our hero. As he got sicker, it got harder for him to walk, it took him longer to get dressed in the morning. But if he was in pain, he never let on. He never stopped smiling and laughing — even while struggling to button his shirt, even while using two canes to get himself across the room to give my Mom a kiss. He just woke up a little earlier, and worked a little harder."

Who amongst us cannot imagine a loved one, or perhaps even ourselves, in her father's shoes? Who amongst us would have the courage, every single day, to reach within, swallow those waves of pain, and not give up or even complain?

In music, lyrics are the most important factor in my judgment of a song. Yet there are times when the instrumental accompaniment has such an infectious beat, that you simply cannot resist it regardless of the silliness of the lyrics. It just so happened that, on August 25, 2008, Michelle's lyrics and her vocal instrument were both strong and proud.

Her emotions reached out from the television screen and grabbed my heart. I was moved on a human, not political, level. Michelle crafted a phrase that was particularly poetic and powerful. In describing how we, as a people, have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be, she went on to say, "That is the thread that connects our hearts. That is the thread that runs through my journey and Barack's journey and so many other improbable journeys that have brought us here tonight, where the current of history meets this new tide of hope."

WHERE THE CURRENT OF HISTORY MEETS THIS NEW TIDE OF HOPE.

My apology for the caps, but it was I felt it was worth shouting. Thank you, Michelle.

Iraq's Budget Surplus Raises Questions About Reconstruction Funding

2008-08-22T01:22:00.000-07:00

On August 5, the Washington Times ran an article on Iraq's potential total budget surplus at the end of 2008. The article, "GAO: Iraq could have $79 billion budget surplus," went on to report:

"The Iraqi government could end the year with as much as a $79 billion budget surplus as ever-increasing oil revenues pile on top of leftover income the Iraqis still haven't spent on their national rebuilding effort, congressional auditors say.

A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) made public Tuesday prompted renewed calls from senators that Baghdad pay more of the bill for its own reconstruction, which has been heavily supported with U.S. funds.

The projected Iraq surplus, including unspent money from 2005 through 2008, has been building because of rising world oil prices, increasing Iraqi oil production, the government's inability to execute budgets for spending its money and persistent violence in the country, the GAO said."

The good news is that levels of violence have decreased, and Iraq's oil production is on the rise. So why is the resulting budget surplus not being spent on any number of needed rebuilding projects? Why is the money just sitting there? As the GAO report detailed, this surplus has been building since 2005. The estimated surplus from 2005-2007 was $29 billion. With crude oil prices rising rapidly since 2007, another $50 billion will be added. The GAO report suggested the following reasons for why the money has not been spent:

"First ... (the) relative shortage of trained budgetary, procurement and other staff with the necessary technical skills as a factor limiting the Iraqi government's ability to plan and execute its capital spending," the GAO said, adding that a second problem is the government's weak accounting systems. Third ... violence and sectarian strife remain major obstacles to developing Iraqi government capacity."

Iraqi lawmaker Haider al-Abadi stated that Iraq is pulling its weight in funding reconstruction. However, the GAO also reported that from 2005 through April 2008, Iraq spent just $3.9 billion on reconstruction. How does al-Abadi define "...pulling its weight...?"

The governor of Iraq's Central Bank, Sinan al-Shabibi, said he thought the problem with not spending money on reconstruction was due not to the bulk of funds being spent elsewhere, but because of security problems, and especially the lack of experts in Iraq's ministries.

The Washington Times article also reported that, "Since 2005, the United States has funded a number of efforts to teach civilian and security ministries how to effectively execute their budgets. The efforts included programs to advise and help Iraqi government employees develop the skills to plan programs and to effectively deliver government services such as electricity, water and security."

Have the students in these classes been doing their homework? Has their progress been tracked? Have they been assigned experienced mentors to aid their efforts? I thought the post-Rumsfeld era was going to be more efficient, productive, and professional in all aspects of this war. They got the Surge right. What about the rest? Does anybody care ... or will it just be more expedient to dump it all on President Obama or President McCain?

History of South Ossetia

2008-08-15T00:24:00.000-07:00

I first heard about the Georgia-Russia conflict when it was reported that Georgia was withdrawing its 1000 troops from Iraq to help quell the uprising in its breakaway province of South Ossetia. First of all, I was surprised at the extent of Georgia's involvement in the Iraq war. Secondly, I asked myself, "Where and what is South Ossetia?"

