Today, President Obama absolved CIA officers from prosecution for harsh, painful interrogation of terror suspects. Indicating he wanted to "Nothing will be gained by spending our time and energy laying blame for the past" and he wanted to "move beyond a dark and painful chapter in our history". Maybe he is right. Time to close down the Simon Wiesenthal Center and let suspected Nazi war criminals alone. The holocaust is long over. Move on! The FBI would be wise to shred it's cold case files. Let the bones of victims rest. May as well stop the UN international criminal tribunal for Rwanda or investigations in Uganda, Sudan and the Congo. Who cares? Get past it!
But something is gained by investigating crimes. Justice. Until the perpetrators of criminal acts are punished for their actions, their victims will suffer in silence and the rule of law will be meaningless.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Dr. Abu al-Aish
The tragic story of the loss of 3 daughters of Palestinian Dr. Abu al-Aish's during the Israeli assault of Gaza is highlighted in this CBC interview with Anna Maria Tremonti. Dr. al-Aish has been nominated for a Nobel Peace prize for his work to facilitate peace.
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2009/200904/20090406.html
http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2009/200904/20090406.html
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Religion and Tolerance? Crazy!
This is a great site if you want to know more about the different beliefs of the various faiths.
http://www.religioustolerance.org
Did you know that "There are three versions of the Ten Commandments in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). They are at Exodus 20:2-17, Exodus 34:12-26, and Deuteronomy 5:6-21."
http://www.religioustolerance.org
Did you know that "There are three versions of the Ten Commandments in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). They are at Exodus 20:2-17, Exodus 34:12-26, and Deuteronomy 5:6-21."
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saving the Big Three?
The dire financial situations of GM, Chrysler and Ford, has generated much debate about bailing out the “big three”. Some argue, the current economic crisis is to blame for their economic woes and that they are too big to fail. But a bailout is only one aspect of several transportation issues facing the United States.
On the central issue of whether the U.S. government should intervene to assure the survival of the legacy automakers, my opinion is a resounding no. Whether they survive as entities is a function of how well they manage their businesses in a free market. Businesses are granted broad liberties in matters of commerce without undue interference from government. They are free to manage their affairs as they see fit and entitled to the resulting profits. Accordingly, they ultimately bear the consequences of poor decisions. A second issue is whether we should support the “auto industry” in the United States. Here, the answer is yes because the industry is strategic and vital to national security. Likely, a more robust and sustainable industrial model is one comprised of numerous smaller companies that are more innovative, flexible and profitable.
Thirdly, the nation must decide if it should become less reliant on oil. Again, I say yes. Apart from the clear environmental and national security benefits, investing in alternative energy programs would put the U.S. in a clear global leadership position in this new field and provide a major economic boom to a depressed economy.
On the central issue of whether the U.S. government should intervene to assure the survival of the legacy automakers, my opinion is a resounding no. Whether they survive as entities is a function of how well they manage their businesses in a free market. Businesses are granted broad liberties in matters of commerce without undue interference from government. They are free to manage their affairs as they see fit and entitled to the resulting profits. Accordingly, they ultimately bear the consequences of poor decisions. A second issue is whether we should support the “auto industry” in the United States. Here, the answer is yes because the industry is strategic and vital to national security. Likely, a more robust and sustainable industrial model is one comprised of numerous smaller companies that are more innovative, flexible and profitable.
Thirdly, the nation must decide if it should become less reliant on oil. Again, I say yes. Apart from the clear environmental and national security benefits, investing in alternative energy programs would put the U.S. in a clear global leadership position in this new field and provide a major economic boom to a depressed economy.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Stimulus
Published in the Ann Arbor News, March 1, 2009
Some time ago I saw a graph showing American personal savings rates plummeting from 25 percent during World War II to negative by 2005. The erosion of savings appeared to be directly connected to the emergence of universal credit cards by the 1960s. The availability of "easy" credit seems partially responsible for an unprecedented spending binge over decades, radically transforming American views on fiscal frugality. As President Obama promotes his new stimulus package, I question whether "more spending" is a good solution to our financial woes. Rather, I contend a change in mind set from "buy now-pay later" to "save now-buy later" is needed.
