Politics, History and Science

Obama's First Disappointment

2009-04-16T17:47:00.000-07:00

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.

Dr. Abu al-Aish

2009-04-16T17:37:00.000-07:00

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

Religion and Tolerance? Crazy!

2009-04-14T19:07:00.000-07:00

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."

Saving the Big Three?

2009-03-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

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.

The Stimulus

2009-02-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

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.

Looking ahead to the future for Gaza

2009-01-24T10:57:00.000-08:00

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.

OBAMA, OBAMA, OBAMA

2009-01-21T20:32:00.000-08:00

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!

Great Letter from the Veterens for Peace Org

2009-01-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

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

Thoughts on Israel and Gaza

2009-01-18T16:40:00.001-08:00

1/16/09

Published in the Ann Arbor News Online Edition (Mlive.com) 1/29/2009

The ongoing massacre in Gaza should firmly put an end to the myth that Israel is a helpless nation desperately fighting to survive amongst hostile neighbors. Rather, the scale of the onslaught against the Palestinians and their utter inability to defend themselves is proof that Hamas has never been a real threat to the existence of Israel. Furthermore, the lack of any response, militarily or political, from any surrounding Arab country, demonstrates that Israel remains a regional superpower with nothing to fear except hollow threats from impotent leaders.

However, the intensity of the attacks on Gaza and previously in Lebanon, does reveal a cruel and sadistic side to Israel and questions the wisdom of permitting them to retain a powerful military. It seems clear that the most pressing issue for the International community to contend with is how to defend and protect the Palestinians in Gaza against future Israeli violence. The second prudent step would be containing Israel’s military capability by restricting weapon sales to provide a more equitable balance of power in the region. Finally, intense action to eliminate Israel’s nuclear weaponry is critical to maintaining stability in the Middle East. With a large stockpile of nuclear weapons and an apparent willingness to unleash appalling violence on it’s neighbors, Israel remains the most serious threat to peace in the region.

Nuclear Hypocrisy

2005-03-24T17:11:00.000-08:00

Recently North Korea announced they were a nuclear weapons country. Israel is known to have clandestinely produced several hundred atomic bombs since the 1960’s and Iran is suspected of having nuclear ambitions. The recent spate of nuclear weapons proliferation has caused concern amongst some nations to suggest that increased political pressure or sanctions via the UN Security Council is needed, while others have suggested preemptive military action is justified. Both of these views while ostensibly in the interest of world peace are in fact thinly veiled policies of self interest by the 5 permanent members of the Security Council and designed to preserve the status quo of world power. Ironically, it is precisely the status quo that is the driving force for the spread of nuclear weapons today.

At the heart of the issue are the obligations of states that are party to the non proliferation treaty on nuclear weapons (NPT). Adopted in 1968, the NPT is an agreement by the “non nuclear weapon states” not to acquire nuclear weapons while the 5 declared “nuclear weapon states” (U.S., China, USSR, France, UK) agreed to divest themselves of those weapons through good faith negotiations. The treaty was not intended to divide the world into “haves” and “have nots”, but in fact to lead to complete global disarmament as outlined in the preamble and article VI. Unfortunately, the NPT is in jeopardy because the 5 nuclear weapon states (i.e. the permanent members of the Security Council) remain in material breach of their treaty obligations by refusing to destroy their nuclear arsenals. Incredibly, the United States is even studying whether a new nuclear penetrator or “mini nukes” for deeply buried targets should be developed and whether the moratorium on underground nuclear tests should be lifted so new designs can be developed.

Nuclear non-proliferation and global disarmament are issues that cannot be separated and must be jointly pursued. Without a demonstrated commitment of disarmament by the nuclear weapons states that include a cessation in research and development activities, international monitoring and firm timelines, proliferation of nuclear weapons in emerging states is inevitable. These countries would not only have the right to develop a nuclear deterrent but a strategic need to preserve nation sovereignty and it would be hypocritical to demand they forgo nuclear weapons if the current nuclear weapons powers are not prepared to do so themselves. A continuation of the nuclear status quo is a recipe for inevitable conflict with the potential for global catastrophe.