Then came the news that Russia had invaded Georgia. Great. Just what the world needs. More war. My gut reaction was against Russia. Media reports supported this feeling. But I knew nothing of the region or its history. And how was South Ossetia involved? After some research, I learned the following:

I start with a partial timeline from the Free Republic, followed by a more in-depth review, thanks to Answers.Com/Wikepedia, and the Belfast Herald:

1237-40 - Mongols invade Russia, forcing Ossetians to migrate south over the Caucasus mountains to present-day Georgia.

18th and 19th centuries – The Russian empire extends to the Caucasus, provoking strong resistance from the people of the north Caucasus. The South Ossetians do not join the uprising, some preferring to side with the Russian army.

1801 - South Ossetia and Georgia are annexed by Russia and absorbed into the Russian empire.

1918 – Georgia declares independence following the Russian revolution.

1921 – The Red Army invades. The South Ossetians are accused of siding with the Kremlin.

1922 - Georgia becomes a founder member of the Soviet Union. The South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast (district) is created within Georgia in April 1922.

1989 - Demands for more autonomy in the South Ossetia region lead to violent clashes between Georgians and Ossetians.

1990-91 – South Ossetia declares its intentions to secede, leading to more clashes.

"South Ossetia lies on the southern slopes of the Caucasus, a mountain range that is home to some 50 different ethnic groups, many speaking mutually incomprehensible languages and with long histories of violent enmity.

The Caucasus were brought under Russian control in a series of wars in the 19th century, fought against not only the often fiercely-independent local peoples but the Persians and the Ottomans, who coveted the high ground between the Black and Caspian seas.

The people of the Caucasus, many of whom adhered to ancient traditions and were resentful of outsiders' attempts to control them, were perhaps the most troublesome subjects of Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union that succeeded it. Stalin – whose father was reputed to be Ossetian – in 1922 divided control over Ossetia between the Georgian and Russian Soviet republics, a move which angered Ossetians and prompted occasional protests over subsequent decades.

When the South Ossetians attempted in 1989 to reunite with ethnic kin in Russian-controlled North Ossetia, the Georgian nationalist Zviad Gamsakhurdia marched supporters into the region to confront the secessionists.

In 1989-91, as the Kremlin's hold over its empire crumbled, the Caucasus witnessed a surge in nationalism. Regions like Chechnya declared independence from Moscow but in South Ossetia, local leaders proclaimed their region part of the Russian Federation rather than the emergent sovereign state of Georgia.

Sporadic clashes between Georgians and South Ossetians – who had mostly lived together in peace for decades, often inter-marrying – continued until 1991, when Tbilisi sent in troops to crush the separatist movement. More than 2,000 people are believed to have died in the fighting.

After a coup toppled Mr Gamsakhurdia as president, his successor, Eduard Shevardnadze, agreed to a deal with Boris Yeltsin for Russian peacekeepers to monitor a ceasefire. When Mikheil Saakashvili ousted Mr Shevardnadze in the 2003 Rose Revolution, he vowed to bring South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, back under Tbilisi's control.

He accuses Russia of sending cash and weapons to separatists in both regions, to ensure continued Kremlin influence in the oil-rich Caucasus – the BTC pipeline carrying oil from Azerbaijan to Turkey is routed through Georgia – and to undermine Georgia's bid to join Nato [sic].

Russia has given passports to the vast majority of South Ossetians and Abkhazians, and pledges to defend its citizens in those provinces. Many South Ossetians say they expect other Caucasian peoples to support their fight against Georgia, and reports are emerging of volunteers heading for the region from Abkhazia and North Ossetia."

South Ossetia, considering itself to be a de facto autonomous entity within Georgia, held its second referendum on independence in 2006:

"The unrecognized republic of South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia with its capital in Tskhinvali, held a referendum on independence on November 12, 2006. The voters answered a question: "should South Ossetia preserve its present status of a de facto independent state?" 99% of voters supported independence.

The South Ossetian Information and Press Committee announced that the residents of the Georgian villages, that are not controlled by the separatist authorities, will be able to participate. Those choosing to do so were able to use ballots written in Georgian language. Terry Davis, Secretary General of the West's main election monitoring body, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which boycotted the poll, called the referendum counterproductive and said that the ethnic Georgians were not given the right to vote.

According to the de facto authorities, the referendum was monitored by a team of 34 international observers from Germany, Austria, Poland, Sweden and other countries at 78 polling stations.