For consumers, the consequence of this philosophy is that cash becomes the dominant mode of purchasing, while credit cards get relegated to absolute necessities and online purchases. If they must be used, a payment to the card should follow the next day to keep the balance at zero. Big-ticket items such as automobiles should never be purchased with loans. Its a sign you really can't afford it.
Rather, save your money until you have enough then pay cash for it.
You'll get a better price and save thousands in finance charges.
However, large purchases should be delayed until 401(k) contributions have been maximized and liquid reserves equal at least six months salary.
This philosophical transformation will take time and commitment, but the current economic crisis is wake up call for a return to fiscal responsibility. The current "spending" mentality is simply not sustainable.
Some time ago I saw a graph showing American personal savings rates plummeting from 25 percent during World War II to negative by 2005. The erosion of savings appeared to be directly connected to the emergence of universal credit cards by the 1960s. The availability of "easy" credit seems partially responsible for an unprecedented spending binge over decades, radically transforming American views on fiscal frugality. As President Obama promotes his new stimulus package, I question whether "more spending" is a good solution to our financial woes. Rather, I contend a change in mind set from "buy now-pay later" to "save now-buy later" is needed.
For consumers, the consequence of this philosophy is that cash becomes the dominant mode of purchasing, while credit cards get relegated to absolute necessities and online purchases. If they must be used, a payment to the card should follow the next day to keep the balance at zero. Big-ticket items such as automobiles should never be purchased with loans. Its a sign you really can't afford it.
Rather, save your money until you have enough then pay cash for it.
You'll get a better price and save thousands in finance charges.
However, large purchases should be delayed until 401(k) contributions have been maximized and liquid reserves equal at least six months salary.
This philosophical transformation will take time and commitment, but the current economic crisis is wake up call for a return to fiscal responsibility. The current "spending" mentality is simply not sustainable.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Looking ahead to the future for Gaza
The current pause in hostilities in Gaza gives one a bit of time to ponder what the future may hold for the 1.5 million Palestinians that live there. In my view there are three stark and quite somber possibilities. First, the Palestinians might continue to resist Israeli hegemony over them. Without direct assistance from an outside source or the ability to bring more powerful weapons into Gaza, military confrontation with the regional superpower, Israel, is likely only to bring more devastation and suffering. A new strategy of peaceful resistance consisting of breaking all economic activity with Israel, political organization for solidarity amongst the Palestinians and non violent activities are likely to be more successful and accepted internationally. Alternatively, the Gazans may choose to capitulate and accept Israeli rule over them. In this scenario, the specter of Apartheid rule would once again raise its ugly head on the international stage. Accepting Israeli rule would mean Gaza would continue to exist as a vulnerable ghetto or prison camp and the world would be sending a message to the Palestinians they they are not entitled to the same basic rights as Israelis. Finally, without the ability to protect themselves, freely move and economically prosper, abandoning Gaza may be the choice of last resort. Then, Israel will have finally ethnically cleaned the Gaza area and can turn it's attention to the task of finishing off the West Bank.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
OBAMA, OBAMA, OBAMA
Congratulations to President Obama on taking the Oath of office (twice as a matter of fact) and becoming the 44th president of the United States. 8 years of darkness lit up by a new ray of hope. Hey even if Obama locks the doors of the Whitehouse and does nothing for 4 years, he will still have a better Presidency than G.W. Bush did!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Great Letter from the Veterens for Peace Org
By Arnold Steiber, 1-19-09 in the Ann Arbor News online edition (Mlive)
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/01/letter_us_must_end_its_aid_for.html
http://www.mlive.com/opinion/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/01/letter_us_must_end_its_aid_for.html
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