Israeli War Crimes

2005-02-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

Published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, March 8, 2002

We can't give Israel a pass for its behavior

On April 9, 1948, one month before the self-declared state of Israel was formed, elements of Jewish terrorist groups entered the Arab city of Deir Yassin, west of Jerusalem. When it was all over, some 250 innocent Arab civilians lay dead. Over the next year, three-quarters of a million Palestinian Arabs would flee from their homes in terror, and more than 385 villages would be demolished to make room for the new state of Israel. Most would be forbidden to return. The Deir Yassin massacre had served its purpose.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon continues to choose war over peace. Unsatisfied with most of historic Palestine, Israel has been steadily carving up remaining Palestinian lands in the West Bank and Gaza and forcing the Palestinians into isolated "Warsaw ghettos." The Israeli military has engaged in a new campaign to crush Palestinian aspirations of democracy and liberty with brutal military reprisals under the guise of fighting terrorism.

These behaviors are so contrary to American values they must be rejected completely. Americans can send a clear message of dissatisfaction by omitting Israel from their travel plans, refusing to do business with Israeli companies and asking their senators and congressman to stop foreign aid and arms sales until Israel behaves like a civilized nation.

Jon Debling

War Crimes Hypocrisy

2005-02-04T07:10:00.000-08:00

Published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, July 12, 2001

Tribunal more hypocrisy than justice

The arrest and transport to The Hague of former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic only reaffirms the well-known fact that war criminals are people who lose wars. The conduct and actions of Milosevic during the last decade were not unique, overly appalling or distinctly discernible from those of Western nations and others over the past century.

Proponents of his arrest claim this is a victory for international law and justice for victims. However, Milosevic's pending trial by a U.N. Security Council tribunal is clearly politically motivated. If international justice were a credible concept, several criminals would be sitting in prisons today. Ariel Sharon of Israel would have been arrested for his involvement in the massacre at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Lebanon. Former Sen. Bob Kerrey, who admitted to killing dozens of civilians in Vietnam while a Navy SEAL, should be en route to The Hague.

What justice can the victims of the Panama invasion, conflict in Chechnya, bombings of Iraq or rampages of Augusto Pinochet of Chile expect? Who will prosecute French soldiers for crimes in Algeria, the Chinese for killings in Tibet or the British during colonial oppression in Africa and Asia?

In the past, the victorious allied forces executed Japanese and German "war criminals" while ignoring and denying their own similar acts. Now, NATO will exact "justice" on the defeated and deposed former president of Yugoslavia. This is not international justice, only hypocrisy.

Jon Debling

The Routes of Terrorism

2005-02-04T07:03:00.000-08:00

Published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, Oct. 14, 2001

Bombings fail to address roots of terrorism

On Oct. 7, the United States and Britain began the campaign to eliminate terrorism by bombing Afghanistan. This effort is bound to be ineffective in the long run because it fails to address the basic causes of terrorism.
Attacks on America

Terrorism is political in nature and has its roots in guerrilla warfare, typified by struggles between poorly armed partisans and far more powerful adversaries. State-sponsored terrorism is more sinister and more commonplace yet conveniently overlooked when committed by friendly allies or key trading partners.

The U.S. has a long history of usurping democracy in the region by supporting repressive regimes. It continues today by providing economic, political and military support to dictatorships in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait. Nowhere is our blatant disregard for basic human rights, democracy and freedom more obvious than in our continuing support of Israel's military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

The events of Sept. 11 have energized the world to combat international terrorism. But how does one define a terrorist? America can steer through this fog of ambiguity by exporting its treasured principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to all nations via judicious foreign policy decisions. Such benevolent global leadership is the most effective tactic against terrorism.

Jon Debling

Arafat and the Middle East

2005-01-21T18:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Yasser Arafat, the leader of the Palestinian people and 1994 Nobel Peace Prize winner tragically passed away. For a half a century, Arafat steadfastly fought to liberate the Palestinian people from brutal Israeli occupation and ever encroaching colonization of the Palestinian homeland. Sadly, Arafat did not live to see his dream of a free Palestine become reality. History however, will remember him as a heroic freedom fighter like others before him such as George Washington, Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.

With Arafat’s death, some have speculated a Palestinian state could be imminent if a new more compliant Palestinian government is willing to crack down on resistance organizations. In reality, the impediment to peace has never had anything to do with combating terrorism or safeguarding Israel, since the conflict has always been and remains a land dispute. Now as before, the choice for peace is Israel’s alone. As always, it must decide whether it desires peace with the Palestinians or Palestinian land in the West Bank. Unfortunately, until Israel withdraws to the pre 1967 borders and recognizes the right of Palestine to exist as a sovereign nation, the fighting will continue and freedom will elude the Palestinians. Arafat’s dream will have been lost.

Jon Debling