On November 11, 2006, the South Ossetian State Security Committee exposed an alleged Georgian attempt to assassinate the South Ossetian leader Eduard Kokoity and organize a coup d'état in the region. Alan Parastayev, the former South Ossetian Interior Minister and Supreme Court chairman, has reportedly turned himself in to the State Security Committee and confessed to being a party to the plot. The South Ossetian authorities named Amiran Meskheli, the deputy head of the Georgian Interior Ministry’s Counterintelligence Department, to be in charge of the operation[8]. The Georgian Interior Ministry denied South Ossetia's assertions."

To those readers still with me, I thank you for your time and patience. Most conflicts, from personal to political, have levels of details and nuances seldom explored in today's world. I hope that this post provided information that will give us all some new information with which to judge this conflict.

Good News From Iraq: Al-Sadr Orders His troops To Lay Down Arms

2008-08-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

The August 8 issue of the Chicago Tribune carried an Associated Press report that said, "Anti-U.S. Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr ordered most of his militiamen Friday to lay down their arms, and his spokesman said the young cleric might call off all resistance if the Americans accept a timetable to leave Iraq."

Who is Al-Sadr? Wikipedia describes him as, "Hojatoleslam Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr or Moktada al Sadr (سيد مقتدى الصدر Muqtadā aṣ-Ṣadr) (born August 12, 1973) is an Iraqi theologian, political leader and militia commander. Along with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and Abdul Aziz al-Hakim of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, Sadr is one of the most influential religious and political figures in the country not holding any official title in the Iraqi government. Muqtada al-Sadr is the fourth son of a famous Iraqi Shi‘a cleric, the late Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr."

Al-Sadr's followers have been linked in the past with assassinations and terrorist attacks. But I suspect that the Iraqi people, Shia, Sunni, and Kurd alike, are weary of the violence and dissension. Maybe Al-Sadr recognizes this, or recognizes the futility of continued warfare.

I choose to look on the positive side of this development, and hope that Al-Sadr will remain true to his word. He has urged his militia to become part of a new organization known as the Momahidoun. Posters promoting this new group proclaim, ""It is an ideological, cultural, religious and social army that will be charged with carrying out an intellectual and scientific holy war and to free the minds, hearts and souls from the secularist Western onslaught and is absolutely prohibited from the use of arms," I am not too concerned with the fiery rhetoric of "holy war" and "secular Western onslaught." After all, President Ford, in a speech on his plan to stop inflation, launched a short-lived public relations campaign in which he described the scope of his 'attack on inflation' as "the moral equivalent of war." Overblown rhetoric seems to afflict politicians regardless of national origin.

If Al-Sadr wants to engage in a war of ideologies based upon intellectual debate, then let the best philosophy win. No intimidation. No violence. Let the Iraqi people decide what their post-Saddam country should look like.

It's also time for Senator Obama to admit that the Surge has been a major success. The troop increase has resulted in what was once considered a pipe dream - a more peaceful Iraq. This advancement has been so dramatic, that it has led today to a point where a secure Iraq, complete with withdrawal of our combat troops, is being seriously discussed by all parties in this war.

Wouldn't you get a Surge of patriotism to see the following: a joint appearance by Senators Obama and McCain, in which Obama admits that he had backslid and fallen into the traditional politician's trap of being unwilling to admit an error. But now he wants to thank McCain for his foresight on the Surge, admit to its success, turn to McCain, shake his hand, and both turn to the camera, raising each other's hand and proclaiming loudly, "On this we are united - a free and independent Iraq taking its rightful place in the family of nations!"

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Sold To Belgium Company: Thank You!

2008-08-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

Fox News reported on July 14, "Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser and Bud Light, has agreed to a takeover by a giant Belgian brewer, a union that creates a global beer leader and brings to an end one of the most iconic names in American business." The Belgium company is InBev SA.

Normally, when an American icon is sold to a foreign power, I would delve deeply into the story. Perhaps I would rant on the loss of another part of our culture. An institution that had been born and bred and brought to profitability thanks to the sweat and toil of thousands of hardworking American citizens.

No delving, deep or otherwise, was necessary to comment on this sale. I'm delighted that Anheuser-Busch is now the problem, I mean property, of Belgium. The great U.S. of A. no longer has to endure the blame for producing Bud and Bud Light. Blame Belgium!

I mean, have you ever tasted Bud or Bud Light? And then tasted a full-bodied brew? One that has actual flavor? Bud and Bud Light fall into the lager category. Lagers were first brewed 500 years ago in central Europe. Bud, Bud Light, and every other American lager that I've tasted that are produced by large macrobreweries, as opposed to those produced by microbreweries, are watered-down, tasteless disgraces to the term 'lager.'

At some point, a decision must have been made to aim for what was perceived as the lowest common denominator amongst American beer drinkers: only include the briefest hint of beer taste, and serve it icy cold. Some beer marketeers must have decided that strong tastes and aromas might offend some demographic; or, if drinkers took the time to sip and savor their brews, fewer barrels would be sold. Also, profits could be increased by limiting the amount of hops, malted barley, and yeast used in the brewing process.

When lagers, ales, bocks, porters, stouts, et cetera are served very cold, their natural flavors, their 'personality,' remain somewhat hidden. I'm not suggesting that they be served warm, but from personal experience (especially with ales), I have found that their flavor is brought to a peak by taking a bottle out of the refrigerator, and letting it stand at room temperature for 8-10 minutes before opening. This is vital! The proper pouring technique is to tip your stein or glass at about a 45 degree angle, and s-l-o-w-l-y pour the brew down the side of the glass. Pouring it straight down creates an impressive head but causes irreparable harm to the carbonation and you'll end up with a flat, soulless drink.

I seem to have wandered a bit from my initial position concerning the sale of an American icon to overseas interests. That meandering may be due to my having imbibed, I mean RESEARCHED, a couple of Fat Tire Amber Ales, produced by New Belgium Brewing of Fort Collins, Colorado. Did I mention that Edward, my father, may he rest in peace, trained at Fort Collins (then known as Camp Collins) in 1942 as a member of the 10th Mountain Division (U.S. Army ski troops) before being shipped to Italy? There he was, a working class first generation American kid from the south side of Chicago who probable couldn't even spell 'ski,' so of course the Army put him in the 10th Mountain Division (he was very proud to have served in the 10th, by the way). Oops, there I go again. But speaking of Colorado breweries, won't some darned foreigners please buy Coors Brewery. Their despicable drizzle in a bottle is little more that tap water with a drop of food coloring.

Well, I hear that it's "Last Call," so I'll wrap this up with a suggestion. If you want to try a flavorful brew made in America, look for those produced by small, local microbreweries, a/k/a craft breweries. Use the search engine of your choice and type in, 'microbreweries' and then your zip code. I guarantee that you'll be more pleased with those choices than with what you may have settled for in the past. Cheers!

P.S. Young's Brewery in London produces a wonderful selection of brews that should be available in larger liquor stores. My personal all-time favorite, Old Nick (a barleywine-style ale) was made there but has been discontinued. I was deeply depressed until one of this blog's frequent commentators recommended an American brew entitled 'Arrogant Bastard Ale' produced by Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, California. This ale is a virtual twin to my departed friend Old Nick: a powerful sipping brew that is meant to be savored slowly. I highly recommend it, and feel that the following quote proves its author meets the Arrogant Bastard standard:

"I drink to make other people interesting."
-- George Jean Nathan (drama critic)

McCain's Hypocritical Swipe At Obama

2008-07-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

Unless you have been living under a rock, you are aware of Senator Barack Obama's overseas trip to Afghanistan, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France, and Great Britain. Traveling with Obama on this trip are Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel and Rhode Island Democratic Senator Jack Reed.

Before he left on the trip, Obama reaffirmed his positions on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. At that time, Senator John McCain made a valid criticism. In essence, he said that Obama should have waited until the trip was over before making position statements on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as his past views may be altered by the facts he would gather on the trip. That made sense to me. Then,

#1: On July 17,McCain stated that he "... believes Democrat Barack Obama's upcoming trip to Europe is tantamount to holding political rallies abroad."

#2: On July 24, the Chicago Tribune reported that McCain said, ""I'd love to give a speech in Germany. But I'd much prefer to do it as president of the United States rather than as a candidate for president,"

- How can McCain criticize Obama for not waiting until his trip is over before stating his war positions, when McCain prejudged what Obama's trip would be?

- McCain also conveniently forgot his own trips to Canada, Great Britain and France.

- McCain also conveniently forgot his own trips to Columbia and Mexico.

Senator McCain's hypocritical blast at Obama is beneath him. It will diminish his stature and cost him votes.

Poor Electrical Work Puts USA Troops At Risk In Iraq

2008-07-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

The 07-18-08 New York Times carried an article entitled, "Electrical Risks at Iraq Bases Are Worse Than Said." The first paragraphs state:

"Shoddy electrical work by private contractors on United States military bases in Iraq is widespread and dangerous, causing more deaths and injuries from fires and shocks than the Pentagon has acknowledged, according to internal Army documents.

During just one six-month period — August 2006 through January 2007 — at least 283 electrical fires destroyed or damaged American military facilities in Iraq, including the military’s largest dining hall in the country, documents obtained by The New York Times show. Two soldiers died in an electrical fire at their base near Tikrit in 2006, the records note, while another was injured while jumping from a burning guard tower in May 2007.

And while the Pentagon has previously reported that 13 Americans have been electrocuted in Iraq, many more have been injured, some seriously, by shocks, according to the documents. A log compiled earlier this year at one building complex in Baghdad disclosed that soldiers complained of receiving electrical shocks in their living quarters on an almost daily basis.

Electrical problems were the most urgent noncombat safety hazard for soldiers in Iraq, according to an Army survey issued in February 2007. It noted “a safety threat theaterwide created by the poor-quality electrical fixtures procured and installed, sometimes incorrectly, thus resulting in a significant number of fires.”

it is bad enough that our troops are at risk from snipers, suicide bombers, and improvised explosive devices. Must they also worry about being electrocuted while taking a shower? In January, 2008, Green Beret Staff Sgt. Ryan D. Maseth was electrocuted while showering. His death was caused by faulty electrical grounding.

The article also notes that "Since the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, tens of thousands of American troops have been housed in Iraqi buildings that date from the Saddam Hussein era." Private contractors were hired to, amongst other duties, upgrade electrical systems before U.S. troops took up residence.

One issue is, why private contractors instead of armed forces trained electricians? Several people I know who served in the Navy, Air Force, Army, or Coast Guard praised the high quality of training they received in diverse trades. If, for whatever reason, private contractors had to be used, why wasn't their work checked and verified by our own trained military personnel before these buildings were used to house our troops?

The primary conntractor cited in this article is KBR (Kellogg Brown & Root LLC), based in Houston, which is a former subsidiary of Halliburton. KBR's official website notes that its Mission, Vision, and Values include:

- Uncompromising commitment to Health, Safety and Environment

- Best in class Risk Awareness

- Integrity in all we do

Does KBR make a concerted effort to live by these values, or are they mere platitudes trotted out on a web page because they look good?

Death In An Emergency Room: A Symptom That The Public Health 'Care' System Is In Code Blue Status

2008-07-11T19:26:00.000-07:00

In medical parlance, Code Blue generally refers to a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest, requiring a team of health care providers to rush to the specific location and begin immediate resuscitative efforts. With an estimated 47 million people in the USA without health care insurance, public hospital emergency rooms are usually the place where these folks go when they require health care. For one victim of what may be criminal neglect, the end came much too soon.

On June 19, 2008 a tragic and unnecessary death occurred in the emergency room (ER) of New York City's Kings County Hospital psychiatric ward.

Surveillance video shows how patient Esmin Green, 49, collapsed and fell to the floor at 5:32 AM while waiting in the ER. For the next hour, a number of hospital staff members noticed her lying on the floor but did nothing. Security guards saw her on the floor and did nothing. Over an hour later, at 6:35 AM, another patient brought a nurse to the area. And what was the first thing that nurse, that health 'care' provider, did? Kicked Green with her foot to see if she would respond. She did not respond. She was dead. Oh yeah, Green had already been waiting in the ER for 24 hours when she collapsed. Disgusting. Unforgivable.

Kings County Hospital is a public, not private, facility. It is part of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country. Why was Esmin ignored in her time of greatest need?

1) Could there possibly be a difference in the quality of care provided at a public not-for-profit hospital versus a private one? If so, why? My answer is yes - because public hospitals must accept all incoming patients regardless of ability to pay, insurance, or immigration status, a patient-to-staff ratio that is too high is created. The answer is MONEY. The USA is the only industrialized nation in the world that does not guarantee health care as a right of citizenship. What we have is a patchwork quilt type of system, where those that can afford it have one level of care, and those that can't afford it go to hospital ERs for care that does not always qualify as an emergency. This overloads ERs, so that even those with health plans sometimes get delayed in getting ER care. The immediate solution is either universal health care coverage, or increased funding to public hospitals so appropriate staffing levels can be maintained. The long term solution is for all Americans to get jobs where employers provide affordable health care coverage.

2) Are employees of public hospitals less qualified? Can't say for sure. The psychiatric ward at Kings County certainly has too many unqualified employees. How many unqualified workers is too many? One.

3) Are there any standard operating procedures that govern the monitoring of ER patients? If so, what are they, and why were they not followed? I was unable to locate specific procedures that would have applied to the ER in question. However, in addition to the Hippocratic Oath, the American Medical Association has developed The Declaration of Professional Responsibility, which I reproduce here:

We, the members of the world community of physicians, solemnly commit ourselves to:
I. Respect human life and the dignity of every individual.
II. Refrain from supporting or committing crimes against humanity and condemn all such acts.
III. Treat the sick and injured with competence and compassion and without prejudice.
IV. Apply our knowledge and skills when needed, though doing so may put us at risk.
V. Protect the privacy and confidentiality of those for whom we care and breach that confidence only when keeping it would seriously threaten their health and safety or that of others.
VI. Work freely with colleagues to discover, develop, and promote advances in medicine and public health that ameliorate suffering and contribute to human well-being.
VII. Educate the public and polity about present and future threats to the health of humanity.
VIII. Advocate for social, economic, educational, and political changes that ameliorate suffering and contribute to human well-being.
IX. Teach and mentor those who follow us for they are the future of our caring profession. We make these promises solemnly, freely, and upon our personal and professional honor.

If these standards had been followed, Esmin would probably be alive today.

July 4th Declaration of Independence Trivia

2008-07-04T00:47:00.000-07:00

(1) It's two days late! The 2nd Continental Congress declared independence on July 2, 1776. John Adams wrote to his wife on July 3, "The 2nd day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable...in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary Festival." The Declaration of Independence document was basically a written affirmation of the Congress's verbal proclamation. The Declaration signings began on July 4.

(2) When did all the Founding Fathers sign their names to the Declaration of Independence? July 4, 1776? No. Only two, John Hancock and Charles Thomson signed on July 4. On August 2, a majority of delegates signed it. It wasn't until 1781 that the final delegate, Thomas McKean, signed his name. Extra credit: At the time of their signing, John Hancock was the President of the 2nd Continental Congress, and Charles Thomson was its Secretary.

(3) Who wrote the Declaration? Thomas Jefferson, who, at age 33, was the youngest member of the Continental Congress. Extra credit: How long did it take him to complete the original draft? Seventeen days.

(4) How many changes were made to Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration? 86 (Damned editors!)

(5) Slavery would have been abolished in the Declaration of Independence had Jefferson's anti-slavery paragraph not been deleted due to pressure from colonies profiting from this trade in human flesh. It read: "(King George III) has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. This piratical warfare, the opprobrium of infidel powers, is the warfare of the CHRISTIAN king of Great Britain. Determined to keep open a market where MEN should be bought & sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce: and that this assemblage of horrors might want no fact of distinguished die, he is now exciting those very people to rise in arms among us, and to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, & murdering the people upon whom he also obtruded them; thus paying off former crimes committed against the liberties of one people, with crimes which he urges them to commit against the lives of another..."

(6) All 13 colonies voted in favor of declaring independence, right? Wrong! The delegates from New York abstained (with the emphasis on "stain")! They claimed that they had not been granted the authority to vote yea or nay on independence. Extra credit: Delaware's delegates, on the issue of independence, had deadlocked 1-1. The third Delaware delegate, Caesar Rodney, a Brigadier General in the Delaware militia, had earlier been forced to return to Delaware to put down a Loyalist riot. Loyalists were those colonists who opposed independence and remained loyal to England and King George III. Upon hearing of the deadlocked vote, he rode 80 miles through a raging thunderstorm to cast the deciding vote in favor of independence, putting Delaware firmly in the pro-independence column.

(7) Where did Jefferson write the Declaration? The home of a Philadelphia brick mason, Jacob Graff. Jefferson had rented the second floor of the three-story brick house. The writing itself, according to Jefferson, was done on a portable mahogany lap writing desk of his own design (the first laptop word processor?). Extra credit: He used a quill pen, which was made from the stiff, flight feathers of a goose. Extra extra credit: According to www.netaxs.com, "Inks were made from berry juice mixed with vinegar and salt, from chimney soot mixed with honey and egg yolk, and from walnut shells or swamp maple bark steeped in boiling water." And you people complain about the inconvenience of changing your printer's ink cartridge!

(8) Where was the first public reading of the Declaration? Philadelphia's Independence Square, on July 8. Extra credit: The second reading was also there, as It was read twice.

(9) Were the colonial army troops inspired by the Declaration? I'd say so. After hearing the Declaration read to them in New York City by George Washington, the troops, along with some citizens, tore down a statue of King George III and melted the lead down to make bullets.

(10) What happened to the original Declaration, how was it transported, and where is it today? Thanks to www.archives.gov (and since it is information disseminated by an official federal agency, we know that it is fair, balanced, and above all, the TRUTH), "The Declaration of Independence spent many years on the road. After the signing ceremony on August 2, it was most likely filed in Philadelphia. On December 12, threatened by the British, Congress adjourned and reconvened 8 days later in Baltimore, MD, where the document remained until its return to Philadelphia in March of 1777. In the years to follow, it traveled widely with the Continental Congress throughout the Northeast, then moving to Washington, DC in 1800. In 1814, again threatened by war, it was moved to an unused gristmill in Virginia for protection. On August 24, as the British burned the White House, it was moved to Leesburg, VA until September, when it returned to the nation's capital. With the exception of a trip to Philadelphia for the Centennial and to Fort Knox during World War II, it has remained there ever since."

"The document has also experienced many modes of travel. Initially, like other parchment documents of the time, the Declaration was probably stored in a rolled format. Each time the document was used, it would have been unrolled and re-rolled. It likely traveled by light wagon and by horseback with the Continental Congress it its early years. When it was first brought to Washington, it traveled by boat, down the Delaware River and Bay, out into the ocean, into the Chesapeake Bay, and up the Potomac to the new capital city. During World War II, it was moved by Pullman train to Louisville, KY and transferred under armed guard to Fort Knox for safety and protection."

Extra credit: According to www.thedeclarationofindependence.org, "Contrary to popular belief, two original July 5th, 1776 (Philadelphia printer John) Dunlap printed broadsides with only Hancock and Thomson's names were the actual documents delivered to King George III notifying him of the resolution to absolve all ties with Great Britain. King George III never received a signed copy with a John Hancock’s signature large enough for him to read without his spectacles. The other names of the signers were not made public until 1777."

The concept of 'Top 10' lists is overused and boring. Let's start an exciting, NEW format, guaranteed to spark controversy and stimulate the reader, entitled 'The Bitter Analysis Top 11 List'. In order to firmly establish this brilliant idea, I humbly submit Number 11, perhaps the most important Declaration of Independence trivia of them all. Will someone please inform the watchdogs of journalistic integrity, 'Showbiz Tonight', 'Larry King Live', and 'FOX & Friends' so they can give Number 11 the publicity it so richly deserves? Also, CC the Pulitzer Prize committee, as it would be unseemly for me to submit it myself.

(11) What well-known actress, alive today, is related to one of the original 56 signers? Reese Witherspoon. She is a direct descendent of John Witherspoon! Extra credit: She is Hollywood's highest paid actress, commanding $15 to $20 million per film!! Extra extra credit: Reese is available again, guys. In 2006, Witherspoon filed for divorce from Ryan Phillippe, citing irreconcilable differences (oh please, Reese darling, give us the juicy details!) On June 12, 2008, Reese and Ryan finalized their divorce!!! One might opine that it was Reese's own Declaration of Independence!!!!

Working Class Influence in Rock n Roll

2008-06-27T00:05:00.000-07:00

While listening to a few 'oldies' recently, I found some interesting lyrics. There were bits of social commentary tucked away within love songs! I encourage you to click the links and listen before reading the lyrics and my analyses. Then listen a second time.

First up is Just Like Romeo and Juliet by The Reflections. It was released in 1964, the year that a very conservative Republican, Barry Goldwater, was nominated for President. The mood of the country was still somber after JFK's assassination. Not a time for lyrics to stir up class consciousness. Imagine my surprise when I read the words:

Findin' a job tomorrow mornin'
Got a little somethin' I wanna do
Gonna buy (gonna buy) somethin' I could ride in
A-Take my girl (take my girl) datin' at the drive-in
Our love's gonna be written down in history
A-Just like Romeo and Juliet

I'm gonna buy her pretty presents
Just like the ones in a catalog
Gonna show (gonna show) how much I love her
Let her know (let her know) one way or the other
Our love's gonna be written down in history
A-Just like Romeo and Juliet

(Ooh-ooh-oop)
(Dooo, doot, doot, doot, doot, doot, doot, doo-doop)

Just Like Romeo and Juliet
Just Like Romeo and Juliet
Just Like Romeo and Juliet
Just Like Romeo and Juliet

Talk about love and romance
Just wait 'til I get myself straight
I'm gonna put Romeo's fame
Right smack-dab on a date

Ah, all right, now, I'm speculatin'
Wonder what tomorrow's gonna really bring
If I don't (if I don't) find work tomorrow
It's gonna be (gonna be) heartaches 'n' sorrow
Our love's gonna be destroyed like a tragedy
Just like Romeo and Juliet

(Ooh-ooh-oop)
(Dooo, doot, doot, doot, doot, doot, doot, doo-doop)

Just like Romeo and Juliet
A-Just like Romeo and Juliet
A-Just like Romeo and Juliet
(Just like Romeo and Juliet)
(Just like Romeo and Juliet)
(Just like Romeo and Juliet)
(Just like Romeo and Juliet)

The opening lines to any song are of great importance. "Findin' a job tomorrow mornin'" The guy in this song is unemployed. "Gonna buy (gonna buy) somethin' I could ride in" He doesn't even have a car. "I'm gonna buy her pretty presents/Just like the ones in a catalog" Note that he is not in the class that would have seen these "pretty presents" while shopping in a fancy retail store. No. He's only seen them from afar - in a catalog. Finally, the very revealing lyrics, "If I don't (if I don't) find work tomorrow/It's gonna be (gonna be) heartaches 'n' sorrow/Our love's gonna be destroyed like a tragedy/Just like Romeo and Juliet" Up to that point, he dreams of a perfect romance, predicated upon finding a job and buying a car. Absent these materialistic things, his entire world will come crashing down, "(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet." These problems would not be as prevalent in an upper-income group, for whom being without a job and car simultaneously would be highly unlikely.

Next in line for a Bitter Analysis is Five O'Clock World by The Vogues. It was released in 1966. This was not an era conducive to getting songs with social commentary played on Top 40 AM radio. Unless those lyrics merged with a love story:

Up every mornin' just to keep a job
I gotta fight my way through the hustling mob
Sounds of the city poundin' in my brain
While another day goes down the drain

But it's a five o'clock world when the whistle blows
No one owns a piece of my time
And there's a five o'clock me inside my clothes
Thinkin' that the world looks fine, yeah

Tradin' my time for the pay I get
Livin' on money that I ain't made yet
I've been goin' tryin' to make my way
While I live for the end of the day

Cuz it's a five oclock world when the whistle blows
No one owns a piece of my time, and
There's a long-haired girl who waits, I know
To ease my troubled mind, yeah
oh my lady, yeah
oh my lady, yeah
In the shelter of her arms everything's OK
When she talks then the world goes slippin' away
And I know the reason I can still go on
When every other reason is gone,

In my five o'clock world she waits for me
Nothing else matters at all
Cuz every time my baby smiles at me
I know that it's all worthwhile,
yeah oh my lady,
yeah oh my lady, yeah, fade.....

The first four lines are extremely depressing. A normal person dealing with all that on a daily basis might become suicidal. The next four lines show that the real person has to be hidden away under his work mask until he leaves the job site. Once the shackles of the work-a-day world are thrown off, then and only then does " ... the world look fine." Indeed, the only reason he can put up with his job and the related world of work, a/k/a drudgery, is because of his lady love. A sad commentary on a society and culture that devalues a person and his job, and reduces him to a cog in the machine.

By 1970, radio had changed forever. Stations known as "underground FM" had sprouted up, whose mission was to reject the restrictive boundaries of the Top 40 AM outlets. Gone forever was the two to three minute record length 'rule'. Gone forever was the need to hide socially and politically charged lyrics. John Lennon wrote a dark song that is still controversial today. "Working Class Hero" appeared on his first album after leaving the Beatles in 1970, and must be included in any grouping of songs with a working class theme. No analysis, bitter or otherwise, is necessary:

As soon as you're born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

When they've tortured and scared you for 20 odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

There's room at the top they are telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

If you want to be a hero well just follow me
If you want to be a hero well just follow me

A hearty 'thank you' goes out to the songwriters who crafted their words to create powerful pictures and weave intricate tapestries. As with all pictures, their beauty and interpretation is in the eye of the beholder. I'm anxious to hear your decipherment of these songs, or any others you feel that fit into this category.